Taylor Made designs

Books + Bookplates

Aren't these a great idea? I just designed these bookplates for a school fundraiser.

Maybe it's all this snow and people are inside reading more, but I have never been so busy designing bookplates as I have this past January/February. How long this trend will continue is unknown seeing we are heading more and more towards digital media. No need for bookplates then :(

Myself, I've been doing my fair share of reading too. {just don't ask me if my books have bookplates in them.} Much like the cobbler's kids, my books are naked too. Someday I'll actually get around to placing bookplates inside them. Although lately the books I have been buying + reading have been on my iPad. A trend I have been slow to adapt. But adapting I am.

I have to admit, it's quite nice to open my iPad and read anywhere: the pool during swim lessons, the doctor's office, the hair salon.  The problem... I like paper. Ok, understatement. I love paper. I like the smell of books. I like the feel of paper and turning the pages of a book. Swishing my finger to turn the page doesn't have the same appeal for me.

I downloaded Treasure Island to read to the kids and it's just not the same as reading a hardcovered book. It's just not the same experience. I'd hate for them not to have a beautiful library full of books. So I continue to buy them books and yes, their books, unlike their mum's, have bookplates in them :)

My latest reads: Cutting for Stone, The Slap,  Peace Like A River, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet to name a few. All really great books.

So, what are you reading? Are you reading a hardcover or have you gone digital?  I want to know :)

Hotdrop!

Remember the logo I was working on last year? The one for the yoga clothing line? The one back in July? Well, here it is again  :)

My client has done a 180. They changed the name. Which I have to applaud. I hated the original name...and very diplomatically told them so :) Around Christmas time they agreed and brainstormed for a new name. They came up with "Hotdrop". They are aiming for "activewear" for men + women, ages 14-65. So far, all they have is yoga wear but are planning on expanding in the future.

So anyway, I needed to design a new mark since the last mark no longer worked with the new name. The mark will be printed on all the clothing. I always strive to give them a variety of looks to chose from.

I have my favorite... #5. I like how simple, clean + modern it is.  It's strong.

#3 the client drew this and had me recreate it in illustrator. For some reason, it does not work for me. The "h" looks like a "b". Perhaps if I rework it and find a good font I could get it to work...though I did try a bunch of fonts, but it felt like an "h" on top of a drop, and it kept looking like a "b" still.

#1,#4,#7 are some of the original marks I created and then reworked. I like the overlapping shapes that create new shapes. #4 created a "heart" and evokes movement, flexibility. #7 the shapes create a "drop" and then I added an "h" to it. It also looks like a bird. Which symbolically respresents freedom, soaring, achieving new heights etc.

#9 represents a bunch of drops that creates "flames" hence, hot drops :)

If you have a moment...can you give me some feedback? Let me know if there is one mark that resonates with you... or if you hate them all :) I can take it! Thanks so much.

On the Mark?

Working on a logo for a yoga clothing line, marketed to both women + men. Audience 16-65 in age. Pretty broad based. It wasn't till after phase 1 {where I do a lot of conceptual work} that the client mentioned he didn't want the mark to be, well, "too yoga-looking". Figures. He then changed his mind again during phase 2 :) Yoga-looking was ok.

Here are a couple of contenders. 

I started out working with an eclipse-amoeba shape and played with it. Hence #9... the two eclipses formed an "s" and resembled the "ying + yang" mark. {Oh the name starts with an "S"}

#2 + #3 I incorporated with the letter "i" in the name... you know, replacing the dot over the "i".

I thought something simple + clean would work best. I wanted to show movement without being so literal. I love when a couple of shapes can evoke a feeling + attitude.

Curious, is there is one mark that you are drawn to?

Happy Halloween

We're getting ready for the huge "sugar inducing" high that is Halloween :) We've put out the decorations, the pumpkins are ready to be carved, and the candy is out (and taste tested...yum).  I'll post the kids in their costumes tomorrow. Yesterday the kids wore their adorable MiteTees to school. Coach Neal passed out some treats to his soccer team. I designed Halloween tags and bagged the candy up for him. Candy + kids = thrilled.
Happy Halloween. Be safe and – I dare ya –  try not to eat too much candy.

