Unexpected gifts are the best kind.

No special occasion, no particular reason, those are the gifts that I love best, like this beautiful journal/sketchbook a friend of mine surprised me with, "just because..." 

Joy to the World

Let's all have a great 2009!

If you would like to receive a snail mail or email holiday greeting from Open Book next year, please email me your address.

It's all starting to blur together.

Just thought I would take a break from the holiday madness and post a small piece of "pretty".

Move over Red Bull.

Nutricosmetics. The next new niche. I was reading about this in Fast Company, a great source for trend-following. I am always interested in new product categories that spring up, new ways to package old ideas. I love the marketing of this "ingestible", Glowelle from Nestle. Will the 40+-somethings (I know a few...) that love to be sold on youth elixirs buy into this? I don't know, but I will be keeping an eye on it.

(cool website, too)
http://www.glowelle.com

It's really very simple.

I don't like stress. It stresses me out. Especially work stress, I always meet the deadline, so what am I worried about? Hence, my latest mantra. Do. Do the work, get started, don't procrastinate, don't think about how much you have to do. Enjoy. Enjoy it while you are doing it, isn't that why you do creative work, because you love it? Believe. That it will get done, that all will be well. So simple.

Kids make the coolest stuff

Some collected leaves from the yard and a few art supplies...I love what kids come up with.

these were MADE for me...

I can never have enough post-its in my life. (And these just happen to match my business stationary.) Go. See. Do. Enjoy. ; )

Made by Compendium - http://www.live-inspired.com

Watch your step.

I sit in a lot of lobbies waiting to meet with clients. I had a little time to really soak into this particular space. The texture and color of the finished concrete floor makes me want to break out the oil paints and canvas and start something new.

there's something about a leaf

I picked up a handful on my walk today. Too bad they don't last more than a day.

Inspired by jewelry

I fell in love with this ring, which has some of my favorite colors...the palette I created uses a less "orangey-orange", which works better for use in printed materials.

yes.

Glass blocks make cool shapes