Fwis-Readymechs

Take a look at these Readymechs. They are free flat, readymade toys that can be printed on paper. Amazing designs. I found them through Michael Surtee's blog again...DesignNotes. Fwis is a graphic design group in Portland, Denver, Cupertino and Brooklyn.

Nike Gear

Check out Nike Gear...a system where you connect a chip into your shoe when running races and hook it up with an ipod to record the info and run virtual runs. There's a Virtual Women's half-Marathon in October to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Library Thing Blog

Library Thing...if you're a book lover and read with passion, you probably know about it already. They've got a Blog too. The latest post was about the Boston group. (How I wish I still lived in Boston at times. )
I've got more books listed on my Shelfari list, but enjoy Library Thing as well.

Reinvent Packaging Design Competition 2007

Designboom and Proctor and Gamble's 2007 competition is on. Due date is Sept 20, 2007 for the designs to be submitted.

Them5

Go see Them5...amazing designs and videos of Coke Bottles, Figurines, Posters, Toys, and items designed by The Designer's Republic, Caviar, Lobo, MK12 and Rex/Tennant. My husband has a collection of Coke Bottles from around the world. I'd love to get him one of the ones shown in this video. In the Coke Bottle, make sure to change the view from day to night view.

Blender

Have you heard of Blender? Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License. Here is some info about it's use by an Italian Illustrator, Enrico Valenza, who created book cover illos with it. Check out his work .

Gabriele Dell'otto's Fantastic Illustrations

Even if you're busy....you've got to take a sec to visit Gabriele Dell'Otto's art/illustrations. The navigation and creativity of his website alone is worth it. He's an Italian illustrator whose work is....well...go look...
(I find these sites in random ways, such as thinking of phrases that I'm curious about at the moment. I found this one by googling "Italian Illustrator")

Print and Pattern Blog

I think I've blogged Print and Pattern before, but here it is again. Too many fun patterns and art to not take a peek from time to time.

Zonbu and Green Computing...

Zonbu. This looks like a whole new branch of opportunites in computers and inventions, ideas, options for PCs. An environmentally friendly computer system in more ways than one.

Blue Like Jazz

I just had to blog Donald Miller. I love his writing, and since I'm reading Blue Like Jazz, and found he has a website, I'm blogging it.

Answers For Freelancers-Podcast!!!!!!!!!

This is hilarious AND fantastic, very informative. I just found Answers for Freelancers podcast from the Just One More Book podcast site. (The links for podcasts there are wonderful). I am going back to sign up for Answers for Freelancers as soon as I blog this. Listen to the newest podcast, and take a look at the great graphics. You'll get a feel for the quality right away when you see the layout and design and graphics. Here's a great podcast about the freelance art biz, following a job from start to finish.

Just One More Book Podcast

Check out Just One More Book. It's a podcast about the children's books Andrea and Mark love, and why they love them..recorded from their favorite coffee shop.

Inventor's Handbook-Lemelson-MIT Program

Wow....The Lemelson-MIT Program has a thorough Inventor's Handbook online. I've seen the questions about copyright, patents, and intellectual property come up often in the children's publishing world. Many of those points are explained here. (Where better than MIT to get this sort of info.)

Visual Literacy and Picture Books...great link

Here's a goldmine of links regarding Visual Literacy and Picture Books

Illustrating a Picture Book....article by Amy Meissner

Take a look at this website article about Illustrating a Picture Book, by Amy Meissner.

Children's Picturebook Collecting-blog

I just found Children's Picturebook Collecting blog today through the Jacketflap blog. Lots of great links and info on both.

Art and Alzheimers

Someone very dear to me is suffering with Alzheimers, thus my search for info about Art and Alzheimers. (I wondered what would come up online regarding using art to help those afflicted with Alzheimers. Here is one article I found so far, showing how art can awaken the mind and memory. Another interesting article, and take some time to read THIS one....my favorite so far.

The DC Illustrator's Club

The DC Illustrator's Club. Check it out. I'm honored to be a member.

The Drawing Board for Illustrators

Eons have passed since I've visited The Drawing Board for Illustrators. Take a look if you've never visited. The links and info are well worth a good stay.

