+ Yu-I Chan

Are you ready??

Let's go!

Yu-I Chan

I stumbled into Yu-I Chan's store Yoo_ii when I was in the depths of someones (not sure who) Etsy Favourites list. I was instantly drawn to the delicate lines, subtle tones - and obvious talent!

I'm not going to say too much more because it really is worth a visit to Yu-I's website, blog and store - oh and the pictures of her studio - so inspiring!! The print-maker in me is now itching to get back into the studio!!

Take a peek:

(images from Yu-I Chan)

NOTES
visit Yu-I's website
visit Yu-I's store
read Yu-I's blog old and new

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Z should be passing by soon.. keep an eye out : )

xxoo

Yellow Owl Workshop + Les Zigouis

Hello!

how's your day going? good I hope : )

As you have probably gathered - X has joined Q and U in the land of tricky letters. Also like Q and U, X will be reincarnated in a whole new light in alphabet*ten.

I'll give you the run down on alphabet*ten soon, in the meantime, will you join me for Y and Z?

yippee!

Yellow Owl Workshop

I love it when I visit a site and find a collection of goodies that make me oohh and aahh - especially when it involves stationery and printed goodness. Yellow Owl Workshop does just that, the site is full of limited edition paper goods, wedding correspondence and goodies for your home -

"Ready for the gallery wall, but formatted for everyday enjoyment, each article is made by hand with expert craft. Yellow Owl Workshop endeavors to create the most eco-lovin' products by using use non-toxic water-based inks, 100% PCW recycled paper and our own mitts for screen printing.

The Workshop is perched atop blustery Bernal Hill in San Francisco, California. Studio visits by appointment only. Christine Schmidt received her BFA from the Corcoran School of Art and has exhibited across the US. She handles the designs. Evan Gross, her lovely husband, handles just about everything else."

Have a look!

(images and quote from Yellow Owl Workshop)

NOTES:
visit Christine and Evan's website
read Christine and Evan's blog

Les Zigouis

Like Yellow Owl Workshop, Les Zigouis is also an oohh and aahh store. Not only are the products beautiful but the photography is gorgeous too.

Barbara Berrada is the super clever French fashion designer, designer and photographer behind the Les Zigouis store - and her blog? - oh my! the photography is to die for! You really should check it out!

I am so pleased to not only be ending the week, but also this alphabet, with Barbara's work -

Oh, and this is just a drop in the ocean of Les Zigouis goodness...so make sure you skip over to Barbara's store and blog for a look-see...enjoy!

(images from Les Zigouis)

NOTES:
visit Barbara's store
read Barbara's blog (in French with an option to translate to English in the sidebar)

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And that my friends, is the end of alphabet*nine.

Here's what's coming up...

In the next week or so I'm going to take some time settling my wee guy into school. I'll be back with alphabet*ten on March 1st.

Even though that will be a two week break from regular alphabetical stuff, there will be bits and bobs happening around here, so do keep popping in from time to time to check out the changes. I have plans! Plans that I am excited about, things I need to master (well at least practice!) and a few new additions to the site.... so, exciting things are afoot!

I do so appreciate your company, your loyalty, emails and comments really do make my day : )

Thanks so much.

See you soon! xxoo

Steph Baxter + Nora Aoyagi

Ummm, yep...yesterday didn't quite happen despite the best intentions! But we're here, and hopefully time will allow me to get this alphabet finished - fingers crossed!

Let's go!

Steph Baxter

I have been spending loads of time looking for artwork for my nieces and nephews... this search has lead me on all sorts of journeys - through the works of all my favourites, all the people I've written about, and then trying to find artworks that best 'suit' the recipient.

I have found pieces for all seven of these special people, but I can't help wondering whether these posters below by Steph Baxter would of been a good fit... Inspirational slogans are always welcoming and motivating, and I can imagine that when I was a kid, I would of pondered and questioned my actions a whole lot more if I had had this first poster (pictured below) gracing my bedroom walls...

This art gifting is going to become a tradition, and be something we do every year, so I guess one of the lucky seven could have some inspirational words on their walls next Christmas! - enjoy!

(images by Steph Baxter)

NOTES:
visit Steph's website

Nora Aoyagi

Nora Aoyagi

describes her work as being both beautiful and strange. She draws on elements of Folk Law and Fairy Tales to create a collection inspired by traditional children's book illustration...

"Her images often possess a duality in which unlikely elements are present at one time, like when the unassuming girl emerges from the fearsome wolf with knife in-hand; or when the bear claws at his chest, revealing a stripe of shining gold beneath his thick black fur. Within this narrative, both the strange and beautiful dwell. "

I really like the 'Hello Stranger' image (pictured 5th below), but I can't help wondering if Red is going to get herself into a bit of bother! Take a peek:

(images and quote from Nora Aoyagi)

NOTES:
visit Nora's website
read Nora's blog
visit Nora's store

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Ready for Z? it's coming!!

xxoo

Loretta Lux + Syko + Door Sixteen

Hello friends...

OK, so X and Y didn't exactly make it yesterday, sorry about that... but we haven't forgotten them, we have a double whammy for you today, featuring the last three letters in this glorious alphabet*seven...shall we get started?

Loretta Lux

Those of you who are clued up on photography, probably already know all about Loretta Lux...she was awarded the coveted Infinity Award for Art from the International Centre for Photography (New York) in 2005, and she has a solo and group exhibition list that spans the globe.

Loretta brings her signature style to her works through a series of processes. Firstly, at the photoshoot, where her chosen subjects are children. Then at the computer, where she painstakingly changes the background to a more serene setting - a still room, an outdoor expanse or an abandoned building, revisiting, re shooting and retouching as she goes. The whole process can take close to a year to complete. And the result?

Breathtaking.

(images from Loretta Lux)

NOTES:
visit Loretta's website

Syko

Kajsa Wikman is the super creative gal behind the adorable etsy store Syko.

With textiles and thread firmly embedded in her blood, it is no wonder that Kajsa collection is full of applique's, quilting, stitching and prints of original works.

"I find great inspiration in my two children and their drawings and I love illustrated books for kids! Beautiful fabrics, buttons, and colours also tickle my fantasy! Reusing fabrics, buttons and giving them a new good life in unique textiles is an important part of the Syko philosophy."

(images and quote from Kajsa Wikman)

NOTES:
visit Kajsa's website
visit Kajsa's store
read Kajsa's blog

Knock, knock...

"Hello, I’m Anna!

I write Door Sixteen from inside an 1885 Victorian row house in the City of Newburgh, New York. Newburgh is in the Hudson Valley, about 60 miles north of Manhattan on the west bank of the Hudson River.

My husband Evan and I bought this house in early 2006, and we’ve been renovating it ever since and slowly molding it into our vision of the perfect home.

I write about other stuff, too!
Aside from house-related projects, I also work as a book cover designer. And I like to cook. And clean. And obsess over music. And obsess over cleaning. And obsess over obsessing.
Oh! And coffee. I love coffee."

I like it. You should visit : )

(image and quote from Door Sixteen)

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and that is X and Y : ) Z will be here shortly....

see you soon! xxoo