Craftside

Mean Girl logo included in the book Letterhead & Logo Design 10

Just like little girls are when they are angry this little girl is so cute!

It was designed by the company- Design Ranch

Art Director-Ingred Sidie & Michelle Sonderegger

Designer-Michelle Sonderegger

Client-Meangirl

This logo is one from the great collection in

Letterhead & Logo Design 10

By
Sussner Design

This new edition, part of the bestselling annual Letterhead and Logo Design series, features the most innovative and exciting work in the field from well-known design leaders, new design firms, and cutting-edge artists. From logos to labels, business cards to envelopes, the creative techniques and full-color images portrayed in this broad range of work inspires new design solutions for age-old challenges that beg for a fresh approach. Both design firms and their clients will find this an invaluable resource for inspiration and ideas that grab the viewer’s attention and create a lasting impression.

Founded in 1999 the Sussner Design Company started impressing clients with their hands-on and heads-up style. Well-served and often challenged clients include: Arizona Diamondbacks, Best Buy, Bremer Bank, Target Commercial Interiors, Evel Knievel Leather USA, Life Time Fitness, Red Wing Shoe Company, Reflections Printing, Rockport Publishing, Swing Science Golf and Voyageur Outward Bound. Their work has been published and awarded by many magazines and organizations including Print, HOW, Graphis, Type Directors Club, Mead 60, The Goldstein Museum of Design, 10x10: 100 Specimens of Fine Paper, American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Minnesota, Minnesota Monthly, Midwest Direct Marketing Association’s “Arc Awards”, Advertising Federation of Minnesota’s “The Show,” Rockport Publishers, and Novum (Germany).

Today's Question:

Have you ever used a simple line drawing in a fun and unique way?

Or

Try it and leave a link in the comments section to share your creativity!

You all will be entered to win a free book!

I can't wait to read and see what you all do.

How to do a Crochet Picot Cast-on from the book Norwegian Handknits: Heirloom Designs from Vesterheim Museum

This is a really cool technique. Click on the image to enlarge and see how to do a crochet picot cast-on.

This cast-on tutorial is from the beautiful book:

Norwegian Handknits:

Heirloom Designs from Vesterheim Museum   

By
Sue Flanders

and

Janine Kosel

Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa, is one of the premiere centers for Norwegian-American heritage in the United States. As such, it houses one of the country's most extensive collections of the textiles and handknits that have woven ties between Norwegian communities in America and the Old World, between today's culture and a rich past.

Norwegian Handknits collects thirty patterns for handknits from Vesterheim—folk mittens, socks, scarves, hats, wristers, handbags, knapsacks, and sweaters—all inspired by traditional knits housed in the museum. With an introduction reflecting on the history of Norwegian-style knitting and the stories behind the handknits that inspired the patterns, the book is at once a practical guide, a repository of cultural history, and a lovely look at one of the rich traditions knit into the American fabric.

Pop on over to Amazon by clicking on this link to see more inside peeks into Norwegian Handknits.

How to turn a catalog into a journal from the wonderful new book Creative Wildfire by L.K. Ludwig

I am so excited to share with you this inside peek into Creative Wildfire. Click on these pretty pages that show how artist Pam Garrison turned a catalog into a creative journal.

She used color and flowers to tie the pages together.

Want to see more? You can pre-order now and you will be the first to get your copy of:

Creative Wildfire:

An Introduction to Art Journaling -- Basics and Beyond

By

LK Ludwig

Art journaling is a vital activity for artists who need a place to experiment, draw, paint, document ideas, and continue an interior dialog. This lush, visual book is a must-have volume for both beginning and experienced art journalers. Each chapter presents crucial, basic information for how to get started, and is layered with in-depth sidebars and activities covering advanced techniques, approaches to working, as well as interviews with well-known journaling artists. The book comes with a beautiful blank journal in a take-along size (made from paper upcycled from the printing process), ready to catch your daily inspirations.

LK Ludwig creates art and chases her three small children around in a Victorian Four-square in a very small town (pop. 4,023) in western Pennsylvania. She is the author of Mixed Media Nature Journals, True Vision, and Collaborative Art Journals and Shared Visions in Mixed Media. She teaches workshops throughout the U.S. and maintains her blog at http://gryphonsfeather.typepad.com.

