5 Letter Design

winter tones | design seeds

2011-12-19T12:57:00.000-06:00

(click to view more)

looking for a bit of holiday color inspiration? look no further - head over to design seeds WINTER palettes for their unique color combinations and exquisite photos they pull their colors from. here are a few to get you started....

{2 inspiration palettes of theirs i'm loving, for a little tom and jerry recipe poster i am making for my family - great holiday drink passed down a few generations}

enjoy!

a few prints

2011-12-17T14:18:00.000-06:00

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so we {john, my husband and I} have this boring stairwell in this old rental of a house... we are thinking of sprucing it up with some great prints, posters, artifacts of things we love, sketches, and whatnot, in some type of collage format.... {pictures soon once we start a sweet collection.} here are a few of our current favorites and contenders to purchase -

we are ~~huge~~ ginormous fans of arrested development. we have bonded and made some awesome new friends that share our same love of the 3 seasoned show.... soon to be a movie :)

arrested development print by sccm84|mike dilugi

urban outfitters has introduced me to ruben ireland's work. i am fascinated with his use of color, feminine features, emotion, and a hint of darkness too.

hold on print by ruben

we have also developed a great passion for beer.. and not your typical beers. we enjoy the great microbrews and craft beers. and what a great way to keep them organized and learn their origins with this print. a must have in our household

the very many varieties of beer print by pop chart lab

last but not least, this little treasure. we are travelers and movers by nature. in the past 5 years we have moved at least a half dozen times {schooling, job, family, job, for fun, etc.} this is a great way to keep track of our adventures graphically!

"where i've been" scratch map by fred flare

all that is on the wall currently is a presidential election poster and a box from voodoo doughnuts... so to say the least, it needs some work.

here are other considerations for the wall: Poster/Print board on pinterest. do you have any favorites chosen for your place?

...project time...

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

a few projects to keep myself busy this winter break. its nice recovering from final exams and giant studio projects, but i find myself with a bit too much down time... maybe i will give a few of these projects a try. let me know if you do too! click links to see details of each picture

apartment therapy has this great project plus a few bigger ones too. scroll down on their page, more info is under the bulletin #2. if you wish to create something similar but don't have the wall space - try it will have as many prints but with the same impact.

t-shirt refashion by ISLY {i still love you} blog post. we all have an old t shirt around the house we aren't wearing anymore

DIY heart sweatshirt by with an i.e. festive and simple!

the wonder forest blog has this little resourceful project - printed paper pine tree - for anytime of the year too!

house and home's hanging coat rack - i have been looking for a hanging clothes bar....

paint chip art by a beautiful mess... "Looking for a way to fill that blank wall but don't have permission to paint? All you need is a trip to a major hardware store and an afternoon in front of a good movie to take care of that little dilemma."

thats all for now - enjoy!
|e

eugene | oregon

2011-12-13T21:34:00.001-06:00

a few shots from a brisk night in eugene oregon... although it is supposed to be the start of the rainy season, quite a few clear days and nights are still sticking around. there is a bit of haze at times, but otherwise comfortable and gorgeous!

until next time...

jena carlin photography // graphic design

2011-11-07T13:15:00.000-06:00

so going back to college has taken over my life recently and i have just recently found the time to blog a bit more. i am a bit late on posting things i have worked on but still love to share. i had the great opportunity to create a graphics//marketing packet for jena carlin photography this summer and wanted to share the bits and pieces of the packet.

{inspiration board via pinterest}

the whole kit and kaboodle - logo, twitter background, dvd/cd goodness, blog header, invoice, gift certificate, and proofing frames....

here is a quick little screen shot but to see more check out her blog!

it was so much fun designing within a style i love and that works great for her too. the handdrawn drips under the logo give it a truely unique flare. the soft creams, blacks and gray will showcase her bold and beautiful images while the splash of color gives her business a pop of vintage teal. good luck to jena and her great photography business!!

stephanie & matt // como park zoo & conservatory

2011-11-06T21:59:00.001-06:00

i am back! well at least for now. i found i had a bit of free time this evening to share with you some awesome images i created with stephanie and matt....

i had so much fun spending the day dress shopping with stephanie {matt was out golfing} and catching the afternoon weather out at como park in minneapolis. there was some sweet landscape spots and amazing architecture at the conservatory. lots of love and laughing!

enjoy....

- e

{there are a few different ones on facebook too - check it}

vintage:repurposed {2}

2011-08-26T10:01:00.000-05:00

my mom found this great stool at an estate sale this summer. it had a bit of water damage, 3 coats of paint, a bit of rust, and a lot of character. i will run through a quick step-by-step process of what i did.

1. find awesome chair
2. tear off all existing material and loose strings

STOOL BASE: {as you can see i have no pictures of refinishing the base. it was quite frustrating, a few curse words may have popped out of my mouth through this process.}
3. strip wood with paint stripper!
4. sand away any paint or damage with hand-sander or dremmel tool that was left on after stripper
5. remove dust with tack cloth
6. stain! {i chose an ebony color}
7. seal with polyurethane
move on to the seat.....

SEAT TOP:
8. pull out majority of nails and screws that were holding the previous fabric in place. as you can see, i left a few in...
9. measure and fit new padding - glue to seat base
10. add a bit of quilt bunting stuff {my mom suggesting using this to create a nice flow from padding to wood} and staple to back side of seat
11. grab your awesome, new fabric and add it to the seat {i used this black bonetti} remember to pull tight and line up your pattern! staple in place
12. cut away extra material and add a bit of trim to hide cut ends
13. grab a cup of coffee and ENJOY!

questions? leave them in the comments and i will get back to you!
-E

sneak//peek

2011-08-18T21:32:00.000-05:00

sharing a little sneak peek on some branding and marketing materials i have been helping a client with.... too excited not to share an inspiration board! i will share the package once we have everything finalized... until then..

