a winter-inspired color palette

December 27, 2013 Nikki Mihalik

a winter-inspired color palette // brown, tan, gray, white // photo by Mutt Love Photography [pinit]

Teann of Mutt Love Photography was actually a winner of one of our very first photo contests. If she didn't live so far away, I have a feeling our love of animals would make us immediate friends. :)

Though this particular photo is lacking one of her usual furry subjects, I couldn't help but be drawn to its simplicity. The ice atop the branches is just so delicate and beautiful...and the reddish-browns look lovely against the white and gray.

Thank you for another wonderful submission, Mutt Love!

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BROWN #3B1314 / RED-BROWN #902B15 / TAN #AC8D72/ LT GRAY #CAC7C0 / DK GRAY #908780

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Happy WINTER Friday!

Have you ever delayed starting something because you haven’t had time to “properly prepare” yet? In your mind, you’re thinking, “I’m not making excuses; I just want to do it the right way before I fully commit.” Believe me, I get it. I can think of 3 examples right off the bat:
1) CrossFit. I’ve always wanted to try it, but I feel like I have to be in great shape before I humiliate myself in front of strangers.
2) Finishing a business course I’ve already paid for. I KNOW it will help me, but I’d rather sit down for 1 week straight than nibble at it 1 hour at a time. “I’ll just wait until I have a chunk of time...”
3) Updating my website. It feels like such a big task that I’d rather wait for the “perfect time” than just. get. started. Working on your own business is so freaking hard. For me, it’s not having hard deadlines or pressure from other people that leads to procrastination.
Here’s the thing, though :: THERE WILL NEVER BE A PERFECT TIME TO START. Whether you’re building a website or trying to DIY something you could hire someone else to do, this magical chunk of free time will never come. So, what can you do? Start now. Or, if possible, hire a pro and call it a day.
I totally GET this feeling of overwhelm and wanting to prep perfectly for the big stuff. But you have to start SOMEWHERE.
If there’s anything I can help you with, whether it’s design-related or not, tell me and I’ll either help directly or help you think of ways to get the ball rolling.
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#handlettering #startnow #motivation #accountabilitybuddy #branding #branding101 #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative

🎶 “Ain’t no mountain high enough... to keep me from gettin’ [through] you.” Double-tap if you think one of the best perks of working for yourself is getting to blast whatever music you want, as loud as you want, whenever you want. 💃🏻
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Also... here is a PEAK at what I’m working on today. 🤣🤓😬 (Dammit, should have led with that.) It’s a teeny tiny piece of a much more complicated layout that I am sooo exciiiiited about. Can’t wait to share... .
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#icon #mountain #mountainlife #minimalist #logodesign #sharebeauty #spreadjoy #handlettering #brushlettering #branding #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative

I’m working my way through #TheBlueprintModel again and last night I drafted my mission statement for the coming year :: Share Beauty + Spread Joy. I KNOW it sounds cheesy, but those two things are at the heart of literally everything I do.
As a designer (and even as an “artist”), I often say I want to “create beauty,” but, if you really think about it, what I’m doing is putting beautiful things together. I take things that already exist—color, shape, texture—mix them up, mold them, tweak them... then share them. Why? To spread joy. I want my feed, my website, my work to simply bring JOY to people when they see it, regardless of whether or not they hire me. It’s the same reason I make cards, send snail mail, design color palettes, or even plan parties. If I died tomorrow, I’d want people to be able to say, “Hey, she did a thing once that brightened my day.” It’s not a huge goal, I know, but it’s what inspires me to keep this business going.
This weekend, I challenge you to think about YOUR business’s mission statement. What stands at the core of what you do? What is your ultimate, SIMPLE goal?
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#missionstatement #goals #sharebeauty #spreadjoy #handlettering #brushlettering #branding #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative

What does the end of summer mean for you? Are you celebrating with mimosas that your kiddos are headed back to school, crying that they’re growing up, dreading the increase in traffic, or counting down the days til you can wear a sweater?
I read a post yesterday about Texas summer that said, “Dear God, Whatever you’re baking is DONE.” Lol.
Anyway, I’m drawing a set of custom social media icons this morning and realizing how lucky I am to do something so joyful, fun, and fulfilling for a living. (These gemstone sunglasses were inspired by my client’s daughter who is frequently seen wearing them in her feed. How cute are they?!)
So, yeah... no deep thoughts today... just celebrating the last Friday of summer with a cute illustration. 😎 Have a great weekend and drink a mimosa for me!
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#summervibes #sunglasses #endofsummer #handdrawn #illustration #branding #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative

Let’s talk about why branding matters. Think of it like this :: Branding is the beautiful wrapping that surrounds a special gift (aka, your amazing work). It builds excitement, gives people a hint at what’s to come, and sets their expectations for something even better. It’s an opportunity to turn a crumpled paper bag into a perfectly wrapped box that’s begging to be ripped open. It’s a little voice saying, “Pick me! Pick me!” during an office gift exchange. You want customers to pick YOU, right? Then wrap your gift in a way that will get their attention. 🤗
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#typography #handlettering #branding #branding101 #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative

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