Flickr Favorites

(Source: Bjorn Giesenbauer)

(Source: Noemi Jariod)

(Source: skinnylaminx)

(Source: Mundo Flo)

(Source: sfgirlbybay)

(Source: Kevin Tadge)



The Fate Machine

Letterpress Rug

I was browsing my latest CB2 catalog last night and fell in love with this letterpress rug designed by Liora Manné. I'm sure it will be blogged relentlessly by type nerds all over the internet, but I think it appeals to me for different reasons. I love the collage-style randomness of the letters (which the website description compares to a ransom note), and I love the subdued background with pops of orange and yellow. An added bonus: the rug is made for indoor or outdoor use.

The House of Navarone

The House of Navarone is filled with just the sort of whimsical, quirky art I love. Paul Revie, the Glasgow-based artist behind it all, says he likes to make silly or bizarre little works, but I think they are much more than that. Revie also writes the best descriptions to accompany his pieces and offer context for his work, descriptions that are often funny, sometimes stream-of-consciousness, sometimes a bit tragic. Read the story behind The Library of Lost Thoughts or Nothing but Gumballs, Oversized Gumballs to see what I mean.

Collage

Here are a couple more collages full of pretty inspiration. I'm so ready for grey winter to be over and colorful spring to begin.

Changing Tastes

Growing up, I really did not like yellow interiors, particularly pastel painted walls in shades like butter and ecru that seemed to be ubiquitous at that time. But in recent years, I've come around to the idea of using saturated pops of yellow here and there to brighten up a room. I keep finding images where golden walls and furniture pieces look either cute and retro or fresh and modern; I can't deny it. What do you think?

(Source: Seonna Hong's House Tour on Apartment Therapy)

(Source: Amie Corley's Sneak Peek on Design*Sponge)

(Source: Angela Hardison's Sneak Peek on Design*Sponge)

(Source: Jutta's home via sfgirlbybay)

(Source: lucid dreams)

(Jenna Lyon's home in Domino Magazine)

(Source: Seonna Hong's House Tour on Apartment Therapy)

(Source: Vintage Rotary Phone and Sweet as Honey Rug from Anthropologie)

(Source: Jon Scácelik)



(Source: Helen Dardik Sneak Peek on Design*Sponge)

(Source: Helen Dardik Sneak Peek on Design*Sponge)

(Source: sköna hem)

(Source: Pottery Barn catalog from last year I think)

Whew! That was seriously a lot of links. Maybe next time I don't need quite so many examples. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hello Cupcake

My boyfriend surprised me on Sunday with some delicious sugary goodness from Hello Cupcake. If you are ever in DC, you should definitely try them. Hello Cupcake has the greatest flavors, and they add new ones all the time. The frosting is always light and fluffy, and most important, it's not oversweet. My favorites this time were you tart! (lemony) and pink velvet (strawberry cake with vanilla cream cheese frosting and a fresh strawberry dipped in white and dark chocolate on top); neither of these is pictured above, however, as they didn't quite make it to the photo shoot.

Heartstrings

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

I made these with wax paper, crayons, a hot iron, and some string. You can see a much prettier version here.

A Diversion

(Source: mister sullivan)

Bird
 
It was passed from one bird to another,
the whole gift of the day.
The day went from flute to flute,
went dressed in vegetation,
in flights which opened a tunnel
through the wind would pass
to where birds were breaking open
the dense blue air -
and there, night came in.

When I returned from so many journeys,
I stayed suspended and green
between sun and geography -
I saw how wings worked,
how perfumes are transmitted
by feathery telegraph,
and from above I saw the path,
the springs and the roof tiles,
the fishermen at their trades,
the trousers of the foam;
I saw it all from my green sky.
I had no more alphabet
than the swallows in their courses,
the tiny, shining water
of the small bird on fire
which dances out of the pollen.

-Pablo Neruda

Dot

How cute is this?

(via Elsita)

Open Studio

(Source: Heart Industry)



(Source: Heart Industry)



(Source: j.hische)



(Source: printtroll)



(Source: Mark Barry)



(Source: Tanya Aguinaga)



(Source: Tanya Aguinaga)



(Source: Rob Ryan)



(Source: Tanya Aguinaga)



(Source: tilaneseven)



I never tire of looking at the studios and workspaces of artists and other crafty types. I find the paint splatters, fabric scraps, and well-worn tools incredibly inspiring. Seeing the creative messes of other artists makes me want to jump into a new project and make my own mess. I also love to see the images and ephemera that artists tack on the walls of their spaces to inspire them.

Even better than browsing photos, of course, is visiting a studio in person. I've been to a couple of studio tours or artists' homes that I admired, and I'd love to see more. There's something very intimate about walking into the space where an artist creates.

New Business Cards

I finally ordered some business cards for my Etsy shop. It's been on my to do list forever, and when Moo and Etsy partnered to offer free business cards for sellers, I jumped on the chance. I had wanted to experiment a bit with photos and layouts, but due to the limited time of the offer, I did my best with photos I had already taken for the shop. These three are my favorite.

Overall, these cards are great quality, and I couldn't beat the price! But I think if I choose to go with Moo again, I probably won't opt for the color enhance because it altered the colors strangely in a few of my designs.  I couldn't be happier, though, to finally have something to give to people when they ask, "Do you have a card?"

Tush Tush

Here are some lovely prints from Tali, the artist behind Tush Tush. I love the painterliness, use of light, and natural expressions she captures on her subjects. I bought one of her prints last year, and I can attest that her work is just as beautiful in person.

Tali also works as a freelance illustrator, and some of her whimsical illustrations can be found in her other Etsy shop, Tosya.

Saturday Morning

My breakfast was monochromatic today. The artist in me was very happy about that.

In hedgehog news...

I made this little guy as a custom request. He's almost as cute as the real thing, but not quite.


(Source: Narisa)



I mean really, how cute is this hedgehog? Oh, and happy Friday everyone! Hope you have a wondrously creative weekend.

Design Finds

Clockwise from top left: Rose Pillow Cover by Linnea Larsson (available at Envelop); Flock of Butterflies Clock by George Nelson (available at Moma); Theatre Two Seater in plum from Design Within Reach; Digit 1 Rug by Christian Zuzunaga; Faceted Mirror Side Table from West Elm; Bendant Hanging Light by MIO (available from Inhabitat).

Going in Circles

A Mystery: Why Can't We Walk Straight? from NPR on Vimeo.

I love the animation in this video, and I also think maybe it explains a few things about my path in life - haha.


(via Dude Craft)