Hand Pecked Designs

2011 was a Bad Year for Pets

2012-01-11T09:56:00.000-05:00

I think I'm ready to talk about what happened.

2011 was interesting. Two of my favorites are now gone and I never got to do crazy pets Christmas photos.

Steni, the highlander chicken who we thought could live forever, almost made it to 14. She was magical.

This is her last picture napping on my leg.

Then Chevy got skin cancer and rapidly deteriorated. He lived pretty darn long for a hedgie too.

Chev in his signature Burt Reynolds pose.

While we were in between lab results and vet visits, I was busy practicing a song for a fundraiser for my league. He probably got sick of hearing me singing it to him. I never got to sing the song because I had to put him down two days before.

It's still one of the sweetest songs in the world and I can sing it in my car again.

More Tabletop!

2011-11-25T14:22:00.000-05:00

From playing with Anthro's Tabletop Design Tool.

BHLDN Moodboard

2011-11-25T02:22:00.003-05:00

Lookee I made a moodboard at BHLDN. Fingers crossed I DO get to win this. I know I'm kind of table obsessed lately.

JR + AK's Wedding

2011-11-23T14:22:00.000-05:00

I finally got to work on what is the equivalent of my dream stationery project. It was the wedding between one of my longest bud Jeremy and his now husband AJ. Jeremy and I go back till the days of architecture school. I got to see him come out, go through meh relationships, walk down next to him during graduation (which included my tripping on my floor length graduation dress and 4-in heels), meet AJ soon after graduation. They have been together ever since. When they told me they were getting married, I was like whoah, so awesome, and my hands start fluttering because my eyes are getting sweaty. Then they told me the wedding was in Charlottesville, BOOM, and they asked me to help with the papery stuff. DOUBLE BOOM!

The wedding could not have been more perfect. I roped one of my gay men as my arm candy for the weekend. Ari the Texan, accompanied me sporting some sweet cowboy boots of course. It was such an awesome weekend and I had a lot of reflection time being back in Charlottesville and drinking in memories by everything I encountered. I drove by Foxfield and it was studentless and horseless but my memories of it are still filled with girls in spring dresses, my running around in the same 4-inch heels and I don't recall ever seeing horses then either. I sat down by the campfire for warmth towards end of the evening and realized that I sat on the exact same log when I was 18, attending my first Beaux Arts ball filled with students, professors, alcohol, my first feeling of yeah I'm an adult and I'm partying in college whoop whoop!

What started out as a fun weekend ended up being a great soul searching weekend. While I can't go on a walkabout in Australia, I know I can always go back to C-ville and recenter myself... and I did while sitting on the cold, windy, studentless Lawn, the day after the wedding.

Now for the papery pics!

Papery goodness photos are by Ben Hallissy, the photographer of the wedding.

Not dead yet

2011-10-27T13:29:00.000-04:00

While I've been a bum here. Things have still been busy with derby, derby and more derby.

Will catch up on some wedding projects and share some big personal not so new news. For now, and in the spirit of Halloween coming up, enjoy my Pinterest board that I had made for future Sladelings.

Ridiculous.

While I'm again without kids this Halloween, there is now a 7 year old in my life and I am so excited that I think we are at the same mental wavelength at goofing off. Except he might be too cool for my pineapple costume.

Ninja, smingja. jess sayin'

CCRE

2011-08-22T09:15:00.000-04:00

Remember the episode of Dinner: Impossible with the roller derby convention?

Yeah, I’m going to that this coming weekend as a skater, zeeb and owner. Pinch myself.

I know Robert Irvine won’t be there, but I can’t wait to spend practically a whole long weekend on my Antiks. Let’s hope I pack enough deodorants.

Funny how all my trips to Jersey are now all roller derby related. I’m ok with that!

Wuthering Heights poster

2011-07-27T17:00:00.000-04:00

simply gorgeous.

via spineless classics

hey what happened?

2011-05-06T15:32:00.001-04:00

-Just found out hot coworker is a youngun'.
-when I go to the Vans store for skating gear, I'm the cool older lady the store clerks like to help because I'm the derby lady. ( yeah I said clerks)
-answering inquiries from dudes looking at our derby practice to find out they actually can't help because they're under 18.

Get off mah lawn, shakes fist.

Easter

2011-04-26T09:39:00.000-04:00

I don't have cute kids in frilly purdy dresses to show you from Easter. But I do have THIS!

Chev ate so much egg this is his egg coma state.Seriously, he was passed out sleeping on his back with his legs straight up in the air. If you ate something the size of your head, you'd want a mega nap too. Good luck sleeping on your stomach.

Kiwi

2011-03-29T18:04:00.003-04:00

I just found out that the baby kiwi at the national zoo didn't make it. Poor little girl. It reminded me of this cute little melancholic video of another cute kiwi.

Mr. Flapper Duck

2011-03-25T16:58:00.003-04:00

(Duckling, our handicapped duck)

For the past couple of years, I have been duckless. It's hard because ducks are the sweetest, goofiest, cutest and most snuggliest. They are also incredibly messy, time consuming and hard to part with because of their sweet personalities.

Since 2004 I have been following Mr. Flapper Duck and his blog filled the void of not having ducks in my life. This morning, Mr. Flapper passed away and all sorts of missing the ducks emotions came flooding back. While I'm sad that Mr. Flapper is gone, I hope Flapper's family will be ok.

I had once heard from folks that god had to make ducks extra cute so humans would put up with their shenanigans. Seriously, the whiter the duck, the more they wanted to turn themselves brown with mud or feed.

I will miss you Flap, hope you are meeting my sweet duck ladies.

What is Not a Girly Fall Wedding?

2011-03-23T02:22:00.002-04:00

Got to brainstorm with a couple of friends for their wedding in September in the mountains of Virginia. Here're the 3 schemes I gathered.

I'll have to come back and fill in all the credits.

Khaki, curry and copper

3-form architectural panels, Olive Manna Paper Goods

Moss, fig and night (green, purple and navy)

Poppy, chartreuse chocolate (orange, green and brown)

Trendy Blanks

2011-03-21T21:43:00.002-04:00

Had to look up cool blank swags for screening projects and a good good friend (nob) turned me onto trendyblanks.com. They've got everything from plan shirts, cardigans, you know standard corporate swag to blank messenger bags, hoodies and to beanies. Tots awesome for like derby swag right (including underpants woooo)? I can order all sorts of amounts and there's no minimum. Sure beats some of the other sites.

Game on.

Awesome Poster

2011-03-16T17:57:00.001-04:00

From the awesome people who sent me to see Robert Randolf and the Family Band. Sweet Life Festival.

Man I love this poster design.

love is

2011-02-14T22:24:00.002-05:00

paper, so much paper.

EL ATENEO GRAND SPLENDID

Historic palatial theater is now one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores

Napkin Folding

2011-02-06T14:22:00.000-05:00

Came across this in Texas Meetings + Events. What a shame they didn't share how to fold these?

Found some youtube videos of how to's though!

Heart

Leaf

Shirt

Thomas Jefferson's Beer!

2011-02-02T14:22:00.002-05:00

I love ol TJ, went to his school, studied the crap out of the school he designed, his home, and even his childhood home. That man is my hero. When I heard on the radio they're making his ale recipe, believe me, I squeeeeeed in my car. And being a Charlottesville nerd, seeing that Starr Hill are the ones making this brew puts me on cloud nine. Oh I can't wait to get my hands on Mr. Jefferson's beer.

It probably tastes like awesome with a hint of neoclassical red brick ;-)

Because Tara's Mom is Awesome

2011-02-02T14:22:00.000-05:00

Oh and Miss Tara whose mom is an awesome derby friend who's amazeballs with yarn? She made me an awesome octohat to keep my noggin' warm until the next SyFy film owns my geek heart.

