I can never write straight or inside the lines. And when I should be taking notes I'm always doodling anyways.... this inspiration pad by Marc Thomasset is perfect.
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Paper Goods
I know most people tries to start the year with a great new year resolutions and to do things with a clear mind....but I couldn't help but be compulsive when I saw this AWESOME cat calender by Alex Lin (of Studio Lin) and got it!!This lovely piece is a "limited edition 12 month calendar featuring beautiful kittens in United Bamboo Ready-to-Wear."
Each month is of a cat wearing especially designed outfits perfectly tailored & sized for the kitties...I know...Now that's.....purrrrrtty cool.
I really don't think I can get as motivated for the year if I didn't get this!
On top of that, I'm also just a sucker for cleverly designed & packaged item. I just how Alex designs with a tasteful sensibility yet playful at the same time. It comes in a beautiful silk-screened sleeve, and all the number on the dates are blind embossed onto nice glossy paper. The very last page even has all 12 months silver foil stamped as well....drool....
....I think I died a little when I was holding it in my hands and looking at faces of these adorable cats in their fancy outfits...
and of course to top it off....they even included little brief bios about each kitty and even their petpeeves....I know what you're thinking....I'm gonna become a crazy cat lady...
but guess what?.....you probably right...that might just happen.
Finally got to whip out my original Gocco printer since when I first got it at the age of 8! It was one of things where I lugged all the way from Taiwan and to all the places I ever lived but can only remember using it a handful of times....if that many.
But I wanted to make original L&G cards made out of vintage fliers, and what better way to do this than with the Gocco printer!!
I want my future family to look like this....
And here's our product line sheet packet to hand out at the gift fair.
I even bribed some friends with food & wine to help with the assembling them....thanks Lauren, Nathan, Christine & Nick!! I'm lucky to have friends who are always game for all the "work" parties that I host! :D
Despite the fact that the products we're planning on showing at the NYIGF aren't even fully flushed out yet, I've decided to jump ahead anyways designing our handouts & postcards. Even though there are other WAY more higher priority things that I should be doing...But I just can't help it...plus I need my instant gratification with small projects like this to feel more accomplished....
These are just some iterations....I'd like to silkscreen or Gocoo print over all these one of a kind vintage postcards. I just love the quality of how they feel, look, and....oh how I even love the slight dusty old basement smell! 
I know spending time to print them individually for these postcards isn't the best solution in terms of saving time or money. But it's more satisfying this way to make something fun (at least for now!), plus it's all the small details that counts, right?
It's especially funny since I recently read this post from Chelsea of plainMADE doing the same thing where she's also printing her own postcards (they're beautiful though!)....and the idea of "impractical" labor.
I like that I'm not the only one being "impractical" and "ineffecient" :D 
But really, there's no right or wrong about how to go about things like this. I think if ultimately someone grabs one of our postcards and feel the NEED to keep it because it feels more special, then all the work & time is well worth it!
I like the idea that whoever takes it will want to keep it for whatever reason and put our card on their fridge or inspirations board...or even if someone is moving and is going through their things that they'll look at our card and decides to put it in the keep pile amongst other valuable & inspirational photos/cards/letters and takes it with them.
Wouldn't that be nice?....I think so.
Can you imagine a world where people can receive postcards and garden at the send time? They're two totally separate unrelated concepts...How is that possible?!?Believe it or not, this seemingly unreachable concept is now turned into a reality and will forever change how we live our lives!
I hereby present you (someone elses' invention)....Postcarden!!! These are postcards where you can send and grow a little garden!
This really proves that us humans are truly amazing beings..With all the great technology we have in combination with our natural desire to push the limit, things that are seemingly impossible are being created every second by great inventors, researchers, designers and more....and every Guinness World Record are getting broken every other day where every other town are trying to create the next world's biggest cookie, pizza or hamburger!!
I suppose this is what makes us so unique....its our desire to always want to reach for the stars....
And indeed are these wonderful Postcarden a great invention of 2010 (for now)! They provide the best of both worlds for people like me who enjoys writing & receiving postcards AND gardening!!
I have to say..I like these WAY better than those creepy Japanese robot inventions they're creating these days. Creeeeepy...
This really makes me think that anything IS possible.....I guess that's why people always say "Never say never!"....But there's is an exception....I'm pretty certain that I would never EVER want to eat any world's BIGGEST anything!
This is where two concepts of "food" and "biggest" should NEVER EVER be combined together!!
L&G got blogged on one of my favorite blog...Oh Joy! Joy's blog shares an aray of inspiration from handmade goods, to international designs, to homegoods, to fashion and beyond. Not only does she have a fantastic blog, she also has her own line of beautfiul paper goods, Nantaka Joy and runs Oh Joy Studio. 
Just reading about her client list, accomplishments and work makes me feel like I'm the biggest slacker! I feel shameful.....How does she manage to do it all?!....only god knows...and I suppose Joy herself would know, too.
In any case, I was thirlled to be mentioned on her blog...or should I say that I was more overJOYed! eh?
A dear friend of Chikabird Inc. (my other business with another partner, Chika) recently had a studio opening. We're lucky to tell you that this dear of ours friend is Herman Yu of beautifully designed paper goods. With Herman's uncanny sense of style, she had created a delightful studio space, which was indeed an inspiration to see. Oh, the warm sunlight filled room, the open airiness of the space, and all her nature inspired designs....I can see myself hanging out there all day....if only Herman would let me. :)
Read more about Herman's opening via Birdhouse Blog by Chika!
