embroidery love

i'm on a bit of an embroidery kick here, and found this beautiful piece here (shown above) by jenny hart out of austin, texas. also some elizabethan patterns to download at blackwood archives. some beautiful japanese pieces here (just click on the gallery). the embroiderer's guild and the beautiful textile collage typography embroidered work of natasha kerr out of the u.k (see below).

billboard building

a stunning building in tokyo found here by klein-dytham architecture "the architects decided that the tiny triangular site lended itself to a strong graphic presence, and so the building's glass facade is covered with a graphic print of bamboo. The eye-catching graphic provides privacy, a screen from the bright south-facing sun, and brings a sense of greeny into the dense Tokyo cityscape."

the gate

i thought i'd start monday off with some new fonts from blue vinyl. i downloaded the rockstar (dingbats) and spin cycle (a kind of funky slant on bauhaus). i'm currently looking for a couple specific fonts; one from cbc television and the other i'm really liking is from giant magazine. the one from cbc doesn't appear on their website. i've only seen it on tv. speaking of the cbc, their workers are on strike and one of my fellow canadian bloggers is on the picket line. so go see tania and send her some good vibes. she's posted a lovely collage.

tv shots, dull monkeys and holgas in my head

i've caught the tv photography bug, however it burns up batteries and can be quite challenging with the delay on the digital and reflection issues - but so far i'm really digging the outcome. some photography today: the works of joanna miklaszewska which i'm really liking plus a set of holgas in my head. some design sites: dull monkey and his friend. and more photography: by piotr zastronzny with a tv project, polaroids and more.

fantastic in plastic

i just like these. and bonus is they are from canada. (via design sponge). speaking of, this time capsule is a great resource for inspiration if you're looking for some. and since we're on the topic, you have to mention the velvet undergound a website i've never seen. with this handbill (below) for a vancouver show. more psychadelic gig poster art from vancouver here. and yes, there is a warhol flickr cluster. crazy.

new worlds

sometimes when you're stuck at home when you really don't want to be due to reasons beyond your control, one has to sometimes resort to coming up with other means of being creative. taking pictures of what's on tv never really occurred to me before, till i saw some photos on flickr (trust flickr). and yesterday was just one of those days. flicking the channels i saw a familiar movie on, which i've always liked to watch for it's style. then i found these . now, you either really have to have a lot of time on your hands or love movies to play this game, but i ended up taking some interesting shots i thought. and alex, i thought i'd ask you (the movie buff) to name that film. (hint - my banner is made up of other shots from the same film).

thursday's child

sorry if this collage takes a while to download - a bit of a large file. it's of that legal graffiti thing they held here this past summer. hard to believe summer's almost over.

if you haven't seen these female merit badges yet via camilla via tuula then you have to. i find them so valid. reminds me of girl guides or something with a reality twist. it's always dope when you have a swoon spotting. you can also catch her stuff at backjumps and here. interesting viewpoints here today re streetart vs graffiti.

hey - is it only thursday?

weego home

these wallpapers from weego home out of santa barbara would be a perfect addition to any wall that needs a spruce up. i especially like this blue one (of course), but there are so many to choose from.



also thought their paint by number kits (above) were an awesome idea for someone who wants to say they made it. some cool designs there.



and these stunning fabrics (above), by florence broadhurst, stretched onto canvas are such a cool way to make some art.

french connection

i'm excited about some links i have today - mostly all french canadian and based in montreal. like this crazy bureau designed my michel rouleau from a store called interversion on boul st-laurent (the most happening street for shopping in canada). and this sweet boutique lola and emily. this website is happening more for me than the collection and is worth a lookie just for the site design itself. and some of the collections here are nice for autumn. abientot!

canadian house + home

it's funny i had to go to apartment therapy to be reminded of this most fabulous canadian magazine. actually, out of all the home/design magazines, this is one of the better ones. full of excellent ideas and articles. it's online version is also quite resourceful with workshops, design lessons and recipes. september's issue features small spaces and is always a favorite with me.

a few other canadian decor magazines:
style at home - home decor
canadian living - lifestyle/food/crafts
western living - west coast oriented - home/decor/travel/food
decor mag - french language - home/garden

make your own magazine cover with flickr magazine and see their crazy group.

american gothic portraiture

check your attics. american portrait photographer, mike disfarmer is drawing attention from collectors for his early mid-century prints. check this ny times article on these finds and the slide show of his unique style.

free newcastle

found this lovely example of blacklettering for free downloading courtesy of chank! and other free fonts for your perusal.

weekend workshop

these stamps (above) would be fun to use on this little collage how-to using a beeswax technique (via that resourceful meggicat). these lovely little bits may help and some inspiration here for a nice weekend project.

rice is nice

some nice things coming out of this danish based site. if you can stand it, they even have their christmas stuff online. found via lifestyle navigator a new site , claiming to be the quintessential guide to trends, architecture, design, travel and fashion. have a rice day!

to russia with love

i'm liking this graphic artist's work out of russia. another designer here has some nice photography as well. a look at the the best of the best in their design world for 2005 and a virtual visit of the kremlin. if you wish to visit in real life, this site may help.

predicta

did you know you can still buy these tv's new? apparantly it will even work with hdtv technology and videos. who knew?

