Typography Love: Happy Pancake Day!

Typographic poster by Tom Daivey

Pancake day always takes me by surprise and by the time I remember and get to the supermarket all the eggs, oranges and lemons are completely sold out! Might try and be a little more inventive this year. Usually we eat them for desert (or at least Jonny my OH does, I have been know to just eat a whole plate of them with orange juice and sugar for my dinner!!) but I'd really like to have a go at some savoury ones. Anyone have any suggestions?

Pancake alphabet by Mitchell Goldstein

Belated Love: Valentine's and Buttons

Image from Eva Black Designs via Pretty Paper Things

Well, we are drawing to the end of Valentine's Day and I'm only just getting round to posting on here. I had planned to fill my blog with lots of oohs and ahhs, hearts and pink & red things I've been collecting over the weeks, but as usual I'm running behind schedule...

So, here is a quick little post that I couldn't miss sharing asap.  Today I stumbled across the blog of HermioneRose and  her delicious buttons. Made lovingly by hand in Cornwall. The cupcake is my favourite!! They remind me of the hours of fun I had with Fimo as a child. Hermione I think they are good enough to eat!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!

Designer Love: Dana Tanamachi

I know, I am a bit behind with the times and the work of Dana Tanamachi. Design Sponge did an interview with her back in August last year and her wonderful cover for Oprah's O Magazine has certainly been doing the blog rounds lately. When I first came across her work I was so excited that I saved a collection of it in my blog folder with the intention sharing my love. Sadly too many other things took over and I completely forgot to share my new found treasure with you.  Luckily my friend Jo of Daisyspotter reminded me last week when she wrote her own post. Thanks Jo for reminding me!

Dana is a graphic designer and chalk letterer from Brooklyn, New York and one very talented lady. I am completely blown away by the incredible detail of her work. Chalk is such a hard medium to use (I remember having to write on the blackboard at school, it was never neat or in a straight line!), she makes it look so easy. 

I think the way she works is a real inspiration. Read about it in her interview with Design Sponge. I'd love to have a look at her notebooks, I bet they are magical. In her interview with idesign she tells how it all began with a doodle on a chalk board at a friend's house party . You see you never know when a little moment of creativity will unleash something amazing that will grow to become hugely successful and unique. I'm still waiting for my moment!

See more of Dana's work here.

All images are taken from Dana's website.

Book Love : Good enough to eat!

As you can see I haven't been very active on my blog lately, mainly down to being completely snowed under with work. I can't complain though because I am working on some really lovely little projects and I am reminded just how much I enjoy the job I do. 

Another great thing about being so busy is that I am doing lots of mood boards and hunting around for inspiration which means I come across lots of lovely and exciting things.  I will be taking advantage of my first free weekend in months and dedicating some much needed time to my poor neglected blog by posting lots of delightful things I have found. So watch this space!

Today I found this good enough to eat book, Eat Me: Appetite for design by Victionary (it's been out since September, how did I miss it?!!!). It looks like a wafer biscuit, with a bite taken out,  and is filled with loads of tasty ways of using food in design. It includes a showcase of case studies from product designers, packaging and branding experts, entrepreneurs and artists. 

"EAT ME takes out a slice of modern life where food has been taken as the medium to promote social interactions and ginger up every day life"

All images are courtesy of Victionary and Dezeen Magazine

As a avid lover of books, design AND food, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book. Sadly it doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the UK BUT, woo hoo! I just discovered that Dezeen Magazine are offering a giveaway of 5 copies to their readers. If anyone knows anywhere I can get a copy please let me know, just in case I'm not one of the lucky 5 Dezeen readers :-)

Letter Love : Handwritten, a call for pen pals

While sitting drinking my cup of tea at a horrible hour this freezing February morning (Happy 1st of February by the way, what on earth happened to January?!) I thought I'd have a blurry eyed catch up on some tweets and blogs. 

While flicking through, I stumbled across the sparkly blog Glitter & Ganache (thanks to @Uncle Beefy) and was intrigued by the first post I read 'A call for pen pals'. I've always loved writing letters and as you know have an overwhelming love for tactile and beautiful stationery so I delved further and before I knew it, I was signing up to join in with Handwritten: A pen pal project for 2012. I think this is a fab idea from Tabitha and will be a really fun little creative project for me to be involved in. I can't wait to start getting my new pen pals (one every 3 months) and receiving their handwritten (and embellished) letters. Also a great way to meet fellow bloggers all over the world and share their inspirations. 

I will keep you up to date on how it goes and will definitely be sharing some of the creativity with you here. Even better, if you fancy taking part yourself just sign up here, pick up your pen and get ready to have some fun.

Image from Glitter & Ganache. Postcard  by Lucy Snow Photography