Posts from September 2008

Once again, OrangeBeautiful has a product featured on NOTCOT.org!

If you love it, please visit this link and add to our HEARTS!

For more general awesome-ness, check out NOTCOT's randomizer.

Oh Happy Day's post on baby Moses' (fabulous) announcements made me realize I never posted my daughter's announcements way back when we mailed them out!

To incorporate a photo, we laser printed circular mailing labels and attached them to flat cards that E screenprinted in gold and black. The envelopes are French's patterned Mod Tone Blush. We got to use the Lunar New Year stamps (even though Catherine was born in the year of the Golden Pig, I loved the red lanterns!) before the postage rate increased. For thank-you notes, we had her lowercase monogram printed to off to the side of a flat notecard - very simple.

Her little newborn grin still makes me smile!

Color Palette Tights, $12.50/pair from Anthropologie.

I've been coveting a pair (or, um, several pairs) of brightly-colored tights since last fall, but never took the plunge... Well, now, Anthropologie has a slew of different colors, and, I'm going to have to go for it this time around...

Right now, I'm thinking Turquoise, Dark Orange and Chartreuse (which looks a lot more like yellow on the screen, but I want them either way ;) -

And I'm thinking these heels (below) would look amazing w/ the Dark Orange. What do you think?

Ellipses Shooties, $88 from Anthropologie.

These Unison Static 17" Square Pillows from Spartan, in Lemon/Gray, Turquoise/Gray, Black/Gray, could easily bring new life to a neutral sofa...

I really want to visit that shop!

Image from Spartan.

Paul Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward (photo from the late 1990's, via Kenyon College).

As many of you already know, legendary actor, entrepreneur & philanthropist, Paul Newman passed away this past Friday at his home in Connecticut.

I am proud to say that I graduated from the same small Ohio college that Paul Newman attended; the place where he really began his acting career: Kenyon College. Although he is most well-known for his list of movie accolades, Newman stands out in my mind mostly as an inspiring human being who turned his celebrity into works of activism & charity.

To watch the video interview that the above quote is from, click here. And for more on the life of Paul Newman, his time at Kenyon, and more photos, click here.

Thank you, Mr. Newman, for all that you have done for Kenyon College & its students and faculty... and for all that you have contributed to the world. You will be missed.

If you missed it last week, you should head over to Operation NICE and check out Melissa's video blog post, which reveals the winner of her OrangeBeautiful giveaway of a boxed set of our letterpress printed "Nice" notecards.

Melissa is totally adorable (despite her mention that she's wearing her pajamas and that, in her words, her hair doesn't look so great) - and I always love being able to put a face with the name of someone who I've chatted with via email so many times.

Be sure to watch the full 5 minutes, mostly to hear Melissa read the winning "nice" anecdote... it's always nice to hear about people doing good for others - which is exactly what Operation NICE is all about!

Thanks, Melissa! and congratulations to the winner of the giveaway. I hope you enjoy the cards!!!

images from Operation NICE.

I just love this Queen Clock, from Modern Dose - there's a red version, as well, but I really love the classic silhouette look of the black, shown above.

via desire to inspire.

I have always dreamed of having a staircase just like this somewhere in my life. It's great to have the thought in my head materialize so I can file this image away for that future dream home...

Image from Studioilse via A Merry Mishap.

Exposed Stitch Journals :: OrangeBeautiful

Yesterday afternoon, I attended the Artists' Advisory Board meeting for the upcoming One of a Kind Show that's held here in Chicago (at the Merchandise Mart) the first weekend of December.

This will be our 4th year exhibiting at the show and we're really excited to be launching quite a lot of new product... we'll have a lot more books & boxes this year, as well as everything that you see in our online shops (Supermarket and Etsy).

Chicago: Merchandise Mart, 2006 :: Carl Vogtmann

Attending the meeting were members of the One of a Kind Show management (who are awesome and really, really organized - quite refreshing in the world of big gift shows)... as well as several artists who will be a part of the show this year.

So, I thought I'd share some of the work of those artists who were at the meeting... check 'em out!

Eloise Line 10" Dinner Plates :: Case Island Glass

Sweet Geometree Box Print 3/set (mixed media, 24x9"ea) :: Dolan Geiman

Light Conversation (pastel, 30x24") :: Nancie King Mertz

Large Bowl Leica (clementine pinstripes) :: Circa Ceramics

BJE metal & bead earrings :: Sue Rosengard Jewelry Design

Self Abstract (mixed media) :: Armando Pedroso

Keep an eye out for more One of a Kind Show posts in the coming weeks!...