-E

{photos from pinterest board: vintage modern inspiration}

Design & Decor

2011-08-12T13:55:00.000-05:00

loving all these images i found on pinterest in the past few weeks. i enjoy the mix of industrial metals and woods with pops of color. i will have to paint some vintage finds with some bold yet calm colors soon! whats your favorite pop of color in room.... a burst of yellow or maybe a harsh red? do tell!

find the links on this pinterest board of mine: {art and design} and follow for more great finds!

-E

vintage:repurposed

2011-08-03T14:03:00.001-05:00

i have a new jewelry case to display on the wall! i don't have a great 'before' picture, but i think you get the idea. i took an old, vintage print drawer and turned it into a 'one of a kind' jewelry case. you can even see the old black ink that stained the compartments. all is safe from the ink though since i sealed it in with a few coats of polyurethane. there was no need to sand it all away although i did cut out a few dividers to make room for necklaces! i love its unique character and charm.

-e

{if you're interested in one, i would love to make it for you - just shoot me an email and i will quote you a price - ellie@5letterdesign.com}

..great gift idea..

2011-07-26T09:12:00.000-05:00

oooooh, how i swoon over merriweathercouncil's designs! what great gift ideas too. they are small enough to adorn any desk and have a great 'color pop' to stand out in a new dorm room! maybe even collect a few and spice up a boring wall in your house.... check out all her custom necklaces too. there are plenty of pieces to see in her shop or visit her new blog if your up for it. be inspired

-E

{photos by merriweathercouncil - etsy shop}

:tattoo love:

2011-07-26T07:57:00.000-05:00

i don't have tattoos myself but love these whimiscal and artful designs. maybe someday.....

-E

{photos found on pinterest boards: tattoo and tattoos}

//windy inspiration//

2011-07-16T14:51:00.000-05:00

i think its time for a new picture for the blog header. it now feels more like summer and fall with the soft yellow and greens. a tripod and timer are key elements, along with a strong stomach. i could only capture a few self portraits in the heat until i felt a bit upset {nausea-wise}. spinning and twisting can damper your energy....

new ideas are already flowing for the next blog picture..... until then

//movement//

2011-07-13T14:39:00.002-05:00

i have been swooning over darker, dreamy pictures lately. i love the feeling these photographers captured with movement and color. these tell a story, as if you caught each individual in mid-stride... i pulled the colors out of each picture too {the little interior designer in me wanted to put a few color palettes together}. i am going through a dark phase today, i see! maybe some inspiration to try a few self-portraits......

enjoy :)
-E

{photo links can be found on my pinterest board: inspiring photography .. not all pictures have great links back - let me know if you know their sources}

:adventures of jenny and her balloon:

2011-07-12T14:42:00.000-05:00

thanks jenny {and john - ideas' man and balloon holder extraordinaire} for coming out with me bright and early to practice a few techniques and situations! ever since my own wedding, when i really started to love blogs and amazing photographers, i envied photos with huge balloons. last week jenny agreed to help me out. i really didn't know where to start, but knew there was inspiration to be found. with pinterest in mind, i started gathering images. i gathered big balloon photos. i found perspectives, cropping techniques, and movement that stood out. i found over the top photo shoots that will {maybe not quite yet} help me step outside the box. then we gathered up some supplies and headed out.... here's what i captured:

i learned quite a bit, especially that i enjoy trying to tell a story with photos. i didn't see it until i came home and threw the photos on the computer that i found i enjoyed when the balloon and jenny showed a bit of conflict or feeling. walking away with the balloon or the feeling that something was missing {maybe andy ;) } but a story was forming. maybe a bit more planning beforehand, maybe not - i like spontaneity too!

feel free to shout out suggestions or inspiration for next time!

:theatrical photo shoot:

2011-06-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

i had quite the exciting adventure with Kim Thiel and her model this past week. i assisted her while she created this amazing photo {i blew up the hot pink balloon and mastered the bubble machine}

shoe//love

2011-06-21T11:40:00.000-05:00

i am in love with these shoes today! wedges to heels.. neutrals to brights... what are you wearing this summer?
-E

loeffler randall{lace-up wedge} bebe{taylor striped platform wedge} zara{button wedge shoe} rock&republic{grace striped-wedge slingback} charlotte russe{color block hidden pump}&{color block satin pump} anthropologie{slick strap slingbacks}&{lemon stick wedge - sale!}

striped:goodness

2011-06-20T12:22:00.001-05:00

i love stripes this summer, especially grey and white stripes. these are just a few of the airy and light dresses i've been eyeing up lately.

-E

1. bebe{one shoulder striped maxi dress} 2. anthropologie{nautical dreaming chemise} 3. michael stars{maxi dress} 4. bcbg{striped layered tank dress} 5. red haute{long chevron stripe dress} 6. free people{striped babe blanket dress}

::mid-weekies::

2011-06-15T12:24:00.000-05:00

back again with some awesome links i have found over the past two weeks! check them out and let me know if you have a new favorite link too... {the picture above is one i took of the great finds i bought at an auction just down the road... auctions can be quite the adrenaline rush!}

{photo}love: kim thiel photography - love her lifestyle photos :)

{shops}: flirtatious and bright, loving it! mackenzie mode

{shops}: beautiful fonts and cards karolin schnoor

{shops}: uniquely shaped skillets and pans maidenfe

{local}wisconsin: great finds from wisconsin sellers

{posts}: simple and minimal digital frames - 20% off for a few more days

{5LD}: sold my first item to japan this week - yippie!

have fun!

-ellie

///lindsay & nate///////////////////////////////

2011-06-13T08:00:00.003-05:00

here are a few photos from this past week when lindsay, nate, a few guests of theirs, and myself headed out to iverson park. they are an awesome couple! i have known lindsay from 1st grade and to this day, still love her energy. her and nate are both passionate about their jobs, sports, and their two adorable dogs. i just met nate this past year but he gained some quick points when i heard he proposed to her on the top of a roller coaster... how cool is that?!

all the best this fall, lindsay and nate... and happy wedding planning!
{more exciting pictures are coming your way in the mail soon lindsay}
plus check out our facebook page to see a few more
-E

:welcome plump:

2011-06-03T09:10:00.000-05:00

new in the shop today... welcome {plump}! its a large {9 inches large} headband in dark gray. head over to the shop for more details. it was fun making it and sportin' it around the house last night. want it in a custom color? just email me at my 'new' address: ellie@5letterdesign.com . i can set up a special listing just for you!

