Cupmate

My last year at UWM in the graphic design department, we were given an assignment to invent and execute an innovative design/invention. I decided to create a reusable cup sleeve that served multiple functions. I ended up sewing a total of 10 of them to sell at our graphic design store at the end of the semester. I ended up selling 7 (my teacher even bought one!). My teacher insisted that I get a patent on these and start marketing them to local coffee shops. Well, I got as far as making a diagram to submit to the United States Patent and Trademark office, but have yet to actually submit it. Fast forward to a couple months ago when I was showing my portfolio to one of my coworkers. She loved the Cupmate design I created and asked if I could make her one for herself. She uses it everyday at work and got another one of our coworkers interested in my design! She thought this would be the perfect gift to give her bridesmaids at her wedding this October. So, I got to work and whipped out 4 Cupmates within about two weeks. I now have another request to make one for another friend. Looks like I'm going into business with these things!

The diagram I created for patent submission. (click on the image to get a closer look at all of the functions of the Cupmate)


The Cupmates I made and sold at UWM.


The Cupmates that were made as gifts for my coworkers bridesmaids.

Our Genes Make Us Immortal

Hello again friends. Boy, we really need to get on Jessica to get some design posts going... I feel like I'm taking the joint over! Anyhow, I hope all is well with everyone reading - enjoy these latest photos. About a month or so back we got to babysit Jessica's lovely niece. Previous "photo shoots" with this little doll haven't gone so well. She spends about .0039243 seconds doing an activity, then it's on to the next. If that's not enough, she must dictate every single moment of our day. So, if it's not her idea to take photos, then we're not taking photos. However, us adults are a crafty bunch and know about a little something called "reverse psychology". Giving her complete control of the situation and handing her the camera she starts making pictures all over the yard... including this beaut...


Yep, taken by a three year old. Not bad huh? Now, if her subject was just a little more lively. But, I know you aren't here to look at photos of my ugly mug. Here are the real glamor shots. Isn't she a cutie?!? I'm loving the curls :)

Zephyr Design & Koting

Hello friends! Today I bring you a blog post from my patio. I am off work for the day and it is simply gorgeous out here. I want to tell you about a great business in Bay View that can handle any of your coating & design needs. They delivered some freshly coated bicycle parts along with a frame for some glamor shots. Let me tell you, these looked NICE! The frame was a metallic blue and the parts a dark metallic gray color - high quality and coated inside and out. Head on over to their site to find out more - zephyrdk.com - and get a hold of Steph or Andy for your bicycle, motorcycle, what have you coating needs!

Chris & Amanda Wedding

So my photographic adventure with these two lovebirds continues as I was recently a second shooter at their wedding. As I recently heard one bride say, "A person should have two weddings (to the same person). Rationale, the first goes by so fast, the second is to ingrain it all in the brain and remember all of the amazing details." That statement called out to me as I was about to photograph such a monumental day as a wedding. My job as the photographer is to slow the day down and freeze those special moments to be cherished forever. Chris, Amanda and their families are so great to work with - what a great day! A small sampling...

Family Fun

This past weekend I had a chance to shoot my Aunt and Uncle up in DePere, WI along with my two cousins. It was mid-day in the harsh sunlight but we were able to find some shady spots in the park. We always have a blast together so this was fun and a new experience for me shooting a family. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did! I love you guys! A sampling...

Wedding Stationary 2

My beautiful sister, Kerry, was recently married to my new brother-in-law, Ravi. Myself and Mike took part in their wedding in more ways than one. Not only did we both stand up in their wedding party, we were able to use our artistic talents to help make their wedding day extremely special. Mike used his genius computer software knowledge to create the wedding slide show for the happy couple. I designed the wedding programs for the ceremony and also designed wedding menus which also acted as name cards for each of the guests. We were pleased with the gracious feedback from everyone there! (Both pieces were printed on classic white linen paper)

Canoe Trip

On July 30th - 31st a couple cronies and I went on a camping trip to Prairie Du Sac just West of Madison. The original plan was to canoe the Wisconsin River all day Saturday, camp on a sandbar overnight and then canoe some more Sunday morning. That did not work out due to the heavy rain and the massive amount of water pouring through the dam. Oh well - plan B... instead we camped at a VFW campground and did a day trip only. I enjoyed myself but I have to admit that I was a bit on edge having my camera in a canoe... that could tip over at any time... which actually happened to others in our group. Reaching out of your canoe for a beer that is floating down stream is never a smart idea. Anyhow - the following are a few shots that I liked from the trip.