E-zine

Erin - over at Design for Mankind - has released her second e-zine, and yours truly just happens to be a contributor! I feel so honored to be a part of such a unique and genuine project and I can't wait to check it out. The topic of the issue is, "what inspires you?" So go ahead, click on over and download an issue and prepare to be inspired!

So I got a Gocco...

...and boy am I excited! For those of you out there who are Gocco virgins, here is how save gocco! describes the Japanese machine:
"Cleverly combining the basic priciples of screenprinting and rubber-stamping, "print gocco" is a clean, easy, and fully self-contained compact system that exposes and prints all in one unit. Using flash bulbs similar to those found in old cameras, an original image is thermally imprinted on a master screen. Next, colorful prints are made by pressing the ink-applied master screen against a sheet of paper placed on a sponge pad."
[Above] This was my first run where I slowly began to learn the capabilities of my PG-11 model. I was so excited that I decided to print thank you cards right away! Below is my first real print. Oh the possibilities to come...

Shopping for Clothes: Etsy

I've never been to keen about online shopping but when I found a couple of shirts on etsy that were hard to pass up, I started to reconsider. There are so many interesting, vintage, refurbished, fresh, articles of clothing on etsy...that I had no idea even existed. I suppose I could have just ventured to the "clothes" tab sooner, but like I said earlier...I'm not much of an online clothing shopper. However, I love some of the items I found![Very top of page: SRB Designs] [Above:Makool]
[Above L-R: Shaybelle, Rose la Biche] [Above L-R: Meeniak, SRB Designs]

Wedding Wednesday

I've mentioned previously my troubles of finding the perfect wedding dress....the solution: make my own! :-) Things are going well with that so when it came down to it, I decided to go ahead and make the bridesmaid dresses while I was at it. With the help of my Mom, we are going to churn out 8 super cute dresses, with different patterned fabric of course!
I have bridesmaids all over the country (and world!) so in order for the dresses to fit without having formal "fittings," I have composed a newsletter to send out that includes their own measuring tape with instructions. I've also attached swatch samples of fabric I am thinking about. My goal is to use different fabric that is within the same shade of orange. Anyway, below are the swatches I have picked up thus far.Of course for "Wedding Wednesday" I couldn't help but make another inspiration board! It is one of my favorite things...collage together beautiful details!

Flickr Group: Cupcakes Take the Cake

You may have gotten enough of flickr groups with my previous post but I couldn't help but share with you this super fun group I found!! Cupcakes Take the Cake is a mouth-watering array of cupcake photos...yummm..So please enjoy!
[Photo from t-b: lynettegg, paula hennig, super gail, pink coffee beans, shams d]

Flickr Group: Domino Magazine

It's Tuesday - which means I am sharing with you a new Flickr group that I have found of interest. Domino Mag is one my favorite publications, so when I found the mag's flickr group where they invite the readers to share photos, I came across some great stuff.
[Above from t-b: poopscape, bella seven, whitney english, day at a glance, saidos da concha, chez larsson]

Print Shop Auction

Dustin spent this past Saturday at a print shop auction in Virginia and boy did he win us a few prizes! [Above] He landed a furniture case to store our wood furniture pieces in, as well as a paper cabinet to organize and sort all of our paper. We purchased the filing cabinet a few days prior at the university surplus sale. I highly recommend finding out if you have one in your area. Surplus sales have cheapest finds!
[Above]..One of the best deals he got was this gently used corner rounding machine. Crazy, right?! I love it! And...It came with spare blades of different sizes!

Elle Moss Photography

I love the new etsy shop I found today!! Elle Moss Photography uses TTV (through the viewfinder) photography to create her little masterpieces. I love the juxtaposition and the color combos are just fabulous!

Bored? Let's Paint.

As I mentioned yesterday, I've been working on a couple of paintings over the past week. When we rearranged our office, I decided that we needed something new for the walls and I opted to break out the acrylics and make something myself rather than buy anything. Hope you enjoy!
It turned out to be such a great stress relief that I decided to do another project which is pictured below. I haven't decided where or how to hang this collection so I am definitely open to suggestions!

Room Makeover - Teaser

I'm one of those people that likes to rearrange my furniture. Enough said, right? As far back as I can remember, I have been pushing around my beds, dressers, couches, etc...in hopes of finding the next perfect arrangement. I somehow talked Dustin into letting me do it this past weekend in our over crowded "office" and we are still in the process of putting it back together. However, pics will be coming soon with the new arrangement as well as new artwork that I created for the walls..to be continued..

Printing Books

So my fiance, Dustin, has been in major letterpress mode the last few weeks and stumbled across a couple of retro printing books at the NC State library. Although they probably have useful information inside, I couldn't help but be fascinated with the design of the covers! Old books can be such nice treasures...

Wedding Wednesday

Today is Wedding Wednesday and I have a created a new inspiration board, please enjoy!

Flickr Group: Pyrex Love

Below are a few of the pics from the flickr group, Pyrex Love. I'm a lover of all things pyrex and have taken up the hobby of collecting vintage patterns...so please excuse me while I compare my inventory...
[Images are from t-b: dwstucke, merebearlandon, see margaret, sqecial, quiltingmick/michelle, halloweve1977]

Ready for V-Day?

Me neither! But, I did find Sarah Ridgley's valentine pieces to be quite nice. Letterpress and love are just a perfect pair :-)

Mibo Wallpaper

On her website, Madeleine Mibo has this to say about wallpaper, "After the long, magnolia decade that was the 1990s, wallpaper has slowly made a comeback. Hooray!" This UK designer has a clean yet graphic style that translates well not only to wallpaper but throughout her home decor collection.

Pantone Mugs

For the graphic designer in all of us, check out these fun Pantone Mugs. Now if only I could get the whole drinking coffee thing down...

Doe: San Francisco

I was just scanning through a cute store in SF, called Doe and wanted to share a few fun things I found. There really need to be more stores like this in the NC area....hmm..
Here is what they have to say "doe is located on lower haight street, in the heart of san francisco. best described as a miniature department store, we stock a range of goods – from women’s clothing and accessories to baby goods and housewares.....family owned and operated, doe is a vital force in a thriving artistic community. inspired by nature and modern design; doe is organic, evolving, and always forward-thinking. come visit us often – the best is yet to come!"