-E

//loves//

2011-05-31T06:56:00.000-05:00

sharing a few of my loves on etsy today! here are 4 lovely collections.... have fun browsing
-E

photos by individual shops: {ohdier} : {readygo} : {cassandrasmith} : {bonniejones}

:be unique:

2011-05-30T13:01:00.002-05:00

customize and make your headband unique! we are offering to stitch something special on the back of a headband you purchase. just add the 'personalize/custom' listing to your cart when you buy a headband. place a note in the 'note to seller' box stating what you would like the back to say. keep it short and sweet, and we will stitch it in a fun, summery color to coordinate!

don't forget, there is a great memorial day sale in our shop today - use coupon code 'memorial40' to receive 40% your order... works on everything in the shop, while supplies to the items last!

-E

//want to play... its a giveaway//

2011-05-27T08:15:00.001-05:00

its memorial weekend... and its the perfect time for a giveaway - its summer!
i'm giving away a free headband to one lucky winner this weekend......

to have a chance to win, head over to our etsy shop. find your favorite headband (bloom, burst, plume, or linen) and let us know on our facebook page which one you would like, if you win! do this all by monday, may 30th by 11PM central. to increase your chances of winning, recommend your friends (friends that love design, photography, are getting married, or you think may love to follow us) to our facebook page. if your recommended friend comments with their favorite headband, comment below them and let me know that they commented because of you. you can comment on 4 recommended friends' comments. that's 5 chances to win :)

the random winner will be announced june 3rd. i will add up all the comments and names, stick them in my new favorite hat, and pick one - old school style! good luck

head over to the {shop} to glance around and feel free leave a comment below with any questions too.
-E

:featured etsy treasury:

2011-05-23T22:13:00.000-05:00

a collection of gold tones and wood textures... head over to etsy to see prices of individual items and detailed descriptions... hope you had a great monday!
-E

photos by individual shops

:featured etsy shop:

2011-05-23T09:00:00.003-05:00

today lets visit a little shop called {magalerie}, located in paris, france! her name is anne and she sells gorgeous and fun prints. i am a big fan of white on white like the first photo. its quite minimal and clean. right up my alley, along with all the fun sayings and colorful candies. stop by her shop and check out what else she has!

enjoy
-E

photos by magalerie

introducing...

2011-05-21T09:00:00.003-05:00

introducing... bloom, plume, and burst - headbands by 5 Letter Design! take a closer look by heading over to the shop. any headband can also be made into a broach or boutonniere if you so desire. each style is only listed as one color so far. i will be listing more this month with different colors. also, i take custom orders! like what you see but not your colors yet, just email 5letterdesign(at)gmail(dot)com. i will also be starting a giveaway at the end of the weekend. i will giveaway one of the above styles. exact choice to be determined!

have a wonderful weekend and don't forget the weekend coupon code found on our facebook page - 20% off.
-E

photos by 5 Letter Design

midnight snackin'

2011-05-21T00:12:00.001-05:00

oooo how i wish i could be snacking on these tonight! {colorful macarons from sparkleskitchen}
i hope you have sweet dreams tonight....

-E

photo by sparkleskitchen

::mid-weekies::

2011-05-17T11:20:00.001-05:00

mid-weekies are fun, art and design links that i found enjoyable and am sharing with you mid-week. sweet, huh?

{photo}love: camping adventures... by Kim Thiel Photography

{photo}love: succulent wedding... by Clayton Austin

{shops}: a new take on an old map

{shops}: who doesn't love a bit of chocolate?

{local}wisconsin: great collection of wisconsin etsian sellers

{posts}: i knew i collected ticket stubs for a reason... great before and after

{5LD}: featured in the treasury pictured above... check out more of the collection

have fun!

-ellie

photos by individual etsy shop owners {link to find more} treasury by magalerie

:if you have some awesome art and design links or giveaways, feel free to share with me: 5letterdesign{at}gmail.com

{forest people}

2011-05-16T18:44:00.000-05:00

i am quite excited.. why you ask? i will be doing my first engagment photo shoots this summer! so far one will be for an old elementary school friend and the other a newer college friend... let the good times role. until then, i have been fine toning my technique. got to love a tripod and self timer sometimes. *high five to john for assisting :)

midweekies are back tomorrow too!

-E

//golf//

2011-05-13T16:39:00.002-05:00

i have taken up a new hobby in the past few years. golf. a few days ago was the first time this spring my husband and i went out on the course and played 9 holes. its a little intimidating to play when the course if full, and people are watching and waiting, but luckily we went a day after a storm blew through and no one wanted to play on a damp course... but us!

we were following a group of 5 older gentleman. since they were hacking at the ball and took their sweet, sweet time {not going to lie, i hacked a few times too.. only completely missed the ball once that round}, we grabbed the camera and tried a few shots. nice form in the last picture, wouldn't you say? even captured the tee in mid-flight...{picture taken by john}

have a wonderful week!

-ellie

:logo:mailing:

2011-05-12T18:34:00.001-05:00

i just finished putting the final touches on a logo i designed for {vintage blue} this week. sending out the disk with all the fun files! i will give you all a peak at her new business and logo soon... stay tuned.

