Lost in Eden

Back on Track

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:21:00 +0000

Well, it has been way too long since my last entry and I'm vowing to not let so much time go by in between posts. We've had a lot going on here at Eden Design HQ over the past couple of months . . . Jess began working for American Public University Systems creating graphics for their online classes. She's doing well and is missed but we have been staying in touch. I've been busy keeping everything flowing and forever trying to maintain the balance between work and home. To help out, Molly Bloom joined Eden Design in September and is in charge of office management as well as assisting with online media updates.

Molly had the great idea to have each day of the week be a different topic for our blog. So, today is our inspirational day . . . yesterday, we both took our families to the Solar Decathlon in DC. Do you know what kids LOVE to do? Standing in long lines in the sun where their point of view is a bunch of butts in front of them only to get into one of the solar houses where they are told they can't touch anything! Molly made it into zero houses although she was able to see all of them as she walked by. We made it into the Cornell University Silo House which was amazing. It was designed to mimic the agricultural landscape of Ithaca, NY and looks just like its name suggests: a silo. They also had some fabulously designed brochures and their website is quite good as well.

The second house we visited was BeauSoleil from the University of Louisiana. I loved the everything about their house: the use of indoor and outdoor space, the built-in storage areas, the murphy bed, the kitchen, etc. I didn't like their graphic design as well as Cornell, though. The best thing about this event is that it is something my husband and I can both enjoy which is sometimes a rarity. He is very much into the building arts, especially those focused on responsible building. And, I, of course, like checking out all the mod designs. Inspiration for both of us . . .

Ah, Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:10:00 +0000

We've been pretty busy around here the last month—Summer is always a busy time for Eden Design thanks to the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown. In addition to ads, signage and other items a Summer repertory theater needs, we also design their 60 page program in one WEEK. Needless to say, it's Friday and I've reached the point of delirium. Be sure to check out some plays this Season—I've read them all and it promises to be another provocative line up. Pay-what-you-can Previews are on July 8th and 9th and this year, all Sunday evening performances are just $25!

Other news . . .
Meet Jennifer Tyler:

Jennifer is interning with us for the Summer and has been a great help with new web sites and all of our CATF work. She is currently a Graphic Design Sophomore at Shepherd University although she already holds a Culinary Degree. (we have no proof of this, however, because she has yet to bring us any treats.)

And, lastly, we had a visitor earlier in the week . . .

Super cute Mable Cotgreave came over to pick up some Words & Music posters. Remember Words & Music? You may if you've been in Shepherdstown a LONG time. Words & Music is a great venue for poets and musicians to share their work. Thanks to Todd Cotgreave and WSHC 89.7, Words & Music is up and running once again with the innaugural performance taking place Wed., July 1st from 6-8pm at the Opera House Theater in Shepherdstown. The event is family friendly and FREE!

Hot off the press: The ATC Food Planner

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:48:00 +0000

We recently started working with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's publishing department to design new covers for new editions of some of their older books. This is our first one which was just delivered yesterday. I wish I had a before image to show, but let me just say the design is drastically different. The book itself is pretty cool—it was written by Lou Adsmond who planned, prepared and sent food drops to her husband and son while they hiked 2,160 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The book includes recipes and menus that work just as well for a day hike or weekend camping trip. Click here to check out the ATC bookstore.

Another Reason Our Clients Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:48:00 +0000

It was so cold last night I had to cover my precious flowers to keep the frost from killing them. It breaks my heart when I wake up to a beautiful crisp morning and realize the flowers and vegetables are covered in death. This morning as I was uncovering things I was thinking how thankful I am for our wonderful clients—in general because they are fun to work with and allow me to do what I love and pay the bills—but, in particular because they are so nice and giving.

Last year, one of our clients and dear friends Steve Kemp brought over lovely water irises from his pond along with a few fish which the Shunney boys quickly named Big Papi, Manni, and some other Red Sox player I can't remember. The irises have been blooming for a week now and really cheer me up each morning with their yellow goodness.

This year, another client/neighbor/dear friend Jane Tabb (Fresh Feasts on the Farm) kept telling me she would bring over some top soil to fill in the small flower bed in front of our office. As promised, I came home one day after being out to a bed full of freshly spread topsoil. A few days later, Jane came by with some daylilies thinned from her own garden. They are now planted and I have vowed not to kill them. They look a little sad now but later this summer they are sure to be blooming with beauty. Stay tuned . . .

