cake & pie

Everything old is new again

Aside from attending the RISD alumni sale I got to walk around campus a bit and check out old stomping grounds, which was fun. There was much that was the same, but just as much has changed in six short years.

The RISD "beach," a grassy knoll where students lay around when the weather is nice, was just the same, although I could swear those trees in the back are taller.

Dexter House on Benefit Street, where I lived for three of my four years at RISD hadn't changed a bit.

The Chace Center being built on South Main Street across from the Design Center, is one very big change. Scheduled to open in September 2008, The Chace Center will be an extension of the RISD Museum, as well as a student center, exhibition space, and house freshman foundation studios. It will also be the home of a new site specific installation by RISD alum  Dale Chihuly, which I can't wait to go back to see.

I was most impressed by the new Fleet Library downtown. When I graduated in 2002, FleetBoston Financial Corp. had just donated the historic banking building that would become the new library. The library had been in a charming old building on Benefit Street with wood floors that creaked with every step you took...it was nice, but very small, and not really what I considered an intensive study space. The new library is in a word— breathtaking. I could have spent hours there, when I only had a few minutes. It is an amazing combination of modern, durable, sustainable design, mixed with the ornate features of a 1917 banking hall. (I forgot my camera in the car when I went in, but the above photo you'll find with others in a brochure on the new library that can be downloaded right here.)

My one regret in going to RISD was that I was not a little older and wiser when I went. You take so many things for granted when you are 18...but I am very happy to be able to go back and visit the RISD community now. At 28 I have a profound appreciation for it as an institution and can't wait to see how it continues to transform.

Beautiful things

I had an amazing weekend in Providence. The weather was a little chillier than I'd packed for, but the RISD alumni sale was awesome. The semi- freezing temperatures prevented me from taking any really decent photos at the sale, but cold aside, I finally got to meet Laura Su of Prismera Design, and fellow '02 alum Heather Guidero. I've been a fan of both of their jewelry designs for quite sometime, and their work is just as beautiful in person. I couldn't resist these earrings...

(Left) Dogwood earrings by Prismera Design can be found in Laura's online shop. (Right) Doily hoop earrings by Heather Guidero come in two sizes—I went for the smaller pair, but both are lovely—can be seen on Heather's website. She also has an etsy shop. (Photos: left from prismeradesign.com, and right from heatherguidero.com)

I spent most of the day at the sale, when not running into buildings to stay warm, hanging out at my friend Yvonne Boogaerts' table. A multi-talented sculptor, painter, and designer, Yvonne showed a series beautifully layered, graphic paintings and mirrors. Yvonne also just opened a show of her paintings at the Kate Spade store in Greenwich, CT. as part of Art to the Avenue—definitely worth checking out if you are in the metro area.

I will post more in a bit about my little tour of the old and new RISD...lots of exciting things are happening.

Fly away

Hello friends. Awhile back the lovely Abbey of Aesthetic Outburst invited me to join her awesome nesting doll swap. About a week ago I nearly wrote her and begged out because I thought there were just not enough hours in the day...but I made time and really enjoyed working on them. Sometimes I forget how much I love making things when it's not for a client. So here is my set...off to Abbey they go!

On other fronts I am working almost non-stop these days, so blog posts will still be few and far between for awhile to come...but once the dust settles I hope to be back to regular posting. Thank you all for your patience!

I am escaping to Providence for the weekend to see friends and attend the RISD alumni sale. I haven't been back to Providence since I graduated six years ago, and I am SO excited to go back. Perhaps I'll post a bit about my trip when I return. Until then, I hope everyone is having a lovely spring!

April already...

My, it has been awhile. Hello everyone. It is good to be back. February was a rather long, arduous month, and March it seems flew by in an instant. But April...April is just beginning and it is already very busy, but full of potential. So far this has been a year of huge change—really good change, and quite a few more changes are still on the horizon. I can't quite spill all the details just yet, but soon!

