A Steno Pad for My Thoughts

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Posts filed under 'sketchbook'

We’re so bad.

Since I work at home and get a ton of mail, it was only likely that I would accidentally open my own present. Well, at least one of them. And if you accidentally open your own present, do you lie and try to cover it up? Or come clean and possibly ruin the surprise for the gift giver? I came somewhat clean, like my arm was clean but my hand was still stuck in the mud. I did say I opened the box, accidentally (hey! I ordered two things from the same place–it happens!) but I didn’t see what it was. (Total lies.) I rescinded but a moment later panged with guilt and full of giddy for what was inside. So, we celebrated some gift giving early. We are so bad but its still so fun who cares! I’ve been drawing. A new bamboo tablet is on my desk. And for all the rest of you who can actually wait until your gift giving day of cheer, I’m still shipping for December 25th delivery until Saturday! Happy merry making!! More gift ideas soon-ish, you know, after I finish opening up mine first.

And one final thought, as you’re opening up your gifts, can I just say how utterly delicious Bell’s Special Double Cream Stout has been this year? How have I missed this in year’s past, definitely worth tracking down.

1ead

4 comments December 15th, 2010

Good and Bad

In trying to find some data on my hard drive, I can across these photos. Remember those books I made for my nephew a bit back? Well, in May, he showed me one he had been drawing in and I was beaming at the first page. He used stickers from The Small Object Labels & Stickers Book that I designed for Chronicle Books and they are brilliant to me. Such a smart fun way to use some of the stickers from that set. I love that everything was either good or bad. I’m sharing a ton of photos so here goes.

Nothing short of awesome. I ordered some to stock in my shop but I think I sold out at Renegade. But I do have some of the other items I designed for Chronicle coming to the shop with the next update so hang on tight. The update will also include a few of the brand new Today Is Super Journal that just came out from Chronicle–yay!! I’ll show more peeks of that soon, too! The new digs are feeling spot on and we’re digging in deep and so happy to report that the insanity of the last two months is gone. We are golden and I am thrilled. All good!!

7 comments August 4th, 2010

Paper Triangles

We watched Helvetica a few weeks ago and since then my mind keeps mulling over what is made by hand and what is created digitally on the computer. It’s always a delicate balance for me getting just the right amount of both. Lately, I have been cutting up paper for two new archival prints, a marriage certificate and birth certificate.

In designing them, I wanted a clean + clear bold graphic but one that was still noticeably created by hand. I decided to create the design with cut up paper pieces which I would then scan into the computer. After that, I added in the text.

The titles on each certificate were created using rubber stamped letters but the rest of the text will be layered in digitally, as well, but using a standard typeface. I can’t tell you how excited I am about these. I went through several designs before settling on these. Clearly, triangles and textile designs are still circling overhead. (Most especially, this book which was a gift that has been endlessly inspiring and which I highly recommend.) After I have them printed, I’ll show you the final designs.

4 comments July 20th, 2009

Birthday Drawings

The final installment in the birthday weekend coverage. My niece and nephew made some amazing drawings and their spelling at this age is far too much for me. Take for instance, this Moustaches book made by my nephew.

Awesome. He told my friend he might want to be illustrator when he grows up. And then my niece who is all about quantity and making collages and using scissors, glue and bits pulled out these beauties.

That heart is laminated in tape. And then the final drawing made over the weekend was this one created during dinner. Holy hothouse–look at that leprechaun!

My friend got to take this one home and he made me a cheap imitation. I was happy to take it though.

1be3

5 comments March 19th, 2009

The Best of… Borders and Bands

The following is a post from The Small Object blog originally hosted over on Blogger that has since been deleted. This post was originally published in September 2005.

“I’m thinking the wood stuff needs some borders so I was looking around the house for inspiration. There’s a ton of stuff so I started a Flickr set too (I’ll add more in the next few days). I’m digging on the diagonal lines or leaf border right now for the loop troope stand but not sure on the tote bag stand.

Just be advised, these pictures are best viewed small. :)”

Add comment January 2nd, 2008

The Best of… Collage Photo Albums

The following is a post from The Small Object blog originally hosted over on Blogger that has since been deleted. This post was originally published in April 2005.

“Here they are…my childhood pictures. This one is a watercolor sketchbook actually. Drawings, magazine cutouts, stickers + reflective letter “S” on the front.

My mom’s baby pictures album cover. Postcard of radios from her birth, magazine cutouts + image from postcard of a Broadway play (lower right image) whose name I forget. (Oops!)

And finally, just a couple more pics of my niece + nephew. All stuff is again just glued on with a glue stick and are magazine cutouts. Mostly from Martha Stewart magazine cause her images rock!

Tis all!”

Add comment January 2nd, 2008