Design

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Texture resource for designers and crafters

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Lost & Taken - textures and the pursuit of happiness

If you aren't aware of Lost & Taken you should be. Created by designer Caleb Kimbrough, this site offers free digital textures for download. They are high resolution and high quality and free for personal and commercial use. The above collage is composed of three of my favorites from his vintage wallpaper textures collection.

Please respect his hard work by not hosting the textures elsewhere or redistributing them in their original format, if you would like to share with others direct them back to Lost & Taken.

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Great Business Card & Great Coffee

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©Charming Ink/Lachelle Via

I'm all about some good coffee and supporting smaller, locally owned businesses. On a recent trip to Portland, OR I discovered Stumptown Coffee Roasters. They make a dizzying array of coffee beverages and as their name indicates, they do all the roasting themselves. You can even see it person at their Division Street location.

I'm also a fan of their business card design. I love way the stack of cups resembles a rough woodcut print and the rounded corners and textured paper are just the type of careful attention to detail I respect. Even the cappuccino is a mini work of art. I mean just look at that heart in the foam. I heart Stumptown.

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Sunflower door in Prague

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Every little detail in the architecture around Prague delighted me. I've always heard how this city embraced Art Nouveau like no other and I was in heaven. Just look at this incredible door! Aside from the ironwork sunflowers and the fact that top is round and filled with tulip-patterned leaded stained glass, it's got a clock as well! Positively beautiful. I wish we'd had more than two days to explore this wonderful city.

Lucky 7 List - seven sites for apronistas

Have you noticed the huge resurgence of aprons? My grandmother always wore one while cooking Sunday dinner after church to keep her dresses spotless. I love that aprons are unabashedly feminine and darn practical to boot. Here are seven of my favorite places to peruse:

1. Tie One On - Amy Carol at the Angry Chicken blog authors this great collection of all things aprony. Patterns, vintage, giveaways and more.



2. Sew, Mama Sew - Nice selection of apron patterns by specific designers. I particularly like the Domestic Goddess pattern by Amy Butler.



3. Jillie Willie - Flirty and fun! These aprons have bold colors and hip patterns that will make you want to wear the apron as part of your regular wardrobe. Pictured is the “Fiona.”

4. Domestic Darlings - These aprons are very flattering and affordable. At $20 who can resist and you can pick up a coordinating head band or an apron for your little girl that matches mommy’s. Pictured is “Pink Circles.”



5. The Apronista - In addition to pattern and apron tutorials you get some recipes to try while your wearing one. Apron by Morgan Moore.



6. Heavenly Hostess - I own one of their reversible halter aprons, but I have my eye on the over-the-top cocktail apron in ivory with black polka dots. If your apron looks this good it’s bound to rub off on your guests perception of your food. Yes?

7. Boojiboo - The retro-style aprons will make you feel like you’re channeling Lucille Ball, and how great is this craft apron? Perfect if you work craft shows or waitress. The center pocket has a velcro closure for security. This model is called the “Madison.