rambling #36 @ 11:52pm

in my room

Currently listening to Snow Patrol.

Holidays today: Memorial Day in South Korea and National Day in Sweden.

This morning, @bcbodnar (Bridget) and I walked to the Salvation Army.  It was gorgeous outside and we had a really nice walk.  We walked through the more residential streets and stopped by a garage sale.

At the Salvation Army, we looked for furniture that we could refinish (like on designspongeonline.com, which we both read frequently).  Bridget saw this cute little dresser that was small enough to carry back to our co-op, but it was already sold.  Then Bridget saw a chair that she wanted, but it was part of a set and they don’t break up sets of furniture. I did find a wooden chair that I liked, but the cushion on it didn’t look like it came off for reupholstering.

Bridget and I didn’t leave empty-handed though.  We both bought some glassware, and I also bought a polka record, All Time Great Polkas!  I don’t think my co-op has a record player, so I’m planning on just displaying it in my room somewhere.

My lovely finds at the Salvation Army minus the polka record. There was another one of the brown cups, and I wish that I had bought it for my highlighters. I wasn't thinking.

I also went to the Arb today to work on an assignment for my drawing class.   My drawing class went to the Arb on Thursday to paint peonies, and our assignment over the weekend was to return and paint more peonies or paint trees or bushes.  I stuck to the peonies.  We’re using sumi ink for this assignment, and I’m having difficulty learning how to control it.  It’s is fun to work with though.

There were A TON of people at the Arb today, all enjoying the Peony Garden.  As I sat there sketching and painting, grandparents, parents, kids, and dogs would stop and watch, which made me a little uncomfortable.  I don’t like how my painting turned out.

There’s going to be a Peony Peaking Party tomorrow at the Arb, and I’m planning on attending if the weather’s nice.  Weather.com says it may storm though.

I e-mailed ffffound.com again earlier today asking for an invite.  Here’s hoping!

The list:

1) Graphic-ExchanGE:  ”A selection of graphic projects.”  A very nice and inspirational website.  Be sure to check out the links page.

2) flickrdesign.  A link that I clicked on at Graphic-ExchanGE links page.  I’ve only spent a total of about 5 minutes on it, but I like what I see and will definitely take a closer look at it when I have the time.

“flickrdesign.com is a weblog cataloging interesting and inspiring graphic design pieces posted to flickr. Designs are chosen pretty much at the whim of our editor, but usually contain inspiring typography, colors, or unique style (or some combination of the three).”

3) Phil Yamada.  A couple of months ago, I ran across the following project online.  It’s a really cool idea and I’ve decided to recreate this project.  I painted an A on Thursday and was planning on painting a letter a day, but I’ve been too busy these past couple of days.

Here's the A that I painted!

rambling #21 @ 6:11pm

@ the fishbowl

Currently listening to The Fray.

I’ve been awake since 9:00am yesterday morning.  I had a latte with an extra shot around noon yesterday and am still caffeinated, but just barely.  I was in the fishbowl for 13 hours–from early yesterday evening to early this morning!–studying for my Cognitive Psych exam, which I think went okay. Oh, I learned that the fishbowl is open 24 hours a day, except on weekends.

And I’m back at the fishbowl again, this time to work on a paper.

I’m going to crash soon.  I can feel it.

I got a new umbrella last week, after mine got stolen.  I couldn’t find another rainbow one, so I ended up getting a nice red one.  It makes the rainy days seem brighter.

And I don’t have a charge on my student account for the library book I returned late!

The list:

1) Typoretum. A very nice flickr account.

2) The Amazing (Re)Touch.  Supersupercool photos.  The posters for the French anti-AIDS organization AIDES are…I have no words.

rambling #2 @ 9:23pm

@ the fishbowl

It’s wet out, and it’s really cold, but it’s refreshing. I managed to get a good amount of work done today for classes, and my to-do list is becoming shorter and shorter. I love crossing out things on my to-do list–it makes me feel very productive.

I had some red bean mochi ice cream today! I haven’t had mochi ice cream for a few months and forgot how delicious it was. I’ll have to have some again soon. If you haven’t tried mochi ice cream before, you’re missing out!

Here’s the round-up for today. Enjoy!

1) Chris Spooner is a graphic and web designer based in the UK and has compiled this amazing list of tutorials: 50 Illustrator Tutorials Every Designer Should See. I’ve found the “How to Make a Map in Illustrator” and “Design with Swirls and Flourishes” tutorials to be very useful. And best of all, the steps are simple and easy to follow.

2) Isn’t this photo gorgeous? I saw it at ilovetypography.com (a website “devoted to fonts, typefaces, and all things typographical” that you should need to check out). Now I want a wax sealer. Click on the photo to visit Andy Clymer’s flickr account.

3) Speaking of type, you should also visit vimeo.com to see “sturdy typography, motion and kinetic type explorations, and other typographical niceness.” Basically, there are a ton of videos of type! It’s a great distraction, and a great way to put off that American Culture assignment (I’m speaking from experience here). Make sure to check out the Technologic and School of Rock videos.

4) Alexander McQueen has a line at Target! I haven’t bought anything from his line (yet), but from what I can see at Target.com, the pieces seem to be of high-quality construction. I’m not very fond of some of the pieces, but the Alexander McQueen® for Target Studded Denim Jacket in Smoke looks really nice. I love the dramatic collar.

rambling #1 @ 10:14pm

@ the union

My first rambling! So excited!

Spring is finally arriving here in Ann Arbor! I can’t wait until the grass starts turning green and gets cut. Fresh cut grass = one of my favorite smells.

Though it poured cats and dogs today, I’ve missed the rain and it smells like Spring. I won’t miss that snow though. While Ann Arbor’s a wonderful city, it’s not so wonderful when there’s a foot of snow on the ground and you need to get to class, which you’re running late for because the snow’s slowing you down. Oh Spring, I’ve missed you so.

Enough talk about the weather, here’s my list of the moment!

1) I want this bag from Goorin. It’s so much fun! It is a little small [H: 10" X W: 16" X D: 4"], but the color makes me smile–it’s like toting around a little slice of sunshine. And it’d be perfect for the Spring weather that’s arriving (couldn’t help myself, I’m just so excited for this weather)!

2) And I also want a Helvetica Moleskine. I watched Gary Hustwit’s documentary Helvetica last month and found it to be quite entertaining and educational (who knew that it was possible for a documentary to be both?!). I already have a ton of notebooks that I carry around and doodle in, but none are as cool as this. A number of designers have been talking about this Moleskine.

3) Also, I stumbled upon Chris Piascik’s amazing flickr account on twitter a few days ago, and fell in love with his Typography album. Designers, if you’ve run into a block, this is a great place to turn to for some inspiration. Enjoy one of Mr. Piascik’s works below.