Bird pop up card pattern from the book Paper Engineering by Natalie Avella

With Mother's Day fast approaching, I thought I'd spread the love with this bird card pattern from the fabu book Paper Engineering.

 

Click on the pop up bird card pattern to enlarge and make one yourself.

To see a cute mini journal project, click on the "Paper Engineering" link below!

More about:

Paper Engineering
By
Natalie Avella

Paper Engineering explores graphic design that extends beyond 2D. From a simple fold in a letterhead to the structural intricacies of a pop-up book, the construction of a 3D paper object requires as much input as its surface decoration.

This stylish and inspirational book unfolds the conceptual complexities of paper engineering, studying the techniques of eminent international designers. Case studies are illustrated with photographs of finished work, as well as detailed diagrams and commentary. Now available in a fully revised and extended edition, Paper Engineering also explores the functions of paper architecture in graphic design, ranging from greeting cards to invitations and from point-of-sale to packaging.

Natalie Avella is a design writer living and working in London.

Pop on over to Amazon for more inside peeks into  Paper Engineering.

And if you are looking for a gift for mom, pop on over to The Card Album blog. If your mom is like mine and saves her Mother's Day cards, why not get her a great place to store and savor all her greeting cards all organized in a handy dandy album specifically designed to bind them without damaging them in any way!

Craftside Craft-tastic Unique Los Angeles and Crafty Blogger Links

We all had such a great time at Unique LA this past weekend! 

The first picture I need to share with you is this one with Ross "The Intern" from The Tonight Show. He graciously took a minute to pose with me and Barbe Saint John! How cool is that?! He loved our recycled "MakeReady" journals and wrapping paper.

Here are a bunch more of the pictures Maria Del Pinto took of all the fabulous crafting that happened in the Craftside Workshop at Unique LA:

The rush of people as the doors opened was amazing!

Barbe Saint John, featured designer in Steampunk-Style Jewelry, sneaks a quick smile for the camera as she teaches her Make and Take.

My recycled wool felted sweater crafters and I are busily die cutting flowers with the Sizzix die cutter.

The new Tim Holtz flower die was the favorite for sure!

Here is one of our crafters sporting the finished projects she made with me and Barbe.

Here is Nancy Langdon, author of Sewing Clothes Kids Love, teaching crafters how to make cute fabric flowers with a bit of stitching.

Crafters of all ages were having a great time.

Stitch by stitch the project came together!

Here are Lisa Engelbrecht, author of Modern Mark Making, and yours truly taking a quick sec to pose for the camera!

Christi Friesen, author of Polymer Clay and Mixed Media—Together at Last, is here usual bubbly self and had her polymer clay crafters laughing and creating at the same time!

Tally Oliveau, co-author of Mixed-Media Dollhouses: Techniques and Ideas for Doll-size Assemblages, had the scissors flying with a so-cute finger puppet project.

And for all of you who entered to win a free book, I will be sure to announce the winners soon!

So that's the update of all the crafty Craftside goodness at Unique LA!

Here are the links to what's happening with my fellow Crafty Bloggers:

Mixed Media Artist
When dumpster diving fails you, here are some great online sources for cool stuff!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Learn how to make recycled sweater tags inspired by the one in Hand-Me-Ups By Lorine Mason.

The Artful Crafter
This week, Eileen is offering some free striking vintage photos from the 30s and a chance to win the eBook “Altered Ancestors: 50 Techniques for Using Vintage Photos in Art.”

The Crochet Dude
Drew's crochet purse designs are super cute, and now he's got a crocheted Purse Pattern of the Month program! You've gotta check it out!!!

About Family Crafts
If you are looking for a special, homemade gift for Mother's Day, check out Sherri's collection of 100 gifts to make for mom.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen has a wonderful Mother's Day project to help make it a banner day for mom! Find out what Canvasette paper is while you check out her easy background technique.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy has added another charm discovery to her sterling silver charms and pendants sale page: 2 gorgeous mermaids.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Connie made an oops with a stitching project when she laundered an item that wasn't colorfast. Have you ever had an oops like that? Vote in the poll and let us know.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Linda's finally going to intentionally make a quilt for herself! She's picked the pattern and is using fabrics she collected years ago.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
A hot-topic Facebook thread leads to a post about valuing your work. Madge ponders the problems of discounts and freebies.