Nautical Nancy

Well hello! I haven't seen you all in ages! No really, I haven't. So sorry! Things in my life have been a little upside down lately, but all for good reason. The new job is hands down amazing, so amazing in fact that I barely have time to register anything going on around me. It's design all the time and I haven't a single problem with that. It couldn't be a better fit!

Back to business. I wasn't planning on writing a post until I finished work today but these prints have me head over heels and I just could not resist sharing immediately. The Hubs and I will be moving to a much for nautical part of the world (yup, the great state of Maryland!) next weekend. While it is going to take a bit of time before we can afford our own place up this way, I have found the perfect first addition once we get to that point!

Check out these nautical prints from Black Baroque on Etsy, at $10 a print you know I will have my hands on a few of these! I see a mini gallery wall in our future.

I adore every single print in their Ocean Life category, but I think I feel an octopus theme for my future living room. That magenta print is just killing me. I know the Hubs will just adore it, right Babe? 

{image cred: Black Baroque via Etsy}

Chalk It Up

I am jealous of anyone that can execute hand drawn type in a non five year old kind of way. OK, I suck at it, so I am just in awe when people take letter forms to a whole new level. This Chica is kind of insane, but I can't stop looking at her work!

All in chalk my friends, all in chalk. I know that just makes it even more amazing doesn't it? Dana Tanamachi is one heck of a talent. And you should see her other work. Not only does she have this skill, but she is one heck of a graphic designer. Sort of makes you wonder how you missed that talent train doesn't it? 

Still in total awe. Love. 

{image cred: Dana Tanamachi}

Skills

I am going for the short, sweet and simple route today.

I am digging these illustrator skills. It is a back to basics moment. And it looks good.

Check out the Etsy shop here. 

This is what it all means:

"During the Great Depression, U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt employed artists across the country through the Works Progress Administration. The WPA and its subordinate projects such as the Federal Theatre Project and Federal Arts Project embarked on a campaign of education, entertainment and art that brought the arts to people ways unprecedented in America, before and since." -Roosevelvet

Plain and simple. I like the prints. I am into the inspiration. I want to research it some more. Find anything? Drop me a line. 

Now to finish out this beyond exhausting day. 

{image cred: Roosevelvet}

Punctuate away, 

Jessie-Lee

What A Treat

So, plans change. I was going to tell you how excited I was about holiday cups debuting at Starbucks, but then I decided to do you one better. Actually, Google did. Google is my hero today, hand down.

Johanna Basford is a spectacle that was unknown to me until this morning. I am now obsessed with her work, and I am sure you will be too after you see these amazing images. Ms. Basford is an old school illustrator. Yep, she uses pencils and pens. Ink, graphite and paper, that is all there is to it people.

"I love the tactile nature of the materials I use and the joy of smudgy fingerprints. For me, computer generated work lacks soul and depth of character - hand drawing captures a sense of energy and charm which no pixel can ever replicate." --Johanna Basford

She clearly has a mantra, and it works for her.

This past September she caught the holiday cheer bug. (I know, a little early but hey I was going to tell you all about mine today until I found this.) Instead of Christmas shopping she used her powers of loveliness for a better purpose. This is how she envisioned the Starbucks Christmas cup, and let me say I am no longer excited about the coffee cup I am holding in my hand.



And because she goes above and beyond, here are some more lovely creations for all seasons:

I mean really, these are astounding. These cups are just plain beautiful. Starbucks needs to notice, and then commission this girl because I want to drink my lattes from a cup like these.



Besides these cups Johanna Basford sells amazing prints. I really could get lost in this pen and ink world. Check out her website and her blog, she posts her own work on a regular basis. Swoonworthy, that is all there is to it.

{image cred: Johanna Basford via her blog}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

The Total Mother Load

I am having such a hard time right now. I found the most incredible Etsy shop ever! Yes, I realize this is a bold statement but it is so true! In fact, I am having a super hard time deciding what it is I want to post. There are just too many goodies.

But more to the point. You NEED to go visit this Etsy shop. Yes by that I mean stop what you are doing this instant and go to this shop. Your life will never be the same again. It is pure graphic design mayhem, and I know you want some of that.

Without further ado, I give you my favorite items from the plethora of goodies at Yee Haw, a letterpress shop from Knoxville, Tennessee.

See what I mean? There is just so much, and yes these are all from one shop. And, I didn't even show you their apparel listings or their line of journals. 

It is literally too much to handle. I will be returning to this shop on a regular basis, no questions asked.

I seriously want some of their card sets. How great would they be to have on hand?

{image cred: Yee Haw via Etsy}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee