un/done

twenty eleven

2011-12-31T19:40:00.000-08:00

2011... so many changes and challenges. I lost a job, volunteered at a social enterprise, fell in love with textile recycling, continued long distance love, finished grad school and strengthened my sense of self. It was all about resilience and refining for me.

So what does 2012 have in store? Well first things first, I need a job and although i am excited (perhaps naively so) about the prospect of a working somewhere that i'm just ecstatic about there this one little obstacle i have to overcome: The cover letter -_-They are just the absolute worst. I spent all day looking at cover letters. Some of that resilience is gonna come handy while i continue.

Happy New Year. Thank God. Be resilient. Do better.

Life as i know it

2011-12-30T19:44:00.000-08:00

Things I love right now
Snow on sunny, breezeless days
Graduation (and therefore, the ability to sleep again.)
Ridiculously long socks
Christmas eve dinner with friends (New tradition at my place!
Simple homemade goodies like tree for book lovers and these citrus coasters
Holiday parties and dressing to the nines
Reusing/drawing on kraft envelopes
A♥
Instagram (Have i not yet gushed enough over this app?)

I really am blessed and thankful to God that i get to be the happy over even the little things so i'm not gonna whine about thing i don't love. Happy Holidays.

Print > digital

2011-12-11T23:43:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of weeks I've pretty much been eating, breathing and sleeping my MBA program. It been consuming... but last Friday I had a moment to breath. It's funny that despite practically living in my library I've never taken the time to find art or design related books. How crazy is that? Especially for someone who is a designer.

That being said, Friday I made these sweet finds. I always told myself that once I was done with this program it would be eons before I set foot here again but maybe this has changed that. I absolutely relished the break from the world of the super practical and case write-ups. I totally indulged in being super feely while i fawned over these two books. Time flew by and I didn't miss being glued to my computer for the brief time I went scouring for art relief. Sometimes you just need to disconnect, you know? Print > digital. Always.

What's your city?

2011-09-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

I've been on this what's your city kick for a while. Although i do like living in Ottawa for so many reasons i've always felt like its only a temporary home ( much like most other places i've ever lived). Some days i chalk it up to being a third culture kid but on other days i know its more than that. It's like i'm waiting for it to blow my mind. It's like having a crush on someone as opposed to being madly retarded-ly in love them (to the point of nausea).

I want to be madly in love with my city. Most days i just like it and then there are days like today. Today i visited the peace tower. I'd been promised a great view and i think it delivered. Scenery, architecture and art speak to me. I marvel at the details of intricately designed structures and although i couldn't give you a full rant about architecture I love it in my own way.

In some ways, this place still gives me what I need to be continually intrigued by it.

Fabric, c'est chic.

2011-09-07T20:49:00.000-07:00

Lastest spoonflower swatches: Athena et les fleurs

Athena {B&W} & Les Fleurs {Colour}
...
"Athena" was designed using colourlovers software and "Les fleurs" was created with illustrator . It's neat how much you can do on colour lovers these days. It's especially cool that you can send your creations from colourlovers straight to your spoonflower account. I'm quite pleased with the ease of the process and how these turned out.

+ + + See all my other fabric related posts

Balloon

2011-09-03T21:39:00.000-07:00

The Gatineau hot air balloon festival started yesterday and i can see it from my window.

Frolick

2011-08-30T18:15:00.001-07:00

Days of sun - Frolicking, volunteering and living.

summer eleven

2011-08-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

Summer is coming to an end and as i start to look back I feel as though i've done so much and at the same time i haven't done enough. I need more time to bike, run, camp... i swear this list could be endless. It's almost like the summer makes you feel like you're in vacation mode even when you're sweating it out at work from 9-5 (or whenever it is that you work). ugh, I'm already irritated by the though of Winter... and you're not even here yet. Here's to living the rest of the summer to the fullest.

July in Canada: Bluesfest volunteering

2011-07-06T14:10:00.000-07:00

The Flaming Lips

Sound Garden

...

If you are 25 and older and you're gonna volunteer at bluesfest, do what i did. I worked as bluesfest volunteer in inventory control and it was worth it. Prior to that i worked at bluesfest two years ago at the gates where all the madness happens. I worked with all the lovely high schoolers. Needless to say i thought inventory control before the festival would not only be an older crowd buy also wouldn't eat into any show times for artists i wanted to see. #winning.

July in Canada: Bluesfest

2011-07-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

Dave Norris + band
...
Day 1 of bluesfest was hot and heavy weather and performance wise.
On my list of artists to see for Day 1: Tegan & Sara & The flaming lips. In addition to them i also ended up seeing Sound garden, Ras Lee and many others... but what i've really fallen for are all the smaller indie bands i've never heard of and didnt anticipate i would see. The smaller venue size and the intimacy just do it for me. My new musical interest is the Dave Norris Band.

July in Canada: Canada day

2011-07-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

Seriously, July is the month to be here. Happy Canada day! This year was quite the lively buzz, between Will and Kates visit and the downtown insanity. A few highlights from my day:

A sea of white and red and Free hugs, if your into that sort of thing from a stranger.