In the meantime I am afraid my blogging break is going to have to last just a little while longer, but hopefully I will return very soon with lots of big news and creative things to share. I thank you all for your patience. For now I will say so long again, but first Cooper wanted to say hello...

A very happy spring to you all!

Oh

Poor neglected blog...I love you, I do. But sometimes the daily ups and downs of life—like pets needing allergy shots, a mountain of typography projects begging to be graded, and sneaking in that occasional hair appointment, (thank goodness,)—just get in the way. February is already proving itself challenging, but March is showing tremendous promise. I hope to be back in the regular blogging saddle before March 1...but just in case, I wish you all well and bid you adieu for now.

Société Anonyme

I got a very early start to my day today, which left me time to finally make it over to the Frist Center, in downtown Nashville, to check out the Société Anonyme: Modernism for America show. The show has been up for quite awhile, and actually closes for good on Sunday...so I was very happy to have just made it in time!

Société Anonyme was organized in 1920 by Katherine Dreier, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, as a vehicle to promote modern art in America. They held exhibitions, concerts, and lectures that included some incredible artists—Jean Arp, Wassily Kandinsky, El Lissitzky, and Kurt Schwitters, to name a few.

I saw so many beautiful and inspiring things today. I, of course, couldn't take photos in the actual exhibition, but below are some images from the exhibition catalog, (on sale for $22 in the Frist Center shop!)

Lithographs by Jean Arp.

There were several dimensional collages by Kurt Schwitters—a few were small scale made with layers of cut paper (left,) and others were much larger assemblages of wood and paint (right.)

Some of my favorite pieces in the show were actually flyers, posters, books, and magazines produced for Société Anonyme—I can't resist all that gorgeous typography.

Cover of Broom, by El Lissitzky, 1923. Check out that February in the 3.

If you are in the Nashville area this weekend I highly recommend seeing this show. Otherwise you can find out more about the Société Anonyme at the Yale University Art Gallery website, (the exhibition was organized by Yale and is heading back there to be shown again in the fall of 2010.) Have a lovely weekend friends!

Off the shelf...

There are a number of books in my designer's library that I pull off the shelf and open again and again, so I thought I would share one of them with you: Trademarks and Symbols of the World by Yusaku Kamekura.

Published in 1965, it is nearly 300 pages of symbols, collected by Mr. Kamekura, that run the gamut of themes and usages. What I love about this book is its purity. Most pages are just black and white. The collection was put together before there was an internet, or a computer program capable of generating gradients or unnatural filters. Most of the symbols are what the designer who designed them was able to produce with their hands—a refreshing concept for someone who sits at her computer most of the day. Some of the symbols are very simple, (which is not to say they were easy to design,) others are more complex in form. As a whole, it is a collection I find continually beautiful and inspiring.

Sadly this amazing book has been out of print for quite awhile, but there are used copies available here and there. You might even find a copy in your local library. In my opinion it is a volume definitely worth seeking out.

Goodbye print?

It is a sad state of affairs when two gorgeous magazines bite the dust in a matter of months. First, House & Garden...a constant source of design inspiration, beautiful color palettes, and daydreams; and then the fledgling Blueprint—which I had become very fond of—it had a little bit of everything for everyone...sigh.

I picked up the last issue of Blueprint a few days ago and saw this fabulous jewelry box/wall hanging project inside. I have seen similar things before, but I love how they used knobs to hang bracelets and necklaces, and the box is deep enough for smaller bowls and boxes to sit inside. This would be a perfect way to prevent my cat from knocking my jewelry on the floor... hang it up in a pretty box far from reach. Another project for my to-do list. Thank you Blueprint!

Hello friends

I apologize for my unannounced absence. Life has been a little up-side- down in these first weeks of 2008. Big changes happening on all fronts...but they are all changes for the better, and I am feeling so much more like myself than I have in a long time.

