Designing for Charity

Pretty much the entire time I've been working in graphic design I've had a few 'charity' projects.  One and basically the first kinda got pulled out from under me without any notice.  That didn't stop me though!  Today, I edit/design/manage two websites and handle everything from the graphics and layouts to the weekly updates.
An author who's series of books about an all girls spy school holds annual contests for t-shirt design.  Last year was (I thought/feared) my last year to enter because the age limit was 21, the contest ended in early November and I was to turn 21 November 29th.  Much to my excitement this years contest is open to all ages & rather than a prize going to a winner there will be a $200 donation to the Red Cross and a portion of the proceds will be donated as well.  So the bragging rights are up for grabs, the theme is "Gallagher Girls helping their sisters around the world" (the school is The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, hence Gallagher Girls)
So far, this is my design -which still needs a little tweeking but the way I create new designs is 1) idea 2) putting the concept together and 3) tweeking the design so it's just right...
The two main things that will be tweeked from this concept are a few alignment issues and the ally carter, ally carter center text will be made a bit smaller and the bottom one will read allycarter.com (author & authors wesite)

Http://revivalrd.com

Http://chillypepper.weebly.com

Http://allycarter.com

Free-Hand

 When I was 13, I free-handed the Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron movie cover and showed it to my uncle who was visiting us at the time.  He thought for sure I had traced it, when I showed it to him along with the cover.  I still enjoy my little free-hand projects, like the dragon from the cover of an upcoming book in a series I enjoy.  Free-handing is just another one of my talents :-)

3,000 Words

If A picture is worth 1000 words, then here are 3 pictures, a thank you & goodnight!

Knowing the right people

One of the first people I showed this picture to after having it printed asked me, "How did you get that close?"  My reply:  "I know people."  LOL!!!  Sticky Fingers

One of My Happy Places

As you may remember from my post about the Lady of the Lake (which is soon to be edited and I'll let you know when!!) I love Charleston, SC for so many reasons.  The rich history and beautiful architecture & scenery are a photographers dream.  So naturally (for those of you reading this that consider yourselves photographers/aspire to be) you can imagine my disappointment when on our last trip to Charleston we decided to tour several of the old, historic homes & plantations they informed us at each location NO PHOTOGRAPHS of the interior of the homes.  Telling me (while on vacation in such a beautiful city) that I can't take pictures is like telling me not to breathe!  However, our last house tour was to Drayton Hall.  Now if you've never been to Charleston let me explain that there are several plantations surrounding the city.  A few of these plantations are still working today and sell their produce and flowers on site.  The first thing we did on the very first trip to Charleston was visit the Boone Hall Plantation (though now that I think about it I don't believe they said no photographs of the interior of the house...) (also, they are one of 2 historic sites I've visited where the guides wore period costumes, Boone Hall also hosts this fabulous skit at the end of the tour that is most entertaining.)  Where was I....Oh yes!  Drayton Hall.  Upon our arrival at Drayton Hall it was beginning to rain a bit but that was ok because there aren't any 'gardens' at Drayton Hall unlike Middleton, Boone Hall & Magnolia (though I've never been to Magnolia (I've seen pictures)  The most exciting thing about Drayton Hall was the opening of the tour when our guide informed us that we could actually take pictures of the inside of the house!  Which upon entering you would see why, Drayton Hall unlike other homes is not fully furnished, rather a few rooms have some very beautiful antiques.  The staff at Drayton Hall have worked to preserve the pre-civil war home and I think they've done a fantastic job of it.  Middleton Plantation origionally consisted of 3 homes (the main house (the family home) and two smaller, identical houses to either side of the main house that served as guest quarters (one for ladies, one for men))  Today only the South Flanker house remains as it was the least damaged at the end of the civil war and therefore the one the current head of the estate at the time decided to repair.  The remains of the other two houses fell during the earthquake of 1886 and remain a small pile of bricks today.  My pictureS for today are 1) A snap shot of the molding on the ceiling in one of Drayton Hall's interior.

2) The driveway leading into Boone Hall Plantation

3)  The remaining Middleton house

4) Me and Grandma on my post- High School Graduation trip to Charleston (Summer 08)

Links:  Drayton Hall,  Boone Hall, Middleton Place, Magnolia, 1886 Charleston Earthquake

Bradford Pears

Another one of my favorites currently in bloom though surprisingly as both Mom, Dad and myself enjoy these early bloomers we don't have one in any of our gardens.  They also aren't seen growing wild in any of the nearby woods.  However an hour North or South from our home and you'll find these beautys growing wild.

The Cherry Tree

If you were to ask me what was my favorite thing currently looming in our garden, I would reply (without hesitation) the cherry tree.  Now that the warmth of Spring is upon us/around the corner I'm looking forward to all the pretty blossoms to take pictures of and quiet moments spent reading/writing/just sitting under the pergola next to the cherry tree.
Date Taken: 3-16-11
Taken With: My Samsung Intercept

Morning Muse

Got carried away and forgot to post yesterday didn't I?...
Well maybe this beautiful image will be your morning inspiration too!
Taken with: my Samsung Intercept android phone
Taken on: 3-15-11

Prayer Works

Animations aren't exactly my best graphic skill but I have made a few that were pretty good and this is one of them, I think it speaks for itself.

Lady of the Lake

Currently one of my favorite pictures that I've taken (EVER)!!  I've officially titled this shot "Lady of the Lake" or "Middleton's Lady of the Lake"
Taken at: Middleton Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is like a home away from home, I enjoy the history of Charleston as well as it's southern charm and beauty.  (Almost makes me wish we had Spanish moss in the oaks of Virginia BUT I know it's almost as bad as ticks in pine straw...)

There's a story behind this lady, her mate died about 2 years ago and they replaced him with another male swan, the Lady however would have nothing to do with him and he too died.  I have a few postcards from Middleton Plantation that show the lake and (in one) a pair of swans and (on another) three swans.  I can't help but wonder if the swan I captured this beautiful picture of is one of the swans in the postcard!

Beachy Keen

So welcome to my new blog, Em's Images where I'll share personal thoughts and a picture that I've taken, graphic I've designed etc. 
So, about todays image:  This is a picture that I took at Sunset Beach, North Carolina though at the moment I can't remember when this was.  It is one of my favorite beach pictures and since I've been thinking about the beach lately (warm, sun, sand & surf...) I thought this picture was a good representation of my mood.  Beachy keen!