Surprise Ball - Happy Holidays

The other day, a good friend of mine, Kim and I were chatting about Surprise Balls. Kim shared with me the link to Kate Spade's Prize Ball. It inspired me to post something about them before Christmas. Thanks, Kim!

I have been a fan of surprise balls.  Did you know the earliest research about these balls are linked to the Native Americans?  It was a common practice to tell one's story through the unique ball as you unravel each layer.

I thought one day many moons ago, I can maybe make some (hasn't happened yet but of course I have all the elements). If you don't have time, there are many out there in the web where you can purchase pricey high end balls to budget friendly ones to pass at kids' parties as a favor. But it if you are crafty, it's fun to create one for someone special. Maybe as a stocking stuffer?

Happy Holidays and here is looking to an awesome 2012!

Photo Details: (1) Kate Spade;  (2) Anandamayi Arnold;  (3) Sample of goodies you can put in a ball; (4) Tops Malibu

2011 Holiday Cards for Tiny Prints

Can you believe Christmas is less than 20 days?! I feel like if I blink my eyes, it will be here. Where does the time go? Still need to send out holiday cards. How about you? I wanted to share some holiday cards I have designed that are up on Tiny Prints site.


1: Fanciful Flourish, 2: Folksy Delight, 3: Framed Fancy, 4: Flakes of Joy, 5: Burst of Color

Turn Your Child's Drawing Into A Softie

I wished I found this site earlier this year. They make your kid's drawing into a plush doll. Unfortunately, they are booked and will be open for orders after January 2012. Check out their blog to see their wonderful creations. How awesome would it be to give one of these keepsakes to your child. I can't wait to turn my oldest's unicorn dinosaur drawing and my youngest's vampire mermaid sketch into one of these plushies!

Vanity Barcodes

How fun are these barcodes from Vanity Barcodes! Ok, this a necessary element needed on products. Sometimes it is overlooked and it becomes a last minute addition. Yes, there tends to be time and budget constraints so the barcode is left to just be simple boring stripes. And yes, sometimes you have to keep it simple. BUT, what a great idea if you want to use it as part of your product identity and elevate the barcode as a statement piece. This company has templates you can buy (and they work as barcodes) or they can create a custom one for you. So how cool would it be for example if you did a dessert recipe book and had the ice cream sandwich barcode on the back? Or if you design gift bags and you have the barcode shaped like a gift bag at the bottom of the bag. The ideas are endless. Check out the site. My fave must be the cassette tape. I get all nostalgic. What's your fave?

Foodie Goodie

Well, it's been a while since I posted something. With the freak snowstorm and power outages, kids being sick, I being sick, and urgent deadlines, I sadly had to take a step back from my blog. I hope to be up to speed with things in the next couple of weeks. Have lots of things to share.

While nursing a bad cold with non-working taste buds (which can be depressing for a foodie like me), I was inspired to look into drawings of food. There are a ton of drawings on this subject matter out there. Here are a few that I enjoyed checking out. Each having a very different and interesting illustration style.

1) Food Menu by Erin Jang. Wouldn't mind having that Grilled Polenta with Gruyere at this moment.
2) My guilty pleasure, a Cheese Doodle by Maira Kalman (one of my fave children book illustrators).
3) An important message in this drawing by Claudia Pearson. Wish there were more farmers markets around my town. At least the groceries have been pointing out if the items they are selling are from local vendors.

Lovely Drawings for Crewcuts

Copyright © J. Crew

I love the graphic tees for little girls that J. Crew offers especially when they mix whimsical drawings with embellishments like sequins and ribbons. I liked this little blurb they have about one of their artist Erin and the photos on their blog. Makes me want to get back to more hand drawn illustrations with ink washes!

Wedding Paper Divas-Blooming Banner

Design © Melissa Camacho

I am excited to share a collection that I designed that is now up on Wedding Paper Divas. And happy to see it offered in a few color ways.

Currently Reading: Dottie Angel

Photo © Uppercase

 

I just received this in the mail a couple of weeks ago and super happy to get it. I had ordered it from Uppercase.  Not only do you get a beautiful book but you get special tidbits that make you feel like you are a part of Dottie Angel's world. It's is full of visual inspirations. Tif, who is the creator of Dottie Angel, loves all things vintage. What's fun about reading this book is that you don't have to start with page one. You can flip through any page and find something interesting to read.

