post-its

While rifling through some boxes this weekend, I came across the contents of my old desk drawer at Martha Stewart. 

I remember going in to pack up my office. I had just had my son C, and decided I couldn't leave him to return to work full-time. And I was having a hard time throwing anything away. You see, I loved my job. And I knew at that moment, I was saying goodbye to: lunch on the grass at Bryant Park, afternoons in the craft department, meetings about rocket ships and sock dogs and gingerbread cookies, freshly baked treats dropped on my desk by friends in the test kitchen. I was sad to say goodbye to my little office and all I held dear. And so I kept the pile of post-its.

Looking back, I realize I was also saying goodbye to crazy 14 hour days, shoots that took me far from my family, and late night rides home on the subway alone.  What did I get in exchange? Mornings spent staring at my growing boy, his soft bald head and huge blue eyes, time with just the two of us. Not a bad deal in the end.

rabbits + race cars

I met Heather Ross because she was teaching a class on infant clothing at Purl Patchwork, but I think our paths would have crossed regardless, even in a city as big as New York. She's a kindred soul, and we became fast friends. I miss meeting up for lunch in the city, and running around fields of clover in Vermont while we shot her first book. (Weekend Sewing will be available this spring from STC Craft.)

And I'm loving her newest fabric line for Kokka, available at purlsoho. Even the selvedges are darling. My son C has already put in his request for a car backpack, and little Bee will be getting one too (maybe the blue dancing animals?).

ducks + ducklings

I'm always happy to find something my 2 and 4 year olds can play together. This Baby Animals puzzle from eeBoo has become very popular around these parts. We line up the moms on one side of the table, and the babies on the other, and the kids take turns matching away. (And as an added bonus: the cards are beautiful too.)

farewell florent

I was sad to hear that one of my favorite New York restaurants closed this summer. As I was unpacking some boxes this weekend, I came across an old postcard and matchbook from Florent, designed by M&Co. Still beautiful, 22 years later.

miss manners

When I was growing up my mother starting reading Miss Manners to us at the dinner table. I'm not sure what prompted this, maybe it was because my siblings and I were eating too quickly, or fighting over the last piece of pie, or setting the centerpieces on fire (true story). We read an entry or two each night, which continued until the book was finished. And then we just started over again.

A friend recently brought over a sweet little book called Manners to Grown On, published in 1955. I love the illustrations and the two color printing, and the little bits of advice to help any young lad know what to do in any social situation. 

My son beat me to the phone the other day and answered it by yelling "Who is it?".  I know he's only four, but it might be time to break out the Miss Manners. 

printing by hand

A year and a half ago I met Lena Corwin at her charming home in Brooklyn. I had been asked to design a book project she was working on, and I wanted to meet her and get a feel for things. Along one wall of her studio hung all the patterns she had designed for the book. I loved them all... I love her style, I love her sense of color. They were beautiful, and so is, in my humble opinion, the end result.  

You can see more projects from the book here, and a Q + A with Lena here.

if only I were dutch

I moved to New York straight out of college and went to work for an amazing designer who slaved away at an ad agency during the day. He hired me to work from his house (a swanky corner apartment in London Terrace) and help him with fun side projects like books, fashion campaigns and photo shoots. I would leave my layouts for him on his desk, and he would make his comments and leave them for me in the morning. 

My first week of work he left a book for me, with a note "Welcome to NY".

It might be my very favorite book. Printed Matter showcases the work of dutch designer Karel Martens. He designed these phone cards for PTT Telecom, with the numbers zooming out as the value of the cards increases. Every time I looked at my ugly New York subway card, I thought.. "if only I were dutch!".

 

you've got mail

My friend Abby loves stamps, and she's kind enough to share.  A few of the notes that have brightened my mailbox over the years. 

found objects

I spent a lot of time walking around Brooklyn with my kids in the stroller, and there was always some lovely treasure sitting on the sidewalk waiting for me. Dry cleaning tickets, valet parking stubs, and a plethora of playing cards.

 

color story #1

Even though I failed color theory in college, I love a good color story. During my days at Martha Stewart, I did these for every story I shot, no matter how small. They help reign in the stylist, inspire the crafter, and give the story some cohesion. Color stories aren't meant to be limiting, I love adding a surprise accent of a color you hadn't thought of before.. a colored rim of a plate here, a bright thin ribbon there. 

I thought I'd share some of my favorite color stories, some from projects in the past, others in the future. This one won't be in print for another year, so I'll have to keep what it's for hush hush.