Despite a little chaos, I have been busy teaching my two typography courses, (which I love,) and I am working on a new logo job, (which I also love.) Today I took a break and ventured out in the 24 degree Nashville weather to check out what was new (old) at one of my favorite antique stores. I covertly snapped a few photos.

I love vintage adding machines. They just fuel my love of figures (numerals.) Ironically, I am horrible at math and absolutely dread using the figures I love so much. Sigh.

Above (l to r): Better Homes & Gardens how-to books from the 50's; a vintage chair...I loved the colors in the upholstery; and a vintage apron with little dutch figures & windmills.

Overall it has been a lovely, chilly, Sunday. But now it is back to work: logos to be designed, typography projects to be graded, hot chocolate to be made...Be well and stay warm everyone!

Check

I think I am finally winding down now. Syllabus? Check! Copies made? Check! Laundry done? Ok, so apparently I'm not quite ready to call it a night...but almost! It was seventy degrees in Nashville today—a little bit of springtime in winter—can't beat it.

The lovely Shari brought Lisa, Aurora, and I each a beautiful gerbera daisy at the opening Saturday night. It definitely helped along my springtime delusions in the studio today...before I had to put it up high so Oscar wouldn't eat it!

Alright...laundry time it is. Good evening friends. 

Ask and you shall receive

A lot has happened since I last posted...and it has only been a handful of days. Let's see...artwork was held captive by an unfortunate and clueless shipping company; artwork was miraculously recovered from an unfortunate and clueless shipping company; much delicious food was consumed; and we hosted our last opening at SQFT Gallery: Couplets, featuring work by Lisa Solomon and Aurora Robson.

Lisa and Aurora's pieces were completely breathtaking in their couplets. They chose color schemes and sizes together and then each completed a body of ten pieces. They didn't collaborate on what each individual piece would be, and the content of their work is different—but each pairing intuitively goes together.

The weekend ended with my feeling very lucky. It is not every person who gets to experience what I have been able to do this year—I have worked with amazing artists that I truly admire, and to end with Lisa and Aurora was such a fitting way to close this chapter. 2008 is off to a very good start.

For those of you who can't make it to Nashville, all the work from Couplets is now available for view and purchase online in the SQFT Gallery shop. You can see a few photos of opening night right here. The gallery and the show also got a very nice write up in our local paper, The Tennessean. If you are interested, you can find that article here.

There is much to do this week. I start teaching again tomorrow morning bright and early, so I am off to prepare. Have a lovely Monday friends.

Full circle

Lisa Solomon Toxin Doily Drawing : Selenium Bromide

Thursday afternoon I'll be heading out to the gallery to meet Lisa Solomon and Aurora Robson. They are both flying in to install their two-person show, Couplets, at SQFT Gallery. This will be SQFT's last show. We'll be closing our doors at the end of January, and I can't think of a better way to go out that with these two amazing artists whose work I admire so much.

Aurora Robson, Inga

The gallery has been a true learning experience, but I am looking forward to leaving all of the administrative tasks behind, and taking the insight and inspiration I have gained from all of the artists we've worked with, to focus on my own work.

I will absolutely share more images from Lisa and Aurora's show in the days to come. For those of you who can't make it to Nashville for the opening this Saturday night, all of the work will be on view and for sale right here come Monday, January 7th.

Be well friends, and stay warm! Brrr...it sure is cold out!

Pillow anyone?

I was just catching up on some blog reading and saw on design*sponge that Julia Rothman has a new line of pillows out at Urban Outfitters!

There are three different pillows to choose from. Find the other two here and here. Congratulations Julia—they look amazing!

Images from urbanoutfitters.com

New Year

I am spending the first days of 2008 battling yet another unfortunate cold. While I recuperate, I thought I'd share one of my last projects of 2007. Using the Amy Butler Stash & Dash bags pattern, I made four of these coin purses as gifts this Christmas:

I'd say they are larger than an average coin purse—I think I'd use it as a small make-up bag or jewelry travel case. The pattern was nice to work with. As a beginning sewer I always find I learn a lot about construction working from a pattern.

