Map of the World

I grew up with a world map in our hallway and a globe on my desk. Our favourite childhood in-car game was 'countries, cities, places'. Coincidentally, one of the first few gifts I gave A while we were dating was a vintage world map. Needless to say, I love maps and having one around definitely improved my knowledge of places.

For the last few months I've been on a the lookout for a world map for Z. I'd love an illustrated map like this one by Julie Mercier or an interactive map such as this absolutely fabulous felt world globe hand-made by Jen Talbot. I'm inspired to make one for Z myself. 
 

via Design Mom

!nkspiration: Jillian Tamaki

While looking for inspiration for a project I'm working on, I came across these exquisitely beautiful images on pinterest. I covet Penguin Classics' covers and these are just perfect; I love the details, the colours and the choice of titles (Emma and Black Beauty are on my list of favourites). They were hand-embroidered for Penguin Books by the talented Jillian Tamaki, an award-winning illustrator and comics artist. The covers took her almost two months to complete; below are a few pictures of her work-in-progress.

Jillian is a woman of many talents; she illustrates for magazines, newspapers and books and also teaches at the School of Visual Arts in NY. 

I have been in search of a vintage over-sized Penguin Classics cover to frame in Z's room, however wouldn't these embroidered covers look beautiful too?

photos: Jillian Tamaki (with permission)

Happy Weekend!

(via pininterest)

How to be an Explorer of the World...

Z started attending Montessori five full days each week, when I started work last April; it was a transition of sorts, emotional and physical. Her constant bout of illness eventually led to my resignation and I'm back to being a stay-at-home mom/freelancer (and loving it!). This April, she will only spend three days at school and two days at home. I'd like her to stay in school because Z is an introvert and the constant exposure to and interaction with children her age has allowed her to develop her social skills tremendously and she loves her time at school. But at the same time, I think we're both super excited about the days we get to spend together.

It's always been an effort to find activities that stimulate Z; she's super-curious, gets bored easily and tends to drift towards art-related activities. On our recent travels to Austin, and in my constant search of new resources; I came across a beautiful book, written and illustrated by the talented Keri Smith. "How to be an Explorer of the World - Portable Art Life Museum" is a guide to exploring your own environment with new eyes. What I particularly like about it is that it encourages activities that allow you to stretch your imagination and explore something familiar in a new way. It's certainly not a traditional parenting book and nor was it meant to be, but it is certainly perfect and exactly what I had in mind to inspire both Z and I on our days together.

What resources do you use to inspire your parent-ego?

So, you need a new typeface...

While looking for inspiration for a project I'm currently working on, I came across this ubercool infographic by Julian Hansen, originally created for a class at the Danish School of Media and Journalism at Copenhagen.

I particularly like the path from "Are you alone?" to 'Comic Sans'.

(via on Swiss Miss)

!nkspiration: Joan Platt Pottery

While backpacking across England during my year abroad at university, I stumbled across a local potter in the Lake District. He worked from a beautiful shed-converted-studio and I spent several hours watching him work. I left inspired by his patience and creativity.

Recently, I tried my hand at the potter's wheel. It had been a while since I worked with clay; the last time was when I was a child and I spent quite a few weekend mornings at the Clay Studio at the British Arts Council, keeping busy while my mom taught art classes. 

The two-hours flew by; not only was it fun, it was really relaxing. I made two bowls which were left to be glazed and I need to go back to complete them and perhaps spend some more time on the wheel. While looking for inspiration I came across the work of Joan Platt. Aren't her bowls just so pretty? I am loving the spring green colours..

"Ceramics is a process, and I love that each step is separated by stretches of time," says Joan. I think that's a part of the reason I love ceramics too.

Above are a few pics of her studio converted from a farm shed. Such a dreamy workspace!

(photos via Country Living)

Happy Spring!

We just got back after a week of soaking up the glorious heat in sunny Austin. We couldn't have asked for better weather! Toronto has been sunny yet chilly, however the days are long so Z and I have been pretending it's spring and enjoying long walks along the lake... We're anxiously waiting for our tulips to blossom so we can enjoy homegrown flowers all over our home.

(photos from the saipua website)

My Favourite Things

I am in love love love with this short film; excellent videography and music. I'm a huge fan of silent films and this captured the beauty of simplicity so very sweetly. So Amelie & Chocolat inspired!


My Favourite Things from kidswithcrayons on Vimeo.

What do you think?

(via kate spade)

Paris vs. New York Posters

 

Paris vs. NewYork is a visual comparision of the cultural iconography of two cities by graphic designer Vahram Muratyan - what an awesome idea! I can't decide which one I like best!

Katsumi Hayakawa

I cannot get my mind off Japanese artist's Katsumi Hayawaka's amazing 3D paper sculptures. He is currently exhibiting these at the Gallery MoMo in Roppingi, Japan.

Things I have been meaning to do...

