DIY STRIPED CLIPBOARDS

I mentioned a few posts ago, that I've been creating quick, fun (and often print-inspired) DIYs twice a month on the blog of Art Star Gallery + Boutique, a longtime handmade shop here in Philadelphia.  Last week, I took some of my old clipboards and jazzed them up with some screenprinted stripes.  Sometimes I'll do anything to encourage a little organization and bookeeping in my studio!

For the full tutorial, go to Art Star's blog post, where you can read all the juicy how-to details.

While you're at it, check out the posts by Christie Sommers of West Oak Design - my fellow blogger in craft!

GIVEAWAY WITH CLEANLINE STUDIO

For those of you in the Philadelphia area who have your hand and heart on the pulse of all things design-oriented, you're probably already a fan of the Cleanline Studio Blog.  If not, you should be.  Run by Sarah Stone, her blog and studio are spot-on in terms of refreshing color palettes, graphic design finds, and so much more.

She and I have partnered together for a fun, little (BIG) giveaway of some of my Bonnie Kaye Studio textiles.  Head over to her blog to enter to win two of my linen pillows - 1 lumbar pillow + 1 square throw pillow.  And the best part, you get to pick the designs if you win!

This isn't Publisher's Clearing House or the state lottery, folks.  Your odds are pretty darn good.  Good luck!  You have until 4/18 to enter.

Image via Cleanline Studio Blog

PINEAPPLE PATTERN ALERT

It's springtime (thank goodness) and it's time to celebrate.  What better way to cheers to warmer days that with a festive pattern alert: PINEAPPLE.  I can't lie and say I have a finger on the pulse of all these trending (heavens no), but I've been seeing pineapples a lot lately, like A LOT.  I associate pineapples with Charleston, SC, one of my favorite cities, as well as Hawaii, a place I'm dying to visit.  In other words, pineapples transport me to warm, relaxing places, which probably explains why I'm digging on these pattern prints so much.  I mean, how can you not love these funky-shaped fruits?

Image Credits, top to bottom / Dan Hallett / Georgiana Paraschiv / Source / Source

PRINT CRUSH: BLOCK SHOP

As a printmaker, I get printmaker crushes.  I think it's pretty natural.  I figure most of us, in whatever industry we are in, find others in our own field and think, dang that's hot.  

When I first came across, Block Shop Textiles, it was definitely crush at first sight.  Founded by two sisters in Los Angeles, Hopie and Lily Stockman, Block Shop works with artisans and master printers in India to produce stunning and graphic scarves/throws/wraps/whateveryouwanttocall them.  As their name implies, scarves are block printed and naturally dyed, creating gorgeous patterns.  

The company  also helps employ and provide health care to its workers in Bagru, India - something I admire greatly.

So yeah, I totally have a print crush on these guys.  I think it's pretty understandable, no?  And PS, my birthday is in September.  Just sayin'.  

Images via Block Shop