I have been doing a little fun project lately (it's actually more of a giant project, I don't know why I called it little). I am researching my family's geneaology, more specifically my Nana's family. She was adopted when she was two years old so she doesn't know much about her family history, so I have been having some fun looking into it. I have gotten QUITE far and I will share some visual progress with you in a bit.

Turns out both sides ended up in Michigan for a while, so I have been reading up on Michigan and finding old documents (and do I ever love old documents). Google Books has proved pretty useful, and every once I stumble upon something very beautiful--like this "Michigan Manual" with it's swirly handdrawn type. Just thought I would share, hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Clockwise from top: 1. convoy 2. justin david cox 3. papernstitch 4. mia nolting 5. cïbone 6. convoy 7. ghostly ferns

Clockwise: 1. wowsan, 2. thank you, ok, 3. flickr, 4. via dean learner,
5. closet visit, 6. stopping off place via i'm revolting, 7. jollygoo.

I am kind of obsessed with Pinterest right now. I didn't think I would be... I knew about it for a little while, but discounted it because I am a member of every social network-integrated website ever. But then, I realized what it was--something I have been talking about needing for a while, a place to bookmark images on the web. NEEDING. So I happily gave pinterest a second chance (I used to use we heart it but it was terrible, unfortunately). So I asked around for an invite and Erica gave me one (thank you!), and now it is currently my favourite tool. And yes I say tool, because moving from my work computer to my home computer and vice versa, I need somewhere to store my inspiration! Thank you pinterest! Here is my page.

A little of something I'm currently inspired by--though I'm kind of at an inspiration overload place because of all the "research" I'm doing for my thesis... the artist books of Raymond Meeks are so beautiful, I love the simplicity and nuances of colour in them. I want to achieve something equally as nuance-y. It's just so nice.

Thanks Jen, from Simply Photo (where I found him!)

Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.

Everybody has been talking about the new Pictorial Webster's lately, and it's so beautiful (I'm definitely going to get one from Anthro!). I stumbled across this video yesterday by John Carrera (who put the book together) and I was nothing short of amazed watching it. I can't believe the time and effort that was put into making the special editions--he spent about 10 years putting the archived engravings together, printing new linotype titling matrix by matrix, getting it ready for the press, then binding and gold foil and finger tabs, and oh my god!

Can you tell I have a soft spot for letterpresses and book binding? Not to mention the 19th century. You will love this video, whether you have my weird hangups or not... I just can't help being amazed. I wish I could dedicate my time to something so meaningful, haha. I wish I had $4600 to shell out for a special edition--I wonder if there are any left?

via Drawn!

I have recently been obsessed with ribbons, medals, badges, awards, et cetera et cetera... I stumbled upon the wonderful work of Hayley Carmo this week, and I found her piece "Reliving it" so inspiring. It's a large collection of different ribbons, made of ribbon, mylar, and found papers.

For my first art show (!) I am making a bunch of ribbons to display on the wall with my pieces, using old book covers as the center and paper as the ribbon. This was also inspired by the ribbon we have at work in the elevator, warning riders of its unbelievable slowness. It was made by our display artist from wallpaper, and I stare at it countless times a day when I ride the elevator, and I just love it!

My ribbons will be of course in more muted colours, I really hope my art wall doesn't look to overwhelming... The ribbons will be for sale as well, for considerably less so that everyone can go home with something! Wish me luck on getting them done in time!

Isn't this dreamy? My ever growing list of places to visit had this little workshop added to it today, le petit atelier de paris. I found these cute ceramic leaves and flowers at their blog. I have nothing more to say about it than it's absolutely beautiful and I want to go there!

I'm not very well traveled and lately I've been dreaming about places I could go. (Paris and Japan top my list!) I know some French (because I'm Canadian, haha) and I'm trying to learn Japanese, which feels impossible! I just subscribed to the blog hungry for words which seems pretty cute--and could be helpful!

I love this Spring Collection post card from Dust Clothing.

via pretty new blog find Alisha Henson

I just discovered Sally Scott again, and was wowed just as much as the first time. It's a clothing line that I believe is directed by Akira Minagawa, the designer of the oh-so-wonderful Minä Perhonen. I couldn't find a lot of information on the website--the only language on the site is Japanese (I know, I know, it's about time I learn it). But the photography is amazing. I remember the first time I saw the site was during the 2008 Spring and Summer collection, and I still love the idea of having the models paint a dresser. It's the most creative and yet adorable thing ever.

