Giveaway!

As you may be aware, George Graves of GDGRAVES is currently offering a 20% discount on all custom letterpress printing through the end of the month. Between George and myself, we're pulling out all the stops to get this new year started off on the right foot. With each of us having stepped into the world of self-employment in 2013, we're both looking forward to 2014 as our first full year of new endeavors. As we're always excited for every opportunity to collaborate with each other, we're expanding his January Special to include a giveaway in celebration of our new paths, the new year and National Handwriting Day on January 23!

The Letterpress Discount
There are no restrictions as to which projects are eligible for the 20% discount on letterpress printing. To receive an estimate, simply submit your request to print@gdgraves.com. The only stipulation is that your approval of the final proof and quote must be received by January 31st.

The Giveaway 
Three lucky winners will receive the following bundle of goodies designed and lettered by me and printed by George Graves of GDGRAVES:

• Your choice of ONE of the my rubber stamps (Don't Make Trouble, Travel Honestly, or Hello) 
• One full set of the Pen & Post postcards
• Two Happy Everything folding greeting cards
• 25 flat letterpress printed "Hello" notecards
• An extended one-time-use 20% discount on GDGRAVES custom letterpress printing to be used anytime after January 31st

The Rules 

• Post the above image via Instagram with the hashtag #GandTgiveaway
• Follow @gdgraves and @penandpalates on Instagram and "like" our pages on Facebook 
• Post your entries by 11:59pm MST Friday, January 24. Three random winners will be announced on Monday, January 27.

Important Note (added 1/21/2014)
In order to see your post and to qualify, your Instagram profile must be set to public after the entry deadline until Saturday, January 25 at 11:59pm MST. Otherwise we will not be able to view it and your name won't be put into the group for selection. 

Thirty

While I don't pretend to ignore the fact that it's a little weird to think about, but today, I bid adieu to my twenties. I realize that my revealing this step into another decade would have made my early twenty-something-self balk at the thought of telling people so openly as I am now. Surely, while my twenties were awesome, I also grew wiser in all sorts of ways that make me look forward to the next decade...and all of the ones to follow.

In my twenties, I (while not so gracefully at times) learned my favorite lesson: life's all about people. By that, I mean, the people you surround yourself with. I've been fortunate enough to have met some amazing people in the last decade. People who have changed my perspective on things, have taught me something and who have inspired me. These same people, more than likely, are very much like-minded and have a craving or passion to change something in their corner of the world. Little or big, these passion-seekers are making strides for a better something and I couldn't be more grateful to know them. 

Of course, with the recent departure from the normal 9-5 working life, my mind has been excitedly dreaming up some great stuff that I plan to keep in my back pocket as I nurture and grow my business. Today, I couldn't be in more sure that I'm right where I should be, doing what I love. And the best part is meeting people who have found inspiration from my story and are finding their own. I'm convinced that we're all witnessing an interesting time, where more people are understanding that chasing passions isn't a bad thing and owning your own business can be such a great complement to the quality of life we are seeking.

I'm happy now and I hope to continue to keep it that way. Like an inspirational thirteen-year-old once said: when I grow up, I just want to be happy. I think that's just what I'll do. 

Yes, this MY cake from last night. The bakery goofed because they probably couldn't figure out why anyone would be named "Thy" so, naturally, Troy was better. And, while I may be 30, George might think my spirit is MUCH younger at times :)

Charming Details

First, note: read all the way through—the end is the best!

I was waiting to have her rebranding complete to post a full reveal, but for my own selfish reasons, you'll have to meet her sooner. I want you to say hello to one of my lovely clients: Emmily Jones. She's the owner, founder, driver and lover of her inspiring business: Charming Details. 

Emmily and I came to know each other through Craft Lake City, where she stumbled across my booth and took notice of my lettering. We met up weeks after to continue our conversation and found that we have similar outlooks when it comes to business, design, etc. Sure, she's got a business in the wedding and event planning industry, but don't let that underwhelm you so quickly (especially if you're in Utah)—it's so much more when you talk to her. Emmily doesn't aim to be another run-of-the-mill wedding planner but, rather, one that gives her clients a fresher and far more unique look and experience. Her ideal audience are designers with artistic visions, who don't want what's currently trendy and have a willingness to let Emmily infuse her amazing ideas that include beautiful unexpected touches. 

Photography - Danielle Chard

Maybe that's where she hooked, lined and sunk me. We have a good synergy, which I believe is important have with my clients and it has made for such a fun process as we have been rebranding her business. Sneak peeks and more to come on that later!

