Free printable holiday tags

Well, what do you know!  I started fidgeting with a design software that comes with the Windows 7, nothing fancy, and  created a very modern and simple design for my holiday gifts.  I like the simple bold typeface and I hope you do too.  You need a printer and some card stock paper.  You could also print on sticky paper.  Now let's get wrapping!  Download here

I designed this for personal use only. If anyone has a problem viewing or printing the file, please let me know, and I will try to fix right away. Enjoy responsibly.

Handmade jewelry

I have been quietly working on some beaded necklaces for some time now.  I love beads, always have, because they are so organic and bohemian. My favorite pieces of jewelry are necklaces and bracelets.  I have learned to create unique pieces that maybe one day I can sell.  Some are more minimalist, others more boho-looking.  This is a sneak peek of what I have been working on:

 

Would you buy these necklaces? Anyway, I have fun making them, and will gift them to my girlfriends and family.

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in a new "light"

Wow, these images are unbelievable!  Well, as you know well, La Sagrada Familia, is Gaudi's most famous unfinished work.  After Gaudi's death it continues to be worked on by different architects.  And since it was first begun 130 years ago now, it has been built from donations. Gaudí himself said: "The expiatory church of La Sagrada Família is made by the people and is mirrored in them. It is a work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people." The building is still going on and could be finished some time in the first third of the 21st century

So it was absolutely breathtaking to see that Montreal-based studio Moment Factory is helping its cause by celebrating the basilica's intricate design and presenting a figurative interpretation of Gaudi's intent when he created the unique facades of the famous basilica.  The project was realized in front of a crowd of 32, 000 people.  The first multimedia projection on Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia: A large-scale piece, entitled 'ode à la vie', tells the story of rebirth and hope, cast on the basilica’s distinctively intricate nativity façade, presenting a figurative interpretation of the creation of the universe. the work was informed by original color sketches by the renowned architect, for whom color was the 'essence of life'.

Source and Credits via

Home companion: Bookshelves

Photo via

This wrap-around library is the ideal place to get lost from the nagging demands of the everyday.  I would sit here all day long, doing what I like best: reading. The masculine undertone decor is surprisingly calming, with a hint of sophistication.  And I bet this room looks twice as good under the dimming lights of desk lamps at night.  Le sigh!

Also, this smart and innovative bookshop is right up my alley.  And this poignant article about the grave state of the novel confirms my passion for fiction over non-fiction.

If you had space in your house, would you have a dedicated room for books?  Or do you prefer having them all around the house?  I think I would go for the library in a flash.

DIY: Confetti rug

I first saw this DIY on a tablecloth on Oh Happy Day. But I decided to make a rug for my newly painted kitchen.  I chose the same blue color of the wall in another shade for the rug.  Here's what I did and how it turned out. 

Originally my intention was not to photograph this DIY, hence the lack of step by step photos, but since it turned out so great I decided to post the final result.

Spotted: Jenni Juurinen, set designer

For a few years now, I've been slightly obsessed with Scandinavian culture, design and lifestyle.  I'm also drawn to other cultures and lifestyles, especifically the islands of Polynesia (quite the opposite, I know) Scotland, and countries of northern Africa.  I recently discovered the work of Jenni Juurinen, a Finnish set designer and stylist whose set designs, and styling is out of this world.  Her works include TV, film, theater and print credits.  She's also the owner of Little Helsinki, a style blog, and style editor at Deko Magazine. She's my new idol, and I would have never been so addicted to Scandivanian design if it wasn't for her. 

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{Set design by Jenni Juurinem. Photography by Jorma Morstia}

Spotted: Kollection note cards

Kollection is a new online stationery shop with sophisticated, yet affordable stationary.  The kind you want to get for all your personal correspondence.  They also have wedding stationary, and even, a men's collection.  I really do see myself writing a note in one of these.

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Spotted: Cities and their typography

Now that I have started shooting pictures, I find myself drawn to artists who can create new art from old, overused techniques. Take Gokhun Guneyhan's  latest shots. They are brilliant typographic art directions used as design covers for his photography sets.  Typography is the art and technique of arranging type in order to make language visible. Just brilliant.

Cool bookshelves

Remember the Seinfeld episode where Kramer decides to publish a coffee table book about coffee tables?  The new Bookshelf book totes with same concept behind Kramer's idea:  A book about bookshelves to put on your own bookshelf!  The book celebrates the creative ways in which people who love and own books store or display their books around their home or office. And the people who help them reinterpret the humble yet, extremely prized, bookshelf.

Spotted: Umbra shop

This amazing Canadian based homegoods shop offers casual, contemporary and affordable design.  I have my eyes on these items, which I love to own.  That cute cord wrapped stool would look awesome in a nursery.  And the raspberry wine rack would be a cook gift for anyone who loves design and wine. My favorite is the round side table with its mid-century flair.  And that Big Ben clock would look good anywhere, really!