See, I told you I would share some things I found for my tumblr over here as well! This place, House, I don't know much about. I haven't learned Japanese that quickly (though I am slowly trying). I know they make amazing things by hand, like leather shoes that look like they've been worn for centuries already (in a beautiful way, not a gross one). The aesthetic of this place just amazes me, so earthy--could be all the plants they seem to have hanging around. Anyway, this is on my list of dream places to visit.

I just came across student Alice Gabb's work via Just Us, and may I just say, I love her! Every single project on her website had me in awe. It makes me want to look my work over again and reassess, there is no way my school work even compares. I really feel like some of the best graphic design comes from the UK. And it's amazing what you can find at 2 am while scouring the internet researching for a presentation on designing travel guides that is due the next morning...

I find the work of Jessie Chorley to be really wonderful! Her altered and handmade books have so much character, I love that every piece seems like it has a story. If I got my hands on one of these books, it would be like opening treasure, they just seem like they would have all kinds hidden surprises.

If you're following me on Twitter, you may have seen this already, and I thought I should share it here too. I've always wanted a good place to store inspirational pictures, I've tried visual bookmarking sites (like we heart it) but they just don't seem to have what I need. So I decided, after much forethought, I should start a tumblr.

It's called Oh Sweet Woods (the name of my current collage series) but has nothing to do with my collage. It's all about a certain style I am obsessed with, and it has many names but I will leave it nameless. You'll be able to tell the images all fit together style-wise. It's just a personal inspiration board, and I think it's beautiful and maybe you would too. I chose this brilliant template too, by Ben Delaney, which allows you to move things around in the space, and I just think it looks nice.

So I'll be sharing things I've found from time to time here in more detail, like the last post for example.

EDIT: Okay, I realize I didn't include the link to my tumblr: link. Oops.

1. IMG_3452, 2. Untitled, 3. 1, 4. palette, 5. l'usine p.9, 6. My, oh, my., 7. Apothecary Jars and Drawers, 8. Untitled, 9. hunt & gather, 10. ||, 11. Untitled, 12. Untitled

These pictures of paper are so pretty, they are from Paper is Lovely, a tumblr blog documenting a paper collection. Maybe I should take pictures of my piles of paper... Though I think mine would just look like junk to the untrained eye.

via { Oh, Hello Friend }

I'm not the only one who loves everything Something's Hiding in Here does, but this made me particularly excited! The little necklaces above were inspired by the Your Message Here project, and spell out You Are What You Love. I feel like I need one of these, also the bag on the far left below. I will get one if they are still there in a month or so, which will not happen. Painfully broke right now and I can't afford to spend $15. I miss buying things off the internet.

{ above images via Something's Hiding in Here }

This recycling of calendars is such a good idea! I love the way piles of cut paper look. I actually did something similar to this for a school project with some leftovers. We made a letterpress inspired calendar and when it was printed on our terrible school printer, it came out looking like it really came off a letterpress, but not in such a nice way. The paper wouldn't take the ink and it was a huge mess. But I made light of the situation and made some cute little square buttons (below). Jory is my cute button model.

1. Indiana Medical History Museum in Indianapolis, IN, 2. Indiana Medical History Museum in Indianapolis, IN, 3. Librairie Alain Brieux, Shop Interior, 4. pollyanna grow up, 5. A crucial year, 6. Mamie Castle scrapbook, Texas, circa 1880s, page 4, 7. kindergarten 13, 8. can't stop, 9. Untitled, 10. Untitled, 11. close, 12. ||, 13. ☴, 14. lovely gifts from japan, 15. blowing, 16. The Shepherd, 17. Momiji market, 18. pinecone, 19. glass jars, 20. Untitled

More homework—can you tell that is all I'm doing right now? This is the second spread of the feature article of my magazine, the first I posted about here. This one isn't as simple and pretty as the first one, but then I had to get all of my content in there. I hope Vincent doesn't mind what I am doing to his beautiful collages, which is making a collage out of his collages. A collage collage if you will.

Wow, I'm so tired. Sorry if this post and the last have come out gibberish!

