My Work: Save The Date Card Design

Hi guys, how's your week so far? I have to admit that I have been really flat out at work and I honestly didn't have much time/brain cells to update this tiny little space, and I truly feel bad about myself. But, I also want to defend for myself for one reason: I have tried very hard for my very own design of the save the cards.

If you are/used to be a bride-to-be, you would definitely understand why I am so stressful, especially if you want to design everything yourself. As a creative amateur, with very little knowledge of printing, finding a proper and affordable printer was hard, deciding a certain style was fairly hard, not to procrastinate  from Pinterest was super duper hard, then I was insanely panic by all these time pressures.

Now, voila! Here I represent you my imperfect yet special save the date card, and it wasn't easy for a first timer, hopefully you can learn something from me without costing you too much time and stress. Or you can just have a laugh if you understand what I am talking about:-)

So, here comes my design below:

Why it took so long to make them? Aren't they just printed on paper with foil? Let me tell you why and there are so many factors to be aware of if you want to do your own invitations from sketch, plus  things like wax seal and gold foil stamping. Of course, the basic one would be excepting the colour difference even you have printed out on your home printer million times, it varies on what kind of paper stock and printing companies, try to imagine the worse scenarios. Now here are my tips before you send the files to your printer:


Gold foil:

Every printing company has different standard, but most of them have restrictions of the edges, don't design your design too close to edges otherwise you have to pay extra or compromise the design like me. I have changed my original design( the texts around the borders) and I absolutely hated afterwards, sometimes you shouldn't compromise your own ideas just for saving some extra bucks, it's not worthy saving that money to make you pinch you legs afterwards.


Make sure you ask for the sample first. I didn't so that because I was under the pressure and I realised it would make the whole production way better when you know what kind of material that you are dealing with. Even you thought you are late, the more you try to push it through the more likely you might miss the details.

Wax seal:

To be honestly, wax seal is not like what you saw in the show" Game of Thrones". It's way more trickier than you expected. If you just want to seal the envelopes with a bit significant touch, then don't mind what I said. BUT if you wish to use if as logo, or you actually hate unpredictable designs, then follow up my tips. Plus I will post an ultimate guide about making wax seal yourself without a nerve breakdown, just stay tuned. My general tips for wax seal below:

1. Try to purchase different colours of wax sticks before you decide, sometimes the colour might not look the same in real life.

 2. If you have substantial amount of invitations to do, I will recommend you to purchase the peel-and-stick wax seals. It's easy and save you a lot of hassles and time without tears and broker nails. The only drawback is you normally have to order around 250-500 ones, but you can always use them in the future events. 

Allow dramas: 

Well, besides the usual difficulties of card making, there are always something can go wrong, such as wax seal handle broken when I finally got the right hot glue gun, or burning my thumb by pealing too much wax seals and so on. It took a lot of deep breathes to keep calm, otherwise I don't know how to move on... Anyway, what I want to say is allow imperfections happened while you trying to make every thing perfect and meaningful for your big day, unless you really started very early or really experienced, otherwise there's no need for a breakdown. And if you do have one like me, then it's your other half''s job to calm you down, isn't it? Let him do his job!

Finally, I want to share the quote that I made from the bottom of my heart, I hope all of you like it. And if you think I disappear again, you can always find me on my Pinterest or my Instagram, I will be super happy to see you there!

{ Freebie } Hello July!!

Hello every one, how's your June so far? If you are like me, live in Australia then I know it's getting really chilly now but I kind of cheat it a little bit this year, I am still in Croatia at the moment. June has been a very interesting month to me due to my travel experience so far. Being in Europe during the winter is more than blessing but I do have some no-so-welcome dramas in the trip as well. Maybe I was too lucky to escape to Europe during the best season, and that was my little punishment for our indulgence. So, as usual I made you a desktop calendar and wish you have a nice kick start. Stay warm my Aussie homies, and if you live in a summerish part of world then lucky you! I am actually going home by 4 flights tomorrow, and that's how I started my July. Wish me good luck too, hopefully, no drama during the trip:-) Will post my vacation photos soon when I get back, so ciao for now!

