Then and Now

 

My Mom is my everything. My best friend, my sounding board, my ride or die. The one who gives me tough love when I need it and tells me to be gentle with myself when the days are hard. We’ve always been close, but it was only once we no longer lived in the same house that I began to appreciate the things that once annoyed me. The way she always put me first, how fiercely protective she can be, and even the amount of discipline she instilled in the way she raised me.

 

1981

My mom was made to be a mother, my mother. She had me at a young 22 years old, but was wise beyond her years after some difficult family circumstances early on in life. But once she gave birth she never really looked back – we went everywhere together, did everything, and were sidekicks. We still are.

 

2015

I wanted to give her something extra special this Mother’s Day, something that represents how we began and how far we’ve come as mother and daughter as well as friends. I chose two of Artifact Uprising‘s Instagram Friendly frames, each of them measures 8 x 10″ and is deep set with a gorgeous walnut finish. In the first she’s holding a one and half year old me in her arms at my cousin’s baptism, and in the second we’re crouching in together at Mother’s Day brunch two years ago.

 

 

Both of these photos were already in my Instagram feed, so I only had to connect the channel and voila – no uploading necessary. I know these two museum quality frames will be something my Mom cherishes for years to come, and I love that we can add to them in the future with more shots of the two of us!

This post sponsored by Artifact Uprising. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content! Enjoy 10% off your order through May 9th with code AUxMOTHERDAY17.

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Jocelyn Allen / Neblina

 

Jocelyn Allen‘s work is full of self-portraiture, but in 2015 she realized how much anxiety presented in her work as well as her life as a whole. She began pushing herself out of her comfort zone, heading outdoors into the unpredictable rather than staying in her studio. In Neblina Allen faced her fears and jotted down notes while doing so, which lead to the names of each piece. Lastly she doodled colorful patterns on each one as a means of relaxation, as well as a way to channel all of her anxieties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Learn Something New with Brit + Co!

 

This year I’ve found myself in a gigantic creative rut that I’m constantly trying to dig myself out of. My Instagram quote series helps some, photoshoots can be creative, but sometimes the only way out is to learn something new. Just the idea of that can be overwhelming, but what if someone broke it down for you? Maybe they put together an easy online class that you can watch as many times as you need and the entire thing is affordable?

Well, that’s just what Brit + Co has done with 67 different skills, from succulent gardening to digitizing artwork and 65 things in between. New classes are being released all the time and a few are even free! 

Five of you have the chance to win two classes each, right here, right now. Maybe you want to pick up your DSLR camera and know what you’re doing or maybe you want to pass them on to your mom or an upcoming graduate. Read on to check out my favorite classes and enter the giveaway below!

 

 

Calligraphy 101
Calligraphy extraordinaire Lauren Essl covers all the need-to-know basics of pointed pen calligraphy. During the class, she’ll walk you through everything from your basic supply list to the right way to dip your pen. She’ll also take you step-by-step through basic script technique for numbers, uppercase, and lowercase letters. Not only will you walk away with beautiful hand-lettered greeting cards to share with your friends, you’ll also get alphabet templates, grids, and practice sheets.

Phone Photography Basics
Learn how to expertly shoot and edit photos while on the move! Using just your smartphone, you’ll learn how to capture beautiful photos on any occasion. With pro editing tips and a few styling tricks, you’re going to own the Instagram game. How? You’ll learn how to setup the trendy flat lay shot, find and shoot in natural light and make photos pop with in-app filters.

 

 

Intro to Adobe Photoshop
In this class, you’ll learn how to create eye-catching photos and layouts like a pro with graphic designer Teela Cunningham. Her class is an awesome confidence booster when it comes to learning the ins and outs of the Adobe Photoshop interface. You’ll walk away from the class equipped with the skills to create photos and graphics that can be used on social media, a blog or as a personalized gift.

 

 

Bounce Lettering Basics
Brittany Luiz is going to teach you a unique style of brush pen lettering called bounce lettering. It’s a technique that adds more style and character to your lettering designs. And don’t worry if your handwriting isn’t that great because lettering is more than learning how to draw letters. It’s really about learning the strokes and how to apply the right pressure to your brush pen.

 

 

Intro to DSLR Photography
This class is perfect for those who have invested in a fancy camera but haven’t learned how to use it yet. Jenna will teach you the ins and outs of your DSLR camera, from exposure settings, shooting in auto and manual, and what various lenses should be used for. Finally, she’ll walk you through setting up the best conditions for your very own photoshoot.

 

 

Digitize Artwork in Adobe Illustrator
In this course, you’ll learn how to turn quick ink illustrations into versatile digital files that you can use as fun and colorful wallpapers for your desktop and phone. You’ll leave the class with two digital wallpapers to call your own. Plus, you’ll get access to four additional designs that you can use for practice. Think of all the art prints, textiles, stationery and wallpaper you can create!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Sarah K. Benning

 

Sarah K. Benning is a fiber artist who splits her time between the United States and Spain. It wasn’t until after graduating college that she realized her love for embroidery and turned it into a career, however. All bets are off as Sarah creates, picturing each piece as an illustration and often abandoning traditional stitches and techniques in favor of creating textile art that’s vibrant and fresh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hannah Secord Wade

 

Maine-based artist Hannah Secord Wade creates luscious oil and acrylic paintings that are piles of… stuff. All sorts of things. But to me Wade’s Everything All Together series also resemble ice cream sundaes with multiple toppings, compost heaps from the kitchen, and tropical mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Annika Von Hausswolff

 

You guys, I have warm weather on my mind in a big way. Yesterday I moved half of my indoor plants outside (onto my covered front porch in case of a late frost) and bought two peony roots to plant. Annika Von Hausswolff‘s photography makes me think of junior high summers, hanging out at the public pool with my best friend, listening to Top 40 music, and gossiping about boys. All good things.

 

 

 

 

 

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Zemer Peled

 

Landscapes, nature, memories, identity, and place. All influence the large- and small-scale ceramic shard sculptures and installations created by Zemer Peled. Is it just me or are you dying to hold one in your hands, too?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Laura Moriarty

 

I want to get up close and personal with Laura Moriarty’s sculptural paintings to see what each of those lovely layers is all about. The geological references are apparent, but I’ll let Laura explain her process.

Layers of color form the strata of a methodology in which the immediacy of the hand can translate a sense of deep time. Working and reworking molten, richly pigmented beeswax, I build each painting/object through a slow, simple yet strenuous physical engagement, which often becomes a metaphor for the ephemerality of life and civilization. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sam Chirnside

 

If you’re feeling drained from this week – or this year – Sam Chirnside‘s psychedelic paintings might be just the thing to boost your energy levels. The Berlin-based artist, designer, and creative director mainly uses oils to create these trippy pieces that are equally at home on album covers or a gallery wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hargreaves + Levin / Food Scans

 

I’m beyond ready for my local farmers market to open, and Hargreaves + Levin‘s Food Scans series is making me even hungrier for all that fresh picked produce. All twelve pieces are arranged in order of month, showcasing the beauty of each’s seasonal harvest by placing fruits and vegetables on a scanner in symmetrical designs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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