So I really have been a little obsessed with Japanese sites lately, and now it's moved from clothes to furniture and antique stores. I think I'm getting better and better at coming across the good ones (and navigating them, too). I just love this aesthetic, apparently it's called "zakka," but it turns out that word has a million meanings.

Anyway, I had to share these images! They are from a store called Five From the Ground that sells antique furniture, dishware, lamps, books, et cetera. Isn't it beautiful? This style—furniture and clothing—reminds me of a pared down Anthropologie (without all the frills).

Feeling things soft, pretty, and natural right now.

1. Untitled, 2. Blues & Reds, 3. wallpaperateukys, 4. Untitled, 5. collar, 6. Vintage Sheet Music Stack, 7. Untitled, 8. a change of pace., 9. Waiting for the Bus, 10. treat bags, 11. woodland, 12. Untitled, 13. the owls are not what they seem, 14. Untitled, 15. Untitled, 16. Untitled

I spent a lot of time on the internet today, and found so many inspiring new blogs and sites. One of these is the photography portfolio of Laurie Frankel. Her little collections of things make me swoon!

These vintage children book turned envelopes are very smart! (It just gives me another reason to collect these books!)
From Art School Girl.

I want this font (called Hannah), from You Work For Them.
I wish I was more capable of hand lettering.

1. Charity Sale---Never too late, 2. Untitled, 3. school girl, 4. also day 011, 5. bats (make great pets), 6. Untitled, 7. Untitled, 8. for edmund, 9. The End, 10. Untitled, 11. cd cover 2, 12. hoody hoo, 13. "it's cool,we can still be friends", 14. The, 15. pretty, 16. .

This is my desktop background right now, which I love, of course! It's from the photographic dictionary (which is exactly what it sounds like), and I recommend you take a peek.

Anyway, I only yesterday noticed who the photographer of this image is! I interviewed Elo a little while ago on Notpaper. It's so nice to feel familiar with all the people I have featured on my blog... So very nice.

{ image via photographic dictionary }

I was recently reminded of the art of Henry Darger in an interview on my other blog, where Jessalyn noted him as an inspiration. I watched the movie In the Realms of the Unreal about his life and work a few years ago, and it was so enchanting (I was enchanted, yes). I recommend you watch this movie.

Right now I'm obsessed with the super fun Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, as well as the melancholy Jill Barber. I love female vocalists so much.

1. well-being 1, 2. living, 3. Untitled, 4. Platonic Postcard: Back, 5. Good ol' Gill, 6. [O]rnamental, 7. Dr. Strangelove, 8. Eagle Type 3, 9. Eagle Type 7, 10. Poster Series (1/5), 11. Black Letter, 12. Pads for Apparatus, 13. Job Cases, 14. Library Letterpress Wedding invite #1, 15. DSCF2763.JPG, 16. Untitled

This is soooo stunning. I love the texture and technique, and the little jagged text. I just featured this designer's work at Notpaper.

I like this little image a lot, it makes me think of my favourite childhood books by Eric Carle. I don't know why, it's probably the shape, and the grainy texture that reminds me of tissue paper.

via Oh Joy!

via Oh Joy!

These layouts for Milk magazine are right up my alley.
I l-o-v-e them, but I bet you could've guessed that.

via Create/Reject

This is sooo nice, from Alexandre Benjamin Navet.

via Design for Mankind.

1. via unicornology 2. via ffffound! 3. via ffffound! 4. via flora douville
5. via we heart it 6. via flickr 7. via daydream lily 8. via we heart it
9. via etsy 10. via flickr 11. via we heart it 12. via we heart it

I am so happy to be working in a bookstore again. Books are pretty much all I think about, now more than ever. This is what I'll do one day.

...because who doesn't right now?

{ my stuff, above, as submitted to the What's in Your Bag? Flickr pool. }

Why didn't I think or ordering catalogues from other countries sooner? Maybe I won't spend so much on magazines if I can get AWESOME catalogues for free. (Probably not, but it's worth a try). I love magazines more than any normal person should.

Toast is a women's clothing store in the UK, and the catalogue is so nice, even nicer in person (the pages are a heavy card and it smells wonderful). I wish I could afford to order from it, because the clothes are great too.

via Pikaland.