I hope you are all having a fabulous start to 2008. I am going to go make some tea and I'll be back in a bit!

Merry

All the gifts have been wrapped, swap ornaments hung on the tree, (thank you swappers,) and we are ready for Christmas here in Nashville.

I want to wish all those celebrating the holiday tomorrow a very merry Christmas. I also want to thank all of you who have read and commented here at cake & pie this year. I have so enjoyed getting to know some of you. 2008 is going to be a year of big changes, so stay tuned. Best wishes to you all for a happy & healthy holiday!

Tomorrow...you're only a day away

Tomorrow I turn 28, and I am pretty excited about it. It is time for a new year, new age, fresh start. I like the sound of 28...I feel like perhaps it will be more manageable than 27...we'll see!

Today I have a few sewing projects underway, and some serious cookie baking. Holiday prep is in full swing here, and I love it...the wrapping, the baking, the special preparations...it makes everything feel so at home.

With all this going on I think I'll be taking a break from the blog for awhile...I might pop back up again here and there, but in case I don't, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday if you are celebrating!

Tree trimmin'

I can't wait for the mailman to arrive each day, because almost everyday he brings me a different ornament from a talented swapper. Our tree is looking pretty fabulous, if I do say so myself. If you haven't yet, definitely check out the swap flickr group...so much holiday creativity going on there.

My good friend Caitlin Keegan just debuted her swap ornament...LOVE it!

It is gocco printed and hand sewn. She has decided to sell a few in her etsy shop, so go check it out along with her other amazing work.

Beautiful things

I am about finished shopping for the holidays...cookie baking is next on the agenda...but there are still so many gorgeous things I'm finding that tempt me to keep shopping.

(L) metal pinecone ornament, and (R) grow by Lorena Siminovich...I love Lorena's collaged typography...both at doe.

(L) salt & pepper cellars by Diana Fayt, (R) doily necklace by Heather Guidero...so elegant.

It is one cold, rainy day today in Nashville, so I think I'll be staying in with the pets and working on a few sewing projects. Good luck to all of you shopping this weekend!

Giving in

After spending several days arguing with the printer over getting a refund for my holiday cards, I have decided to just stop and be done with them. This is supposed to be a joyful time of year, so negativity be gone! In an effort to recoup a bit, I have decided to sell my holiday cards at a discounted price in my etsy shop. I am offering sets of 10 cards with envelopes for $8.50.

There is also a mix set of 10 cards (5 let it snow, 5 winter wonderland) also for $8.50. All of the cards are matte on the inside and say "happy holidays." I invite you all to stock up on cards!

Sometimes you feel like a nut

Well, here it is, my ornament for our 2007 Holiday Ornament Swap:

A walnut. Bizarre? Perhaps. Unexpected, well yes, considering up until Sunday night I was planning something completely different...but sometimes you just have to give in to your inner nut. So there you go.

In other holiday news, I got a very unpleasant surprise when my holiday cards arrived back from the printer...they gloss coated both sets. They are so glossy I can see my reflection in them. Nothing against gloss coating...it has its purpose and place...just not on my holiday cards that I had envisioned a beautiful matte. I called the printer, and by the time they are reprinted and sent to me it will be way too late to sell card sets, (it kind of already is,) and even too late to send holiday cards to my own list of recipients, so lesson learned. Next year Kathleen will have her designs done early (perhaps I will start right now!) I may just print a few cards on my own printer to send to my list, or I'm thinking of doing a very eco-friendly email card. I'm sure Al Gore would approve!

Have a nice Tuesday everyone!

Together

At holiday time I am a serious online shopper. It has gotten so my younger self, who lived for a day out at the stores, has retreated to our cozy living room, by the light of my laptop and our newly decorated Christmas tree, to pick out all the holiday goodies to go underneath. Needless to say I've been perusing about every shop I've ever bookmarked in the past few weeks, and this evening I happened upon some work by Lorena Siminovich at Doe that I think is so simple and sweet and beautiful...

