Merry Christmas from WDG!

   We are truly blessed to have such wonderful clients, friends, and family... 2012 has been quite a year and we can't wait to see what 2013 will bring! Here's to a happy holiday and hopeful new year!


(Photo credit: Dana Mackay Photography )

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DIY Thankful Jar Printable

  November is upon us once again and with all the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season, it is always good to take a breath, slow down, and put things in perspective.  This year, we are starting a new tradition in our home called the Thankful Jar.  You may have noticed friends & family on Facebook and other social media expressing something they are thankful for each day of November... This is another spin on that idea.  Each day, we each secretly write down something we are thankful for and place it in the jar.  At the end of the month, we then take out the slips and read them together.  We got this idea from one of our dear friends and are excited to share it with you!  You can make your own Thankful Jar with our free printable below!  

 *Files are for personal, non-commercial use only

****UPDATE 1/16/13 : The free usage period has expired, but these are now available in our Etsy store! 

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Fly My Pretties, Fly!

Happy All Hallows Eve!  In our house, it has become a Halloween tradition to lovingly humiliate our two pugs Sylvie Grace & Atticus Finch by making them dress up in hilarious costumes. Last year they were Little Red Riding Hood & the Big Bad Wolf... this year we were inspired by the Wizard of Oz and created flying pug monkeys!  So from our castle to yours, we wish you a hauntingly happy Halloween!

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{New Work} Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue

Last time, we showed you our latest work for Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue.  This week, we have part 2!  In addition to the Shop for a Cause designs, we were asked to create the event logo & email banner for the First Annual Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue PugFest! This was so much fun to create & we could not be happier to contribute to such a great cause!

In addition to to PugFest 2012, we also designed the annual fundraiser calendar cover!  You can order your copy today through Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue's website.  Proceeds go to pug rescue!  Needless to say, all of our friends & family will be getting one of these babies :) 

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{New Work} Shop for a Cause!

  We are so excited to show you what we've been working on for Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue!  They are an awesome organization that take in, foster, & find forever homes for our favorite little snorters, the pugs!  Rescue groups hold a very near & dear place in our hearts.  One of our pugs, Atticus Finch, is a rescue, and we could not be more grateful for such organizations! So it was a great honor & pleasure to work with MAPR to help promote their rescue group.  We created several new designs for their online store to help raise money for the puggies!  Want to shop for some great gear while helping a great cause at the same time?  Click here! These make cute gifts & perfect Christmas presents for that pug lover in your life :)

 
  The first collection we created is called the "Preppy Pug."  

Monograms are a hot trend right now, so we created this design based on the circle monogram look.  With fun colors and patterns, there's something for everyone!  

 The next collection is called "Don't Shop...Adopt."  

We based this design on the widely known ADOPT poster and its distinct look.

The third collection we named "The Essential Pug."

Aptly named, this collection conveys the basics of pug life: Eat. Sleep. Play. Snort.  We love all of the little pugisms these guys have, especially those crazy snorty noises and the booty scooty butt run that all pug people know and love.  

      We hope we can help MAPR do some serious fundraising!  They are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is totally volunteer run.  If you're interested in adopting a pug or simply volunteering, give them a shout, you'll be glad you did! 
  

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{New Work} Sweet and Simple Creations

  Are you gaga for cupcakes? Could you spend all day on Etsy looking at cool handmade stuff? Then you are going to love our newest client, Sweet and Simple Creations!  Based in New York, these two gals work their magic in the kitchen & the craft room, serving up crafty creations & tasty treats.  They came to us in search of a logo, expressing an interest in pink & brown and incorporating the ideas of sweet and simple.  We created several design options and they narrowed it down to these two:

We had a blast working with them & can't wait to see more sweet & simple creations!

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Happy Shark Week!!

  One of our favorite weeks of the year has arrived... It's SHARK WEEK!!  We love those big fish & always enjoy watching all of the cool shows Discovery Channel airs!  Last year, we featured logos filled with sharky goodness! (Click here to check it out)  This year, we explored the depths of the interwebs, looking for shark related goodies we could really sink our teeth into.  Take a look!

    1.  Gold Shark's Tooth Necklace   2.  Bookends        3. Vintage art print         4.  Tote Bag

    5.  Dog Halloween Costume           6.  Cupcakes        7.  Fin Ice Cube Tray      8.  Watermelon

Don't forget to catch all the toothiness every night this week  at 9PM ET 

on Discovery Channel!

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10 Things We've Learned from the London Olympics

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Happy 4th of July!

                              Answer 1    Answer 2    Answer 3    Answer 4     Answer 5     Answer 6

                              Answer 7    Answer 8    Answer 9    Answer 10   Answer 11   Answer 12

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Remembering Andy: 1926-2012

   Today, a national icon, and someone near and dear to our hearts has passed away.  When I was little, I watched re-run after re-run of the Andy Griffith Show with my Dad. To this day, whenever we are at my dad's house, we end up watching the show with the infamous whistling intro...Andy Griffith came into our homes and into our hearts.  His warm smile, humility, and integrity were a warm blanket for the soul & provided a comforting solace, if only for half an hour or so.  I am forever grateful to Andy for the memories he has given me of my dad.  Rest in peace Andy, we'll meet you at the fishing hole.

                                    

           ~Meagan

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Now Playing...

Two words: Moonrise.  Kingdom.  We just saw the trailer for this movie and WOW!!  The cast... the awesome filters & cinematography... the cute, awkward story... the awesome scripty font...Bill Murray... need we say more?  This movie is going to be the pugs's pajamas & we cannot wait to see it!  Go check out the preview!

(Photo courtesy of the Moonrise Kingdom website)

 

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All Hail the Queen: Celebrating 60 Years of Wearing the Crown

  Saturday marked the official start of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebration.  Being Americans, we have major queen envy... Can you imagine a President serving for 60+ years??  We thumb our nose at the thought... We visited England years ago and fell in love with the lovely people, the beautiful sites, and of course, the Queen!!  We watched the Royal Flotilla on Sunday, loving the enormous show of patriotism for Queen Elizabeth II and her day of celebration, marking 60 years of service to her country and wearing the crown.  It truly is a remarkable gem in history that shone brightly this weekend. 

  There is a whole web site (click here) dedicated to the Diamond Jubilee filled with fun facts, photos, and downloads.  We couldn't help but notice the adorable official Jubilee Emblem designed by 10 year old Katherine Dewar.  She won a national contest for children ages 6-14 and got to meet the Queen herself!  (Photo courtesy of thediamondjubilee.org) 

   Being designers, we heart Pantone in a major way, and what better than a Pantone wheel, but a wheel with Her Majesty!  Pantone in collaboration with Leo Burnette London, created a color fan featuring some of the Queen's favorite ensemble colors, when she wore them, and the decision making that went into each selection.  A special box was even created and presented to the Queen!  If any one knows where we could obtain one of these, you would be our new best friend! :)  To read all about it, click here! (Photo Credit: Andy Rudak)

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Happy Memorial Day!

   Happy Memorial Day! With cookouts, pool dates, and beach trips, we sometimes forget those that have sacrificed so much for so many... We send a huge thank you to all service men and women, past and present, along with their families, for all that they do and for giving us our freedom every day. THANK YOU!!!

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12 for Twelve: Leaping into 2012

  Since this year is a leap year, we thought we would do something special and create a list of twelve things we would like to accomplish over the course of the year. Ideally, we would accomplish one each month (hence the number twelve), but things usually aren't that easy. So, without further ado, here is our 12 for Twelve:

    Fear not, we started this at the beginning of the year, so a we can already cross a few of these items off the list and don't have to try and squeeze them all into roughly seven months. We had the awesome opportunity to travel to Hawaii earlier this year for our wedding anniversary which was an amazing adventure as always. It also didn't hurt that our friends made the trip as well so we were able to experience a lot of fun things with them. We also took a common New Years resolution to heart and began to work out more. A lot more. We can both honestly say we are now in the best shape of our lives and loving every minute of it! And although not technically crossed off, we have scheduled a trip to Disney World for Meagan's 30^th birthday this year and will be visiting Harry Potter World while we are there. Some of the others are a little more nebulous, such as stress less and relax more, but we'll provide an update on those at the end of the year.

