Puffin Chalk

Tanamachi Studio worked with Puffin Books to create Puffin Chalk, a series of classic children's books with a brand new look. I already know my nieces and nephews will be getting some of these beautiful volumes for upcoming birthdays.
The studio blog posted interesting videos and sketches that capture the creative process and the work that went into these concepts. It is worth a click over to the site to see the amazing work of this design and hand lettering boutique.

All images: tanamachistudio

folding dresses

These dresses created from folded vintage maps at Restoration Hardware Baby & Child are quite something. That something is out of my price range, but it is also a combination of two great design elements in a nursery- vintage clothing + maps.
Looking at the finished product makes me think that if you grabbed some beautifully colored maps and tapped into your own creativity (plus had a glue gun handy for the inevitable cheating that would have to occur)- maybe you could come up with something pretty close....

All images: Restoration Hardware Baby & Child

blueberry jewelry

  

 Blueberry Bud Posts

The jewelry designer Amber Mahler has a whole line of jewelry that is composed of botanical casts. The pieces she has created from parts of blueberry bushes are my favorite. Her process is briefly described on her Etsy shop, ManiDesigns, page :

The seedpods, flowers, buds and twigs in my botanical series are collected from my walks in the woods near my home. They are lost wax cast silver and gold originals of the actual flowers and branches that I gathered. This commitment to "live casting" insures that I must continually forage for or grow in my garden new material to be cast.
The beauty of the lost wax technique is that each casting is entirely unique. By pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible with this process, I have captured very detailed organic matter, I think not yet seen before in metal. Each season, sprung from the live castings, I offer a number of new and limited edition production items. - Amber Mahler

 Budding Blueberry Hoops

 Miniature Blueberry Posts

 Intertwined Wild Blueberry Branch Wedding Ring

Wild Blueberry Branch Ring with Blue Sapphire Set in Blueberry Bud, Engagement Ring

powder blue

Powder blue is calming, but still has a vibrancy. It is regal and comfortable somehow. I have it absolutely nowhere in my home, but I definitely wish I did... 

 Images: houzz, homeinteriordesign, indulgy, thelovelymrs, 

thedesignfairy, casahaus

turning art

Described as the Netflix of the art world, TurningArt is really an opportunity to enjoy all sorts of artwork in your home. As we all know,  art for the home is not only personal...it is darn expensive in most cases. Plus, how often do you look at the painting/drawing/photography on your walls and wonder how something else might work in that space?

TurningArt has created a way for folks to obtain art for their home, changing it up as frequently as their taste changes, for a monthly fee. It sounds odd, but when you think about it- how fun to change the feel of a room whenever it pleases you. They send a frame and when you locate a piece of art you are interested in - you request it. It hangs in your home for as long as you like -and then you can request another to switch it out. Genius!

Image:  thepaintbar

makerspaces

Libraries are community hubs, a place for gathering as much as they are a space for housing books. In just the past couple of years it seems the idea of libraries being home to spaces set aside specifically for creating is catching on and speedily spreading. It is the development of the "makerspace". Whether it be craftsmen/women of similar artistic endeavors, children armed with their Legos and imaginations or tech enthusiasts engineering their latest projects- these groups have a space to gather and utilize to create.

Sometimes the spaces are called labs and contain equipment and tools otherwise unavailable to patrons, but often they are rooms dedicated to hosting a writing group or knitting circle. The important aspects of a makerspace in the library is that it is a place of creativity and collaboration. Check your local library's newsletter or website and see if they are part of the trend toward makerspaces. Also, this post on The Unquiet Librarian blog has links to much more information about makerspaces and their creation and some generally fantastic ideas about how they tie into participatory learning.

Image: danwoog via google

Kickstarter

I was introduced to Kickstarter by a neighbor who was passionately involved in one of the projects (a very cool documentary about cold water surfing) and suddenly I noticed it popping up everywhere.
The concept could not be cooler- funding and following creativity.

"Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others.
Since our launch on April 28, 2009, over $500 million has been pledged by more than 3 million people, funding more than 35,000 creative projects." - Kickstarter 101

Sometimes I will browse the site just to check out what sorts of proposed projects are floating around. It is like stumbling upon a catalog of people's birthday wishes. There are some incredibly creative pursuits. While I am certainly not impressed by or in love with all of the ideas, it is generally really inspiring to see folks putting their dreams out there, finding a cheering section and maybe even drumming up some financial support for the project.

Image: competepulse

serving up some art

Dinnerware as art is certainly not a new concept. I have seen many a dish covered dining room wall or background to a stairway make either a bold or darling statement. No matter the effect, I usually feel that the designed dish as art works well as long as you find the right one, or two, for your space.
Anthropologie has a series of plates right now that would be beautiful as part of a "dishscape". One of these days my very lonely kitchen walls may welcome this sort of fancy addition.....

  

  All images: anthropologie

A Pretty Spectacular Wedding Present

These bowls, from My Mama's Table, would make a lovely wedding or anniversary present. The font can be customized as well as the date. The person behind the bowls has a passion for both graphic design and ceramics and it's obvious in these beautiful creations. I've got six weddings on the docket this year, so it's nice to know of a gift that I'd be as excited to give as they'd be to receive.

Christian Jackson's Minimalist Children's Posters

These have been making their way across the Internet but I'm reposting them because they are so beautiful and clever. I'm posting my three favorites here but you can see the full fifteen at Visual News or Buzzfeed. Artist Christian Jackson's site can be found here, but I'm taking the broken link to the poster page as a sign that he's been overwhelmed by orders already. Perhaps check back in a few months?

watercolor wedding

The idea of a watercolor wedding is so simply elegant. It is not overly themed or contrived- there is a natural beauty in free form color and the options are endless. After seeing these photos, adding a watercolor touch to any affair seems like a good idea.

Cake: 100layercake, Invitation: ohsobeautifulpaper, Garland: ohhappyday, Favor: ohlovelyday, Votives: oncewed, watercolor wedding photos: styleunveiled

Lay Baby Lay

The blog Lay Baby Lay is filled with beautifully orchestrated inspiration boards for children's rooms, mostly nurseries, by Joni the custom sign maker of chocolatebutterbean. Her choices are full of great art, color and energy- but most impressively she includes complete source lists. So thanks for the all the great ideas AND links!

 Images: laybabylay

wedding parasols

Although I have lost count of exactly how many, I have attended a fair amount of weddings. Each one had special touches that made it distinctive and though there are a few elements I saw more than once- I have never seen a wedding parasol. I have never witnessed a bride or bridal party member carry one. They have never been available to guests (even at the blazing hot Cabo beach wedding) or part of the decor at any of the ceremonies or receptions.
I always look forward to how the design of every wedding is individual and unique .....I hope I see a wedding parasol one of these days.....

Images: howdoilovetheestyle pinterest pinterest the6chicks australiaentertains tinylittlebubbles pinterest goodthingsweddingfavors