30.6.10

Summer Colours Week {Wednesday's Green Highlights}



It was another beautiful day here in Summer Colour Week Land with gorgeous greens mesmerizing me. I love this whole reader participation we have going and don't want it to end, don't you? Thank you everyone for participating so far - it's been so so awesome. Looking forward to our special"Red and White" Day tomorrow to celebrate Canada Day!

Line No. 1. justnoey; MFayre; The Mel B; Laura O Photo; mccheek; knitalatte11
Line No. 2. Hindsvik; Leah Giberson; alphabet soup studio; kaitlyn sullivan; kaitlyn sullivan; kaitlyn sullivan
Line No. 3. zsita; indierocket; justnoey; Blue Bird Lucy's; tweetsweet; girlhula
Line No. 4. BethsTakeOnLife.blogspot.com; orangesparrow; Keke Kate; Rachael Ashs; LeefeeStudio; LeefeeStudio
Line No. 5. gwen; NoApathyAllowed; knittalatte11; Caroline Zilk; maryvican; Monquee

Renew a Chalkboard Wall

anthropologie2
anthropologie 1

I just renewed my love for chalkboard walls with these illustrated trims and frames (and even floors) from Anthropologie's July Catalogue. Even the plug-ins are drawn in. So fun!

anthro4
anthro3

New Works: Amy Rice

It's a Closed System/ The First Day
It's a Closed System/ The First Day is a new piece by Amy Rice about aging and loss and finding each other over and over. Read more about the story behind this image on her flickr here. This piece will be included in her solo show at View Art Gallery in Victoria, B.C. this October (2010). Visit her flickr to see photo's from her idyllic cottage vacation (from which this piece was inspired).

Rich, Hearty & Healthy: Tangy Miso Gravy

By Jeannette Ordas of Everybody likes Sandwiches



When I moved to Vancouver 15 years ago, I was a vegetarian and was always on the look-out for new discoveries. One thing kept popping up on my radar: the fantastic miso gravy at a restaurant called The Naam. Line ups were common, food service was slow, but the yam fries served with their tangy miso gravy was the perfect reason to cross town for. Once I dunked that yam fry, I was hooked. I've made a few different miso gravies in my past, and while delicious, nothing could compare to that zing found at the Naam.



Thankfully, the very crafty Laurel over at Thimble created a pretty delicious replica. I modified things slightly by cutting back on some of the oil and using cornstarch instead of flour, along with a few minor adjustments. The results were surprisingly Naam-like! The apple cider vinegar gives this gravy some kick and the honey or agave syrup mellows things out with a bit of sweetness. I liberally poured this over some lightly stir-fried veg and happily went back for seconds. You could use this gravy to up the ante and replicate your own version of the Naam's famous Dragon Bowl: brown rice, stir-fried tofu & steamed veggies along with some shredded raw beets, cabbage and sprouts. Yummy!

Tangy Miso Gravy
(adapted from Thimble)
4 tablespoons white miso paste (shiromiso)
2 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
2 teaspoons sriracha
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

Combine everything except the cornstarch and water in a medium sized saucepan and cook over medium heat until it begins to boil, whisking occasionally. Turn the heat down to a simmer and combine the cornstarch and water in together in a small bowl. Add cornstarch mixture to the gravy and whisk to combine, stir until the gravy reaches your ideal thickness. Still not thick enough for your liking? Whip up more of the slurry - the cornstarch and water mixture until you get it right.

Summer Colours Week! Green


Summer Savoy - 2
rosettes in green


Today is "Green Day" for our Summer Colours Week we've been hosting here that is blowing me away by the way! The colours have been stunning and if you haven't had a chance yet to check out our flickr pool, it's a definite must-see (or join the fun, there's still time)! I'll be back later this afternoon/evening with a beautiful green collage to summarize the day.

Above: halowrites; maryvican; leefeestudio
Below: 74 Lime Lane; {me}longings; kaitlyn sullivan

lime+pola=happy
green, wood-trimmed wagon in Florence, Italy

29.6.10

Summer Colours Week {Tuesday's Yellow Highlights}



It was another inspirational day today over at the Summer Colours Week pool. An amazing set of yellows to inspire. We're at 950 images uploaded and just finishing day 2! Please join us for tomorrow's colour "green" already uploading!