And then somehow, the talented Miss Tara made me an octopus amigurumi of my fav color! For a one year old, she's quite a genius, I don't know how she handled those pet hedgehog buttons while just developing those hand eye coordination motor skills.

Talent, it runs in that family apparently.

Unhinge this!

2011-02-01T09:50:00.003-05:00

Gah! This tape is just too cool. I know I am behind as this was originally posted all over internet summer of 2010 but I just found these okay? I think I'd be geek enough to seal envelopes with these. I have to keep checking back on the site to see if these are ready for mass production yet. I have a feeling us stationery dorks would love these hinged tape.

By South Korean design collective mmiinn (AKA Jeong-Min Lee and Hyoung-Min Park). via Geekologie

Party Hard Garth

2011-01-30T14:22:00.002-05:00

A forest themed baby shower. The favors are birdnests filled with jordan almonds, I mean, robin eggs. The center piece is a foam standup tree with mulberry paper leaves. The lollipop-shaped sticks have felted animals on one side and baby pictures of the baby's parents.

Party Hard Wayne

2011-01-29T14:22:00.002-05:00

Hola amigos, (I read The Onion, in particularly Jim Anchower and Smoove B, way way too much).

I've been working on some party shtuffs for bebes that I ought to post here in case you don't stalk me on Flickr.

99 Luft Blue Balloons

Peace Love and Cupcakes for Miss Tara

Hold on to Our Butts

2011-01-28T11:05:00.002-05:00

ish vetty dangerous no? I can already waste three hours easily at an Anthro store.

Random awesomeness

2011-01-26T08:50:00.000-05:00

via Sensory Poetry

Shaped Poetry

2011-01-08T18:07:00.003-05:00

New Year, I should get back on this like a mother.

Time I wrap up the Nashville trip in the fall huh?

One of the really cool things I got to see in Nashville was this exhibit in their awesome public library. That building was gorgeous, well used, and provided such a great community gathering place including exhibits such as Shaped Poetry. The Shaped Poetry Exhibit consists of 30 typographic prints from the book which is each on a different handmade paper in a wide range of typefaces and in a variety of colors.

Le swoon.

These prints are concrete forms throughout history and have some of my favorite concrete poems. I love concrete poems since I was introduced to them in AP English back in last year of high school. It was the first time ever that something clicked for me in English class. Being an artsy kid, I sure thought English class was hard since I just didn’t “get it.” But with concrete poems, it was like seeing words through artsy eyes and I feel in love with reading poems thanks to Ms. Savage’s introduction that year. Ms. Savage was awesome, she was also the one who taught me how to stand and walk in 4-inch heels, which led to my path of getting out of tomboyism finally. And I think these poems led me down a path of loving design/words/typography.

Back to the exhibit, below are some of my favorites from the exhibits.

Here's the Arion Press site about the book. I just need about $3000.00 to have this book and have my own version of this exhibit.

Crow and Canary's Gratitude Campaign

2010-11-30T22:50:00.002-05:00

This past Thanks giving, I was very thankful for good friends, online and offline; having outlets of stationery design and roller derby; a supportive-in-their-own-way kind of family; and lastly my crazy crazy pets.

Bringing back the Gratitude Campaign, Carina has a couple of Thank You cards giveaway on her blog.

These were my favs!

Stop on by, check out some of the other sets of cards. I know Thanksgiving is over but that doesn't stop anyone from feeling thankful right?

Nashville

2010-11-29T14:22:00.001-05:00

Right before Thanksgiving, I spent about a week roadtripping to Nashville. I expected to take a break from stationery, even getting the OK from a client to push hand-off date further back so I did not have to bring supplies to work on with me to Nashville. (I don't know if a bone folder would have passed the TSA test anyways right?)

It turned out that it's not something I could just turn "off" as I found a whole bunch of paper-y goodness in addition to all the yummy food (I'm so BBQ'd out I don't want to taste sauce for at least six months) and awesome music (no, not country, you can check out Hank III's song for my thoughts on this genre).

After one of our last meals in Nashville, we wandered around and this window display totally caught my eye. Giant paper flowers! Woohoo, a stationery store! Of course stationery must be huge in the south and his little shop has such a variety of standard Crane/Smock supplies but carried local printer/designs. Check out Social Graces. if you are ever in the Hillsboro area.

Of all the papery goodness something really caught my eye. These gorgeous Florrie Mitton garters on display.

After researching a bit I found that Florrie Mitton can be found on Etsy. You have to check out this shop of gorgeous ethereal garters.

Stuff I did when I wasn't here...

2010-11-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

CANDY CORN OVERLOAD!!!

Bunting for Jackson's first birthday.

(photo via the Campbells of The Last Mango in VA)

In the South

2010-11-19T14:50:00.005-05:00

In Nashville for the week...which reminded me, have I told you about the Elsinore All-Stars? It's a fun read for hockey fans, especially if you got the piss and vinegar that I find in most rust-belt hockey fans. It was a lot of fun doing the papercut header based on one of my fav movies (Strang Brew) and mirroring all things Pittsburgh/hockey.

Check out this week's post:

An Open Letter to People Who Say Hockey Can't Thrive in the South

Placing the Predator's arena next to all the awesome barbecues on Broadway is a sure way of winning over hungry people like me. nom nom nom sauce and beer.

Introducing

2010-11-10T02:22:00.003-05:00

Meet EvilGoods.

Sum of Evil took me under her wing when I started skating with Antiheroes Derby Alliance of Virginia. She has been a great skating mentor and now a great friend. The older sister I never had that I could text in the middle of the night to bounce ideas off of, or just to catch up when we miss each other at practice.

She is responsible for all the derby clothes I have and her shirts carry designs by our Captain Scar Leigh Ermy. I know she's been selling these shirts like hotcakes since everyone wanted to be a roller girl this past Halloween, I don't blame them since even one of our dudes dressed up as one for Halloween. Please though do not ever dress up as this. I might just have to come over and elbow your face even if that will put me in the penalty box.

(Just say NO to this!)

So yeah, check out these REAL derby clothes shirt printed on the softest cotton I've ever felt.

(Isn't Scar awesome/scary/gorgeous?)

I know my next order will be for these zombie skate one. I mean, zombie + roller skate? My head is filled from a montage of Lisa Frank hearts and rain-bowed dalmatians just thinking about it.

Lastly, leagues, she recently provided her services to our sister league so OCD of Richmond Virginia now has matching team uniforms. So please visit EvilGoods and support your local derby teams: mens, womens and coed. This is truly an amazing semi-pro sport that is purely driven by grassroot support.

lots of derby love.

debb/slade ripfire #86

(images via EvilGoods on etsy, well except for that nasty roller girl costume one, VOM!)

Rediculously gorgeous!

2010-11-09T14:22:00.000-05:00

This is part of the panorama Johanna Basford recently completed for Millbank. I just love her work and miss my trip to England so much! (AND I want a bulldog!)

See the details and the entire panorama at her site. Can you imagine how many Microns she must go through in a month?

Rabbit Rabbit

2010-11-01T02:22:00.000-04:00

(via escapetonewyork)

Believe it or not, it's not always easy to find rabbit themed stuff for the first of every month. Luckily for November, this one fell into my lap.

Internet/artist friend Jen Bandini of Escape to New York has been painting rabbits and this painting will be in New American Paintings North East Edition #92, which was curated by Laura Hoptman of the New Museum.

I am super excited for Jen, after all she went through for the past couple of years. You can see more of these rabbit series and her artist statement here.

I hope you blow up Jen so I can tell my grandkids about the time I met you at Portrait Gallery... =)

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T23:01:00.003-04:00

Love Sharktopus.

Strathmore #400 series paper in grey and white, grey hoodie, red brads to hinge the jaw, stamp ink for blood and $3 tentacles.

Yeah it got tweeted by SyFy, one of my most proudest moments in life.

