Beautiful Mothers

This Mother's Day morning, I was thinking of my mother and I started looking through old photos. How come everyone seems so much more glamorous in old pictures? The first one above is of my mother and I, maybe on my first birthday, because that is the Raggedy Ann doll that I received, which I still have. I am struck by how I always remember my mother wearing a wool skirt and blouse. I cannot imagine going through the day as a stay-at-home mom, with all she had to do, and on top of it having to dress up, probably wearing pantyhose to boot.
The next photo is my Grandma Corcoran, who was a very down-to-earth lady, but check out that outfit she wore to my parent's wedding! Gorgeous! And then there is Grandma Smith, trying out the new ride-on mower in her pearls and crisp, shirtwaist. I am pretty sure she never wore pants in her entire life.
Three beautiful, classy, funny, creative, loving women and I am so proud to be related to them! I miss them all!

Spring!

Not being the green thumb I wish I was, I have to depend on forced bulbs in colorful pots to brighten my world. These arrived about two weeks ago, courtesy of my husband, as a spring surprise. I said, Gee, honey, thanks for the pots of dirt. Within a day they had sprouted, and were in full bloom within a week. So wonderful to watch them come up.
If there is someone you want to inspire or cheer, think about getting them something like this. Such a treat. I am a huge fan of ProFlowers, where these came from. Always excellent quality, always fresh, unique arrangements, beautifully packaged.

Shelf Liners. They're not just for Grandma anymore.

I am in love with this surface design. It is a woven, bamboo-burlap pattern, printed on a cushiony plastic that comes in rolls, to be used as a shelf liner.
It has been sitting on my desk for the last two weeks, a product sample for some TV concepts I am working on. I have to say, although I love the pattern, I did not think I would love lining my shelves with it. But every day another drawer gets a mini-makeover, and I get a little lift. ( I like to clean out and reorganize, go figure).
The cool thing about this particular shelf liner is that it has a grip bottom (non-adhesive) and a smooth top that makes it easy to clean. AND you can even throw it in the washing machine.
OK, I stole a few lines from the TV script, but seriously, this product offers a fresh approach in an old category.
Check out the Smooth Top Easy Liner from Duck.

Transmoflection. Vancouver 2010 Graphic Identity.

Transmoflection. Transformation, fusion, motion, reflection, connection....these are the words used to describe the essence of the Vancouver 2010 Graphic Identity. I have been enjoying the backdrops at the events, the green, blue shapes, swirls and textures that are the core graphics and a visual part of each event. The process they used to get there seems intuitive, yet smart. I love the end result. Very unified. Strong identity, which of course is the point, but not something that has stood out to me in past Olympics.
Watch the design team talk about how they got there.

i heart pink!

Just one of the things I love about Valentine's Day.

GO WORLD.

2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. I am already glued to the competitions. But even more than the events, I enjoy the dramatic back stories, the lush scenery, better than going to the movies! And the commercials! Who needs the Super Bowl? So far, Visa, Coke and Nike spots have grabbed me.

My studio feels white, fresh and ready for what's next.

I like to be surrounded by things I love. Every wall in my studio gets covered with bits and pieces of inspiration that I collect along the way. It becomes a collage of color, type, quotes, messages, trends and things I feel I need to capture, before they slip away. In fact, it was the inspiration for this blog. To share the things draw me in, move me forward, or just make me happy. But, every once in a while, it's time to clean house. So today, I took down my wall. My studio feels white, fresh and ready for what's next.

Some of the things that showed up recently...

loose, hand-drawn patterns...

pinks...

deep plums and dark grays...

artwork featuring words...

organic shapes...

neutral color palettes...

birds...

I have a huge sketchbook I keep, a sort of visual log, into which some of these trends will get taped and saved for future reference.

Cathy's 2010 Color of the Year: Green

Green has been showing up a lot in my choices lately. A new scarf, a handbag. It is the warmer, yellow greens and ochers that are catching my eye. Thinking about painting the family room green - an olive green, paired with charcoal gray, or deep brown, so that the green almost becomes a neutral.

I also like a brighter apple green as an accent, in accessorizing that businessy-black suit. Or mixed with ochers, or plum, or turquoise.

Source:

Handbag:
Fossil from Zappos

Earrings:
AestheticsAndOldLace on Etsy

Bedroom: Ikea

Watercolors: Cathy Hunt

A Good Fortune

Who is writing these? Opened this on the second day of the New Year. A very good fortune. Better than Lucky Numbers.

Ok, so I just googled this and discovered that it is in fact a famous quote by Ralph Waldo Trine.

live, love, hope, dream, believe

Merry Christmas and Peace to All!

I enjoy creating my card every year. Designing the card and message, creating the artwork, choosing the envelope. This year I had a little extra fun creating custom postage stamps with a portion of the card artwork. The stamps are official USPS which I ordered through PictureItPostage.

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

Now even your coffee can look hip. And be environmentally aware. And taste better.
I was out doing holiday stuff and stopped in at Caribou Coffee for a cappacino and saw these Reusable Clutches on display. Nice packaging. Couldn't imagine a better way to do it. Love the headline, too. And the use of "clutch".
Personally, though, I liked the cardboard sleeve with the seasonal message on it that came with my cappacino. It suits my festive mood.

Pantone Announces Turquoise 2010 Color of the Year

Hmmm, not sure how I feel about this.

If you know me at all, you know I have embraced turquoise for a good 5 years now. My house is decorated around turquoise, I have a wardrobe full of the color. I spent well over a year of my life creating a series of watercolors based in aquas, blues and greens. And a line of textiles. (see both above). In fact, my next post will feature my Christmas card which I designed and created using, yes, turquoise!

So I am glad turquoise is having it's day. Let's celebrate turquoise!

Then, what's my problem? I guess I am just ready to move on. Maybe not leave turquoise behind, but I am ready for a new master. Maybe apple green, maybe a cornflower blue, paired with a cooler charcoal, instead of the warm brown.

Stay posted, I think I have just been inspired for a New Year's post on Cathy's Color of the Year.

For more info on Pantone and the 2010 Color of the Year go to www.pantone.com