Stay in Summer forever


xxx Aka

{ Greeting } Happy Easter!!

Image collage by me

Happy Easter, guys!!! It's always great to have a super long weekend, isn't it? We just got back from Thailand not so long ago, and we have been to wineries last weekend as well, it's a bit too much to go away again, especially I am going back home for 3 weeks.(guilty!!) So what's your plan, my friend? Are you having something big with your family and friends or just do a small reunion lunch like ours? Are you going to indulge yourselves somewhere tropical and exotic or you rather staying home with movies and popcorn?  No matter what you do, I am sure it's going to be a great one. We work hard, we deserve a little break, don't we?

Say no more, dedicate to you the print that I made for this special occasion. Have fun and enjoy your holiday!


xx Aka

{ Little Talk } Hey! Stop bugging me!!!

Photo collage by me

Recently, somethings have been bugging me and I can't get rid of them from my head. One of them is actually quite silly and I just don't know why I just can't let it go. One of them even cause a major procrastination for past few days. Alright, here is the thing: last week I watched The Face Australia on television. Firstly, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of Nicole Trunfio and then her outfit in the show. That's a black crop top and a  black skirt with pink draped strip on the side. Couple days later, I still can't remove that image out of my mind so I started to search it. Sadly I couldn't find it anywhere with a brand, a shop or the designer. I became really obsessed, and couldn't stop myself googling it with all the possible key words it might be when my hands are free. This frustration of finding nothing absolute bugged me like crazy. I don't necessary have to own it but I hate the feeling of not knowing the answers. Oh, dear, what should I do?

I also found it amazing that how people find a word which is completely not relevant and at the end of the day, that word is actually unbeatable to describe an abstract thing/ thought. Like this word, bug. I don't hate bugs, I am quite fascinated about how pretty the colours they can have sometimes. But some kind of them scared the hell out of me. Once they started making their own opera with that mechanic sound and fly, I would run and freak out with all my soul, seriously. Andrew once took me to a botanic garden in the mountain, and it became one darn nigntmare. To Andrew was my reactions ruined his romantic intentions, to me was I really couldn't handle that fear and I just wanted to cover my eyes and ears and,  of course, RUN.  Now, after height, there's another one on my horror list. Look at the bright side, I guess the silver lining is probably this collage I made today. I might have a series after this, even.


Anyways, there are still too many. So my friend, do you have something you jus't can't let go besides boys/girls? Or you have something not very huge but bugging you like me?


Hope you all can spray the fear/ worries, being bug free:)



xxxAka

{ Colour Palette } Navy Envy

It's the time when you leave the door and then realise the sun doesn't seem that warm to you anymore and you are hesitate to run back to grab a jacket or not. I think summer really is fading, but the memories are still so fresh and clear just like yesterday. Speaking of layering up, I think navy style can easily go with anything and fit different occasions. I collected some items to make a mood board with this navy style and hope you like it. 

Girl outfit image

Navy anchor buttons 

Robe knots cushion

Golden whale clutch

Stripe flat

stripe shoulder bag

Cross canvas tote

Anchor pendant necklace

Stripe background image

Happy layer up

xxx Aka

{ Freebie } Get ready for April

Graphic design by me

The seasons certainly have paced up to its exchanges, and also the days, then we are having April with us just at the doorstep. April to me, comes with endless rain, beautiful scents of the washed green and blossoms, and I love the feeling of the subtle changes, that made me a bit sentimental and grateful that I had such a great summer/winter.

