Inspiration | photography

If you have been reading my blog for a while you will know how much I like vintage store fronts. So I was excited to find these wonderful vintage black and white photographs of Manhattan - I thought you might like them too. Simpler times.

Random Objects | reproduction cameras

So if we are going to take fabulous vintage style, black and white photos we really need to use one of these fun reproduction journalists' cameras. Urban Outfitters have such a great selection of these beauties - we've featured a few here before but these are their latest releases. Brand new vintage fun!

Photography | Emmy Ludwig

The next post is about sewing and I just had to post these lovely, sewing themed photographs from Philadelphia photographer Emmy Ludwig. She has a great eye for simple domestic vignettes. You can see more of her charming work right here.

Crafty alert!

I'm a crafty type - I've had a sewing machine for as long as I can remember. It makes me happy that the craft revolution has swept the country over the last 10 years. Now this was not supposed to be an Urban Outfitters post at all - really - I was searching for Singer sewing machines on line when I discovered that UO are selling heavy duty professional sewing machines from Singer. It even looks like they have a steel body (with a hammered finish no less) and come with all the accessories. I know there are some other crafty folk out there who would love one of these machines -- these are new to UO - do any of you know anyone who has bought one of these? I'd love a review before I purchased my own.

A few other crafty things to go with my new sewing machine!

Studio News {shameless self promotion}

 - Well we have been very busy for the last month. Christmas snuck up on me this year and before I knew it it was time to design holiday cards. Most of the bigger retailers buy their holiday cards in April and May - they don't actually receive them until September/October but in the wholesale world you have to be ready for the buying seasons or you will miss out. So this year, along with our signature counter cards, we are producing boxed holiday cards and coordinating gift tags and this year they are going to be glittered - woo hoo! I am very excited about the glitter! So the line sheets are ready and if you are interested in wholesale send me an email and I will get a line sheet and samples to you asap. (And we will have some great giveaways of Christmas product closer to November!)

 - Another piece of news I am very excited about is one of our new retailers - Urban Outfitters! A selection of Cartolina products will be available at Urban Outfitters in the next couple of weeks. How fun!

 - Also we are excited that our notebooks are being featured in Stationery Trends Magazine this month. It's always a thrill to see our products on a magazine page - thank you Jan!

 - And finally I am very proud to announce that Doug illustrated the cover of Forbes Magazine this month. Forbes has been using photography on their covers for quite a long time now but historically they were always one of the most stylishly illustrated covers on the news stand. This month they chose Doug to illustrate the cover and some interior spots. It's on the news stand this week, looks great, though we will have to wait a few days to get a copy here. Good job Doug - hey, wanna illustrate some cards?

Inspiration | Sandra Lane

Thought you might appreciate a little inspiration on a Monday morning in the form of gorgeous photography from Sandra Lane.

Random Object | Canvas blanket

I meant to post this last week - never too late though! A wonderful throw from Wisteria - striped ticking on the back and embroidered canvas top - the blanket stitch around the edge just makes it perfect don't you think? Actually I'm a sucker for anything with a blanket stitch!

Shopping | World Market

I went to Spokane WA to do some shopping at the weekend and as usual found myself in World Market buying lots of pretty wrapping paper and bags(World Market is one of the places that I love to buy paper products - I really appreciate their block printed papers and exotic patterned gift bags.) So while I was there a couple of new things caught my eye - I didn't have my camera with me so I found these images on their web site. These mirrors are reverse painted(hand painted) onto distressed mercury glass. They are so pretty and sparkly and very authenticly exotic looking. These images really don't do them justice at all. So next time you are near a World Market check them out. They are truly lovely.

The other thing that I really loved was this little hand painted side table - isn't it sweet?

A little break.

I'm taking a little break! After a marathon design session, and some very big orders going out the door this week, I think I deserve a little rest. Just until Sunday - I'll be back on Monday morning shiny and refreshed! Until then, here are a few pretty pictures from our last trip to Paris that I thought you might enjoy. Thank you for visiting this week, I really appreciate it, see you next week - au revoir!

Window Shopping | Shore Haus

Don't get me wrong, there are many wonderful things about living in the back of beyond but sometimes I would like to visit a store like this - a store like Shore Haus in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The images on their blog make me squeal - if you live in Delaware you must  go there - and report back to me immediately.

Inspiration | The Rug Company

Here's a post for all you pattern junkies - these are so inspiring - rugs from the Rug Company. They are all beautiful - the brown and white leather patterned one is very cool too.

Tres Bien | Les Things

Wow wow wow - these are right up my alley. So glad I ran into them yesterday as I was playing hooky from work! You can get yours too right here at Les Things - but you'd better hurry!

Inspiration | DIY

I'm always looking for fun storage ideas - especially for the studio. I know that many of our readers are designers so when I ran across this first pretty little storage idea at one of my favourite Australian blogs, Designer's Emporium. I followed the link to this DIY blog and found all sorts of wonderful home office and studio ideas that I think you will approve of!

Great use for a plate rack, and if I'm not mistaken I think you can get this one at Target.

Two really simple and pretty home office ideas - love the dividing book case!

All my stationery designer friends will appreciate this last image - this this a great way to store or display cards - to keep them handy. I love this idea - I think I will use this idea myself - I think it's a simple cake cooling rack from the hardware store isn't it?