-E

*thanks mom for being my hand model ;)

globe::rewind

2011-05-02T11:39:00.000-05:00

i recently sold my {globe} necklace from my etsy shop. with that being enough excitement for an evening, i found a little note from her looking to make bracelets that matched! with the first of may right behind us, i thought of her and her upcoming wedding at the end of may. i haven't posted anything about the pieces i created yet, so here is the first full look at the collection i sent her. it included her necklace and 5 bracelets, along with some extra goodies from 5LD - i included a set of earrings and small broach to match. this project also let me dive into my marketing a bit further. i developed tags to attach to my pieces along with business cards - both in the circle format. also, since i have been doing a lot with recycled paper bags, i added bits and pieces from them. all the brown packages are handmade and cut from the brown paper. a few tags are also punched out of the recycled paper too.

with a lot of firsts from this collection, i also get to work with my first photographer - {sarah shambaugh photo}! fun stuff to discuss and post after the wedding :)

-E

photos by 5LD

modern with//pattern

2011-05-01T19:47:00.000-05:00

i am ending this week and starting next week off with a collection of wonderful etsy shops and items. i created this {treasury} board with neutral colors and modern patterns in mind. maybe you will find a mother's day gift in this collection. hope you enjoyed your weekend... and on to next week!

have a great monday!

-E

all photos by individual shops... follow link to see more on specific items

//minty fresh//

2011-04-28T08:00:00.002-05:00

with the release of a few new items in our shop, i found some great pieces that go with our {bloom} necklaces. i am in love with the minty blue/green i have come across recently.

enjoy!

-E

1. xoelle{botanical garden freestyle bow tie} 2. merriweathercouncil {hand embroidered bunting} 3. 5letterdesign{bloom necklace} 4. aftershowershop {butterfly}

*photos by individual shops

not {alone}

2011-04-19T10:00:00.004-05:00

so i have been away from the blog, shop, and other social networks for the past few weeks. i have put my life on hold. i have stepped back from the world and have been with family and friends...

march 29th was one of the toughest days of my life. on that day my mom went into urgent care because she'd been feeling sick for the past four days. she had random bruises all over her body and a constant headache. she arrived at 2:30 PM and was diagnosed with acute leukemia by 4:00 PM. what a whirlwind these past 21 days have been (almost 22, we keep track quite accurately up here).

since she arrived that afternoon, she has been in an immune sensitive isolation room up on the top floor. its a private room with an extra set of doors that encloses a place for staff and guests to wash and clean up before entering. everyone needs to be nice and clean because the chemo is destroying her white cells since most of them were leukemic, while also killing her healthy ones too. she has no 'warriors' in her blood to protect her from germs, viruses, and bacteria. her iv pole, 'slim', is always hanging different products to keep things going in the right direction. i think i have most of the stats, vitals, numbers, and counts down. i assume my brother thinks i am a geek for already knowing what are good white counts and bad, what are low fibronigen numbers or not, and what DIC ANC AML APL PLT HGB all stand for. my dad has been wonderful too. he enjoys just sitting by her side while she sleeps just so she knows someone is always there if she needs them. john, my husband, is incredibly supportive. hes the guy that helps with all the odds and ends. he helps with car rides, awesome foot rubs, candy hunts, and late night ginger ale runs. all of our family and friends have been so supportive and helpful. it is great to see and hear from all of them. she actually used to work on this same floor years back and knows most of the doctors and older staff members. they are amazing and treat our family wonderfully.

it was an incredibly scary time the first few days. it still is, but a routine has set in and everything is a bit more, well, settled. i have spent most nights here with her on a cot... which i have enhanced with an egg crate recently. and speaking of sleep, i do have a bit of downtime while naps are occurring. so as shown above, i am practicing my photo-journalistic skills. my mom doesn't mind, as long as i don't snap too many of her ;-) with good days and bad days, we came up with an idea to help her fight through them all. we created orange bracelets (orange for leukemia) with a saying we thought fit the situation and used her nickname. we mailed and handed them out to family and friends with a few instructions: to wear it with pride in support of her & to take a self portrait with it while holding a sign with an encouraging word 'strength, courage, love, fight' etc. hopefully when we get the pictures in, they will be a reminder to my mom to keep fighting, to take it one day at a time, that chemo's a bitch, and she is not alone - we are all here to fight with her. {i will probably make a photo book with all the pictures, inspiration quotes, and memories.}

so i shall be around again... here and there... when i have time and need to design. creative work helps take my mind off things and i enjoy decompressing with it. i am learning that 1.} one must step away to regroup at times to stay healthy and 2.} to trust in science. its amazing to me how the body works in all its intricate ways.

{Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.
-- Aristotle}

i created an {orange treasury} on etsy too. full of unique tints, hues, and shades of orange.
-Ellie

:packaging:

2011-03-26T13:39:00.000-05:00

i packaged and sent off my first order of {saved}RED this week. oh how fun they were to make and paint! reusing a staples box, i sketched over it to add a personal touch and some charm. also, i left a hand written note from one of the grocery bags i used. i am also starting to include a few of my photography images too - thanks to kziegler design.

on a side note, a few fun things have been happening on etsy for this little shop. this week i was featured on the front page with the {saved}RED item and i was also featured as a treasury curator. the hour or so of front page attention led lots of sellers and buyers over to my shop. i am up to 58 shop hearts and almost have 800 views on one item. little victories this week for 5 Letter Design!

have a wonderful weekend!
-E

{globe} necklace

2011-03-17T11:38:00.000-05:00

i sold my lovely {globe} necklace the other day and received an awesome request...... i will be making 5 bridesmaid bracelets to match. how fun! she will be one rockin' bride with this necklace and a stellar wedding party as well. i will be quite busy the next couple days and will show you the final pieces soon.
happy green day
-E

:mid-weekies:

2011-03-16T13:37:00.000-05:00

mid-weekies are here again this week! they are fun art and design links that i found enjoyable and am sharing with you mid-week. sweet, huh?

*side note - i was just accepted into the university of oregon's graduate interior architecture program - hence the picture above. the picture is of one of the new buildings (for athletes only) that "the design is an extroverted box within a box, with a transparency via a glass skin that allows permeation from the outside-in, creating a sense of community" cool right? designed by ZGF Architect. i will be moving to eugene in the fall with my husband and dog, yippie!

{photo}love: beautiful sunny wedding photos

{photo}love: blog i have just bookmarked!