Continuing my desktop calendar series, I tried to keep the style of this series constant. The concept of this design is based on the beautiful blossoms, and pedal colour to give the image a soft spring-like touch. I found it challenging to get the flower image resource and was struggle with my composition since I don't want to reuse the black and white style. In the end,  I am very happy about what it came up! Sometimes it's hard to experiment without thinking about the outcomes and I guess the best way to push it just keep doing it till you finish it. What do you think? Anyways, just simply click on the image to link to the original image and voila!

Have a good week and stay dry!


xxxAka

{ Moody Moodboard } A Midsummer Dream

Images from Pinterest, Edited by me

Hi guys, sorry about my slow updates lately, I have been immersed in endless lunches and dinners with family and friends, and I think I am lucky enough to have them around to top off a great summer time to make the memories even more special. 

Now, back to the topic, summer, where should I start. Summer, I adore summer, that golden haze in a squint with salty air and olive tan. That sizzling sand stalk you everywhere, that bubbly sound in the champagne glass and that persistent ocean try to pull you into its arms and so on. It's like you can celebrate anything in this season. I just can't love summer enough because it guarantee me so many great times. And sadly I couldn't help noticing the day is slightly shorter, and the evening is slightly colder, apparently, summer is preparing to withdraw its magic. So here's a few pieces of the beachy summer vibe that inspired me and I hope you like it. Oh, if you live on the other side of world, that's even better, your good time is just about to start. 

Enjoy rest of the Summer, guys!!

xxx Aka

{ Freebie } Hello March!!!

 

Hello guys, it's March already and I felt like Christmas was just like yesterday! Made this desktop calendar for a kick start and I made the date right in the middle of screen to be easily seen. So when you move your mouse and check the files, you can still see the dates without icons blocking your sight.  Just press the image to save the original size:)  

Tomorrow morning I am going to a cycling tour and apparently the weather is not too happy at the moment(yes!!), hopefully I can survive on the road. Fingers crossed.


xxx Aka

{ Freebie } I bloody love Fridays Print!

TGIF!! TGIF!! TGIF!! I just love Fridays so much, it is not like I have a miserable week but I get to have an excuse to do nothing, and of course, I can spend more time with Andrew. Friday always make me feel like something worthwhile is about to begin somewhere, so no matter how tired or irritated I am, I always got this mantra: It's Friday, it's Friday, it Friday...Nothing can beat me today. No one can ruin my Friday. Creepy, I know. hahah.

Anyways,  Maybe some of you do exactly same just like my silly mantra, I still want to share you some thing made from my heart. (or my mantra) I made this print for you who wants to look at something cheering rather than staring at the clock every 5 minutes. Remember, nothing can beat you today and no one can ruin your Friday. TGIF!!!

Hope you have a great Friday and even better weekend!! Oh, also, happy Mardi Gras, Sydney!!!

xx Aka

{ Colour Palette } Orangy Frenzy

Images from Pinterest // Graphic design by me

Hello guys, Had a good day so far? Some of you might have noticed that I have a thing in orange colour and the truth is I always have soft spots in bold colours. My mom always teased me that I always dress like Christmas tree and I really don't care. Seriously I have no idea why I dressed like depressed old lady when I was 14 and I guess I didn't like too much attention back then. I was always afraid of people's opinions so I always follow other kids' fashion. Until high school, I decided to stand for myself a bit more and than a little bit more and I never go back. Bold colours are not just statements, they are elements of happiness, well, at least it is to me. The history of my colour crush from hot red, neon pink, turquoise...and so on, now it's this happy orange.

Also, nother fan of this colour is Frank Sinatra and I can't agree more! What do you think? Do you like orange just like me or you think it's confronting? 

Anyways, if this colour is not your happy colour, there is something else can make you happy. It's Friday tomorrow!!! heheh!

Wish you have a nice night tonight and great tomorrow ahead:)

xxx Aka

{ Freebie } Blue Monday print

Hey guys, how's your weekend? Andrew and I went boat diving and it was absolutely amazing. We didn't make it to Magic Point due to the horrible current but we were lucky enough to spot one shark-wobbegong, and this one is huge as well. It was not just diving trip but also a cruise around Sydney Harbour, it's certainly another unforgettable memory. It was just mind blowing.

