As soon as I picked up this book, I dove right in and began to swim through it’s pages. Each spread is thoughtful, unique and graphically stunning. At $19.95, it makes a wonderful gift for kids and adults. Illustrated by French artist, Blex Bolex, and published by Enchanted Lion Books.
Free!
I just scored a new work table — found roadside with a big, cardboard “FREE” sign on it. It’s a perfect addition to my home office.
Lois Ehlert
Over the past few months, Silvie and I have been spending our mornings in the toddler’s section of the Westport Library. It’s an amazing place; they host free programs for kids of all ages, and they also have really great toddler play areas. While my daughter entertains herself and discovers new-found friends; I sit aside and thumb through some of the artful, inspiring books that surround us.
Recently I discovered the work of Lois Ehlert, a wonderful artist, author and illustrator. I find her books to be witty and wise, and wonderfully associated with nature.
And HOW!
I just found out that one of my card designs from the Martha Stewart / Crane and Company holiday collection has been recognized in the 2009 HOW international design annual. A very nice and welcomed surprise!
Put down the Haagen Dazs and Indulge Locally
A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a pint of Kulfi-Pistachio Cardomom from Adirondack Creamery. It was probably the most surprising ice cream taste I have ever experienced. Spicy and warm mixed with cold and creamy.
Adirondack Dreamery, I mean Adirondack Creamery is an ice cream company from upstate New York. They use only real ingredients, with (hormone-free) milk and cream sourced from local dairy farms. Such a yummy treat.
Je l’adore
From one of my MOST favorite specimens of typography (ever); an antique French printed road map. I melt every time I look at this thing of beauty. These scans are from a promotional insert within the map folder. I will include images of the map in a future posting. Slurp it up, typography lovers.
DIY baseball cards, 1983
While going through some boxes the other night, my husband came across this baseball card he created when he was 12. Not only was I thoroughly impressed with his design skills; I was also quite charmed that he recorded his statistics on the reverse side.
Urban Garden Bars
John & Kira’s introduced their special edition Project Mintpatch “Urban Garden Bars”
a couple of weeks ago at the Rittenhouse Square & Headhouse farmer’s markets in Philadelphia. A small batch of 500 bars were sold for $7 each and 100% of profits were given back to the urban farmers. These “urban” mint farmers are inner city students and teens who cultivate mint in their schools and through community programs. For the full Project Mintpatch story, visit the J&K website.
Studio AG was responsible for naming the “Urban Garden Bars”, logo design, and short-run packaging design. Labels were printed by moo.com.
Basement Finds
I accidentally caused a smallish (harmless) flood in our basement last week. While mopping up, I noticed a handful of little packaging treasures on the shelf. Old items left behind by the different generations that have inhabited our house since it was built in 1940. Simple type + graphics + illustration. Pre-computer, pre-photoshop. Stuff like this makes me happy.
Toot-Toot-Tooting my own Horn
As I dip my toes into the deep sea of blogging, I might as well take this opportunity for some shameless self-promotion. : )
I am so extremely HAPPY to announce that my humble Studio AG was awarded in the 365: AIGA Annual Design Exhibition 30. There were over 3800 entries, and 182 examples of design *excellence* were chosen.
This charming John & Kira’s box system was created to reflect the extreme amount of tender care and absolute deliciousness that go into each and every handcrafted J&K chocolate. The letter pressed labels are printed with Mad Maude Press, and the boxes are being manufactured with Simkins Box Corp. in Philadelphia.
The packaging will forever be preserved in the AIGA archives at the Denver Art Museum in Colorado.