{shops}: wings of sunshine necklace

{shops}: beachcombing series photograph

{local}wisconsin: the wisconsin project

{posts}: lovely blog about minimalistic approach to photos and documenting them
{posts}: mailing some letters?

have fun!

-ellie

photo by ZGF Architects (website)

:if you have some awesome art and design links or giveaways, feel free to share with me: 5letterdesign{at}gmail.com

S1st and 5LD

2011-03-14T13:23:00.000-05:00

a bit of insight and a peek at a few pages of some work i have been doing with {scorers 1st} and their marketing. with the photos i took in the off season and their workout plan organized, i developed a booklet to guide their summer workouts and training plans for their clients. it's a book full of great development information that clients will find useful in their future endeavors.

check their site, maybe you will know a few of their players they represent.

-ellie

Mix {Match} - 5LD Style

2011-03-11T17:54:00.000-06:00

look at that. i have started to notice that i am drawn to particular colors when taking photos or designing items. maybe i have really started to define and identify a style that is ‘5 Letter Design’. i just listed the {saved} RED paper circles yesterday. when i saw them in a folder preview on my computer and i realized i captured the same shade of red in each. i also love photographing industrial places and objects, hence in the next picture i designed a necklace to capture that same feeling – with a bit more shine. the last images portray the love of bold colors i have. they can always brighten ones day.

i guess, stay tuned to see how {5 Letter Design}’s brand grows and forms a unique personality.

-E

on a side note, check out the {shop} and {twitter} tomorrow for an awesome coupon code for the store!

:tweet this:

2011-03-10T07:30:00.002-06:00

check it. 5 Letter Design is on Twitter today! follow on twitter to get sweet coupon codes and extra stuff. i am still settling in and adjusting a few things, so don't mind the dust.

-ellie

:mid-weekies:

2011-03-09T10:47:00.001-06:00

mid-weekies are fun art and design links that i found enjoyable and am sharing with you mid-week. sweet, huh?

{photo}love: emerging photo talent and featured photographer

{photo}love: eye catching, (almost birdseye) beautiful images

{shops}: know your ABCs

{shops}: upcycled noggin ware

{local}wisconsin: hand-drawn giveaway

{posts}: a treehouse for grownups

have fun!

-ellie

photo by shauna{polkadots and pearls photography}

:if you have some awesome art and design links or giveaways, feel free to share with me: 5letterdesign{at}gmail.com

5LD and JTN

2011-03-08T17:49:00.001-06:00

5 Letter Design recently helped {JTN Legacy Builders} and designed a marketing booklet for their company. JTN Legacy Builders, owned by jacob nonemacher (yes, one of my awesome brother-in-laws) is taking a step forward this year, while also building and promoting ‘green’ products and custom building designs. he is always researching new techniques and materials to stay current and knowledgeable in an every changing field.

i assisted his progress by designing a handheld sized booklet to offer to clients looking to build their dream homes. here is the cover page and a few other pages from the booklet. actual photos of the book to come soon. yippie!

contact jacob with any of your home building or remodeling needs - he loves to help (he is located in the fox valley area of wisconsin)!

-E

print {color}

2011-03-07T14:56:00.000-06:00

i am expanding the graphic designer in myself a bit more and while doing that i thought it would be great to share with you our wedding invites and print material from our wedding back in 2009. with the help of my husband (shout-out to john), we developed shower invites, save the dates, formal wedding invites with all the additional paperwork, menus, programs, and much more.

i never really could settle on a one or two color wedding scheme so i stepped outside the box and didn't limit myself to any set colors (well, except they needed to be bold and bright). they were perfect for the summer season and warm weather in montana. all the print material was created by us, so then i could really personalize the details. as you can tell, even our puppy made it onto the backside (collage of our favorite things) of the invite! if you want to see more details of the wedding and a great book i put together afterwards, head over {this way}.

have a wonderful monday!

-ellie

:dipped, painted, and splattered:

2011-03-06T14:20:00.000-06:00

taking it a step forward with some paint! the project started with {simple circles} out of recycled paper bags and i have developed it a bit further. i dipped a few in a chocolate, brown paint and drizzled some sky blue paint on a few others. i spray painted a smaller one white and a two others a bold red. so, i was thinking they would make great wedding or party decorations and some of the smaller ones could be incorporated into a hanging mobile (thanks nikki for that suggestion!). they will need a bit more thought and design work...

but out of boredom, something of beauty came about today..... they are my {saved}, {reuse}, {green}, {round},{clock}-like, paper art. (still thinking of a 5 letter name for them.. i am still deciding.)
-E

photos by ellie {5 Letter Design}

bold {colors} and unique designs

2011-03-04T14:27:00.000-06:00

i am ending the week featuring some wonderful etsy shops and items. i created a treasury {bold colors and unique designs} showcasing some wonderful color combinations and truly unique items. hope you enjoyed the week that was full of color on our blog and in the fun postings!
happy friday
-E

all photos by individual shops... follow link to see more on specific items

{wall} color

2011-03-03T12:42:00.001-06:00

don't be shy, try some bold wall covering prints in your home or office. you can even pick just one wall to cover with a bold color or graphic print. these examples are from fermLIVING. they create an eye-catching and dramatic feel on their walls.

