Below are recent logo design concepts for a local photographer. I won’t tell you which one she decided to go with until she rolls out her new look.

Recent design I completed for the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. The postcard promoted the May 12th event. Objective was to create a unique design using bright colors while promoting the event and the CJO.

This year for Mother’s Day I gave Rose Pop Bouquets. My grandma shared her bouquet with me and they were delicious. I already knew they would be tasty because I often hire Becky to make cakes for our family parties.

If you’re looking for a great gift idea I would definitely recommend Rose Pops. It’s a nice alternative to sending flowers and candy.

On June 2, I’m heading to Chicago to participate in the Color Run. I signed up for this Chicago race before the Cleveland date was announced. You won’t hear any complaints from me though, I’m always excited for a weekend in Chicago!

Although I’ve been to the city many times there are quite a few places I haven’t seen. Here is my list of places I want to go. Some I’ve been to and some are new. Hope I can fit them all into one weekend!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

The Violet Hour “CHICAGO’S BEST KEPT SECRET” True?

Wicker Park ( I like the movie Wicker Park )

Goose Island, I prefer the location near Wrigley Field

I LOVE Argo Tea

Butcher & The Burger looks soooo good!

Adler Planetarium

Second City, went once when I was 16 and want to go back really bad!

Lincoln Park Zoo, a Free Zoo???!?

Anywhere else I should add to this list?

Everyone once in a while I actually make something that I pinned on Pinterest. Today we made “toddler muffins”. Well, I made the muffins and someone else ate them. Kyla isn’t much help in the kitchen yet.

Here is the recipe via allrecipes.com

1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup brown sugar, or to taste 2 large bananas, mashed 1 (4.5 ounce) jar baby food squash 2 carrots, grated 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup oat bran 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 24 mini muffin cups or 12 standard muffin cups. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in the mashed bananas, squash, carrots, and eggs. Stir in the flour, oat bran, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until just combined. Spoon the batter equally into the prepared muffin cups. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. Store at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze.

Looks like it’s going to be a good summer for concerts! There are already so many shows I want to see and I’m sure this list will grow longer. Hoping to make it to most of these!

The Shins – June 8 @ Masonic

Fun.- June 14 @ HOB

Counting Crows – June 18 @ Cain Park

Nada Surf – June 21 @ Beachland

Santigold- June 29 @ HOB

Death Cab for Cutie – July 3 @ Jacobs Pavilion

Brandi Carlisle – July 5 @ HOB

Fiona Apple – July 6 @ HOB

Sleigh Bells – - July 9 @ HOB

Feist – July 14 @ Stage AE (Pitt)

Joshua Radin – July 28 @ Cain Park

If you missed my chat with Joshua this past winter, you can read it here. http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/15753

Florence & The Machine – July 30 @ Jacobs Pavilion

The Head and The Heart – July 31 @ HOB

Wilco – August 4 @ Lifestyle Pavilion (Columbus)

Band of Horses with My Morning Jacket – August 12 @ Lifestyle Pavilion (Columbus)

Which shows are you looking forward to this summer?

Recently I designed a new brochure for the local organization PAWS. The B&W image is the brochure currently being used. PAWS is dedicated to helping cats & dogs find forever homes. Please click the images above to see a larger view.

Recently designed a benefit invitation and reply card for the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. Click the image to see a larger version.

I received this email today and the first thing I noticed was that this model has a flat head. Do I notice these things because I’m a designer or do most people look at this and instantly think it looks odd?

I love Brigade though!

When I woke up last Monday morning I checked Twitter before I did anything else. That’s what I often do incase there is any important news. If something important has happened my Twitter friends will be talking about it.

When I read that there was a shooting at Chardon High School I immediately called my mom. My cousins live in Chardon and attend public school there. My oldest cousin is in Chardon middle school and her boyfriend attends Chardon High School. My mom had already talked to my aunt who was very upset. I was worried for their safety even though they were in neighboring schools.

When you first hear there is a shooting you don’t really know what to think. Was anyone actually shot? Were any kids shot, teachers, parents, etc?

I wrote on my aunts Facebook page “I’m thinking of you guys and hope you and all your friends and their families are ok”. I later learned they weren’t ok. They had friends, neighbors and classmates that had been shot. It was heartbreaking and I couldn’t focus on anything else.

I’m very familiar with Chardon, Ohio. Growing up I went there often. My family has always lived in that area. We attended the Maple Syrup festival many times, attended Christmas Eve mass at St. Mary’s, stopped by the penny candy store in the square on the drive to my grandparent’s house.

You hear about bad things happening all over the world but this hit close to home. My cousins could have easily been in danger and now they have to remember this tragedy that affected everyone around them.

As a new mom I feel that news like this affects me differently than before I had my daughter. I worry about how I will ever keep her safe. The parents of the victims have recently spoke to the media and all I can think of is how do they compose themselves to speak about their deceased child. They must be strong people with a lot of support behind them.