OOooooo

All I can say is that this paper sculpture from Yula Brodskaya has me written all over it (except it really says 'bye').

Tilt-shift photography

I think tilt-shift photography has to be one of the coolest things I've ever seen.  It's like taking a photo, but having it look like a set full of miniatures!

Here's the exact definition from Wikipedia:

Tilt-shift photography refers to the use of camera movements on small- and medium format cameras, often tilting the lens relative to the image plane to achieve a very shallow depth of field. The technique relies on the Scheimpflug principle and usually requires the use of special lenses. “Tilt-shift” actually encompasses two different types of movements: rotation of the lens, called tilt, and movement of the lens parallel to the image plane, called shift. Tilt is used to control the orientation of the plane of focus (PoF), and hence the part of an image that appears sharp. Shift is used to control perspective, usually involving the convergence of parallel lines.

Ta-da! Sweetbean!

My sister had an idea over the summer to start a little business for herself (she's a new mom and working from home), and she wanted to do something that involved baby clothes. She bounced the idea off of me (and bounced, and bounced, AND bounced, LOL!) and we worked on a name and a concept. I'm not too involved with the business (she's the go-getter and one with the huge amounts of motivation -- I'm just the little creative brain that does logos and draws things), but I'm her number one fan so I thought I'd post a little introduction on Sweetbean and let you all see what we've done:

Logo (of course).

And the 'core' Sweetbean family, made up of:

If you need to get your little hands on these for yourself...click the banner over on the right and it will link up to the current Etsy site.
*Oh, and remember, copyrights do apply to these (and other original photos on this blog). Be kind, don't rip them off or copy them and use them for yourselves. And if you do want to post these on your site, we nicely ask you to link to the Sweetbean site. Many thanks! :)

I'm checking into the poorhouse

Just browsing websites for London shopping ideas gets me into trouble...and then seeing their logo/wordmark -- well, consider me sold.

Who couldn't use a little Flight of the Conchords on Friday?

Grass

Not just for mowing. Just think of the possibilities!

Lovely Metaphys Circle Grass Garden
(This I really like, and the cat can mow it for me.)

You could always have the low maintenance rug version.

And if you're going to start with a rug, why not add a chair?

With all that work done, you'll surely want to put your feet up.

I'm sure you'll be hungry after all of that. Why not have a snack?

But, be careful not to drop that on your dress!

If you've got time to spare

Check out mygazines, a website that lets you browse current and archived issues of almost* every magazine out there.

*It's still a new-ish site, so I wasn't able to find some magazines I was looking for ('Olive', a magazine from the UK, was one search that came up empty).

A litta bitta illustration

Sometimes you can't beat hand drawn illustrations. The work of Yehrin Tong is fab.

via d.sharp

A blog that makes me ooooo and ahhhhh

Delicious Days is sooooo lovely to look at. The photos are stunning, I mean REALLY stunning. Just look at the three I've plucked from it:

*sigh* I could do a big life 'tradsies' with that right about now! Must research a new macro camera lens as well, lol!

A fanny pack for your face

I came across this beauty on Etsy today.

Now that you're scratching your head (and pondering how you too, can have this textile marvel they call the 'nekk n brace'), let's take a look at it's description from the seller:

a lil bit nekkn a lil bit nbrace
Its a scarf. bandanna. with a pocket to hold your treasures. like a fanny pack for your face.
bold geometric pattern
choose your own adventure style. many different ways to wear the nekk'n brace.
great for ridding bikes and looking swass.
made from 100% salvaged materials

Neck brace. Check!
A scarf and bandana and pocket all in one? A scandanet? Check, check and check!
A fanny pack for my face. MY SEARCH IS OVER, check!
Bold geometrics, great for accentuating the face. Check!
Choose your own adventure (like the books!). Most definite check!
I can 'rid' my bike AND look 'swass' with it! Damn right check!

All this for just $40 (plus shipping of course) and you can be the coolest kid in your 'hood, right on time for back to school!
(Granny's old speckies, 10-speed and shirtlessness optional.)

Just one more post before tomorrow

Ferry Staverman does some seriously impressive work. Think of those Hallmark decorations that you could pop out and make table top centerpieces for Christmas...but these you could keep out all year (although not near a blustery open window...).

Get your pattern on

I'm posting an uncharacteristic entry at the end of the day (as opposed to my usual A.M. bursts) since tomorrow morning I'll be standing in line, bright and early, at the passport office.

The pattern work by Nippy Sweetie is faaaa-aaaaa-aaaa-you get my point-bulous. I am so taken by the last pattern (but love all of them):