new smile card

A big day for my sister — congrats Deb!
I hope this card makes you show your beautiful smile!

p.s. my brother-in-law has a future in modeling, I'm sure of it.

hot air balloon

Peruvian Hot Air Balloon Necklace wishlisted!

My dream wardrobe

34 typographic sins

Last night I discovered this 34 Typographic Sins letterpress poster designed by Jim Godfrey and printed by Rowley Press. I read through all 34 and found it to be an excellent reminder! I know I've forgotten or gotten lazy about a few of these rules (NOT widows or orphans though! :). My fellow designer, Laura, and I are typographic-nazis, so this is right up our ally.

The best part? You can download the poster for FREE! It's a sort of "typographic mission work." Thank you Jim!

Download poster here

how to ride a rainbow

brilliant use of paint chips

cupcake garden!

The kind of veggies everyone loves! Find the recipe and how-to here.

wearing feathers

Simply loving these (perfect for lauraland!)

happy presidents day!

Abraham Lincoln's home sketch

monday "blues"

This photograph deserves it's own post. I only wish I could credit the photographer. After looking through dozens of images in search of the owner, I think that the Tufted Titmouse may be the most beautiful bird alive. Don't you agree?

This little blue beaked guy has so much personality for one little bird!

ukulele revival

All 10 minutes of this video are worth watching (even the beautiful 3 min Rolex commercial at the end). I'll never look at the ukulele in the same way.

Jake Shimabukuro plays Bohemian Rhapsody at TED 2010

vintage at it's best

I love everything about this beautiful vintage inspired album design for the gypsy band Manouche. Beautiful typography, attention to detail (notice the girls dresses), and lovely color pallet. Well done Bia Van Deventer!




This design makes me want to listen to their music right away.

photo by Christine Mientjes

currently loving ...

1. Peanut butter and banana oatmeal

2. This hot air balloon print (hot-air balloon obsession still going strong)


3. This Oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookie from my co-worker.
Mine is about 6 x the size! (thank you Mel!)

image and recipe via Amandeleine

4. Amazon.com email subject line: "Are you looking for something from our Indie & Art House department?" HOW did they know!?!

5. This illustration by FreyeArt


5. This quintessential college student I spotted carrying AND drinking out of a JUG of Arizona Tea. Sweatpants included.

image via my cell phone

6. Sarah's sweet Sometimes Valentines post which puts Valentines Day into proper perspective.

i love you more than ... winners!

Congratulations to the Valentines illustration winners, onthefly and belleandboo!



This was so much fun and I will be sure to do it again! Thanks to all who entered.

p.s. You can see the last illustration on belleandboo's blog today. Thanks Mandy!

love carries all

Adorable and beautiful prints by ROCOCCO CO

xoxox

Happy Valentines from me to you.
I hope it is filled with chocolate ice cream.
-Sarah

giveaway winners

Congratulations onthefly and belleandboo! Keep a lookout in your in-boxes for your "I love you more than ..." illustrations! To everyone who entered, thank you for being a part of my first giveaway! I had so much fun reading your entries (especially James!). Please check back soon for more giveaways.

Just in case you're curious, here are the winning entries:

onthefly: (who also happens to be like a second mother to me)
"I love you more than lobster in Cape Cod!"

"I love you more than the written word can say."

bellaandboo: (who happens to be one of my favorite illustrators)
"I love you more than having a lie in on a rainy day."


I'll be sure to share their illustrations. Again, thank you for entering and thanks for the shout-out Oh So Beautiful Paper!

Happy weekend.

valentines 2010: worst pick up lines

These are just a few of my favorite "worst pick up lines" from my 2010 valentines. I made them into labels and attached them to candy bars. They were a funny departure from the ooshy-gooshy foil valentines. I especially love No. 12's method of getting someone's number. I'm pretty sure I know some people who have tried this one. :)

Don't forget to enter the Valentines Illustration Giveaway in the post below!

valentines illustration giveaway!

Hello!
Today I am trying something new—a giveaway! After doodling my super-quick "peanut butter love" illustration yesterday, I wondered what other people would compare their love to. I'm sure there are all kinds of creative, sweet, and funny "I love you more than ..." ideas.

So, here's the deal, just comment on this post with your "I love you more than ..." statement and consider yourself entered (please include your email address if you aren't signed in as a blogger so I'm sure to be able to contact you). At 5:00PM MST on Friday I will randomly choose a post*, illustrate your statement, and it will be in your inbox on Saturday—just in time for Valentines!

It's not a fancy giveaway, but it's fun!

Ready. Set. Comment!

*UPDATE: You may have noticed that I extended the time of this giveaway. While I don't want to be unfair to the original entries, thanks to Oh So Beautiful Paper, the word has just gotten out. I've decided to choose two winners: one from the first ten entries and a second from all of the entries. Thanks for entering and a BIG thank you to Oh So Beautiful Paper!

cookie love

My friend Emily started a bakery and I had the opportunity to photograph some of her adorable Valentines Day cookies. I'm not a photographer, but this was a fun little pretend-to-be-a-photographer project!

Today is the LAST DAY to order her delicious creations! Hurry!

Photography by Sarah Fritzler for A Trace of Sugar Bakery

peanut butter love

especially for Deborah

handmade valentines

Last week's sub-zero weather provided a snow day in which my sisters, mom and I pulled the kitchen table into the living room, watched the BBC Sense & Sensibility and made lots and lots of valentines. We made all of our valentines using supplies we already had on hand (which turned out to be a lot!).

It made for, basically, the perfect snow day.

click images for detail

sisters + valentines

Anna and Deb's valentines to come ...