Sunday, January 4, 2009

2008 Lists of Top Design Blogs, Best Design Articles, Free Downloads and More . . .


Top 90 Design Blogs Ranked by Alexa






Top 25 Ad Blogs for 2008 Ranked by Alexa






Best Design Articles 2008
This site has numerous tutorials & downloads.
It's my favorite site of all!





2008 List of Lists in Every Imaginable Category



You will have to bookmark this post in order to peruse all of these lists. I have barely scratched the surface myself. I found the first two Alexa lists while reading The Denver Egotist and the last two by doing a Google Search. Have fun and don't hate me too much when you get lost reading and clicking. Plowing through everything will be almost like reading the entire internet. I love year-end lists of all kinds, especially the ones that might help me improve my own blog. Enjoy!



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Saturday, January 3, 2009

Rare 1937 Bugatti supercar found in English garage. Could bring $4 million+ at Paris auction . . .

In this undated image released by Bonhams, an extremely rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, is seen in a garage in Gosforth, England, where it was found by relatives after the death of the owner, an elderly doctor who last used it around 1960. The Bugatti, one of only 17 ever made, is expected to draw a record price when it is auctioned in Paris next month. (AP Photo/Bonhams)

LONDON – It was the equivalent of finding an old Picasso or an unknown Beatles tape hidden away in your uncle's attic.
Relatives of Dr. Harold Carr found an extremely rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante — a Holy Grail for car collectors — as they were going through his belongings after his death. The orthopedic surgeon, who died at age 89, was described by relatives as an eccentric hoarder who never threw anything out.
The dusty two-seater, unused since 1960, didn't look like much in the garage in Gosforth, near Newcastle in northern England.
But only 17 were ever made, and when it's cleaned up and auctioned in Paris next month, experts believe it will fetch at least 3 million pounds ($4.3 million) and possibly much more.



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The Little Prince illustrated quote . . .

Quote from The Little Prince, one of my favorite books.

Google Images



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Thursday, January 1, 2009

Paul Newman | Unique Typographic Design . . .

I am amazed by the design creativity exhibited in this 2001 film festival poster that uses a unique combination of typography and photography to so simply convey the quintessential Paul Newman (1925-2008).

It actually took me more than one look to "get it" (you have to crook your neck twice). First to the left; then to the right. I've done it for you below.



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Happy New Year from Benjamin Franklin | Illustrated Quote . . .





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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Lost Portrait by John Everett Millais of Effie Gray discovered in Dusty Attic . . .

A dust-covered painting found behind an old mattress in an attic has turned out to be the work of a famous artist estimated to be worth £50,000. November 23, 2008 -- Somerset, England -- An unnamed 45 year old woman had been given the art work for her ninth birthday in 1972 but stored it in her loft for years and forgot about it until she put her house up for sale. An eagle-eyed auctioneer who was valuing her belongings spotted the oil painting and was stunned when he realized it was by 19th century artist John Everett Millais. As well as being worth thousands, the dusty painting has also shed light on a 150-year-old scandal of a love triangle involving Pre-Raphaelite artist Millais. The portrait is of a woman called Effie Gray who was married to Millais's mentor and art critic John Ruskin at the time. Millais, whose work includes the famous Ophelia painting, met and fell in love with Gray in 1853 while he used her for another painting, the Order of Release. Gray was in a loveless marriage with Ruskin and left him to marry Millais three years later. They went on to have eight children together. The painting, which has Millais's signature on the back, shows Ellie Gray in a "passionate" and thoughtful pose while she was aged in her mid 20s. The 14” x 11” painting was auctioned at Christie's in 1961 and bought by a Bond Street dealer who later sold it. It was eventually bought by the consignor's mother at an art gallery in 1972.

The painting was scheduled to be auctioned at Chilcotts of Tiverton on December 9, 2008. I have looked and looked and can't find the selling price. The website for the auction house will not open. I will update this post when I learn the hammer price. UPDATE: I contacted the auction gallery and learned that this painting was withdrawn at the last minute. Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you. 