Enough talking about my weekend, have you all have a little bit more colours than the blue mood this Monday? I have an intensive gym session for a kick start and I am loving it! I have done so many things more than I expected, and I think I should do this more often!! No matter you have a great Monday or suck Monday, I am sharing you a print that I did today which I hope would be cheering. You can simply press the image to download the original size. It's not very small because I want to keep it as flexible it can be so that you can use it as decor, wrapping paper, desktop picture and so on. Tell me what do you do about it if you like it!


Wish you all have a nice week


xxxAka

{ Mix Tape } Chill Out Friday

I love slightly fast beat but with gentle notes, especially I am running or trying to focus on something. On the other hands, I also find this kind of music make me relax and uplifting. Hope you will like them, enjoy!!!

1. I spy - Mikhael Paskalev

2. Riptide - Vance Joy

3. Green garden - Laura Mvula

4. Sweet darling - She and Him

5. Happy - Pharrell Williams

6. Little talks - Of Monsters and Men

7. Corner of heart - Ingrid Michaelson

8. Shake it - Metro Station

Wish you all have a fantastic weekend and I will talk to you next week!!

xxxAka

{ Textile } Who says you can't be creative?

Original drawing by Andrew Innes,  editing by me.

I was struggling to create my new logo idea because I want a vector logo that I can use it anywhere then Andrew kept saying he can do better than me. After so many of " Let me draw it!!! ", I gave up my laptop and let him freestyle and he insisted no tips for him at all, and voila!! I love it when I saw it, it's raw with his own style and even he laughed at it as it's silly and I still decided to make it a pattern/textile. What do you think guys? Sometimes I think it's a gift to do everything freely like this, especially I am always overthinking.

Lastly, TGIF guys! What are you doing this weekend? We are going to try boat dive this weekend at Magic Point, apparently its specialty is seeing sharks, surely we will have a good time! Can't wait!

xxx Aka

{ Moody Moodboard } Bitter Sweet

Images// internet, design//me

I have been thinking about making a moodboard for a while, so I started to search around then I found blush is such a beautiful colour and the resources are easy to find. Most girls secretly or officially love this dreamy colour so might not be too hard to deal with since I have never done anything like this. Honestly, I struggled massively trying to put all the pieces together and make sure the gaps are consistent, heaps redos and undos and finally I got it done. The time I spent probably can let me make a tableful of feast if nothing goes wrong. It was really a challenge making things nicely together because the more I stared at the photos I wanted to use, the more urges come up to my head. Or just I am too messy? Unlike some of girls growing up as a scrapbooking expert( which I wish I could be one) I was the tv kid watching non-stop cartoons and I still am that kid today. Oops, that just leaked out..

Anyway, I believe it is a very good training to maintain a nice balance, leave the unnecessaries and stay simple. Another lesson from the mundane today.

Nearly weekend, hang on guys!!


xxxAka


p.s. If you like my image collections, why not check out my Pinterest, it could be on your moodboards as well!

{ Little talks } The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Original image// Unsplash, graphic//me

I know it's a bit late to talk about this move, I am sure that the related articles might be everywhere already but I still want to talk about this because my love to this move was crazy enough to make me dream about those quotes and images since I sat on the cinema chair with tons inspirations few weeks back. Not to mention the humongous screen dragged me into the ocean, the mountains and the air with Walter Mitty and his fear. I guess you might know what I actually want to talk about. I would like to talk about my own fear.

