Whitehouse.gov

A timely follow-up to the last post . . . a new look for Whitehouse.gov.

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A Letter to President-Elect Obama from a Young Designer

This article shares a unique look at ways the Obama administration could change the world . . . of design, not that I anticipate that being their top priority.

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Do or Die for Artists

As the year draws to a close, many artists and designers spend a little bit of time reflecting on the body of work they have created in the previous year and dreaming of projects they'd like to tackle in the new year . . . if only there were the time! I stumbled onto this interesting "Do or Die List for Artists" (which is actually from over a year ago) and thought I'd share it here as a nod to this reflecting time.

For me, 2008 was a year of stretching out slowly again--doing more painting, getting some work displayed in a small shop, but I do hope to get my feet under me with some more disciplined artistic efforts in 2009. Do you have any goals as you look ahead?

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All is not lost . . .

The ever-popular Polaroid "insta-magic" is sadly losing market-share to the more cost-effective, more forgiving digital photography revolution. But that's not to say that you can't still enjoy the nostalgic love of the classic Polaroid look. A new site called Poladroid offers you the opportunity to transform any photo for free with a simple software download (currently only for MAC users, but hang tight PCs--your version is on the way!)

• Easy to use : Drag & Drop
• Generate High-resolution pictures (400 dpi), "ready-to-print" with a Polaroid design
• Funny : only 10 treatments per session, like the content of a cartridge; interactive; random and realistic Polaroid-like colors variation...

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Snowed-In Fun!

Here's a "starter" list of fun things to do when you're snowed in. Feel free to leave a comment with more suggestions:

• re-arrange furniture • call friends • take naps • watch the list of closings and delays on the local news • eat breakfast in bed • workout • paint your fingernails • try a new craft • try a new recipe • dance • stand on your head • learn some new jokes • read a good book • write snail mail • practice new words in a language you studied in school • water your plants • take a bubble bath • make fun of infomercials • pack up old clothes to be taken to a thrift store • find things you've borrowed and forgot to return • play disco music • play swing music • play latin music • download new music • update your computer software • backup your hard-drive • clean • no, really clean • start planning your summer vacation • throw things away that you don't use and no one ever will • make a smoothie • sit on lawn furniture in the living room and talk about how "balmy" it is out today • wear a costume • mix-n-match clothes you wouldn't normally wear together just in case they accidentally look great • watch Bill Murray movies • make muffins and take them to a neighbor you don't talk to very often • file your medical records • pay bills • invent something • doodle • then really draw • make a "positivity" collage and hang it on your refrigerator, desk or wall • read magazines • soak your feet in warm, soapy water • stretch • research a historical figure you've thought about but never really learned much about • take surveys online • make a sandwich • clip coupons • take digital photos of the snow • sing

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Linky

It's been a while since I've given you a post full of random links to interesting (yes) stuff, so here we go:

Bacon Scarf: Yes, That's Right
Cut & Paste Tour: Motion Graphics Competition
Quit Your Day Job: 2ReVert
Holiday Book List from SpeakUp : Drool
Apocalyptic Christmas Cards: Photoshopped Seasonal Gloom Gallery
Seth Godin's Blog

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I Baked!

I decided that surviving the holidays would be easier if I had some low-calorie cookies to take to some of those events that'll have lots of mysterious high-calorie sweets. These Low-Calorie Molasses Cookies are only 28 calories per cookie . . . AND they're cute!


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Looks Like . . .

Feels like
Time flying
Unhindered by gravity
Days stretching
With a low sigh
Into evenings
Into yesterdays.

CREATIVITY TIP: Allow yourself to think silly thoughts and to be wrong sometimes.

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Twelve.

A rather traditional take on the number 12 (=1 dozen) to celebrate the 12th.
The simple forms are given a second layer of beauty with vintage fabric adornment.

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