Children's Book Illustrators Guild of Minnesota

The Children's Book Illustrators Guild of Minnesota has some nice work from their area children's illustrators as well as links

takashi murakami soccer ball

I figured you illustrators and creatives out there would get a KICK out of this soccer ball. (via ThisOne)

Abbott and Costello-Jack and The Beanstalk

If you need a comedy relief break..take some time to watch this Abbott and Costello classic Jack and the Beanstalk on JelloTV

Design Notes by Michael Surtees

Another great design blog is Design Notes by Michael Surtees.

BLDG BLOG- Architectural Conjecture...

Urban Speculation, and Landscape Futures...all this and more at BLDGBLOG. Lots of great design too.

NOW Watch

Are you one of those people who is either always looking back, to the past, or worrying and thinking about the future? This watch could help cure that. At least it's a strong reminder that Now is the real time we've got, and NOW is the time we're living in. Live it fully. (via ThisOne)

Kim Norman's New Song....You Won't Accept No....

I LOVE this one....another of Kim Norman's songs. This one is called You Won't Accept No and sung to the tune "Baby It's Cold Outside" It shows the editor's point of view with submissions and slush piles. (warning...one strong word at the end)

Adidas End to End Project

Adidas and The Foot Locker's shoe/graffiti project is quite fun to see.

Here's another new one....StarDoll

Have you heard of StarDoll.com? I'm sure this one will catch on with teens and probably younger girls..and others. It's an "online interactive paperdoll" sort of site, where you can dress the "virtual stars" like paper dolls.

Gizmo Diary

Gizmo Diary....go and look at some of the things he's blogged.

Domestic � Potato Queen Decal

Take a look at these. Aren't they fun?

Converse Design Your Own Shoes

Check out Converse's Design Your Own Shoes. (I have had a similar idea for years)
This is lots of fun to play with

Lickable Design Blog

Check out the Lickable Design Blog. Really great finds there,

The Campaign for Love and Forgiveness

The Fetzer Institute has a program called The Campaign for Love and Forgiveness. Very Cool...and so important. I found out about it through my morning search for the Anthopologie vases that led me to all the links in the previous posts this morning. It was listed on Papersource.

The Sarut Group

For all you kid's illustrators out there, run to The Sarut Group. I know you'll get a kick out of the designs here. The Maracas alone are fantastic.

Whirled Events blog

Whirled Events is another blog full of a huge variety of wonderful designs for the home and life in general.

Anthropolgie

Anthropologie.com has fantastic items designed in a funky, fresh upbeat way. I saw some vases in a magazine designed by them, but can't find them anywhere. (wanted to blog them to show the medical illustration style of detailed pen and ink renderings of bugs on them) I've been finding great links while searching though.

Sub-Studio Design Blog

Sub-Studio Design Blog has fascinating finds design-wise from unusual sources.

Pen and Ink Rendering

Here's one I just finished as a rush job.

Cloth Paper Scissors Mag

Cloth Paper Scissors is an informative magazine about collage, mixed media and artistic discovery. Take a look at the collage-fabric self portraits, which are fantastic!

Inserting an Image while Blogging via Email

View full size

I'm going to try to insert a rough draft I created for a possible client awhile back. It was never used, so I figure I may as well get some use from it.

It WORKED!

Blogging Via Email

Did you know that you can blog via email at Blogger.com? Don't ask me why it has taken me this long to find this feature, but I'm trying it now. Just go to the section in the dashboard area, click on settings and then on email, choose the email address that is shown as the one you can blog from, and use that email address to send the message. This is going to make blogging a lot more convenient for me. I need all the help and all the shortcuts I can get.
I've tried from my cell phone in the past, but it was a bit tricky.

Sally Jean's Creations

Take a peek at Sally Jean's website to see her creations. Her collage work, jewelry and Don't forget to check her links too. I am hooked....going to go back and visit soon.

Happy Fourth of July

God bless the USA today on the 4th of July. Have a safe and special day celebrating the freedom that has been provided at the highest price. My thoughts and prayers and thanks go out to those who continue fighting for freedom, and who sacrifice for us.

Nick Towers' Children's Illustrations

Nick Towers' digital illustrations are astounding. Check out his tutorials too. And for something fascinating, check the MakeHuman youtube view.

Check out Ruth's Book....Ellie McDoodle-Have Pen Will Travel

Ruth McNally Barshaw's book....Ellie McDoodle...check it out..

Nintendo DS Illustrator Software - Demo...eeency weency digital art