Design – Page 4 – Holly Whittlef

May 6, 2015 — Comments are off for this post.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

I know it's a few days early, but it's only fair all the mamas out there get a little extra love + attention. And as a devoted daughter, what better way for me to do that than with a Mother's Day card designed in honor of my own mom? A small token to say thank you, Babs.

These two-color, letterpress printed cards came off the press last week, and—exciting news!—are being sold at a local shop called Anthology along with a few of my letterpress notepads + new projects I'm working on. If you're ever in Madison, you must stop by. Such a cute store.

Back to Mother's Day! Whether you're a new mom, work mom, grandma mom, honorary mom, cool mom or just ya know...mom, I wish you a happy Mother's Day.

And to my own mom, you really are the BEST EVER.

( *If I can ever get my act together, these cards shall be in my online shop soon. )

Published by Holly Whittlef in Design, letterpress

March 30, 2015 — Comments are off for this post.

MY BUSINESS CARDS

Even though I printed my business cards more than three months ago for my portfolio show, I finally got around to finishing trimming all the cards just a few weeks ago. Normally, the reason would be that I'm really good at procrastination ( usually by means of hilarious Buzzfeed articles like this ). Lately however, work has been steady + I haven't needed the cards so much.

BUT I still love these letterpress, hand-watercolored nuggets just as much as the day I printed them. It's probably because they combine all my most favorite things : letterpress, hand lettering, mustard yellow + polka dots.

These cards were letterpress printed by me on two types of paper—chipboard + a super thick white stock called Crane's Lettra. I stuck with a dark charcoal gray ink for letterpress, then added a fun, custom pattern to the bottom of each card with watercolor. That makes each card truly unique. And am I the only one who loves having different options to choose from? These cards were a huge hit at the portfolio show, which makes me believe I'm not alone in this.

Don't make me pick a favorite card, although the mustard yellow polka dot one clearly wins.

Buzzfeed even has my back on this one ( see #22 ).

Published by Holly Whittlef in Design, letterpress

March 25, 2015 — Comments are off for this post.

BACK AT IT

I've been home from the Netherlands for less than two days, but it feels like oh so forever ago that I was traveling through the land of canals, frites, waffles, tulips and all the marijuana you could ever want ( Instagram proof here ). The trip was amazing of course, but like any time spent away from home, there's always an endless list of things to catch up on upon returning.

So, I've been busting a serious move since touching back down in Chicago to attack this booked-up week. But this morning—after getting up wayyyy too early to finish off some logo drafts—I opened up some old scans of doodles and made this pattern. Ya know, for fun.

I'm learning that even in the midst of crazy schedules, taking just 20 minutes of "me" time to do whatever I want can give me a much-needed mini boost. I feel less anxious and much happier. And since I almost always choose me-time hand-lettering ( or some other form of doodling or drawing ), it also gives me time to practice, sketch out ideas and sharpen my skills.

Until I get some time to play with all my Netherlands photos, enjoy the strawberry pattern. It's got me thinking of spring, and all the delicious homemade coconut oil shortcakes in my future.

Happy hump day, my friends.

Published by Holly Whittlef in Design, Random