modernista

i'm still on the hunt hula for a lamp shade would you believe it? i loved the links you sent me here and here. but i've been trying to find something local - without much luck. anyway still on the hunt, but also thinking mid-century i've hooked up with some lovely links to share:

retro inferno out of kansas with an amazing selection of real stuff.
cool stuff nola from new orleans - why are they so far away?
and modern way from the mid-century capital, palm springs - those lucite multi-colored chairs are killing me (below). i also can't stop thinking about that milo baughman lounger too (above).




closer to home i'm really looking forward to this flea market which i just found out about.

my type of jewelry

i'm all over jewelry this weekend. some fun stuff for the typographer or lover of type. (via camilla who has a beautiful new illustration posted of a bride that i'm digging).

going loco

i don't normally post about jewelry but i'm in love with this divine piece by another local graphic artist, holly cruise. while there you must see her sweety cakes rings. they are so fun.



i also quite like these ceramic pieces using modern and traditional printmaking techniques by cul de sac design also vancouver artists.

and another designer here, nerissa goco-hoang has some fun re-collection photos in her play section that are worth a check out.

lomo-ize it!

(after)

i found a quick and easy way to lomo-ize a photo if you're looking for that effect. in photoshop cs take any color photo, and blur it up a bit by going into the filters and selecting blur, then lens blur. set the radius to about 10 or 11. then hop over to image, select adjustments and choose photo filter. use the underwater filter and crank it to about 70%. voila ala lomo!

(before)

banking on bansky

i know i'm overboarding on the graffiti thing right at the moment. i just keep getting pulled in. but my friend blogless alex has pointed me in another direction - to banksy. and some stuff he's doing over here. i also ran into his thing at wooster. thanks for the reminder alex, this i like.

hype!

the word hype as a headline just looks odd without an exclamation mark (just an observation). anyway, just a sampling here (don't you love that jumping stickman?) out of a cool database of young artists being showcased by hype in the uk. not only does it cover british artists, but now global. a great place to submit your stuff. you can sign up and mark your favorites and send them to your friends to view. or type in a keyword in the search gallery and look for something more specific. like i typed in graffiti and found the above and below pieces by Michelle Chang.



for more inspiration i found the latest bloodwars magazine pdf to download (if you haven't already) and i'm also liking this gig posters site. i was looking at them for the design aspect but couldn't help but notice some of the insane prices some of these pieces of paper are going for (like $10,000 US?). and don't miss blue jake's fujichrome streetart pics; they have a nice feel to them.

backyard neighbors

it must be my small town mentality as i'm always looking elseware other than my own backyard for inspiration. is art only valid if it's coming from the east or south? i think subconsciously i'm always looking outward without looking behind me. i think that happens a lot with us canadians. having such a huge influence due south of us, it's easy to get all wrapped up in the hype of things coming out of the usa and beyond.

enter mia hansen. a local illustrator, graphic designer, web designer and object maker (in the way of wall dolls) and other fun buttons and things. she's also a member of a collective of illustrators called the jupiter project. what a refreshing surprise to come by via another local in the shape of a magazine. you can find mia's work featured here (a downloadable pdf version of vein magazine) as well as at the plush you event in seattle at schmancy's starting this friday, august 12th! yay for backyard neighbors!

the escape pod

as seen on apartment therapy. if you haven't seen this make sure you do. besides a little airstream, this little pod would definitely be a nice little summer escape in one's backyard. see slideshow. the inside painted canvas murals are very dreamy.

eames + agents = totally cool

ok - is it ok to skateboard after 30? because if i could i just might after seeing these from agents of the area. these decks from tony larson's girl skateboard line are almost wall material. (via land + living).

c'mon!

first off, remember those blick wall coverings i covered here for the committment phobic? well you can buy them here now! and these pillows (shown above) by designer, alexander girard are totally doing it for me. and these photo cuffs are just kind of fun! and one more thing, i'm really wanting this circus wallet from fred flare. c'mon let's go shopping!

linky links

here's a round-up of links i've run into this week: first off - this cool skateboard art via life with tinisima. next - this collage blog featuring different collage artists. the art of lisa eisenbrev. a beautiful photo from rosa showing that lovely tile work by maria keil in the lisbon subway. and type radio a radio station on type + design.

collage machine

hula, i think you're going to like this machine - it's great for practicing all your collage ideas. click on the buttons and it brings up new cutouts each time. i was beside myself when i happened upon it. (via nebopeklo). my first one as shown above. i'm going to have to add this to my play area.

i'm late

i'm arriving a bit late to this party, but am so hyped so you'll have to bear with me. first off don't you just love this holga gem by a photographer called tim courlas found here. and this creative site from polaroid has got my attention. and some long images here. and thanks for this link from these girls. i'm still trying to figure it all out and decide which one i want; all of them would be nice. and i totally missed this which has nothing to do with any of the above, just that i was late to it.

the buzz

http://onegoodbumblebee.com/, originally uploaded by poppytalk.

one of my favorite d.i.y. artsy places online is one good bumblebee. born as an artist by default (both her parents are artists) katey's sense of style is unique and cute with a bit of edge added to surprise. i especially like this collage shown above. her "piles of paper"



look to be a collage-makers dream. full of intriguing vintage emphemera, postcards, photos and stamps. theres also some groovy purses, pouches, jewelry and stationary to be had. some fun things here and her shop is set up just so that it makes it easy to buy. to top things off her blog is always got some interesting things to say or show (including the odd video footage). such a good little bee.