1) laura, 2) Split Pea Soup, 3) 071708 Hudson High School #2--Hudson, Ohio (14), 4) Aquamarine, 5) John 1, 6) Vosges Haut Chocolate....Thanks Bonnie, 7) Positano, 8) Warm Chocolate Cake, 9) Shopgirl in front of the Biba store, 1967, 10) Joy unlimited, 11) Observant, 12) Sweet Print :: Blue-Grey

Thanks E for finding this "game"!

My answers:

1. What is your first name? (laura)

2. What is your favorite food? (split pea soup)

3. What high school did you attend? (hudson ohio high school)

4. What is your favorite color? (aquamarine)

5. Who is your celebrity crush? (john krasinski)

6. Favorite drink? (vosges haut chocolate)

7. Dream vacation? (positano)

8. Favorite dessert? (chocolate cake)

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (shopgirl)

10. What do you love most in life? (joy)

11. One word to describe you? (observant)

12. Your Flickr name? (theSCOOPblog)

If you want to play, check out E's post for the link.

1) Emily Haines - Metric, 2) Our new favorite Sushi Bar, 3) Princeton High School Storm of 1996, 4) Orange mood, 5) Paul Rudd dans un bar, 6) Not a good time for photo, I rather have coffee first, 7) Street life,Tokyo, Japan, June 2007., 8) Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée, 9) Orange Classic at Concourse, 10) Be creative!!, 11) crazy daisies, 12) Bright Booklets

I saw PJ's Mosaic of Me post on her blog, Somewhere in Middle America and I thought it might be a fun little visual project for L and me...

So, here's the deal... you answer the following 12 questions about yourself (my answers are in parentheses after each question):

1. What is your first name? (emily)

2. What is your favorite food? (sushi)

3. What high school did you attend? (princeton high school)

4. What is your favorite color? (orange, duh.)

5. Who is your celebrity crush? (paul rudd)

6. Favorite drink? (coffee)

7. Dream vacation? (tokyo, japan)

8. Favorite dessert? (créme brulée)

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (the owner of OrangeBeautiful ;)

10. What do you love most in life? (being creative)

11. One word to describe you? (crazy)

12. Your Flickr name? (theSCOOPblog)

Wanna play?: Type your answer to each of the above questions into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL’s into the Mosaic Maker (3 columns, 4 rows)... Enjoy!

see caption list (above) for photo credits...

post via Somewhere in Middle America and orignally, wonderful one times one.

Okay, it's officially fall, because I'm not full-on obsessed with coveting boots, scarves & jackets.

This jacket, in particular :: Band Jacket, $88.00 by Silence & Noise... from Urban Outfitters. Gimme gimme!

side note: I also want these...

images c/o UO.

p.s. Here's a fun (slightly-related) tidbit of information... I was the Drum Major in my high school marching band. Seriously.

So, it's not as glamorous as the ladies who lunch, but I did have quite a nice lunch today with fellow designer & business owner, Jason Loper - of Zola Jones Designs. If you live in Chicago, you've most likely seen his infamous Bumpy Ride Bag being carried by someone walking down the street or waiting for the El.

Zola Jones Designs has both an Etsy shop and an actual storefront (1944 W. Montrose Ave.) - On my last visit there, I bought this awesome shopping tote (shown in the last pic, below and available here on Etsy) made with this chunky mint & chocolate houndstooth fabric... I L-O-V-E it.

Oh! and both Jason & I will be selling our wares at this year's One of a Kind Show & Sale held, here in Chicago, every December. Come and visit us!!!

images c/o Zola Jones Designs.

While Emily's been coveting wedge heels for fall, I've been compiling a list of favorite "heels with trims" (clockwise from top: Kiltie Buckle Heel, Ruffle Row Peep-Toe, and Zippered Berkley Sandal.

Images from Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Nordstrom.

Apparently, 'lil ole SCOOP blog has been nominated for Home Rejuvenation™ blog's 10 Most Influential Design Bloggers 2008 poll.

L and I would love it if you all could V O T E for us!

Simply go to HR's post and find the "click here" to vote. Simply enter "the SCOOP" as one of your picks for most influential (!) - but don't forget to browse the list for other favs - there's some really great blogs up for the top 10!

We're so happy just to be nominated! *blush*

JUMP Sour Wedges, in Brown - $78.00 at Zappos!.

I have no explanation for my recent desire to buy a pair of wedges. I don't know that I've ever bought wedges... ever. Weird. Long story short, I browsed the 'wedge selection' over at Zappos! (where else?) and came across a shoe company that I'd never heard of before: JUMP.

