Liam Stevens

Today, I am liking the work of Liam Stevens.

Kitchens I fancy...

Oh baby, look at these beauties.

1: From here accompanying an interview with Ericka from Urban Grace Interiors.
2: Stephanie showed me this from House Beautiful... lovely isn't it?

Albert and His Adventures by Marlene Reidel

Time for a little book love. Here is, "Albert and His Adventures" originally by Monroe Stearns which is retold and illustrated by Marlene Reidel. The copy I have is from the 1960's and has the most beautifully colored and black and white woodblock illustrations. It is a about little Albert who is a day dreamer that wanders off into his imaginative and adventurous world.

Thinking of Paris...Ladurée

Ah Paris. After looking through my photos today, I realized I have not shown you many from our trip, how about I sprinkle some in with my other posts?

Here is Ladurée, it is amazing, quintessential Paris. People line up to select their macarons, croissants and other delights while watching them be wrapped up in the most divine packaging. I felt like we were showered with elegant and grace; a wall full of ribbon, stacks of gorgeous boxes ... a foodie and packaging lover's dream. We tried a few different macarons in the city including Ladurées, and decided we liked their 'classic' flavors best. This is a must stop while in Paris.

Giveaway winner.

Thank you for everyone who entered the giveaway. I am anxious to see and show you Angela's design when it is completed. Using random.org the winner fell on #50 = dorthea b. who said... "So admirable to start your own business! I'm inspired." Dorthea email me (blackeiffel@gmail.com) with you address and I will forward it on to Angela!

Paris Vogue

I love this Paris Vogue cover with Sofia Coppola. There is something that I really like about her.

(via this is glamorous)

Fabric Poster by Erin Jang

What an adorable use of fabric, look at this poster created by Erin Jang, and see her other inspiring creations here. Fabrics from Purl Soho.

Giveaway.

Remember to enter this giveaway by midnight. I am excited to see what Angela will surprise us with! xo Rachel



(image of SeeSaw Designs 2009 lettepress calendar)

Michael Bierut's Notebooks

Fascinating post over at the Design Observer about the way Michael Bierut keeps notes in his 85 different notebooks over 26 years.

Perhaps it is more of a artist and designer thing to keep a notebook/sketchbook, so I am wondering... how many of you utilize and keep notebooks, sketchbooks or books of lists full of your thoughts, tidbits and ideas? What is your method?

Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie

This is one of the most clever and original music videos I've seen in a long time. When I go to sleep tonight on my mattress I will be thinking about it again, I'm sure. I also like the song, it is called Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie. Listen to more here and he was on Morning Becomes Eclectic in December and has an album up on itunes. I love discovering new artists.


Directed by: Oren Lavie, Yuval & Merav Nathan / Photography: Eyal Landesman / Featuring: Shir Shomron

(via Design Dust)

Happy post.

To bring some cheer after the previous post, I looked around for things that make me happy today. Here they are...


How fun would this be to get in the mail? (via BLTD)




Kind of random, but what about beautiful Japanese Cardboard Cookies? (via simplesong)



Cool photographic collage postcards by aviewto. Check out A View To blog which also has lots of gorgeous eye candy. (via bees knees)

Domino

I am extremely sad that Domino is folding :( it was one of my favorite magazines, and I especially thought the most recent issue was lovely because it included this house. Tears... sad to see it pass away like my other favorite Blueprint... more tears...

(thanks for letting me know Steph)

The Paper Nut

Remember these beautiful letterpress cards designed by my friend Jeanie of her new line called the Paper Nut? Now her website is up and it is lovely. Have a peek.

Jamie Oliver

After perusing Jamie Oliver's cookbook for a bit, I decided to check out his website and to my delight found his amazing line of well-packaged food products and kitchen accessories. (the packaging has been chattered about in the blogsphere recently here, here, here and here... etc. well deserved attention wouldn't you agree?) The packaging and branding is done by Pearlfisher and illustrated by one of my favorite typographic illustrators Marion Deuchars (previously posted here) and the kitchen products are designed by Phil Longstaff and shakers by Lincoln Rivers and Alex Muspratt-Williams. I did not realize how expansive Jamie's empire really is, until now -- he even recently launched his own magazine called Jamie in Dec. 08. This is also an interesting current article just published about his views on the recession. I hope his product become more readily available in the U.S. soon.

ps. Has anyone used his Flavour Shaker? It looks intriguing.

