Hey guys! Happy weekend! And happy first day of summer - I am beyond excited. I was reading about Summer To Do Lists yesterday, and thought that I should make one of my own - stay tuned for that soon! There will be lots of design/creative based goals + a focus on self-improvement. And lots of outdoor activities! I've been cooped up in this apartment behind my desk for too many months.

I've been a poster-making machine the past couple of days, so I just thought I would share a couple of in-progress snippets for you.

Nothing too crazy, just a couple of gig posters that I've been working on for 3030, and a friend of mine's show. I had a lot of fun working on these posters over the last couple of days. To be honest, my computer crashed while I was making the first one, and I had to re-do the whole thing from memory. SO that was an interesting test. Haha. Along with a lesson that I should obviously KNOW - COMMAND + S FREQUENTLY. SRSLY GUYS!

I was super surprised this morning when the cute little ghostie figure popped into my head for the Halloween in July poster. Super cute, and simple. It kinda reminds me of the Pac Man ghost, mixed with a little cartoon skull + a tombstone? Hah.. I don't know. But I think it's a pretty cool hybrid and it works. And it's soooooo cute. Hehe.

Enjoy your weekends! I don't know what you folks are up to, but there sure is a lot going on in The Junction this weekend. Tomorrow is the annual Summer Solstice Festival. All the local businesses + community get involved, and we're going to have a big party :) I will be working at the lovely art supply shop + workroom, ARTiculations tomorrow afternoon! I believe the kiddies are making mason jar lanterns.

Come check it out - there will be lots of fun things happening around these parts. Even a night-time Junction Flea (and I heard rumours of a beer tent)!

Today, I read a fantastic post on Breanna Rose's blog. If you don't follow her, you really should! Breanna's blog has a bevy of beautiful images and inspirations, but what I am really drawn to is her Be Free, Lance series.

I think it is so wonderful to receive advice from other freelancers, and I love that the internet is such a powerful tool that allows us to connect with our peers across the world (and on a local scale) to share our experiences and knowledge.

Anyways, Breanna's column today was about how as a freelance designer you really have to learn to be confident in your work and make sure that you are not undervaluing yourself. I know that I am 100% guilty of this, but I've been taking steps to change and prevent it.

Her column made me really think about some of my business practices and new processes that I need to implement to allow me to work more and stress less. So, I will be creating a price list mailer for my clients, as well as a PDF that guides the client through my design/creative process. I'm actually pretty excited. I mean, it's more work, but I think it will be super rewarding/beneficial in the long run.

Sighs.. with each completed project I learn something new about business, about people + working with clients, and even about myself. From writing contracts + invoices, taking deposits, dealing with clients who don't want to pay, or just don't understand - there has definitely been a bit of a learning curve! Don't ever let anyone tell you being a freelancer is easy. It's really not. But you know what, this past year has been a crazy ride, and I am so glad that I got to do it on my own terms. I wouldn't change being my own boss for the world.

Want more advice on freelancing/design/working for yourself? Check out Bri & Katie from DESIGNLOVEFEST - their ADVICE series is fab! Also, Elsie Larson over at, A Beautiful Mess, does a wonderful job shedding some light on what it's like to be your own boss in a creative field!