Two years ago I discovered that my entire life I have had a passion for design. I quickly realized that inspiration was all around me, and the tools to learn the skills I needed were in abundance.  Shortly after, I started to whisper my desire to create invitations, business logos, and marketing materials; while at the same time furthering my personal handwriting through the art form calligraphy. I was creating for close friends, and receiving positive responses, and boy did it feel wonderful.

A year ago, March 5th, the day before my quarter century birthday, I told the world what I was doing; and that I had a website to prove it. I took it, the risk, the leap of faith, whatever you want to call it in the business world.  In the past year, Allison Kathleen has become a complete and total representation of me, what I love to do, and the work I am so fortunate to produce. For anyone following along closely, you have probably noticed my growth. It would not have been possible without all of the projects that came my way throughout the year; and there have been so many for which to be so thankful. Many are documented right here on my blog.

THANK YOU to all of you who have helped me grow and have shown confidence in me throughout this past year. Here I go full swing into the next year with a vision for the next decade. I have so many ideas and designs in mind. There is SO much inspiration right in front of me, and more that I have not yet discovered. I’ve made some wonderful friendships along the way.  It is the sincerity in their positive responses to my work combined with the righteous feeling I get from actually doing it that leads me to know that I am doing the right thing each and every day.

You can look forward to so much more from me as I’m in the midst of several exciting projects I never imagined myself even being a part of. I’m just so happy.

I hope you have a perfectly wonderful day too!

With so much love and gratitude,

Allison

1. Red Dot Advertising  2. Inkd  3. Mary Kate McDevitt  4. Plymouth Farmers Market

Look closely and you will find a G!

Happy Birthday Genevieve – I hope I still have this site when you are old enough to read and surf the web!

I was driving through town the other day, like I do all the time, and all of a sudden something jumped out at me on a part of Main Street where there aren’t usually many attractions. Well, that may just be my opinion. But regardless… NEW SIGN, NEW SIGN!!! HEYY, I DESIGNED THAT LOGO!!! I was so excited to see this. Later on that afternoon I grabbed a Kiskadee coffee with a few friends and walked to the new J.James Auctioneers & Appraisers to snap a photo!  Check out that link to their website, looks like they’ll be starting auctions soon!

Here I am, Kiskadee coffee in hand under the beautiful sign! Speaking of, have you seen the winter Kiskadee sign?  Painted by my dear friend Jackie Burns, with Allison Kathleen hand lettering. I can’t wait to collaborate with Jackie again!

I got really crafty this year and made the majority of my decorations and the skirt! Just a friendly reminder, I LOVE COLOR. So yes, I used colored lights!! I should also mention that what I think added to the adorable factor was that my tree was shorter than me (about 3.5 feet short). Anyway, here it is, my first tree I miss my little balsam fir.

I started this post before the holiday crazies – wayyyy back in November when this amazing album was first released (November 17, 2012).  I feel really great about the little bit of hand lettering I was able to contribute to both the album (front & back) which was screen printed, as well as the release show poster.  Designs were done by the bass man Dave Robertson, and I cannot wait to collaborate with him again. Screen printing by Larry Anzuoni. Music by Dave, Larry, Kit Carlyle & Jake Hill. This music moves me, and I hope someday soon you can give it a listen

Check out Jake Hill & Deep Creek on the internet & on facebook.

EAGLE is available for purchase in hard copy from the Brewster Productions online store!

Here I am hand numbering the first 100 CD envelopes!!!!

So remember big friends/little friends?! Well Courtney is like my big friend, not by any assignment, but just because she was older and awesome and I totally loved being her friend as a little freshman in high school. It had been a few years since I talked to Courtney, but by the power of facebook she had some idea of what I was up to! Out of the blue one day, May 19th actually, I got an email from Courtney! WEDDING, TYLER, OCTOBER, ENVELOPES, YELLOW & GRAY, CALLIGRAPHY, SIGN ME UP!! I LOVE Courtney and I had so much fun with her and her mom and of course this color scheme!  Check out the photos below: table numbers, homemade olive oil tags, place cards, calligraphy signs, thank you cards, and BUNTING!!! YUP, I can sew!!!!

Courtney & Tyler – Thank you so much for letting me be part of your beautiful wedding. I mean, look at you two!  It was really special to design for your occasion, and as the pictures show, it was spectacular! I’m so happy so many friends got to enjoy your wedding day with you. I know it’s been a few months already, but CONGRATULATIONS! So much love to you both!! THANK YOU a million times for being so awesome!

I must also give a shout out to the lovely Melissa DeSchamp, wedding photographer out of Quincy, MA who was so kind and shared some photos with me.  She did a wonderful job photographing the whole wedding, I wished I could have just posted the whole thing to my blog – but instead, I’ll send you over to her blog & her facebook! She’s done lots of local weddings, so check her out! With the exception of the 3 photos with my logo on them, Melissa took all of these! YAYY Melissa! THANKS!!!

On Thanksgiving Eve, and right before I headed out to enjoy the merriment, I got my first ever line of holiday cards posted to my facebook page! I AM SO EXCITED TO SHOW THEM OFF! I know, I know, I should put them on Etsy and all that fun stuff – but for now, this seemed the easiest way to share them and have you be able to share them too! SO please, head on over to Allison Kathleen Calligraphy & Design. While you’re there, like the page, check out the cards, check out my BRAND NEW {AK} Pinterest which is linked in my facebook, and have fun getting in the spirit of the holidays. If you’ve already been out shopping this morning, you’re crazy, but I think you already know that. Anyway, I can’t thank you enough for supporting my small business. I can’t wait to work on your greetings!!!

~AK

Amy – I don’t know that you fully understand how excited I got every time you asked me to do something else for your wedding. I’m so happy that I met you at Di’s wedding – and now I’d say we’re pretty good friends! Thank you for having me add so many of my designs to your special day. Congratulations to you and David – you had the perfect fall wedding!!!  (I mean, the last photo below of you two, come on! AMAZING!)

Special thank you to Steve Holmes – Amy’s photographer – for sending me these photos! Do check out his website and  like him on facebook. Steve Holmes Photography rules! Have a great day

This post is dedicated to my mom since it’s her pretty yard and she let’s me work here whenever I want to!