Line No. 1. amalia chimera; greenapril27; lu summers; {me}longings; isabelle t; isabelle t
Line No. 2. agrippinamaior; indierocket; cozy memories; city of blackbirds; stephanie levy; the mel b
Line No. 3. leah giberson; bellalulu vintage; laura o photo; lecia - a day that is dessert; s. treatzone; m. treatzone
Line No. 4. alphabet soup studio; dearjoeloverosie; sarah john afana; tokketokpress; lili; lili

Random Link Love

hindsvik.com

I'm so in love with reclaimed wood these days, I can't even tell you how much. This beauty, a reclaimed wood and pipe shelving unit is handmade by the talented Canadian couple from Hindsvik!


Visit stylist-writer Arren Williams’ modernist, Palm Springs inspired house featured on H&H Online TV and don't miss Michael Penny's DIY batik fabric demonstration!

With all the soccer craze going on right now, did you know Vancouver's new (renovated) soccer stadium is made from 22 thousand recycled tires?

Tune in to CiTR Radio (our best local college radio) on Canada Day (July 1st) for all Canadian content!

Choosing the right sewing machine

I always wanted to do a post on delightful dorm rooms.

There are signs of summer in the midst.

Oatmeal Chocolate Raspberry Muffins anyone?

Summer Colours Week: Yellow






collection screen print

If you're just joining us this week, we're celebrating summer by hosting a Summer Colours week. Tuesday is Yellow and there are so many beautiful ones up already, I'm in awe. Join us by uploading to our flickr pool!

1. thedecorista.tumblr.com
2. Something's Hiding In Here
3. Desire to Inspire via Micasa
4. Bonnie Tsang (via pinterest/ohjoy)
5. justinetaylor.tumblr.co (via pinterest/leahdent)
6. knitalatte11

Fresh from the Oven: Becky Murphy


Contributer post by Will Bryant

Becky Murphy is a recent graphic design graduate of Iowa State University. She recently took a road trip down to Texas and was able to stop in for a quick visit at Public School! Check out some pieces from her portfolio!





I really like Becky's editorial work. She has clean typography in most of her pieces, and I'm certain those skills will only get stronger and stronger as she gains more experience. So look out!



Free CSA Images from French Paper!



I thought this was rather cool. French Paper Co. is offering free CSA images from their site. There are some restrictions, but they have a vast selection of rights managed black & white images perfect for solid-color offset, letterpress, or silkscreen printing. They are the first mill ever to go beyond paper and offer free CSA images. Available for use when printed on French Paper grade. Click here for more info. (Thanks Lisa for the tip!)

28.6.10

Summer Colours Week {Monday's Pink Highlights}



Internet, you amaze me! Some highlights from today's amazing upload to our Summer Colours Week pool. Join us tomorrow for a Yellow Tuesday! Everyone can start to upload yellows after 6pm (Pacific) tonight!

Line No. 1. rogelaf; roll and tumblepress; cascata; jeannette ordas; shes crafty handmade; boo21smom
Line No. 2. jo bradford; saganaga; orange sparrow; treatzone; kate banazi; rachael ashe
Line No. 3. knitalatee11; l. grainne; bethstakeonlife.blogspot.com; niccoco; l. grainne; leah giberson
Line No. 4. jo bradford; lili; this is my normal volume level; cozy memories; treatzone; e. bing
Line No. 5. jeannette ordas; jeannette ordas; illuminated perfume; a field journal; a field journal; knitalatte11

Artist Fun Facts Spotlight:

ROLL & TUMBLE PRESS



Name: Christie&Caleb of Roll&TumblePress
Your Brand: rollandtumblepress.etsy.com
What you dreamed of making as a child: Christie~ making movies.....Caleb~cartoons
What do you dream of now: Christie~ the ultimate thrift store find....Caleb~ having the time to learn to engrave
Your motto: ~Dream Big~
Your hero: Christie~ mama.....Caleb~ our teacher and mentor John
Your favorite song: our playlist changes daily, but today..Christie~ "Sweet Thing" by The Waterboys....Caleb~ "Temptation" by New Order
Your favourite part of summer: Christie~ magnolia blossoms & sangria.....Caleb~ motorcycle weather
Visit Roll & Tumble Press at this month's market here!



