DIY: Baby Photography
Quotes of Note
“All religions must be tolerated…for every man must get to heaven in his own way.” -Epictetus
Interviews: Meet an Artist
- Who are You?
I’m Stephanie, wife to one amazingly supportive husband and mom to two young boys. As a graphic designer and lover of color, typography, and texture this shop is a small expression things I enjoy. I really appreciate you stopping by, thank you!
- How did you Get Started?
My degree in Art and Graphic Communication led me to a job where I spent a number of years designing for the retail market. While I had a creative position at work, I still felt I needed a creative outlet outside of the office. So a few years back, my husband and I bought a letterpress from a sweet older couple that had quite a few on their property from a business they used to run. We had no idea what to do with this 1000+ pound machine or how to operate it but we fell in love with the idea of being able to letterpress while looking at invitation inspiration for our own wedding. So, with a lot of help we loaded it up on a truck and headed home & started Fancy That Letterpress Co. which just recently evolved into Fancy That Design House & Co., to incorporate more than just letterpress goods.
- Describe your Workspace
I have 2 little boys, ages 3 and almost 2. So, while I’d like to say that my workspace is a totally cool and inspiring office the truth is that it is usually me & my laptop & Wacom wherever the boys are. My office rarely gets used and is in desperate need of a good makeover!
- What Inspires you?
My relationship with God, my family, scripture, music, antique stores, nature, color & pattern, photography, artists, bloggers, I could go on…
- Your other Creative Outlets
Now that it is getting nice and warm here in Wisconsin, I’d have to say that another creative outlet of mine is gardening. I am by no means a good gardener {I kind of go with the idea of the more seeds I plant the better, which leads me to an overflowing garden that is hard to harvest} but I love to be able to make a meal with ingredients I can say I grew and picked from our own garden. Cooking and house projects are also other creative outlets I enjoy.
- Who is your Biggest Fan?
That would be my husband, Chad. Chad is an amazing artist, he’s such a talented illustrator. The fact that he is always complimenting what I do is so crazy to me because he is so gifted!
- Tools you Love
Oooooh, I could go on many tangents here. Graphically, I love my Mac and Adobe programs. Hands on, I’m a girl that loves power tools. I actually got a great miter saw for Christmas! In the kitchen, I’m a huge fan of my hand stick blender and Breville juicer. And as a mom with toddler boys, it is always good to be equipped with superheroes and fruit snacks while out and about and wanting to get errands done.
- Where will you be in 10 Years?
I hope to be doing more of this! More art, more time with my family. I love what I do and I’m so blessed to be able to say that.
**I came across Stephanie and her shop when I was searching for a “dedication” gift for my niece. I needed something simple and understated…something that didn’t shout “God, God, GOD!”…something beautiful. I ordered this print and fell absolutely in love with it. It arrived carefully and lovingly packaged, and was just as charming in person.**
Following Finnegan
The older we get, the simpler the celebration. This year, my honey just wanted a MAN’s dinner…like ribeye steaks, chopped salad {with avocado and Trader Joe’s fabulous sheep milk feta}, and grilled asparagus. Dessert was a homemade Irish-y green velvet sheet cake topped with the most divine frosting.
I wish a very Happy Birthday to my little leprechaun. May this year be even luckier than the last.
DIY: Baby Photography
It’s pretty amazing how many incredible things can happen in just 12 months. My sister wrote me a beautiful birthday card, in which part of it read “…I can’t possibly begin to imagine what you could wish for this year, but I hope you get it.” Man, did she knock that outta the park.
Today is a very special Mother’s Day, because it is my very first one as a mummy! Can hardly believe it. But this day is as much about Finn as it is about me. He’s the one who made me a mama, afterall.
Cheers to all the mums…all the grannies…and everyone else who looks after others. What rewarding lives we have. Lucky lucky us.
I get to be “the older woman” for about a week. My husband doesn’t turn 29 until Thursday. He had been wanting some fresh ink for a while, but parenthood keeps you pretty cussing busy. So as a little surprise, I made an appointment with our favourite tattoo artist: Frog. We got in, talked shop, got inked, and got out.
…But not before another surprise…
I had also called up some friends to meet us for tacos at Big Star.
A day doesn’t really get any better than that.
My birthday was May 9th {29 years old, ThankYouVeryMuch (and also HolyCrap)}…so my husband and I stayed in the city Friday night. We enjoy trying different hotels, and this was our first time at The James. We arrived late, full and tipsy from the celebration. At check-in, the front desk clerk wished me a happy birthday…in our room was a note from the GM…and we even found a plate of cupcakes on the bar. The hotel was lovely, and the bed was by-far the most comfortable hotel bed I’ve found to date. Thank you, James. You really made me feel like a special gal.
Some things are just a matter of chance. Discovering Browntrout was one of them. After my brother’s graduation, we headed over to the Chicago restaurant, all of us first-time guests. I cannot even begin to describe the deliciousness of this meal. After a board of smoked and cured meats, and a variety of cheeses…mains that included trout, walleye, and hangar steak…desserts like rhubarb pie, butterscotch creme brulee, and strawberry shortcake…we got to meet Chef Sean Sanders, locally raised and trained, who prides himself on using regional, sustainable ingredients. The food was absolutely outstanding, and I cannot recommend the pork porterhouse enough. A massive portion, juicy and tender, sitting on a bed of spring hash, accented with soft ramps and a bacon and wine jus. It was the suggestion of my waiter, and my favourite dish at the table {I tasted them all}.
