http://www.rachelmcotton.com All Natural Creativity Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:18:29 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Send your own ElfYourself eCards ElfYourself by OfficeMax and JibJab, was all the craze last year.  Everyone was elfing themselves and their family members to celebrate the season. Plus, it is just darn funny! This year, these guys have gone above and beyond to make the elfing experience even more customizable.  You ... http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/12/elf-yourself-2008/ I am a HUGE HOW Magazine fan.  HOW Magazine is THE magazine for designers, both freelance and inhouse, offering current news and ideas for design professionals.  I get every issue, and read it cover to cover.  I absorb all of it - the design trends, the new fonts, the stories ... http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/12/designers-wishlist-at-howcom/ [caption id="attachment_501" align="alignnone" width="270" caption="A Card or Computer Wall Paper"][/caption] Get the newest piece of Artwork in the version of a card or as wallpaper for your computer! Remember, we also take requests for custom artwork and products! http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/12/the-newest-holiday-card-from-cotton-studios/ Back in my SCAD days (that's Savannah College of Art and Design for anyone who is not in the know), Sari Gunderson was in charge of the Working Studio.  Working Studio was this amazing place where anything you could dream of could be brought to life, and Sari was the ... http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/12/the-crosbie/ Every year the President and First Lady send out a Christmas card to loads of very important people, friends and family.  I am certain that being chosen as the artist for these cards must be a highlight in an artist's career. Season's Greetings from the White House is an article from ... http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/12/seasons-greetings-cards-from-the-white-house/ As an artist and designer constantly under the gun to come up with new exciting ideas and concepts, some days can really get you down as your creative engine sputters under the pressures. Ken Hudson has written a book entitled The Idea Accelerator.  Here Thinkinghow.com has reviewed the book and offers ... http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/12/fast-idea-generation/ [caption id="attachment_483" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="A New Look for NIFDI"][/caption] The National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) based in Eugene, Oregon is a non-profit organization devoted to "providing school districts with a solid training program in Direct Instruction methodology" as well as the technical support to ease a school system's transition into ... http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/12/national-institute-for-direct-instruction/ Although currently in a testing phase, last week we went live with the new and improved website for Cotton & Co. Real Estate Inspection Services based in Houston, Texas.  You will note the similarity of the name to our name at Cotton Studios.  That is because Galen Cotton, ... http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/12/cotton-co-real-estate-inspection-services/ [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="454" caption="The Granfalloons Recieve the Honors"][/caption] If you haven't heard of The Granfalloons, then this is your lucky day!  These guys are awesome.  Voted by Dunlop as Band of the Week the week of 11/03, you just gotta hear them. Dunlop says: The Granfalloons are a welcomed return to classic ... http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/11/dunlop/ Greeting cards for this holiday season are now available with matching postage - Super Cool! At this moment there are two different pieces of artwork from which to choose.  I will be adding more holiday artwork as this month progresses, so make certain to check in periodically. Tower of Gifts Greeting Card Or ... http://www.rachelmcotton.com/2008/11/greeting-cards-for-the-holidays-2008/