Baggu Wrapping

Baggu

Do you guys know about Baggu?

Yes, their website design is impeccable, but really they are in the business of making lovely bags.  They started with nylon ones you can roll up and save for shopping, (above,) but they've expanded their line to include other bags, such as this swank backpack as featured in none other than the Sartorialist:

Anyways, they made this handy tutorial about wrapping presents with Baggu bags.  It reminds me of Japanese furoshiki wrapping, but even easier:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdfoXkCXECY&feature=player_embedded#!]

So simple, right? Two presents in one!

Thanks for the Etsy Treasury Love!

I'm happy to tell you, a bunch of my prints have been featured in various Etsy Treasuries lately! For those of you who don't speak 'Etsy':

The Treasury is an ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery of handpicked items. Members can feature their favorite items, items selected on a theme or just whatever they like. The Treasury is not intended for self-promotion, but instead to acknowledge and share the many cool things for sale on Etsy.

I wanted to list them here, as each one was beautifully curated.  Click on the images to purchase/check out the goodies! etsy treasury round up

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etsy treasury round up

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etsy treasury round up

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etsy treasury round up

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etsy treasury round up

Aren't they pretty?  Hmm I know I'm bookmarking some of them for presents later on...

Thanks so much to Sol Del Sur, eat pray create, live.flourish, Miss Emmy Green, and artsyville for including me!

Illustrator Crush: Susan Gal

Sometimes drawing feels like work-- and not because it actually is.  More like...things get dull.  Luckily, when that happened the other day I was nosing around and came across Susan Gal of Gal Girl Studios.  A little bit retro, with lots of great textures and patterns, her work reminded me to have fun:

Susan Gal

See what I mean?

This one made me laugh out loud:

Check out her site to see more!

All images by Susan Gal.

Fun Growth Chart

Growth charts are usually for kids right?  I don't think I've grown much (in height, hah) lately, but this one seems like fun for everyone: I'm as big as

I'm as big as...Elvis? A Baby Giraffe?  A Great White Shark's Mouth Open Wide?  A Fairy?

See?  Way more fun than 5 foot 8 and a half.

"I'm As Big As..." by Snowhome.

Spotted: Artisan Biscuits

Have you guys seen these?--Adorable butter cookies, ahem "biscuits", from the British Artisan Biscuits, designed by Irving & Co.

G picked up a box of the Tortoise & Hare at Whole Foods the other night, and I can't stop gushing over the packaging.  This line, called Two by Two, comes complete with a story or poem on the back of the box.

And the cookies match the illustrations.   Aagh!

Anyone know who did these darling illustrations?

If you need a laugh today:

I'm in love with all the movie trailer remixes going around lately.  I think they're hilarious.  And brilliant. I spotted this one on Cup of Jo (yes, I'm in love with that blog,) and it reminded me of the other ones I'd spotted.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMWpxTK7q2s&feature=player_embedded]

What I didn't realize was how many were actually out there.  Silence of the Lambs, Pretty Woman, Sleepless in Seattle, Willy Wonka, and on and on... Ok, some are definitely way better than others.

The happy version of The Shining is my favorite.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os6raCCmAFk&feature=player_embedded]

Theme for Aeolidia.com is up!

Aeolidia: Gaia Cornwall ThemeI mentioned a while ago that I was working on a site theme for the wonderful Aeolidia.com. I'm happy to announce that my under-water circus theme (featuring Ms. Aeolidia, the sea slug, herself) is up!

Aeolidia: Gaia Cornwall Theme

Visit Aeolidia and select my theme from the pull-down tab, on the upper left, or click here to check it out!   At some point it will be the default theme--I'll let you know when that happens.

Aeolidia: Gaia Cornwall Theme

And in case you were wondering, Aeolidia is a great design company:

“We specialize in making standout shop websites for crafters and other small businesses, but we do about a billion other things, as well. Just ask us!”

Aeolidia: Gaia Cornwall Theme

I cannot recommend them highly enough!

Babies

Babies film

I saw the documentary Babies (with my soon-to-be In-Laws!!) on Mother's Day.  It was really wonderful.

babies film

I guess partly, as expected.  I mean gorgeous footage of babies, doing ridiculous baby things...It could have gone on for hours and I think everyone in the theater would have been riveted.

babies film

But how great is it that a documentary with little, to no, (discernible) dialogue was packed opening day at a mall in eastern Connecticut?  The whole thing made me happy.

Busy busy

Pika package project

Because I decided May wasn't busy enough, I just signed up for two exciting projects:  Pikaland's PikaPackage Project and the Flourish business e-course.  I'm really looking forward to working on both.

FlourishYou may have noticed my little etsy  shop languishing over the months.  I haven't figured out how to juggle pursuing illustration through more traditional means, while selling prints and other items directly to customers.   I'm an illustrator, not a shop owner.  But I'm hoping after Flourish I'll be both.

The PikaPackage will tie in nicely to that-- get the creative gears moving, as well as a promo for my work and shop.

And to help me juggle everything, I've signed up for the free trial of the task management program, Things.  Does anyone use it now?  I've only had it for a day, but I think its love.