Craft Design Technology Pencils

I love writing and sketching with pencils. I can’t remember when’s the last time I bought pencils (probably grade 6?) But I do remember that I had some fancy mechanical pencils back then, which were more convenient to write lots of homework. That’s probably why I didn’t use pencils as often. But now I appreciate pencils more. It just feels so natural to hold a wooden stick in your hand and draw. And who says pencils can’t be fancy? These pencils from Craft Design Technology are quite fancy to me. They make me jolly when sketching!

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Matchstick Coffee

I discovered this hidden gem unintentionally this morning. This new coffee shop – Matchstick Coffee – is tucked in the corner of Kingsway and Fraser in Vancouver. Their pastries are delicious. I regretted that I didn’t take some pictures of my almond croissant, because it’s gigantic! The coffee is great too!

I really love their interior design. It’s very spacious and comfortable, and you can see that they really paid attention to details when building that place – everything is measured & calculated to the right size, even the wooden box in the washroom that carries paper towels.

Their blog shows the whole process of the renovation. It’s quite amazing to see how they could transform a dead place into such a lovely space. They used a lot of reclaimed woods, and gave a facelift to the vault door. In fact, this place was once home to the first Bank of Montreal in Vancouver in 1926, and the vault was the only thing that remained after a renovation in 1970. How cool is that!

// photos from matchstickcoffee.com

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IKEA – New Products

I’m in love with these new, colourful products from IKEA. Yes, from IKEA. Hard to believe, eh? I heard that IKEA Richmond has revamped its entire store and expanded it. I can’t wait to check it out!

1. rug // 2. rug // 3. mirror // 4. throw // 5. curtains

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[In the Studio] Wedding Invitation Suite

This is what the whole package was supposed to look like. Unfortunately, the final package was far from this style. It always sucked when things like this happened, but it didn’t stop me from realizing my vision.

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Piazza del Campo

Piazza del Campo – the magnificent square in Siena, Italy – is one of my favourite places in Tuscany. I’ve visited it twice already, and I’d still love to go back again if I go to Italy.

I took these pictures when I was lying on the square, facing up the sky. Seeing all the medieval buildings surrounding us, I felt that we’re so insignificant in terms of time and space.  We were just tiny dots on the map and in the course of history that happen to be in that place at that time. But those buildings have stood there for more than a thousand years, witnessing everything that had happened on the square. Really, when you think about it, it is pretty amazing…

// some brief history about Piazza del Campo.

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Mom, you’re my hero

mother's day cards, mom, heroMother’s day is three weeks away. I’ve always thought that moms are heroes. They’re always loving, caring, giving, supporting, and they never ask for anything in return. Their altruism makes them the greatest heroes in the world.

This year, I created these cards for those who want to tell their moms that they’re heroes. The design is also available in art prints, for moms who like to hang art on walls. Available for purchase via my Etsy shop.

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Lauren Moffatt

I’ve been pinning a lot. From graphic design to fashion, I’m addicted to pinning any images that are inspiring, or simply eye candies. Only recently I found that a lot of clothing pieces I pinned are designed by Lauren Moffatt. So I went to her website and check out her other stuff, I can say that I LOVE pretty much everything she designed! I also found that she used to be a graphic designer, no wonder that her designs speak to me. The use of pattern, shapes and colours are so playful! Totally the style I love!

blouse // tank // swim suit  // dress

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Calendar Contest

Recently I entered Waffles into a contest organized by BC SPCA, which is to raise funds by voting with donations. The top 12 furry friends with the most donation will be featured in the 2013 calendar.

So, if you’d like to see Waffles’ silly/cute face on next year’s calendar, please vote for him! Your donation will help a lot of animals too! Last year, each animal in the calendar had raised at least $960. You will also get a free calendar if you make a donation!

Visit Waffles’ Tumblr here.

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Edible book?

Some people think that tablet readers will eventually replace all the books. Well, I don’t think so. Look at this. How can you replicate the packaging and the feel of the book when you hold it in your hands with a tablet reader? I still believe in the production value of books. Yes, it is more expensive to produce a book than an e-book, but books like this are definitely irreplaceable.

When I first saw this book, I fell in love with it right away. I thought, I gotta have it! The texture of the cover, the special die-cutting of the book, the different paper used in the book…this is just too beautiful not to have it. And of course, the content is awesome. It collects projects from art, product design, and branding, to packaging, interior design, and jewelry design that are all related to the food culture. It’s a very interesting read.

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[In the Studio] Letterpress Wedding Invites

Just got these “fresh” from the printer! They were printed by a local letterpress printer Modus Paperie & Press, who has done a wonderful job. Although the colour combination wasn’t the same as what I proposed (which was navy with peach pink), I’m still pretty happy with the result.

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[In the Studio] Wedding Invitations

I’ve been busy working on a wedding invitation for one of my friends. Here are some sneak peek of the RSVP cards and stickers. They were both printed and cut by myself.

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French Poster

This is a random poster I found in a restaurant in Paris. The style is so casual, simple, but so “right” for its content (not that I understand French). Awesomeness.

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ling Magazine

ling is an inflight magazine for Vueling, a Spanish low-cost airline that serves destinations in Europe and the western Mediterranean. Vueling probably has the best brand identity design of all the airlines I’ve taken. From luggage tag (I even brought one extra home), boarding pass, to the seat cover, everything is well thought and designed. Not surprisingly, ling is also the most impressive inflight magazines I’ve ever read. I love it so much that I took it with me for the rest of my trip in Europe.

ling is designed by Brands & Roses in Madrid. They call themselves a “content company” with a focus on magazine design. The design of ling is very refreshing. It’s not trying to be “high-end” or a guide book like many other inflight magazines do; rather, its use of bold typography and vivid colours, and how the images and types interact with each other give ling a truly unique personality.

According to Brands & Roses, “Vueling wanted to offer its passengers an inflight magazine that doesn’t feel or look like an inflight magazine.” Honestly, this is exactly how I felt when I first set my eyes on it. Well done, Vueling and Brands & Roses!

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Scallops as a new trend?

where to get: 1. Orla Kiely bag / 2. Tiny Armour necklace / 3. Chloe bikini / 4. J Crew short / 5. Topshop skirt / 6. Chloe flats

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