Native performances next to the peruvian street fest and the falun gond display (not pictured)

Snowbirds.

It was awesome. Happy Canada Day.

* Up next, Bluesfest! *

June

2011-06-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

If you ever plan to visit Ottawa, do it in June or July.

xox.

Etsy

2011-06-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

So i don't have this whole online retailer thing worked out yet but so far its been fun just making products and playing with packaging.

ElizaDankwaa

2011-05-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

Eliza Dankwaa | Etsy

Etsy is this glorious black hole i get sucked in for hours sometimes. It was only a matter of time before i joined the masses.

Les fleurs

2011-04-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

New on spoonflower! These little flowers are going to end up as sweet button earrings in my upcoming etsy store. I'll keep you posted.

Feathered

2011-04-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

As soon as the sun starts to shine a bit and its mildy warm i get the urge to make things. This morning my first thought was "make earrings"... so i did. What's funny is that i dont like birds but i do like pretty feather and all these earrings i've been seeing lately. I bought some feathers from Dollarama yesterday so i went to work. To my utter disgust, not only were there feathers in the bag but also a NASTY DRIED UP CLAW!!!!! Sick right? After the disgust wore off i made these. (Notice how i'm not deterred.)

I like the mix of smooth and ruffled feathers. I've been wearing them all day.

Necklace/Key Frame

2011-04-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

It's interesting what you can make from random items in your house. I needed something to hang necklaces, random trinkets and keys from so A and i made this. It basically an old canvas frame, paint from way back when, screw hooks and one of my spoonflower swatches. Not a bad start. All i needs now is one coat or red paint on the inner part of the wood and then a dark wall to hang from.

Portfolio

2011-04-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

I bought this Pina Zangaro portfolio when i graduated from art school and never used it. In fact it's still in its original packaging and now i'm selling it. It was uber trendy way back then. It probably still is but i realized early that no Interviewer ever cared that much about them because i'm sure they'd seen so many. It really didn't set you apart that much.

How many pieces? What kind of paper should be printed on? Textured? Non textured? White? Ivory? Do i learn more to showing that i'm a versatile chameleon like designer or should i be consistent, minimal and modern? As i get closer to the time when i will job searching, these are the things that run through my head.

What i really want to know is, what if you didn't take in a print portfolio? What if you created a presentation to highlight you work instead and showed that from your laptop? What if in addition to that you just gave them a leave behind piece to keep? I just wonder especially with the push for greener measures and recession, whats changes are being made in the creative interview process by designers themselves? Does it just seem cheap?

As i look at online portfolios i see that a lot of designers have 25-30 pieces of work. I remember years ago being told that 12-15 was the way to go because the goal was to entice agencies to contact you to see more. Has anyone discarded the idea of a print portfolio and is solely using their online portfolio?

I'd be curious to know.

Summer

2011-04-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

Longing for days like this. When's summer coming? It's already abundantly clear that we dont get a spring this year.

Type #01

2011-03-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

I love typography i am no expert. So I'm on a mission (as usual) to find and perhaps create type in everyday life starting with my own handwriting. And so it begins... a love story, a fondness of sorts between me and every good typographic symbol I encounter. A passionate relationship with all me loves from Gotham Bold to Zapfino but never comic sans.

Handwriting says so much about a person and i'd like to eventually make a font out of mine.

Mint moxie

2011-03-22T00:20:00.000-07:00

Spring is here (despite all the snow we seem to be getting) and i like the idea of these colours!! I call it mint moxie and i'd like this print on a pair of ballet flats please.

For your neck

2011-03-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

A while ago i made this removable accessory for my head band. Since then i've decided it makes a better necklace. I am (mostly) a jeans a tee-shirt kind of girl. That being said i really like the combination of solid color tees and cool patterned accessories.

I've also blogged a bit about African fabrics i like, so why not a necklace that incorporates some of that? Most of the necklaces i buy don't even last that long so the idea of making my own holds massive appeal. Right now what it boils down to is this:

Scraps of fabric + chain + needle & thread or glue + patient hands + a great concept = Fab. neck gear

No? OK, I know it's not quite that easy but its definitely worth a try.

knots

2011-03-02T14:32:00.000-08:00

Bantu Knots {21x18in Fat Qtr | Quilting weight}
...

Fabric has finally arrived... and i still haven't decided what to do with it. If you like it, buy it here and if you make something awesome i'd love to know.

M

2011-03-01T08:37:00.001-08:00

Hello New follower :) You just made my day.

Fabric Fabric Fabric

2011-02-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

Another one for Spoonflower. 11 days til this ships. Plenty of time to decide what I'm gonna do with it. Ideas??

Feet say so much

2011-02-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

...especially in the winter. I can't stop looking at other people shoes because I'm on a quest for the perfect winter pair. Something that's a cross between fashionable and practical. My past has only proven to me that far too often practical has shamefully won.