1}gracewood 2}tree bomb 3}remix 4}branch

-E

photos by fermliving

recycled art

2011-03-02T13:47:00.000-06:00

recycling paper bags (piggly wiggly bags at the moment) to create wall art and a decorative 'gathering' today. they are random sized circles in a variety of brown hues. its interesting so see the slight variance in each bag and its texture. its just a start to a larger project i am in the process of making. i think i am going to incorporate a little spray paint on the next couple.... should be interesting! what do you think?
-E

photos by 5letterdesign

{vintage} color

2011-03-02T11:03:00.002-06:00

midweek and we are moving on to quite the colorful vintage items, well photos of vintage things! the 'vintage by color' collection is from {Hilda Grahnat}. she is a young photographer based in the great country of sweden. i 'oooooo-ed' and 'ahhhhhhh-ed' when i saw her photos! she has many more gorgeous photos on her site and her blog.
have fun checking her work out!
-E

photos by hilda grahnat

identical {twins}

2011-03-01T09:57:00.000-06:00

continuing on our bold colors this week, here is a wonderful print by {judy kaufmann}. its a favorite of mine, first because i love the colors and second because my husband is an identical twin. its super fun and great color inspiration for any room! she sells some of her fab prints in her {etsy shop} too.
-E

photos by judykaufmann

giveaway winner, february

2011-02-28T20:20:00.002-06:00

sorry for the delay on the results for our {february giveaway} but here it is... congrats to 'comment' number 5, which is Kelly! ironic how my name is '5' letter design and my first giveaway recipient was the random number 5. also, in no way was the 'drink purchase' comment a deciding factor.... but I will take Kelly up on that when i am back in the area.

thank you to all that entered! thank you to all that shared the giveaway on your personal social networks. i will hopefully be having another giveaway at the end of march with new rules on how to enter. stay tuned!
-E

color {wheel}

2011-02-28T11:10:00.000-06:00

this week will be full of color. starting with lovely items that are color wheel inspired. how fun to add a bit of creativity to your everyday life in little details. be bold this week and show your true colors!
-E

1. present and correct{colour wheel print} 2. modcloth{what color is it?} 3. buy olympia{color wheel} 4. papersource{colorwheel watch} 5. brooklyn wood{color wheel print} 6. moma {color wheel stick umbrella} 7. moma{color spectrum umbrella} 8. laceybabe{color wheel}

{skies} the limit

2011-02-26T10:22:00.001-06:00

happy weekend! here are a few awesome links i found this week: enjoy!

.amazing dancer {photos}.... thanks to cabootique for blogging about them!
.cute little {albums} that are small and easy to fill up with everyday events.
.unique {hardware}... i say its always the jewelry of a house.
.i have a fascination with {globes}.
.a lovely {twin print}.
.our {giveaway}.

... don't forget to comment on our giveaway {post}... leave a little comment on that post and your qualified to win!
-E

photo by ellie {5letterdesign}

birthday {suit}

2011-02-25T11:27:00.000-06:00

so happily its not your typical, mind-in-the-gutter birthday suit, but i am loving these one-piece suits from anthropologie. i know its not quite summer either, but i had to share for some birthday fun. can't wait to see what their new ones will be when the months start to warm up.

-E

anthropologie: {suit 1} {suit 2} {suit 3} {suit 4}

a celebration collection

2011-02-24T13:53:00.000-06:00

lovely things from others. i gathered some of my favorite things and items from shops i adore for this {collection}. enjoy and check out their shops!
happy thursday
-E

{Marshfield} Wisconsin

2011-02-23T12:56:00.000-06:00

today's photos are featuring {marshfield} wisconsin, the place where i was born (almost 26 years ago). its place of industry, agriculture, medicine, and history. i will be adding them to {the wisconsin project: a photographic perspective} photo page soon too.
happy wednesday!
-E

don't forget about our {giveaway} this week!
photos by ellie {5letterdesign}
picture frames by {paislee press}

giveaway {birthday}

2011-02-22T18:30:00.004-06:00

since its my birthday this month, on the 25th, i want to giveaway our {drops} necklace to a lucky winner. its the perfect necklace for spring, with warm colors (even this year's pantone color - honeysuckle!) i want to share my birthday with you!

to have a chance to win, leave a sweet comment below by sunday, february 27th at 11PM Central (the deadline is after my birthday, for the weekend readers... *wink). to increase your chances of winning, post about this giveaway on twitter, facebook, and/or your blog. make sure you come back and leave a separate comment with the link/note to your tweet or blog... or tag {5 Letter Design} in your status (hint.. hint.. you have to 'like' us to tag us).

the random winner will be announced at the end of the month on monday, february 28th. good luck :)

head over to the {shop} to see more and feel free to contact me with any questions too.
-E

drips {black & white}

2011-02-22T12:40:00.000-06:00

featuring our new necklace in the {shop} today! its a {drips necklace} consisting of black, white, and in-betweens. it is a clustered pendant necklace that mixes vintage-modern and industrial styles. it is a pendant type necklace with a collection of elegant beadwork gathered at the lowest part. the bar & ring clasp is integrated in with the pendant to continue the unique style. check out the new {drips} and let us know what you think.
loving the white chain too!
-E

{bokeh} las vegas

2011-02-21T13:00:00.000-06:00

love this bokeh photo i took while in las vegas. think i am going to try a few more this week, but until then, off to shovel a little more snow.

also, stay tuned for a giveaway this week!

-E

all things {tied}

2011-02-20T15:20:00.000-06:00

{all things tied} treasury, that 5 Letter Design created, is full of fun things that can be tied, untied, roped up, bowed, knoted, etc. the items are from a variety of shops and sellers. check them out {here} and see if you need a great gift anytime soon. enjoy!
-E

wine bottle {designs} - uncommon

2011-02-19T09:00:00.003-06:00

here are a few wine bottle designs that really rock. they are bold and eye catching. from braille textured labels to totally unique shaped bottles. have you tried any of these? oh, how i would try them just to collection the bottles. enjoy!
-E

1. lunar vine {chardonnay, rose, shiraz}designed by death by colour 2. JAQK {charmed}sauvignon blanc 3. JAQK {black clover} 4. JAQK {her majesty} 5. peltier station {USB} 6. honey wine {honey moon} designed by lauren golembiewski 7. lazaruswine{naranja & negra} 8.mini garage winery {Super}designed by korefe

wine bottle {designs} - common

2011-02-18T12:05:00.000-06:00

these are bottles and wines that you can find in your typical grocery store (at least in wisconsin). i love the unique labels and bursts of color. i also find the modern fonts and graphics quite fun too! i have only tasted a few so let me know if you have loved any flavors. tomorrow i will post some rockin' labels that aren't as common.