SO great... I'm desperately hoping that these shoes are as comfortable as they are smoking-stylish. I'm in love with these wedge boots (above), called Secret. What do you guys think? Do I need these???

JUMP Smile MaryJane Wedges, in Turquoise - $72.00 at Zappos!.

The next time I'm in NYC, I'll definitely be making a point to visit JUMP's retail boutique (89 Spring Street) - looks like a dangerous place for my wallet!

product images c/o Zappos!. storefront pic c/o JUMP's Flickr site.

I'm growing impatient waiting for the October issue of domino to arrive at my mailbox. Already the online preview version is up - with a beautiful shot of Kelly Wearstler wearing a fabulous outfit - on the cover.

Inside, Wearstler walks through the transformation of her "bravura modernist" guest house in Beverly Hills which, from the photos above, appears to generously borrow from her new textiles collection. What a fun, feminine palette - punched up by those round brass accents. Looks like everyone is getting into purples these days - and I love it.

Seriously, I can't wait any longer...

Images from domino magazine.

Did you miss the Motivate Prints the first time around? Were they sold out before you got around to ordering? Did you miss the pre-order?

Do you have no idea what I'm talking about?

Whichever it is, get over to OrangeBeautiful's Etsy shop and order yours now: Individual prints = $12. Set of 4 = $40.

We printed an entire 2nd edition, but who knows how long this batch will last!

Thanks to those of you who placed pre-orders over the last two weeks... your 4/sets have priority & will be shipping out at the beginning of next week!!!

My daughter and I regularly listen to You Are My Little Bird, a collection of children's songs by Elizabeth Mitchell. I love the cover art by Ida Pearle, so I had to find out more about her and see more of her work.

NYC-based Pearle, who is also a musician, creates gorgeous collages using Coloraid, origami, and other collected papers. Much of her work depicts scenes of childhood and play, which lends itself well to children's decor, as shown below.

These alphabet cards would look gorgeous in a nursery, or even a playful family room as shown above.

The layers of detail are captivating to me, from the narratives to the intricacy of the characters' outfits. Each collage goes through an extensive planning and sketching process before the papers are applied.

Prints are available through Ida Pearle, and products including the alphabet cards and greeting cards are available at the artists' site and through the adorable shop Tiny McSmall.

Images from Ida Pearle and Tiny McSmall.

I actually don't wear a watch much anymore (despite owning this awesomeness) - but I do have an appreciation for a watch that has a little more going on than just telling you what time it is...

The collection from Mr. Jones Watches doesn't disappoint... I especially love the Average Day model (shown on the MoCo Loco post), which runs through the events of an average person's average day...

I also love the Loves Me watch, which - as the seconds tick by - switches, graphically, between "Loves Me" and "Loves Me Not" - brilliant, if not a bit bi-polar ;)

And, to top it all off, the packaging is even phenomenal... I love the MJW monogram logo, the B&W illustration on the box, everything. Kudos to you, Crispin Jones!

images c/o Mr. Jones Watches.

Since my "controversial" post about the Make Mine Barack art prints, I've gotten so many emails about more and more really great Obama product. It's interesting to see how much this political candidate has done to inspire crafters, designers, artists, etc. to make such a good-looking political statement. Usually, the campaign design itself for a Presidential candidate is somewhat stiff and not really about being pleasing to look at... but not in Obama's case.

And, as always, there's a fair share of really, really bad t-shirts, mugs, etc. out there - for both candidates. But I've yet to find any beautifully screen-printed bags (shown here), hand-stitched barrettes or stunning posters from the Republican candidate. Have you?

Get your Obama Bag (and view other styles/prints), right here.

Thanks for the link, Charity!.

Oh, if only my hair was still long...

who am I kidding? I'm totally ordering a set of these Barack Obama Barrettes from maragreenaway.etsy.com - and clipping 'em on my jacket.

The 2/pk is $18.00, with $10 of that going directly to the Obama Campaign.

Thanks, Mara! These are great!

Honestly, sometimes I don't get celebrities. With all the access, connections and $$$$ they have at their disposal, you would think that when choosing something that could be infinitely cool, like a baby announcement or wedding invitation, they might be able to come up with something incredible. As is often the case, we see stationery best described as "same old" or even completely lacking in taste published alongside tabloid photos of their babies or weddings.

