Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Special Delivery: MMD


Illustration by Michelle Morelan

In this electronic era of emails is there anything more exciting than opening up your "real life" mail box to find a package inside with beautifully handscripted writing on it,,,,,,the type of writing that can only belong to an artist or craftsperson - the sight of that alone makes your heart race thinking about what could possibly be inside!


Custom stationary of Michelle Morelan Design

I immediately recognized the writing of my friend, the uber taltented Vancouver based designer/illustrator/artist Michelle Morelan.  (You may also know her from her popular blog A Schematic Life).  I felt like a kid at Christmas as I opened up this surprise package.  Before I tell you more about the contents, I have to share the opening up of the package with you because it was a treat in itself.  The packaging was a perfect example of someone who lives by the credo of good design, in all the details.  The stationary was worthy of its own moment of appreciation.

Inside the postage envelope was a handwritten letter on a beautiful piece of folded custom letterhead, the back of the paper was a patterned monogram logo print, unfolded, the inside was an off-white linen texture with embossed monogram logo on the top.  Exquisite.  In addition to that was an envelope in the same off-white linen paper.  As if the exterior of the linen envelope with embossed logo and modern grey font wasn't beautiful enough, opening it up revealed the inside of the envelope was lined in the patterned monogram print too.  A really lovely detail!

This monogram print was on the back of the letter head and inside of the envelope.

Inside this envelope was a card, on heavy grey stock.  Partially folded over one blank side for personal messages, and exposing a large tone on tone logo print on the other.


Embossed card with logo print.

After I finished swooning over Michelle's gorgeous stationary, and being moved by her hand written words,,,,i choked up completely when I unwrapped this very special gift from Michelle, a little something for my new home on the East Coast.


My new old house, illustration by Michelle Morelan.

Its an illustration of my new old house on the East Coast, drawn by Michelle of course, and mounted in a vintage frame that she found at a local flea market - I'm crazy about the frame! She remembered me telling her one time I had some artwork in antique gold frames.  The fact that she's a special friend and one of the most talented architectural illustrators of our time,,,,makes me feel so lucky - its now one of my most favorite things and I'll cherish it always.  It'll have a special place in my home somewhere near my desk to remind me of this talented woman I admire and inspire me to sketch more.  : )




Thank you Michelle with all my heart.  From the east coast to the west coast - xoxo.


Also, kudos to the talented team at the multi-disciplinary design firm Meade Design Group who designed Michelle's cards/stationary (and website design).  Beautifully done.




All Photos by:  Carol Reed

6 comments:

  1. So precious. I am nearly complete with my little giftie for you too as Michelle and I think of you often and our next fondue or sunny tour - but first champagne.
    pve

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  2. Wow, what a wonderful surprise and a beautiful gift! Michelle is so talented, and she obviously pays great attention to every little detail :-) I won a rendering from Michelle in her blog giveaway a couple of years ago, and I just love it. So I can imagine how special the rendering of your charming NS home is to you :-)

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  3. I missed this! Truthfully, I have been a bit of an absentee blogger :(
    The stationery is one of those things that makes me smile every time I get to use it...of course one of my most talented design friends would pick out those details! Hope you are settling in well. I wish I could see your progress...it's going to be so amazing! Till then, take care and have a wonderful Christmas in your new home!! I hope to see you in the new year :)

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  4. You are so blessed to have such a great friend and it really endears to each one of us the beauty that comes with giving something so special!
    http://www.dawnajonesdesign.com/

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  5. Thank you very much for the mention Carol! It is always a pleasure to see the impact that design can do in everybody's and everyday's life. This is the reason we are so passionate in what we do.


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  6. thanks Dawna...Dawna, Carol, Carol, Dawna. Dawna lives on the Sunshine Coast not too far from me...well as the bird flies as they say!

    Happy Christmas Carol!! I know it's bittersweet, and I'll be thinking of you. Hugs, M

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