Bluebirds fly

Just because Joplin, Missouri happens to be an American mid-west town close to my heart, I thought I'd share these lovely prints. St.Louis Based Moosylvania put together a series of posters to benefit relief efforts in the recently tornado-stricken city. Each poster is signed by the artist and screen printed by hand to order. All proceeds will be donated to the Southwest Missouri chapter of United Way to aid in the economic reconstruction.

Support UnitingWorld in the 2011 City2Surf

Asking any of the Boheem Team members if they're interested in running the City2Surf is like asking if they could please run a quick errand to North India. I put the question out there, and all it does is start a conversation about what running "used to be like", and the comparing of notes of when the last time any of us actually ran for a bus.

I digress. Rob Lutton of UnitingWorld is taking one for the team and running the City2Surf to help raise money for Relief and Development and their work among those living in poverty in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Click here if you'd like to donate.

Dear Photograph

Ever looked at your old pictures and wondered what happened to your favourite treehouse, park or the front porch of your first family home? This blog is dedicated to user submitted photographs re-shot in the same location as they were originally taken. The result is a cute glimpse into past childhood memories and family moments. It's amazing how little some things change. Can't wait to dig out some old photos and try it myself!

http://dearphotograph.com

Wanna be a Movie-Maker?

These infographics made for Canal+ take the cake. I'm not sure if the point is to make clear just how easy it can be, or just how hard it is to make a movie... but I've got a feeling it's the latter. One thing I know, is that I like the designer's approach and I wish I knew who he/she was. In any case, next time you find yourself thinking your true unearthed vocation is actually in making horror movies, simply refer back to the relevant diagram and wah-la! You'll be underway before you can say "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

Oliver Nieder

Brrr! It's c-c-c-cold in Sydney at the moment. Ok, so maybe not nearly as icy as it becomes in other parts of the world... or even other parts of this country. But my 50% wool jacket just doesn't seem to be cutting the mustard early in the morning when I leave for work! Check out these beautiful wintery shots by Oliver Nieder. His work has an eerie stillness to them which makes me feel a little uneasy but lured in at the same time.

Marise Maas

Maybe it's the horses which make me love this artist's work so much. Marise Maas lives and shows in Melbourne, and her paintings seem to hold a happy naivety which makes me wonder how she knows where to begin and when to end.

Boris Pelcer

Beyond having a wonderful name, Boris Pelcer is very talented and I adore his self-promoting business cards. Wish I'd a) thought of that and b) had the time and patience to create something so thoroughly detailed and beautiful for our own studio...

Type Feast

Stumbled across this very inspiring Tumblr site the other day called Twenty-Six Types. It's the brainchild of Craig Wills and is simply about celebrating beautiful letters. So very inspiring... I can't see what'll be posted next. Thanks, Craig!!

My type of typewriter

The typewriter is dead... long live the typewriter. This old, beloved letter-making machine has captured the hearts of a handful of illustrators and gift-makers: Christine Berrie, Rachael King Birch, Tabitha Emma, The Bold Banana, and Ask Alice.

Wallpaper from the 70s

Bling it up, people! I'm not really sure if decorating with wallpaper is on its way in or out, but honestly I don't really care. These designs from Wallpaper From The 70s are just beautiful. I'm sure I can find something to cover with some of these gorgeous patterns...

Knock Knock

Don't you just love a list. As far as I'm concerned, if it's written down somewhere it's as good as done. Check out these quirky note pads from Knock Knock: they make a quirky gift idea... but in the interest of achieving ultimate order in my own life, I think I might grab a couple for myself. Order online from the US Knock Knock website or here in Oz from Hart and Heim.

Chocolate Cheesecake – Yum!

Here's a great recipe my neighbour Rachelle is locally famous for. She was kind enough to share it with me, even though it's officially her trademark dessert dish...

Chocolate Cheesecake

Serves 8+ Prep 20 mins Cook 50mins

Ingredients

200g digestive bicuits, crushed

105g unsalted butter, melted

500g light cream cheese at room temp

200g vanilla yoghurt

1 cup caster sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

150g dark chocolate (or chocolate bar) melted, cooled.

1. Line a 20cm springform pan with baking paper. Combine biscuit and butter and press into base of pan. Chill for 20 mins.

2. Preheat oven to 160C. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, yoghurt and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.

3. Pour half of cheese mixture over crumb base. Spoon over melted chocolate. Top with remaining cheese mixture. Using a skewer, gently swirl chocolate into cheese mixture, taking care not to over-mix.

4. Bake for 45-50 mins, until cheesecake just sets. Turn off oven and cool in closed oven. Chill overnight before serving.

From the December 2009 Australian Good Food Recipe Book.

Thinking outside the 1080px window

http://www.daniel-ng.com/home.html

http://www.correapablo.com.ar/

http://www.cheesecupid.com/

http://www.screenbites.co.uk/

http://noonebelongsheremorethanyou.com/

Just thought I'd share with you some of the very creative, quirky and clever websites I've stumbled across over the past week or so. The last one was pointed out to us by our client, copywriter Siobhan Doran. Thanks, Siobhan!

Should I work for free?

Today I'm wondering if Jessica Hische is actually one person. She's so prolific I'm not sure how she could be. Or perhaps she really truly loves her craft so much that she can't help but come home on a Saturday night and get to work creating more beautiful, timeless typography and amazing illustrations.

Apparently, when she has an extra minute to spare, Jessica creates online joys such as this diagram for us all to have a giggle and do a little self reflection. This one's about whether there are, in fact, circumstances we designers should work for free. Go to the link and ensure to start in the middle. I checked through and as far as I can see, the pro bono work we've just begun for Unicef qualifies...

Ink Alphabet

Giuseppe Salerno is an Italian Graphic Designer whose beautiful hand-made letters and numbers have me smiling. They're drawn with chinese ink on smooth paper, and each character has been made with confidence and care. You can buy and download both collections on the Behance Network.