happy weekend + parisian {photographic} views

I leave you this week with a little peak into Paris. When DON'T I have Paris on the brain?!...never.

I came across this awesome video shot entirely with photographs via Prêt à Voyager. It shows a side of Paris rarely seen by the tourist, at night while the locals are awake. Enjoy, as I transport myself to this gorgeous city just a bit longer.

Happy Weekend.

{ Video Via :: Luke Shepard on Vimeo }

a frank lloyd wright {wedding} invitation - sneak peak

{ Click on image to view in full }

I had mentioned there were many new projects in the cards for LizzyB Loves this year and one that I just sent to print is this sophisticated yet casual, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired wedding invitation. I had shown you the Sedona-inspired visual + sparkle a few weeks ago, but after more conversations with the soon-to-be's, and after narrowing down the color palette to the one you see above (all the bride's favorite colors- a tile designer herself), I transformed the once '...pretty and 20's and deco-looking...' inspiration into a more '...masculine-feminine balanced and more creative and fun and bold...' looking one; this in the words of Meg, the future bride.

Here's a sneak peak into the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired wedding invitation suite: the invitation above with a custom-designed pattern...

...and the rsvp following in the same motifs which are used throughout the entire wedding invitation suite. I think a success in accomplishing the 'creative, fun, and bold' requirement! {make sure to click on the visual + sparkle image to view in full!}

{ Images Via :: lizzyb loves :: style me pretty :: colourful cambridge campaign }

it's been a while...

Wow, I can't believe a whole month has past and I haven't shown my face around here!! The entire month of February has been a very exciting, active, life-changing one. Great things have happened, and some not so great ones that in the end have made me stronger. There were some fun, new projects (which I'll share with you by the end of the week), a few moves from one apartment, to another...and to another, but now, everything is just starting to adjust to the way it has to be.

I'll tell you a little about my life the last couple of years: about two and a half years ago my boyfriend (I guess I can call him my husband now after more than eleven years together, right?) and I moved to L.A. in search of grand new adventures only to be returning a year later to San Diego after the death of my brother. Ever since we moved out of our own place back those almost three years ago we've been living with relatives from one place to another. Of course, we are greatly appreciative for the help we received, but hey, after a while you yearn for your own place.

Well, finally this beginning of February, we were unexpectedly given the opportunity to move into our own place, and, get this, the same exact building we left those three years ago. It's been a very difficult three years, with many attempts at starting my own [stationery] business and other design projects, but always having to put things on hold due to financial reasons. This year started like no other, with many new projects and adventures, and now that I am back where I never should have left in the first place it feels as if things are settling where they have to in order to move forward and CHASE my dreams. It is totally a full circle experience and many new ideas are in the cards.

I chose these wonderful illustrations by talented illustrator/designer Zara Picken, whom I've shared before, because they drew me in with the bright, yet soft, colors. And now that I review this post it seems as though they are a perfect fit. Check her site out for more great work.

{ Images Via :: Zara Illustrates }

a frank lloyd wright {wedding} visual sparkle

I'm in the midst of designing a new Wedding Invitation, get this, with a Frank Lloyd Wright/Sedona theme. Can you imagine the beauty? With some great insight from the future newlyweds I found out that there is a beautiful Church built into the mesas of Sedona inspired by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright.

{ Click on image to view in full }

I took this as my starting point, along with some requests from the soon to be Mr. & Mrs., and created this lovely visual + sparkle = wedding full of pinks, blues and Sedona-colored images. {make sure to click on the image to view in full!}

{ Images Via :: andrew holman :: sedona bride :: megadigpix :: star craft custom builders :: michigan state university museum :: steiner agency :: style me pretty }

stopping in to say hello

Just stopping in to say hello. It's been a very busy start to the New Year, a great thing, but I still keep you all in my mind as I work.

Here's a little visual eye candy via the very talented Jim Denevan. I came upon his work a while ago and couldn't keep my eyes off of the beautiful, earthy designs he creates with his bare hands (well, and sometimes some help from his pick-up). Check out his site for some more images of this fabulous, large-scale work.

{ Images Via :: Jim Denevan }

what i've been up to

I had mentioned last year that I was starting a Printmaking class...well, it was pretty interesting to learn about the various techniques used in centuries past to create what we so easily create now with digital media. A true eye-opening experience. Here is a sneak peek into my creations while I finalize the photography of the actual pieces:

Lithography - this was my favorite process. I started out using simple, one-dimensional designs just to try out the technique, but WOW did I learn that you can go in so many directions. Igor Koutsenko is one of my new favorite artists which I discovered through the class and he has some fabulous work you can check out here. I'm anxious to try out a few new designs of my own; I'll keep you posted.

Etching - Now this was a long and laborious process, probably my least favorite of all, but it was surely a learning experience in self-discipline.

Collagraphy - This was another of my favorite techniques as well. A fun and mind-boggling process, it's fun to put the pieces together and see something arise on to the thick paper straight off the press.

{ Images Via :: LizzyB Loves }

a fresh start :: inspiration

Hello All and Happy New Year...may you all keep the spark of 'New Year Energy' throughout the year in hope of accomplishing the goals and resolutions you've set for yourself.

As with all start-of-the-year resolutions, I've resolved to exhibit more of my own work through this blog and less of everyone else' work. After all, you are here to see what I've created, right? I sure hope so. Of course, as mentioned before, there are things out there I totally admire which inspire me to create so I'll share that with you as it pertains to my creations, but I'm trying to make this blog evolve through the growth of LizzyB Loves and make it more personal, so we'll see how it goes.

To start off with the right foot, here are a few quotes I've found which will keep me inspired and focused on the path towards exciting new things.

I've found these 'great words' via Pinterest, my new favorite way of collecting visual inspiration. Here's a sneak peek at my boards:

A fabulous way to catalog the visuals you love.

I'll see you back here soon with a few of my creations from last years Printmaking course...loved it!

{ Images Via :: Pinterest :: Pinterest :: LizzyB Loves on Pinterest }