 I grew up in a small city packed with concrete jungles and horrible traffic and I viewed the world from the bottom of the well because that's what every one think around me. Then I firstly walked up to somewhere near top of  Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, the pathetic me firstly realised that I seriously am afraid of height and I was totally crushed. No matter how much Andrew was trying to comfort me, I felt injured like something smacked out my soul of me, no kidding. If I have not been to that lookout, I wouldn't know how scary it is but same if I've never been there then I wouldn't know my view of the world still very naive. I hate that feeling of thinking about how high it was and I did some research, the best ways to overcome this problem is go back and face it. Really?

The other fear of mine is I couldn't really focus on what I really want. I've always hoped that I can do something more true to myself and live to the fullest and I did make changes like trying to learn scuba diving or different languages. I did feel better when I am motivated to do something different and here comes those days I was stuck with heaps so-called inspirations and still achieved nothing. Sometimes I couldn't help thinking about maybe dreams are cursed when you open eyes and they only appear when you close your eyes. Or they are just very naughty? I guess It is not just about being bold and taking risks, for me, it's about not to overthink. That's one of the reasons to create this blog and I also believe this is a good way to connect my inner self with others.

 Anyways, these are my fears and how about you? Do you have any fear to overcome?

p.s. I played around some photos with the quote in the move'' To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw close, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life". I find it absolutely beautiful and the original photos you can find it from COFFEE IN THE MOUNTAINS and Unsplash.


xxx Aka

{ Booooya!!!!} New Year Resolution

Happy new year my friend!!!
Have you got your new year resolution yet? Here is my new year resolution, simple and essential, nothing fancy. Even most of them on the list is already my year in 2013 but keep them active is another challenge. We are getting old every single day so we should treasure what we still have in our palms and live at present!! Don't be scare what you are afraid of and just do it cause you will never know what's gonna happen next. I sincerely wish  every one I love has a fantastic new year eve and joyful year all around in 2014!!!!

xxx Aka

{ Boooooya!!!} Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas my friend!!!
Made this print yesterday and I am so happy to share with you! Christmas time can be really overwhelmingly busy and its finally at door step, to me that means I can finally have a break and spend time with my family without thinking about work. Wish you a very joyful and warm Christmas and have so much great time with the ones you love.

I have also recycled my sketch into gift tags and it turn out nicely!! The colour pecial drawing madw these tags so vivid, so don't be hesitate to use your drawings because you will never know how it turn out! Mixing some geometric shapes and you are in business. See below for my own version:

{ My Work } My a year in review pieces have finally arrived!!

Hi guys! Sorry for my slackness of posts, I have got so many things to plan in my head and Christmas time absolutely got me super busy! A few weeks back I sent my work to be printed and I am so happy to tell you that they are finally here!! I want to make them as tea towels so I made them printed on cotton fabrics and asked Andrew's lovely mother Dianne ( I don't know how to sew....) to help me make them! It's my first tea towel/ fabric work and I've learnt a lot from the whole process and next time I want to make a pillow case with summer colours!

Hope you all have a great week! Christmas is coming very soon and I am very keen for a break as well!

xxx Aka

{ My Work } Good Old Christmas Cards

Hello my friend!
How's Christmas preps going? Can't stop my finger scrolling pages after pages of Christmas inspirations, this holiday season easily causes massive procrastination ever!!

Well, here are a couple of old designs that I made last year. I am still struggling about the new coming ones and poor Photoshop skills, so bear with me and wish your preparations for this holiday season are going very well!

xxx Aka

{ Inspiration } Oh, Blue Monday....again.

Monday, what else can I say? After glorious weekend and now piles of work awaiting ahead, there's no such thing can stop my itchy hands jumping between random site from another. Apart from lunch menu, nothing really caught my attention, and then,  a little quote within cute typos came across my screen(Don't ask, you know it's procrastination), somehow it did light me up a bit.

Of course, inspiring quotes sound a bit tacky, a bit...well, too healthy. But just to know the fact that quotes are from smart and great people, so bare with me, my friend. I want to share a few nice quotes with you all, to kill blue Monday this witch. And hopefully everyone will have a wonderful monday as well!