I "Heart" - Squares, Checks, and Grids (and that means PLAID!)

While technically this is not a "craft" book, it is packed full of amazing images of cool stuff that is so inspiring!

COMMUNICATING WITH PATTERN SERIES

Squares, Checks, and Grids
By
Mark Hampshire, Keith Stephenson

A unique showcase exploring the use of pattern for visual communication across design disciplines.

Communicating with Pattern: Squares, Checks, and Grids is a celebration of the squarest, most linear patterns in every design discipline.

Squares and checks represent order, mathematics, technical precision, minimalism, and modernism. From graphs and grids, to pixels and road signs, squares and checks make up the framework, the very map of our existence. They are also embedded in the very weave of our history, from Wicca and Christian iconography to traditional checked and tartan cloths.

Squares, Checks, and Grids is a visual homage to squares and checks, an inspirational graphic collection of squares and checks from all environments, an exciting sourcebook of pattern ideas for designers across disciplines.

Rich, stimulating, and varied creative sourcebook with a wealth of material for designers
Part of the ultimate “pattern bible”: the Communicating with Pattern series

Keith Stephenson is founder and director of Absolute Zero Degrees design. His work ranges from contemporary wallpaper to book design, and he has designed and illustrated Mass-Market Classics: The Home and Bright Ideas for RotoVision.

Mark Hampshire is a freelance brand consultant, who previously worked at Identica, In Real Life, Cato Consulting and Carlton Television. Prior to his branding career he ran a successful furniture business, Hampshire and Dillon.

Click on this beautiful page of plaid to read all about it!!!!

and then laugh at this cartoon sent to me by my parents and given to me by friends!

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Plaid!!!!!

And now on to another cool "Square" Page Idea

Isn't this cool??

Well I thought so, so I thought I'd use this idea to make a hiding spot for a vintage photo of my grandmother in my altered journal book.

So for this little folded square hiding place you will want a double sided paper. I did my first test on yellow paper so you could see easier.

Simply draw a square twice as wide and tall as you want your photo area to be. In this case my photo was 2 inches wide so my overall square was 4 x4 inches. You will then need a border area, mine was 1 inch all the way around.

Cut out the square on 1/2 the top edge, all the right and bottom edge, and 1/2 way up the left side.

Then score and fold the center vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines as indicated.

So for my book I used a wild pattern and ended up rotating it a 1/4 turn.

By the way if you look really closely my grandmother is holding a skull and cross bones flag! Go Gramma!

Here it is closed up. I also added another bit of dotted paper.