As for the rest, we'll be sure to squeeze them in somewhere :) Life is full of opportunities.

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{Pugs in Design} Pug Sighting!

   One of our favorite posting topics is our "Pugs in Design" segment, which features adorable puggies that pop up in the design world, whether it be in print ads, magazines, t.v. spots,etc. We found this little one peeking his head over a very purple sofa in an ad for petflow.com. 

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M-I-C-K-E Why?

When I was young my dad used to have a Mickey Mouse phone at his office that he used as his “private unlisted” number alongside his other regular phones. He'd give me the number so I could call if I ever needed to reach him and didn't want to go through everyone else at the company. A few years before he retired he took it home with him and set it up in the house. For some reason that phone was very special to him, but I'll never know why.

So it was with great hilarity on a recent trip to the local antique shop I found the exact same phone!

And then, amazingly I found another...

And then they just kept on coming...

Obviously the Mickey phone is not a rare item. Two of these phones were being sold in booths opposite each other in some sort of “buy me first” contest like they were actually facing off. But I found it hilarious none the less. It brought a smile to my face to remember how much that phone meant to my dad and now if I ever decide I want to own that phone again I'm pretty sure I know where to find one.

-Eric

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Keep Calm and {fill in the blank}...

   Ever since we got back from England a couple of years ago, we have been infatuated with the whole “Keep Calm & Carry on” trend.  It wasn’t until recently that we discovered the whole story behind the slogan.  If you’re interested in learning the story as well, take a look at this video from the home of the original Keep Calm & Carry On Poster, Barter Books in the U.K. 

   After learning about the history, we wanted to create a poster that embodied one of our favorite things, Virginia Tech Football!  Our school mascot is the Hokie, which is a whole other story, but for this post, is basically an awesome turkey :)  Check it out!

    We had so much fun making it, we decided to create some printables for the other college football teams in our ACC (Atlantic Coastal Conference) Division.  Feel free to download your team’s “Keep Calm” print!  They make great gifts & fun tailgate accessories!  Don’t see your team?  Let us know & we’ll be glad to customize one for you!

 *Files are for personal, non-commercial use only

****UPDATE 1/16/13 : The free usage period has expired, but these are now available in our Etsy store!  

As you have probably seen, “Keep calm & carry on” can be seen everywhere & we love that!!  Here are some fun finds!

 1.  Hunger Games T-Shirt       2.  Survival Kit         3.  Pug Print             4.  Luggage Tags

 5. Cupcake Book                       6.  Cookies                 7.  iphone Case         8.  Door Mat

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Titanic turns 100!

   When we found out Titanic was being re-released in the theater, we were so excited!  I have been in love with that movie and the whole Titanic story since I first saw the film in 1997.  Ever since Jack and Rose, I have immersed myself in the history of Titanic, learning everything I can about the grandiose ship, her passengers & their stories.  I even tracked down & wrote to the then surviving passengers (unfortunately every one of them was returned with could not deliver).  There’s just something that really stuck with me about the tragic event that April night in 1912.  Titanic’s 100th Anniversary is just around the corner & needless to say, this week has been flooded with television programs about Titanic from Jim Cameron’s (the filmmaker) Last Word to the “Guarantee Group” who were the ship’s go-to men in case of problems.  Want to learn more? Check these out...

(Ironically, the History Channel will also air Modern Marvels: Shipyards & Modern Marvels: Ice April 15th)

     I have seen the film about 10 times in the theater, countless times in total, and still need a box of tissues every time.  Titanic is a story of love, ambition, pride, selfishness, selflessness, life, and death.  The stories within the stories are awe-inspiring and are valuable lessons to generations past, present, & future.  Everyone takes something away from this story, which is one of the many reasons I have become so connected with Titanic. 