Perfect Gifts

Who doesn't want to be a rockstar at gift giving? Or have their child have the best, and most unique things to wear. I know I do :) I'll be honest... I hate having what everyone else has or gives. I always go out of my way to find something that is uniquely different. {That's how many of my Taylor Made design products have started.} Anywho, my friend Cindy gave Davis this t-shirt the other day. Cute, no? She wore it out while we were grocery shopping and so many people stopped us and asked her where she got it. To say that Davis felt special is a bit of an understatement.

"My mum's friend made it – she made it for ME! It's my favorite shirt." declared Davis. Seriously, she was beaming. It's cute + clever with an edge. Love it.

I just love her stuff. You can personalize all her products. {which wins major points from me}  I just know that if Cindy received the exposure she should have, she'd make it BIG. I am talking Oprah big :) So do me a little favor, when you have a chance, check out her site + products at Mitetees.com. She has stuff for newborn babies, toddlers and young kids. Right now she is going to design a t-shirt for William – a skeleton head with an Indiana Jones hat on it. (she knows he LOVES Indiana Jones + pirates) He is going to be so excited to wear it. And really, isn't that what it's all about?

Birthday Gift Ideas

Here's another birthday gift I created for William's friend Savannah. Like most little girls, she loves fairies, and girly things. So I found a fairy illustration online, modified it + added colour to it. I then created a sketch pad, notepad + custom notecards with envelopes and stickers. I also picked up some markers. The fairy illustration has come in handy. Naturally Davis wanted stickers + a notebook of her own. 

I swear, I have more fun making up these presents than the kids have using them. I am still not convinced that a little boy would be enamoured with a notecards, sketchbooks etc. So I find myself heading to the store buying legos :)

Great Baby Gift for New Mums – mitetees!

I want to have another baby just so I can order one of these clever onesies!  Seriously... is this not the cutest baby gift ever?

Actually, short-sleeve t-shirts are available for toddlers up to 6 years of age.
Whew. No need to have a baby :) 

Anyway, good thing there is another baby boom going on, because now I can do the next best thing... order some for my friends and be the superstar gift giver :) Cause you know... everyone wants to be known for giving the best gifts. Give one of these, and tadaa, you are a rockstar. That is exactly how Cindy, the owner of MiteTees started this business. She made these onesies for her sister. Gave them to her at her baby shower and everyone "oohhh + awwwed" and wanted her to make one for them. Love stories like that.

I met Cindy last fall while we were both doing a house party. I had seen her onesies in a local store and just loved the whole concept. Oh, and the way she packages them up? Adorable. 

Cindy + I  meet up on Friday mornings for coffee and to just chat about our businesses and stuff. It's so good to have someone else to run ideas by and to provide feedback on stuff. Plus, she's funny :) Her significant other, Paul, is a comedian. So she keeps me laughing.

The onesies are really reasonably priced. They sell for $24.00 and she has a promotion going on right now. Save $4.00.  Tons of different designs. Really, go check out her website. Such great ideas.

A customized baby gift for $20.00? Can you say, a w e s o m e.

Need some ideas? I've got 'em. Perfect Teacher Gifts :)

I know. I am tooting my own horn here, but honestly, this is what's been keeping me busy the last few weeks. Bookplates + notecards for teachers, kids, and friends. I didn't realize how popular these would be. I think both products are priced right and are pretty darn sweet. Boy, I really am tooting my horn huh :)

So get your orders in today. The end of the year is almost here! For my kids June 15th + 18th are the last days of school. You can either contact me via my email address, kat at taylormadedesigns dot com or visit my etsy shoppe.

Here are a few answers to some questions I have already received: Here's the 411. 

Turn Around Time
It's usually a week turn around time, even for custom illustrations. I ship USPS, first class. Depending on where you are, that takes around 3-4 days delivery. Canada, it's longer!

Custom Illustrations
Yes, your order can be  "Taylor Made". I am offering all the illustrations on my ABC print for both the bookplates + the notecards. I also have available: a horse, a crab, flipflops, a purse and a few additional illustrations that I will put in my etsy shoppe. I can create a custo, taylor made illustration for an additional $4.00. Really now, how cool is that? A " Caramel Frappuccino® blended coffee at Starbucks cost more than that!

Email me with questions or requests. Thanks again for all your support!

Bookplates! Perfect for your kids + teacher gifts!

 The end of the school year is quickly approaching! I can't believe a whole school year has past. Time is just flying, no? Time to think about teacher gifts, graduation gifts etc.

