You Amaze Me, Stop Motion

There's something magical about stop motion. My first introduction to stop motion was in an architecture video. It was an amazing tool for seeing long-term effects in a short amount of time. It was also a really neat thing to watch. Then I saw this video:



What a cool way to pass the time! Read more

You Amaze Me, Ikea Hacker

If you haven’t heard of Ikea Hacker, you should go check it out. Occasionally I just go browse for a while. Some projects are simple and straightforward; some are sheer genius. Why have run-of-the-mill Ikea furniture when you can hack it into something extraordinary? Or, even better, why throw out your old Ikea furniture when you can remake it into something better?

Keep in mind, these are all produced from Ikea furniture. (Click on the photos to go to the blog posting.)

A coffee table turned into awesome nightstands:

 See the rest at AJthePurple.com - the new location! :)

You Amaze Me, Treehouses

I really wanted a treehouse growing up. Now that I'm an adult, I still want a treehouse. And apparently I'm not the only one! These structures are all designed and built among the trees. I've chosen to share ones that I feel really capture the spirit of living in the woods...They are magical, natural, and beautiful.

(Yellow Treehouse Restaurant via Contemporist)

(Baumhaum)

 (Patrick Dougherty)

(Free Spirit Spheres - eco-friendly and beautiful)

Don't you want to live in one? I do. They are so magical...You amaze me, treehouses.

30 Days, Day 15

Day 15: A moment, phrase, or song that has changed your life the most.

You Amaze Me, Pentagram

Pentagram is a design firm with offices in London, Berlin, New York, and AUSTIN! Their office is actually right next door to my father-in-law's (I believe they helped design his logo). But that's not why they amaze me. They amaze me because they make beautiful designs!

They create products, identities, and packaging...

They offer signage, architecture, and interiors...

And they design print, publications, and books!

(You may note that the last one is published by Phaidon ♡ Also, all photos from Phaidon's website)

And they are all beautiful. One day I'd like to be as talented as they. And that is why you amaze me, Pentagram!

30 Days, Day 2

Day 02: Something that inspires you

 I love going to art museums and galleries...always gives me new ideas!

ORANGE

Check out the Birds of a Feather blog for some orange inspiration :-)

You Amaze Me, Optimism

Every Sunday I do a You Amaze Me post. I love discovering, exploring, and sharing new inspirations each week. This week I've been thinking a lot about optimism.

I decided, in my teenage years, to be an optimistic person. Why be gloomy when you can look on the bright side? Give me a problem, and I'll tell you something good about it. Give me an obstacle, and I'll find something to be gained. I've got this!

The only thing that ever stands in my way is my lack of self-confidence. For some reason, I can tell everyone that situation will be ok. BUT, when it comes to my own ability to do certain things, I'm not so sure. Where's the logic in that? SO this week I decided not to worry about it any more. It's a new start to dealing with my self-confidence. Instead of trying to convince myself that I'm the greatest, I'm just going to remind myself to be optimistic.

Because you know what? I've got big goals, and I'm going to reach them. I deserve it, and

Optimism can get us there! Let's be optimistic :-)

(images, except for the obvious, via weheartit)

You Amaze Me, Dad

I love my dad :) I think I get a lot of my design ideas from him. He's an architect and has always been a source of inspiration for me. He's level-headed and intelligent, and a designer to boot! We've designed birdhouses and tree houses together. He's also ridiculously active (he started playing soccer at 50, and now runs and plays softball too!). He taught me from a young age to care for the environment, and to do my part in our community. He always listens to my opinions on things from politics to architecture, and I love discussing anything with him. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful man to look up to!

For all you do, you amaze me, Dad. I love you!

Happy Father's Day

You Amaze Me, Wine Bottles

Today we're taking a look at beautifully designed wine bottles. I think everyone has chosen wine based solely on the label. I think Alex and I are even worse because we're graphic designers! One day we'll learn about wine, but until then we sit and ponder over which is the best designed label before we buy (haha). Check out these awesome wine bottles!

This first one is actually a concept design (by Death By Colour), but I'd buy it!

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As the wine disappears, the label becomes clearer! How neat :D

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Simple and beautiful:

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Clever promotional packaging:

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Prettyyyy and eco-friendly:

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Monster Vineyards by Brandever:

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Okay, the casing of this wine turns into a lamp. Awesome. Check it out here.

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Maybe I should just become a product/packaging designer. How fun would that be?! In the meantime, I am impressed and awed by great wine labels and packaging :)

Monster Drawings

A few months ago, I came across Stefan G. Bucher's Daily Monster. It inspired me. I had given up on drawing monsters a long time ago, but then I realized my problem. I was trying to draw scary monsters, and I don't like scary things >_< What I needed to try was a monster in my own style. So I practiced until I came up with some I liked :)

These are one style I really like (similar to the style of some of my other illustrations). I've also developed a couple other styles I like too :-) I'm really just glad that I can draw monsters now!! I don't want to have anything I "can't" draw!

Just thought I'd share!

You Amaze Me, Knit Graffiti

KnittaPlease has long held a special place in my heart. And recently Magda Sayeg "yarn bombed" Austin - covering a $40k work of "art" with yarn, a vast improvement in my opinion ;) [Check out an interview here.] I love seeing knitting in unexpected places!

(via google images and KnittaPlease)

 

Thank you for the gifts, knitting artists. Hopefully one day I'll join in :D

Can't wait to see more :D

Saturday Advice

I just stumbled across this tumblr New Resolution. It hasn't been updated in a long time, but it's pretty neat :) So I thought I'd share some of my favs!