On the left, we are in this together is such a nice sentiment, and kind of hits home on a number of fronts this year...(not to mention the type.) On the right is lonely red leaf.

Speaking of a Christmas tree, ours finally went up last night. Everyone helped...Cooper looked on in his typical "concerned that something different is happening" Cooper-way, and Oscar, well...

After hiding under the tree, trying to eat the tree, and my yelling "no" so many times I think he might think that is his name now, Oscar retreated to the sofa for a post-tree decorating snooze while I shopped online—all together a perfect evening.

Have a lovely Friday everyone.

Without further ado

Since my holiday cards seem to be experiencing some shipping delays (grrr) I decided to put my nesting doll ornaments up in my etsy shop sooner rather than later...so here they are!

Lighting candles

I want to wish all of you who celebrate a very happy Hanukkah!

I don't happen to celebrate Hanukkah, but if I did, I think I would have to have this gorgeous utopia menorah from Jonathan Adler. I've never seen another one like it...and it feeds my weakness for all things ceramic. Have a lovely 8 nights everyone!

Deck the walls

I did not put our Christmas tree up as planned last weekend...but I had a good reason. Saturday night at SQFT we held an opening for our December show: Deck the Walls. It is an affordable art holiday show where all of the work is priced under $250, (most under $100.) We have a great line-up of artists who have shown at SQFT throughout 2007: Agnes Barton Sabo, Eleanor Grosch, Caitlin Keegan, James Keegan, Jess Rosenkranz, Shea Steele, and Liz Zanis. It was a fun night with lots of Dolly Parton holiday tunes (my doing.)

Quirk by Shea Steele

All of the work from the show is now available in the SQFT shop...there is something there for everyone...and I think art makes a terrific gift.

(L) Caitlin's bonus print by Liz Zanis; (R) Chain gang of love by James Keegan

The SQFT Shop is only open now until December 15th, when we'll close for the holidays, so order now!

(L) Slice of pie, hun? by Agnes Barton Sabo; (R) cat toys by Jess Rosenkranz

Next on the agenda: oiling my sewing machine and getting to work on ornaments for the swap. Stay tuned for nesting doll ornaments and holiday cards later in the week. Have a lovely Tuesday everyone!

I'm back

Thanksgiving was just lovely, however the day after Thanksgiving I found myself sick in bed battling a cold...my first in 3 years...I suppose my luck had to run out sometime. The battle is still on, but I am attempting to get some things done and eventually rejoin the civilized world of people who wear clothes other than pajamas and comb their hair.

The ornament assembly line is about to commence, (sneak peak coming soon!) I have also finally finished my holiday card designs, which, I am sorry to say, will not be letterpressed, but will be printed offset and available in sets of 8 in my etsy shop soon after Dec. 1st.

I went with a typographic snowflake theme...simple and graphic. Each card has a few small snowflakes on the inside and says "happy holidays."

I am a big believer in not stressing out at the holidays, so hooray for offset printing! I will make letterpress cards part of my New Years resolution. I'm pretty sure they were part of my resolution last year, but why dwell on that?

Good day

I am so thankful this year for loved ones...and furry ones...

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in the US celebrating.

knock wood

Quite literally. Design*Sponge posted prints by Christine at Wonting this morning...so I clicked along to her Etsy shop to check them out, and when I did i found this:

Yes, it is wood to knock on! Awesome gift for just $18...love it. I completely need one on my desk, (which is not wood.) I think what I love most is Christine's hand drawn type that she's gocco'd onto the wood. I have talked before about my mild obsession with all hand drawn typography and this is just fueling the fire!

Etsy ornaments

If you are looking for more ornament swap inspiration, look no further than Etsy. There are so many people creating great original ornaments. Here are a few that caught my eye...