A glorious exception is the announcement (recently published in People) of Isaac McHale, newborn son of The Soup host Joel McHale. Designed by friends at Good Stock Press & Bindery, the accordion-style panels combine a red-and-white palette with beautiful typography, an adorable portrait and a quote from 3-year old Big Brother Eddie:

"He looks like a bald man."

It's no surprise that the hilarious Joel would inject some humor into the announcement. And from the striped envelope to the letterpress cover and the polka-dot backing, the overall package is so smart and sweet. Just how I imagine little Isaac must be.

Images via Good Stock.

Melissa, over at Operation NICE, is doing a bit of a 'pay it forward' with the boxed set of Nice cards that I sent her a few weeks back:

She's giving away the box in a drawing (taking place this Thursday, the 18th), so get over there now, leave an anecdote about something NICE that's happened in your life.

Even if you don't win the giveaway, 1) it's nice to read about other people's "nice" experiences, and 2) it's nice to think about (and type out) something nice that's happened to you.

As Ferm Living expands its product line, the first wallpaper collection is being discontinued - and that means great bargains may be found (until it's sold out!).

Right now, all remaining Collection No. 1 wallpapers in stock are $30 per roll - a substantial savings.

From top to bottom, the designs pictured here are Cherry Tree, Polka Dots, and Berry Black.

Images from Ferm Living.

I'll admit, this past week (not to mention the past 6 months) have been a bit tough for me. I'm not sure what it is, but I've let a lot of stress and anxiety build up in a lot of different areas and I'm starting to learn that I'm not alone:

Speaking with fellow designers & business owners - and even with those not striking out on their own - I'm finding that there's an overwhelming sense of uneasiness about the economy, about people, about the world... A lot of us seem to close up and protect ourselves under a veil of "things could be better," maybe pretending that we don't need to get down to the nitty-gritty and commiserate a little more on how we feel about things, how we wish things actually were... and how to really change things for the better.

So, here's to a greater feeling of optimism for all of us. Have a great week, everyone!

The above bright+sunny image is from a recent d*s Sneak Peek featuring the home of Christine Martinez (Lama Designs).

...but I want to be one.

This "storm cloud" version from Anthropologie would make all my fall outfits somehow airier...floatier...prettier.

And this (above) is my pick for Emily (who already is very much a scarf person)...not so much because of the butterflies, but the colors are fantastic, and would go with pretty much her entire wardrobe.

Images from Anthropologie.

Apple recently released their new iPod nanos, which do have new specs (a new shape, a shake-to-shuffle feature & that lovely display screen that flips w/ your nano, much like the iPhone) - but what I'm more attracted to are, of course, the new colors!

So, it's a little idiotic for me to even consider something other that that beautiful orange (above), but dammit, if I don't love both the blue and that great yellow. (what is is with me & yellow?) -

Since I (like a jerk) recently lost my clip-on silver iPod shuffle that Jw got me a while back, maybe I'm in the market for a new personal listening device (that makes it sound more like something I need instead of just something that I want ;)

Which color would you choose?

images c/o Apple.

For weeks I've waited to see the first glimpse of Anya Hindmarch's handbag collection for Target, due to hit stores mid-October.

The day has finally arrived, and although I tend to shy away from PVC bags, these three styles look incredibly smart.

I can't wait to check them out in person to see if the construction lives up to these images. (Other bags and colors can be seen here.)

On a related note, the much-anticipated Sigerson Morrison shoe line for Target leaves much to be desired - click here to see if you agree!

Images from Target.

These papers just arrived yesterday, and to me they feel very summer-to-fall:

Kichi Papers' Golden Flower (above, left) and Elum's Drift Wood (above, right).

Plum Blossoms on Lokta (above, left) and Kichi Papers' Cream on Green Floral.

Images from Paper Mojo.

So, I'd only really known about Zazzle for customizing stamps (for wedding invitations, etc.) and making photo stickers (L's baby announcements!) - but now you can customize your own pair of Keds... oh, this is gonna be trouble!

I was "bored" (i.e. distracted) a few weekends back, so I designed these two pairs of OrangeBeautiful Keds... which you can actually buy (!) for a mere $67.50/pair! Both pairs are inspired by our B&W Lattice Line - one in a Warm color palette (like these), the other in Cool (like these)! You can even make adjustments to the specs I chose before you buy... check them out here!

This is my new sudoku...

Whether you've already decided that Barack Obama is definitely your candidate, or maybe you're still undecided - here's a way to contribute to the campaign & receive a piece of art that (beautifully) gets your point across to others.