Monday, December 29, 2008

Marilyn Monroe photos by Bert Stern sell for $146,500

Associated Press – In this Sept. 9, 1954 file photo, Marilyn Monroe poses over the updraft of a New York subway grate. December 17, 2008 -- NEW YORK CITY A collection of photographs of Marilyn Monroe taken for Vogue magazine the year she died has been auctioned in New York for nearly $150,000. A spokeswoman for Christie's auction house says the 36 photos taken by Bert Stern sold for $146,500 on Tuesday. The pre-sale estimate was $100,000 to $150,000. Christie's says the photos from a 1962 shoot were the last professional images taken of Monroe before she died that year of a drug overdose. They ran in Vogue instead as a memorial. The buyers were anonymous. View 12-photo slideshow here. Bert Stern's best known work is arguably The Last Sitting, a collection of 2,500 photographs taken of Marilyn Monroe over a three day period, six weeks before her death, shot for Vogue. Stern published Marilyn Monroe: The Complete Last Sitting in 1992. In it, he recounted being enchanted by her until a near-intimate encounter after the second day of shooting; he then realized that she was deeply troubled. 

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Mid-Century Modern Pug . . .


This cracks me up. I couldn't resist reblogging this adorable pug puppy in his mini Eames Lounge. I know it has been Photoshopped to death and you have probably already seen it; but for those of you who haven't, here it is in all of its adorable glory. HaHaHa.

Source: A Merry Mishap



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Cutest dogs ever! . . .


Don't you just love these five little dachshunds wearing colorful crocheted scarves on their heads?

Reblogged from here.



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Friday, December 26, 2008

Handmade Fabric Gift Bags I whipped up . . .

I just wanted you to see my last minute Christmas wrapping inspiration. I actually made these gift bags on Christmas Day. I had some awkward presents to wrap and deliver and did not have any boxes. I had some fabric still on the bolt and I quickly whipped up some cloth bags. It couldn't have been easier. I did not iron the seams or anything. Just quickly measured around the item, cut the rectangle, folded it over and sewed down the side and bottom, trimmed the corners, turned inside out, and then did a quick hem at the top. I didn't put a drawstring...not enough time and too much trouble. I just bunched the top and tied with a nice ribbon.

Aren't they beautiful? The recipients might be able to use the bags for something else too! I was so pleased with myself. Sometimes it pays to procrastinate; you have to improvise and great ideas come out of thin air.



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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

My tree is finally up | Merry Christmas . . .

I picked up a really pathetic looking artificial tree at a garage sale last week for $5.00. Now that all the branches have been re-bent and the ornaments are in place I find it to be quite pleasing. I have always had a real evergreen; remember my post about the 600 trees I planted? I just can't bring myself to buy anything but a Charlie Brown tree and the lot nearby that sold them for a reasonable price closed down last year. Now I am set forever.

I decided not to use any lights, just shiny Christmas balls. They reflect the glow from the lamps in the room very nicely. I have other ornaments that I didn't use. The tree looks very old fashioned so I am declaring it finished. Less is more, right?



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Christmas gift suggestions . . .


via kari-shma



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Merry Christmas to all travelers . . .

If you find youself away from home December 25th, try to capture the spirit of Christmas wherever you can find it.

It's out there in some of the most unexpected places!

Enjoy more vintage travel trailer art here.



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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Today is FESTIVUS | Send your cards . . .

Today is FESTIVUS. The made-up holiday created by George Costanza on Seinfeld as an antidote for the commercialization of Christmas.

Read about the Festivus Display at the Illinois Capitol.

Don't forget to send your cards!




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Monday, December 22, 2008

M is for Manicure | Great Logo . . .

I think this letter M is such a clever design for a manicure cutlery company.

I got a vintage pair of pet nail clippers for Webster at at estate sale last week. The company is still in business using this logo. I wonder if MILLERS FORGE products are guaranteed perfect today?



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