December 31, 2009

crayon-tastic




{images via klimt02}

I am totally taken with Maria Cristina Bellucci's unique line of jewelry devised almost entirely of colored pencils. I truly love all of the designs!

In rather tardy news, my apologies for my absence in announcing the lucky owner of this print, I have a winner to declare.

And, the winner of the Bittersugar letterpress print is...
Michaela of Dolce Vita! Here's what she had to say about her favorite city:

my favorite place to visit- hands down in Italy. It is why my blog is called Dolce Vita. The summer i was 19 i walked hand in hand with a beautiful boy called Francesco. The summer of my life. He broke my heart but it was all worth it and Italy will always be the sweetest place on earth, even still.

Have a safe and Happy New Year! Back tomorrow with details on my 2010 gratitude campaign, it just happens to involve 24 glorious card giveaways...

{jewelry via seesaw design's blog}

December 22, 2009

to a modern 2010


{2010 laser cut calendar by candyspotting}

I know it's a wee bit late in the year for calendars, but there's no way I could resist sharing Candyspotting's lovely offering for 2010. The paper they're using on these is truly luxe.

Although I already have several newbies for the new year, (seriously, I think I've had at least three calendars in my house for a decade or more) I doubt that I'll be able to stop myself from adding this one into the mix. I'd be certain to keep an eye on their Etsy shop, as I'm confident that Candyspotting's offerings will be growing in the new year!

Speaking of calendars, I'll have a new giveaway to share with you next week. Worth the wait, I promise.

December 16, 2009

goody giveaway no. 9



It's been a long spell since I posted a giveaway and I'm super excited to tell you about this one. Nik Bresnick of Bittersugar is kindly offering one reader a 5x7 letterpress print of the Seattle Space Needle. Perfect for framing, the 3-color image is printed on Cranes Lettra 110 pound all-cotton pearl white paper (just a little info for the paper/printmaking geeks).

Portland peeps may want to take a moment to check out Bittersugar's limited edition print of the Saint John's Bridge, one of our city's beloved landmarks. So, so beautiful...
______________________________
To enter to win:

|| Please leave a comment answering the following:
What is your all-time favorite city to visit?

|| Anonymous comments will be disqualified.

|| Giveaway is open until midnight on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 .
Winner will be chosen by random.org and announced the following day.

|| One comment per person, unless... Hey, want an extra chance to win?
Blog and/or tweet about our giveaway and post an additional comment(s) with the link.


{image via bittersugar}

creative crush: bee things


{'modern birds' lunch bags by bee things}

{'hello' lunch bags by bee things}

{'name bird' lunch bags by bee things}

I can't quite remember where I discovered these insanely cute lunch bags, but I do know that I've been anxious to share my new love of bee things for the last week or so. This company is totally first class - gorgeous products, stunning photography and a website you could happily lose yourself in. Unfortunately, I don't have much occasion for their lunch bags these days, but I definitely have my eye on this here print! Doesn't the gray background just make it perfection?

{all images via bee things}

December 13, 2009

holiday picks {series no. 2/portland edition}


{christmas card by two guitars}

{card by old school stationers}

{ledger calendar by power & light press}

{holiday card by lark press}

{calendar card by red bat press}

Yesterday was Crafty Wonderland's Super Colossal Holiday Sale and I (and apparently most of Portland) was in attendance. I'm glad the turn out was so huge, but on a completely selfish note, I was a bit bummed that it was so challenging to shop. One of the highlights of the show was making a felt fortune cookie with Kristen of Schmancy and Plush You fame. She was super helpful and even had the mister getting into crafting, though now that I think about it he's actually a pretty crafty guy!

{all images via designer's sites}

December 10, 2009

creative crush: decoylab


{bamboo tabletop clock}

{bamboo desktop clock and calendar}

{bamboo wall clock}

I've had my eye on Decoylab's etsy shop for the past year or so. Upon my latest visit, I discovered their super cool bamboo laser cut clocks. I think the designs are so original and dreamy. A modern clock and a calendar, uh yes. Decoylab offers other wonderful wares as well - check out their paper clocks, poster and prints here.

{all images via decoylab}

December 9, 2009

holiday card picks {series no. 1}


{happy hanukkah tidings from oddball press}


{mistletoe by art school girl images via little paper planes}

{bonne année 2010 by mr. boddington's studio}

{holiday postcard set from rifle paper co.}

I'm working on getting my holiday cards in the post this week, an assortment of designs from some of my favorite card lines, as well as a very fun project I've been working on with the laser cutter in felt. I've also signed up for several holiday card swaps this year, one with Brooklyn Bride and another with i am emma music, it's been fun to see the cards start to trickle in and meet new blogging friends is always a plus!

