Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Just in Time for Fall...



I had a bit of fun with my trusty Gocco machine the other day, using this fall leaves pattern I designed to make a series of notecards and some cute limited-edition bags. The notecards were done in a marble-swirly fall color palette of red, orange, gold and a bit of purple. You can see from the image of the screen below how the colors naturally mix and swirl together, creating some super-cool variations in tone. The bags are a more classic look, bright blue on lightweight, unbleached organic cotton. These items will be in the etsy shop later today!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Monday, Monday



Good morning! Sometimes Monday mornings can be such a drag, but they can also be full of inspiration - a whole week of possibilities lies ahead! I'm heading to San Francisco later this week, so I've got to be extra-productive in the few days that I have to work. Time to get started...

When we were traveling in England in May, I came across a store in Bath full of vintage birdcages. Soon after our return, I did some research and began a series of ink drawings. Finally, I had some plates made and took them over to the letterpress studio last week. Here are the results... these cute little thank you cards have been added to my etsy shop, along with the chrysanthemums print in dark turquoise, below.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Nice!


I love these hand-silk-screened stuffed animals by Vancouver-based designer, Mia Hansen. So charming and friendly!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Healthy and Tasty


After last weekend's culinary debauchery (jalapeno poppers, anyone?), I've embarked on a week of healthy eating. They make this tasty quinoa salad at Dean and DeLuca's and, after reading the ingredient list, I decided to try recreating it.

Here's the basic recipe. Take 1 cup quinoa + 2 cups water, bring to a boil then reduce heat to very low and simmer until water is absorbed (about 20 minutes). Let it cool off for a bit, while you go do something healthy, like lying around on the yoga mat pretending you're exercising. Next, add about 1 cup baby spinach, chopped a little so there's no big leaves or stems. Add about 1/4 cup each dried cranberries and golden raisins, a handful each of pumpkin seeds, almonds, and pinenuts (I didn't have pinenuts so I used walnuts). Now you want to throw in some scallions (or chives, which is what I had in the fridge) - and if you wanted to get really schnazzy you could substitute sauteed shallots, and wow, is that fancy. Generously season with salt and pepper, add about a tbsp olive oil and a nice drizzle of sherry vinegar. Toss that salad, and you're ready to go!

Makes a LOT, so share it with a few friends or plan on eating it for lunch all week. (which is what I've been doing)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Looks good to me too!




Love these fashion-y illustrations by Caroline of the blog, it looks good to me. A fellow Brooklynite, Caroline is a textile designer by day (where she no doubt does some amazing work) and blogger by night.

Her blog post creating an outfit out of a room was featured on design*sponge and includes my Circles Collage Organic tote bag (see below)! How cool.


Monday, September 21, 2009

Sayonara, Summer!



In honor of the last full day of summer, here are some magical summer-y images by my friend, photographer Cheryl Zibisky. You can find these prints over in her etsy shop.

And something to look forward to (love the composition on this one):

Thursday, September 17, 2009

PC girl makes good


Yay! Another one of my PC alum friends is in the news this week. Amy Gorrek, founder of studio ag (pictured below), has her beautiful packaging design for John&Kira's Chocolates featured in AIGA 365, amidst the ranks of Pentagram and Sagmeister, Inc. Amy was kind enough to invite me to join her at the opening reception last night, where we enjoyed complimentary white wine and cheese straws in the super-packed space and tried not to get any greasy finger marks on the work as we jostled our way through the crowd.

You can view all the work until November 25th at the AIGA National Design Center.

The only exhibition images I could find are atrociously small (ahem, I guess they want you to buy the book), so here's a little montage of some of my faves.


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

NestaHome


I just discovered the etsy shop of NestaHome. Her shop is chock-full (190 items! wow!) of fun prints, pillows, and vintage finds. I'm quite taken with this print, The Library, and also her hand-stamped hemp fabric. The fabric would be great for kitchen curtains - it's got sort of a rustic, old-world feel to it - or even a flowy tank top.

Fine Day Press


So, okay, it's not exactly a site YET. But at least it's a web presence. Baby steps!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Winter Water Factory


Beautiful fabric patterns and napkins from Brooklyn-based Winter Water Factory. And I'm loving their happy little red factory logo.


Monday, September 14, 2009

Designing Terror


My Portfolio Center schoolmate, Sam Potts, is featured in the New York Times' Op-Art article debating the merits of the Homeland Security Terror Alerts levels, and features New York designers offering up their own solutions. Sam's version tracks the changes in the alert level, so you know when to pay attention, rather than staying in a constant state of alarm.

Yay Sam!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Back to School Shopping



Some cool items from Brooklyn-based design store The Future Perfect.

From top: Ceremony necklace, Freck Specs, Strict chair

Monday, September 7, 2009

Tennis, Anyone?



Her surprising defeat by young upstart Oudin aside, I'm loving Sharapova's US Open looks this year (note the cute matching jackets)... Think I can get away with the dusty pink-and-flourescent green number off the court?

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Homespun


Maxine Sutton creates using a blend of techniques like hand-embroidery and screenprint and a variety of sustainable materials, like organic cotton and vintage fabrics. The lovely spoons are filled with French lavender. You can find them in her shop.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Charm and Cheer



Absolutely charming work by Dolci Odille (which translates to sweet fortunate girl!). Letterpress and screenprinted items, in addition to amazing handmade fabric flower garlands. I totally want one of these to hang in my modest little studio space, although it would be a shame not to show it off for a special event. So cheery!! I'm also in love with the custom screenprinted buttons, a wonderful idea that adds a unique personal touch to an event without becoming too precious.

All photography by Our Labor of Love