Charming Ink blog redesign! Like it or loathe it?
You may have noticed a pretty big change in the look of the site if you've stopped by lately. I got some comments from some readers (okay, my mom) that the subtle colors in the previous version of the site were a little difficult to read because of the contrast being low. I took this under advisement and started playing around with color to see if I could come up with a new palette that satisfied the contrast request while still matching my aesthetic sensibilities. It soon became apparent that a completely new direction might be in order and so I've redesigned the site based on one of my earlier visions for the charming ink logo. I'd love to hear your comments.
Freehand sewing embroidered apparel by Imago Drift
Oh yeah. This is talent. Each garment and accessory is first sketched and then sewn to order, freehand, on the artist's Singer sewing machine. Who knew thread could look like a pen and ink drawing? Apparently the talented artist behind the Etsy shop IMAGO drift. Stitch on!
Gallery wrap canvas prints
I really like the way gallery wrapped canvas looks with the art or photography stretching around the sides. I've wanted to play around with some old photographs for quite some time and I've found two places that offer this service for canvas prints. One is Custom Canvas Prints (currently offering free shipping with code UB671) and the other is Artistic Photo Canvas. There's a wealth of tutorials and tips on their blog for aspiring photographers.
Sycamore Street Press, hand-printed letterpress
Oooo. Pretty. I like the funky style over at Sycamore Street Press. Especially the La Vie en Rose art print. Everything is printed on a Vandercook #3 letterpress. Buy online or click here for a list of retailers.
Free font download ~ The King & Queen
Nice script font with some rough-hewn flair over at dafont.com called The King & Queen. Personally I think it's perfect for a little yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
Retiro Park in Madrid
The Jardines del Retiro de Madrid (Garden of the Pleasant Retreat) are an incredible example of garden and landscaping design. Started in the late 1500's the gardens are one of the most popular desinations in Madrid for locals and tourists alike. These trees in particular fascinated me. They look like something out of a Dr. Seuss story.