Zentangle blog is coming...shh

Stay tuned for the official Zentangle blog coming your way soon!

from the Zentangle site:

What is Zentangle?

Zentangle is an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It is a fascinating new art form that is fun and relaxing. It increases focus and creativity. Zentangle provides artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well being. Zentangle is enjoyed by a wide range of skills and ages and is used in many fields of interest.

We believe that life is an art form and that Zentangle is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life. Explore our web site and learn how you can use this wonderful and uplifting discovery.

To find out more and to stay on top of things, visit the official Zentangle website.

Zentangle is bringing many people, sometimes the most reluctant ones, some very inspirational experiences. Rick and Maria get hundreds of handwritten letters and emails of stories from people who's lives have been touched by Zentangle. Go to the newsletter and check out some of them!

In the meantime, get ready to share your own images and stories on the blog. If you have some blogworthy events or suggestions, please email rickandmaria@zentangle.com with "BLOG IDEA" in the subject.

Three Fun Ladies

{image via ffffound}

OK, I know I am straying from the normal posting flavor here, but I have had this image saved for a while and today's sunshine and feelings of springtime emerging in NE, prompted me to kick it up a notch, or six! Far from spring, I just love the free spirited ladies. Makes me think of some women I know who are just as kooky. This is a scarf I could send to a few people who would actually sport it at the right party. See the rose tattoo?

Jeff and Erin Epic Wedding Save the Date

The best part is, I just watched Julie and Julia, where Julia and her sister were much taller than their husbands.

This is pure creativity and originality.

p.s. I saw this first on Offbeat Bride's FB.

Ruffles in Paris

{image via ffffound}

Have an adventurous and wonderful weekend. Do something crazy.

A Secret Garden Wedding of Laura and Taylor

I wanted to share with you this image board created at Style Me Pretty. The tool is so cool. I was inspired by the bright colors and fun memories of Laura Niemi and Taylor Young's wedding. A beautiful day! Laura and Taylor created these beautiful invites and DIY accessories.

Photography credits to Dom Miguel Photography.

Hong Kong Fashion Week

Looking through WSJ today this image stopped my in my tracks. How stunning is the dress from Dorian Ho at Hong Kong Fashion week? Once satiated with the drink of deep red, eyes wander to the men. I don't know who is more glam, some of the men or this woman? She is probably wondering where the eyes are focused! What a provocative and gorgeous presentation!

Loving Amy Sarabi

{image taken from Amy's website, amysarabi and repositioned with a little tweaking}

I am just loving the talent on this segment of Project Runway, but I am completely loving the amazing creativity of Amy Sarabi. She currently designs for the active men's division of Old Navy. Although, i think the Gap may be missing their mark with this little gem. If you remember my long winded Gap post about a year ago, when they picked up a few items with Alex Wang...I think the women's line at Gap would have a bigger market share if they let this chick loose in womenswear.

Just sayin'.

We are watching you, Amy! Good luck. Who are you rooting for?

Natural Inspiration

I love the new tool over at Style Me Pretty in the "community section"! More to come from Festival Creative. Join me over there for wedding inspiration and insight on invitations, color, expressing your personal style and more of these amazing mood boards. Their tool is pretty sweet.

Festival Creative Invitations

{ a selection of invites from Paper Bouquet by Checkerboard, photos by Adoniram Sides}

We now have a fan page for Festival Creative Invitations on Facebook, so head on over! I have been really busy the last few months creating a unique wedding album with so many creative suites, perfect for those couples who are one step ahead, seeking great design and value with the invite that will WOW their guests. It's top secret right now, to be unveiled right before the National Stationery Show in NYC. We have had a fantastic year and have been busy designing some really great new product. Click the link, Micah Chase, our company's prez is in the vid a few times.



This new year means I am getting focused on my personal 2010 goals, one of them being to get some projects up on Behance. The link is Behance.net/michellemay, so please check it out! A bunch more on the way, but I have to feed my children once in a while or they get testy!

{Festival readers will get a sneak peak of the new project. So excited!!!}

Welcome to 2010

{image of the mysterious apple tablet or islate via gizmodo}

Thinking so much lately about how the web is rapidly changing a lot of industries. Magazines, retail, technology, and well I guess I see it more in paper. That is what I do. We have seen the great strides that optimism have taken in the last few years as our economy has tanked. It is interesting to see how companies have latched on to feel good vibes, such as the innovator of that business model, Life is Good. Some try to emulate, shamelessly. Some try to make money off the coat tails and the dust they leave in their tracks. As a designer I get all bunchy when I see the attempts, so unoriginal and lame.

{image of jake and bert jacobs via body and soul magazine}

"Optimism focuses on what's right with the world, rather than on what's wrong," says Bert. "It's tremendously empowering." While not an action in and of itself, it invites collaboration and outreach. "It allows you to meet new people, learn new things," he adds. "It's the belief in the possibility of something -- because then there's a chance of getting there."
~via body and soul

Those Jacobs boys have been front runners in this feel good initiative since the founding of their company over 15 years ago. This was not about foresight, but the genuine intuitive sense to go after what is good and bottle that up for the masses. From sharing and donating to good causes, companies are waking up to tighter ethical guidelines, whether it is a green initiative or a feeling of well-being. Some of it is internal and deep like the example of the boys here, but some of it is external, a marketing decision, letting the world know how essentially "good" they are. Whatever it may be, companies are striving for the good and to align themselves with that creamy goodness that rises to the top.

A divergence from convention is the only way autonomy will be noticed in this power packed struggle to gain market share and elbow room when walls are high and the crowd is thick, with energy filled competition. In every industry this is happening. I watch the dieline for inspiration. Packaging is a secret passion. Good packaging is like wrapping the product in chocolate, a fine rich European chocolate. In all industries good design is a MUST. Even in wedding blogging has the trend shifted to a more unique and unconventional expression. The more unconventional weddings are the chic and expressive way to celebrate. Photographers are getting more artistic and brides are letting them and paying huge for photojournalistic images of their special day.

Since it effects my work, I watch wedding blogs. I watch them all try to emulate each other. And then there is one. Take the blog 100 Layer Cake, who I follow and you should too if you are getting married, or if you like the visual stimulation of original color palettes and the eclectic and original taste. I follow and am inspired by the blog because I am a wedding invitation designer, I love the blog because I am a designer. It is NOT like other wedding blogs.

Notice the exceptional. Share the finds. The cream will always rises to the top! Viral conversations are free and pretty soon, they will take over so much of marketing. This decade will bring amazing things to the retail industry. Great, exceptional design will emerge everywhere and where it does not, there will be smaller lines. As we await the unveiling of the Apple tablet/islate and the Nexus let us take note of other exceptional designs and initiatives and spread the word!

...find me on twitter.