Filter Heroes

http://gizmodo.com/5361771/these-are-the-photoshop-filter-heroes

Dream ball

Being shown at the London Design Festival is the Dream ball. A brand new soccer ball, which is made by recycling famine relief packaging. Since buying a soccer ball is a luxury for children living in third world countries, they usually make one out of ropes and trash. Aid provided from the UN and RED CROSS to people living the third world is usually packaged in boxes, but most of them contain medication, food and other fundamental commodities.

Unplug design redesigned relief packaging in a way that after it has served its primary purpose, it can turn into different types of balls depending on the size of the boxes. They are made by simply cutting by hand the perforated cardboard boxes and weaving the pieces. The designers describe their design approach as follows: "Pull out the plug from the system and plug into the community."

This concept touched me as it combines both service/giving and soccer. I never thought about making ones own soccer ball. Ah, inspiration.
As seen on: core77

Harmonia30's shoppe: Cards for the Urban Chic

I recently purchased these 2 cards from Harmony on Etsy to send to my grandparents. Even with shipping problems (my fault) Harmony was super nice! I love unique greeting cards and I'm especially attracted to mixed-media and work with paper. Once my life becomes more settled I want to try and create my own greeting cards.

Dirt Poster

Roland Tiangco’s Dirt Poster. A poster the recipient completes by revealing spot-varnished type with hands made dirty by handling the poster. This is the first of a series of posters.

I like the message too.

Tea!

Before I ran out of the house this morning, I grabbed a tea bag remembering that our water cooler at work produces both hot and cold water. This may actually get me through early cold mornings in the fall and winter!

From packaging to graphics to product design, there is so much cool stuff out there related to tea drinking. Here are just a couple favs of today:















http://dieline.typepad.com/blog/2007/04/arcadia_tea.html
http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/design-shark-tea-infuser/
http://saengerporcelain.com/work/?id=white-design2.html
http://www.wrapables.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=C54078&prodlist=celebros

Have a great day!

Uniqueco

A Nairobi-based company that turns old flip-flops, plastic, and tires into new products. Local artists work the materials into colorful and unique handmade pieces. Beaches are being cleaned as washed-up goods are recycled, and sales allow for the employment of over 150 people.

Check it out: http://www.uniqueco-designs.com/

Are You Happy?

Ink Calendar displays date by spreading ink across the wall

Addressing our senses, rather than the logical and conscious brain, Spanish designer Oscar Diaz has come up with an innovative calendar he calls the "Ink Calendar" that not just tells the date but also displays unique wall art. Employing the timed pace of the ink spreading on the paper to exhibit the date, the Ink Calendar is required to be filled on the daily basis until the end of the month. The calendar slowly absorbs the ink to print the date on the wall, enhancing the perception of time passing instead of just signaling it. The Ink Calendar, showcased as part of SUEÑOS DE UN GRIFO by ddi, will be on display till October 11, 2009 in Madrid.

From: lee-show.blogspot.com/

http://www.outbackfibers.com/fiber/palette.htm
New header with image from Outback Fibers merino wool colors. So pretty!

Slow Down! Take Time.

Take Time to think...It is the source of power.
Take Time to play...It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take Time to read...It is the fountain of wisdom.
Take Time to pray...It is the greatest power on earth.
Take Time to love and be loved...It is a God-given privilege.
Take Time to be friendly...It is the road to happiness.
Take Time to laugh...It is the music of the soul.
Take Time to give...It is too short a day to be selfish.
Take Time to work...It is the price of success.
Take Time to do charity...It is the key to heaven.

This morning I woke up and was strangely feeling anxious about time/life moving by too fast. Does anyone else feel that way sometimes? Although I'm not very religious, I like the words above. Apparently it was originally on a Celestial Seasonings Tea box.

To Do: Slow down. Release all goals and ambitions. Allow yourself to FEEL the process of being awake and alive. Open up to all of your senses. Don't just live in your head. Feel yourself awake and aware, completely in the present moment. Release speed. Own where you are. Release the need to rush to the next thing. Own your place on the earth. Move more slowly throughout the day. Ah...

http://www.balancedweightmanagement.com

vandalism or public art?

http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/youtube-graffiti-celeb-gets-jail-time-for-high-wire-hijinx/

I think I'm going to have to go with vandalism on this one. Though this debate with grafitti is definitely one I find interesting. Some street art is so beautiful and/or thought provoking. I believe this one is just his nickname "Bucket" though...and it's not even colorful.

It does make me happy :)

I've been privileged enough to have a summer internship turn freelance opportunity working with Lori and her "Happiness through Art" company. Every time I look at her work, it really does make me happy. It's so bright and so fun!
http://loriportka.com/

First post...let's see how this goes

Post graduation life is strange. There's so much going on at once, yet so little at the same time. I definitely realize that I like the structure of the real world better than school. In school I felt as though I could never relax because there was always more to be done- rework your projects, do more research, fix your portfolio again. Although there are things like sketching that I could be constantly doing, I feel less pressure. I like that when I leave at 5 I don't really have to think about work until the next morning.

On the flip side though, I did like how when in school you had gaps in your day to spend as you please. Sometimes I sit in my cubicle wishing I could enjoy the outdoors more. The days (daylight) fly by when you're inside without a window. School was more social too. Though I'm going to try and work on that! It's very easy to come home at 5 and not do anything with friends. It makes you love the weekends even more.

This past weekend I went to Atlanta, Georgia for work. To Georgia and back in a day. It was a whirlwind experience, but I'm glad I went. If anything I was able to bond more with my co-workers which is always a good thing. I went down for the CEDIA show. Check it out: http://www.cedia.net/expo/index2009.php

On the horizon: Start an etsy shop to sell greeting cards. Just a side-hobby-artsy-crafty sorta thing. Go apple picking. Get new dress shoes.