These pressed steel ornaments by Megan Auman are completely gorgeous. I could see having these hang around my house all year round.

Left, a felt flying elephant by ditazol...incredibly cute. Right, I love the dimensionality of this felt tree by jmday.

Last by not least, these embroidered Star Wars ornaments by blackrose are great. I am not the biggest Star Wars fan, but these would be fun to have on our tree.

As for my own swap ornaments, I am working away on a prototype and I will share it with you all soon. I will be selling some of my left over nesting doll ornaments from last year in my etsy shop soon, so stay tuned for that if you've been wanting a doll!

Craft heaven

I was reading Try This at Home, and saw that Martha has just put out this awesome faux bois ribbon. I have no idea what I would do with it, but I think it's wonderful. So I clicked on the link for the ribbon, expecting to be taken to the Michael's website, but no! I was taken to the Martha Stewart Crafts website, (that I didn't know existed,) where Ms. Martha has put over 500 of her products online.

I know there are those out there who may not be a fan of Martha, but I think she's fabulous. She has such an inventive, creative staff, and I think her products—from her craft products to the kitchen spatulas she sells at Kmart—are really good quality. Check out this 18 piece Goodie Box set...it contains everything you need to package homemade treats for gifts, etc.

I love that the inside of the box and the tissue paper is patterned...such attention to detail.

I also love these pinecone and acorn ornament gift boxes. You can decorate them or leave them plain, and when you are done with the gift giving hang them on the tree.

Alright, I am done with my Martha gushing now. Good evening everyone!

Images from marthastewartcrafts.com

risd|works

I thought I'd start Monday off with a little plug for the alma mater. risd|works is a shop in Providence that features work by Rhode Island School of Design alums. They have recently revamped their website and debuted their 2008 collection.

These pop-out earrings by Melissa Borrell are a little bigger than what I would normally wear, but I think the idea is really awesome. She also has a pop-out pendant available.

I love the concept of this toothpick holder, and practical twist on the classic voodoo doll, by John Cave. Now you can seek revenge on your enemies and have clean teeth all at the same time.

Lastly, I can't resist this t-shirt by Andreu Osika...I wish I had more clients who believed this!

Images from risd|works

Tagged

The lovely and talented Heather has tagged me. I have been tagged before, and this time I am asked to share five weird facts about myself. Since we are nearing the holidays, I thought I'd share a few in keeping with the season...not sure how weird these are, but I'll give it a go!

1. Last year I left our tree up all through January...it was our first tree (and artificial) and it just made the house feel so cozy.

2. I like to wrap gifts using double stick tape so that none of the tape shows on the outside of the paper.

3. My favorite holiday foods are mashed potatoes and cranberry compote. The turkey is ok, but I really like all the side dishes better.

4. I usually bake about eight kinds of cookies at holiday time. I love baking cookies. This year I'm baking them with my Mom for the first time...we might make ten kinds. It's very exciting.

5. The only thing I like about bad weather this time of year is if I have to go anywhere I have an excuse to wear my knee-high red rubber boots. I think I get strange looks in the grocery store when I wear them, but I love them.

Instead of tagging others, (I can never think of who to tag,) I'll just ask you all to share some of your quirky holiday secrets. I can't be the only one.

Handmade favorites

There are just so many gorgeous things popping up on Etsy these days. Here are a few of my current favorites...

Left: Beautiful tea bowls by Diana Fayt, $42 each. I love their shape! Right: Gorgeous knitware vase by Alyssa Ettinger, $120 each.

Left: Great black and white weave print notebook by Susy Jack, $8.50 each. Right: Otto Cornejo by Essimar, $20.

Left: Elegant twisted ring set by Abigail Percy, $55. Right:  The Market Bag by Moop in gray corduroy, $78.

I'm in

It is a pouring, windy, awful night out...but that's ok, because inside the first episode of Project Runway season 4 is on tonight at 9pm central. I can't wait to see the first auf wiedersehen!

