Watercolory

I've been looking for a natural-looking watercolory way to make art in Photoshop and I stumbled across this tutorial by PSHero.  Can't wait to try it out in future projects. Above is a little doodad I created while trying out the tutorial.

Happy holiday times!!

Silly clients...

I'm being amused by the Clients From Hell site today:
http://clientsfromhell.tumblr.com/

Rock & Roll Damask makes it's debut!

I'm excited to announce that my signature pattern "Rock & Roll Damask" is being offered at Alluminare.com! 

  

 

The great thing about all of the products they offer is that you can customize them to your color needs. You can also adjust the scale to your liking.  Above are just some of my favorite edgy colorways. :)

Really excited about working with Alluminare. They are truly great people who love what they do and are all about customer service. Their fully coordinated line of products includes lighting, pillows, fabric and wallpaper.

More sassy patterns to come!

Kat Heyes

I could look at Kat Heyes' work all day. Yum. Definitely a new favorite.

 

 

 

(via Jessica Gonacha)

By Georgina

This is the work of Georgina Fineman. From what I can tell, she's an artist living in the UK, loves to doodle, and is probably a bit silly. Which is probably why I'm entertained by her work. :) Check out her blog here.

(via Print & Pattern)

product design

I had to post this gallery as new because there's something funky going on with it.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

I'm feeling rather, how do you say, Jean Gabin...

"Gabin’s appeal, like that of Bogart, his American counterpart, relies on a quiet, unpretentious toughness, an unassailable integrity, a cynical – but not nasty – sense of humor and a classy, nonjudgmental wisdom about people and the ways of the world." - from Egyptian Theatre

And his name also carries with it a friggin awesome hot cocktail recipe. 

1 1/2 oz dark rum
3/4 oz Calvados® brandy
1 tbsp maple syrup
5 oz hot milk
1 pinch nutmeg

Heat rum, Calvados and syrup in a heat-resistant glass or cup. Fill with hot milk, sprinkle with nutmeg, and serve.

I like this recipe, because, unlike all the other hot cocktail recipes out there, it doesn't have caffeine in it. Pretty much everything else out there has tea, coffee or hot chocolate in it. YUM! Next time I make this maybe I'll snuggle it up with a Jean Gabin film?

(recipe via DrinksMixer)

Miss Sanchezzzzz

OK, I'm going post-crazy today. I am feeling very inspired! But I'm also feeling like I'm not accomplishing my OWN work so this may be the last one for today (maybe).

SO ANYWAY.

The work above is from Jennifer Sanchez. I love how she combines a flurry of color, tiny delicate sketchies and geometrics. Below are some more of my faves!

 

I just tried to friend her on FB.  She posts images of works-in-progress up there. I find other artist's process so interesting so I hope she accepts me!

She also has a blog.

(via artists who blog blog)

All Natural Anti-Sick

Gee, I can't wait to be deathly ill so I can try out this all-natural Nyquil recipe on the Hot Knives blog!! It's a concoction of ginger, mint simple syrup, pastis, + Southern Comfort. (That is, can't wait to make it after we get our new counter top next Monday to help finish-off our kitchen remodel!!! SO EXCITED! OK, but anyway...)

They have a goofy video on their site with crazy Nyquil-themed music:

Check it out on their site.

(via ReadyMade Blog)

Fancy Place, Here I Come!

 

Caravan is a site that calls itself the "Craigslist for Creatives" and lists gorgeous properties for swap, rent, and also is a place where you can post a request for your ideal property. You can get a substantially better deal here than at a hotel and, what's more, the property already has that homey/unique feel. The statement "Caravan is a free house swap and sublet resource for Creative Folk Only." seems a little strange and elitist to me; however if that gets me into an amazing property for cheapo, I can accept it.

I think I'm gonna post a request for something in Tahiti or Bermuda or somewheres in the Carribean. My husband and I have our 5 year anni coming up at the end of December. If all goes well, I should be posting fabulous photos of paradise in the coming months!


http://www.creativecaravan.net/

(via Decor8)

Inspiration: Illustrator Catell Ronca

Today I'm in love with Catell Ronca! Her use of bright, cheerful colors, mixed with sedate neutrals, is sophisticated. Her style, for lack of a better term, juvenile and intuitive. The mix of her use of colors and style is fresh and has a sense of humor to it. I'm especially loving her use of patterns as texture to create a deeper visual interest. She also reminds me much of one of my favorite illustrators, Maira Kalman, (who has an inspiring and comical blog about the good ol' USofA.) See for yourself!

 

Ha! That's the prettiest illustration re: stomachs that I've seen!

I love how delicate this looks.

And a funny/neat plate project:

 

Thank you, Catell, for being so awesome!

To Dry For

Printed tea towels!

I don't think I've ever said that out loud (or typed) in an excited manner; but I have to say, the tea towels at ToDryFor.com are the cutest. I especially love the Russian Home design by Ros Shiers - makes Russian Nesting Dolls look sexy... for once!

Below are some more designs that I wouldn't mind wiping my hands on.

contact barbra

via email contact form
phone | 414.510.7687

Represented by Juna Studio (New York City) in the US,
Canada and Mexico markets in the fabric, gift and home goods industries.




Find me here as well:
http://www.coroflot.com/ifneedb
https://twitter.com/ifneedb 

Available for commissions
Barbra has worked with clothing designers + interior designers, taking their visions for fabric + wallpaper design and making them into reality. She also has worked with large companies and agencies.

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about barbra

ifneedb is a place for sharing inspirational finds that make life more enjoyable, useful art creation techniques, and my adventures in surface design. Print, pattern + surface design are things that rock my world. And I like to share. :)

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Barbra's work, as well as her personality, has often been referred to as "sassy". Playing off of her sense of humor, love of quirkiness, and all things clever and fun, her style is sometimes edgy, always pretty, and never takes itself too seriously.