views of a city :: parisian graffiti

Only in France can you find such artistic and fashionable Graffiti. I've been visiting a great Parisian photo blog for a while now (which I love because it instantly transports me to my favorite city) and every now and again Eric Tenin, the photographer, posts some very interesting takes on the city: graffiti-ed walls.

Now, I do imagine most other cities have great graffiti art as well, but theses examples seem so Parisian in there content.

This one is my favorite...so colorful and graphic.

Enjoy these Parisian views and have a great weekend.

{ Images Via :: Paris Daily Photo }

black swan

I'm still working on the final pictures for the Quinceañera invitation I just completed, but in the meantime, I came across these dark, graphic, gorgeous posters via Design Crush for Black Swan, the upcoming Darren Aronofsky film. Enjoy.

Can't wait to see the film.

{ Images Via :: Empire Online }

happy weekend + a french melody

I've been listening to this song for a while now, not knowing who the singer was or what era it was from, but I just love it as it instantly transports me to Paris. Well, yesterday, while perusing one of my favorite blogs, Oh Joy!, I came across two music clips, but I didn't take a listen until today.

As I pressed play on the video to listen to Joy's chosen music I went on with my internet chores and let it go on in the background. As the music started I instantly recognized the melody as one of my favorites songs, and I found it interesting that without asking for it or searching for it, I was transported to one of my favorite cities as if the universe knew I needed a few minutes to escape. I've found a new favorite singer!

I do agree with Joy, 'a little french music DOES make everything better'! Happy Weekend.

{ Video Via :: Oh Joy! }

japanese woodblocks

I gave you a sneak peek last Friday of these great Japanese woodblock prints my Printmaking instructor got her hands on on one of her many thrift store adventures. I just had to take some pictures and share.

I believe most of these range from the late 60's and 70's, but they're as contemporary as can be.

I so visualize these on a notecard.

This is my favorite...I love the texture differentiating each of the elements of the print.

And this is the cutest...like a little baby holding a birdie. Hope you enjoyed!

{ Images Via :: LizzyB Loves }

happy weekend

I leave you for the week with a sneak peek of a great find via my Printmaking class. My instructor, being the thrift store shopper she is, came across some incredible Japanese Woodblock prints on one of her many shopping adventures. You won't believe the beautiful and modern-looking prints she got her hands on...I'll show you more next week.

Have a great weekend.

{ Image Via :: LizzyB Loves }

owl baby shower invitations

As promised, I have for you the Owl Baby Shower invites I designed for my cousin Silvanna.

I took inspiration for the owl illustration from the cute owl stuffed toy she created for the center pieces, which you can see here.

I added a cross-hatch pattern as a background to the body of the owl to add sense of texture to the design.

Each of the Owl Baby Shower invites were cut individually by hand to create the owl shape around the top of the elongated invitation.

These were then glued on to a hot pink backer to act as a frame to the white Eames Paper from Neenah Paper.

The back of the invite showcases the pertinent information, and as a design element, shows the backside of the owl as you would see from behind.

I also created complimenting address labels with the branch motif used on the invitation itself and the diagonal line block as well.

The branch also has a wooden texture to give the design more dimension.

I've always loved the way crisp, cut paper looks and feels...and to imagine all this was cut by hand, I'm surprised it's so straight!

The paper stock and envelope (also from the Neenah Paper Eames Collection) have a great textured pattern which only added to the overall feel and dimension of the textured motifs throughout the invite set.

The complete Owl Baby Shower invitation set consisted of an elongated, double-sided invitation slipped into a #10 policy envelope sealed with a long address label. Bright and colorful!

{ Images Via :: LizzyB Loves }

sneak peek baby shower invitation

I just delivered the cutest Owl Baby Shower invitations yesterday!! It was extra special because these were for my cousin's Baby Shower, whom I hadn't seen in over twelve years, can you believe that?!

Here's a quick sneak peek. I'll share the entire invite later in the week, but I was so excited to see Silvanna that I just had to share! I'm glad you liked them, Silvanna. :)

{ Image Via :: LizzyB Loves }

get ready for some {minted} shopping

It's time to get shopping for your Holiday cards!! How 'bout you get some 'picture' cards this year? I know of some awesome ones you can get your hands on...try shopping on Minted.

This years Minted Holiday Cards are ready for you to personalize...remember these proofs I showed you a while back, well, you can now shop for this one on Minted, how great is that!!?

Aren't these additional pieces the cutest? They look so cool together.

This Yearline™ option is very cool to keep your family informed of what you did during the year.

And you have a couple color options to choose from.

If you click on the link to the right (top right) you'll get 10% off your order...how great is that!! Thanks for everyone's support during the challenge...look, I'm on Minted. :)

{ Images Via :: Minted }

happy weekend + parisian {illustrative} views

Hello, hello...It's finally October and with this new month it finally feels like Fall!!

I'm winding down project-wise with the invitations I was designing. I'm expecting the Quinceañera invites from the printer in the mail today (I hope) and I just finished printing my cousin's Owl Baby Shower invitations for which I shared this brightly colored visual + sparkle early this week. So, this weekend will be for relaxing, enjoying a few movies, and maybe taking in an art show or two.

Of course, I can't have a relaxing weekend without thinking of a quick escape to Paris, and what better way than with these decorative and serene views into the City of Light by Little Brown Pen.

I first came across these fabulous prints via my favorite Prêt à Voyager and I instantly fell in love. I'm loving the decorative patterns used to portray the actual textures of the walls.

Check out the Little Brown Pen shop for your chance to travel through my favorite city with their amazing photography and to get your own Paris Travel Poster.

I'll have photos of the completed invitations next week. Happy Weekend!!

{ Images Via :: Little Brown Pen }