Inspiration

2010-10-27T02:22:00.000-04:00

(via impress on me)

I wish it really did come in a can that I can eat/drink from like this.

I've been working on a whole bunch of little projects between day job, hand pecked designs, volunteering with women shelters and now adding derby merch to list of creative stuff I have to do, below are a lil bit of what's floating in my head.

+ almost wrapping up another wedding stationery project
+ holiday cards to be at Olive Grace Studios
+ a 50th birthday electronic invitation
+ t-shirt ideas for derby
+ derby related holiday cards
+ Holloween stuff for the kids at the shelter

It's a very exciting time in my life being constantly inspired and actually creating. Nevermind the flu that knocked me out for a week.

Of course surprise packages always help make me giddy. Thanks to Paper Bullet's Lisa Romero and All Things Paper's Ann Martin, I now have a whole bunch of stickers for my derby helmet and gorgeous quilling flowers that I plan on turning into hair doodads to balance all the butch-ness I've been rolling into lately... =)

Madeleine Albright: Read my Pins

2010-10-13T09:53:00.001-04:00

I love rocking some pins and brooches, because I'm a grandma at heart, and who doesn't like more pieces of flair?

I love that Madeleine Albright, through her intense stint as Secretary of State representing US to the world, started this feminine and fun way of letting her personality shine through. Check out the video below for the great stories and the jabs she made at other countries' policies. So glad to hear this exhibit at the Smithsonian Castle is extended till this weekend so I can catch it in person. Unfortunately no photography allowed so feel free to flip through the best of the best at the Smithsonian site.

So powerful that she wears the clay heart her daughter made. In contrast she's got the eagle from Tiny Jewel Box, such a cool balance of her as a mother and the fancy schmancy life.

Totally adding her to the cool-people-I-want-to-be-be when I grow up list.

Rabbit Rabbit

2010-10-01T09:55:00.002-04:00

I'll tell you about the liquid pencil later.

Love this video!

2010-09-22T02:22:00.000-04:00

How cute is this video?!?! I love their outfits, her red red lips, of course the print to his left and wallpaper!

Warby Parker Frames

2010-09-21T14:22:00.002-04:00

(via Warby Parker)

It's true, I enjoy picking out glasses by how good they would look with tape in the middle. When I first heard Warby Parker's low prices and über nerd frames I was in love and I so can't wait to try out some frames. Too bad the wait was like over five months for the frames I wanted to try apparently. Last week I got an email that my turn was up, and I ordered a bunch of badboys to tryout. Knowing that my face shape I needed to stick with things that go upward as they go out. I got the following to play with over the weekend:

Finn Revolver Black

Cailin Whiskey Tortoise Matte

Harper Summer Green

Cailin King's Purple

Colton Tangerine

I so wanted the orange Coltons to work. I just can't rock light colors though. But you know what? After wearing it all weekend and asking everyone how they looked, I think the Finn is just the kind of nerd glasses for me...with a lil tape mod of course.

The presentation in the box is just awesome. With the UPS return label inside, it was easy to return and so much fun to try.

Porcelain Guns

2010-09-21T11:43:00.001-04:00

Put aside any thoughts about firearms being good or bad.

These are pretty rad no? The juxtaposition of something so macho and girly pretty much sums up my life. What, you didn't think I sit around and polish the house Royal Doultons just like Hyacynth? I do, totally do.

Porcelain Pistols by Yvonne Lee Schultz.

(images via Yvonne Lee Schultz)

skippin' lunch

2010-09-14T14:22:00.002-04:00

A great way to use odd scraps pieces of paper. Turn them into envelop liners so your letters/bills aren't see through or nekkid-y.

Post Script: Turns out these are going to a friend of derby teammate's who is stationed in Afghanistan. She wanted something pretty to put her letters to home in. I love hearing the stories of where/how stuff I make is used.

real life postcard

2010-09-13T14:22:00.001-04:00

If you start squeeeeeeeeeeeeeing upon seeing this postcard? Chances are, you are a kindred spirit. That is the difference between boys and girls folks, girls get giddy at mentioned of Prince Edward Island, Home of THE Lucy Maud Montgomery. When best friend told me she was traveling the world, with one of the early spots in P.E.I., my squeeing might have hit the range only dogs can hear.

I was filled with sadness and excitement hearing that PG will be traveling the world with her brilliant husband Mr. T for a year. Sad because she was going to be offline for a year! GASP! Who can I text in the middle of the night about evil bunnies, making fun of new Ed Hardy products or if I'm worried about another friend? I was also very excited though that I knew she and Mr. T were not going to be able to keep away from internet completely and I could follow their adventures on their travel blog Devil May Care.

So far, they have hit up North America and are somewhere in South America. I'm eating up all the pictures of blue footed boobies (heh, heh), baby seals and tortoises of Galapagos Island. So if you want to live vicariously through the eyes of two brainiac world travelers, check them out.

...and lastly...

Happy Birthday Dear Friend!

safe safe travels

Fleetwood Mac

2010-09-10T09:34:00.003-04:00

I used to listen to a lot of Fleetwood Mac about 15 years ago. Ah nostalgia.

(via impress on me)

Oh Martha

2010-09-05T11:34:00.002-04:00

(lace luminaries)

Oh that Martha, she is so share-y. She rounded up some great clip art over at MarthaStewart.com I rounded up the ones I think would be awesome for great DIY wedding favour ideas.

(Doily Tins)

(treat bags)

(wrapping paper)

(Labels for a beachy wedding?)

(placecards)

Almost to Ohio

2010-09-03T02:22:00.000-04:00

(This bottle should be on the American flag, I can't think of anything that screams AMERICA more than Jim Beam, Wheat, Ohio and Football right there)

I know I rarely use words here. I believe in celebrating Wordless Wednesdays all week long and hide that I think in pictogram and not words! Unfortunately I have not figured out how to type in pictograms, otherwise I'd tell a better story with that (and kick ass in Pictionary). I got so close to the Ohio border on a weekend trip but never actually made it. Instead I spent it with my two awesome OH buds and ran into this amazing bottle.

(Don Knotts, the white less known Mo-town entertainer)

Ab and I hung out at Morgantown and enjoyed the college town without dealing with undergrads. It was interesting to be able to walk into a place and have a shot of $3 moonshine while eating burritos (kiwi pineapple jalapeno salsa was incredibly sweet and spicy, I am so inspired to try to make my own batch soon). After burned our mouths with that rubbing alcohol, we ended up exploring Woodburn Hall at WVU hearing that it was a Richardson building, like a bunch of architecture geeks. Walking up to the building, it reminded me of that swanky 'public school' that Kat and Bianca Stratford went to in 10 Things I Hate About You. That movie is my jimmyjam. It's too bad the interior is so renovated with dropped ceilings so we can't see the glory that it was meant to be inside, with high ceilings and all. Le sigh for geeks.

(check out the wainscot panel detail, it's truly gorgeous)

Next day was like hitting jackpot. Kor and her Fat Quarter Folder, AKA mom, came down and joined us in PA for an antique flea market. Seriously, these girls, they know my heart too well. (Ab and I even went driving through a cemetery, yknow, not creepily or anything, just to look at the different stone work but usually people call that weird) They sure know when to holler at me for the right stuff. See what I mean?

(This is when I scream Yahtzee, in the parkinglot of a minor league baseball stadium. Woooo sporty spice.)

(antique mailbox NOT FOR SALE! Tease!)

(Found some letters for Hand Pecked Designs)

Here are some other gems I encountered.

(beautiful mirror, ugly painting, ugly car, weird girl.)

(I'm in love with old sewing machines, I'm convinced if it's not electrical, it won't eat my hand.)

(Baby clothes with fine handwork on it. Makes my ovaries and hands hurt thinking about it.)

