Leica me Like-a

It seems everyone today is embracing customization, and I like it. It feels fantastic to be part of the creation of your own unique little product.

MIY (make it yourself): "With (in particular younger) consumers having come to expect to be able to create anything they want as long as it is digital, and to customize and personalize many physical goods (MECONOMY!), the next frontier will be digitally designing products from scratch, then having them turned into real physical goods as well." (Quoted from Trendwatching.)

The latest example of miy that caught my eye was from Leica, the camera maker of my dreams. They've launched Leica a la Carte which allows you to choose from various finishes and colours to create your own variation of the classic. Fun!

I've Decided What I Want to Do

I've always had the urge to make lots and lots of things - I want to do it all; I am incredibly indecisive. But finally, I think I've narrowed it down. My new obsessions are calligraphy, painting and baking (although, I should probably cross baking off the list and replace it with cooking as per my naturopathic guidleines...) well, maybe next time.

Above images are my inspiration starting points. Betsey Dunlap, local Vancouver artist Patricia Larsen, and photo by Johnny Miller (and cupcake by some cupcake making god).

Donna Wilson

Donna Wilson is making me smile today.

Artisanal Pasta

Grocery shopping is a great source of inspiration for me, especially at the specialty markets which tend to bring in the best foods, the best packaging, the best everything. While strolling through Meinhardts the other day, I came across this amazing pasta in candy colours so delicious and special looking - I love how something so simple (flour and water) can be turned into these extraordinarily colourful bites.

The above packs of farfalle are from Gustose Tradizioni. More info and other sources through The Nibble, Italian Harvest, and Village Market.

Some of my other favorite pasta shapes:
Sombreroni (Large Mexican Hats); so unusual.
Monnezzaglia (The Leftovers); adorable and super fun.
Lingue di Suocera (Mother in Law's Tongues); wow!

Seriously, whoever thought bags of pasta could be so special?!? I cannot get these off my mind! I think I need to have a dinner party for an excuse to use them (maybe with this recipe?)

More Spring Colours!

One might say I'm a little addicted to colour palettes. So, when I saw the rainbows in these Dash and Albert rugs on Apartment Therapy's daily newsletter, I was instantly uplifted. My kitchen is begging for one.

On a personal note, I haven't posted in a while. It's difficult to post on a regular basis! - I'll have to carve out part of my routine or create a method of some sort. What might help? I need as many original ideas as possible (to turn to in times of need, oh those uninspired days), these ideas have to resonate with me and also parallel my work in some way (this is, after all, partly why I blog in the first place!), and I need need need to remember to post. Easy peasy, no? Well, we'll see.

Mozi on over

Mozi first captured my eye with their lovely Secret Garden series - it's lovely spring vibe is an instant cheerer-upper. So, I was thrilled to see the new Silk Road collection. The woven/needlework texture in the pattern is quite lovely and the colours are super fresh. And, the mother's day ad is sweet to boot. Very inspiring.

By the way, Mozi is an ancient Chinese philosopher (not a verb; that's mosey). From here: "Originally a follower of Confucius, Mozi evolved a doctrine of universal love that gave rise to a religious movement called Mohism. Like Confucius, he spent much of his life traveling from one feudal state to another in search of a prince who would allow him to put his teachings into practice. The Mozi, the principal Mohist work, condemned offensive war and urged people to lead a simple life harmful to none."

Pentagram and Bantjes

New work at Pentagram generally catches my attention. When it's got Marian Bantjes' signature swirls all over it, I'm doubled over. I'm constantly intrigued by how Bantjes has progressed and really grown into her designs. She's even got a penny in her portfolio. Anyway, back to Pentagram. This packaging for Strathmore is striking. I love the concept of wrapping paper... see how it stacks - each is different and interesting on it's own as well as in a group. It's not on repeat, which I love.

Coldplay's 10 Rules

Channeling:

2. PRODUCTION MUST BE AMAZING, RICH, BUT WITH SPACE, NOT OVERLAYERED. LESS TRACKS, MORE QUALITY. GROOVE AND SWING Drum/rhythm are the most crucial thing to concentrate on; diff. between bittersweet and science of silence

3. COMPUTERS ARE INSTRUMENTS, NOT RECORDING AIDS.

4. IMAGERY MUST BE CLASSIC. COLOURFUL AND DIFFERENT. COME BACK IN GLORIOUS TECHNICOLOUR

7. GROOVE AND SWING. RHYTHMS AND SOUNDS MUST ALWAYS BE AS ORIGINAL AS POSSIBLE. Once jon has melody, twist it and weird it sonically

10. Think about what to do with charity account. Set up something small but really enabling and constructive. Ref; j oliver fifteen

from here.
via here.

