Don’t you just love when one blog click sends you to another blog click that then sends you to another. You know it can go on and on for quite a while and you can get lost for hours. I love it though, because I get to learn about new blogs that I’ve never read before.

It was during a day on google reader that I stumbled upon the work of Ashley Brooke via her blog.

So what does Ms Brooke do? She is trained in Interior Design, but always had a love for paper. She traded her autocad in for pencils and markers and designs her own line of amazing stationary. The icing on the cake is that she does custom illustrations as well!

I emailed her right away told her how in love with her work I was, that I needed a custom version of me as soon as possible and would she pretty please do an IN HER SHOES piece and oh yea can you pretty please give my readers a custom illustration giveaway.

Well everyone she said, yes, yes, and yes.

Check out my custom illustration:

Here I am with a version of that Kate Spade skirt I wanted and I figured out a way to get a little Rubie Green in my life. Don’t you love my chevron chair that looks very similar to the one Ms. Adams has in her new apt.

So without further ado, sit back and relax and read the latest IN HER SHOES followed by details on how to win the give-away.

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My day (Mon- Fri) always starts around 5:00 a.m. “ish” depending on how many times I hit the snooze button! I usually leave for the gym around 5:30 a.m., some days I am more excited about this than other days, but honestly if it doesn’t happen at 5 it won’t happen at all.

 
Mizuno Wave Running Shoes

I work out for an hour and then make the drive back home. This is when I take care of all of the everyday morning routines (cereal, coffee, laundry, walk Lucy, shower, and get ready for the day).

 
Acorn Slippers (so not attractive but heaven for my feet!

I usually leave for the studio around 9ish, a lot of times I leave earlier than 9 and sometimes later, it depends on if I’m on my A game or not!

 
BCBG Sling back Pumps (they look uncomfortable, but are super easy to wear!)

Once I get to the studio my day starts. I first go into Blogger, type up my morning post and publish it.  Then I am off to reading through all of my e-mails and responding. Usually right after that I send out my invoices for the day (because I send clients proofs in the evenings there approvals or changes are usually waiting for me in the morning) and print copies and file them away.

The next thing I do is go back to my e-mail and open up my new orders and get out my sketch book. This is where the real creativity begins.  I spend a lot of time sketching the designs; after the sketch is finished I scan the design into the computer and put it into a “card” format (or sticker, sticky note, invitation, notepad, etc.). As soon as the design is in the correct format I save it to the client’s file and go back to my e-mail and start all over again for the next order.

I usually change it up after working up about two designs and begin printing approved orders. I do all of my printing in house, which is a curse and a blessing! I send the cards to print and once I get a proof I check coloring and send off the job. 

When the job is finished printing I start cutting, scoring, or perforating the paper. Everything is done by hand.

Once the job is cut then I move on the finishing process which is where I tie bows, fold cards and count envelopes.  Once the finishing is done I wrap and package each order, print out the invoice and get each package addressed.

I usually spend “lunchtime” eating at my desk as I scroll through my Google Reader and spend time on Twitter.

The afternoon usually holds more designing and working my way through the creative process many times over.

At the end of the day I send off all of my proofs to my clients and gather all of my packages and head down to the post office. I like to go at night and use the automated machines, that way I don’t have to wait in line with 11 packages and I avoid dirty looks from the other post office goers.

I typically head home around 7:00pm after I’ve mailed all of my packages. I eat dinner and crash!

I must say I love what I do everyday.  I am very blessed to wake up excited to get to work and I hope my enthusiasm for what I do is evident to my clients and in my art.

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I want to give Ashley a huge thank you for being part of series. I also love to read more about women that have started their own businesses. It is so inspiring.

To win a custom design like mine above or maybe one with your pooch and hubby.

Here is what you have to do!

1. Make sure you are a follower of the blog.

2.  Go onto Ashley’s blog and see more examples of her custom work so that you can tell me what you would ask for if you won!

3. Don’t forget to comment with what kind of custom creation you would love.

You have a chance to vote from now until Sunday at midnight. I’ll pick a random winner on Monday morning!!!