ok, go

Ok Go - Last Leaf from About Me on Vimeo.

I thought this was really neat, so I had to share it. This video for Ok Go was created entirely in stop motion using thousands of pieces of toast. Cool, no?

(found via Pinterest)

inspired by: deanna staffo

I am completely smitten with the work of illustrator Deanna Staffo.  I found her via someone's pin on Pinterest and spent some time on her portfolio and Flickr sites, though, admittedly, I probably could have spend a good chunk of my day floating in her daydreamy world of soft illustrations.  I've posted a few of my favorites, but it's worth the click to go and check out her site yourself.  I especially love her 'misfits' series.

(All images via Deanna Staffo)

today I love...

PTMK: A MOVEMENT from Ptarmak, Inc. on Vimeo.

I really loved watching this short little promo video made by Ptarmac.  The fact that the animation was mostly done using watercolor paintings blew my mind.  I especially loved the whales.

(See some of the process and learn more here)

a sweet collection

I love this collection of paint dipped spoons.  I especially love the gradient of color from left to right.  I think this would look lovely mounted on canvas, framed in rustic barn wood, and hung in my kitchen.  Hmmm....looks like a d.i.y. project will have to be scheduled soon!

(via Old Faithful)

mmmm...cake

Okay, if you know me, then you know that the title of this post is a big fat lie.  Don't hate.  I don't know what it is, I just would rather eat pie.  Or cobbler.  Or doughnuts.  Mmmmm....doughnuts.  I have to admit that I always feel a little left out at parties and weddings when everyone else is "mmmm"-ing over their slice of cake.  Kinda makes me wish I actually enjoyed it.  Now, pictures of cake (especially ruffly, fancy, girlie cakes)? That I can get on board with.  In fact, I'm feeling a  tad bit inspired by these beauties.  What about you?  Are you Team Cake or Team Pie?

image credits left to right from top: 1 2 3 4 5 6

And speaking of cake, the cake paintings from Paul and Jordan Ferney's art show "Let Them Eat Cake" are available for purchase in Paul's online shop.  I love these!

a happy thursday

I have been reading Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project and it has been speaking to me in ways that a book hasn't really done in quite some time.  I like the idea of finding little ways to make my life happier (not that I don't already have a happy life, don't get me wrong), and seeing the bright side in little things throughout the day.  I think it's nice to take the time and reflect on things that make you happy.  The other day I went down to the beach after work to unwind.  I sat on the beach staring out at the ocean, the clear blue water, the seagulls and the otters.  The beach is one of those places that I forget about (you'd think it would be hard to do since it's right there) and it was nice to just sit and be surrounded by such a vast beauty.

Getting to the main point of this post, one of the other things I've found that makes me smile are Gemma Correll's illustrations.  I could spend hours perusing her Daily Diaries and her Flickr photostream.  If you haven't met Gemma, I suggest you go.  Now.  I promise, her work will brighten your day, too.

Below, a few of my faves:

See more of Gemma: web | blog | flickr | etsy

Today I love...

Aesop's Fables prints by Push Me Pull You Design.

Found via prudentbaby

Letterpress Week at Oh, Hello Friend

letterpress week has arrived over at oh, hello friend!  danni's got a great lineup of artists participating in interviews and giveaways including smock paper, postal press, parrott design studio, studio on fire, snap and tumble, roll and tumble press, and our own local sugar plum invitations!  To start off the week, danni's got a great interview with studio on fire as well as the first of many letterpress giveaways posted.  head on over and check it out (and enter for a chance to win, too!).

image via oh, hello friend

Laguna Art Museum 2010 Member's Magazine

I was fortunate enough a while back to be asked to design the annual Members' Magazine for Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach, CA.  Though it was a long process (longer than any of us anticipated!), the finished product is here!  The print copies will be available at the Museum for the entirety of 2010.  For those of us who don't live in LA and can't get to the Museum (although, you should go for the weekend!  Totally worth the trip.), a digital magazine can be viewed online here.  A few pages of the magazine can be seen below.

 

  

  

 

Thanks to MB and the staff of Laguna Art Museum for all their hard work and making my job easier!