Dining Out Sketch Series - Eatily

Illustration © Melissa Camacho

If you are a foodie like me, you like to remember the places you eat and enjoyed. Some people like to photograph the food and I like make quick doodles. So I have started this sketching series where I would quickly illustrate the places and the food I have sampled with family or friends. Over the summer, we finally got a chance to check out Eatily in NYC. It's a visual and delicious feast that one should visit if ever in NYC. Go early to try to beat the crowds.

Globetrotting Wonder

All Artwork © Wendy Gold

Wow! I love how this Bay area artist, Wendy Gold of ImagineNations transforms old globes into beautiful art pieces for your home or office. This would be a great gift for someone who loves to travel or loves globes in general. She can do custom work too.

Yulia Brodskaya-Quilling Master

All Artwork © Yulia Brodskaya

Yulia Brodskaya has a MA in Graphic Design. She is an amazing designer who took on the craft of quilling from the 18th century to create beautiful images she calls papergraphic. She marries her illustration, type sensibility, design skills with this tedious but breath taking medium to deliver fresh and modern work. I remember working with the tool and supplies of quilling when Martha Stewart featured it in one of her magazines a few years ago. It is not an easy craft to master and requires lots of patience. Check out more of Yulia's work on her site. Wonderful.

Alejandro Paul Crush

Every time I visit Veer or My Fonts to shop or window shop for fonts, I tend to gravitate to the work of a graphic designer from Argentina, Alejandro Paul. His fonts are beautiful and timeless. I note he is a graphic designer who is also a type designer. I think that is an important trait for designing fonts. They are more keen on understanding the design needs when coming up with fonts. Most, if not all his fonts have options in Open Type or a glyph palette which allows you to customize. And the ornaments and swooshes that come with it, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Some of my favorites are here and here and here.

Tree of First Wishes

Photo from The Indigo Bunting

I saw this post on A Subtle Revelry and wanted to share with you. This tree idea was a baby shower present where each guest wrote what they hope the baby will experience in his/her life such as their first baseball game, etc. I thought this was a refreshing idea of using the tree DIY. Usually you see it more for a family tree project. This can be interesting to use for other celebrations such as birthday milestones and each leaf is a special memory from a friend/family or special saying. Or instead of a baby shower it can be prepared for baby's first birthday and the theme is first experiences. Or perhaps for a wedding? What other ideas do you think it can be?

My Jersey Shore

Summer is half-way done. I can't believe how time flies. I thought it would be fun to post what would be my Jersey shore experience along with soaking up the sun, making sandcastles with the girls and catching waves (quite different from Snooki's). I hope you are having a wonderful summer.

(1) This would be my ideal beach cover up and look. (2) The best caramel popcorn to snack on from Ocean City. The warm sweet aroma as you past their stand is irresistible. (3) Strolling down the boardwalk in these would make me happy. (4) Having lunch at this Italian restaurant in Asbury Park. The pastas are yummy. (5) Would like to stay at this boutique hotel in Long Branch someday (real soon)! The furniture and decor...I would love to have for my house. (6) Indulge in these almond macaroons from Ocean City. They are heaven. (7) Visit and get lost in this beautiful lifestyle shop Bodega in Asbury Park. Michael (who is so sweet and adorable), the owner, has such incredible taste...mixing high with low and old with new. -photo by Jenny Holiday (8) Take a break from the heat with these Italian ices. My all time fave is watermelon but love the new flavors such as cantaloupe, mango and pear! Thank goodness there is a Rita's near me.

Magazines from Across the Pond

As some of you may know, I am a crazy about magazines. It has always been an important part of my research and inspiration since I was a teenager reading Rolling Stone and Vogue. I think it is great that there are electronic options out there but there is something personal to read a magazine non-electronic (I guess I am old school). Here are a few from the UK that I have recently been reading regularly. Fortunately, these are accessible since you can find them in Barnes and Nobles. These magazines have a nice matte finish which is a nice departure from the glossy mags out there.

