Amanda Hawkins

Monthly To-Do

Amanda — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:11:05 +0000

Happy Valentine’s Day fellow planner! Here’s a simple 8.5×11 template for making plans and goals for the month.
DOWNLOAD -> monthly to-do (1.8 MB)

Sample usage:

Pale Pink

Amanda — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:03:46 +0000

2012:

I just need a minute to think.

Amanda — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:51:48 +0000

2008:

A little Ahhh Design history //

Amanda — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:44:31 +0000

I decided Ahhh-Design needed a bit of a refresh – surprise! Then I started wondering about all the hundreds of *refreshes* Ahhh Design has had over the years, little changes here and there. Below are some screenshots of the major changes. I bought the domain ahhh-design.com in 2005 to build a design portfolio to go along with my resume. My husband, then just a friend, helped me with the portfolio functionality and I hacked and hacked away at the CSS until it looked how I wanted it.

2005-2006:

2007, August:

It stayed a portfolio until 2008 and blogging was really starting to take off for crafters. I’d had a Livejournal account for a few years but thought it was time to take the plunge! My DIY planner templates were also getting more popular and I wanted a place to organize them. First, I tried using the blog engine Chyrp. I ended up on WordPress though because of the large and very supportive community – great for someone just learning.

This was my 3rd WordPress theme customization, my first was in 2007. I also started working part-time for a web design firm in Jan of 2008 and was getting more and more comfortable with html/css and slicing up artwork.

2008, May:

I’ve always tried to not take this site too seriously, so it’ll stay a fun creative outlet. I make changes live so you might even stumble upon it looking like a total mess. As you can tell by these next screenshots, haha.

2009, March:

2009, April:

At this point I ditched Mimbo, the theme I’d learned on, for a new one. I wish I could remember the name… it’s heavily customized and doesn’t look much like the original. I was feeling much more comfortable with WordPress at this point and had created my first free theme for download!

2009, May:

2010:

In March of 2011 I custom built a new theme just for Ahhh Design – so proud! I’d also quit my job and started freelancing full-time, I think every job I’ve done through Little Bird has been WordPress. I LOVE WordPress, if you haven’t noticed. :)

2011, March:

2011, October:

And that leads us to today, the first refresh of 2012! May there be many, many more. Thanks for reading, xoxo.

2012, February:

I’ll save you, I promise.

Amanda — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:48:24 +0000

I’m finally building myself an online art portfolio at amandahawkins.me – spent a while yesterday going through old collages. This one is from 2006:

6 Months

Amanda — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:19:54 +0000

Pepper turned 6 months a couple days ago, can you believe it?! I can’t.

Merry Christmas Mix, ’11

Amanda — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:03:02 +0000

Year #6 of making Christmas music mixes – check!
Happy Holidays friends, stay warm and give lots of hugs. Love you all – thanks so much for reading!

All mixes are available for download below through mediafire.com (turn your speakers down before you click, annoying ads).

Merry Christmas Mix, ’11 :: (download)

previous mixes ::
Merry Christmas Mix, ’10 :: (download)
Merry Christmas Mix, ’09 :: (download)
Merry Christmas Mix, ’08 :: (download)
Merry Christmas Mix, ’07 :: (download)
Merry Christmas Mix, ’06 :: (download)

Holiday Gifts Template

Amanda — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:03:34 +0000

Happy Holidays friend! I glanced at the calendar this morning and realized there are only 24 shopping days left ’till Christmas. WOW, where in the world did this year go?!

I put together a free little gift giving list in an attempt to get organized. On the left you can add the person it’s for plus any notes or ideas. The right is a mini to-do list and money tracker.

DOWNLOAD -> Holiday Gifts (2.56 MB)

I made up a bunch of silly stuff on one to keep my real ideas a surprise!

Spinning

Amanda — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:11:28 +0000

Drawing… what’s that?

I think I’ve drawn a total of three things this whole year. How awful is that?
Did a quick collage today and it felt great. Happy 11.11.11!

iPad Notes

Amanda — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 06:21:53 +0000

Hi friends! A few months ago I did a little give-away on the Ahhh Design Facebook page. I asked for a favorite organizing/planning tip to enter. Here’s one of my favorite responses.

I imported one of your cool templates into my ipad, and then am using Upad app that will let me draw on top to take notes and do other fun stuff. I’m trying to cut down on paper, but I love how organized your templates make me feel and they’re so pretty to play with. I just love your designs. – Kerrie Carbary

What a great idea! I had just ordered a stylus for the iPad, which I totally recommend, and got to work doodling right away. I tried Upad as well as a couple of other note taking Apps and finally settled on Noteshelf.

Directions

Save the templates you’d like to use as JPG
Save them to your iPad photo library
Import them to your note taking application of choice
Doodle away!

My favorite is bringing in little photos and scribbling around them and writing notes. Great for digital scrapbooking!

Here are a few of my templates in jpg form, view this post on your iPad and save the below images to import. I just saved you a step, happy planning!

*These images are low resolution for the iPad, not for printing!