My Taylor Made design party the other night went really well. One of my best sellers were these new bookplates I created. As with all my products, I originally made these for Will + Davis. They are always bringing books to school and sharing. We have lost our fair share of books, so I decided it would be pretty smart to create some bookplates to put in their books. Only took me a few years to do it! Well, a couple of parents saw them and asked if I would make some for their children. And tadaa... a new product.

They are available using my ABC illustrations + basically any other illustration you would like. Of course,  I take "taylor made" orders - so a few people the other night asked for a tennis racket and flipflops.  I'll take photos of those and show you how they turned out. (hint, they came out really cute!) They come in a custom made black box. A really delightful gift for anyone!

They will be available in my Etsy store, or if you want, just contact me directly via my email. kat at taylormadedesigns dot com. I can design anything (well, within reason) for you. They are 30 labels for $12.00. A bargain if I do say so myself!

Taylor Made design Party at Sandi's house

On May 8th I am having a Taylor Made designs party at my friend + cousin, Sandi's house. We pointed people to my blog so they could get a sneak peek of my stuff. So welcome to all of Sandi's friends! I hope you will make it. I do not make a boring + painful presentation. It's a pretty casual affair with no pressure to buy. Of course I hope you will find some stuff you'll like. You can see some of my products by checking out my photo album - located on my sidebar to the right. Just click on Taylor Made designs products. You can also visit my Tag-it site, as well as my Etsy store. Oh, I accept all forms of payment: cash, checks and credit cards :) If you see something you'd like, let me know and I will make sure I bring it. Thanks and I look forward to seeing you all next Friday! A big thanks to Sandi for hosting!

Party Invitation

Just finished this invite for Davis's school. Cute huh?
We are bracing for another #@$%%*# snowstorm. I'm just tired of snow and ice. seriously. Spring can not come fast enough for me. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see it is 4:30 and it's still light outside.

January Sale in my Etsy Store

This past weekend I did a major clean up of my studio and decided that I should try to sell some of my products, you know, make room for new stuff...and what better way to do that, than to have a SALE!

Mini Taylor books were $20 - they are now $15.00.
Perfect books to keep in your bag. Think about how many times you make a list and lose it.
Keep track of your to-do-lists, measurements of windows, walls, furniture, paint chips etc.
These are perfect teacher gifts and hostess gifts too. {think of june, end of the year presents}
Also, these books are environmentally friendly. Once the spiral pad inside is filled, you just take it out and replace with a new pad.

ABC prints were $15 - they are now $10.
I sold quite a few of these prints at my Taylor Made designs parties this past fall.
They are perfect for kids rooms. They look fabulous framed. Nice birthday or baby presents.

Wine + Gift Tags were $6 - they are now $4.
How often do you find yourself giving wine as gifts? If like me, then lots!
Whenever you go over to your friend's house I'm sure you bring a bottle of wine. My wine tags would be perfect to put over the neck of the bottle and let your hostess know it's from you. {plus, it's environmentally more friendly than all that ribbon and packaging!}

So head on over to my Etsy Store and buy yourself some great stuff.

I like that!

Here are some of my latest finds on Etsy.
Just love love love the bird illustrations.
Have you found a favorite seller on Etsy? Share!

:: Silver earrings – loosewirestudio.etsy.com
I love these simple silver earrings. Just beautiful. They remind me a bit of me & ro jewelry, without the price tag :)

:: Dog Collar – loohlalola.etsy.com
My black lab, Dakota, would look so cute with this pink dog collar with the skulls.

:: Bird photo – Geninne.etsy.com
I love these illustrations. You should see all the other bird illustrations she has. They are just beautiful.

Today we are heading into town to see the Belem, the French Tall Ship. It's hanging out at Rowes Wharf. I think the kids and Neal's mum, who is here visiting, will love seeing the boat. Hope everyone has a fantastic and relaxing weekend.

:: friday wrap up ::

It's been a busy few weeks. Sold some of my ABC prints in my Etsy store. Had tons of inquiries for my wine + gift tags, sold some of them in my online store, and filled a few wholesales orders. phew. I'm glad it is the weekend. Not that I am complaining. Nothing makes me happier than to be filling orders :)

Here on the east coast, it's suppose to be sunny but still cool this weekend.  Perfect weather for spring clean up. What will you all be doing? Anything fun?