(Oh hai mid ORANGE century set. You can be my martini chair and gin & tonic table.)

(The pretty box Ab and I both wanted. The color is just incredible but we'll look at this photo forever instead.)

(Oh you smart fabric/woven material people, where in the world can Sleeping Beauty touch this and get poisoned? Everytime I see a spindle, I feel it up, non creepily, trying to find the sharp edge. The spindle bouncer there wasn't much help.)

For more gems, you can take a lookee in the Flickr Gallery. I'll try to get some shots of my Spoils of War Ownage later. I heart oldness crap (don't you dare use the word vintage).

Washi Tape Goodness

2010-09-02T02:22:00.001-04:00

Got a kickass present in the mail from hilarious awesome friend FlyingLeap. Now I can be pretend cool with my washi tape like the interweb people too.

Rabbit Rabbit

2010-09-01T02:22:00.001-04:00

Yes there is a rabbit shadowpuppet in there somewhere. How cute is this wallpaper design for a kids room?

(via PaperBoy Wallpaper)

bittersweet

2010-08-26T23:28:00.003-04:00

Bittersweet initiation to derby world today.

Tonight, I revealed my derby name.

Tonight, I signed my first condolences card for a fellow team in Virginia who lost a great jammer yesterday morning because of a drunk driver.

Derby, we will knock eachother over but we also will borrow eachother to fill in if we were low on players.

She was only 26.

The connection

2010-08-26T08:35:00.004-04:00

Typography is known for two-dimensional architecture.

(via impress on me)

Flowcharts for Awesome People

2010-08-20T20:56:00.003-04:00

(Do you need a new logo?)

Dang yo, I haven't had much time to share my brain here. I have all these thoughts and ideas, they're all in my head man, but unfortunately/fortunately now I can now proudly say I skate with a team so camera time just doesn't coordinate with the sun dial schedule.

Oh I did have a fun little project at work & had to do a lil brain storming on flow charts. I just had to show my coworkers how flowcharts could be fun and cool. Okay, maybe they're a lot more cooler and don't scour dork infographics feeds like I do but I think these were pretty rad.

(Where should I eat)

(So you need a typeface)

(What Should I Drink: Beer Edition)

Strawberry Basil Ice Cream

2010-08-08T21:52:00.003-04:00

I love me some ice cream and I'm working on how to pronounce it without a southern accent so it doesn't sounds like 'ahhhhsssss cream'. Nevermind I'm not trying very hard at that.

When I heard about strawberry and basil together I was not very sure why foodies were all like OMG! As I was chopping up the strawberry and basil I kept trying them together and I am sold on how basil really enhances the strawberry fruity flavour.

Ingredients:

1 quart fresh strawberries, cleaned and green parts removed, chopped so a blender and take it
1 ½ cups of sugar
4 cups of half and half
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
6 egg yolks
1 package of fresh basil, hand torn into bits

Directions:

Custard – combine 1 cup of sugar, half and half and vanilla extract and bring to a simmer. In a mixin' bowl, whisk the yolks till smooth. Add the yolk liquid to the cream liquid and continue to whisk till even. Bring the liquid to simmer again and let cook for 4-6 minutes. It'll look really creamy.

Strawberry Mix– blend strawberry and ½ of sugar in the blender.

Remove the custard from heat, stir in the strawberry mix, throw in the shredded basil and stir till it's all kinda even. Let cool till you can throw it in the ice cream maker to do all the hardwork.

Seriously, if you like fruity stuff rather than chocolate-y like me, this ice cream flavour is da bomb. I've got a sweet and probably overly used red Kitchen Aid ice cream maker but check out these cute Hamilton Beach ones in the cutest retro colors of mint, blue and pink for $30. Now that's purdy and schaa-weet.

linky

Sneak Peak

2010-08-06T14:22:00.000-04:00

The sun is out and I remembered to grab my Nikon to get some photos in during lunch. A sneak peak at the wedding stationery set I am dropping off today.

Miss Holiday Golightly

2010-08-04T14:22:00.002-04:00

I think I have several posts coming up and it all has to do with one of my closest friend, PG and her magical trip around the world. So be warned about the gushing/living through her vicariously probably throughout the next year or so.

PG and I share a love of reading and stationery. Our Festivus/birthday/just 'cause presents and cards to each other may not always be on time, but we know it's coming. One of the tangents that we went on when she first told me about her year-long trip was stationery...inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany's.

"…with a curious card. Printed, rather Cartier Formal, it read: Miss Holiday Golightly; and, underneath, in the corner, Traveling. It nagged me like a tune: Miss Holiday Golightly, Traveling."

"After all, how do I know where I'll be living tomorrow? So I told them to put Traveling."

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for PG to have a traveling card ala Holly Golightly but we found out Tiffany's no longer provide letterpress services. They probably thought we're dorks for asking such a weird question and never mind that I've always wanted to actually eat a Danish outside a Tiffany's on a Saturday/Sunday morning. I know, so dorky. We totally ~~got caught in the midst of~~ cruised Ocean City strip once, while makin’ a booze run and blasted Thomas Dolby's She Blinded Me with Science…sandwiched between cars blaring rap (maaaaaaaad street cred).

So armed with what Truman Capote told us, we updated the Miss Holiday Golightly card with contact information, the only one PG will have on the road…email. I also thought it needed more of a pop so I inked the edges with two of her signature colors—gold and red.

This was my first time trying out letterpress with custom plates ordered from Boxcar Press. Those folks are fantastic to work with and are so helpful. All the time I was making these cards I kept giggling while thinking of the business cards scene from American Psycho when all the suits are comparing their cards (do I do that too with business cards?). I don't think Christian Bale would approve of these but they sure were fun to make. The letterpress oil based ink cleanup? Not so much (I'm still scrubbin' my work sink clean).

Excerpts and cover via Google Books

Rabbit Rabbit

2010-08-01T21:34:00.001-04:00

Hey yall, happy August!

LL Bean Signature Fall/Winter Preview

2010-07-29T14:22:00.002-04:00

Let me just start with a preposition that I've got a serious crush on Alex Carleton. He can do no wrong in my book, never mind that I can look at him all day. So when I got the opportunity to join a video conference to see/hear him present the Fall/Winter LL Bean Signature line, I blocked that time out in Outlook and made that my happy place for a short bit of escape for this insane month of July. This is now definitely going in the book as one of them awesome-st things I've done wondering how'd I end up in this crowd.

I love that he is bringing back the timeless pieces of LL Bean classic looks but with a fitter cut so the clothes don't look as boxy. The grunge ass in me loves the return of plaid, dickies style, boots and fairisle sweaters. Yeah, i need more plaid pants like I need a hole in my head but man do I want those. Check out the sweet bag I kept grabbing screen captures of (it's like in every girl-picture I grabbed!).

Then the kicker, Alex (yeah, we're like totally on first name basis even though he can't hear me), has been working with local crafters of Maine on the accessories. Promoting the little guys, now that is just awesome.

Below are some of the screen grabs I got, I hear the line will be out next week. Saaaaa-weet.

I need them high heeled brogues.

Can it be Fall already?

Black and White - Marianne Keating

2010-07-21T17:36:00.003-04:00

I think the heat is making me crave for simple black and whites. 3 of 3 to help chill.

Marianne Keating

I cam across Marianne work as I have been a little overwhelmed by the flood of letterpress work and wanted to see what else has been happening in the print world. Marinne's a printmaker but I find her exhibit to be pretty rad as wall treatments.

The pictures don't do her work justice, check out the video below.

Black and White - Lisa Romero

2010-07-16T09:38:00.000-04:00

I think the heat is making me crave for simple black and whites. 2 of 3 to come to help chill.

Lisa Romero aka Paper Bullet

One of the things I've loved about twitter is the introductions from people. Through a couple of sources, I got introduced to Lisa Romero. Of course, when the Secret is in the Beard was available, I just had to get it. oooooh beards...

