More Engagements!!

2007 is also the year of the wedding...here are two more engagements that happened recently!!

Becka & Tripp
April & Luis

love these couples so much and am so happy for them!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Happy New Year to all my family, wonderful friends old and new, and everyone else out there! I have high hopes for the year 2007...it will be the year of Lauren...I finally feel like I'm getting all my ducks in a row, got a new job that I start on wednesday (Marketing Assistant at Gallery Imperato (www.galleryimperato.com)) and with this blog, I feel more creative than ever!

so for next year, I resolve to:

post to my blog at least 4 times per week
make something new every day
work out 5 times a week
make more time for myself
finally organize my closet :)

I'm sure I'll think of more...but the most important thing will be, to not take anything or anyone for granted...my thoughts are with my dear friend right now who just yesterday lost her father...I can not imagine the pain and saddness she is going through, and it breaks my heart to know she is feeling so lost...so if you love someone...tell them! you never know what tomorrow will bring! that is the spirit I am bringing with me into 2007...live every day as if it were your last!

bring on the Champagne!!

Illustration Friday - Phoenix

So I know...cheesy...Phoenix is the capital of Arizona...but I've been sick all week, so this was the best I could come up with :) Also, I thought it would be fun to draw all the 50 states...another one of my projects for next year!

I couldn't decide if I liked the black & white version or the color one better...when I learn all my fun photoshop programs next year, I'll color the b&w one in better...no more streaky marker lines!!

Happy New Year to everyone in Blog-Land :) have fun and be safe!!

Illustration Friday - Peace

finally got this week's Illustration Friday done!


I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone again already!? Does it go this fast for everyone else?! hope you all had a nice holiday season :)

Jewelry-Making continues

I am so excited how easy this jewelry making is...just last night I made two necklace and earring sets! The color of the purpley one didn't photograph too well, but it's really pretty :)

The inventory is beginning to grow!

Illustration Friday - Help

My inspiration for this week's topic, help, came from watching an old episode of my favorite show...Friends :) It's the one when they get stranded on their way to Rachel's sister's ski cabin...and Joey thinks to spell out help backwards...PLEH...so that people from the air can read it...ahhhh Joey :)

Some more jewelry!!

Another busy night making jewelry...these are all going to be Christmas gifts :) I can't wait to give them out! Only one week until Christmas...can you believe it??

Oh Christmas Tree....

I finally got my tree decorated...it's the first time I've had a fake tree...it doesn't look bad...but it's not the same as a real one! I kept it simple this year, just to see how my kitties react to it...

they've only knocked off two ornaments so far...thank goodness for Target's shatter-proof ornaments!

ahhhhh...I LOVE christmas :)

JerseyGirlJewels

Ta da! The birth of JerseyGirlJewels has arrived! It is yet another branch of the career tree I see for myself...along with card making, illustration, scrapbooking, knitting and candle making...jewelry is now on that list! It's a lot easier than I thought it would be, and now that I know the tricks of the trade...I find myself out in stores gathering ideas and inspiration, beacuse I know how to make the things I see!

This pair of earrings was a gift for my friend Ashley's 25th birthday :) The first official peice of JerseyGirlJewels!

More Christmas Cards!

Finally got my christmas cards all done, and mailed out today! It's so much work, or at least it seems like it when you wait until the last minute...seriously next year, I'm making them in January! :)

almost at 500!

I just realized as of today, before I post to IF, I have 499 visits to my little blog! That is so exciting!! Thanks to all that have visited so far...I hope to keep getting better and continuing to entertain! :)

Illustration Friday - Might

For this week's IF...I just kept envisioning the word "Mighty" in really big letters...so since I'm busy busy with christmas preparations, and homework...that's what I came up with :)

on a side note...tonight the christmas tree goes up tonight!! I'm going to try and cook a yummy Orange Cashew Chicken Stir-fry I saw on Rachael Ray...pop in the christmas tunes and decorate the tree with my boy :) what a fabulous night!!

Mom's Christmas Cards

Made 50 cards for my Mom to send out for Christmas this year, to get my name out...if you see something you like, let me know! All cards were made with stamps from Stampin' Up - I'm also a demonstrator...want a catalog, or want to place and order? Let me know! :)

medium: stamps, markers and glitter :)

Illustration Friday - Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Very excited to head home to Jersey tonight to see the family and friends :)

the holidays are upon us

...thank goodness for a short work week!...A few relaxing days are ahead in good old Jersey for the Thanksgiving holiday is something I've been looking forward to forever...the calendar is so jam-packed, I don't have a weekend free until early next year!...I'm looking forward to seeing the family, and friends from high school, and start my duties as one of my friend Christina's bridesmaids (my first time!)...so happy for the two of them, and all the other couples getting married...here's a shout out...in order of weddings:

Jennie & Matt
Marissa & James
Becky & Francisco
Christina & Mike
Nicole & Pete
Mike & Carrie

...2007 is going to be a busy year!...I've got to get started on gifts, and I haven't even started my own christmas cards yet...where does the time go?!

Illustration Friday - Smoke

not as happy with this one as I thought I'd be when I got the idea...also was rushing...I'll start next week's earlier! It's been a long week...and class #4 starts today! how much longer until I have my degree??

Perspective Final

Here it is...my final project for my third class at the Art Institute...my dream house :)

Perspective Class Assignments

Here are a few of my assignments I had to turn in for my class on Perspective. I didn't have my scanner working yet, so they aren't the best quality. This has been my favorite class so far...okay so I've only taken 3...but the more drawing, the better!

Illustration Friday - Wind

here is my post for this week's illustration friday topic, wind...made me think of the changing leaves, and reminded me how great it is to live in a townhouse, and not have to rake :)

The Great Pumpkin!!

8:00 tonight on ABC...The Great Pumpkin! Don't miss it!! :)

Illustration Friday - Ghost

My first illustration friday post!! My favorite holiday movies are always Charlie Brown...so of course at Halloween, it's the Great Pumpkin! So here's Charlie Brown dressed up as a ghost...and a ghost dressed up as Charlie Brown :) I hope his bag isn't full of rocks...

Welcome to my blog!

I started this to participate in Illustration Friday, as well as begin to compile my portfolio as I progress through my Graphic Design degree with the Art Institute. I've always loved to draw, and took a time out while going through my first undergrad experience at Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!!). So now I'm back at it, and would appreciate any comments, suggestions or advice on how to break into a creative career!

I'm also very new to this whole blog concept...have very little clue how to format just the way I like it...so check back because hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon!!

here we go...