POLAROID, OH, POLAROID

I am currently bidding on so many packs of Polaroid 600 film (my new obsession) that if I win all of my bids on Ebay for my maximum price I might be shelling out nearly $400 tomorrow for film  . . . oops!  Since Polaroid film is no longer being manufactured I suppose I can look at it as an investment.  Check out some of my recent photos at my Polaroid-dedicated portfolio: http://kajpolaroid.carbonmade.com (excuse the graininess and slightly yellow color of the photos - my scanner is broken and I had to rephotograph each piece of film). Are you a fellow Polaroid lover?  Here are some links to get your automatic film mojo going:

• some lovely Polaroid blogs: everday polaroid, my polaroid (I have written about Jen before - lovely!), nectar & light 
• an article about a man who took a polaroid every single day for nearly 20 years
• Save the Polaroid online petition site
• Polaroid focused books: For the Love of Light (out July 2008), The Polaroid Book (a survey of Polaroid's collection)
• and for the ultimate instant film fanatic: Photobooth.net (a comprehensive site dedication to the classic four panel photo booth)

WE CAN ALL BE DALI (OR JOHN WAYNE)

This little set of stamps makes my upper lip tickle just thinking about them!  Girlontherocks (a fun store on Etsy) is selling this cheeky little 'stache kit for a tempting $21.  Too steep?  There are mustache mirrors and bottle openers for a more palatable price . . . 

ANOTHER THING OF BEAUTY AT UPPERCASE GALLERY

HOME SWEET HOME

I love this idea (as seen on Sugar City Journal) of papering your stairs.  Now I just need a house to decorate with hidden smiling faces and pretty patterns.  Can you think of a better way to head to bed than seeing this cute little laughing boy?  Sweet giggling dreams ahead . . . 

SISSEL JOHANNESSEN IS REALLY REALLY COOL

   

Sissel Johannessen was featured a while back on the type-based blog Serif (where else) and I instantly developed a major design  crush.  Sissel's work is fresh and fun - the Post-It note font (seen on the left; each letter is cut from the standard square yellow Post It note and is blocky and swiss-cheese like) and the posters for a scary movie festival (Blood & Popcorn; the posters cut to the heart of the movie: Janet Shower Knife, Johnny Axe Door) are the right combination of sass and cleverness.  Truly lovely stuff.  Check out more at Sissel's website here.

p.s. I also like the "About" section on Sissel's website.  It reads, "24 years old.  Brown hair.  164 cm.  Shoe size 38.  At the moment 47 freckles.  10 short nails and a pair of glasses."

FORGIVE ME!

. . . I have been away from the O.I. too long.  My Etsy store has been neglected, blog posts have been infrequent (to non-existent), and in general I have had trouble getting excited about sitting down to Blogger and getting my thoughts/inspiration/wishes out to you, my lovely reader.  BUT NO MORE!  I promise some exciting things are coming your blog reading way.  Get excited for new finds, fabulous artists, some of my recent photos and lots and lots of paper goods (I've got some finds from last week's Stationery Show in NYC)!

HEHEHEHEHE . . .

So (as I mentioned earlier) I had a tough week last week.  This week is much better (a little fun day with my boy tomorrow, a jaunt to Block Island this weekend etc.) but I decided to seal the deal with a couple small treats to myself.  First and foremost this piece by Douglas Wilson (which I have written about before and fit in nicely with my love of maps) called "Make Your Own Path" and sold through Keep Calm Gallery.  The second treat (which I have had my eye on for months) is the Multi-Stem Big Zip Wallet by Orla Kiely - newly re-released on her website here.  Everyone needs a little treat sometime, right?

AROUND THE WORLD

First things first:  many many apologies for being MIA recently.  This past week has been a whirlwind of activity (thanks to all those folks who came to visit me at Newton Open Studios despite the gorgeous weather!  It was a success!) and I am happy to say that I am now back in action.  To get back in the swing of things I thought I would highlight items with my favorite subject matter: MAPS!

Here are just a couple of examples I found in my perusing of Etsy (it almost hurts me to tell other people about them since I want them all for myself!), from top to bottom:

1. Rand McNally Portrait Globe, whiteelephantvintage
2. Crossing Paths, amandajean
3. Atlas Envelopes, Bombus

Need to get your map fix in person?  I recently discovered two major map-related sites in Boston: A) the Globe Corner Bookstore in Cambridge which only sells maps, travel guides and travel related literature and B) the Mapparium in the Christian Science Center, a 3-story  stained glass globe.  Perhaps one day you will find yourself there . . . 

