Olive and Emerald

{peek into} my sketchbook

2012-02-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, you just need to draw. I find that when I'm reading (doesn't matter the content of the book), I like to have a pen nearby just in case inspiration strikes.

This happened while introducing myself to The Artist's Way. Who knows what will happen when I get past the introduction!

{dreaming of} stately valentines

2012-01-31T08:54:00.000-08:00

Image via Design*Sponge

Those crazy cats over at JHill Designs have done it again. Perfected the art of the silhouette of place. They now make these really cute state pairings, so if you and your special someone aren't from the same neck of the woods, check these out as a Valentine's Gift. Too bad M and I are both home grown Californians...

{familiar face} of michael grolle

2012-01-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

As some of you may have feared, I have decided not to bring back the "Dinner With" column just yet. Instead, I am taking some of the fun and introducing a brand new column featuring some great talent in the creative arena! This will help us get acquainted with people who've got some mad skills, and don't mind talking about themselves, or other delightful things. Let's get it started with a face I see all the time!

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Calm, collected, German.

How has design influenced the way you work?

Design with plants is somewhat tricky. They have been around well before our existence and will be long after. Finding new and innovative designs that highlight the science behind how plants function is my ultimate goal; to create designs that are not only beautiful, but also awe inspiring and thought provoking.

What is the paper good you can't live without, practical or otherwise?

My marriage license.

Thanks to Michael for being the first interview this year. You can check him out elsewhere at the Glasshaus Project.

book-inspired competition

2012-01-30T11:23:00.000-08:00

Not long ago I read about a contest for the local library system. I had only three days to design, complete and enter submissions, but I decided to go ahead anyway. The goal: create a design for two different age groups and associated themes that can be screen printed onto a tote bag for books. Although I did not win (you can find the winners here) I had a lot of fun trying to make easily printed designs with impact.

Sketches for the Cloudstar/San Luis Obispo County Library Read Campaign

Actual Olive & Emerald screenprint-friendly designs

letterpress video

2012-01-29T16:35:00.000-08:00

Take a second to look into the world of letterpress, one of my favorite printing techniques. It's great to see how much the person puts him or herself into the final product.

Upside Down, Left To Right: A Letterpress Film from Danny Cooke on Vimeo.

Thanks to a former professor, Lorraine, for sharing!

{wishlist} valentine gifts for the foodie

2012-01-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

Today's Valentine's feat is one for those who tend to think with their bellies. Instead of (or in addition to) planning a dinner out, try staying in for special homemade breakfast!

1: Whip up some waffles on a festive waffle iron
2: Sweeten the deal with a nice bottle of Grade A Light Amber Maple Syrup
3: Fresh juiced oranges and delicious champagne for unreal mimosas

They say the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach for a reason... Click here to download a free print-at-home card that looks a little like this:

{wishlist} valentine gifts for the animal lover

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

For the next couple of days, I will be featuring alternative Valentine's Day gift ideas ranging from small acts of kindness to grand gestures of love. We start it off with ideas for those bleeding hearts out there. Here are a few ideas I have been thinking about (as M is practically Dr. Dolittle)...

1: A tried and true favorite for the day, but in the form of Ladybugs and Bees
2: In place of the usual bear, try a Fox or other unforgettable favorite
3: Spoil the inner nerd with a subscription to the classic Zoobooks
4: Make a date out! Head to the zoo, aquarium or nature preserve together
5: Skip the naming a star after your sweetheart and adopt an animal in their name instead... I can't get the idea of adopting a tiger (my fave) out of my head

And if you're feeling crazy, click here to download a free print-at-home card that looks a little like this:

{trendspotting} moustaches

2012-01-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

It doesn't matter if you call them a moustache, a mustache, or just a plain ol' stache, they're everywhere these days. Perhaps it's for the best? I think so. Even cloth napkins (from a local fave) and Hello Kitty are on board!

Magnetic Poetry, Paper, Clock, Flared Mug, Mug, Flask, Book

Consider this post just a hint of what's ahead for this year... And maybe you'll adding some moustaches to your own day to day. Maybe.

true statement

2011-12-15T12:04:00.000-08:00

Hello Kitty is a baller, shot-caller. She rocks. And a store next to my daytime office reminded me that she is also a pimp.

She totally is.

(but only in the rapper meaning of the word)

{currently loving} camels

2011-12-08T12:30:00.000-08:00

Images via Viriginia Johnson and Chic Little House

These Virginia Johnson camel pieces make me think of one thing: fantastic organization. No one can argue with me that a purse (or backpack or messenger for you boys) is better when organizes. I'll share a project that is related to these bad boys soon... so come back for more!

ceramic wonders

2011-12-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

Suddenly, candles are looking like more than just a last minute gift. I'd love to sprinkle a few of these around my house to "soften the edges" and add some life and light. It's so nice to see the human in these creations. I love handmade.

