Happy Holidays!

This is my last post for a few days. I'm looking forward to taking a well deserved break. It's been a simply amazing year here at the studio - especially the last 2 months. Cartolina will take on a whole new life in 2010 and I'm looking forward to sharing all the exciting news with you over the next couple of weeks. Preparing posts for Cafe Cartolina has become my favourite part of the day and every morning I look forward to reading your comments. I'm going to have lots more time on my hands in the New Year and I promise to update the labels list and some of the permanent image links we have on the side bars - just a little bit of housekeeping to keep the Cafe fresh! Thanks for visiting everyday and for commenting. Happy Holidays! {I'll be back here on the 30th!}

These images are from the amazing Katrin Cargill - enjoy . . . .

I'd love to know what plans you all have for the holidays. Why don't you leave me a comment - I'd love to know!

Inspiration

I think this is the third time I have featured the clever designs from Once Wed here at the Cafe. This time I found these images at Design Sponge and had to pluck them off and plop them down here. Such a simple idea done so elegantly - as usual - well done!

Found

I'm really hooked on the jeans and long boots look this winter - I bet you are too. So you have probably seen these before - I had not, until last night. What a great idea - boot cuffs! I love the colour of these too - so fun. Available at Laine Design.

Found

Super simple and striking. I want to fill my house with these for the holidays, don't you? From the clever, and I'm sure busy at this time of the year, people at Kissa Designs.

Vintage

These are fun - vintage matchbooks with novelty graphics and fun illustrated matches. Goofy but good! From here.

Vintage

I thought you might like to see these. These are known as watch papers and date from the late 19th century. I know all you typophiles will appreciate the beautifully designed type.

From here

Inspiration

YouAnother source of inspiration for me is vintage lithographed tins - especially tea tines because I love the Chinese graphics on them. The lids alone can be amazing examples of illustration and typography in a confined space. Look at this first one - see the tiny 'stitched' detail between the panels - I love that! And the black stripe on the mustard yellow - brilliant fun!

All of these can be found here

Inspiration

Amazing chinoiserie inspiration from www.tchochkes.com. What an amazing wall!

Inspiration

I'm designing new cards for the next 2 or 3 weeks - a french collection for the French Canadian and European markets. When I start designing I try to get as much diverse inspiration as possible - who knew I would find these Ukrainian eggs so exciting - just as I did the Temari balls yesterday - such a riot of pattern and colour. From here.

Found

Here's a great supplier for that wonderful Japanese washi tape - Pretty Tape.

Vintage

Oh, I get so distracted when I'm Christmas shopping - I mean, who wouldn't want a vintage circus sign for christmas?

All of these amazing old things are available at Factory 20 - but I'm warning you, you'd better have time to waste if you click on this link!