Desktop Freebie Time.

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This year has just raced by and there's no stopping this train! I nearly couldn't believe it when I looked at the calender this morning and actually saw it's the TENTH month of this year already. I don't know about you, but that just freaks me out. Where has the last ten months gone?

Well I thought it's about time I post another little desktop freebie to treat your computers / laptops / phones to a little make-over ;) I've had this background on my phone ever since I changed my blog, and thought, why not share it around! So enjoy my pretties. Please note, this is for personal use only and cannot be claimed as your own. You are more than welcome to blog / tweet / pin etc with credit.

Design Made Trade.

Colourful Rowena Martinich stand at Design Made Trade.

A couple of weekends ago, I couldn't resist but stop in at the annual Design Made Trade, a boutique event showcasing Australian and international design culture. With a huge variety of disciplines on display, (including graphic design, textile, furniture, jewellery design and more) I loved looking through all the bright, eye catching, and inspiring vendors on display.
It was such a pleasure to pop over at The Hungry Workshop stand while visiting, as I have been a fan of their work for a while now and admire their unique and quirky letterpress work. And not to mention, the wonderfully cleverness that is PrintTogether, a company that focuses on making printing more environmentally sustainable and economical by printing several customer's print jobs together. Definitely worth checking out if you are in need of some printing! I am definitely planning on using them in the future for projects.

These Are The Days ll Desktop Freebie.

I was pondering the other day the phrase those were the days in reference to good times shared in the past and reflecting on a life that bore less burdens. It's as if this phrase is said with some dejection that these days just won't match up to those that were. Which brought me to think, aren't we supposed to be looking to every day as the best yet? I know everyone has shitty days that we just cannot avoid, but that should not be reason enough to carry a dark cloud over our heads.

So this is where the paradigm shift comes, creating a state of mind that says these ARE the days we look forward to, these ARE the days where plans turn into actions, these ARE the days where you can make something happen, these ARE the days where you can experience pure joy and happiness.

As I was pondering all this, I became inspired and decided to make a desktop to remind me of this daily. Happy to share these, so feel free to grab your screen size and add on to your desktop :)

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Disclaimer: This is for personal use only. If you want to use it any other form other than your own computer, please credit :)

Be Who You Want To Be.

Sometimes people just need to be reminded of the this simple truth. Since Neil and I got married four years ago, we have always said that we aren't going to let circumstances and situations prevent us from doing what we want to do. And I am so glad that despite things that happen in our lives, that I have such an incredible husband to remind of this.

Do what you want to do. Be who you want to be.

There's just not enough time in our lives to spend forty hours a week, for fifty years or more doing something that may pay well, but makes you miserable. Now in saying that, if your dream is to become an singer, or a doctor, it doesn't mean you need to go quit your dead end job today and start practicing tomorrow. There are obviously practical steps in achieving these dreams (e.g. it's probably good to get into a few open mic nights or sing at some local gigs to get your name out there, you will need a few qualification behind your name to be a doctor etc.). I know finances always play a HUGE factor in things, we all know bills need to get paid somehow. But in the bigger scheme of things, I believe everything we do should be towards this goal, otherwise what's the point? It's the small steps. Doing something every day to get to the destination. Making the most of the journey. Even if you are working at Starbucks now but dream of becoming an artist, why not start putting money away weekly to get new supplies, put towards the day you can become self-employed, use your weekends to create exhibitions instead of thinking oh well, one day I will be able to do it.

I am seriously talking to myself right now, by the way. Obviously my future involves being creative, even though I am not sure at the moment what that specifically looks like (design, art, fashion, photography...I love it all!), I know I want to use my time now. I think sometimes we can get discouraged when we are not where we think we should be at the moment. But it's okay, every step counts. And every decision you make can be towards that dream.

Take A Step.

Today I felt rather inspired with the do something different every day challenge, that I decided it's right about time that I design a bit of a freebie for your desktops! So happy weekend friends, and enjoy making your desktop look a little prettier - and hopefully inspire you during those days when all you want to do is sleep!

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Click on your screen size above to get your desktop :) Please note: This is for personal use only. Do not upload onto other sites or claim as your own work.

Froschkind.

Okay, so been stuck at home all day with the sickness, so haven't had the most pleasant of days. But thank goodness for home made pumpkin soup that always seems to make me feel better.

That, plus these beautiful prints by Froschkind! It definitely brightened my day I must say. I think I particularly love these prints, as it is so similar to the style of design I would say I do. Absolutely love seeing mixed media and the scrapbook look!

In other news, Neil had his first couple of days in the jewellery store, and went really well! I wasn't too sure how people would respond to a guy serving them in our store, but luckily he's so loveable he did so well :) But a bit of encouragement always helps for that too! (He's got twitter, so make sure you share the love!) Okay, off to wrap up myself in a blanket and warm up with tea!

