Altoids Tool Box

image source here

oh my, these are the most adorable mini toolboxes ever, made out of used Altoids tins. Here's the how-to.

via Alpha mom

Omnivore

image source here

New York-based design firm Omnivore created this witty invitation. I love the diversity of their visual language.

Museum of Robots

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The name certainly made me look: Museum of Robots is actually a line of modern housewares and home accessories but also a virtual museum.

The products are inspired by... ta da... robots, which as described on their site as being "the essence of modern and nostalgic, at once futuristic and retro, technical and playful, functional and entertaining, and perfectly represent our vision."

Their space bowl and cowboy plates are so fun!

Flower Power: Azuma Makoto

photo credit: shinoki shunsuke

Former grunge rock musician Azuma Makoto creates the most masterful pieces from beautiful botanical and blooms.

When asked about the complete lack of flowers in his basement shop, he says,

“If you have the flowers sitting there in the store, the customers will say, oh, add that one please. My concept is ‘order-made’ from zero. I take the order from the customer—theme, coloring—and then I go get the flowers myself, make, and finally present the work.”

love that!

via theme magazine

Tatty Devine

all image source here

How fun are these jewellery pieces from Tatty Devine!

this one's for you, Miss Bleeker!

More Wrapping Techniques

And the wrapping continues... Above is the step-by-step on how to wrap a simple box, but there are so many more ways of presenting your gifts with fabric wraps.


In fact, you can do more than use them for wrapping gifts. How about as a bandana or scarf? Check out the possibilities here, courtesy of furoshiki.com

Speaking of which, I'm happy to announce that my wraps are also available at furoshiki.com

Happy weekend everyone!

Fabric Wraps are HERE!

all image source: chewing the cud

No joke. Our reusable fabric gift wraps are now available in the shop!
Each one is a gesture of giving: GIVE LUCK. GIVE LOVE. GIVE WISDOM.

Hand-printed on 100% organic cotton with soy-based inks.

GIVE LOVE

GIVE LUCK (in mustard or blue)

GIVE WISDOM


Use it to wrap your boxes. Use it to wrap your wine bottles. Use it to wrap book gifts. Your recipient receives a beautiful gift and presentation, and they can re-use it! Nifty eh?

Happy wrapping!

"Works with Water" Packaging... it works!

Such simple and iconic packaging that clearly communicates the Works with Water product value. The iconic lifebuoy graphic was inspired by the key theme of "rescue". image source: here

So strongly recognizable was the lifebuoy that it was flexible enough to be adapted for the various product benefits. Brilliant!

Packaging by British design consultancy: Elmwood

via lovely package

Michael Jackson Logo

image source here

Beautiful symbol and video memoriam for Michael Jackson by BBDO Germany for MTV.
Watch the video here.

via yay!everyday

Brandi Strickland

Collages from Brandi Strickland... there's something so simple and sophisticated about them..

via Design Lovely

Honbachi: Book Planters

image source here

Leave it to the Japanese to think of this: hollowed-out books as planters. Could be a cool DIY project... oh the possibilities! Who's having a literary-concept wedding?

via Boingboing

Horatius

We discovered a new food market in our neighborhood: Horatius. It's really more than a market and bistro; Horatius also hosts private events, wine tastings and cooking classes.

Each display is so thoughtful, a mixture of art, found artifacts with products.... a juxtaposition of old and new, rural and urban... just lovely!


Love the barn door, constructed from reclaimed barn wood and forged iron nails and fittings.

all image source: chewingthecud

chelsea cardinal

image source here

Magical drawings from Chelsea Cardinal, an illustrator based in Brooklyn.

Day trip Highlights

image source: chewing the cud

Some highlights from our day trip over the weekend...

Happy 4th!

image source: chewingthecud

Out shucking... be back next week. Here's to splendid picnics and glorious fireworks!

Sharpie Uncapped

image source here

Sharpie has a new site and they featured a tutorial from ctc yay! Check it out here.

Dagmar Daley

image source: here

If I had a little girl, I would dress her up with these dresses from San Francisco designer Dagmar Daley.