She is really great about sharing the progress of her works via Twitpic/dribble/Flickr and I enjoy hearing about her tearing through some Microns, like a boss.

Here are some action shots of Cheese is for the BRAVE.

(images with permission of Lisa Romero, if you steal it, I will help her hunt you down and cut you like cheese.)

Black and Whites - Johanna Basford

2010-07-15T15:24:00.003-04:00

I think the heat is making me crave for simple black and whites. 1 of 3 to come to help chill.

Johanna Basford

I came across her work for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Heartbreak

Tigerlilly

Check out The Fringe Cover in progress video.

I love artists who share their process via videos and Twitter. I definitely find myself more likely to buy something from folks I feel like I have more connection with. It's totally about the touch points for marketing.

tease

2010-07-08T16:20:00.004-04:00

Almost sad that this wedding project is done. As a final piece of the project I was tasked by the bride to go basket shopping for something that would go well with the programs.

ta-da

My only IPhone envy is the sweet camera capabilities. This is taken with my Blackberry and all I can do is squint and tilt my head and pretend it's exactly how I wanted it to look. Until I find my Nikon cable (and wedding taking place this Saturday) hopefully I will be able to start unveiling projects I have been working on so you can check see more of the 'ta-da's.

p.s. - upon reviewing the post i realized my 300th post was posted at 4:20 pm. The teenage 15 year old in me is giggling my head off behind the locker door!

oops, my bad

2010-07-01T14:37:00.003-04:00

It occurred to me the comment sections for the past couple of posts have been blocked. Completely unintentional and I have opened them back up.

now enjoy some local commercial flashback.

Rabbit Rabbit

2010-07-01T10:33:00.002-04:00

Best July weather EVAR!!!!

Oops, did I just jinx VA?

My Friends are Electric

2010-06-27T21:17:00.004-04:00

Just like Gary Numan!

Not gonna lie, I love getting mail. Lookee what I got from awesome possum Cedar Fern Jen. I'm a big fan of silver and copper so I am so stoked to get these gems from her newly opened Etsy Shop, Joies.

Her silverwork is so dainty and detailed I am amazed how she get the wires to twist and not scratch the skin. Dude, if I could figure out how to zoom in on the clasps on the back of the

necklace, I can show you more of the detailed work she puts into her pieces. There are more matching beads and swirly prettiness that happens on the back of my neck.

I'm so excited that Jen's shop is ALIIIIIIIIIIVE and she is sharing her beautiful creations. Check out her shop for more of her simple and sweet work.

Summertime

2010-06-25T08:42:00.006-04:00

(dig the vibes)

We are seeing record highs here this summer. These cool prints by Richard Perez at Friends of Type reminds me of why I like summer instead of complaining about waiting for the sun goes down so I can skate on blacktops under the stars.

(comic dust)

(indecisiveness)

Exactly my thought.

To the Twenty-Something Debb

2010-06-22T02:22:00.003-04:00

Inspired by Que Sera Sera, I participated in Cassie Boorn's 20-SOMETHING SELF LETTERS.

Hey Twenty-something Debb,

Crazy huh, it’s you, from the 4th decade! I know, we never thought beyond the 20s since our last-of-the-Gen-X-Nihilistic-outlook formed by so many deaths of influential people in the 90s. But here I am, alive and doing pretty well (and Steni the fuzzy hen too!) and am proud of who I/you/we have become.

Let me tell you, you are going to experience some crazy shit that will make great bar stories. I know you are always so serious and ambitious, but if you get out of your cancer-mode, you will encounter many unexpected adventures you can tell the grandkids about someday. Yes awkward things will always happen because you are just, different, but you and others still manage to escape unscathed… like finding out your new coworker is the older sister of bootiecall in college, hilarious because you only thought this happens to ‘other’ people.

Yes, you are an artsy soul at heart, but you will always still have that tinge of geek from those days of AP classes and geography bee. So I’ve divided this letter into subheadings by topics of course.

Friends

· That girl you met on the first day of move-in to college? Yeah, she thought you were scary with your baggy cords, plaid shirt and silent silent anger. She will remain one of your closest kindred-spirits, see you through many relationships, and escape with you with Anne of Green Gable references.

· You will learn to identify and understand differences between “let’s get shit-faced friends’, work friends and kindred spirits. It’s important to have all three and you will see that it’s ok when friendships fizzle, no one is at fault really. Just sometimes life happens and we take on different priority than what drove us together in the first place. Don’t dwell on the void, move on.

· You will start something I now call ‘collecting midgets.’ You will encounter some short, tiny-feeted girls who will snap you out of corporate rut and inspire you to push to create. You will find out later that stifling your creativity will drain you physiologically. Yeah you take things on physiologically, you learned that the hard every time you worry your stomach sick. Which transitions into next topic.

Career

· You’ve always been so driven, setting yourself to be an architect from ripe ‘ol age of 8^th grade. Driven to the point you saw lack of ambition as a horrid human trait, stressing yourself out from kidney problems to ulcers. Taking in more and more responsibility at work until you were doing all nighters because you can’t say no to opportunity to climb that ladder. Your relationships will suffer, your pets will ignore you, it sucks butt. Learn to chill the fuck out, don’t push yourself so hard.

· You will get to work on one of the most kickass projects of your lifetime working with the Smithsonian and bunches of Indians and then you just won’t get that drive in architecture again. It’s a weird feeling to leave the field you worked so hard to get into but you will find yourself enjoying and doing well, and it’s okay. You will get that design high again but through stationery. Know that all those time you spent on hoarding paper, making intricate models, playing work powertools in school will always be your happy place, those times are not wasted.

Dudes

· Never ever let a boy or relationship define you. You are so eclectic and special, and I don’t mean the short bus way. When you let yourself to be bent by others, you are just stifling yourself. You will learn the hardest way possible. You will know the lowest point because of a boy, but you will be a lot tougher than the little punk who thought she knew everything. P.S. don’t internalize but don’t trust shrinks.

· You will learn that pretty to look at isn’t the same as someone who can make you laugh. Humour is so important in your life, you will learn the “vases” sure look good but man, it’s hard to carry a conversation with them after the ogling is over. You will run into him occasionally over this friendster like invention called facebook and still look at his gorgeous cheekbones, but really, you can pick up any magazine to look at pretty cheekbones.

· That annoying boy down the street who kept talking at you in high school even though you never talked and just blinked behind your glasses? You will even start to learn hockey for him, although he will always be the cool one and you the geek one. He doesn’t want to be mentioned so I will end here.

Misc

· I know, crazy, Virginia, the tabaky state will become smoke free. You will be able to turn it off, not because of the typical reasons of smell/cost/my lungs, but because you will learn about responsibility to your family, because of what Jen went through.

· Go get some sun. Seriously. Before you get a rash from lack of sun. Look it up, it’s called pityriasis rosea and it’s not fun you dumbass.

· That trip to England/Scotland/Wales is one of the best things of evar. To catch world cup in a real football watching country, enjoy listening to the sexy weird Scottish accents, the amount of sketching you did, the pure freedom being away from everything. Don’t sleep on that trip, you can always sleep when you get back to the States.

· Your love for David Bowie and Jimmy Page will never die.

Lastly, I am so proud of you for the awesome person you have become. Your experience led me to where I am today. Thank you for all that (especially with the lack of records, incriminating photos/videos). Atta-girl.

P.S. that Jetta is haunted by a poltergeist.

New technique

2010-06-05T14:22:00.003-04:00

I got the awesome-est package from Anthro the other day. Thank you for reminding me of how great customer service should be and constantly inspiring me.

I tested on a friend's birthday card with some hand lettering. So glad I can share this now on the blog.

