K8Ki Design Studio

04/12/2026

Out of office and officially in vacation mode. I’m spending the next week with my family in Florida. I will be back on April 20 and ready to dive back into some fun projects I have been working on. See you then! ✌️😎

04/10/2026

I was invited by my friend, Carlyn Lechtenberg to join as a professional artist at the Upper Iowa Conference Art Show yesterday, and honestly, it was one of those days that reminded me why I love the work I do.

Students and teachers from twelve schools, college professors, artists, designers, marketers and creative careers from every direction. Elkader and Central school has a gem of an art teacher, Carlyn Lechtenberg. She put together an exceptional art show and event. I’m so grateful I got to be a small part of it. The theme was The Art of Espionage, which meant everyone wore all black. Zeb and I joined in on the fun by wearing matching black outfits repping Central.

Walking into a room full of kids figuring out what "creative" could look like as a career? That part gets me every time. I was that kid once, trying to find my way into a creative field that actually fits me.

Events like this matter more than people realize. The future gets shaped in moments like these. A conversation, a connection, a kid who walks away thinking maybe I could do something like that too.

Lucky to call this community home and send my kids to Central Community School who invests in events like this.

01/08/2026

Would you say yes to a FREE marketing refresh?*

I’m looking to partner with a brick-and-mortar small business to apply for the Amex Shop Small Grants Program to deliver a marketing refresh that is fully funded by the $20,000 grant.

I’ll help you:
• Shape a ready-to-execute marketing project with branding, fully functional website and marketing campaigns
• Build a clear, grant-aligned budget
• Execute the work within the 6-month grant period
• Create assets that support real business + community impact

💡 This is ideal if you’ve been saying:
“Someday we’ll update our branding or website or run marketing campaigns when we have the budget…”
This grant makes someday NOW & FULLY PAID FOR.

👉 Who should reach out:
Brick-and-mortar small businesses that want to grow, modernize, and better serve their local community.

📩 Comment or DM me and I’ll share details + next steps.

*Free to the business if awarded the $20,000 grant.

🚨 HURRY deadline is coming soon!

12/08/2025

Vote for the window display I did for The Brim Coffeehouse - Elkader! Thanks in advance! 🎄🎁

🎄✨ Vote for Your Favorite Vintage Christmas Window! ✨🎄
Our local businesses have gone all out to bring the magic of a Vintage Christmas to life in their holiday window displays! Now it’s your turn to help choose the winner.
🖼 Theme: Vintage Christmas
📅 Voting Ends: 12.22.25
🏆 Winner Announced: 12.23.25
📸 How to Vote: Follow this link to the voting form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18vhAus1Iv8fwtQyuWwo350ZKzPQvAGshP61wvJpG_wE/edit
OR scan the QR code in the below graphic

Stroll through town and enjoy the beautiful displays.

Let’s celebrate creativity and holiday spirit together—your vote makes a difference!
👉 Tag your friends and spread the word!

12/06/2025

Tia Dundee Photography is doing Mini Sessions and it’s a steal!! ❤️ Just got ours booked!!

If you're looking for ideas for Christmas - how about gifting a photography session? Mini sessions (30 minutes) starting at $150! Please feel free to contact me for more information 🥰

(And if you're like me and struggle with web design/branding, reach out to K8Ki Design Studio who has been helping me with mine!)

12/03/2025

Tia, you can make any photo look amazing! Just wow and thank you! ❤️

Check out K8Ki Design Studio's window art - she is so talented! 😍

12/03/2025

Holiday window mural #1 is officially DONE, just in time to enter the Window Decorating Contest! 🤩 What do you think?

Thank you, Jody, for trusting me once again and giving me the freedom to free-hand your storefront. Always a joy to create for you!

11/21/2025

Holiday spirit is starting to swirl again 🎄✨ and it’s bringing back memories of the window art I painted last year. The sweet compliments those pieces received made the season feel extra special.

My years in branding and marketing have shown me how impactful window art can be. It grabs attention, sparks curiosity, and gives people a sense of what your business offers before they even walk through the door. There’s also something about hand-drawn art that reminds people there are real humans behind small businesses. That little moment of connection matters.

I’d love to add a little more cheer around town this year, and I’m open to traveling a bit too!

If there’s a business you’d love to see dressed up with some holiday window art, tag them below and I’ll reach out with info. 🙂

10/19/2025

Spent the morning with Tia Dundee Photography capturing the heart of this beautiful church community. The warmth, kindness, and welcoming energy of Peace UCC truly shines through each photo. Thanks Tia!!

Can’t wait to add these photos into their new website soon. It’s all coming together so beautifully! ✨

10/16/2025

City of Marquette & McGregor are POPPING with fall colors 🍁🍂
If you haven’t checked out Ports of Discovery lately, now’s the perfect time to grab those itineraries for day trips and weekend getaways and explore all the gems the Ports of Discovery have to offer! 🗺️✨

This one will always have a special place in my heart as it was one of the big projects I worked on while pregnant with my baby #2 (Saffron). What started as a small site idea for Wonders Why Way turned into a full tourism hub for Marquette and McGregor along the Mississippi River. Then the McGregor Chamber joined in, and it became such a fun collaboration between these river towns.

We brought it all together through brand storytelling, design, a custom-coded Squarespace site, plus marketing materials for social media and print. Helping the Ports of Discovery share their story and celebrate life along the Mississippi has been such a joy. 🌊

Huge thanks to City of Marquette, City of McGregor, IA, Brandi Crozier and McGregor Chamber of Commerce for trusting your Northeast Iowa branding and website girl with this one. 💛

10/15/2025

I spy with my little 👀 a brand that I designed!
Looking good Riverside Canine Training Academy-RCTA and good installation thINK Custom. 👏

Just wrapped up some large window graphics for the Ridge View Labradors and Riverside Canine Training Academy van. Two clean, bold logos installed for maximum visibility—mobile branding that barks. 🐶