‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring – not even a mouse.  The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.  The children were supposed to be nestled all snug in their beds, but nosy little Brenda refused to rest her head.

Okay kiddies, that’s the remix.  Now go to bed so that Santa doesn’t have to skip over your house.  He has a lot of stops to make tonight, and he can’t get off schedule.  :-)

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It’s all about perspective.  Kids view Santa like a super hero, waiting at the North Pole for his chance to deliver presents to them under the cloak of darkness.  He’s stealth and they’ll never be able to catch a glimpse so tell them (maybe not in the words of Sam Jackson) to , “Go the F to Sleep!“ Um, don’t really play that link for your kids.

You see Santa as an obese man that bounces children on his lap at the mall, listening to their wishes.  That image was created by fathers.  Do you think they really want THAT GUY in the family pictures? Nope.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night from CapitalK buy design!

“Messenger,” is today’s Illustration Friday word.  On the eve of Christmas Eve, there is a lot of last-minute shopping taking place.  People finally have a day off from work and are using it to navigate the overcrowded malls.  Not me.  I can’t stand trying to shop when I don’t have room to move.  That’s why I avoid Black Friday.

Speaking of which, Best Buy just announced that they won’t be able to deliver all of the Black Friday purchases in time for Christmas.  If you spent your Thanksgiving day in line, then it really stinks that you wasted the last holiday and they are only just making the announcement this week.

On Christmas day, some parents will selflessly share their glory – allowing Santa to deliver the big ticket items that their kids really wanted.  Others will let Santa give the stocking stuffers, and make sure their name is on the shiny new bike.  However its done, don’t you think parents should get together and decide the rules for these (imaginary) things?  Also up for discussion should be the Tooth Fairy’s current rates.  Kids talk.

Merry Christmas you little elves, and have a happy New Year!

Another take on the plain white T, this one for kids.  For many children, the first thing that they learn to write is their name.  Let them show that they know their letters, by showing that they know their letter on an Alpha Tee.

This monogram is purposely plain, so that you can pair it with anything.  The neutral white and gray design matches all of your kid’s casual gear.  Pull on some shorts and hit the playground.  Wear it to school with jeans.   Throw on a bright colored skirt and run errands with mom.

My favorite is the “Kk” design.  But, of course all 26 letters are available.  Visit the CapitalK shop to get one (or more) today.

If you can’t pick just one letter, get the “L-M-N-O-P” shirt, tote or drinkware.

I just finished watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and now it’s an afternoon full of football.  BUT first, I thought I’d share a holiday-themed greeting featuring one of the most recognizable balloons from the day – Sanrio’s Hello Kitty.  Enjoy your time with family and friends!

Had a great time visiting my alma mater, Wake Forest University, and visiting with longtime friends.  It was like I saw them yesterday.  Although we’ve been out of school for ten years, only the ever-changing campus was unfamiliar.

The mainstays are there – Wait Chapel, the Quad, Reynolda Hall, the Benson University Center, and the confusing construction of Tribble Hall.  There are new classroom buildings and a new dorm.  South Hall has yet to find a generous benefactor and receive a true name.  Even the football stadium has undergone a facelift with the addtions of Deacon Tower, Bowl banners, a bronze statue of our beloved Demon Deacon, and a new hi-definition video board.  While it looked a lot different and I couldn’t get past the fact that these kids can now get sushi on campus, it still felt like home.

Here are a few photos that I’ve posted to my CapitalK Facebook page.  These are not the fun party ones.  Eye Spy: Winston-Salem, NC features photos taken around town, on campus, and at the football game . I wish I had more time to walk around downtown.  I love a good photo of an old factory or warehouse.

I don’t know why I’ve never done this in the city where I currently live.  I think “Eye Spy” will be my new series of just that – what I see when I’m exploring. Enjoy!

Sweet Caroline!  My unranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons just upset the #23 Florida State Seminoles 35-30, at home!  Does this mean we’ll get the coaches votes for next week?

What a great day in ACC play.  As I head up to the dash (Winston-Salem, NC) next week for my ten year reunion, I can only hope that the team will continue on this run against the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Thanks to all my Deacs that supported the “DEACade” project!  I can’t wait to see you rocking your shirts next weekend.

Today is not a day to watch my Gators.  I still love you, but you’re not going to ruin my buzz.  :-)  It feels, “So good! So good! So good to be a Demon Deacon!”

  If you look more closely at the drawing, the DJ and I have on the same shirt.  Is he a groupie for    CapitalK, or am I a groupie for the Demon Deacon?  I’ll just say there is a mutual admiration. ;-)

If you don’t know by now, then you’re not very perceptive.  I LOVE football!  I’ve shouted out my Deacs.  I’ve shown my Gators love.  Now, it’s time to represent for THE NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS!

We’re playing at Philly, which is always big.  The game is actually on Fox Sports, but that wasn’t part of Jay-Z’s lyrics.

Let’s go G-Men!  ”Go and brush your shoulder off!”

UPDATE:  The Eagles did not soar today.  Giants win!  Giants win! 29-16 Final

The Alphabet 2- a horn book video experiment – is a developmental spelling – video where each character visually represents the meaning of the word itself. Playing with different techniques and materials into little and big spaces, but always focusing on Helvetica font’s proportions. A collection of words in a delightful spelling-video.

Direction / Postproduction / Sound Design
Alessandro Novelli

Wasn’t that mesmerizing?  The simplicity in design is what makes this so amazing.  I could see a kindergarten class sitting cross-legged in front of their teacher’s rocking chair, as she holds up a tablet to share this video with them as you would show an illustration in a book.

If you enjoyed that video, you may also like to see Novelli’s The Alphabet – a spelling-video, where each character is the initial letter of a font name.  Look for the font that represents you.  Mine was “Klavika.”

About a week ago I used my Illustration Friday post to pay tribute to my grad school and one of my favorite teams to cheer for, the Florida Gators.  Then a friend of mine pointed out that my personal Facebook page is heavily adorned in orange and blue, and she felt “some kind of way” about it.  So it’s time to shout out my first love, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons!

I can’t believe it has been ten years since we graduated.  I’m looking forward to attending Homecoming next month, and visiting with old friends.  You hear that Olivia Dardy?  You and Wake are getting a blog shot out, so no more saying that I favor my Gators over my Deacs.  I love them both equally.  Go Gators!  GO DEACS!