(it's ok, she's totally way older than me by about 15 days)

Kazuo Ohno

2010-06-03T10:00:00.002-04:00

Dancing has never looked so frightening till Kasuo Ohno. Ohno, founder of Japanese Butoh, influenced so much of Japanese horror movies and in turn, current American remakes. Remember the girl from The Ring and how frightening her locked joint movements were?

Kazuo Ohno, a Founder of Japanese Butoh, Dies at 103, The New York Times.

A Fine Romance

2010-06-02T14:22:00.001-04:00

So yeah I got tagged twice for the Plastic Joy Award but I really wanted to keep this blog Barbie-free (just look at that horrifying graphic, the horror the horror)! I figured this is a perfect time for me to hit the publish button since these tie into the imaginary boyfriends realm right? If you are really curious about my response, you can always check out Whisker Biscuit and Lindsay on the Go's comment section for my dreamboat list.

This post is best read with Lena Horne's A Fine Romance playing in the background.

So say I've got a friend visiting Vegas, what would I beg her to do? Visit the The Heart of a Woman: Harlequin Cover Art 1949-2009 of course.

I think it's a very cool reflection on pop illustration/book design and also a reflection of how the roles of women have changed in the past 60 years. We went from "Vampy tramp" to "protect me from bears/snakes/bad men" to "career women." Pretty hilarious yet pretty to look at all at the same time.

(OMG Snake! In a Box! It's a Snake in a Box but right over his trousers!)

(You can totally see the transition from "protect me from bear' to 'career women' with her nurses outfit IN.THE.MOUNTAINS.)

(Before GH, Chicago Hope, ER, the fascination with doctors and nurses goes way back apparently.)

Lastly, because I've got to bring it back. These many of these beautiful ladies have been turned into stationery thanks to eHarlequin (does anyone read those anymore really? Lemme know, I'm just real curious) so check out the vampy postcards, collector tins and notebooks over there.

Special special thanks to PG from Half the Sins of Mankind for catering to my eccentricity and sending me the exhibit catalog.

And erm Biz and Linds, thanks for that Award².

Rabbit Were-Rabbit

2010-06-01T14:22:00.001-04:00

(via Aardman Animations)

Russian Paper Sculptures

2010-05-27T02:22:00.002-04:00

Thanks to friend Gabby who turned me onto Russian paper artists Alexei Lyapunov and Lena Ehrlich at peopletoo.ru

I just love the whimsical-ness of the tiny sculptures. In addition, check out these 'de-faced' music sheets. This makes me want to find those much hated music sheets from when I was a kid pounding away at classical piano (srsly, I've got crooked fingers from that) and turn those into something fun and colorful like these cute illustrations.

(click on the illustrations to enlarge)

Lastly, a peek at their tools.

(images via peopletoo.ru)

Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies

2010-05-25T14:22:00.003-04:00

(via PSAMP)

Even though I'm capt'n unsporty spice I am kinda really proud of this. Having my Tshirt design on a sport blog. Yes, that is the name of the sports blog, Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies. I was totally tricked into following PSAMP because of the mini ponies and now I'm following a sports blog?

How times change.

Shepard Fairey at Awesome Dudes Printing

2010-05-24T02:22:00.000-04:00

There's a lot of great SF-spotting coverage out there but not so much on showing SF and his crew putting up their work.

Over at wallfarmers(dot)ca, they've got some great coverage via Zach Pelliccio with a pretty awesome coverage of the process, complete with dudes chilling and drinking beer on a truck (who doesn't have a cold one when working right?). Seeing progress makes the giant murals seem more 'awesomer' as if such a thing was possible. Seeing all the different layers needed now I understand the full complexity of all the work that needs to go into his murals.

Anyone going up/in Philly want to let me know how this looks in person?

Check out wallfarmers [dot] ca for the sweet details.

(images via wallfarmers [dot] ca by Zach Pelliccio)

Typographic puzzles

2010-05-22T02:22:00.001-04:00

Another reason to have kids...to force my typophile agenda onto somebody at a young age.

Nuzzles®
by John Christenson

Nuzzles® are custom designed handmade wooden name puzzles, each with its own unique typographic style. Every puzzle is crafted from a single block of wood, and the letterforms interlock with each other in a way that creates a sense of harmony and integrity.

images via behance

Fashion

2010-05-21T15:29:00.006-04:00

(image via the little things we do)

Ooooh a Fill in the blank Friday on Fashion at the little things we do. I love alliteration and that was way too much fffffun to type. I'll play.

1. One fashion trend I really regret is definitely overalls, even the hypercolor stuff, the baggy cords and plaid shirts are somewhat endearing now but I can't believed I owned overalls and I was not farming nor painting nor working on a railroad .

2. The one thing that always completes any outfit is scarf, I could be wearing a Misfits tattered sweatshirt or a cute kensie dress but I always have to have a scarf on, even in dead of summer because I use scarves to complete outfits and not get so freezing in AC .

3. I would describe my personal style as I honestly don't think I can answer that! I'm not classic, not overly trendy, not bohemian....hmmmm....I'm stumped. Any suggestions? .

4. My fashion muse is definitely not Daphne Guiness, I am all over the place ranging from pieces of menswear to really frilly slips but i just can never fathom what in the sam hill Daphne is constantly wearing .

5. If I could own one designer piece of clothing it would be I would definitely love to have an original Givenchy dress (especially the one from Breakfast at Tiffany's) or Chanel suit .

6. I would love to raid the wardrobe of David Bowie, I would probably end up doing blasphemous things to his clothes like humping this Kansai Yamamoto or rolling in his clothes ala Demi Moore in Indecent Proposal, I know, I know, just.so.wrong but i won't be able to help myself .

7. Today I am wearing Design Hisotry grey sweater dress with overlapping tulip detail at the sleeves. Their outfits are so conservative and clean but always with little details that makes me happy.

For the locals, Rachel Roy will be in Tysons tomorrow afternoon, info here!

Follow Friday

2010-05-21T08:30:00.006-04:00

This follow friday, follow the lovely Cedar Fern, she may not post for awhile going off to get marrit and all but when she gets back, there will be some beautiful jewelry up and who doesn't love sparkly thing-ies?

right? right?

that is all.

Misfits in Richmond Gig Poster

2010-05-20T02:22:00.003-04:00

Typography

Letterpress

Misfits

WIN!

Extra love for these being designed/produced locally in Richmond, by Bowe House Press, VCU School of the Arts.

images via FPO

Awesome Studio

2010-05-17T02:22:00.004-04:00

I do love looking at crisp clean studios in the magazines/design blogs but personally, I work best in this kind of environment, where I can look at color, shapes, and feel them within reach and make my messes.

Studio of Dinotopia creator James Gurney via ImagineFX Issue 29.

“I specialize in painting realistic images of things that can’t be photographed. My imagination only takes me so far, so I sculpt 3D reference maquettes. In the foreground is a butterfly ornithopter, an elf alien, a BoarCroc, and a satyr.

The day starts with a few cups of strong coffee, or sometimes tea from the pot I found on a research sketching trip to North Africa in 2008. Not all of my sketching junkets are so exotic. I also sketch in fast-food parking lots and farmyards. Some of the oil sketches on the back wall are from observation. The cloud study was painted on a July day. The two head studies come from a figure drawing class.

Beyond the Alladin’s lamp is a set of dip pens. I began my art life as a calligrapher, and I still love to write letters in the Copperplate style. Maybe it’s a reaction to the blandness and transience of email.

The human skull on the counter is a drawing aid and a memento mori. Behind it are architectural maquettes made of cardboard and Styrofoam. The hand-painted color wheels and optical illusions are for my upcoming book called Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter, a companion volume to Imaginative Realism.

The dinosaur painting is surrounded by skull photos, sketches, and a reference maquette. The premixed strings of oil colors on the freezer paper palette help me control the mixing gamut of the color scheme I want.”