MORE THINGS I WANT (AKA DROOLING CONTINUED . . . )

Don't you just want to reach through the screen and cuddle them?  In my continued (frankly, lifelong) quest to get a dog I am doing "research" over at Daily Puppy.  Check out the cutesters here!

I'M BACK (AND I WANT THINGS!)

I am sorry I have been away.  I had a lovely weekend at home hanging out with my family, seeing old friends, and all in all being weirded out by the fact that everything had changed (at my high school) and nothing had changed.  Isn't that always the case though?  Anywho, I have a crazy busy week and apologize in advance if posts are few and far between.  As a little tease, please accept this post with a portion of my wishlist for books (from top to bottom):

1. Lines & Shapes, volume 2, Lines & Shapes
2. Modern Dog, 20 Years of Poster Art, UPPERCASE Gallery
3. 20th Century Pattern Design, UPPERCASE Gallery
4. Thinking With Type, UPPERCASE Gallery
5. Petite Pattern Books, UPPERCASE Gallery

Can you tell that I like the UPPERCASE Gallery?  Probably good that it is in Canada, or else I would be tempted to walk in and buy everything in the store!  Although they do sell online . . . .

GOING HOME . . .

I am going home for the weekend - my 5th year high school reunion & mother's day - so there will be a little break between posts until Monday.  Until then, have a fabulous weekend!

LEMON TWIST

Have you ever had one of those moments where you find something new you really like only to realize that you heard about it first a long time ago?  That's what happened last week when I discovered the very very cool website of "Lemon Twist" - a unique clothing store run by the cool couple in the photo above: Danette and Eric Scheib.  I saw their article in ReadyMade magazine last summer and loved the idea of literally "screen printing" clothing, aka using a chicken wire screen to stamp fabric.  Their website highlights their bright ideas perfectly, with an intro page that shows a funky control panel and collection pages that show clothes hung by big funky clips.  Check out the Lemon Twist website here.

TODAY THE OI IS 1000!

Today "the obsessive imagist" blog marked 1,000 unique hits!  Thank you, lovely, wonderful reader - keep up the good work! Here's to a thousand more!

CALL YOPLAIT, STAT!

This spoon is genius!  I am definitely an advocate of eating the last bit of everything . . . see more photos of this clever little spoon here.  Now all we have to do is get this in yogurt lids . . . 

CAN I HAVE THIS TOO?

I really like this room too.  Even though I am not much of a yellow person, I love the transformation of this run-of-the-mill Ikea bed (previously silver, revamped with a coat of this mustard color) and the relaxed color palette.  I am going for the same loose grouping above my bed right now - seeing this inspires me to change it up  a bit.  See more exciting DIY creations here at day-lab diy.  (p.s. This is where I heard about the Apartment Therapy room, not surprising that I would like the blogger's own room as well . . . )

ARTHUR'S CIRCUS IN APARTMENT THERAPY

I want this apartment.  I am not sure if I can collect all of these cool things (I love the antique bowling pins!), but I sure am going to try!  Check out all the pictures of this apartment at Apartment Therapy here.

FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO!

I hope you have a festive day filled with spanish-themed fun!  Need party goodies?  Find everything from grass skirts to mini Oscar statues, here at Plum Party.  Until then, fiesta time!

THIS IS A HOBO SUIT DARLING!

I am sure by now everyone has seen "The Incredibles", but has anyone properly enjoyed the glory that is Edna E. Mode?  The movie has been playing on repeat this weekend on the Disney Channel and Edna's pearls of wisdom are just too precious (and too apt) not to share with you all.  My favorite (and possibly my new mantra):

I never look back darling!  It distracts from the now!

It's rainy and gross out today.  Go watch "The Incredibles" and let Edna brighten your day.

TOOTHPASTE FOR DINNER, HEHEHE

Toothpaste For Dinner makes me laugh.  Every properly set table should have a pimp chalice, no?  Doesn't Martha always say that?

JOHN POUR HOME

I am digging these throw rugs, even though they are totally impractical (made of felt, hard to vacuum).  I like the fact that the silhouetting of the words allows the hardwood to show through . . . Find them here at John Pour Home.

THE CANS FESTIVAL

Just in via the Wooster Collection: the Cans Festival in London on May 3, 4 & 5.  Featuring stencil art graffiti artists from all over the world, the festival's location is kept secret until the moment the festival starts.  There are only a couple Rules of Engagement:

1. stencils only (no freehand lettering or characters)
2. no going over other artists' work
3. there will be a lot of security

I am keeping my eye on the Wooster Collective for photos and more information on the festival.  Until then, enjoy this cheeky piece by Banksy.