My Secret

Speaking of style strays, I have a secret. I've been building my whole best life colour palette around the above image, found on the fabulous site of Rebecca Thuss. Can't decide between two shirts? Looking for a new set of pillowcases? Deciding whether to keep a certain pair of shoes? This image always seems to have the answer. This blog was even inspired by it's colour scheme.

Since becoming a designer, I have been increasingly interested in developing a brand for myself. However, I'm the first to admit I'm still working on the whole style/fashion thing. But I find that this technique makes it easier for me. It makes my decisions feel more focused; I can see the big picture. Besides, I always loved Domino's (sigh) "can this outfit be turned into a room?" spreads. It's a similar approach.

Style Tray

Flickr is very useful for it's sets. I love how you can see little thumbnails of a lot of photos together - it's the beauty of "the big picture." Check out this Style Tray - it's my style. The style tray was inspired by Apartment Therapy's home cure, which is getting through week 6 right now. Someday, I hope to confidently say that I endured the entire cure, but for now I'm just taking bits and pieces.

Colourful Candles

Seems these last bunches of years has brought about a new era in packaging design. It's as though designers were searching for an outlet that would allow complete freedom in materials, cost and concept, and they chose the candle! Easy and fairly inexpensive, even en masse, the design of this little product has proved impressive. Would you like a candle with your packaging? Although I must happily admit they all smell totally divine. I'm currently just finishing up skeem's plum blossom - and eagerly looking for the next best thing.

Another perfect thing about candles is that they can add that perfect hit of colour to your home. Forget pillows - go for candles! Above images, from the top: Kobo, Illume, Pharmacopia, Skeem, Paddywax and Bluewick.

Simply Read

Julie Morstad is easily one of my favorite illustrators, so I was thrilled to spot her take on the abcs, through a set of cards called, simply, abc. It was published by another favorite of mine, Simply Read Books (Vancouver), which specializes in children's books, but grabs the heart of anyone who loves a good story in a stunningly beautiful package. Other amazing books published by Simply Read include Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, A Growing Place, When You Were Small, and The Red Tree.

Lisa Solomon

Image #2, above, was the first image I ever saw from Lisa Solomon, so, I was thrilled to see her featured this week at Tiny Showcase, image #1, above, top.

"When I started drawing doilies I realized that en masse they reminded me of internal organs... These doily body drawings represent the four things I think you need to make art: your lungs, heart, brain, and guts."

I was once taught by an art teacher to combine things that are opposite, or just completely unrelated - then find a way to relate them, find a way to make them work together. This will quickly create new associations in your mind. Thoughts will flow more easily, freely, and you will end up seeing many other connections and possibilities. Doily + Body totally reminded me of this exercise. I Love it.

Petite France

Since seeing this design on the dieline I can't get it off my mind (especially with all the pretty easter colours flying aroud!). Designed by Petter Hanberger (Stockholm), this identity system is simple and sweet, perfect for a little bakery. I wanted to see more - is this shop a small white wonder, with rows of cupcakes and macaroons?

So I started looking, and strangely I found both less and more than I had hoped. See some pictures here. Thing is, Petite France crosses me as the type of place that is not designy at all, but has been around for a while and probably has the best food ever. Aren't the best foodie places always the least expected? The most unassuming? The least "designed"? Anyway, it seems they have killer baguettes and macaroons that rival those of Pierre Herme. And I totally want to go.

Also, the building has a very interesting history - read about it here.

happy easter

Never again will I buy artificial colouring for easter eggs. This year, inspired by the martha, I decided to go natural! I must say it is time consuming, but it's definitely worth the extra effort. Check out the colours, above, they're even better in person. I used red cabbage and turmeric. I also used canned beets - the eggs turned kind of gray, making me seriously question the validity of canned veggies (blech). I will now don the rubber gloves and peel the beets myself, darn it. So, anyway, I dropped the grayish eggs into the other solutions, and they actually turned into gorgeously muted blues, so in the end (no pink or purple) but, voila! perfection.