Wednesday, December 30, 2009

michael paukner




I love this guy's obsession with the circle. And his obsession with space.

via: Feltron

loving this pic


via: Modish

Friday, December 18, 2009

paper source blog


I just got word that The Paper Source has a blog. I can honestly say that The Paper Source is the only store I truly miss since leaving Chicago (I would add Marshall Fields to that list, but they no longer exist!). At least now I can feel their wonderful vibe via the world wide web ...

sarah santi and readymade


We blogged about our friend Sarah Santi when she launched her website. Little did we know that Sarah was creating a beautiful side business called Yellow Lion. One of her prints was just featured in ReadyMade magazine. I love the print that the magazine featured AND this little farm. It reminds me so much of Virginia Lee Burton's illustrations. Go Sarah!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

more stuff to check out


If you blog-hop you should visit The Times' "50 of the world's best design blogs". I am completely overwhelmed by all of the beautiful things and the keen eyes that find them.

Monday, December 14, 2009

new discoveries


With my Christmas presents made and my work "kinda-sorta" finished I have had some time to look for new inspiration. I have eaten up everything on Rifle blog (the work and words of Anna Bond out of Winter Park, FL). I was most excited to find the botanical posters. After seeing hugely overpriced geological posters at Scout Chicago I have longed for some artwork that looked like this. You can order them for a fraction of Scout's prices from Evolution NYC.



While doing a little bit of work for Bearings Guide (a great guide for Southern men regarding stuff to do and see and buy in Atlanta and surrounding areas) I found this old map of Atlanta. It fits their aesthetic, even if I don't know quite where to use it yet.


Another Rifle link, Leanne Shapton is an amazing illustrator. She has a great take on the "doodle" style.


I love the simplicity of these invites by Bird and Banner. And the yarn and button are such a sweet touch.

And finally, there is a new online design, art and photography magazine called Blanket. Every layout is gorgeous.


Friday, December 11, 2009

dad could do this



Many of you know that my Dad had a massive stroke a year and a half ago. He is doing amazingly well. He is walking. And drawing. And back to many of his regular day to day routines. Last time I visited he was still incredibly frustrated that he couldn't use his right hand or arm. Before the stroke his day job was being an attorney. But his passion is art. And he is an incredible artist. I featured his eggs on S+C the week of his stroke. He is still able to draw and paint with his left hand. But he would love to put down on paper (and eggs and wood and whatever else he can find) exactly what his mind sees. Despite the fact that his artwork is gorgeous, the perfectionist in him just can't cope with second best. So he is working on that right arm. And we keep praying that more miracles happen.

*feather calendar by The Wild Unknown via Design*Sponge

Thursday, December 10, 2009

smart friends


I have believed for a long time that smart friends make me smarter. Deana Bass is one of those friends. She writes for NPR (among other things ... she is a woman who wears many hats). Please check out her latest article.

Monday, December 7, 2009

more from brandon schaefer





Came across more movie posters from See&Speak. If only the real ones were this cool.

got 'em!



T gave me the Tolix chairs for my birthday. You have no idea how much time I have on my hands now that I am not scouring the internet for these babies.


My friend Ashley suggested that I paint the sawhorses (Home Depot, $15/each) red. I think it looks fantastic!

Monday, November 23, 2009

sticky fingers cooking


In my blog hiatus I had the wonderful pleasure of working with the ladies from Sticky Fingers Cooking. Not only are these women incredibly bright and fun to be with, they have a really really cool business: cooking classes for kids, recipes subscriptions for the mini-epicurious, cooking kits and loads of ideas to be revealed at a later date.


Design Mom had a birthday party for Olive last month with Sticky Fingers and S + C got to design the recipe cards. All Denver moms need to take advantage of this healthy, fun idea!

Friday, November 20, 2009

type type type





all of the above from Friends of Type


Vintage type from Agence Eureka

Thursday, November 19, 2009

reorganizing

So I have been MIA for a while now. It is has been a HUGE adjustment having a moving baby + a feisty three year old. T got me a new computer which has saved me loads of time (no more rolling rainbow while any or all of my files load). The most fun I am having is going through this blog to find all of my old bookmarks. In one day I have found enough to fill the blog for months.


Two of my favorites today are from SwissMiss: The Lazy Designer's Guide to Success (do not overlook this one ... he is SO right in every area) and the Clients from Hell blog. Everyone in a creative business should frequent this blog just to make their day better.


And I also had to share some pictures from my rug project. EcoFiber is a member of GoodWeave, which certifies rugs "child-labor free". They have a beautiful traveling exhibition called Faces of Freedom. All of these amazing photographs were taken by U. Roberto Romano.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

the faith of a child


My childhood was magical - riding bikes everywhere, playing in creeks, building elaborate forts and obstacle courses. My partner in crime was Ashley Graves. Her family lived behind us and we spent so much time together that our Dads cut a hole in the fence, giving us quicker access to one another.

I have had the awesome opportunity to work with Ashley's husband, Stefan Graves Lanfer, designing his book The Faith of a Child. Stefan is the author of DadToday, a blog about (you guessed it) being a Dad and the adventures of his incredible family. Both Ashley and Stefan are amazing educated AND down to earth. Two attributes that don't always go together. Any Dad-to-be needs to read this book. It is real. And it is not full of a bunch of dos and don'ts. If anything, it lets all dads know that it is OK to go into parenthood totally clueless, to just go with it, and to enjoy every second.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

a new fave

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

ecoFiber

Just finished a round of logos for ecoFiber custom rugs. They have exquisite, totally natural rugs that are made in Tibet. From fiber to dye to finished product, there is nothing chemical involved.

They chose the lower right logo ... all of their yarn is hand spun, looking similar to the line under their name. The idea below was what I needed the Islamic designs for. Those patterns might end up in some S+C collateral.

Website coming soon ...

Monday, October 19, 2009

evol.


They had these burritos at the end of the Denver Half Marathon yesterday. They totally rock. T and I each had three (they were miniature). Go buy them. Now.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

islamic patterns


One thing I love about being a designer is the research. The projects that end up the best have a history and understanding to them. I have a rush job that relies on my knowledge of middle eastern architecture and design. I have found two great books and this website. I love the world wide web.

miller farms


Receiving another tip form our awesome new neighbors, this past Sunday we took a family trip up to Miller Farms. Up near Greeley, the farm allows you to pick all of the vegetables that you possibly can while riding around behind a tractor. Needless to say, it is a little boy's dream. Along with the farm equipment, digging in the dirt and farm animals, there is all sorts of old junk to climb on. They even created the Cars characters out of beat up (you guessed it) cars. Nothing like seeing Mater in real life!

I went into overwhelm when we got home. We probably have over 20 lbs of potatoes, onions, squash and carrots! Looks like we'll be having lots of soup this winter.

Monday, October 5, 2009

lonny mag




Oh Facebook. What would this new world be like without you? Many friends are fans of the new Lonny Mag, so of course I had to check it out. It is fabulous. Think "digital Domino". Great content (and a TON of it), direct links to products with just a click of the mouse, beautiful spreads. My only complaint is not being able to get a feel for the whole layout on my little laptop. Viewing works much better on a big screen.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

it has all been done






I just stumbled onto this site featuring vintage travel ephemera from the 20s and 30s. All of it is gorgeous. And a large majority of the work looks like current designs that I love today. The main difference is that they actually had to cut and layer everything manually. None of this digital stuff.