The Little Prince illustrated quote . . .

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

Google Images




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

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.

--> ffffound

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

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. 

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. 

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

Cutest dogs ever! . . .

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

Reblogged from here.

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.