• A Belated About Me

    I’ve been writing this blog for over a year now, and in the midst of a website remodel (it hasn’t happened yet, but I’ll guide you through the new user interface when it does), I realized that I haven’t actually introduced myself to you! Our new site will feature a page that should tell youContinue…

    A Belated About Me | The Postman's KnockI’ve been writing this blog for over a year now, and in the midst of a website remodel (it hasn’t happened yet, but I’ll guide you through the new user interface when it does), I realized that I haven’t actually introduced myself to you! Our new site will feature a page that should tell you all this and more, but I wanted to pre-introduce myself now … since, you know, you’ve been reading my blog and you’re not quite sure who I am.

    So — hi! I’m Lindsey. I’m at 25-year-old designer who lives in Boulder, Colorado, USA. As you know from my blog, I love DIY and giving gifts; and I really like writing. I have a degree in English and a minor in French from KU {The University of Kansas}. While at KU, I had an internship at Ogden Publications in Topeka. Ever heard of Mother Earth News? Well, that’s where I interned. It was there that I learned all the good stuff there is to know about blogging, like working with a CMS {Content Management System — WordPress is my CMS of choice} and, of course, SEO {Search Engine Optimization — basically, making sure Google shows your site to people}.

    You’re probably wondering how {or why} I have a degree in English, but now I make my living as a designer. The answer to that is simple … I wasn’t sure what to study in college, so when the time came to decide I went with English, which was a really fun major. I had entertained the prospect of majoring in Graphic Design because I LOVE design, but that required compiling/submitting a portfolio and, more importantly, two extra year$ in college. I had a great time in school and I learned a lot, but after I graduated, I ended up at a job here in Boulder that, while a “big kid” job {office manager at a software company}, just wasn’t right for me. I have always really loved drawing and creating, and I resolved to teach myself how to be a designer so I could leave my job, do something I like, and run my own business like my mother, father, and both sets of grandparents. After much self-studying and frustrating trial-and-error, I ended up making a BabyQ invitation for a friend who knew about my goal.

    BabyQ Invitation | The Postman's KnockAfter I created the invitation, I decided to start an Etsy shop. I was still working at the job I didn’t like, but sales started to trickle in on the side. People loved the babyq invitation! I began offering custom logo design services and custom calligraphy and got more sales. In the meantime, my partner, Hernán, began building this website for me. In November of 2012, I was able to leave my job, and I’ve been happily working on and at The Postman’s Knock ever since!

    I love custom work — illustrations and logo design — and I love working with brides. These next few months, my goal is to develop more printable projects so my clients can have useful, gorgeous items instantly. Right now, I am developing a super-comprehensive planner/agenda. I am now proudly Illustrator and InDesign fluent; Illustrator is where I create all my logos and I love InDesign for printable creations.

    A Belated About Me | The Postman's KnockIn a lot of blog posts and product descriptions, you’ll notice I say “we”. That’s because I’m not technically a one-woman operation. The Postman’s Knock will be getting an intern in January, which I’m incredibly excited about, and all website coding and maintenance is created by my boyfriend Hernán. Hernán is very supportive and involved when it comes to The Postman’s Knock. He’s an engineer {super left-brained and analytical} and he reads all my artsy/DIY blog posts. Enough said.

    One of my favorite things to do is travel, and I am so thankful that The Postman’s Knock gives me the opportunity to work from anywhere. Every year, we make sure to explore a different city here in the US (in 2011, it was Chicago; 2012, Miami; and this year NYC, DC, and Philadelphia); and every holiday season we travel to Perú for three weeks to visit Hernán’s family. Once Hernán graduates, we’d like to expand our horizons to beyond the US and explore some European cities together. Florence is one of my favorite places in the world, but Hernán hasn’t had the opportunity to go yet!

    A Belated About Me | The Postman's Knock{On the beach in Lima}

    Before I go, I will leave you with a nutshell list of what I’m all about:

    • Creating … but you know that.
    • Eating. My number one reason for loving Boulder. If you ever want to know where to eat in Boulder, I’m your woman!
    • Cooking. I try to create a dish from a different cuisine every night. Chicken gyros with tzatziki sauce and tikka masala are our two favorite recipes right now!
    • Insanity — the workout program, that is. A friend introduced it to me this summer. I love Shaun T.!
    • Learning Spanish. I completed Duolingo’s Spanish program this year and was pleasantly surprised at the results! Hernán’s parents {both of whom do not speak English} have commented several times that my Spanish is much better, and now I feel that I can express myself in that language. If you are wanting to learn Spanish, Italian, German, or Portuguese, I highly recommend Duolingo. It’s free, what do you have to lose?
    • Giving gifts. I love the feeling of doing something nice for someone.
    • Coffee shops! I don’t drink coffee {I love it, but the caffeine keeps me up all night}; but I love the vibe of coffee shops, so I always order caffeine-free herbal chai or juice. My favorites here in Boulder include Red Rocks, Ozo’s, and Innisfree. I also really like Radina’s in Manhattan, KS; and Henry’s and Z’s in Lawrence, KS.

    As I said, once our site revamp is completed, you’ll be able to learn more about me when I actually have an “About” page.  Sorry for keeping you in the dark for so long! Suffice it to say I am so happy — like, over the moon, honestly — to have you as a reader, and I’m pleased to “meet” you! I will continue to post DIY tutorials and free printables, but in the future you may notice a favorite recipes blog thrown in, too. If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to ask.