   At the moment, I am currently reading The Wreck and Sinking of the Titanic by Marshall Everett, which gives an in depth look at survivor accounts and personal narratives.

   Captivating new details arise all the time... One of my favorites is the little known fact about the dogs of Titanic.  Who knew?!  Twelve canines called Titanic home for a short time, three of which survived the sinking!  One woman jumped out of a lifeboat when she was told her dog was too large to board with her.  A few days later, her body was recovered still embracing her loved companion.  No pugs were on board, but to see which breeds were, read all about it here!

Titanic By the Numbers. The History Channel website. 2012. Available at: http://www.history.com/interactives/titanic-by-the-numbers. Accessed Apr 12, 2012.  Infographic by Column Five

 

 

 Here's to making it count!
                     ~Meagan

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Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

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Don Draper Presents... Facebook Timeline

Hate the new Facebook timeline? This might make you love it :)  Grab the tissues & take a look...

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The Mad Men Cometh!

    One of our favorite shows is about to debut its 5th season this Sunday at 9pm ET!  We have been on pins & needles, anxiously awaiting the return of Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce.  If you're like us, you have to know how much longer until the debauchery resumes.  We've got you covered!  AMC's website is full of Mad Men goodies, including a much needed countdown clock.  So grab a cocktail, a pack of Lucky Strikes & let the games (no, not those games) begin!

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Ice Ice Baby... Angry Birds SPACE!!

March 22nd just got a lot better!! Angry Birds Spaced will be released, featuring new birds, gravitational pull around orbiting bodies, and PIGS IN SPACE!! Does it get any better than this?!

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{Happy St. Patrick's Day!} Snapshots of Ireland

  Turn on the Celtic music, bring out the Guinness, & put on something green 'cause it's St. Patty's Day! In honor of this joyous day, we thought it would be fitting to share some snapshots of our recent trip to Ireland!

   On the streets of  Dublin, there are so many beautiful painted doors.  Why the different colors you ask?  The story is that a long time ago, an Irishman came home drunk & crawled into bed with the wrong woman... It seems he had gone into the wrong house because he was inebriated.  As a precautionary measure to prevent incidences like this from happening again, each door was painted a different color.  Love Irish folklore! 

Singing “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh," is the magnificent Molly Malone who stands on Dublin's Grafton Street.  She is a famous folklore icon who has her own song & national holiday.  The song is great by the way, you should give it a listen...

 

   One thing Ireland is known for is its glorious cathedrals.  They are steeped in tradition & truly works of art. 

   No trip to Ireland is complete without touring the Guinness Storehouse & Jameson's Distillery.  Both places offer great tours and provide a free tasting at the end!

 There are many gems around Ireland, which make for perfect sightseeing!  The cemeteries are blanketed with lush green clovers and beautiful Celtic masonry dot the land.  One cemetery is the final resting place of the Lusitania disaster victims.  Another sight worth seeing is the oldest pub in Ireland, the Brazen Head, established 1198.  

  We took a day trip to the port town of Cobh, which was was the last stop for the Titanic before her doomed voyage to New York.  Gaelic is still spoken in many places and can be found on the street signs as well as many important buildings. 

   This is Roscommon Castle a.k.a. a typical Irish park.  The castle has been around since 1269!  Today it serves as a national monument & park perfect for strolls & picnics.  Keep an eye out for the keepers of the castle who reside nearby :)

   If you only see one place in Ireland, make it Blarney Castle!  Nestled in the town of Blarney, this famous landmark needs no explanation.  Atop the castle are picturesque views of the Irish countryside (yes, it really is that green) & the infamous Blarney Stone herself.  We both kissed the stone & now have the gift of gab :)  On the castle grounds there are other Druid ruins, including the Witches Stone.  Legend has it that the Witch of Blarney emerges from the stone at nightfall.  Blarney Castle closes at dusk, so no worries! 

Ireland is a magical place & we can't wait to return one day!

        "May the good saints protect you
      And bless you today
           And may troubles ignore you
         Each step of the way" 

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