HarneBowen Architects

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:37:00 +0000

Today I am happy to announce the launching of a new website for one of our clients: HarneBowen Architects and Planners. I'm really pleased with the final result—short, sweet and to the point and Scott was great to work with. Thanks, Scott!

Puttin' Instead of Workin'

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:51:00 +0000

On Thursday, April 30th, Eden Design took the afternoon off to join the Platinum PR Miniature Golf Team in support of Panhandle Home Health's "Puttin' for the Panhandle." The tournament was a huge success but I learned how much I truly lack in putting skills. Despite my hole-in-one and what I thought were good scores on multiple holes, I still came in last place—out of about 140 players. How horrible is that? A friend commented, "So, not only are you really bad, but you don't even know when you're really bad." Needless to say, my ego was more than a bit bruised. On the up side—I was tied with someone else for the worst of the worst but then won the tiebreaker. I did win a bottle of Christian Caine perfume which I'm sure is fabulous but since I suffer from fragrance allergies I had to pass it on to one of my teammates. Regardless, we had a great time and got to eat delicious food and hang out with the wonderful ladies from Platinum PR.

Pictured above, l to r: Jennifer Jensen, me (loser), Mary Dubay, and Jessica Radlich

Good Luck Abbey 2!

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:14:00 +0000

Saturday evening, May 5th, we went to an art opening of Senior Graphic Design work from Shepherd University Students. Our own Abbey Kurtz (aka Abbey 2, Eden Design Intern, Summer 08) is graduating and showcased some of her work. I really enjoy working with the Shepherd Interns and it is very rewarding to see them take flight. Here's a pic of Abbey with her poster design 'Fresh'. It was a finalist in a poster design contest. Good luck Abbey 2—you're number 1 with us!

Costume Mania

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:33:00 +0000

A few weeks ago we accompanied a good friend of my husband (Patrick) to a show at the Arlington Arts Center in Arlington, VA. The friend, Jason Lee, is a sculptor and was showing his work about consumption: bright orange, mass-produced-looking lightboxes, mounted either on the floor or on the wall, offering glimpses of the sky, and of a creek or stream. These Euthenics studies pose questions about planned communities, public spaces, sprawl, and the triumph of universal technology. (I took that bit from their website).

Anyway, we loved Jason's work, of course, but I was also really impressed with a young DC artist named Steven Frost, known for using needlework and fabric in pieces focusing on sexual identity, presents a project made in collaboration with his mother. Steven and his mother, Barbara, deconstruct the artist’s childhood Halloween costumes, suggesting new meanings and motivations for the wearer of each elaborate outfit, and presenting their efforts as a sort of haute couture Halloween brand.

The reason I was taken with Steven's work is that I have a similar costume relationship with my son, Sam. Each halloween since he was born, I have helped him make his costume. And, ditto, for each school performance, etc. I have a lot of fun stepping up to the challenge of what he can come up with. Costumes have included a truck, Max from Where the Wild Things Are, a spider, General Grievous (damn you George Lucas!!), Anikan Skywalker, and most recently a jester and gnome.

What I find most challenging and am most proud of is that we often wait until the last minute to put these costumes together and I try to assemble them with fabric and accessories that I have on hand. Maybe someday Sam will have his own art show in collaboration with me.

Carrying On

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Here are some samples of new things we've been working on . . .
A logo and identity package for Synergy Training Solutions. They offer ServSafe food safety classes, mystery shopping, customer service consulting and more.

Our pro-bono job for the winter was a new website for the National Players in Olney, Maryland.
Check it out at: http://www.nationalplayers.org

And, just up today, is a new site for Pediatric Feeding and Speech Solutions of Leesburg, VA.
http://www.pediatricfeedingandspeechsolutions.com

Keep Calm and Carry On

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:00:00 +0000

By now, you've probably seen this poster in one form or another; reproductions of Britain's Ministry of Information posters during WWII. My favorite rendition is Maira Kalman's from her book, The Principles of Uncertainty. It's no wonder this image has become popular in recent months with the constant influx of economic information streaming to us 24/7. If only the media would take the meaning to heart.

