Showing posts with label inspirations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspirations. Show all posts

21 June 2007

inspiration overload!


I have been a big, big fan of Rae Dunn's work since my husband & I went for coffee one night when we were dating. We were sitting in the shop on Prospect Ave, having a big, wonderful discussion about our big picture goals, regrets, hopes & wishes. I was wearing my favorite camel coat with the industrial sized snaps, and it was snowy. I knew I loved him, and definitely wanted to marry him, but this night made those feelings multiply by at least 843- we weren't just dreamy and lovey-dovey, we were honest about our faults but filled with hope nonetheless. Anything- everything- seemed possible.


My lovely date said he would go get the car, and I wandered through the tea pots and mugs and tee-shirts absent-mindedly in the shop... and then bam! Two mugs that absolutely encapsulated that perfect date were sitting right in front of me- ivory, perfectly imperfectly shaped and simply stamped, one with the word "create" and the other "begin".


I presented them as a prize that night, and they are cozily tucked into our kitchen- still very much prizes.


The mugs were designed by Rae Dunn, and I found more of her work and just went nuts for it. Wabi sabi, simple, lovely, heartfelt and not too cute (know what I mean?)- it is all just right. When I finally got to open my (now defunct) shop, I was all excited that I could sell her work from Magenta Inc- but darn it, my pal Hayden up the street had beaten me to the punch.


Ok- my point is this- I just discovered that Rae has a blog, and she is just as wonderful as you would hope of someone whose work you admire. Indeed, I am on inspiration overload!


Even more overload? As if this isn't enough? Rae & her friend Basak just launched a new line of letterpress goods. They, too, are just right.



28 May 2007

feeling bookish


I just finished this book- yes, I know, everyone else on the planet has already read it, I know... but I HAVE to throw my 2 cents in- this book was amazing. Like, jump-up-and-down-shouting-woohoo-I-want-all-my-friends-to-read-this-so-we-can-talk-about-it good!

Liz's journey is familiar and exotic and heartbreaking and laugh out loud funny at times. She just blew me away on so many levels; I give her heaps of credit not only for searching as she did, but for being so (apparently) honest about everything (including the unflattering and downright embarrassing).

I devoured this book, and kept thinking "I have to get a pen" while I was reading it, but I never got the pen because I was plowing through to the next paprgraph, pulled forward into her narrative. I will be rereading this book pronto, and will have my pen with me- guaranteed every page will be marked up like a preacher's wife's bible.

And while we are on the subject of books, go check out Julia Rothman's blog Book By Its Cover- it's like passing blissful hours in your favorite bookstore... only better. Joy posted about it, I am officially on inspiration overload, here!

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27 March 2007

a problem i'm grateful for

No really- it's a great problem: creative overload!

Not too long ago I was in a creative funk, and hot-cha, the pendulum has swung back my way!

I have childrens books on my mind, dresses for Miss Lovely, handmade projects for people I love, and collages... oh sweet collages. And this fantastic tutorial has me spinning! After I read it I thought "duh, Annie, why haven't you figured this out yet?" And it turns out that it is a whip up submission- maybe I'm biased here, but I think Kathy should win hands down.

Time to go have a glass of wine and read some books my sweet husband picked up for me at the library- all about the world of publishing... so I will leave you with a super duper loosely sketched scene from the story I'm working on.
Good night!
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11 March 2007

Absolutely Lovely

I had to find out who the people were that made the napkins from the previous post. The brilliant responsible party is Les Indiennes - their products are gorgeous. If I ever have a shop again...

Here's a peek at 2 other prints I love- the trees! The grande paisley on the couch! I love the vibe. I love cotton. I love the prints. I could live with this stuff forever. Its the perfect blend of handmade and modern....



(Images from lesindiennes.com)

Have a restful Sunday...

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08 March 2007

new obsessions!

Wow- I knew I loved Selvedge Magazine, but I love them even more now that they have a shop! These 3 products are my favorites. But I love these too. I want the brush just to look at- I wouldn't dare dirty it with dust or crumbs. As if.

images from selvedge.org

06 March 2007

neat-o

Too cool -

check out Behind the Curtain at Kate Spade

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