For us, this election is about our right as American citizens to choice. We want to live in a country that accepts its people... ALL of them. A country that believes in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence as they pertain to the freedom of all who reside here, and that does not discriminate against its citizens on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious creed, social status, or station.

We do not believe this is a matter of Democrat vs. Republican. When Abraham Lincoln became our first Republican president, he redefined the way our nation saw itself, and reshaped what it meant to be "an American". If one lawyer, Illinois statesman, and member of Congress can do as much for the country as he did, we'd like to see what a second one can do.

Both candidates will tell you that in November, you have a choice to make. Only one of them would allow you to make choices after the election is over. That's why you should tell them to "Make Mine Barack".

- Sidedown for Obama

visit www.makeminebarack.com for more...

images c/o Sidedown for Obama.

Swing Set ("Good Times"), by Elum.

Over Labor Day weekend, Jw and I spent our Saturday morning over on Southport Ave... a little Kinko's action for some work stuff, followed by a bagel @ Einstein Bros. - and then, of course, an Anthropologie walk-through... but the only thing I bought all day (despite the fact that I'm trying to save money), were these awesome letterpress cards at card boutique, Va Va Voom (3402 N Southport)...

Monkey Around ("Love Hanging Out"), by Elum.

Jungle Gym ("Friends Forever"), by Elum.

The Swing Set card already has a specific destination, but I haven't decided where to send the other two... The Jungle Gym is my favorite, so maybe I'll just keep that one for myself ;)

images c/o Jw.

Alejandro Paul (one of my favorite type designers), sent me an email this morning about his new typeface, Compendium... and it's hot.

At first glance, the font looked fairly similar to the oh-so-stunning, Burgues Script, so, of course I'm intrigued (and worried about the money I'll spend when I inevitably have to buy this new script)...

Compendium

Burgues

But upon further comparison, they're definitely from the same hand/mind, but clearly different. Now, I must have this new AlePaul design. It's difficult for me as a rather non-traditional designer to find elegant-yet-not-stuffy scripts to use for wedding invitations... Burgues has been quite the lifesaver, and I look forward to incorporating Compendium into my future designs, as well...

Now, if I can just work up the muster to spend the mere $99 to have it in my Font Suitcase...

images c/o Sudtipos.

I'm kind of obsessed with birds as a design element, which I guess is pretty obvious from looking at my own work (see the last two images ;) ...so, here's a recent collection of bird pieces that I'm in love with. Enjoy!

"Swallows" Blank Card, $12.50/box of 6 by Binth.

Nest Necklace, $125.00 by Amy Bengtson.

letterpress coasters, $12.00/8pk by 12fifteen.

"Crow" Cuddle Pillow, $72.00 by Binth.

Custom Wedding Invitations (starting @ $15/set) by OrangeBeautiful.

Birds & Stripes Assorted Box, $16.00/6pk by OrangeBeautiful.

This is a fun and practical idea I've never seen before: personalized, perforated calling cards in a matchbook-style carrying case.

If you're prone to losing things in a gigantic handbag, this could be a good option for keeping the stash of cards together!

Be sure to check out this and other pretty items in Story By Mia's Etsy shop.

Images from Story By Mia.

Just spotted some pretty new greeting cards from Binth that incorporate one of my favorite colors: lavender.

They remind me of these rooms by Chicago interior designer Anne Coyle, for whom lavender is a signature color.

Coyle has said that lavender works as an unexpected neutral. Often thought to be too "pastel" or girlish, I think it can be very sophisticated and dramatic, especially when offset by black and brights like fuschia and yellow, as shown in the paper and interiors examples here.

Images from Binth and Anne Coyle Interiors.

Heading into the weekend, Jw and I got to talking about what Labor Day is for... (no, the answer is not "having a day off" and/or "drinking beer during the day" - although, that is increasingly the U.S. version of pretty much every holiday)... Let's have Wikipedia shed a little light, shall we? ::

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday—a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families.

This got me to think even more about what it is to have a job, to work toward a goal, to "make a living" - why do so many people hate their jobs? It is definitely the norm to hate your boss, to be tired of going to work & to hate Mondays (i.e. the day you have to go back to your job after 2 days of not working)... Even I, a person who is their own boss, have many a day where I'd rather stay home and watch Legally Blonde.

So, on this observed holiday, I do plan on really thinking about those people out there who work extremely hard every day; who take pride in what they do and are happy and appreciative to have a job where they can not only support themselves & their families, but also contribute to our society & make their community a better place for other people.

Work hard and be nice to people.

So simple, yet so terribly difficult for so many of us to do.

images c/o Anthony Burrill.