When I don't blog.

I know I very rarely share some of the work I do (yes, I do actually work too!) when I don't blog. I'm not quite sure why that is. I suppose it is quite a personal thing to expose designs and ideas out into the world, when you've poured in so much time and effort, for it to be open to criticism and judgement by others. Silly, I know, but I guess sometimes I can just be a bit protective of it. Part of the reason also is because I can never quite be a hundred percent happy with the work that I do. There's always something to improve on, or adjust, and it somehow just never really feels finished.

Today is different though. This design and concept kind of just came together under pressure and so I thought I would share with you the latest newsletter I designed for Life Church. Feeling special much? :)

Happy weekend lovelies x

NOTE: The newsletter is printed on A4 and folded in half (portrait). Might take a picture of it after it is picked up from the printers tomorrow.

I will climb.

"I challenged myself today to do this. Once every week, I hope to create a new design.
I don't know what it is about typography, graphic design and illustrations that can move me in an incomprehensible way. Today, I commence." - Andre Bohrer.

Collaborations.

Since last year (from this post), I've been loving Shanna Murray's work, and am so excited that she is doing collaborations throughout the year with a number of people to create these monthly desktops. So you can find a little freebie of her work every month!

Do you guys like these desktop freebies? (Another great one to look out for is Tabitha Emma's!) I am thinking, when a bit more time becomes available, to maybe do some of these again :)

State of the Obvious.

How is this for creative! I love the concept behind Mach Creative's State of the Obvious collection. Such a simple, unique design but it definitely is very successful and opens up a world of possibilities for other merchandise to be created (even the packaging is designed to fit the brand of State of the Obvious).

I could definitely do with the notebook!

+wondermilk.

Oh me, oh my. Someone buy me a plane ticket to Malaysia and I will shout you a coffee and a cupcake at this adorable little cafe/hangout/clothing/knick knacks/quirky goodness store, +wondermilk. I don't think I have ever been this excited to go visit Malaysia, but now I sure have a good enough reason, don't you think?

What started out as a group of creative graduates combining their skills and passion to explore a new and innovative ways of designing, it has expanded into this wonderful cafe. This is seriously all my loves smooshed into one ball of goodness: design, art, lomography (they even sell these here!), quirky knick knacks (that comes from owning our jewellery & giftsware store), coffee...and CUPCAKES! I suppose it's a good thing there isn't a store like this here because I would be spending all my time and money in here :)

So inspiration achieved for going downstairs now and making some cupcakes!

x

Reusable ribbon posters.

Today I am keeping it sweet and short, as I have a tonne of design work to get done today (on a Saturday, I know!) so it's a good thing I love it so :)

Thought I would give you a quick look at these amazing reusable ribbon posters by Christ Wharton, who is also a fellow designer. I thought that was just a very unique, innovative idea, so be inspired! :)

Happy weekend x

Black Baroque

I am so extremely exited about this etsy shop! Black Baroque is the creators of these stunning prints! Their shop has been closed for a couple of months, but this morning I saw that it is open again with 28 beautiful new prints! And just in time for me to start doing Christmas shopping - and to make it better they ship free worldwide! Too good to be true :)

Make sure you head over to their shop and let me know which ones are you favourites! I must say I adore the Alice in Wonderland collection and the Victorian ones, but actually cannot pick ONE print which is my favourite.

Origami Freebie Love.

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Well hello friends. On this rainy morning, with nothing to do, I thought I might use my time and make a desktop freebie! Got the idea from Tabitha Emma that makes the most amazing monthly desktop freebies. Just something simple, quickly whipped up to bring you some joy :)

Please note: This is for personal use only. Do not upload onto other sites or claim as your own work.

Taking on new adventures

As some of you may know I do some freelance graphic design work, in between volunteer work, owning a boutique jewellery store and the everyday chores of being a wifey. Media Arts has been a passion of mine since as long as I can remember, and what better way to incorporate it in daily life, than to start a business.

So please check out, Found.
This is the blog that my business partner, Emma (who is pretty much my second half apart from my husband) and I have started to showcase some of the work that we do, as well as the things that inspire us visually.

It's pretty scary and exciting, this new venture, as the unknown road lies ahead with many more ecstasies.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do :)

Much Love

x

B is for...

I wasn't lieing when I said, more baby posts to follow!

Now this I adore! Found from Twigs & Thistle, beautifully designed Baby Shower! Being a graphic designer myself, this would be exactly what I would envision for a baby shower. Not only is the theme very well excecuted, it still is making it a very fun and relaxed enviroment for everyone.

So if anyone is having any babies, or someone that you know, let this inspire you :)

Enjoy

x