  

 

 

One of my resolutions this year has been to do the 'simple, everyday' things with Z that I always put off for another day just because something more seemingly important comes along.

I'd love to ride the TTC with Z this winter. Plant a tree in the spring. Enjoy a quiet, early morning bike ride on Lakeshore.

The above are a great reminder by Citizen Scholar - "Things You've Been Meaning To Do" - a series of illustrations by Joanne Neborsky

City in a Bag

A's best friend lives in London, England. His lovely daughter just turned one and while looking for local gifts, I came across these awesome wooden toys. Aren't they just gorgeous? I wish they had Toronto. 

They can be purchased here.

Happy New Year...

One of my resolutions this year was to blog everyday, or almost everyday. I must admit the lateness of this post should not reflect my intention with keeping with my resolution.

Ten years ago, we were waging a war with computers, hoping fervently that our world would not be consumed by the Y2K bug. Over the last decade, the world has engaged in countless wars, killing innocent people. I hope and pray that 2010 brings with it peace and a semblance of hope.

Even though this was a tumultuous decade for the world, it was an exciting and adventurous decade in my life. I lived in three continents, graduated from university, co-edited a book, got married, found a real job, had a baby and moved houses 7 times. This was the decade I lost myself; first in university and then to marriage and then to a baby and then finally found myself. I'd have to say my biggest struggle in the last decade was learning and understanding who I was and being happy with me.

This year was a big year; I think I truly grew up. Over the last decade I struggled to find my passion with work; at times it just seemed easier to give up and just go with the flow. This year, I finally figured out what I was passionate about; my husband said it was in my face the last couple of years, it just took me a while to figure out. And so to embark on this journey, I'm working on my MDes and I haven't been happier.

A and I survived our first year as parents and are tremendously enjoying bringing up a toddler. My husband launched his line of clothing earlier this year and is reveling in the joys and hardships of being a creative entrepreneur.

This year our resolutions are simple; A and I have chosen to pursue our dreams;  live in Europe for a couple of months, backpack around South America, spend endless time with our daughter, sustain our life and livelihood as creative entrepreneurs and to raise funds for a cause.

Here's wishing you and your loved ones a safe and fulfilling 2010!

ps: I'm taking on Jammie's Best-of-2009 blog challenge and should have a list by the end of this month!

(photo by Gemma Gommas, via Design Mom)

Training in Type

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjg3faIQ5A

!nkpression #5: Confessions of a Chocoholic-Designer...

 Created by extremely talented Tithi Kutchamuch. 

 

For the Choco-type...

Can be purchased  here.

Chocolate-pencils: Nendo's collaboration with patissier Tsujiguchi Hironobu.

'Scrabulous', don't you think?

To purchase, click here.

Beautifully 'crafted' chocolate tools.

To purchase, click here

!nkspiration #4: Type Chest of Drawers

My heart flipped a million times over when I saw these set of drawers! Aren't they just awesome? They are a perfect gift for a type-a-holic and can be purchased here. I so WANT one...

via (Jammie's Type Whimsy)

!nkspiration #3: Matteo Pericoli

In his book of drawings "The City Out My WIndow: 63 Views on New York", Matteo Pericoli asks well-known New Yorkers to describe what they see from their windows. I just LOVE the black and white sketches!

via (The New York Times)

Illuminite

 

 

I cannot believe we're approaching the end of this year already. Where did it go? I know I say this almost every year, but really, this year went by really fast!

We took Z to Illuminite yesterday, the annual tree-lighting event at Yonge-Dundas in downtown Toronto. Even though we missed the firethrowers and the laser show, Z enjoyed the walk, the lights and the quiet time with A and I.

 

Z was fascinated by the lights but could not understand why they were not thead (red), her favourite colour. She loved running around the square and all the attention she was getting from passer-bys.

 

We stopped by at Salad King, our favourite Thai-on-the-go place (A and I have never ever enjoyed a meal there together). Z enjoyed herself sans high-chair, with the spoons and the songs that we were asked to sing to her on demand. 

As I was watching A entertain Z, I thought it's so simple really to make a child happy; a little bit of attention, some love, some music and crayons. Z has been a simple child from get-go, as long as kept her away from crowds and put her early to bed, she's been happy. Ofcourse, as a 20-month old, she now loves people (much like her father) and tries to fight off sleep as long as possible. I've definitely been missing my morning time with her on the weekdays but watching her with A, seeing their relationship grow (due to more of him and less of me) makes my heart tingle! I sometimes think it's me and not her, who's having a hard time letting go.

And as promised to Z, we finished the night off with Wanda's Waffles, a tiny Belgian waffle cafe, run by a father and son team.

Such a perfect Saturday night!

Are you the "chocolate-type"?

Both A and I are chocoholics! If you were to drop by at any time, we'd be able to serve you at least 3 different varieties of chocolate. We run out of groceries, yes, but not chocolate!

However, the chocolate by Meiji is so pretty that I think I would just look at it all day and not even think to eat it!