Friday, June 5, 2009

IN HER SHOES: Ashley Brooke Designs

Don’t you just love when one blog click sends you to another blog click that then sends you to another. You know it can go on and on for quite a while and you can get lost for hours. I love it though, because I get to learn about new blogs that I’ve never read before.



It was during a day on google reader that I stumbled upon the work of Ashley Brooke via her blog.



ashleybrookedesigns



So what does Ms Brooke do? She is trained in Interior Design, but always had a love for paper. She traded her autocad in for pencils and markers and designs her own line of amazing stationary. The icing on the cake is that she does custom illustrations as well!



I emailed her right away told her how in love with her work I was, that I needed a custom version of me as soon as possible and would she pretty please do an IN HER SHOES piece and oh yea can you pretty please give my readers a custom illustration giveaway.



Well everyone she said, yes, yes, and yes.



Check out my custom illustration:



Camila_and_Chair_copy[1]

Here I am with a version of that Kate Spade skirt I wanted and I figured out a way to get a little Rubie Green in my life. Don’t you love my chevron chair that looks very similar to the one Ms. Adams has in her new apt.



So without further ado, sit back and relax and read the latest IN HER SHOES followed by details on how to win the give-away.

_________________________________________________



My day (Mon- Fri) always starts around 5:00 a.m. “ish” depending on how many times I hit the snooze button! I usually leave for the gym around 5:30 a.m., some days I am more excited about this than other days, but honestly if it doesn’t happen at 5 it won’t happen at all.



ashleysneakers 
Mizuno Wave Running Shoes



I work out for an hour and then make the drive back home. This is when I take care of all of the everyday morning routines (cereal, coffee, laundry, walk Lucy, shower, and get ready for the day).



ashleyslippers 
Acorn Slippers (so not attractive but heaven for my feet!



I usually leave for the studio around 9ish, a lot of times I leave earlier than 9 and sometimes later, it depends on if I’m on my A game or not!



ashley highheels 
BCBG Sling back Pumps (they look uncomfortable, but are super easy to wear!)



Once I get to the studio my day starts. I first go into Blogger, type up my morning post and publish it.  Then I am off to reading through all of my e-mails and responding. Usually right after that I send out my invoices for the day (because I send clients proofs in the evenings there approvals or changes are usually waiting for me in the morning) and print copies and file them away.



The next thing I do is go back to my e-mail and open up my new orders and get out my sketch book. This is where the real creativity begins.  I spend a lot of time sketching the designs; after the sketch is finished I scan the design into the computer and put it into a “card” format (or sticker, sticky note, invitation, notepad, etc.). As soon as the design is in the correct format I save it to the client’s file and go back to my e-mail and start all over again for the next order.



ashleyatcomputer1



I usually change it up after working up about two designs and begin printing approved orders. I do all of my printing in house, which is a curse and a blessing! I send the cards to print and once I get a proof I check coloring and send off the job. 



ashleyatprinter2



When the job is finished printing I start cutting, scoring, or perforating the paper. Everything is done by hand.



ashleycuttingpaper3



Once the job is cut then I move on the finishing process which is where I tie bows, fold cards and count envelopes.  Once the finishing is done I wrap and package each order, print out the invoice and get each package addressed.



ashleypacking4



I usually spend “lunchtime” eating at my desk as I scroll through my Google Reader and spend time on Twitter.



The afternoon usually holds more designing and working my way through the creative process many times over.



At the end of the day I send off all of my proofs to my clients and gather all of my packages and head down to the post office. I like to go at night and use the automated machines, that way I don’t have to wait in line with 11 packages and I avoid dirty looks from the other post office goers.



I typically head home around 7:00pm after I’ve mailed all of my packages. I eat dinner and crash!



I must say I love what I do everyday.  I am very blessed to wake up excited to get to work and I hope my enthusiasm for what I do is evident to my clients and in my art.



ashleycloseup5___________________________________________________



I want to give Ashley a huge thank you for being part of series. I also love to read more about women that have started their own businesses. It is so inspiring.



 High-HeeledFootInTheDoor_giveaway_header_copy



To win a custom design like mine above or maybe one with your pooch and hubby.





Here is what you have to do!



