Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Paper City + Holiday Idea
Portland artist Joel Henriques made this paper city for his kids and posted it on his blog, Made By Joel, several months ago (template available there also). I love the squiggly lines in the buildings and the different styles and personalities of his characters.
It occurred to me that this would be a really easy way to create inexpensive one-of-a-kind holiday decorations, especially for those who live in small spaces or those on a budget (if you're like me, that's check, check). You could design your own little village, or just make Christmas trees, or gnomes; any holiday theme would work. Or, if you aren't particularly confident in your drawing skills, you could print Joel's template and color it in with holiday colors. It's a great activity for kids and a creative way to add festive decorations without spending any money.
I've made a lot of holiday decorations in the past using various materials; some turned out better than others, but all were lots of fun to create. If I can dig up some photos, I'll post them here.
Oh, and if you've never been to Joel's blog, you should definitely check it out. He makes wonderful handcrafted toys and shares tutorials too. You can see his artwork here.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
New from Studio Cochae
I just noticed that several new origami books by Studio Cochae will arrive in stores on December 1st here in the US. For those of you unfamiliar with their work, Studio Cochae is an origami graphics group based out of Tokyo. Their products are creative, well-designed, and lots of fun.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Colorful Treats
The weather here is cold, rainy, and gloomy in general today, so I thought I'd share some bright colorful ribbon I received a couple of days ago.
I can't resist all that color; it always cheers me up.
I can't resist all that color; it always cheers me up.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Orla Kiely's London Home
While trolling the internet yesterday, I was excited to discover a recent sneak peek into Orla Kiely's London pad on House and Home. It's no surprise that her classic prints pop up here and there throughout the house, and her furniture and decor choices reflect the retro modern aesthetic Kiely is known for in her work.
I love the orange slice chair by Pierre Paulin, the striped tile flanking the fireplace, and the vintage Illums Bolighus candle holders on the mantel.
The bold reddish-orange stripe running down the staircase is fantastic. By painting everything else (including the bannister) the same shade of warm white, the bold stripe stands out, looking fresh and modern.
Visit House and Home to see more photos of Kiely's lovely abode.
(Sources: All photos by Jake Curtis on House and Home. Thanks to Minnie for the link!)
I love the orange slice chair by Pierre Paulin, the striped tile flanking the fireplace, and the vintage Illums Bolighus candle holders on the mantel.
The bold reddish-orange stripe running down the staircase is fantastic. By painting everything else (including the bannister) the same shade of warm white, the bold stripe stands out, looking fresh and modern.
Visit House and Home to see more photos of Kiely's lovely abode.
(Sources: All photos by Jake Curtis on House and Home. Thanks to Minnie for the link!)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Knitting Around
This time of year, as the days grow colder and the nights draw in, I always feel compelled to cuddle up on the couch with a good movie and some knitting or crocheting. I have been a somewhat sporadic knitter in the past (made a scarf here or there), but this year, I'd like to tackle a slightly larger or more complex project. I need to refresh my memory and probably learn some new skills. I have a couple of good pattern books that have been sadly neglected in recent years, so I'll probably start there. I'll try to remember to take photos and share my progress on this blog, even if it's a bit messy.
I've gathered a few inspirational images of knitted and crocheted amazingness below. Of course, I'm not quite capable of making anything this awesome yet, but maybe someday...
Do you have any favorite web sites that offer free knitting/crocheting patterns and tutorials? If so, please share in the comments.
(Sources: photos 1 & 2 are Giles from Vogue, September 2007; Rest of images from Sandra Backlund)
I've gathered a few inspirational images of knitted and crocheted amazingness below. Of course, I'm not quite capable of making anything this awesome yet, but maybe someday...
Do you have any favorite web sites that offer free knitting/crocheting patterns and tutorials? If so, please share in the comments.
(Sources: photos 1 & 2 are Giles from Vogue, September 2007; Rest of images from Sandra Backlund)
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Holiday Stocking
It may seem a bit early for most folks, but Christmas is already in full swing on Etsy. So, I've begun stocking my shop with holiday items. Here is the first brooch, a red and white peppermint inspired flower with layers of blanket-stitched petals. I'll be adding some ornaments (in less traditional holiday colors) and a few other winter accessories in the near future, so stay tuned!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Collage
I don't know how it happened, but I'm another year older today. Here's a couple of collages to celebrate.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Flickr Favorites
(Source: Vox Sciurorum) (Source: Elina Nilsson) (Source: maryvee) (Source: jutta / kootut murut) (Source: ja1dql) |
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