After the episode...early favorites? Anyone?

Yay

I was so happy this morning to find that Julia Rothman's Artist Series Mug for Urban Outfitters is finally for sale online! I have been a bit jealous of my NY friends with local UO stores who got to snatch theirs up right away! Check out the mug:

Julia, I'm feeling like entire china patterns need to be next on the agenda!

Swap update

11/14/07 ***An update to the update: All swap groups have now been sent out. We have been having problems with swap emails getting caught in people's spam filters. If you have not received your swap group yet please email us at holidayswap07@yahoo.com and WE WILL RESPOND WITHIN 24 HOURS. We apologize if this is frustrating...it is frustrating to us as well. Hopefully we can have this all resolved in a few days...and we'll be working out a better system for getting the swap groups out next year. Thanks!

Due to the large amount of swap sign-ups this year (over 600,) Nicole and I have opted to give ourselves one extra day to put together all the swap groups. Swap group lists will now be sent out on Tuesday, November 13th. Sorry for the delay everyone!

Ornament inspiration

With the swap upon us I thought I'd post a little ornament inspiration to get everyone going. Every year Anthropologie puts out a gorgeous collection of handmade-looking ornaments. Here are a few of my favorites:

Hable Construction has a great collection of wool felt ornaments this year. They have so much personality.

Also check out these cute button ornaments and clothespin doll ornaments on Martha Stewart. There are always great holiday ideas on her site. 

Last, but not least, go look at last year's Swap Flickr Grouo 06 to see all the amazing ornaments swappers turned out in the first Ornament Swap. While you're there, if you are a swapper, be sure to join this year's Swap Flickr Group 07. Have a lovely Saturday friends!

Images from anthropologie.com and hableconstruction.com

Sign-ups closed

Sign-ups for The 2nd Annual Holiday Ornament Swap are now closed. We'll be sending swap lists to all those who signed up on Monday, November 12th. I can't wait to see all of the amazing ornament creations this year!

Wow

Nicole and I are just overwhelmed by the response to the swap. As of this morning, well over 300 of you have joined, and there are still three days of sign-ups ahead. I just wanted to thank all of the blogs who have kindly posted about the swap and helped us get the word out...we could not have done it without all of you! Stay tuned here and at FB for more swap news in the days ahead!

The 2nd Annual Holiday Ornament Swap!

It's finally here! Nicole, of freshlyblended, and I have been doing lots of planning, and your 2007 Holiday Ornament Swap sign-ups begin right now. Sign-ups will end on Friday, November 9th at midnight U.S. Eastern Standard Time (New York time.) To find out what time that is where you live
click here.

The guidelines are simple:

1. Sign up for the swap by sending an email with the following information to holidayswap07@yahoo.com by November 9th.
- Name
- Address
- email address
- you website or blog (only one site please)
- whether your are willing to ship internationally
(Please submit your information in this order with traditional capitalization—it makes things a little easier on our end!)

2. On November 12th you will receive an email from us containing the addresses and email addresses of 8-10 other swap participants to send your ornaments to.

3. Design a handmade ornament that you can create multiples of and make your ornaments.

4. Package your ornaments well—especially if you create anything fragile. Things not to include in your package: any sort of food, candy, or perishable item. Note that international shipping  doesn't allow for any type of plants, grains, rice, beans, etc. that might be used for stuffing or packaging.

5. Send one of your ornaments to each person on the list of 8-10 other swap participants in your group by December 15th for domestic, or December 10th for international at the latest.

6. Sit back, relax and wait as you receive 8-10 fabulous handcrafted ornaments in the mail!

7. If you would like to share photos of the ornaments you make and receive, please do so in the swap flickr group. You will need a flickr account to upload photos. A flickr account is free and easy to set up. You are responsible for posting your own photos if you wish to do so.

8. Please only select international shipping if you are willing to ship at least 4-5 of your ornaments overseas. This makes it easier for us to organize, and it makes shipping more manageable for our friends outside the U.S. We also encourage you to research the cost of shipping and take that into account when you design your ornament—lighter, more compact ornaments are cheaper to ship.

Most Common Questions:

Is the swap open to an international audience?
YES! Please let us know in your email sign-up if you are willing to ship internationally. (See number 8 above.)

What sort of materials can be used?
Anything! Knit, sew, letterpress, gocco, paint, draw, sculpt, glaze, cut-out, glue, weave, blow glass, weld...go nuts. Please note that certain countries have restrictions as far as importing grains, beans, or other like materials, so please take that into consideration if you are making ornaments to ship internationally. (See number 4 above.)

Who are the other people I'll be swapping with?
The people on the swap list you receive on November 12th.

Will my address be on the internet anywhere?
No. The only people who will receive your snail mail address and email address are the people you are swapping with.

What about shipping costs?
You are responsible for shipping costs for your ornaments...just as others are paying to ship ornaments to you. Please check your local shipping rates ahead of time if you are wary of the cost of shipping.

What if I don’t receive all my ornaments or I can’t send my ornaments out on time?
This is why you will be given your fellow group members email addresses— please email your group directly. You may also post on the swap flickr group page if you have questions or announcements for your group.

Do I need to have a blog to participate?
No. If you have a blog, that is lovely, but absolutely not a requirement to join the swap.

Can I enter more than once if I've got a couple of ornament designs I want to swap?
You can enter a max of two swap groups, but just keep in mind that you'll then be making up to 20 ornaments. 

Other questions? Email holidayswap07@yahoo.com
Please note that it may take up to 48 hours for us to respond. Thank you, and happy swapping!

Lart Cognac Berliner

Lart Cognac Berliner designed this awesome The Lakes and Territories of the Greater 2008 poster/calendar for Little Otsu:

Not your traditional calendar...this one folds out to be 18" x 24". The LO site describes it better than I could as "part theoretical map, part calendar, part poster, and all amazing watercolor & ink artwork." If that weren't enough, it is only $11 and PERFECT for the big blank wall in my kitchen I never know what to do with.

Check out the back:

What a fabulous way to kick of a new year.

Images from littleotsu.com.

Get ready

The 2nd Annual Holiday Ornament Swap sign-ups will kick-off Monday, November 5th! Apparently Nicole and I originally posted that they would start November 1st—apologies for that. In all our planning we decided starting on a Monday would be easier to keep track of. Hope to see all you swappers back here Monday!

New to me

I thought I'd share a few blogs I've been reading recently and enjoying...

Dear Ada—I first found Dear Ada through a link on design*sponge. It is a constant source of some really wonderful art...and often times artist's I'd not heard about before.

It's Nice That—I can't quite remember how I found this one, but it contains a plethora of posts on all things creative—graphic design, illustration, photography, etc.

The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks—I found this fantastic blog through It's Nice That. It's hilarious. I'm a huge fan.

Ann Wood—I am pretty sure her blog has been around for quite some time, but I just began reading it. She makes so many gorgeous things. I love her wedding cake toppers.

Satsuma Press—Everything Lynn creates on her letterpress is just beautiful...especially her flowering rush cards. Her 2008 calendar is up for sale in her Etsy shop today. It looks gorgeous. (I have letterpress envy.)

Image from Satsuma Press.

Have a lovely Thursday everyone!

Mapping the way

I am in love with this work by Heather Smith Jones showing at Artstream right now...

I just find her pieces to be so elegant, intricate, and touching.

images from artstreamstudios.com

I think it's the time of year...

It is getting colder out and I just want fabrics all around me, like this one:

It's called She is the Cosmos from Reprodepot. I'm loving the subtle metallic accent, and how the lighter check is made up of stripes. In my perfect world I'd have living room drapes in this fabric. (Sigh.)

Nantaka Joy

Joy, of Oh Joy, just launched the website for her line of paper goods