Pantone Plus

2010-05-12T14:22:00.001-04:00

This comic from Doghouse Diaries illustrates why we need the Pantone system so much. Without a defined standard, color and how we individually see them is so subjective. Try asking a blind person about the concept of color, and see if you don't feel like a jerk afterward. One of my more frustrating times was working with someone who had different ideas of what 'canary' and 'berry' are from my take, then I broke out the Pantones so we can find the exact color we were conveying to each other.

Yes, geekily, I have been pretty stoked about the new Pantone Plus Series and the brand establishment, packaging and marketing. Like them or hate them, they're the Beatles to the design world. Have you seen their mini documentary? Filled with design celebrities...

But most of all...

just
look
at
that
press.

Yeah, my head is screamin' "OMG WANT!"

(images via Doghouse Diaries and Pantone)

IF YOU DON'T BELONG, DON'T BE LONG

2010-05-11T02:22:00.000-04:00

I think I need to win lottery and buy laser cutter.

More at Flickr and OHWOW.

2010-05-06T02:22:00.000-04:00

this is my desk.
will get back to posting awesomeness when i break through.

for now, please go check out a cool new shop on etsy, crooked cat for some beautiful handmade journals by the super awesome Jen Bandini.

Hina's Birthday

2010-05-04T02:22:00.000-04:00

(OMG Shoes!)

It's hard to believe to some folks but I am an introvert, I gots the papers to prove it too Arizona. That combined with being a Cancer means I get really introspective when I'm trying not the flip the eff out. Last week I had the tetraptych and the words/feelings have not stopped. So until I can get angry about something (I'm much easier dealing with that emotion) I will just let the words work itself out. Advanced apologies for the two dudes I can think of who reads this. It's about to get real girly here when I try to write what I'm feelin'.

1) After college, it was so easy to fall out of touch with people as we all went our separate ways, climbing corporate ladder, continue grad school, or do the ‘finding myself’ backpack trips to another continent. I lost touch with a lot of friends from my early 20s that way. It was very hard to keep in touch with people when the job I had lined up fell through the June prior to my August move overseas. All of a sudden I was starting back at square one finding a corporate job because I ~~wanted~~ needed to climb the corporate ladder after having volunteered and worked since a teenager. I quickly had to rein in on my spending and could not keep up with the going out; I even sold the dream guitar I had. Despite having the most wonderful growth experience thanks to my variety of friends, I just couldn’t keep up.

2) I lived in the same residential college as Hina for two years and we saw each other nearly every day. We were very different but we remained friends throughout college because she’s got the sweet personality with not a bad bone in her body. We fell out of touch; she went to the other coast for her masters and then came back to the DC area. What ensued was like groundhog day/missed connections ad as we would catch glimpse of each other through the metro window panes, never in the same car, never at the same stop. Each time, we wondered to ourselves if that was really each other we saw in passing because we weren’t aware each other lived in the same area and I switched up my look ala David Bowie every couple of years.

3) When I finally got onto Facebook a couple of years ago to get news on a professional associations I got bombarded with requests by college people, high school people. Eventually I connected with Hina again and I was very lucky to have celebrated her 30^th birthday with her. One very touching introspective moment for me was when Hina told me she specifically remembers hanging out in the sun, on the grass between our buildings when I wished her a great entrance to the 3^rd decade of her life. I don’t recall that moment specifically but I am so flattered that 10 years later, I am there again, because of fate.

*I posted this OMG shoes shot because it’s such a reflection of my own changes the past 10 years. I was never without 4” or taller platform shoes or stilettos because walking on hills in heels was a brilliant idea. I dressed and lived glam rock rather than sense, now I am in the flat brown sandals and maxi dress on the left because it was friggin hot damnmit.

How dare I forget

2010-05-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Rabbit Rabbit

Follow Friday, Spank You Very Much Edition, 4.30.10

2010-04-30T09:38:00.003-04:00

(Queue the soundtrack as you read for a full multimedia experience, but without the ugly 3D glasses)

Kindness and Karma week has pushed me to spread some love, to myself and others. And dernit, it feel good, especially the salty brine-y olive juice murking up my martini treat ~~to myself~~ for my homes Biscuit, since I’m a giver like that.
Got the kindest note from Ellie of Mint/Hello Tenfold/West+Plum. She's been so wonderful in sharing stationary business practices and has been a great resource for dos and don'ts. Here I was, thinking that I’m a bit overwhelmed with two weddings and a graduation announcement projects and she’s working on “400 programs for five brides, four invitation sets for four different brides, one blog redesign, one website project, and met with a couple design clients.” P0WND.
NKOTB – While we were never in love because my ears were being shredded by the guitars of Nirvana and Soundgarden, I’m thankful for your effects on these ladies Biscuit & Junket. Without you and them, I would not have the great laughter I needed earlier this week.
Post Edit - Almost forgot, Lisa Romero of Paper Bullet sent me this awesome illustration, "The Secret is in the Beard." Oh yes, god bless facial hair, on men of course. rrrrrrrrrrr

Thank you for making my week end up pretty awesome.

What is one more than a triptych? a quatych?

2010-04-28T08:26:00.004-04:00

1) I think I musta been an Indian in my past life. I love the bright colors, the gorgeous but constricting clothes, the food, the jewelry, the body adornments, the religion - the polytheism part, not the predetermination of caste systems. Because of my own extremes of eclecticism I am very attracted to the idea of polytheism. I like to think there are different deities who are specialists like doctors who are more efficient and can understand specific needs at the time. The AIDS Amma? I think that is just one of the best inventions of man. *I sure hope I don't offend any Hindus and botch my adoption into an Indian family. **It's totally ok, my folks said they're cool with it if I get adopted.

2) One of the things I realized last week is that other than the dude, many of my closest friends are beyond the state border. Even real life friends are now part of my online network of contacts. I asked myself if I was okay with that setup and surprisingly, I'm quite ok with the situation. While I do grieve for missed drink-till-we're-stoopit face-to-face time, technology has made it so easy to stay in touch realtime so if we put our creative minds at work, we can do that 8th grade single person hug against the wall that totally looks like we're making out with someone else. Truly the friends I've managed to stay in touch with and the friends I have made here fuel my creativity when I can bounce ideas off of you so quickly, and you also make me feel less awkward, knowing I'm not the only weirdo here, you freak. (love youuuuuuuuu)

3) I like a lot of crap, there's a lot that caters to my whimsy (such as the ALOT monster, the kracken, or just pretty pretty flowers). When I was a wee one, palm readers have looked at my hand and go ' WTF' because of how crazy lined my hands were and they've told my folks to tell me chill. I think we were way too practical to truly believe that but if palm reading was real science, they've got my brain figured out. I can be found having a great time at a babyshower hanging out with two adorable four year olds giggling our heads off about stories we made up about poop while the moms shoot me apologetic looks, like they appreciate my entertainment of the kidlets but feel bad that I'm missing out on the adult festivities which involved a lot of non-alcoholic cooing. An hour later, I'm back home go immediately to watching weird ass foreign horror movies. I can enjoy burlesque but still get disgusted seeing lil girls in booty shorts. I think I've spent so many unhappy years trying so hard to be cool that now I'm finally saying eff it, just.have.fun.self.enjoy.it.all.

4) I loved to compartmentalize friends and I still do. I had my international friends, gay/hag friends, design friends, geek friends, art friends etc. Rarely do I like circles to touch. The thought of worlds colliding is so scary to me, I think Rob Zombie's lil brother wrote a song about it (yes, I'd like to think Spyder wrote about my fears). "Will they like me less because they know I also enjoy _____?" "What if they'll get offended by ____?" In a way, being online has been so cool for my separation of the worlds and I kept my work contacts at bay. As I found myself becoming friends with coworker outside of work, it was so hard to figure out which world they should be shoehorned into. I still don't know. Would I want to be labeled as a freak all over again? Eff no. Would I want to be labeled as a boring square? Narf! So what do I need to do to keep things separate? How much of hand pecked design work do I share? Should I add her as a friend even though I hate her stoopit face and her rolling eyes? Do I add him to LinkedIn even though he's Captn Meatmarket and I have to shower immediately after every time I run into him? I SOOOOOO wish there is a Hindu goddess who specializes in this kind of dilemma and can rip out the intestines of this trouble for me.