-E

1. {Root:1} 2. {Red}St.Francis 3. {Voga} 4. {Seven Daughters} 5. {The Jibe}Nobilo 6. {Predator}Rutherford Wine 7. {Emeri}sparkling 8.{Round Hill}Rutherford Wine

stepping on the court

2011-02-17T08:00:00.003-06:00

last summer i assisted {scorers 1st sportmanagement} at their showcase in las vegas. its a blast helping the agency and capturing the players and coaches during the event. while it was hard shooting in an open gym with poor lighting, i think the images turned out great - especially since it was my first time up close and under the rim. i also had fun working on their las vegas showcase graphics and logo that was printed on the fronts of their jerseys. we are hopefully heading to vegas again this summer!!
-E

eye {candy}

2011-02-16T12:27:00.000-06:00

i am working hard on some projects and future planning today so i am trying to stay away from the internet as much as possible. so i am leaving you with a short blog post and beautiful image from Diana Ornes {In'Vogue Photo}. she is developing a new name and focusing on shooting amazing weddings! check her {blog} for her showcased photos and featured wedding vendors too. she is also on {facebook} a must like, and from wisconsin!
-E

In'Vogue Photo: In the Spotlight [5 Letter Design]

2011-02-15T22:05:00.000-06:00

In'Vogue Photo: In the Spotlight [5 Letter Design]: "As things start to heat up here at In'Vogue Photo and weddings are just around the corner, I thought I would start to highlight some awesome..."

continue reading over on {In'Vogue Photo's Blog}. thanks for the feature Diana!

-E

{Missoula} Montana

2011-02-15T17:15:00.003-06:00

oh how i am missing the mountains and the dry summer air of montana. a few panoramas i took this past summer while hiking in missoula and exploring the city. i developed my camera techniques of long exposures and tripod use while using the wonderful photoshop to piece them together. the original files are huge and breathtaking - but for website display they look really small, hence the close up shots to see the night skyline and gorgeous landscape in the daylight.
-E

photos by 5 Letter Design

shop love

2011-02-14T09:43:00.001-06:00

happy valentine's day. anthropologie released their beautiful and romantic collection {BHLDN} today. these are just a few of my favorites. there are so many more! what are your favorites?
-E

a taste of turquoise

2011-02-14T09:18:00.000-06:00

featured in {a taste of turquoise} treasury today by One of a Kind Sites. thank you! check out 5 Letter Design's {bound necklace} and all the others in the treasury.

charles {darwin}

2011-02-12T00:00:00.003-06:00

february 12th is the birthday anniversary of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin. this {treasury} collection includes lots of fun items to celebrate. enjoy
-E

{extraordinary}

2011-02-10T16:10:00.001-06:00

beautiful and unordinary head pieces from {Arturo Rios} on Etsy. he specializes in these high fashion-avant garde hats. i am so in awe by his designs. extraordinary. read more about him and who he has designed for in his profile too.

-E

{photos by Arturo Rios}

tidbits...

2011-02-10T13:05:00.000-06:00

a few tidbits that intrigue me. big love for whites, grays, and blacks. plus sparkly things.
-E

{photo by 5 Letter Design}

my process

2011-02-08T08:00:00.006-06:00

so i am letting you into my daily life a bit more with today's post. its full of images of the process it takes to get one of my necklaces designed, uploaded, and blogged. using the most recent necklace {bound}, here is the step-by-step of the process:

1. gather materials. when i find materials i want to use, i usually don't have the end design in mind. i try all sorts of layouts to see what characteristics the materials take.
2. i design all the way to the smallest of details. on the extension chain, i added a bit more wool for the final touch.
3. fitting in a little asymmetrical detail is a nice touch
4. always think of the unordinary too
5. take pictures. i love white, so taking pictures of the necklace on a white backdrop is always an essential. (at the moment i use the top of a plastic bin to lay my necklaces on). i also pop outside to use natural daylight when i can.
6. more pictures. i have just recently been taking pictures of myself with the necklace on. all self-consciousness put aside for a bit to capture these self-portraits.
7. then on to the computer. upload pictures taken. edit to my liking. listen to some music.
8. on to the world wide web. etsy shop. blog. facebook. spread the word.
9. all along this process i create a 5 letter word to title each necklace. ‘bound’ for this one and its playful characteristics.
10. i also create a little graphic to add to the blog posts for that extra special touch.
last... a caffeinated drink always helps this process go smoothly....
- E

whats your process? have you blogged about yourself or has someone captured pictures of you doing what you love? i would love to share on our blog!

Bound {wool & wood}

2011-02-07T13:32:00.000-06:00

welcoming {Bound} to our shop today. it has a lot of character and joyful play. its made with large wood beads and maraham gray wool fabric that contains bold color splashes. find it at 5 Letter Design.

Sneak Peak

2011-02-04T13:15:00.000-06:00

thinking about using these materials in my next necklace endeavour. a little sewing will be needed so i need to call on some assist too. i will be working on it over the weekend so hopefully i can display a finished project early next week.

recent collection

2011-02-03T10:20:00.000-06:00

heres a glimpse into a recent photo project i did while its to cold to go and play outside. i took an old vintage frame and repainted it this summer. while i enjoyed it empty, i love it even more with recent photos i took. printing them off with a small white border and using push pins to give it a minimalistic look, they filled the frame from top to bottom. its a collage i can easily keep replacing with newer photos. the white pops of color help brighten the blue and gray-brown room.

p is for purple

2011-02-02T12:35:00.001-06:00

i just received my new issue of {design within reach} and loved the bold purples throughout the issue. great accent to any space!

winter wonderland

2011-02-01T21:33:00.000-06:00

a few photos from our winter in wisconsin. love capturing the details of the organic elements that you may pass by every day. close up shots really emphasize the uniqueness of nature.
photos by {5 Letter Design}

Raven {Black and Ebony}

2011-01-27T18:15:00.000-06:00

Releasing {Raven} today in 5 Letter Design's Etsy Shop. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Personal Creation {Wedding Style}

