LOVING LILLY: BOLD FASHION

It was a serendipitous discovery when my friend and fellow blogger Jeanetta Gonzales emailed us about the Lilly Pulitzer Show in the Palos Verdes Art Center. I am a HUGE fan of Lilly Pulitzer patterns and fashions. Lilly Pulitzer is right up there with Marimekko as my all time favorite colorful inspiration! It's rare to find such a complete collection of Lilly vintage, so I jumped (and even volunteered to head the carpool) at the chance to see the clothes in person. The show exceeded my high expectations! See more instagrams from the show here and check back in the next few days for Lilly Men's ware and Lilly patterns.

AN OPEN SKETCHBOOK: SHOP

Happy Tuesday! In addition to sharing the downloadable calendar from An Open Sketchbook, I wanted to share the pretty lettering and bold watercolors on their printed cards. And, how cute is their little art director? Check out the Etsy Shop here. 

Photos courtesy of An Open Sketchbook

AN OPEN SKETCHBOOK: DESIGN PROCESS

We met Suzanne and Edgar Cabrera at the National Stationery Show. Their colorful, process filled wall immediately caught our eye. It was great chatting with the couple, and learning about their creative journey. What has now grown into the An Open Sketchbook business, began a little over eight years ago as an online creative journal, a place for practice, experimentation. Today, practice and experimentation continue to be at the forefront of what the designers do and value. Edgar and Suzanne love working with their hands, with the materials that have been used for decades past. Their vibrant watercolor sketches and elegant letterforms weave colorful stories, on note cards, illustrated books and art prints. 

In addition to maintaining a line of art prints, cards, and children's goods, Edgar and Suzanne enjoy working on a wide variety of projects from editorial illustrations to watercolor portraits. An Open Sketchbook is the couple's answer to the question, ‘What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?’ 

Shop for their pretty prints and cards here.

Photos courtesy of An Open Sketchbook

BIG BRIGHT BOLD DOWNLOAD 09: AN OPEN SKETCHBOOK

As part of the Big Bright Bold collaborations for 2013, we have a new Desktop Calendar download for the month of September. An Open Sketchbook, founded by Suzanne and Edgar Cabrerra, created the September 2013 artwork. What a clever and pretty desktop calendar! I love the play on "desktop," with a watercolor work surface sketch creating a physical desk for a digital screen. 

Download: Big Bright Bold Desktop Calendar by An Open Sketcbook

An Open Sketchbook is the studio of husband and wife design team, Edgar and Suzanne Cabrera. Working from their home in North Carolina [alongside twin toddler interns], Edgar and Suzanne draw inspiration from family, childhood and a love of visual storytelling, striving to create illustrations that celebrate the best and, often times, overlooked parts of life. Check out the cute interns (and process) on Suzanne's instagram here and Edgar's instagram here. 

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HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Hope you are having a relaxing holiday weekend! I look forward to a pool party, a Palos Verdes field trip (with a group of designer friends to see the Lilly Pulitzer Show) and some much needed beach R&R. Follow the weekend highlights on my instagram.

Card designed by Gabriella Castillo for Evite Postmark. Available here.