Oh Canada!

The bar exam is OVER and today we head to Montreal for a little weekend get-a-way with Reid's family. I am super excited about this little adventure. I have never been to our neighboring Canada and am thrilled to explore a tiny portion of the beautiful and friendly country.

In order to jump-start the trip (did I mention I haven't packed yet and we leave in 1.5 hours), I wanted to share a couple of beautifully designed Canadian posters.

The moose on this 1950's poster by William F. Schey and Harry Rogers is a stunning combination of shape and color. The Australian airline did a great and quite extensive series of travel posters which you can see here.

Above is the Formula 1 poster for the Canadian Grand Prix this year. The movement and simple color mixed with the natural paper quality are incredible. I absolutely love when clients choose simple, visually strong design. All of the posters for the 2011 Formula 1 season are pretty incredible.

I am going to try to post tomorrow, but if you don't hear from me I will be back next week.

It's Almost Over...

Adorable poster available on etsy!

Today is the last day of the Illinois Bar Exam, which my hubby, Reid, is taking. I am so ready for it to be over. The Bar Exam and the many flash cards, books and papers that go hand and hand with it have been our constant companion for the past few months. This incredibly difficult test has been the third (well, fifth if you count the cats) member of our family, and quite frankly, I am ready to kick it to the curb.

In all seriousness, Reid has handled the pressures of studying with patience and grace. He has constantly surprised me with his devotion and diligence in learning all the legal topics from top to bottom. The past three months have consisted of hours upon hours of studying mixed with high levels of stress, and Reid has handled it like a super star. I know, without a doubt, I could/would not have done the same. I am so very proud of him and know he is going to be an awesome lawyer!

Now, come on 4:45pm CT... I am ready to celebrate the completion of this little exam :)

*Also, thanks to all our friends and family for their constant support during Reid's studying. We love you for it!!!

Random Found Monogram Inspiration

It's Monday and things have been busy, busy, busy. I am working on more monograms and perused the internet to get my creative juices flowing. I am always so inspired by what others are creating. Below are some of my favorites...

I love the simplicity and elegance of this logotype monogram for the band The AMs done by Thinkmake Studio. 

The hand-drawn quality here mixed with interacting letterforms and fantastic vintage inspired colors make this an easy favorite. I found it on pinterest.

Can we say love at first sight? I am still drooling over this watercolor letter created by IngridsArt over on etsy. She has almost all the letters in the alphabet and each one is just as stunning as the last.

New Design: Monograms Galore

Over the past few months I have been doing a bunch of new monograms for wonderful clients who all had unique visions for their custom creation. In the past, most of my clients use their monograms for personal and/or wedding stationery, but lately a few clients have bigger plans for their monograms, including using them for embroidery, decorating and engraving. Below I wanted to share a few of the most recent designs. Hope you enjoy and Happy Weekend!

Liz wanted an elegantly modern one letter monogram to use on her wedding stationery. After we finalized the letter and printed the stationery, she kept finding new ways to use her monogram. Recently, we sent it to her lighting specialist so he can shine it on the dance floor during the reception. How cool is that???

One of my previous monogram clients bought her mother a monogram for Mother's Day. Great gift in my opinion. Mary Ann wanted something playful and feminine. Once we finished her monogram (above) she gave it to her mother to hand embroider. I cannot wait to see the end result that incorporated 3 generations of fabulous women. 

Annie's monogram is going to be used throughout her wedding stationery. It has a simple, classic charm that I adore. 

Julie's also wanted a monogram for her and her soon-to-be husband to use once they tie the knot. She had a very modern vision, and didn't want too many curves and flourishes. In the end we decided on a beautiful linear monogram with a graphic quality. 

*Please remember that all monograms are the property of Chena Design. Do not reproduce them unless it is to a personal blog and credit is given. 

Inspired by: The Kennedy's

Over the past few days I have been absorbed in The Kennedy's miniseries. While it may not be award winning, it is very entertaining (Greg Kinnear is a very convincing JFK). I even feel like I am learning a bit about the JFK administration, which I knew little about beforehand. I completely understand why the Kennedy family fought to have it canceled on its prime time spot. It doesn't show the family, especially Ambassador Kennedy in a very good light. Through all the scandal and hardship of the Kennedy presidency one thing is for sure, Jackie Kennedy Onassis (even when played by Katie Holmes) has a fantastic sense of style. I am so inspired by her fashion and eloquence in front of the camera (even though she hated it in the beginning). The above pic from Life Magazine of her and JFK Jr is one of my all time favorites.

Loving Gray and Yellow

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I absolutely adore the color yellow. I grew up with a bright yellow bedroom, and, for as long as I can remember, all my birthday and Christmas presents were yellow. I guess I made my love for the color very clear and therefor people only bought me yellow trinkets and treasures. Simply put yellow makes me happy.

As Reid and I plan our fast-approaching move into our first home, decorating continuously comes up in conversation. I do most of the talking during these conversations, and Reid thoughtfully listens and comments as needed on subjects such as affordable furniture, curtains and rugs. I have been dying to have a yellow room ever since we first spotted our now "under contract" house. It has a ton of natural light and yellow just seemed to fit the personality of the turn of the century abode. After very little convincing, Reid agreed to a yellow and gray living room. I am so EXCITED!!! The images of today's post are providing a lot of sunny inspiration.

BTW, since we are on the subject of yellow, did you know that yellow is the least popular favorite color? Sad, huh? These are the little facts that you discover when you teach Color Theory.

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Found Monogram: Merchandise Mart

I often overlook Chicago's largest architectural landmark, The Merchandise Mart. Its size alone is daunting. Have you ever tried to get from one corner to the other? I find it impossible. Because of how overwhelmed it makes me, I usually try to erase all thoughts of it from my mind. But, this past Saturday I leisurely walked by it on my way home, and because I wasn't trying to make it to a meeting, find a cup coffee, or catch a train, I was able to admire it's grand historical beauty. The Merchandise Mart is an incredible Art Deco building – not to mention that it has a simple, modern, and linear monogram as its original logo. Most of the monograms I do are inspired by ornate Victorian monograms that are filled with flourishes and details, so I find it very refreshing to see a minimal historic monogram. The Mart's monogram is all about lines and shape and their relationship to each other. Yes, it kind-of looks like a spider, but its fun and it fits the architecture and size of the building.

I can't wait to research more Art Deco monograms. Can anyone think of any on a building near you?