Automatic photo oldifier

In the unlikely event you ever need to age a photo, here's a site that will do it for you. Upload your picture, press the blue button, and you'll get back a low res antique-looking snapshot. Via Photojojo.

How to make cut paper frames

It's like making paper snowflakes, only better! I made these cut paper frames with big pieces of origami paper (got them at Blick; they're 9 3/4" square. Not quite this, but close). On your bulletin board or fridge, you could frame postcards, photos, poems, you name it.

Inspiration came from a Japanese book. I can't read it, but you don't need to. Just fold your piece of paper into quarters, colored side to the inside. Sketch your design on with a pencil, making sure it runs off the edge on the two sides with the fold. (See where I marked "FOLD" on the book's example.) If you don't do this, your frame will fall apart. Then cut it out with an X-acto knife and carefully unfold it.

The photos I printed came from the Condé Nast gallery. They sell reproductions of all the gorgeous magazine images there. Have fun browsing.

Orange holidays

I think I would like to be in Amsterdam tomorrow. April 30th is Koninginnedag (Queen's Day) in the Netherlands, celebrated with orange food, banners, and "extreme amounts of orange clothing and creative accessories" to commemorate the queen's birthday.

Photo by Hans Bouman; the rest of his Queen's Day set is here.

And then there's the Battle of the Oranges in Ivrea, Italy which takes place during Carnival, 40 days before Lent. Apparently reenacting a historic insurrection, teams throw oranges at each other. A lot of oranges. I'm fascinated.

What other orange holidays am I missing out on?

Photo by Semantico; see the whole set here.

Maybe your bedroom needs something orange?

Mary found this vintage chenille bedspread for sale and sent over the link. I think it's great, but I don't need it! Anybody want to give it a good home?

Artful desktop wallpaper

Check out Kitsune Noir's Desktop Wallpaper Project: a new submission from an artist will be featured every Wednesday. To see the collection so far, click here. This one is from Mike Perry.

(On an unrelated note, is my new favorite color becoming aqua? What the heck? I'd better post something orange here soon.)

Paint color inspiration

Domino Magazine has a gallery of 50 lovely rooms with paint colors listed for your reference. Take a look if you're thinking of redecorating.

As we all know, paint colors can have rather unusual names. (Wouldn't it be fun to name paint as part of your job? Does anybody who reads this blog do that? Do share!) If you think you're good at guessing a color based on a name, try this quiz. It's hard. Good luck.

(Image from dominomag.com)

Hello down there

Send a geoGreeting written in the most unique typeface ever: each letter is a building somewhere in the world, viewed from above using Google Maps. If you've got lots of spare time on your hands, feel free to spend some of it combing the earth in search of better letter shapes. The creator of geoGreetings, a grad student at the University of Minnesota, welcomes submissions. And happy Earth Day!

Nifty coasters

My friend Megumi sent these plastic coasters from Japan (purchased at FrancFranc). Aren't they cool? She always knows what floats my boat.

I like Rex Ray

Rex Ray is a graphic designer/fine artist based in San Francisco. The first time I saw his work was at art.com, oddly enough. I have a thing for circles and curves, and I think his collages are beautiful. Originals are available exclusively through Jonathan Adler, whose manifesto makes me so happy. Alas, when it comes to Rex Ray, art.com is more my price range. (And I see you can get 25% off there for the next two days.)

(Images stolen from Rex Ray's website)

Hot little numbers

Recently I came across etsy seller Perdoozy, who makes "pin up girl aprons." They're awfully fun and would make unique bridesmaid gifts. (Assuming your bridesmaids are the cooking type.) And business is booming for Perdoozy, since she's sold almost 500 of them, each handmade. Wow.

Business card box made of business cards

I discovered instructions for making a six-sided cube from business cards. It results in weird flaps on the outside, so I modified it to make the box above.

For this box, you'll need 5 business cards and 4 pieces of double-stick tape. Follow the folding instructions here, but fold 5 cards instead of 6. (You don't need a top piece.) Follow the assembly instructions, but make sure all of your flaps stay to the inside instead of the outside. Use tape to stick down the two loose flaps on the inside bottom and the two side flaps at the top.

IKEA quiz

I heard a story on NPR yesterday about IKEA which referred to an online quiz about the retailer's product names. "Sounds fun," I thought to myself, so I googled and found this game. Try to match the IKEA name with the product. (I got 2 out of 10. Outstanding.) Every time you play, you get a new quiz. To learn how IKEA's naming conventions work, click here and impress your friends with your new factoids.

(Images from IKEA)

Sipping chocolate

My parents visited this weekend, and while out shopping we stopped by World Market and picked up some Bellagio Sipping Chocolate to try out. The verdict: great. Ever since Starbucks did away with Chantico, we've been looking for a replacement. I'm sorry, but Swiss Miss is icky. I want to drink thick, rich, dark chocolate that's really fattening and bad for you. So we made this stuff with half and half and sipped it out of tiny espresso cups. Delish. Available online here.

Modern Flora photo shoot

The fabric I designed will be shown at a textile trade show in L.A. next week, thanks to some fancy footwork by Caroline of jcaroline creative. With one week to prepare, she managed to slipcover a sofa and do up pillows, a crib set, a lamp, dining chairs, a tablecloth, napkins, totes, and cosmetic bags. Yeah. Just a few things, right? She employs some wonderful ladies who helped pull this off at the speed of light, all culminating in an emergency photo shoot by Brooke Schwab Photography. Brooke took some gorgeous pictures for the booth—you can see more on her blog right here. I'm embarrassed to admit that meanwhile, all I did was stay in Chicago and send pesky emails. Caroline and Brooke, you are both amazing. I'm so lucky to know you.

Fold a US candidate

Can't remember where I came across this, but I think it's hilarious. You can download and fold your own US presidential candidate.