Sewing is fun!

I just finished sewing my first cuppy cake! What fun! And then. . .I found this adorable little elephant online. I think I may have to make my own pattern and sew a little pet elephant for Keegster. Why, with all this snow, I can see a whole herd comin' on.

Women of Design and the "Should Be's"

Have you heard of this book? It caught my attention for two reasons. I first thought, "Wow! I'd love to learn more about the women who have led the way for people like me." I also subconsciously wondered why they MUST have a book specifically about women in design, "women in anything" for that matter. Why must we separate?

In an effort to learn more about it, I did a Google search which led me to a blog about an issue from STEP magazine from December 2005, which was devoted to the same topic. The cover alone spurred major debate in the design world, so I gathered from also reading Armin Vit's blog on Speak Up. It was from Armin that I retrieved the list of recognized women, but it was through the comments that I gleaned the names of the should be recognized women.



Although I am interested in all the names, it's the "should be's" that caught my attention. In fact, some posted comments concerning the whereabouts of design's famous female trailblazers throughout the publication, like Sister Mary Corita Kent, "the most famous nun of the 1960's and one of the most famous graphic artists." (Her work is below.)



I haven't read the articles from STEP, so I don't techinically have a viable opinion. However, my impression is that they breech the subject of comparing men and women. The topic of the magazine seems directed at female readers, however the message may be primarily for men. I find that I don't want to know what it's like to be a woman in the design field, I want to know how these women think as designers, specifically those trailblazers. Mabye men feel the same way. Wouldn't that discussion gain women more ground in the field anyway?

I wonder if Armin Vit, a founder of UnderConsideration, contributor to Speak Up and co-author of Women of Design with Byrony Gomez-Palacio, addresses the issues that surfaced from his blog entry. I wonder if that insprired the need for this book in the first place. But what I wonder the most, is if this book pays tribute to the women who "should have been mentioned." Like Sister Corita.

I hope he does, because as a young designer, I sure don't want to be ignorant to the standards these women have set for me.

puppy

Adam and I have been looking at puppies! Every where I look I run in to something that has to do with cute little dogs. We found this picture and it is just too cute I had to share you've got mail puppy.

Fireflies and Pop!Tech

I guess this is also a reply to the "Last rose of summer" post.

I'd like to say I have a very specific and special thing I do to get the creative juices flowing. But I don't. I always say I have interests, but they don't technically drive me to the point of: "can't go on without it!" Instead, I find inspiration in little bites throughout my day.

In fact, inspiration for me is a lot like fireflies. A small flash of light catches my eye. Then it disappears. Inspiration only lasts a second and is flickering all around us. The question we face is: Should we bother to grab it and hold it?

I am constantly absorbing things I see, read or experience. Every now and then, something flickers. However for me, I am overwhelmed with how much is all around me because I want to catch them all! A little overstimulated I guess.

I do get antsy about doing actual tangible art, but really, I enjoy just mentally chewing on it all. What sticks with me will eventually come out in the work I do in the time I can.

One little flicker of light I want to share that has really got me thinking are these online popcasts from the Pop!Tech conference. I enjoy listening to different approaches to thinking and questioning purpose in the work we do, and these speakers address that very thing.

If you have time, I recommend listening to Marian Bantjes, Benjamin Zander Jonathan Harris and Bill Shannon.

Crafty things

When I ran in to this cake on flickr I just had to share. There are some pretty sweet guitar cupcakes from this baker too!




I have been very crafty lately. I guess one thing that has been inspiring me (with all this cold weather) that did not in the past is going to the library. I have been getting knitting, ribbon, and crafting books. Anything that looks inspiring by the cover. I know don't judge but really I have to like the cover to get in to a book. I have learned a bunch about ribbon and made soon fun things. Like ribbon flowers. I have also been dabbling in little knitting projects.

Last rose of summer

Because of the warm fall weather, the roses in my garden are getting a second life. Without the threat of japanese beetle attack and disease they have bloomed remarkably well even after several hard frosts. So I have been snipping them off as they bloom to bring inside to enjoy their fragrance and color before the end of their show.
I am reminded of a trip I've taken on several June and July mornings to the Rose Garden at the OARDC in Wooster. Even if I don't paint roses it's a place that feeds my soul. I have read that it is good for an artist to feed her creativity a least once a week. It might be related to our art--or not. Just something that gives you that 'feeling' inside by doing, seeing, reading or listening to.
Now that the cold, dreary Ohio weather is upon us, it's more of a challenge to find that creative 'food'. So, I'm curious. What does it for you?

C

non profits

Here's a way to get connected with a non profit to do design work.

K

The MUT

Just like you guessed it, The Museum of Useful Things is what MUT stands for.

It's one place where you'll see form and function thrive.

**I just gotta have that spork!**

card idea

You could check out blanckslate.com they have great ideas for diecut cards that can be adapted for christmas.

Cards for the Holidays ideas

I am always thinking of new Christmas card ideas, or possibly even gifts. When I saw this I thought it would fill both of those perfectly. Now I have no idea what mimix is, but that doesn't matter the idea is very cute. Morshmelo (click here) has some pop up cards that are very adorable too.

Has anyone else seen any cool card ideas or projects?