I was listening to The Diane Rehm show on NPR and, yet again, they were discussing the economy. At one point, before a break, Diane said something to the effect of "More bad news to come. Of course, there are plenty of good things happening, too. Many people are still employed and going on with their normal routines." I commend her for actually stating that yes, for many, things are just as they were. I blame corporate media for creating a mass consciousness of negative thinking which only compounds the problem.

Yes, many have lost jobs and many businesses are failing--even a few of my friends have been RIFed. ( A year ago I didn't even know what RIF was--turns out it means Reduction in Force—it's also interesting that if you rearrange the letters in RIFed you get FIRED.)

However, despite all of this, I'd like to suggest an influx of positivity and hope. Many people are still carrying on just as before and even starting new businesses and growing current ones. (I'll be posting samples of some of our new clients' work this week.)
The crazy thing is that we don't get to hear many of these stories, and a lot of people are feeling guilty if they aren't experiencing economic trouble—how sadly ridiculous. Instead of using guilt to express your empathy, I suggest we all try being positive. I am a true believer that positive energy attracts positive energy and have been trying my best to infuse my own 'tonic' of goodness into the world . . .

I've found the best way to do this is:

• Take a break from all news . . . 24 hours, a week, a morning, whatever you can handle.
• Make a list of 10 things you are thankful for
• If someone mentions the economy, just nod, and quickly change the subject. Or counter with one of your 10 things you are thankful for.
• Smile—a simple, free and powerful tool.
• Keep Calm and Carry On.

Snow Day vs. Video Games: 6yr old wins

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:21:00 +0000

I can't believe I haven't written in over a month. I also can't believe that this month went by so quickly. Maybe it was recovering from the holidays combined with the excitement of our new President. I still tear up everytime I see him speaking on tv. It is so nice to think, 'That is my President!' It's been a long, long time since I've felt that.

So the wintry January weather has turned my normally active son into a tv/video game addict. I've been trying to wean him with all kinds of activities and yesterday had to cut him off completely. Oh, and threaten to give all his toys away if he wasn't going to play with them.

Of course, this morning school was canceled because of snow and since I have a ton of work to do I have relented and he is back to old favs . . . the PS2 babysitter. Oh well. We did do a cooking project from his new beloved Star Wars cookbook . . . Hoth Chocolate. To cool it down I even let him add a scoop of ice cream. He has broken me. I call Uncle.

On a work note, I had a lovely dinner on Sunday evening for the Board of Friends in Action. The dinner was at the President's home and they kindly awarded me the 'True Friend in Action Award' for all the design we donate to them throughout the year. It was a very nice gesture, and now I have a 'trophy' which is one of the few items that garnish respect from my son. Learn more about Friends in Action at fiaep.org.

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:52:00 +0000

This Christmas we decided it would nice to share some holiday cheer, cocktail style. Please try these fun and delicious recipes and if you email us a photo of you and your drink we just might post it here.

Peace and love to all and cheers to a fabulous '09.

: click here for a printer friendly pdf

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:53:00 +0000

I promise this will be the last food related post for at least a week. I just wanted to mention that our new favorite local restaurant and client, dish, has begun their 'Ecstatic Hour.' Stop by Wednesdays through Fridays 5-7 pm for drink and appetizer specials.' They're located on Washington Street in Charles Town, WV.

Carlyle Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:13:00 +0000

Another tasty treat occurs every November when we create holiday cards and labels for two great boutique hotels in DC . . . Carlyle Suites in Dupont Circle and the Savoy Suites in Georgetown. Then, about two weeks later we receive delicious cookies in the mail. Not only do we get to see our designs in action but we get to eat cookies, too! Our clients are the best!

Popcorn on the Cob

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:03:00 +0000

If there's one thing we enjoy it is working for clients who have tasty things to eat. Our latest project in this culinary department was for our neighbor Bob Tabb, owner of Round Oak Farm and Town and Country Nursery. His newest product is Popcorn on the Cob. Fresh, natural, locally grown popcorn that you can pop right on the cob! Here are some photos of the label and our first prototype. Want to get your hands on some? Call 304-676-7564.

And so it begins . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Eden Design) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:04:00 +0000

Well, we decided 'what the hey' . . . a new President calls for a new website and a new blog. So, here it is. A perfect place to post rantings and show all the cool stuff we do each day here at the World Headquarters of Eden Design. Check back for fun pics of things in progress or projects that don't quite fit into the format of our portfolio.