(1) Making - I like how this craft magazine creates themes. You can order back issues. One of my fave is the one on paper craft and cutting. (2) Mollie Makes - Very fun and exciting for the creative crafter that wants to dabble into all kinds of materials and techniques. Lots of inspirational images. I love the photos and each issue's cover always has a pair of hands holding a craft creation. Plus, they always attach a freebie craft gift. (3) Selvedge - I have seen this around for quite sometime but didn't really pay attention to it on the special new stands I'd visit in NYC. But Kaari from French General who I did a workshop at Tinsel Trading last year got me hooked on it. She was very excited about this mag and wanted to share it with me. It's quite pricey but I love how they show case things. It feels poetic. (4) Jamie - From the famous, charming and "passionate about healthy eating" chef, Jamie Oliver. His mag has been around for a while but what got me hooked was his Italian issue. I loved how the issue covered certain regions in Italy. It felt a bit like a travel issue for foodies. You can get back issues here.

Tiny Prints Inspirations Boards

Inspiration Board from Tiny Prints blog

This is one of my designs that Tiny Prints sells. I was thrilled to see it posted on their blog earlier this year. I have been meaning to share this inspiration board that they've created around my "first birthday" invitation. It sets you in the mood to have a pink and yellow party or stir some new ideas (especially when you are stuck in a creative rut). I also did a boy color combo too. Click on the tag, "inspiration board" when you get to this link to check out a bunch of other splendid ones!

Inspired by Chinese Paper Cutting

Paper Lashes for sale from None Such Things

Here is another fascinating and inspiring paper design and paper cutting. This was featured a few days ago on one of my fave blogs, Swiss Miss and I had to post it here as well. How cool are these? I think they would make for a great addition to a Halloween costume or when styling a model for a photo shoot. I wonder if it would be difficult to wear? I would want them just so I can admire them in person. Check out None Such Things. They have some sweet jewelry, fun accessories, washi tape and more!

Fantastic Hysteria

Artwork © Fantastic Hysteria

It's been a while since I have posted something. Summer has taken the best of me (in a good way), entertaining the girls at our local town pool, BBQs, holidays, and family gatherings. Oh yeah...and there is my work too (so hard to get motivated when the sun is shining). Sometimes when I get fried from some creative thinking, I like to scope the world and see some interesting designs especially with typography. This Spanish designer/artist, Fantastic Hysteria is my latest interest. I like the whimsical and retro chic treatment of the letters!

Home Sweet Home Type Thread

photo © Melissa Camacho

Debbie Smyth is a wonderful artist that caught my eye in these pages of the mags I read. She draws with thread.  It's a tedious and detailed process that results into a pieces that are beautiful and delicate. Check out her blog to see some of the other projects that she has created which are inspiring.

Family Tree Picture Frame

image from Famille Summerbelle

I have been looking for some kind of multi photo frame that is whimisical and charming. This one seems to fit the bill. This site has some really cool paper cut art work which I have been in love with for quite some time.

Have a great Father's Day weekend to all the papas!

Free Source Art from Fuzzimo

Sometimes when you are in the midst of deadlines (especially short notice ones) to develop a design, it is nice to have a useful tool of good handy source art around. Sometimes you may need little details like a vintage stamp or textures to complete a look. Searching and scanning that item can take time. Or, you don't have the budget to get a stock art. This site, Fuzzimo, is a great place to get free downloads of high quality source art (please read the terms of use). Antoniu who runs the site is kind and generous to share images and tips to make a designer's life less crazy. Some of the cool ones that I am into are the vintage stuff or office supplies as shown above. There are seemless textures like canvas that are pretty cool too.  Check it out.

My Design Studio - Kidrobot Toys on Display

Photo © Melissa Camacho

Hello there. I have slowly but surely been unpacking things for my design studio. I have a large shelving unit finally set up. It's almost year since I have relocated and still have to sift through boxes of goodies. There are too many things that I love and don't know if I have the room to showcase them all but thought it might be a good project to have a revolving area of the shelf to display my random interests of the moment (or collections I have). Here is my current set up of kidrobot toys and other cute things that make me smile.

National Stationery Show

Image 1: from Smash Blog

Image 2: from Oh Joy,  Fig. 2 card line

 

Image 3:  from Rifle Paper Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I only had a day to visit the NSS and was mainly scouting new artists for an account/project and saying hello to old friends at the Surtex show. I did have a few moments to briskly walk through the Stationery Show. The images above are a few of my fave things from the Stationery Show.

Image 1: Smash is a new product line from EK Success. What a great idea to have products that will be for those random things we would like to collect and need a place to catch it all.  Kudos to the creative team who developed this product line. I had the pleasure to meet a couple of them at the show. They are sweet and down to earth.           