Lost Things

 Lost Things

Rachel over at Black Eiffel posted this video this morning and I just couldn't resist sharing it with all you lovelies.  From directors Angela Kohler and Ithyle Griffiths, this stop motion video is just wonderful (and a great way to kick off the week!).  Check it out in all of its goodness here.

Paper-N-Stitch

The Inkling Paper shop on Papernstitch went live last night at 12am EDT.  The shop will be live until December 13th...perfect timing for all those holiday shoppers! Check it out here!

From the Papernstitch website:

"papernstitch is an online exhibition space that was created to promote talented artists, designers, and makers selling handmade goods. the exhibition space is curated monthly and showcases the best of the best on an international level. hence our tagline: hand-picked. handmade."

Love it!  Thanks again Brittni for the selection!

Things are looking up

I have a new print* going into the shop today.  It's a simple little print focusing on typography and the message itself.  A copy is sitting on the mantle of the fireplace and it makes me smile when I look at it.  I'm thinking it will be inspirational to see on those dreary days. 

For my fans and followers, until November 30th if you purchase this print and type "FOLLOW" in the buyers notes, I will throw in a little something extra with your purchase.

*Frame and mat not included with the print.

Today I love...

...Heath Ceramics. This Sausalito-based pottery studio has been around since 1948 and I daresay that their original "coupe" pattern has the makings to become a classic in my kitchen. I love the simplicity and the soft colors, really letting the pottery, itself, be the focus. My favorite is the studio mug in French Grey.

{studio mug}


Some other treasures from Heath that I particularly love:

{pitcher}


{salt and pepper shakers}

Today I love...

This print by Kari Jorgenson. Available at Sycamore Street Press. I am also dying to become a member of their Sycamore Club, a monthly membership that gets you one limited edition letterpress print in your mailbox each month. I would be dying waiting for each one to arrive, but I know the wait would totally be worth it since their prints are so gorgeous!

New Acquisitions

Today I decided to make a couple of purchases towards art for my home. We have had nothing on our walls for so long and it was feeling a little sterile. I have been hunting around for some time now and settled on a couple of pieces.

The first is by Gregory of Beauchamping. I just think this piece is so cute and totally and completely brings me back to my childhood. It's pretty sizeable for a print (22"x30") and is going to make a great conversation piece. And (I can't believe I'm typing this) when kids are in the picture, this would be great for a kids room, as well. I really love all of his other prints in his shop; it was so hard to choose just one.


The second piece I purchased is by Portland artist Amy Ruppel. If you are a Design*Sponge reader, you have probably heard of her. Her work is so lovely and too cute (without being cutesy, of course). I bit the bullet and purchased an original piece of her State Animals series. The painting is wax, paper, and oil on wood, and though small (at 7.5"x7.5"), has a softness and depth that I am so in love with. What a sweetie Amy is to boot!

The Mincing Mockingbird

Since I so love all things birdie, I thought it only fitting to post on an artist that I discovered recently. The Mincing Mockingbird is an LA based artist that creates bird paintings and prints, each more charming than the next. I purchased this one for my office.

Some more of my faves...

Etsy finds!

I have been a fan of Christy Zaragoza's work for a while now, following her updates to her Etsy shop frequently. Plus, anyone from San Diego is okay by me! I am finally getting my own office and am dying to purchase some of her prints to put up on the walls! Check out her work on Etsy!

all work copyright © Christy Zaragoza

Double Duty Calendars

photo from paperedtogether @ etsy

This fall I am antsy to pick up a great calendar for my desk. I am love with this letterpress calendar by paperedtogether. I love that after each month is finished, you are left with a beautiful card to send to someone, or to keep and display as art. This may kick my correspondence up a notch this year.

photo from happify @ etsy

This offset printed calendar by Happify caught my eye on Etsy the other day. It is simple, but interesting at the same time. I love it's graphic nature and the way it plays with contrast. If you go into their Etsy Store, you will see that there is a story behind the design of each month of the year. Plus, they are designed as postcards, so you can send one off every month...unless you're like me and will just want to keep them all for yourself.