"progress is the activity of today and the assurance of tomorrow"

i need to get off my ass and start creating beautiful works like this.
but seriously.
i feel like getting caught up in something that stimulates me creatively. i have found myself getting really bored with the mundane ritulas of the working world. but at the same time getting so used to it that im not doing anything to mix it up.
in by 8, home by 5, dinner, tv, bed. every. single. day. blah!
i feel like a hampster in a wheel. constantly doing the same cycle. and just doing it because thats what im supposed to do, not because i want to. all i want is an adventure. but because i cant simply run away right now, i have to find an adventure here, within the life iv got. get off that spinning wheel and do something different.
a new creative project is just around the corner. all i gotta do is make it happen.
but for right now, il marvel at these lovely designs...

(would love to know the designer who did this. but once again, it was just in my archive of inspiring imagery. so to this anonymous designer, you rock. just by the way.)



why hellooooo Kitty!

so iv never been a fan of the felines, but this one... well this one is an exception.
Hello Kitty.

been a fan since the early 90's. yip i had a childhood filled with this cute little kitty cat and her bunny-doogy-bear looking friends. i was into the whole gang (that couldve been worded better).
but seriously. i had the towl, the jewellery, the PJs! in my day, Hello Kitty was the shiz. in fact, she still is! except now that im 22 years old i tend not to admit that to people too much.
i would have to say that this feline phenominon has to be the biggest and most recognised (and loved!) illustrated image out there. so yes, im saying she beats Micky Mouse.
the Hello Kitty industry started in 1974 when she was first designed by Yuko Shimizu as a fictional character for a Japanese company that produced and sold gifts. she was first seen on a vinyl coin purse and as soon as her cute little face hit the public, she became way more than simply just a logo. she got more expressive, with different outfits and even a personality! she was described as kind hearted and bright, loves to collect pretty things and probably the best part about her is that her weight and height was measured in apples! once she was released in the States in 1976 the Hello Kitty franchise only got bigger and bigger. now shes seen on everything from stationery to cell phones to sneakers to tongue rings! there's a wedding dress out there that was made covered in only little miss Kitty White's face.
tail pipes, toilet seat covers, guns! theres an airbus with her face on it! and the list just goes on and on and onnn.
i must admit as adorable and iconic as Hello Kitty is, i did eventually get rid of all my memorabilia (along with the Spice Girls stuff). but while reading up on this illustrative icon, i came across one particular piece of Hello Kitty merchandise i would actually buy. in fact its now on my wish list.
meet the best toaster in the world...... 

:)

my friend, Fear

fear. its something that has been on my mind a lot lately. i feel like my life is surrounded by it, in almost every aspect.
fear of falling in love.
fear of starting a career.
fear of making the wrong decisions.
fear of aging.
fear of change.
a few days ago a friend sent me this quote by entrepreneur, author and public speaker Seth Godin.

...

"Waiting for the fear to subside. There are two problems with this strategy.

A. By the time the fear subsides, it will be too late. By the time you're not afraid of what you were planning to start/say/do, someone else will have already done it, it will already be irrelevant. The reason you're afraid is that there's leverage here, something might happen. Which is exactly the signal you're looking for.

B. The fear certainly helps you do better. The fear-less one might sleep better, but sleeping well doesn't always lead to your best work. The fear can be your compass, it can set you on the right path and actually improve the quality of what you do.

Listen to your fear but don't obey it."

...

this completely changed my perspective.
what a lovely way to view something as daunting as "fear".
i love the idea that fear is there to drive people as opposed to hinder. that it pushes you only to do better and that fear should be embraced, no matter how uncomfortable the feeling may be. so my life filled of fear may be beneficial to me after all.

"i made you a cookie but i eated it"

the 'Pon and Zi' cartoons by illustrator Jeff Thomas are my absolute favorite. originally these sweet little characters were nothing more than doodles in a note pad. until their illustrator discovered their potential and created a large range of comic style illsutrations.
love the dark humour and of course the adorable characters and their render quality.
and the twisted romance behind it is so very appropriate for me right now.

to have a look at the entire collection, check out : http://www.azuzephre.net/azuzephre.net/The_Pon%26Zi_Collection.html 

look look! my work in real life :)

how exciting.!
these are some pics of the folder i designed for a client a few weeks back. must admit, i like the way it all turned out :) happy. little. designer.



embossed.





foiling.

 

more things "cupcake"

another inspiration.
(and its proudly south african too!)

this lovely little blog i stumbled upon (well actually i saw the link on facebook. thank god for social networking, right) i think this is such a sweet idea. to take old vintage items and add a few extra details such as buttons and ribbons (two of my favorite things in the world, no joke) and tadaaa... pretty new accessories :)
have a looksy, and fall in love like i did...

http://lovecupcakecouture.blogspot.com/