Book Landscapes

My first post of the New Year, and it's been so hectic I have no time to reflect on last year & make predictions/ aims for the year ahead as one may traditionally do so.
I'll just jump straight in with showcasing these beautiful book landscapes carved & crafted by artist Guy Laramee. In the two series entitled Biblios and The Great Wall, dense pages of old books are excavated to reveal serene mountains, plateaus, and ancient structures across the cross section of the book. It makes contour maps far more exciting to look at than the dull pages of my geography textbooks back in the day..

Pombardment!

The local elves have been at it again - For on 8th March I awoke to this delightful decoration on the tree out on the green by my flat. Yes the Stoke Newington W.I. have been beavering away, crafting brightly coloured poms poms made of wool and recycled plastic bags. Aswell as bringing a smile to the faces of the many passers by, it is their unique way of highlighting International Women's Day - celebrating inspiring women all over the world. I hope the decor lasts as long as last year's creation.

Outside/Airside

A few things worth a mention at last week's Glug. The whole evening was presented by Airside who gathered together a mixture of designers, philosophers, illustrators and publishers to do quick talks about inspiring things.

Sean Griffiths from FAT architecture showcased some unusual projects, including my favourite: The celebrity couple bathroom suite. Pure kitsch.

Then the girls from Visual Editions talked about the interesting books they publish. They believe the visuals are as integral to the storytelling of a book, and so work on projects that are intellectually and visually interesting. Their latest collaboration is as much a work of art as it is a book. You can imagine the printer's nightmare at all those die cuts!

Lastly was Richard Hogg. An illustrator/designer who is a better speaker than he realises. He intrigued us all with his description of himself as a 'Contraryian'; (someone who always seems to hate everything that everyone likes), and the plus side to this: On the flipside, he usually finds he likes everything others hate, in an upside down kind of way and ultimately he reaches  his own contrarian utopia. Geddit? Interesting guy.

Knitting graffitti

I was really pleased to come home this weekend to the beautiful knitting graffitti on the green outside my house - all in the aid of International Women's Day which is 8th March. It is similar to the trend I mentioned in an earlier post here. I love it so thank you whoever did it!

Tree cosies

It's the wrong time of year to be keeping trees warm, but who said there was any logic to these beautiful tree cosies?
I would think they're just for decoration only, and how good they look!

Stop and Smell the Stilton

Pat on the back for me as I was pleased to discover the book I did for Nexavar, 'Stop and Smell the Stilton' has received critical acclaim at some industry awards. It won an RX Gold at the RX Gold club awards and a New York Global for excellence in direct marketing. The book is aimed at oncologists treating terminal cancer patients, and is designed to help patients cope with the little time they have left in an uplifting way. The book is full of real patient anecdotes, illustrated or created with unusual popups, or craftwork, making it a delightful little read.

Watch a short clip here:

Stop and Smell the Stilton

My own craftywork

While I wait for the final publication of the book I worked on at Langland, I thought I'd put up an element of it that I worked on, that wasn't my usual art direction. This, I carefully handmade with hundreds of sequins and some beading. It will be form part of the pages in the upcoming book 'Stop and Smell the Stilton', aimed at oncologists who deal with terminal cancer patients. It is then aimed at the patients to give them a positive take on their remaining months, once the initial shock of the diagnosis has set in. The book will make more sense once I put up the final piece, due out at the end of July.

Crafty Tea

I'm all for a good cuppa and biscuits, so these were right up my street. And the fact they are hand crafted by British knitters or part of a fairtrade scheme in Asia makes them even better.
I came across them in this sweet little shop in Kingly court, Carnaby street, All The Fun of the Fair. I really felt like a kid in a toy shop as it took me back to childhood. they have all sorts of bits and pieces, buttons, haberdashery for all your crafty needs. Or if you just need an interesting baby present, my fav was the carrot rattle.
The top pictures are handmade pieces by Bugs and Fishes who makes kitsch pieces, from teacups to butterflies and birds. Love it.