1. Make sure you are a follower of the blog.


2.  Go onto Ashley's blog and see more examples of her custom work so that you can tell me what you would ask for if you won!


3. Don’t forget to comment with what kind of custom creation you would love.



You have a chance to vote from now until Sunday at midnight. I’ll pick a random winner on Monday morning!!!

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35 Comments:

Blogger Jannah said...

I love the folded note cards, or the to do lists, or pretty much anything personalized with her adorable artwork.

June 5, 2009 at 11:18 AM  
Blogger Christina said...

thanks for introducing me to a very talented designer. of course i'm a follower and if i happen to win i would love something of me, b, and the dogs (of course). the "to-do" notepad pictured on ashley's blog is fun, functional, and would make those icky tasks a lot easier to look at with a fun design!

June 5, 2009 at 11:19 AM  
Blogger Allison said...

I love the folded note card stationary! I would love one with me and my dog on it! Beautiful work! Thanks!

June 5, 2009 at 11:27 AM  
Blogger Blair Friedeman said...

Oh! She is adorable. I am in awe that she wakes up at %Pm and love her process--she is one organized gal. Love the illustration that she did for you!:)

I just adore her blogging ideas notepad--much cutter than my mini notebook that I tote around with me.

June 5, 2009 at 11:31 AM  
Blogger Nicole-Lynn said...

I have been following Ashley's work for a while now and think she does such an amazing job! I loved hearing how she gets everything done and what her day consists of, thank you. She is really inspiring!

I am a follower of your blog and if I won, I would love the engagement announcements or a to-do list with a cute picture of something beach related, perhaps me and my beau in our bathing suits with our little yorkie! :)

June 5, 2009 at 11:33 AM  
Blogger Kristen said...

Well, I would love some sort of business type cards:)
I always wished that I could draw! Very pretty work.
Kristen

June 5, 2009 at 11:39 AM  
Blogger Gillian said...

I LOVE IT! So adorable! I'm loving this series---that is how I keep finding more and more great design blogs.

I especialyl love the cards for those having twins---but I am not pregnant. I'd choose the family notepad b/c the family on it could not be prettier.

June 5, 2009 at 11:45 AM  
Blogger Re:Fresh Design Studio said...

I love reading about women that start their own businesses as well! I would love to have her design me some business cards and/or letterhead for my new business-Re:Fresh Design Studio!

June 5, 2009 at 11:46 AM  
Blogger Elizabeth said...

So cute!!! I'd probably go for the custom to-do lists...between me, my husband and 17 month old son, there's a lot to do...

June 5, 2009 at 12:20 PM  
Blogger Nikki Cogg said...

I'm a follower of Ashley Brooke's Daily Dose of Etiquette blog and I have always loved her work! What a great giveaway!! I'd love the folded note cards with a drawing of my fur baby and me. I have a lot of husband/wife stationery so I think it's time for mommy/fur baby stationery!

June 5, 2009 at 12:30 PM  
Blogger Debra said...

Thank you for the great tip! I love Ashley's blog! I think a lady with a glass of wine in her hand would be fab!

June 5, 2009 at 12:35 PM  
Blogger Courtney said...

She's so talented! I think I'd definitely go with the personalized to-do lists!

June 5, 2009 at 12:58 PM  
Blogger Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Okay, well I started off thinking that I was reading about myself. Brooke, Interior Designer, love for paper, 5 am wake up with Nike running shorts... oh my gosh. It's me with blond hair! Except I haven't pursued my staionery dreams... still sitting in my cubicle working on Autocad...

Just went to her blog. Loved the etiquette part of it. I pull my etiquette book out at least once a week... so funny.

I love the grocery list note pad... (Camila- sorry for the long comment!)

I wonder if she wants to be my new best friend? :)

June 5, 2009 at 1:02 PM  
Blogger Lauren said...

Oh my goodness Camila!!! She's awesome!! I love the tod do lists!!

June 5, 2009 at 1:12 PM  
Blogger vicki archer said...

Great interview...love learning about these new people and your illustration is such fun, xv.

June 5, 2009 at 1:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love what you said at the top about clicking through the blogosphere to find new blogs - that's how I found Ashley's blog and she directed me here! I'm a follower now :)
I adore her work...I'd probably go for personalized notecards or something along those lines, you can never have too much stationary!

