CONGRATULATIONS BLACKHAWKS!

Photo Credit: Ian Freimuth found on flicker.His other work is awesome and can be found here 

Today, we will celebrate The Chicago Blackhawk's 2013 Stanley Cup win with a parade.  The scene above is from the parade after the 2010 win. In 2010, the parade was held on a Wednesday, this time around, we're doing it on a Friday.  As a result, I expect the numbers of attendees to be even higher. Our mayor even referenced Ferris Bueller in his announcement saying we all should treat it like day off.  Not sure how the city's employers feel about Rahm's suggestion, but hey - we love our sports teams around here! Way to go Hawks!

HOW DID I MISS THIS?

It appears that I was out to lunch for a period of time in mid-April as I completely missed an exciting announcement from Minted.

I'm honored to announce (really really late) that Minted chose my birth announcement design Introduced by Infographic as a special prize winner!

I won in the category of best gender neutral design.  How fun is that? My design along with the other special prize winners and runner-ups where featured on Minted's blog Julep. Check out the others here.

Now, I'm off to hunt for what else I may have missed over the course of the last several months!

MUSIC MONDAY vol 53

Admittedly, I've been struggling with the past few seasons of True Blood.  It was once a fun weekly outlet on hot summer nights that echoed the books I so loved. Now, not so much.  Even my lovely Eric Northman is a bit meh.   At least the soundtrack is still good.

From last night's closing credits - I give you The Naked and Famous with The Sun.  Enjoy!

FRESHLY MINTED: WAGON WHEELS PARTY INVITE

I'm thrilled to announce that my design Wagon Wheels was one of the winners of  Minted's Children's Birthday Invitation Challenge and is now available for sale on Minted's site.

I had so much fun designing this little wagon. The large bold graphics in this design really showcases the style that I've been most drawn to lately.  I love the modern illustrated look.  You'll definitely be seeing more of it from me shortly.

Happy weekend all!

MINTIE FRESH: THE 'OH WHAT FUN' HOLIDAY CARD CHALLENGE

While most of us have only summertime fun on our minds, I've been thinking of Christmas carols and winter wonderlands for the last several weeks.  Why in the world would I be thinking of the cold just as summer is starting?  Well, I'll tell you why - I took the plunge and entered several submissions to Minted's biggest competition of the year - the Holiday Photo Card challenge.  This is my first time participating in the holiday card challenge and it was so much fun!

The Minted Community submitted more than 3300 designs for this challenge - that is more than triple the amount I've EVER seen in challenge in which I've participated.  Boggles the mind.  There were some jaw dropping gorgeous submission.  I would encourage you to go take a look and cast your vote for your favorites.

Here are my submissions. As always, if you like what you see, vote for me!

  

holiday photo cards - noel joy

holiday photo cards - Retro Wishes

holiday photo cards - peaceful holidays

holiday photo cards - light heart

holiday photo cards - merry circles

holiday photo cards - married and bright

holiday photo cards - Joyful & Triumphant

holiday photo cards - love, joy & peace

holiday photo cards - floral cheer

holiday photo cards - Holiday Peace

holiday photo cards - merry blossoms

holiday photo cards - holiday cheers

MUSIC MONDAY vol 52

With this unintentional week long hiatus, it appears that I'm having a hard time getting out of vacation mode here on the blog.  Attempting a second return with this week's Music Monday - with pictures!

It seems like much longer than 7 days, but last Monday my friend Erin and I went to see Glen Hansard play at the Pritzher Pavilion band shell in Millennium Park here in Chicago.  Glen is most famous for this song from the movie Once.  The evening was a wonderful one with good music shared with a great friend.

It did turn a little surreal as the fog rolled in off the lake and wrapped the area in a big grey cloud. Glen got quite a kick out of the fact that he routinely "lost" the audience in the fog.  Here are a couple quick snaps from my phone.

As reference, the area typically looks like this photo (photo credit found here).  Crazy, huh?

MUSIC MONDAY vol 52

Back from a wonderful trip to Scotland.  Mr. Squareview and I had the most fantastic time with my family and can't wait to go back.  While there, I heard this song at least 4 different times so I figured it was fitting to feature it in my first Music Monday back stateside.  I give you Stateless with Bloodstream.  Enjoy!