Thinking about her now, reminds me of one of many lessons I've learned while hustling this business of my own: work with people and businesses you believe in. At the end of the day, even if you're hauling long hours to meet deadlines and juggling projects, you'll continue pushing for the best solution because it's what they deserve. Not to mention, it'll be mentally easier and you'll be able to retain that excitement throughout the process. 

I'm going to end this post with a plug because I believe in her business and in supporting those who support me. Emmily is currently a finalist for the Freshly Picked Dream Scholarship. Read more about her and the hopes, dreams, sacrifices and her plans for the scholarship funds—should she win. Your vote will count for 40% of her score, while the other 60% is leveraged from her essay and judging panel. So let's give her the support she deserves!

(the super important part of this post)
Go vote for her already! Voting is at the very bottom of the finalist bio page. And, please, pass it on!

Facing Fears Wrap Up

As some of you know, I had the wonderful opportunity to head up to Utah State University to give a presentation to their Communication Arts Seminar class (thanks for the invite, Dave!). I was told that people typically talk about their work and what they've learned so far in their careers. Easy, right?

I should mention that this was a first. Prior to this, I've never given any sort of presentation about myself, let alone to a group of about 130 students, while trying to retain their attention for 45-50 minutes. I think my biggest worry was being super boring and reminding myself of some designer presentations I've seen—boring and so self-serving. I knew I had more to offer and the students deserved more respect than a mediocre slideshow about me.

So, I turned to a place where I've been drawing some inspiration, even though I haven't had the opportunity to attend yet: Weapons of Mass Creation Fest. They had the perfect theme this last summer that shed light on fears as a creative. Their wrap up video alone inspired me to look at my career and find those pivotal moments of fears and what I've learned from them.

Below are the key slides of fears and resulting lesson(s) learned. I'll spare you the full play-by-play since it would be 45 minutes worth of words and who wants to read all of that. Some of you have asked, but I apologize that there's no recording of it. Next time? 

Overall, it was a good time and I think the students got something out of it. Truthfully, there's something rad about being completely raw and real with yourself and bearing it to the world (okay, so 130 students isn't exactly the world). I'm pretty sure the students appreciated it or, if they didn't, at least they seemed happy to go home with some free stuff made by me (Pen & Post Postcards!)

Final, final, final thoughts: These fears we have don't make us weak but, if anything, it makes us better and humbles us. I know that's what it did for me while putting this presentation together. My only regret about the talk: I wish I didn't have a perfect storm of deadlines leading up to my talk and then ending up with only a day and a half to put it together (thanks to George for driving so I could finish prepping!). 

Doubt about your path being the right one, or if you're "good enough" is never fun.

An amazing lesson learned since college and my AIGA days. I believe this applies to everything in life because things just aren't handed to you, YOU have to make them happen.

This is more along the lines of self-imposed pressure and dissatisfaction with not doing work that seems "cool" and working at the popular shops.

No two paths are alike and the best ones are built from your heart. Follow that passion and take the road you make.

The ugliest of the ugly and I'm 100% guilty. 

Every time I remember why, I'm reminded that I'm where I should be, doing the things I love.

Perhaps another lesson learned that applies to all aspects of life. You are you own and your journey will not be like anyone else's, so quit it already. Look around but only be amazed by other's talent. 

A Little Gift for You

This holiday, I've decided I'm going to do something a little different. I just decided (yes, I just decided ten minutes ago) that starting next week, until the end of the year, I'm going to commit to sending out three postcards a week. This is my conscious effort to keep writing to people and delighting them with the hand-written word. 

Also, somewhere between now and the end of the year, I'll be picking three people at random (at different times) to send a set of my postcards to as well. If this at all interests you, feel free to send me your coordinates via my contact page!

30 Covers, 30 Days

My cover was posted today! I'm excited to see more of them as the month goes on.  

NaNoWriMo - 30C30D

If that headline makes any sense to you, then kudos to you! Honestly, before being asked to be a part of this collaboration, I only had a vague idea of what NaNoWriMo was (National Novel Writing Month) and hadn't heard the slightest bit about 30C30D (30 Covers, 30 Days).  

Long story short, the lovely Debbie Millman invited me to create a cover for a novel in the works, in a twenty four hour window. So, today, on the spookiest day of the year, I'll be spending the day whippin' up something awesome. 

Read more about it 30 Covers, 30 Days!