How To Create A Clipping Mask In Adobe Illustrator

The clipping mask feature is one of my favorite and most used aspects of Adobe Illustrator!

To start off I usually use a blank canvas of 1000 x 1000 pixels for a graphic such as this. 

You want to use the type tool to write what you wish and to pick the font you want.

Once you have your text the way you want it, you then want to go ahead and pull in the design you want the letters to be in.

You then want to make sure ONLY the pattern is selected, right click and hover over arrange and click on send to back. 

Then make sure to have the text centered on the pattern the way you want it.

Make sure both the pattern and text are selected, right click and click on make clipping mask.

And BAM you have your very own custom clipping mask :) 

How I Organize My Business With Google Drive

We all know how important systems and strategies are, especially for all my solopreneurs out there. When you have systems in place, it not only helps you feel more organized but it helps you find what you need easier. 

I don't know about you guys but my computer is overloaded with files, designs, ideas, contracts, questionnaires, etc. It got to the point where everything was all jumbled, my computer was acting a bit slow (okay a lot slow) and I needed something to not only organize my files to make space on my computer, but organize all my thoughts, notes and lists!

I have used Google Drive for years, sharing photos with family, keeping documents saved for school and sharing design files with clients and using the sharing option for our Design Den.

When I found out about and upgraded to Google Apps For Work last year, I couldn't be happier with it and I wanted to make sure I was using all the apps to the best of their potential. After using multiple apps for different areas of my business, I decided to make Google Drive Cali Jae Designs Headquarters! 

Client Organization

This is where I keep invoices, projects, questionnaires and contracts with each client I have. This has been vital in my business and has been incredible to reference to during ongoing projects. 

Social Media Organization & Ideas

I can't even begin to tell you how many files and folders I have with social media post ideas, blog post ideas, photo organizing and what have you. 

Design Storage

This is where I keep all my graphics, fonts, textures and patterns and it is a life saver! 

Finance Tracking

Even though this may be the most boring aspect, it is definitely one of the most important. It is SO important to keep track of your income, your expenses, etc. Trust me, when tax season comes, you will be happy you did this! 

Services

I always like to keep track of my services, pricing and ideas for the future so I can see how it has changed throughout time and to plan for future projects I want to put together. 

Stock Photos 

This is where I store all of my stock photos and wow has it been amazing to just go to this folder whenever I need to put a post together for social media or my blog! 

Website & Blog Information

I always like to keep the theme, colors, fonts and any other important information about my website and blog here so I can go back to reference if need be.

Finally, I have a space where EVERYTHING is where there is TONS of space and I'm not scrambling to remember where a certain idea or note is amongst the million apps that us entrepreneurs can accumulate with each new "best app out there" phenomenon. I have folders within folders to keep it super organized so I know which category to look in when I am searching for something in particular instead of spending forever browsing through the files on my computer. This has honestly changed my business and I'm a lot less stressed and know exactly where everything is!

If you aren't a part of Google Apps For Work, I highly recommend it. You have access to all the Google apps in one place, get your own professional email, can have your employees be a part of it and delegate access as well as connecting other apps you may use within your business (plus so much more)! You can chose from two options either $5/month or $10/month which in my mind is a steal! If you'd like to try it out feel free to use the coupon code 6XK3NCY67YFNQG and let me know how it makes a difference in your biz! 

* Referral codes are present, all opinions are 100% honest and my own, I have used Google Drive for years! *