June 5, 2009 at 1:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Totally inspiring! Although reading her schedule made me feel incredibly lazy... :-) I'd go for the personalized to-do lists, I really need them!

June 5, 2009 at 1:52 PM  
Blogger Teri said...

Thanks for introducing Ashley! I love her work.

I would go with cutomized moving announcements or house warming invites...we are moving this weekend:)

June 5, 2009 at 1:52 PM  
Blogger June said...

Thanks for the post about Ashley! I love her blog and her products, especially the flat cards :-) Have a great weekend!

June 5, 2009 at 2:02 PM  
Blogger LindsB said...

Love the IN HER SHOES series and now I love Ashley's work- wow, what a talented artist!

I would LOVE some flat cards with a picture of moi- they are so cute! What a great giveaway.

June 5, 2009 at 2:49 PM  
Blogger Happiness Is... said...

I have been reading your blog but am now officially a follower! I am obsessed with Ashley Brooke's work and would love, love, love a set of personalized/monogrammed flat cards. Great feature today!

June 5, 2009 at 3:34 PM  
Blogger Kristen said...

I am a follower! I discovered you today through Ashley Brooke!

I would definitely want a custom design of me, my hubby and our chocolate Lab on a flat or folded note card for thank you notes and other correspondence!

June 5, 2009 at 4:40 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

WHOA! She is great! I would love to have the folded note stationary with a custom picture of me, our 2 dogs and hubby on them!

June 5, 2009 at 6:25 PM  
Blogger Mrs. Everything said...

I'm a follower!

I'd love some flat note cards of my family... hubs, daughter, baby on the way and yellow lab!

June 5, 2009 at 6:28 PM  
Blogger My Galveston Cottage said...

wow. There's some competition going for this one. Love the personalized flat note cards. What a great find! And I loved what she did for you! I'll keep my fingers crossed. cheers, -susan

June 5, 2009 at 6:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how fun! another great one camilla!

June 5, 2009 at 7:16 PM  
Blogger Ginny said...

What an adorable illustration of you Ashley did! She is so talented and I love everything she draws. I would ask for an illustration of me, my husband, and our puppy. I would order the illustration on everything in Ashley's store that I could possibly get it on!

June 5, 2009 at 10:27 PM  
Blogger TheBeautyFile said...

totally love her work! the personalized flat cards are so great & i would die to see my little doggie (& hubby) drawn so prettily!

June 6, 2009 at 1:18 AM  
Blogger Christen said...

What a talented designer! Being a total list fanatic (even the name of my blog contains my a shout out to my love of lists: http://lovelifelists.blogspot.com/
I would love to win a "to do" notepad with me and the hubby on it! :)

Separate note (and I swear I'm not just brown-nosing), I absolutely love your blog and getting to see what fun shoes you wear each day! :)

June 6, 2009 at 7:01 PM  
Blogger Katie said...

Thanks for introducing us to Ashley Brooke! What creative work. Love the idea of illustrated stationary--could anything be more PERSONal? I'm still working through my stack of stationary from single days, in my maiden name, which ended more than eight months ago now. We've yet to print new flat notecards and envelopes for all of us (hubby, Chapter the cat and me) and wouldn't these be perfect. Cheers!

June 6, 2009 at 9:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love your in her shoes series! So interesting to see the lives of bloggers!

I would ask for a notepad.

June 7, 2009 at 10:24 AM  
Blogger ams said...

She is such a doll! I love the "to-do" l;ists - with the pooch of course!

AMS

June 7, 2009 at 1:32 PM  
Blogger Lauren said...

I love her work! I'm a follower and if I won the contest I would love a to-do list with a cute pic of my myself, husband and our black lab!

Actually anything by Ashley would be fun to have :)

June 8, 2009 at 8:31 AM  
Blogger Bonnie- amour amour said...

I just love, love, love stationary and Ashley's designs are just amazing! I don't know how you could choose!!

June 8, 2009 at 9:59 AM  
Blogger Simply Southern said...

I do love her blog... and loved the in her shoes segment! Can't wait to get some of my own flat cards soon!

June 9, 2009 at 12:48 AM  

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