Royal Mail Olympics 2012 Stamps - Studio David Hillman

Last post before the long weekend! These stamps were designed by Studio David Hillman for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Blanca Gomez

Whimsical illustration work by Madrid based illustrator and designer Blanca Gomez. Check out her website with more of her work here.

[image credits: Blanca Gomez]

Keeping Customers for Life - Toronto Public Library

The Toronto Public Library has some amazing online resources - and you don't even need to have a library card! One of those resources is the Business and Personal Finance Blog. This post below highlights a couple ways to keep your customers coming back. There are also three books it recommends which are available at the Toronto library, but most likely could also be found at your local branch. Check out both the blog and this post here.

[image credit: Toronto Public Library]

Typography Accessories

I am a self-professed typography nerd which is why this post from Mashable was right up my alley! See two of my favourites below and the rest of the items here:

[image credits: Helvetica necklace - Plastique, Type Trumps cards - Firebox]

Illustration by Brett Manning

Loving the detail in the texture of this illustration by Brett Manning. Check out more of her work here...http://www.brettisagirl.com/






(image credit: Brett Manning)

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company

In honour of Comic-Con, I thought that it was time to feature this shop which is located in in New York City. The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company sells, you guessed it, supplies for superheros (and villians when they provide reference letters!) but the best part is that the store funds a program called 826NYC, a non-profit organization that supports children with their creative writing skills. I compiled a few of my favourite items in the picture below, but check out the links to find out more for yourself!

[image credit: Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.]

Referrals

This is a great article from the American Express OPEN Forum written by John Jantsch, of Duct Tape Marketing, about referrals. He outlines 5 truths which are listed below:

1) People make referrals because they need to
2) All referrals involve risk
3) People don't refer boring businesses
4) The greatest referral truth is trust
5) Marketing is a system

Check out the full article here.



[image credit: Gabriella Fabbri]

Business Card - Christoff Development Corporation

A new project recently completed - thanks Mom and Dad for all the support!

Founding Roots Logo - car sticker

Last month I designed a logo for Founding Roots Life Coaching and Counselling. The owner, Ashley Tyms, had a sticker made for the back window of her car and I think it looks fabulous!!!

[image credit: me]

Business Cards & Social Media

Mashable/Business posted a great article (with images) about how your business card can promote your social media presence. Some of the examples are obvious with direct design references to Facebook and Twitter while others are more subtle with a chat bubble surrounding the social media links or even just making sure to include Facebook and Twitter addresses on a generic business card. Check out the article here and see my own business card design below unfortunately void of my social media links, but that's why I only printed 500!

Garden Love - Terrain at Styler's

I was never really interested in gardening until I stumbled upon Terrain at Styler's, a garden/home store in Pennsylvania. Click on the photos for the sources.

  

[image credit: shopterrain.com]

Technology to save money?

This article from Mashable/Business has extremely useful tips on how small businesses can save money using technology. Highlights include using Beta software (software in development) that is often free, as well as developing marketing social marketing programs through Facebook and Twitter.

Check out the full article here.

Sweetness for a Monday morning...

Check out this round-up of candy photography...mmmm! Seen here.

[image source: click here]

Vintage Stickers

I have a collection of vintage stickers from the 60s and 70s that my Dad's uncle had kept for years (he was a fellow pack rat like myself) and while organizing all my craft and art supplies I came across a few adorable ones I had to share.

Vintage Gift Bags & Wrap

At a garage sale in May, I bought a box full of gift bags much to my husband's dismay since I am a perpetual pack rat. Although I originally bought the bags for the useful purpose of not having to pay $4-$5 each time I gave a gift, I was so excited when I started sorting through the bags and found some real vintage gems!

[image credit: me]

The bag with the men's dress shirt is my favourite and it even says "Made from 100% cotton" on the inside collar and then "Not made from 100% cotton" on the bottom! The strawberry pattern is actually wrapping paper that was stuck in between a couple of the bags and the one with the kittens has two different illustrations, one on each side.  I may never give these bags away!

Italian Stationary

When I started to express an interest in stationary, my husband's grandma, Doris Taylor, started to collect things I could use for making custom cards as well as her own cards she has received that I could use for inspiration. This note card set from Italy is one of my favourites. The colours are so vivid with tiny bits of metallic gold that shimmers throughout the design.

I am so excited to integrate some of these tried-and-true techniques she has introduced to me into my card making process!

Olivia Bee

liam, originally uploaded by Olivia Bee.

Olivia Bee is a 16-year-old American girl who is keeping a photo diary using film (yes film, not digital) and scans in a couple photos a day. Teenage years go by so fast, but her photos seem to slow down time. Check out her flickr page here...http://www.flickr.com/people/-oliviabee-/

Home Office Inspiration at DesignSponge

Setting up a home office? Check out the photos compiled at DesignSponge of various home offices from lofts, to closets and hallways - any space can be transformed! One of my favourites is Christie Chase's office seen below. For the rest click here.

Tips from Canadian Youth Business Foundation Convention

This is the first post that falls under the category of "Tips and Tricks" for small businesses. The Young Entrepreneur Summit took place in June and the Biz Launch Small Biz Blog noted top ten key points from the event. My favourite is #6 "Business is not something you do to make a living, it's something you do to make a life." The rest of the points can be found here.

Karen von Hahn

I was very excited to see Canadian style writer Karen von Hahn doing a guest post for the Dwell Studio blog. Check out her weekly column in the Toronto Star and here blog here.

Fine Day Press - Popsicle Note Cards

It is sweltering here! Although I would love a real popsicle right now, these gorgeous watercolour cards from Fine Day Press seen on On So Beautiful People will do!

[image credit - Fine Day Press]

Jon Contino

Loving the expressive illustrations and hand-drawn typography by illustrator, Jon Contino, seen on Friends of Type...

Happy Canada Day and NFB

In honour of Canada Day and a great Canadian resource, The National Film Board of Canada, check out this short animated film (around a minute long) of the Canadian flag turning into profiles of two people interacting. You can watch hundreds of films on the NFB website where some of my favourites include Ryan, and Madame Tutli-Putli.