All images via Oui

rachel sitkin

2011-12-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

These beautiful Rachel Sitkin pieces remind me of the views I saw from the airplane last week. One of the bonuses about living in a small place (and flying into a tiny airport) are the landscapes you get to fly over. There is something so awe-inspiring about the color change of farmed land and irrigation circles.

if only

2011-11-30T13:03:00.000-08:00

I wish life was as glamorous as an Anthropologie catalog... Or even that glasses were as awesome to wear as these yellow ones make me think they are. I'm holding out on using my lenses until I really really really need them. In the mean time, can I get these filled with +0 prescription? I'd like that.

{wishlist} just plain pretty

2011-11-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

Last but not least, we have things that are pretty. They may be practical, but dang are they pretty.

1: Anything from Chameleon Fine Furniture* would be awesome, but it's the Jessica today.
2: A few Finn Pendants, aglow over the work table would be nice.
3: Toss this Hand-Blocked Triangle Pillow on for a little personality.
4: A couple of Edge Flutes...
5: And a Handyman's Ceramic Pail...
6: Make a little something special (yummy Brut Champagne!) for client meetings.

*Just a note about the Chameleon Fine Furniture: I have one of these in my home already and it's amazing. I got to choose every part of it from the size to the fabric to the legs. It's amazing, and I really want a chaise to go with it!

lamp-tastic!

2011-11-30T07:19:00.000-08:00

Image via Design*Sponge

I'm really into lamps right now. The polka dot pattern on this one is particularly attractive with the white on white color scheme. It looks letterpressed.

{dreaming of} earthy forms

2011-11-29T14:29:00.000-08:00

As I've gotten older, the colors and forms I'm drawn to have definitely changed. As I've known M, his love of eating mushrooms has rubbed off on me. Not only do I find them tasty, but I am slightly obsessed with their shapes and colors.

(I want these.)

Mushroom shaped hardware from Anthropologie: 1, 2, 3

Have you seen how the oyster mushroom grows? It's truly amazing. Little tiny shelves of mushroom growing out of other shelves to form this intense maze of fragrant fungus!

{wishlist} practical and pretty

2011-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

M loves a practical gift; I love those that look awesome. This list is an attempt to bridge those mindsets and curate a great office setup.

1: I'd use something like this Mumbai Case to carry my imaginary tablet in.
2: This Lion Head Letter Opener is just plain baller. Any questions?
3: A natural wood Perpetual Calendar to answer the question "What day is it?"
4: This water hyacinth Large Curved Basket, perfect for winter blankets.
5: Proudly post your business info in the Repurposed Frame.
6: One 26 oz. Weck Canning Jar is just right for holding things like washi tape.
7: The small, patterned Twiggy Office Storage Boxes are a great size for paper.

{wishlist} on the practical side

2011-11-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

Lately, there have been a lot of changes in my life. Besides the obvious like becoming an aunt and getting married, many have happened in the business arena. That being said, I can't help but secretly wish for lots of good office supplies for Christmas this year.

I'll be putting together a series of products running the gamut on things that a great office should have to keep it running, from practical to pretty.

1: 5-Drawer Flat Files and a Base to be able to organize like royalty.

2: Think Memory Foam Wrist Rest, or upgrade to a custom mouse pad.

3: An External Hard Drive that's not too bad to look at.

4: This sleek BackPack offers an iMac friendly ledge for external storage.

5: A few Cedar Coat Hangers to keep clients coats in check.

modern geneology

2011-11-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

A contemporary take on a long-standing family tradition - procreation! Believe it or not, this is a family tree tracing back the genealogy of a loved one. Currently working out a parts of the layout, playing with color, and choosing a typeface that works. Looking forward to sharing it as a Christmas present!

the good old way

2011-11-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't like getting a letter in the mail? In January 2012, the postage rate will go up a tiny bit (to 45¢ each), and I'm proposing we send more mail! It's definitely a challenge to find time in our busy lives to sit down and write a note to a favorite person or pay a bill offline, especially when we can do the same thing on the computer instantly. But what about anticipation!? I miss that.

lovely shapes

2011-11-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

Images via MDCreated

A friend of mine paints, and lately she's been striking some chords with my imagination. Shapes appeal to me, and I love these originals she's currently got on Etsy!

feathers

2011-11-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

Top, Left, Bottom

I am captivated by the photo of this bride. She's got some guts showing off her ink, and topping of her coif with that feathered hair piece. But I love it... it's so bold that it undeniably works.

another bunny

2011-11-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

Image via Animalia Store

This Jenny Belin print - yes. Look at that painted fur! I love bunnies; hopefully no one is keeping a count of how many times I admit to that.

{sneak peek} moderne suite glamour shots

2011-11-08T16:37:00.000-08:00

Photo by Kelsey Stewart

I don't know if you can tell, but I'm super pumped about getting these photos back! This is just one look at the Moderne Suite, the design I completed for my own wedding. And yes, I did hand address 100 invitations with text in four different places... what was I thinking!!! At least it looks awesome.

pretty

2011-11-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Image via Blumen

This would be a great view to have from the office. Just imagine how the lights will dance at night.