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Archive for textile design

favorite things . Map Keepsakes

I was weeding through my browser bookmarks this week and found the serendipity of a collection staring me in the face. As a graphic designer, I’ve always admired the ability of maps to graphically depict places — places that are often layered with so much more meaning for us than simple lines and symbols. At some point, I’ve bookmarked these three unique approaches to keepsake maps — the kind that hold our hearts near to specific places in a tangible way. Enjoy!

1. Map quilts from Haptic Lab: Their baby and full-size quilts like this one showing New Orleans are available for several major cities, and they also offer the option of custom quilts created from the place of your choosing.

2. Brass map pendant necklaces from Brass and Chain: I love the antique look of this jewelry, and you may choose your own place. I was also smitten by the bracelet option where you can choose six city destinations.

3. Custom map children’s floor maps from Board Stiff: Such a clever idea! Your city or neighborhood map of choice becomes a custom-designed vinyl floor mat ready for all the matchbox cars you can find.

favorite thing . Conversation Starter

This pillow from Heather Lins Home just makes me smile. I’ve mentioned Heather’s work before. I love her clever and simple designs and her exquisite use of typography.

I’ve been reading a lot lately about creating a more intentional digital life. Most of us are plugged in constantly. We see an ever-broadening view of the world — but often behind the glass of our laptop, smart phone or tablet screen. As I devote more and more of my work time to designing for digital media, and as I develop more and more client relationships with folks I may never see, I’m reminded that actual conversation is no small thing. No sir. I hope I’m taking the time to voice  what matters.

inspired by . Rosettes

Repeating textures and patterns found in diverse places can be serendipity — like the “rosettes” in these three images. The absence of color makes the lines even more prominent.

1. Fabric pin from Brydfirth
2. Cinnamon bun illustration ~ Small Pond Graphics
3. Throw pillow ~ Anthropologie

favorite things . Dolled Up DIY

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted a CRAVE in Plop! land — probably because I’m in crave overload from some of the creativity I’m seeing online these days. I was looking through my archive of bookmarks and had to share this one right away! I’m not a seamstress. Not even close. But, I’ve fallen in love with these DIY dolls from MIKODESIGN. The illustrations are so sweet and whimsical, and I can imagine my Baby Girl squeezing the love out of this little Parisian and her stylish bunny. I particularly love the tiny camera, tote bag and itty bitty bottle of Chanel No. 5. I also noticed that you can purchase remnant bags of the Parisian fabric in a couple of colors — just the right touch of frou frou, if you ask me!

Programming note: I’ve been weeding through past posts recently getting inspired again, but mostly cleaning up inconsistencies I see, fine-tuning topics and categories and tweaking here and there. I hope you’ll poke around too!

favorite things . Feathers

I’ve been noticing some lovely feathers lately — both in the plump late winter birds outside my window these days and in some of my wanderings across the design sphere. Feathers always have a delicate and tender quality to me, and I think these well-designed items capture that. Enjoy…

Porcelain tiny cup from Villarreal Ceramics (her whole collection is beautiful)
Letterpress card from Papyrus (just in time for Valentine’s Day)
Embroidered linen pillow from Aldea Home
Hand screen printed table runner from Elkhorn Design (some bolder feather pillow designs too)

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