She's got sweets

2011-02-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

Follow my photolog.

Society 6

2011-01-23T19:54:00.000-08:00

Afrolovers <-- Get yours.

Dolls

2011-01-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

Things i like: Hair that cannot be tamed.

hardwork & rewards

2011-01-06T18:11:00.000-08:00

Do not offer work for free unless its someone you absolutely love or something you are insanely passionate about. Don't assume that just because you are related to or are friends with someone that guarantees the cat's meow of design experiences. A contract, agreement or proposal or whatever you choose to call it IS CRUCIAL to keeping things in perspective. I cannot stress this enough.

Here's to a year of positive design experiences. Hello 2011.

The octopus (again)

2010-12-28T08:48:00.000-08:00

Soooo guess where else i found think I've found the octopus print?

{Right - Miss Coco for Gautier | Left - The fabric in my closet}

Dear designer of this fab fabric, (whoever you are) You really need to get yours (credit that is).

love,
Mimo

Mont Royal

2010-12-27T16:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, i hike with a purse.
...

There's a cross on Mont-Royal that you can see from almost anywhere in Montreal. I've never taken the time to get to it until today. I've here for three days now and on this trip I've focused more on interesting sites. I'm hoping that ill make it to habitat 1967 in the next couple of days. This place is pretty rich in art and architecture. It's about time i saw some of it.

365

2010-12-20T09:02:00.000-08:00

Lately, i've been so wrapped up in this.

Inspiration: Boney M

2010-12-07T22:04:00.000-08:00

Regardless of the rumored lip-syncing (and any other rumors) I find Boney M intriguing. Their glittery vibe, the color, their style (a mix of hippie-sheek and fantasy-futuristic glamour) have caught my eye... and of course THE HAIR!

So what inspired this post? That Duck Sauce/Barbra Streisand song that i'm hearing everywhere. It samples a Boney M hit "Gotta go home".

Mirrors & Mosaic

2010-11-30T18:56:00.000-08:00

Santa, I want this {Please?}. I've been good.
...
Who designs of some of these random pieces i find at stores like Winners and T.J. Max.

make

2010-11-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

1 bra strap band + black thread + Needle + pieces of (African) fabric = A renewed desire to make my own hair accessories. Seriously people, why buy when you can make? Recession lesson #1.

Dove & Sparrow

2010-11-24T09:56:00.000-08:00

Fabulous modern wedding photography. Two thumbs up Ferris.

Stereohype

2010-11-19T10:24:00.000-08:00

Last one in the middle row
...
Two months ago i decided to enter Sterehype's button design contest. I learned 15 minutes ago that my little button {based on love&cupcakes} was a runner up. Neat. Below are my favourites out of all the buttons on the page.

Paris vs. New York

2010-11-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

Today I discovered Paris vs. New York.
Seriously, what's not to love about this blog with its minimalism, color and a playful battle of one awesome city versus another?

love love love.

U&LC

2010-11-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

Issue 1-2 pg. 15
...
In 1974, ITC began publishing U&lc, The International Journal of Typographics. Under the editorial and art direction of Herb Lubalin {Designer Extraordinaire}, the journal emerged as a trend setter winning several editorial creations.

I learned today {via Changethethought} that pdf versions of the journal are being released to the masses on fonts.com blog and i am stoked. Although it's not necessarily my style, i love the exquisite typography. Good type is really quite sexy where it be in an old publication or new.

So get yours.

The beautiful underground

2010-11-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

I've been seeing these images all over the web today.
One more reason to make a trip to the city {soon}.

via fastcompany

Marathon

2010-11-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

The one thing i miss the most about not being in new York is watching the ING marathon from Brooklyn. Even though i wasn't there, I cheered you on from here. xox.

Ottawa Fashion WK

2010-11-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

Dress by Adrian Wu | Image by Ottawa Citizen

I've never viewed Ottawa as a very fashionable place. People dress comfortably and so when i see some creativity apparel wise i get very excited. I like fashion and when i go to a fashion show I expect some pieces you can wear in everyday life but if thats the only thing that offered then i'm disappointed. More than anything i enjoy the ridiculous, out of this world pieces that no one would ever really wear. It's art.

On sunday I was invited to Ottawa fashion week (OFW). The fashion game here really is in its infancy so i was thrilled that an event like this was putting more on an emphasis on it. I think this city has more to offer than stiff, plain and boring styles. It just needs to time emerge and it needs to be influenced.

My absolute favourite line was Adrian Wu's ss11 collection. He killed it. There was a lot of good draping, mesh and goddess style dress. There were also a some ruffled/ballooned dresses that kind of reminded me of insect forms. The absolute showstopper moment was one of the black model came out with a massive mesh layered head wrap, black pants and heels but COMPLETELY TOPLESS. If only camera hadn't died. All in all i enjoyed myself and Wu's lack of reservation.

The only sad thing about OFW is how little exposure it seems to have gotten. Most of the people i talked to about it didn't even know it was happening or just didn't care.

art therapy

2010-10-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

I've been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off for the past couple of weeks from work, to school to a freelance project that wasn't going so well {but is finally over}. It's friday night and all i want to do is unwind so I'm surfing my favourite sites while my painting dries. I decided to play with some water color i bought today. I'm interested in how i can combine it with ink but so far i like this first painting. It's like art therapy. Try it.

...and 6

2010-10-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

6. Confidence
Be ok with who you are and what your style is. Accept that sometimes you win some and sometimes you dont. Whatever you are, be good at it. And if you're good at it be proud (but not obnoxiously cocky) and cut your losses when you need to.

Sometimes this is the hardest to apply. Take baby steps.

Woes of collaboration

2010-10-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

100 things i'm learning from you {N^o.6}:Relationship management is an art.

My worst freelance experiences are always the one where I have to collaborate with someone I butt heads with. That being here's what's working for me right now.

1. First impressions
If you've never worked with someone before and you have to keep in mind that you go through a forming stage, make compromises and remember that the end goal is the finished piece. That above all else is what matters. Focus on it and do what you need to do to make things work.

2. Process
It important to remember that working processes vary from person to person. Don't get your knickers in a bunch over it. Learn to adapt.

3. Feedback
Sometimes its just about tone. Constructive criticism is good but being unprofessional, rude and making things personal is counter productive and makes you look insecure. Which would you prefer?

4. Growth
As much as you may not like them, the person you collaborate with might have some redeeming qualities. Don't be completely closed off to that. Learn something from them and add more value to your skills. This in turn means you may have more control over who you work for or collaborate with in the future.

5. Twitter/Facebook Professionalism
It's probably not a good ideas to use facebook/twitter to vent especially if you have shared acquaintances. The other person will probably see it, find it or be told by someone. Put your bitching on the back burner and instead show them what you're made of. (Or whine to whoever you confide in instead until they get sick of you.)

#I'm just saying.

sun day

2010-10-10T22:07:00.000-07:00

My little corner of the world.

Summer memories

2010-10-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

The end of summer usually means a drastic reduction in random adventures for me. I'd like to change that because i refuse to believe that there are no places worth braving the elements for (except for winter sports). So that's what I'll be searching for. In the mean time it's good to reminisce...

Fort Henry | Kingston, Ontario

Pembrooke, Ontario

Barry's Bay, Ontario

The hydrant & more {from MTL}

2010-09-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

A while ago i was trying to find out this symbol i saw in Montreal means. On a trip last week I figured it out. I'd gladly make another trip for my signage, street art and great sushi.

Bus bandit

2010-09-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

I like to travel. In my escapades from one location to another I've learned that traveling by bus is strangely becoming a less horrible way to travel. I used to be a huge fan of flying but now when i fly I'm a bit unnerved. The places I've been seeing lately are close enough that i don't mind go by land.

It's strange to see how much things are changing since the first time i took a bus. I clearly remember my first trip which was from Rochester, NY to Binghamton, NY. I was 18 and more than a bit nervous. The trip was only and hour and a half but the bus was completely packed, sketchy and smelly. I was worried that I'd fall asleep and end up in some random middle of nowhere town.

Since that first trip fact the experience has been improved with additions like outlets and wifi (Thank you Greyhound). Although it will never be the most luxurious way to travel, the scenery really does it for me... especially in the fall. Old barn houses, animals, red and orange leaves, bridges, bodies of water, corn fields, deserted remains of formally glam buildings... I love this stuff. And then there is the stuff i really dont like e.g. reduced leg room, the lack of security, strange people and sometimes the smell. I suppose you take the good with the bad... or pay more and fly?

$

2010-09-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

It's a crazy crazy world we live in and sometimes is seems like nothing is off limits and everything has a price. What's your price? What would you be willing to do to get what you want? Do you have standards/morals/ethic? Where do you draw the line? Business is a dirty dirty world. Despite all the green movements, the humanitarian acts etc. the real goal is to secure more of your money. Are there really no altruistic acts?

In one way or another it seems like we are all for sale. What really sets us apart is character.

red

2010-09-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

Before & after the first coat of red. We're slowly but surely getting there...

Decorating my apartment is gradual thing for me. My apartment is forever a work in progress even though I've here for what seems like forever. A while ago i posted about the lack of warmth and coziness at my place. I'm using color to change that.

On Sunday we painted a red accent wall, which I'm really liking. More updates {and better pictures} as they occur.

Fall

2010-09-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

It's like i blinked and summer was gone. Here's to a fabulous Fall!

Objects {of my desire}

2010-09-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

8x8in Cotton-linen Canvas Swatch - A little darker than i expected but i'm pretty happy with it.
...

I checked the mail today and was pumped when my free swatch arrived. Spoonflower gave away free swatches a couple of weeks ago so i ordered one of my designs. This one is called Objects of my desire. It's basically a few things that I love worked into one design. I'm considering using it for a comforter cover that i want to make. I've also been thinking about furniture upholstering lately and think it would look amazing on these chairs that a friend gave me last week. I don't know anything about upholstery and have a lot of research to do about the kind of fabrics that can be used, tools, techniques etc. but in the mean time I've been playing around with my swatch on the chair.

I seriously need a craft buddy to pull this one off.
Click here for complete swatch design

signs of life

2010-09-07T20:28:00.000-07:00

National Art Gallery

Albert Street

222 Laurier
...
Grid work and glass, Down town Ottawa.

absolutely NO AIR.

2010-09-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since i found something by No air. Yesterday I looked up at a tree during a lunchtime walk and it was just there. More soon. {Hopefully.}

FabricFruit / Spoonflower

2010-08-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

FabricFruit {8x8in Test Swatch | Quilting weight}
...

My first Spoonflower swatch arrived today and i'm trying to decide what to do with it. It's not bad at all for a first swatch. The colors are correct and the fabric is good. If anything it's given me a better idea of what to expect and what improvements i can make {smaller is better graphic-wise}. Overall, i'm pleased!

I don't have a sewing machine {yet!}, so ill be sewing something by hand. Updates soon.

Payphone font

2010-08-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

I haven't looked at or been in a phone booth since i could afford my own cell phone but i was at a gas station recently and this one caught my eye. I like the sans serif simplicity of the font on this payphone. I'm not sure which font it really is but i'd be curious to know if its the same one from country to country. Normally all you get is the numbers but one had a qwerty system. I doubt many people are texting from a payphone, so i wonder what exactly its for...

spoonflower

2010-08-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

This week's fabric swatch idea {yes, It seems to be a cupcake kind of week}

I need new ways to be creative other than the web so I joined spoonflower. If you're not familiar with spoonflower in 5 words it's a "great place to design fabric". Why not give designing your own fabric a try instead or wearing someone else's? Spoonflower also means the possibility of some sewing which im excited about. So far i've enjoyed bringing a few basics ideas to life. I've also found that this new interest has become a great way for me to recycle or revamp old projects that were discarded.

You think about design a bit differently when it pertains to fabric. I wonder how well certain designs will work after being seamlessly repeated. I also view my designs like a puzzle (i.e. the edges that have to fit each other) and what i might want to make out of one design as opposed to another. It's endless really but I am slowly getting the gist of it. I just ordered a swatch of my first fabric and I'm waiting to be pleasantly surprised...

G.A. Snider

2010-08-10T16:47:00.000-07:00

Love this painted sign... one of the many treasures on my way to work.

random

2010-08-06T18:20:00.000-07:00

Found in Williamsburg {nyc} / Taken Summer 2008.
...
Sometimes all you need is random bits of art goodness. Look around you. It's everwhere. Happy Friday.

fabric art

2010-08-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

I think summer and jumpsuits go hand in hand. I got this Cocoa play suit as a gift from a really close friend who loves this brand while i was in Ghana. My love for African prints and designers just keeps increasing as i continually find styles and prints that i enjoy. How could you not love the detail, color and overall art of this fabric?

If the emergence of African design in the mainstream has caught your eye, kiki clothing is a good place to get your fix. I am all about affordable clothing but i dont mind a splurge every once in a while if the item i'm buying can be combined with things i already own to create new looks. My next goal is to see what i can pair this with...

love & cupcakes

2010-08-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday To You.

Accra 2010

2010-07-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

Kotoka International Airport in the distance - July 13th, 2010
...

People often ask me what Ghana is like or tell me they want to take a trip there but I've always cautioned that it's not for everybody. I have a hard time finding the right words to describe it beyond the usual historic or geographical facts.

Ghana is special to me. If you are someone who has to be comfortable 24/7, is self absorbed, completely spoiled or just prefers to be oblivious then this post {and probably my blog} is not for you.

Ghana has seen hardship but has also thrived. It is currently one of the more stable African countries politically and economically. It's dusty, hot and beautiful in so many tangible and intangible ways. It's the one place that reminds me to be thankful for everything. It is the one place where it think it's possible to be completely broke and yet not completely broken. I arrived in Accra on the 13th of July. It's been 3 years since my last visit, i think its only fair to show you the Ghana i see.

Welcome to Accra.


Accra 2010	Accra 2007

accra > new york

2010-07-23T23:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a long day of travel and transit mishaps. Service will resume shortly.
In the mean time sit tight.

merci / thank you!

2010-07-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

I received some blog love from a neat photography and video blog & i thought i'd send some back. Thank you thank you thank you Shukura Li!

In 10 years i'd like to be able to say I am a designer who does work that genuinely helps people or brings awareness to something pertinent. I do not just want to help sell a product. I’d like to look back and say that i embraced all kinds of change in design and in my beliefs.

I'd also like to be able to say i kicked my candy habit, exercised more, participated in thrill the world once {because it's fab}, have continued to see the world and grew an Afro so massive i can barely see through it {No goal is too ridiculous}

Accra, Ghana

2010-07-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

This is where I've been hiding for the past couple of days! I have so much to share but not enough time or internet access. More details as soon as possible! {I promise!}

Pembroke {3}

2010-07-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

The logging camp was beautiful in a sort of rustic but haunted way. I explored on my own and discovered that maybe it wasn't as abandoned as i had thought.

The logging camp
There were clear signs that someone else had been there recently. Everything was run down, broken or rusty except a new water tank on the side one of the structures. I also found a cabin that had either recently collapsed or had been torn down. Directly behind it was a path that led further back into the trees. I didn't follow it. Who knows what was back there. I did however peek through the trees as much as i could {from a safe distance}and i think there was a house hidden in the foliage.
Most of the cottages were locked from the outside except one but i didn't want to risk entering a decrepit wooden structure that might collapse or risk bumping into a wild animal {plus a bathing suit is hardly the best exploring attire}.

The strangest thing i found was large circles in the sand that reminded me of the movie "Signs". I couldn't figure out what could make a shape that large. Machine, man or other? The circles were perfect and there were no footprints.

It later occurred to me that perhaps someone had bought the logging camp and i was trespassing.

Pembroke {2}

2010-07-06T19:22:00.000-07:00

If you're gonna ditch you broken down vehicle and seek adventure, make sure you find the perfect spot and you know someone with a boat. We spent the 2nd day on the water and I couldn't have asked for better weather! Towards the evening the search for a place to camp led us to an abandoned logging camp. It was located between the town of Deep River and Pembroke nuclear power plant. I have a thing for old or abandoned buildings and ruins... what tells a better story than architecture and its remains?

Pembroke {1}

2010-07-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

2hrs into our trip to Combermere, the alternator in A's car gave out. it was 11pm and we were in the middle of nowhere. No lie, it was the perfect setting for a slasher flick. Pitch black, surrounded by cornfields and then out of nowhere a freight truck pulls up and a man steps put. He offered us a ride to the nearest town... the only other option was pitching a tent in the cornfield.

That's how my weekend began but it ended with the beautiful scenery above.

Happy Monday. Welcome to Pembroke.

then and now

2010-07-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

Where i used to blog from then...

{ Desk in my bedroom on PC }
and now...

{ My living room couch on a Macbook Pro i've named Gavin ;) }

...
100 things i'm learning from you {N^o.5}: Make changes. Make upgrades.

Ghana vs USA

2010-06-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

by bananabluhue via @kentejames
...
I'm not a crazed soccer fan but i do love love love the worldcup. Ive watched the worldcup {at home} in four countries so far; England, Ghana, the US and now Canada. What i love about the it is the vibe and energy. I love the excitement of watching your team play, the cheering and craziness. However i have found that its different everywhere you go.

My favourite place of all to watch was Ghana because when the team scored you could the entire country scream "Goooalll!" and people spill out into the streets to celebrate {no lie.} Its just a phenomenal experience and i miss that especially here in Canada where i have yet to see much excitement at all beyond a few people wearing jerseys to support their teams. I will say that the most surprising thing has been spoting people who are clearly not Ghanaian wearing the blackstars jersey. That's kinda cool!

Ghana vs. Usa today but i'm for Ghana all the way.
...
UPDATE: 6pm
Ghana(2) vs. USA(1) ... YESSSSSSSSS!

live

2010-06-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

A classic type choice with a worthwhile message by one of my favourites. Seize the day people.
Font: Didoni

{I'd ♥ this even more on a white vee neck tee. }

swapbox

2010-06-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

I found a swapbox on my way to work and its creator's site later on! I meant to come back and put some carefully thought out goodie in it last night but ended up not returning. What's neat is i only recently heard of swapboxes and i thought the concept was very interesting. I'm sure in some cases people put utter s* but what intrigues me is possibly finding thats actually cool.

More updates when i've actually put something in it... i'm thinking more along the lines of a treasure hunt. Hopefully someone will play along...
...
UPDATE: June 25th, 2010
Sadly the swapbox is gone! Someone removed it before i could leave a goodie. I have no idea whether it was the artist or someone else.

& i'm not exaggerating

2010-06-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

Expect more of these little signs of life.

xox,
Mimo.

{Fonts: 1. Helvetica Neue 2. Script MT Bold}

Monday morning font

2010-06-14T06:51:00.001-07:00

How sweet is this little design nugget that i found at work? I work in a house that was converted into an office. It's an older home {although I'm not sure exactly sure how old}. I noticed this while I was in the kitchen. It's the detail from our tap. Love its vintage/classic vibe.

Happy Monday :]

Stela {No.5 & 6}

2010-06-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

I was walking past the bus stop on my way home from work when more of stela's work caught my eye. I stopped to take a quick picture of it thinking that on another day when i had more time I'd get a better shot.Imagine my surprise a few days later when i came back and it was gone. Did someone steal it? Did it get scraped off? The quick photo was all i'd get.

Thankfully stela is slick. This week, the missing artwork had already been replaced with an even better piece. Perhaps the decision to put the new art in the same place as the removed art is a statement of sorts... a kind of "you can't stop me".

One thing i like about this artist is the degree of detail in each piece. I also like the fact that each piece is created on paper that already has something printed on it. Nice work. More please.

[ Other posts about Stela ]

Draw something!

2010-06-08T17:33:00.000-07:00

100 things i'm learning from you {N^o.4}: Draw your little heart out.

If you like to doodle, draw or make little sketches on pieces of paper, do it and be proud. Even if no one else thinks its good. In fact get a sketch book and let loose! Get good paper too and a nice pen. Why not?! You're worth it. I SAID SO.

carry on...

combermere

2010-06-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

I'm a city girl but the country's been calling me lately. I'm starting to rethink how and where i want to live. I spent this weekend in Cumbermere, Ontario finding art in unexpected places and new perspective on places i'd like to see.

more to come...

Just look...

2010-05-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

behind your bus seat.<<< link

saturday @ the locks

2010-05-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

I think its obvious how much i love the locks. I found a doorway hidden by trees and other foliage in the side of the wall that makes up one side the chateau laurier hotel. I wanna know where it goes.

Other locks related posts & photos you should DEFINITELY look at:)

locks
Places i've been
Before fall
12c

old apple ads

2010-05-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

I was working on a case for a class on power and influence when the topic of old apple ads came up. I couldnt remember many of them, so i did a good old google search and really took a liking to these one. Its interesting to see how technology has impacted products and advertising. I also found that Apple has a sense of humour and sarcasm which i enjoy in advertising. That font does something for me too... >:]

Black Acrylic

2010-05-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Kwesi Abbensetts,
I have just fallen in love with your black acrylic (work).

~ Mimo.

ps. This girl has fabulous hair.

- F + T

2010-05-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

minus facebook, plus twitter.

ceiling

2010-05-09T09:27:00.001-07:00

@ the aviation museum.

type & vintage packages

2010-05-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

I went to the Aviation Museum for the first time in August of 2009 and marvelled at the all the planes but during my second visit last weekend i really started to notice the colors and typography. Here are a few i really liked( + an awesome helicopter).

ffffound?

2010-04-23T10:01:00.001-07:00

image via. ffffound
...
What does a girl have to do to get a ffffound invite??? Seriously, People! Why so elusive?

wall decor

2010-04-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

a. Illuminated wallpaper /Jonas Samson

Jonas Samson's light emitting wallpaper breaks the traditional mold and brings innovation and an ecological awareness to wall decor.

b. Calendar wallpaper / Christiann Postma

I dont know how many times my attempt to write on my walls were thwarted by one of my parents, when i was a kid. Even now this desire is ever present... clearly this calender is for people like me. I like how is combines functionally, personalization and artisty.

c. 3d decor / Hanna Nyman

It appears that the 3d class i took in art school might actually pay off on this new project. What's not to love about this wall and the light. Very well executed.

...

I've been trying to decorate and it has taken me forever for a range of reasons { money, time, creative blockage...}. I have ceramic tiles in my living area that i cannot afford to replace. The tiles are great in the summer because they keep my place cool, but in the winter it makes it feel brisk and bare. It is amazing what the right kind of flooring can do to the feel of your home but the right wall decor can also do the same regardless of your flooring.

I did some research and found tons of great work and of ideas but, I thought i'd share these three because they are modern and inspiring.

Cheers!

Environmental Relocation

2010-04-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

Current location via google maps.
...
How many people choose a place to live based on the climate change phenomenon and environmental thinking? I recently listened to a BBC podacast titled "Escape to New Zealand" which shared the life of a couple that choose to move to New Zealand based on their environmental beliefs. They built a house that was energy efficient and focused on as much sustainable living as they could afford. This was all done in anticipation of the rapidly increasing environmental changes that are occuring. New Zealand represented the safest most affordable solution for them.
This idea intrigued me because when i think of moving my main considerations include cultural diversity, cost of living, employment prospects etc. Never once have environmental issues played a role. I may not go as far as this couple went, i do see the importance of factoring it in.

Dr. Marten is 50!

2010-04-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

images via 50.drmartens.com
...

I might have owned a pair of Dr. Marten's when i was 15, but i didnt know how to "wear" them. I was not cool, my feet looked weird and quickly gave them up. However i do love the feel of 50th anniversary site. Although i'll probably never own another pair, i like the fact that the product seems unchanged and true to its original positioning. I also love how Noisettes singer Shingai Shoniwa effortlessly makes them her own.