Dear innernet/Obi wan kenobi, you are my only hope but you are also one of my biggest pain that keeps me up at night.

~truly written late at night and posted at sensible time for once.

Oh and if you know the answer to the title, please let me know, it's been awhile since art history 101.

Kindness & Karma Week

2010-04-27T15:38:00.003-04:00

Over at Grumbles & Grunts, there is a great reminder of finding the good things and sharing them.

I'm trying...but all I can think about is how some jerk ran over one of my fav dogs right now.

Letterpress Week

2010-04-25T02:22:00.000-04:00

If you love letterpress, be sure to head over to Oh Hello Friend this week.

April 23, 2010

2010-04-23T02:22:00.000-04:00

(Ben Tolman's work from G40)

Horror Channel Stationery - this is the dream project I wish I could work on once in my lifetime. This combines so many of my loves it's unreal.

McLaren's Hearst - Yup that's Neil Gaiman looking at the procession, taken by AFP. This photo has captured me from about 15-30. Talk about closure for a giant chunk of my life.

Mohawk Promo - Designed by the awesome Volume Inc. I bet it smells delicious...like paper.

Baby Bald Eagles - look at these fluffy poofballs. Tell me you can't watch this and go awwww look at them birds on our dollah bills yall.

Best Antique Shows - Compiled by Country Living, 'nuff said.

Ben Tolman - Will be visiting his open studio this weekend. Oh we loved his work at Art Whino and National Portrait Gallery. Such fine details, all with fine pens. True story, first night we got Novus Natura, we stayed in and played 'eye spy' staring at all the details.

Have an awesome weekend. Stay golden.

3/50 Project

2010-04-21T02:22:00.000-04:00

Oh how I fell in love with Walmart back in college (yay Christmas lights as sole source of lighting my room! like that's never done before) then Target moved back into my life when they expanded to VA. As a design student, I went gaga over the Michael Graves collaboration with Target. It's just soooooo easy to fall in love with big box retailers with their only-est stop shopping experience.

It wasn't until I met Kori I got a sobering lesson on how big box retailers are hurting the small businesses. Y'see, Kori's folks run an independent grocery store right outside of Youngstown, OH and they are constantly competing with the cross-country chains. Then Kori started Olive Grace Studios, her own shop, and that's when it really hit home for me. These are my friends' source of income! Through once again through Kori's connection, I learned about the 3/50 project when @ home vintage general was still in operations. Sadly @ home 's last day was Feb 20. Now more than ever I feel the need to support the independent spirit that truly is "the brick and mortars our nation is built on."

With my habits, it was easy to pick the 3 local businesses:

Norms Beer & Wine - excellent recommendations on the latest stouts I'm sippin'
Silva's Patisserie - mmmm miniature desserts so I can pretend I'm Gojira and tear through some macaron towers
Stalcup Hardware - Um hardware from staff who actually know their tools? Just can't get the at the HD or Lowe's anymore.

The three easily expanded to encompass the buy handmade movement. Yeah things may cost slightly buying handmade or from independent stores but truly the customer service and the knowledge is well worth the $ compared to getting information out of apathetic staffers of the big box retailers.

Pay it forward right?

For more information on the 3/50 project, please visit www.the350project.net

B. Funkeys

2010-04-20T02:22:00.001-04:00

(via Places I Have Never Been by JHillDesign)

Of course, after being so good with the 3/50 project and avoiding big box retailers, I had a very good reason to get me back into Target after almost a full year of not buying anything.

I was super excited to hear Jennifer Hill designed the pattern for the packaging of these new Target kids toys. Since I like her prints so much (the Pittsburgh one has been very popular with my posse and of course the Animal Alphabets are just awesome for nurseries), I ended up cleaning out a local Target on all the B.Funkeys they carried. There are a lot more babies coming this year.

The really cool design is that the box cover is reversible to giftwrap itself without tape, tag or paper.

I've convinced myself it was ok to buy at Target since I'm supporting one of my favorite artists right?

What's the 3/50 project? More on that tomorrow.

For the Typophiles

2010-04-18T02:22:00.000-04:00

Came across this neat optical illusion at Mighty Optical Illusions. Your brain interprets B/13 depending on the context.

Best April Fools Prank of Evar?

2010-04-16T02:22:00.002-04:00

I want to say that was the best April Fools joke I pulled on you, not posting from April 1 till tax day but in actuality, I just got a little sick of the fine line between borrowing ideas and blatant plagiarism. So I've moved into my seethe and stew mode and watched it happen to the blogosphere/twitterverse to other people too. I've read a whole bunch about rights but as with laws, it's so open to interpretation but at least now I have armed myself with a network of best practices when it comes to protecting myself and have a new found respect for design bloggers whose full time job is getting in touch with folks and getting their permission.

Other than that I've got pretty neat upcoming posts coming, gotten over a health scare and still kicking out the 3-0 bucket list. I'll get back to more a consistent posting schedule, or at least I will try.

Here's a brain dump of what you've miss here...It got hot and we had to shaved down the fuzzy hen so I no longer have a tribble. I've got these pups coming and I am pretty excited to find 'em not in Hannah Montana or High School Musical colors since I gots little feeties. I've been makin' shirts, finalizing wedding invites and designing graduation announcements. I've learned about how there are over 100 gangs identified in Virginia (scary waking moment). Awesomeness Matt Somma had a show at the Soundry right after G40. Playoffs is ON and I can't believe I care about a sport for once. My next sport I want to get all crazy for is this. I can't wait to go to NYC to see PG before she leaves on her magical round the world trip and pick up an ugly lamp with my name on it. I went through a lil detox (not related to the jail trip) going meatless and drinking green juice. Alright my contacts are turning a shade of pollen green so I'm gonna shut down and hit the hay to wrap up this week.

adios muchachos.

Conejo, Conejo

2010-04-01T02:22:00.000-04:00

(via Smart Canucks)

Rabbit Rabbit

If you have a Wii, check out Rabbids go Home. The crazy rabbits are crazy cute and the music is like gypsy punk.

Oddball yes, entertaining, oh yes.

Bring it April!

===> follow this here arrow ===>

2010-03-31T14:22:00.000-04:00

(via Crow and Canary)

Would you like a chance to get your paws on these? Be sure to check out the March Gratitude Campaign over at Crow and Canary.

Open through April 5th.

SF Sound Poster

2010-03-30T02:22:00.001-04:00

I am super super stoked to show off this poster. It's not only a great example of an awesome collaboration between geniuses of counterculture but also such an awesome combination of:

geek
(infographics yall!)
+
music
(a survey of SF's sounds throughout time)
+
Mohawk paper
(it's soooo smooth I'd like to rub my face on it)
+
McSweeneys(leftover crush on Dave Eggers from my early 20s)

I have Volume Inc. to thank for this lovely present in the mail. Seriously, I'm having a Wayne's World moment that I bow down and chant "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy."

Man look at the details on this. I have no clue as to how to frame it now since it's signed and numbered on the back. Any suggestions?

Nerd Details:
22″ × 30″
printed on Mohawk Superfine Smooth, Ultrawhite, 80 cover
First appeared in McSweeney's Panorama newspaper in December 2009.

PS: Posters are for sale at Felt & Wired and the newspaper at the McSweeney's Store.

Poster images via Volume Inc. and newspaper image via Steve Rhoade's Flickr