{all images via designer's site, unless otherwise noted}

December 8, 2009

bananas for binth






The ultimate gift for the paper lover in your life - Binth's 'Big Box of Cards'. A beautiful assortment of 20 occasion cards come wrapped in a box tied with that lovely red bow. For those looking to up the ante, Binth also offers a subscription to their 'One-Of-A-Kind-Club'. I love this as a unique gift idea. One framed print is sent every four months to the lucky recipient.

Dear Santa,
Here's a hint... I all things Binth.
xo, c + c

{all images via binth}

December 4, 2009

printmaker du jour: bespoke letterpress


{'the smell of the sea' limited edition print}

{'honey in sunshine' limited edition print}

{'treasures untold' limited edition print}

I'm finding it near to impossible to pick a favorite from Bespoke Letterpress Boutique's limited edition prints. I finally narrowed it down to these three. Quite truly, everything they design and print is sublime.

{all images via bespoke letterpress' shop}

December 3, 2009

oblation in the blogosphere



I'm delighted to see that Oblation Papers & Press has started a blog. Portlanders and paper connoisseurs will be well acquainted with their top-notch shops, custom designs and new retail line of cards. The business celebrated their 20th anniversary this year, long live Oblation!

{image via oblation papers & press}

with love, from buenos aires: morris + essex




I'm really blown away by the beauty of Morris & Essex's cards. Designer, Eliza Jane Curtis uses a combination of blockprinting (lino-cuts), silkscreening and gocco. I think the result is simply marvelous, don't you? More from the beautiful Buenos Aires based line here.

{all images via Morris & Essex}

November 24, 2009

printmaker du jour: postal press



There is just something so charming about this Terrarium print from Postal Press. I could get lost in their exquisite website and photography forever and a day.

{image via postal press}

November 23, 2009

pleased to meet you, mrYen.





A wee bit of paper cut perfection for my fellow fantatics. These darlings are from the talented mrYen, who hails from the UK. I'm thinking that crow would look awfully lovely in my office. Don't you agree?

{all images via mrYen}

{found via laura brown}

November 18, 2009

the mister's obligatory birthday post





I'd been procrastinating this post, as I didn't have a clue which card line I should feature in honor of mister b's birthday today. With very little searching, I managed to come up with the awesome Australian line Able & Game. These cards are both hysterical and charming and so perfectly perfect for my Birthday boy.

Although, I did get b a tangible card, from the master's at Hammerpress, if you're curious. I've also developed a bizarre habit of flashing cards at the mister whether at a store, on my computer screen or from my well-stocked sample cache for work and saying "huh, huh I would totally send this to you."

And for the record, 'Even though we've been together for ages (8 of your birthdays) I still have a massive crush on you.' So true...

{all images via Able & Game's Etsy}

November 12, 2009

{shop} oakland: urban indigo


{squirrel onesie by ferdinand}

{'time flies' necklaces by adjowah brodie}

{award ribbons by ghost academy}

{terrariums by kat geiger/green under glass}

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the owner of Urban Indigo at the LA Mart in July. I'm so glad that we crossed paths, as I wasn't yet familiar with her lovely shop and was able to make a stop there in September. I immediately took note that they stocked goods from some great Oakland artists, I love that they concentrate on talent from the East Bay! While visting I couldn't resist buying a 'Time Flies' necklace by Adjowah Brodie, it was quite clearly calling my name. The collection combines vintage watch faces with bird charms and are all unique, as the designer is using found objects. I've gotten a ton of compliments on mine!

I'm looking forward to my next trip to the bay area, in January. I can't wait to see Urban Indigo's latest find. You will definitely want to check out their web store and blog!

{all images by crow and canary}

November 3, 2009

creative crush: wool & water by amy earles


{'nurse, i need you' paperdoll set}

{'little maple' paperdoll set}

{'cordial creatures' paperdoll set}

Aren't these lovelies just beckoning to live in a shadowbox? I love the idea of paperdolls as art! Wool & Water features an astounding collection of dolls and prints in their etsy shop. I also greatly enjoyed reading Amy's history of designing paperdolls over the years, found here.

{images via wool & water}
{found via portland loves: local}

October 20, 2009

halloween pick no. 1





Ghost Academy has a fine assortment of hauntingly perfect Halloween greetings. Still available on their etsy site too!

{all images via ghost academy}