2011-01-27T12:27:00.001-06:00

This summer my brother's fiance (now my sister-in-law) asked for a little help on her wedding day. With her chosen colors and help we created the lovely paper programs, table numbers, information cards at the reception, amusing mad-lib wedding game, candy table embellishments, and the wedding cake (faux cake.. but we made it look delicious)! We had a blast playing with the classic black & white color scheme and adding in the touches of bright pinks. I drew inspiration from magazines and blogs, and awesome fonts from all over the web. Since this was my first wedding in creating some custom accessories (besides my own), I wanted to share. Thanks to Diana at {In'Vogue Photo} for capturing all the lovely images above and the memories of their special day. Also, thanks to Jami with {All Dressed Up} for pulling it all together on the day of the wedding!
-E

Sneak Peak {Raven}

2011-01-26T19:03:00.001-06:00

Sneak Peak of {Raven}... new necklace in the shop tomorrow

Giveaway {paislee press}

2011-01-26T10:10:00.000-06:00

OOoooo how I love paislee press and her giveaways! Here is your chance to win too. She will be giving away a kit called "Dialogue" to help you in your everyday digital scrapbooking or book making lives. If you head over to her blog {paislee press} by January 26th at 9:00 PM (PST) and leave a comment, you will be in the running to win. She picks her winners the following day. Have fun over there and check out the rest of the stuff she creates and posts on her blog. She is my inspiration for the photo books I make!

I want to go there.....

2011-01-25T12:07:00.000-06:00

ok, so I have been to Denver, but just recently. I fell in love with the city to say the least. While I was checking out some other photographers and taking a look to see what parts they enjoy of their city, Denver, I came across these and was amazed!

Amazing use of light! Take a peak at Greg Thow's Etsy Shop {Denver Digital Photo} to purchase from him directly or his new site Denver Digital Photography to see more. Hope these inspire you to try new techniques!

ruffles and bows

2011-01-25T12:06:00.000-06:00

Loving one of the new bridesmaid dresses from The Dessy Group and Alfred Sung. Its a frilly yet classy take on the standard halter top. The waist high bow adds that extra little pop.

beautiful delights

2011-01-24T11:11:00.001-06:00

Some of my favorites from Martha Stewart Wedding. Love the minimalistic touches and unique shapes. I am a sucker for multiple cakes and cake stands too. Loved that idea from her so much, that I used it in our own wedding!
images from {Martha Stewart Wedding}

confetti all around

2011-01-23T10:55:00.000-06:00

thinking this picture is perfect for today since I am loving the garland from confetti system and it contains greens and yellows - Go Packers!

{Drops}

2011-01-23T10:42:00.000-06:00

a mix of {Loops} and {Drips} give us {Drops}. further details in 5 Letter Design's Etsy Shop.

stay tuned tomorrow for a look at fantastic Denver photographer......

O Morro

2011-01-22T18:50:00.001-06:00

If you haven't seen this yet, check out artists Haas & Hahn and what they have done this past year.

This is the entrance of the community of Santa Marta, in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. Stay on their progress and learn more on their facebook page: Favela Painting Project

for the love of color ........................................... {pinks, reds, and a hint of blue}

2011-01-21T11:24:00.000-06:00

Its bitterly cold in Wisconsin today so if your from the area, stay in and shop online. Here is a collection of fellow Wisconsities selling some pretty sweet items. Enjoy :)

check out {for the love of color} treasury on Etsy and let us know what you think once you get there :)

Drips {Custom}

2011-01-20T15:18:00.000-06:00

New listing in the shop today! Its for a custom necklace based on the {Drips} style I have previously created a few times.

Here are a few links with additional images:

Black and Copper

Pinks and Purples are a few custom orders already created

Copper and Purple (first Drips created)

Let me know what you think or potential color combinations :)

Winters Day

2011-01-20T12:54:00.000-06:00

spending the day with our pup before the windchills get below zero. as you can see, she loves snow!

Loops {Caramel and Teal}

2011-01-19T14:13:00.000-06:00

stayed up late last night to finish {Loops} so I could release it today! check out 5{LetterDesign} shop to find out more and to purchase.

Drips {Copper and Black}

2011-01-18T17:06:00.000-06:00

new necklace in 5{Letter Design} Shop

{Denver} Colorado

2011-01-17T14:44:00.000-06:00

I spent a few days in Denver this past week and while exploring the diverse city, grew to love the area! I enjoyed capturing the details of the city and bridges. A few pictures of the city-scape.

blog {update}

2011-01-07T11:52:00.001-06:00

for 2011, I am touching up the blog a bit (don't mind my house-keeping)
{5 Letter Design}

{5 Letter Design}

Also, we are taking a trip to Oregon and Colorado next week, so I leave with you pictures from last time we were in Oregon. More posts to come next week. Have a wonderful Friday!

color bursts

2011-01-06T21:08:00.002-06:00

matching up a photo of mine {light streaks} ... with anthropologies {fireworks pillow}

stacked up

2011-01-06T18:24:00.002-06:00

stacked up ....

stacked up is a collection of items that are stacked, stackable, in a pile, batched together, layered ... arranged in a order. created by 5 Letter Design. hop over to Etsy to check out the individual items in the treasury.

Portfolio Sneak Peek

2011-01-06T17:03:00.000-06:00

Updated my portfolio - great 2010 task completed!

inspired custom creations

2010-12-20T14:44:00.001-06:00

Here are a few custom necklaces that will be delivered this week for a dear old friend of mine. It was exciting to review what pieces I have already created and she liked, then adding in her ideas and taste. {alloy} & {drips} inspired us to create great family gifts.

{alloy} inspired
..black..pearl..gunmetal..gray..white..

{drips} inspired
..purple..amethyst..plum..copper..pearl..

{drips} inspired
..purple..amethyst..plum..copper..pearl..pink..coral..

Happy Holidays!

All things caged....

2010-12-15T20:30:00.003-06:00

I love the structural aspects of cages....

All things caged....

All things caged treasury by {5 Letter Design}