Miniature Photos

I can't get over what a clever idea this is by the hilarious Color me Kate, to place miniature photos of you and your loved one around the house. She also dances about with strangers and makes sweet video and wall creations too. What a cool chick.

(via Smitten/Joanna)

Bread + Butter Valentines

Adorable letterpress cards by Bread and Butter found here.

Cadbury Eyebrows Commercial

This British commercial, totally cracks me up. Made me laugh.
(via anyways)

Custom dolls

I love this idea for a wedding topper, for toys, a fun craft project, etc... the possibilities are endless. Check out goosegrease's etsy.

(via junebug)

What I am perusing

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

I've had a few people ask me what I am reading lately and to those who know me well, (especially my husband) know I often have tons of items I circulate through during any given week, especially during the winter. Whether they be from the library, book store, thrift store, or off my own shelves I love to flip through books and listen to other various media. So... here it goes, my new weekly feature of "what I am perusing". I am also adding a widget on the sidebar for easy access of the various titles to look up. What are you perusing lately? Share you favorites... Do you read one book completely or have a few in circulation?

Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Great resource book for the kitchen. Shows you everything that a great cook should know.

Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life: Beautifully designed book focusing on how Jamie Oliver grows and cooks from his garden.

The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook: For the beginning cook, this is a great resource full of tried and true recipes. I've made a handful of them which all turned out delicious.

Mon Oncle: DVD - Haven't watched this yet. Hope to this week. Have you seen it?

Living a Beautiful Life: I picked this off my shelf last night to peruse, it is a lovely, uplifting, and enriching book.

How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way: I am a fan of the Montessori philosophy. This book has already helped me with my toddler in finding more constructive activities and has helped me figure out this independence and control phase she is going through.

Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business: If you are a creative who wants to expand, sell stuff on Etsy... this is your book.

The Pencil: Cute book I read to my daughter today. This was on Time's Top 10 Children's Book list for 2008, the reason I checked it out.

Adele -19: Soulful music I still have yet to listen to completely.

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness: I like to always have a business/financial book in circulation. I got this "audio style" so I could listen to it while doing other things.

Thanks, A giveaway, Goodbye. by guest : Angela Hardison

It has been constant eye candy this week with guest blogger Angela Hardison, don't you agree? I fancy her creativity and it was marvelous to see a showcasing of her goregous work and my ... what a lovely studio she works in. Seesaw Designs = Inspiring. I am amazed at the young talent and am looking forward to seeing more. Thanks Angela for taking the time to share and inspire us with your insights and whoo hoo... thanks for also offering a surprise giveaway! (Read details below).



Thanks again to Rachel for asking me to guest blog - I've loved being here. And thank you readers - I've enjoyed your thoughts & comments. To show my appreciation, I'm giving away something that I haven't even made yet. Here's some hints:

- a letterpress print
- 8x10"
- probably two-color
- design & letterpress by me
- shipped to you around March 15th

It will be good; you want it. (I know it's kind of weird that you don't know what you might win, but surprises are always more fun, right?). Just leave a comment by Wednesday, January 28th at midnight and the winner will be selected randomly!

{No anonymous entries will be counted, please enter only once. }

For more info, visit me at the following:
- my personal blog
- SeeSaw blog

Be courageous & vulnerable by Guest: Angela Hardison

When I was younger, I used to do what I call "air-writing"... kind of like air guitar, except writing letters and spelling words with my pointer finger. I did it all the time -- in cursive, print, and everything between. I guess I've always loved the art of lettering, and the way shapes form to create a language. So naturally, typography (and other lettering found in design) is high on the list of my favorite things.





This invitation set is from the portfolio of Keetra Dean Dixon (a recent recipient of the ADC Young Guns Award. Besides the awesome typography in these pieces, I especially love the messages found in this "small series of cordial invitations." And they seem fitting for my final thoughts to you all:

Make the work you wish you were making.
Share it.
Make with wonder.
Be courageous and vulnerable.