A. FAVORITE DESIGN



Your Brand: afavoritedesign.com
What you dreamed of making as a child: a difference... and also snow globes, I always thought they looked so magical
What do you dream of now: creating a letterpress coffee table book
Your motto: never underestimate the power of a smile
Your hero: there’s many... anyone who makes their dreams reality without compromising integrity
Your favorite song: today it’s tables & chairs by andrew bird
Your favourite part of summer: outdoor festivals, concerts, art fairs & flea markets
Visit a. favourite at this month's market here!


DUDE AND CHICK



Your Brand: dudeandchick.etsy.com.com
What you dreamed of making as a child:
A quick disclaimer: Dude and Chick is the dream team of John Gurtin and Katie Wilson. I (Katie) will be answering these questions, sometimes on his behalf.
As a child, I dreamed of making customized placemats for every family gathering. I'm guessing John dreamed of making his hair into a mohawk. Dreams do come true!
What do you dream of now: These days, we dream of making the letterpress cards we produce every day...full time!
Your motto: If we think it's funny, you might. But still, we think it's funny.
Your hero: John. John's hero: Me.
Your favorite song: Me: Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (by Simon and Garkfunkel). Debra (by Beck) is a close second.
John: Anything by the Ramones. Or the Mountain Goats.
Your favourite part of summer: Drinking beer on patios. And the fact that it's no longer Minnesota winter.
Visit Dude and Chick at this month's market here!


SAMANTHA FRENCH




Name: Samantha French
Your Brand: samanthafrench.com
Your Blog: samanthafrench.com
What you dreamed of making as a child: I always loved making things for people, be it elaborate scavenger hunts for my brothers with hand drawn maps and clues to simple cards.
What do you dream of now: A yard, a house and a studio on the beach.
Your motto: "Make a lot of work." I'm pretty sure I stole this from one of my painting instructors in college, it is so basic but it seems to keep me going.
Your hero: My mother, of course!
Your favorite song: Lately it has been anything by She and Him.
Your favourite part of summer: Riding my bike at night over the Williamsburg Bridge here in NYC and stopping at the top for just a moment to take in the view. It is so quiet and peaceful and helps me remember what a beautiful city I live in.
Visit Samantha French at this month's market here!


ROADSIDE PHOTOGRAPHS



Your Brand: roadsidephotographs.etsy.com
Your Blog: jenzahigian.blogspot.com
What you dreamed of making as a child: Cupcakes.
What do you dream of now: Creating photos that make people feel like smiling.
Your motto: If you can eat, and you can dance, life is good.
Your hero: My Mom.
Your favorite song: A tie between Talking Heads "This Must be The Place" and "Fresh Feeling" by eels. They both take me exactly where I want to be.
Your favourite part of summer: Enjoying my morning coffee outside with a book, and of course... Roadtrips!
Visit Roadside Photographs at this month's market here!

Link Love:

summer dreamJo Bradford
If you haven't been following me on twitter (here's what I've been babbling this morning):

Wish I was here
Breaking News: Domino Magazine back online!
Times Best Blogs of 2010
A sweet Victoria Cottage in the woods (Via Cori Kindred)
A must-read: things I'd like to tell my 17 year-old self by Hula Seventy
Another reason to go to Portland this year!
London Shop Fronts (in all their graphic beauty). Via Present and Correct

Heirloom Recipe Card Boxes by Rifle Paper Co.




Hand-crafted from salvaged hardwoods, Rifle Paper Co. has created these beautiful Heirloom Recipe Card Boxes which will be ready in about 4 - 6 weeks. It's a three month process to make which includes a month for the mill to source the salvaged wood, a month to build in the workman's studio, and a month for the hand-rubbed finish to dry. The lids are then screen printed with two different design options. They are now taking pre-orders on a limited first-run number. Visit HERE to find out more.

Summer Colours Week: Pink


10-5 Weekend2


10-03 Strawberry2
delicate but strong in pink
peony dreams
2010 - Week 7

We're kicking off our "Summer Colour Week" today with the colour pink! Please join us in celebrating summer by participating in our fun! Upload the colour of the day to our Summer Colours Week Flickr Group and we'll pick highlights of the day to post on the blog's evening post. The schedule is as follows:

June 28 - Monday: Pink:: June 29 - Tuesday: Yellow:: June 30 - Wednesday: Green:: July 01 - Thursday: Red + White (Canada Day):: July 02 - Friday: Blue

(Above photo credits):

1. Sabino
2. A Field Journal
3. Leah Giberson
4. Forty-sixth at Grace
5. A Field Journal
6. Knittalette
7. Knittalette
8. Treatzone