drizzle

In one of my design classes the last project of the semester is a self directed project that has an emphasis on typography. gosh, so many options and ideas going through my head it was hard to decide. Well, with a little help from one of my professors...I am marketing/branding a chocolate company. I named it Drizzle. I just made up the entire company but I am designing all of the packaging for my pretend company. gift boxes, bags, wrappers..the whole works! I love packaging but it is pretty challenging and doesn't come naturally... my goal for this project is to simply let my creative side take control- no creative limits or boundries. We'll see what I come up with. This is my first time I am going to put my work on my blog. ill update as this project progresses! :)  

book design. a love hate relationship.

I just finished designing a children's book at school. The above illustration is not my work but I just loved this page of a vintage book that I had to add it to my Neat-o folder. I am thinking about designing a page for my neices with their names and a little illustration of them. Book design is a huge part of graphic design- catalogs, magazines, annual reports, and there are always graphic designers that are working at book publishing companies. Designing a book is very tedious and time intensive. I love the final outcome when I finish a book but golly, the journey is quit brutal. But the end is rewarding and thats what counts for sure! I don't think I will go into the book designing (maybe magazines or catalog design-dream job...designing Anthropologie's catalogs!!!!) field as a designer but I still enjoy looking at books.    

The beginning of many lasts.

I just enrolled for my last semester of college. Its a weird feeling. 5 years is a long time but how is it coming to an end so quickly. There were many instances when (around the 2.5 years of college mark) that time was going pretty sloooow. But, in less than 6 months college will be over. A huge milestone in my life will be over. This is happy and sad. Mostly happy. Here are some "lasts" that I am cherishing before I am out of school in May.


Last first day of school
Last real summer (probably most sad about giving this up when graduating) 
Last Christmas break (this one too.)
Last time to enroll (the art school cancels classes the week of advising...love that part!)
Last time to buy a commuter parking pass


Weird to think that when I leave college I will have learned enough about my major (visual communication) that sets me apart from others and I can get a job with my knowledge and skills.


Were you sad to graduate college or happy? Did you have a good college experience?

Crock pot crazy!!!!

We've whipped out the slow cooker for winter time meals in the Harwell household!!!! We've had our crock pot for over a year and we just used it for the first time last week! Let me just say that it makes a great dinner! The neat thing is you can just throw what ever you want into the crock pot in the morning and when you come home you have dinner!!

Last week I made: Awesome slow cooker pot roast!

Ingredients
1 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1 can beef broth
1 or 2 lb. chuck roast peeled and cut potatoes
carrots
(any other veggies you want to add)
salt and pepper

Directions

In a slow cooker, mix cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix and water. Place pot roast in slow cooker and coat with soup mixture.

Cook on High setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low setting for 8 to 9 hours.

Tomorrow night Nathan is making his own stew in the crock pot. He uses chuck roast, celery, potatoes, carrots, beef broth, onion, creol seasoning, salt, pepper, lemon pepper, & a little ms. dash

I haven't tried this recipe yet but it looks so yummy! Here is the recipe from Food Network

Have you ever used the crock pot to make a meal? Any good recipes to share?

taco soup recipe

This soup is from my mother-in-law. It is delicious and super easy. It also heats up great for lunches or dinners throughout the week! Enjoy!


1 lb ground beef (lean)
1 can of corn
2 cans of pinto beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can of chicken broth
1 taco seasoning packet
1 dry ranch packet
1 can of rotel


mix together in a big pot and let simmer for 30 minutes. Add sour cream and shredded cheddar.
We love to eat this soup with crackers on the side.