week fifteen - 2025
Last week was filled with freelance design. Which was a refreshing change of pace. If you didn't know, I went to school for graphic design. It started in High School at a Vocational Center where we designed for local businesses and printed on a one color press. I then went to Columbia College of Chicago and got a degree in Graphic Design. I once spent my days in front of a computer designing advertisements and catalogs and all things print for an agency then a corporation. When I started a. favorite design I imagined I would be designing two to three days a week and letterpress printing a couple days a week. That wasn't realistic. Instead, I spend several days a week printing, cutting and scoring, and almost a full day emailing, working on blog posts and the newsletter and the rest of my days taking care of business stuff. All that to say, I really loved spending almost two full work days just designing. It made me realize, I need to somehow make more time to design. Anyway, my assignment was to create a Victorian inspired labels for eight luxury candles. This is one of my favorites. Soon, you can see them all in person at The Scent Queens Candle Co.
I also spent a day changing the blade on my cutter. Which doesn't take an entire day but making micro adjustments to the raising or lowering of the blade takes a bit of finesse. Afterward I cut down all the printing of mom, dad & grad cards I've been reprinting for weeks. Take this as a reminder, Mother's Day is a month away. We have cards you can give to moms, grandmas, aunts and mother figures. This week we restocked Jiffy, Mom Rock, Gram, Grad Rock, Dad Style and Pop Rocks.
Speaking of upcoming card celebratory days, we have a perfect card for this week! 4/20 is Sunday, stop by the shop to grab our You're so Dope card Thursday 11-6, Friday or Saturday 11-5.
Personally I had an amazing week! Tom (Mr. Favorite) and I went to Jack White at the The Salt Shed on Thursday night. I'm a big Jack fan and of his work. I love how he keeps reinventing himself with every band and even each album. He is constantly collaborating with other musicians, it's inspiring. When vinyl was threatened and close to death, he opened a pressing plant. When rock n' roll was being phased out, he released new rock albums and created The Dead Weather. I honestly believe he's the only rock star of today. Rock stars used to be everywhere in the 70's and 80's. It felt like they slowly disappeared in the aughts. But, not Jack. He's a true Rock Star (IMO) and always puts on an epic show. We try to see him every time he comes through Chicago. We've been fortunate enough to see The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather and him solo. Anyway, the concert rocked! If you ever get a chance to see him live, I highly recommend it.
Friday night, my close friend Jaime and I went to dinner at HaiSous, it was delicious, go eat there. We ordered the papaya salad, chicken wings and crab fried rice. I had the smoothest old fashioned too. It was made with Japanese Whiskey and a little too easy to drink. After, we saw Ani DeFranco at Thalia Hall. I haven't seen Ani perform in probably a decade but I swear, she hasn't changed a bit. She's got the same powerful voice, plays the guitar in her most amazing signature way and remains a champion for women and minorities. Ani is so inspiring, not only is she a talented musician, she's a gifted writer, an activist, has her own record label. She fills me with hope.
Random, randomness...
• I listened to The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. It's a thriller. I enjoyed it and couldn't stop listening. I think I listened to it in one full work day and finished while making dinner.
• Speaking of dinner I made this delicious Cookie and Kate recipe. The Mr. and I both gave it five stars!
• I also listened to a few podcasts, I caught up on Armchair Expert, the Armchair Anonymous episodes are my favorite and I listened to Slightly Spiritual. I've had a few aura pictures and a couple specialty group sessions with Cindy, one of the hosts and I'm a big fan.
That's another week in the books! Don't forget it's still National Letter Writing month, you should probably take a moment to write a little note to someone in your life. You could make their day!
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