Zinio

2010-04-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

The surge and speed of evolving technology means that life as we know it and how we adapt is changing...
After signing up for free issues of NYLON magazine last year, Nylon pulled a fast one and decided that they would be switching me over to the digital issues of their mag. Initially i was pissed. I felt deceived. You see i look forward to receiving magazines in the mail. I like being able to touch the paper and cut out what i like... i felt like Nylon's "free subscription" was just a deal made with digital reading giant , Zinio to get them more membership. To make it worse being able to view my "free" mags meant i had to sign up with zinio. I'm one of those people who hates signing up for most things. I was adamant about not giving in and and held off for a year but then with the release of the ipad my curiousity got the best of me.
I am very interested in changes in society caused by technology. With the release of the ipad there will more than a significant shift from print material to print articles. I wanted to know just how that felt, so i signed up for zino knowing that it would be a great way to check it out. I had concerns about legibility and spending extra time staring at a glowing screen but honestly it wasnt bad at all. I read it on my computer screen and even with that i could easily zoom, search, preview pages etc.
So yes, i liked it but it really wasnt same. There is something i love about the printed word. To me its just priceless and it would be sad to completely let that slip away.

freelance baggage

2010-03-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

oh design police, how i love thee.
...

Once in a while i like to check up on past freelance projects that went well to see how the client was able to maintain what we created. It makes me sad/frustrated/annoyed if i discover a year or so later that our the client decided:

that they too could be a designer and have completely engaged and reveled in bad design or
they hired someone to update it because they were cheaper and that person also did the same thing.

It doesnt happen often, but when it does i wonder if maybe its the type of clients i choose or maybe i need to do a better job of teaching people about design and its function in the world.
Now, i am by no means perfect. I look back on some work i did in the past and cringe. I think most designers do. These past experiences serve as a reminder not to be complacent and to push your boundaries. That being said, bad design kills. Please help bring it to justice.

Good hare

2010-03-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

I'm not one to wear many graphic tees {I probably own 2} but i'd wear this one. The hot comb at the bottom brings back memories of pressing and scorched hair... thankfully those days are long gone. I laugh now but ive done some weird stuff to my hair. Im a definite fan of the humor, illustration and the message.
Nice work Junkprints.

Say no to bush meat

2010-03-27T12:27:00.001-07:00

Aside from their clean web design, im really drawn to these geometric tanks by Zulu Rose and i think you should check them out. They've been around for five years and i've only just heard of them. I like what i see and what they stand for. In their own words:

"Inspired by the idea of creating a new style and fashion t-shirt, our goal is to be a leading global designer and retailer to international markets of quality t-shirts and apparel that embodies traditional and contemporary designs inspired by the worlds most exotic and forgotten locations."

Stela {No.4} - stolen goodies

2010-03-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

location: k1k 0m8 ;)
....
How do you feel about stolen street art? Is right to take what has obviously been placed for the masses just? Do you think street art is defacing public property?
This little lady caught my eye. I think its by the artist i call "ste". I really like the delicate features yet strength represented in the artist's style. I like her rough mohawk and her weird almost alien shaped facial features. She also seems a bit rough around the edges. Thats why i wanted it. All the work ive seen so far by the artist has this feel. It's detailed and feminine but with an underlying dominance. I think its the same appeal Poision Ivy has in Batman.
Anyway, i wanted to take this home. I planned to come back and take it at night because there always seem to be a million people milling around during the day. I was also somewhat paranoid that the artist would see me. What made stealing it seem feasible was the fact that it looked like it had only been taped down and is no bigger than an 8.5 x11 sheet. All in all i didnt feel right. So i took a picture instead and walked away. Now she can pique the interest of another passerby.
What's also interesting to note is that as i stopped to take a picture of it, i heard hollering behind me. I ignored it... but in hindsight i wonder if whoever was doing it was hollering at me. It came from the building across the street. Does the artist live there? It wouldnt be that strange since all the work ive found so far seems to be located on this side of the city.
Anyway, like i said, "she's" still there pasted to the newsbin... where she belongs.

friday.

2010-03-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

gilmour & elgin st {above sorento's pizza.}
...
Happy friday my darlings! I have the day off and it's beautiful so i'll be anywhere but in front of my computer.
ps.I found another street artist to follow!!!!

404 page design

2010-03-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

I ran across this gallery of 404 page designs and i thought it was worth sharing. In case anyone reading has no idea what a 404 page is, it the error page that pops up when you try to access a webpage that is down.
I think we're all used to seeing the classic boring message but themeflash.com found a hord of creative error pages! It's nice to see some good design on usually the most boring and neglected page of a website.

Push away from the machine

2010-03-16T06:26:00.000-07:00

100 things i'm learning from you {N^o.3}

"Sometimes you have to push away from the machine and pick up the pencil."
Christopher / Changethethought

My morning started with this quote and i think its a good one.

The Brand Quiz

2010-03-08T08:47:00.000-08:00

How much do you love color and how much do you tie a certain brand to specific colors? {eg. Red with coke.} I took the brand quiz to find out and was defnitely surprised by my score
Take the quiz! I'm sure you'll do better than I did :)

via LogoMoose

COLOURlovers

2010-03-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

Lately i've been playing around with COLOURlovers. Definitely a good resource for any creatives who have a good eye for color and see what kinda of combos they can make or for anyone who would like to to improve their color sense.
yay :)