Image 2:  Fig. 2 Design Studio has beautiful letterpress. The designs are clean and vibrant. I am so excited to see the use of neon inks (those who know me, know my love of neon) in the letterpress products and can’t wait to purchase a few of these items when they are out in market place. I hope more designers and product developers add more neon to their product line. It can be done in a fun and tasteful as seen with these designs.

Image 3: Rifle Paper Company's new products.  Anna is a talented artist with wonderful illustrations and color sensibility. The black and white illustrations with the gold foil accents are elegant and sweet. But my fave is the mermaid card. Can't wait to purchase one. I hope more manufacturers and their product development team license her work. Her stuff would look great on various product lines especially the florals.

Hope it was a great and successful show for those who had booths.

B H L D N - Anthropologie's Sister Store

Things have been mad busy for me lately due to the upcoming Stationery Show and Surtex. Will you be attending? I plan to check it out this weekend. I wanted to post something specific to correlate with the trade show. This line of paper and party goods that just launched from BHDLN (a bridal store from Anthropologie) couldn't come at a better time.  For those of you who know my love (or obsession) of all things paper and craft, you'd probably guess that I was in cloud nine when I saw these items. I am seriously going to have to restrain myself from not getting all of the wonderful products! I am particularly in love with the paper fans (and what color do I chose?). They also have beautiful jewelry and other accessories. You don't have be getting married to shop over here.

Happy Mother's Day - My Playlist

  

I have been working on some sihlouette projects and I wanted to post this one in honor of Mother's Day. Do you have a play list for things in your life? This is my place list of songs that whenever I hear them, I think of my girls. And in turn, makes my think of my mom and how much I appreciate her more than ever after having children of my own. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms! Have a great weekend.

Song list: 1) Pinoy Ako-by Orange and Lemons, 2) Original of The Species-by U2, 3) Somewhere Over The Rainbow-by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, 4) Born This Way-by Lady Gaga, 5) Little Wonders-by Rob Thomas, 6) Heaven-by Live, 7) Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)-by John Lennon, 8) Firework-by Katy Perry, 9) Amazing-by Bruno Mars, 10) Isn't She Lovely-by Stevie Wonder.

What's your play list of songs?

Birthday Invitation

 

Having a kid's birthday party? Here is a recent invite I created exclusively for Tiny Prints.

Color Story

© Design Seeds

via Color Collective : MALGOSIA BELA by KARIM SADLI for I-D, SPRING 2011

 

Ever in a color rut when you need to create? Design Seeds and Color Collective are two inspiring blog sites to add to your list. Check them out.

Neon Love

(1) Stabilo Pencils (2) Ferby Pencils (3) Textile Paint (4) Fluorescent Pink Japanese Washi Tape (5) Sakura Gelly Roll Fluorescent Pen  (6) Color Dots 

Neon is in fashion these days from J Crew to Gap. Not like the 80's neon but more refined and used as accents. I also have an attraction to neon when it comes to arts and craft supplies. These are a few items that I love to use. They are definitely neon and make fun accents to my illustrations and collages. Now, if only I can find "neon" bakers twine...I will be happy. Does anyone know of a source?

Crushing on this Laser Cut Stationery

Photo from Cutture Stationery

Photo from Cutture Stationery

With all the rage with letterpress stationery, it is refreshing to see this company, Cutture offer something different, laser cut! Amazing collections.

Go With The Flow Mag

I happen to see an ad in the Uppercase magazine about this Flow mag. I was very curious about it especially since I have a love of design stuff from the Netherlands. They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but I did when I saw a few of Flow's covers and took a risk to invest in a subscription. I am so far very pleased and excited with the first issue I received over the weekend. This magazine is a visual feast which more than makes up for the fact that I don't speak or read dutch.

Swirl Pencils Not Just for Kids

So I got a bunch of these playful multi-color pencils at an office supply store over the holidays as stocking stuffers for my my kids, nephews and nieces. The other day, while having "drawing time" with the kids, guess who had all the fun? Me. Sketching with kids in general is a nice exercise to restore creative juices in your brain. The silly conversations and laughs you take part in helps with any stress in your life. There is no pressure to meet a deadline or fulfill a creative brief. Just let you mind flow. Quality time with the kids plus a moment for you to chill? What a great combo.

Graduation Announcements for Tiny Prints

Know anyone having a graduation this year? Check out this doodle collection I created exclusively for Tiny Prints. It's perfect for the fun and spunky grad girl!

Hello Everyone

All good things come to those who wait. Will be posting soon.