Books in Art

For me, the love of paper reaches its pinnacle in book form.  While I easily surrendered buying newsprint in favour of consuming the days news online, I will be the last hold-out clinging to the printed book.  To me there is no greater pleasure than losing oneself in a book and that pleasure is as sensory as it is cerebral; turning the pages, cracking the spine, hugging the book as I carry it on the subway or to the coffee shop… And when I visit a friend’s home, it’s the bookshelf I always make a beeline for, hoping to find something surprising or revealing.  It’s no wonder, then, that I love these artworks that depict book collections.

Cookbooks, 2009, acrylic & oil on masonite, 14 x 18 inches by Holly Farrell

Les rencontres #2 2009 Sérigraphie / Serigraph by Paul Beliveau

Ideal Bookshelf 16, JMM (11×14 print) by Jane Mount

Spineless I, oil on linen, 2010 & Spineless II, oil on linen, 2010 by Victoria Reichelt

“Books in Art” is a guest post by Jane Flanagan of Ill Seen, Ill Said.

Handwritten

Handwriting holds a special kind of allure.  It would be a tough call to decide between using a beautiful font or handwritten calligraphy.  I think I would opt for the latter more times than not.  Nole has certainly featured the very most beautiful calligraphy on paper on this blog.  But, the warmth of the handwritten word is often taken beyond paper too.

I’ve long loved this rug from architect and designer, Joaquim Ruiz Millet who is also a writer, filmmaker and gallery director.  His Manuscrit Rug (2003) is an expression of all of his passions, and features a romantic poem that he wrote in his native Catalan.


Manuscrit Rug from Design Within Reach

There are many more examples of handwriting being transferred to household objects, jewelry and even clothing. Here are a few of my favourites:


1. Human Heart Decoupage by John Derian
2. Jeanine Payer, Edmond necklace from Moondance Jewelry
3. Black Script Large Fabric Thumbtacks by Fabricfarrago
4. Flourish Folio Cushion from Natural History
5. Mr. Darcy Proposal Dish Towel by Brookish
6. Postcup(TM) by Bailey Doesn’t Bark

“Handwritten” is a guest post by Jane Flanagan of Ill Seen, Ill Said.

Kate + Nick: Wedding Invitations

Skeleton Key Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Kate Gabriel

Hello there!  It’s Kate from Wit + Delight, filling in with Jane while Nole takes a well deserved blogging break.  Nole featured our Save the Dates almost a year ago, and I thought it’d be fun to share our wedding invitations with you all.

Skeleton Key Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Kate Gabriel

We knew that we wanted the invitations to be simple and classic, with a vintage twist.  We decided on a somewhat unconventional format, using a blind hit with letterpress for most of the typography, emphasizing our names.  The vellum sheet served as a place to put additional information.  We added subtle details, such as gold edges, vellum wraps, and guests were asked to tear the perforated edge of the rsvp card to return.

Skeleton Key Wedding Ceremony Programs by Kate Gabriel

Our programs integrated some design elements from our save the dates, but still felt classic and refined.  We printed the entire piece digitally, punched holes along the center fold, and tied the piece together with twine.  They turned out beautifully!

{image credits: kate gabriel}

Paper-Inspired Pairings

Hello there!  Jane here from Ill Seen, Ill Said.  For the next five days lovely Nole has given me free rein of her blog.  And although she was open to me blogging whatever my heart desires, I thought it would be fun to try to stay within the “paper” theme Nole’s blog name suggests, but take some playful little liberties.  Today, I decided to come up with some pairings inspired by some of my favourite items from the Oh So Beautiful Paper archives.

1. Dress by Erdem
 2. Invitation by Ma Joie Press, originally blogged here

1. Envelope Clutch by Jessica Jensen
2. Invitations by Hello!Lucky, originally blogged here

1. Sailor’s knot belt by Jennifer Behr
2. Invitation by Faye & Co., originally blogged here

1. Earrings by Joanna Rutter
2. Invitations by Oh Louise!, originally blogged here

1. Dress by Shabd
2. Business cards by Jordan Ferney, originally blogged here

1. Side table by Oly
2. Business cards by Dingbat Press, originally blogged here

“Paper-inspired Pairings” is a guest post by Jane Flanagan of Ill Seen, Ill Said.