We Go Together ///// Persimmon & Aqua

For the first time ever, Sycamore Street Press has interns! I'll be highlighting these lovely ladies in another post or two, but first I'd like to show you what one of them has been up to. In addition to helping us with tasks around the printshop, Caroline Woods is creating pretty little mood boards like this for a new blog column: We Go Together.

TopShop nude t shirt, $130Cotton skirt, $20 Zara woven shoes, $80 Marc jacobs shoulder bag, $462 ASOS watch, $52 Isharya brass bangle bracelet, £65 Sandra Dini 18k gold jewelry, $1,160 Illamasqua S/S 11 Toxic Nature Collection Nail Polish, $23 Who Love You?, $35

Looking Lovely ///// The Big Blue Sea

Well, it looks like I'm in a summery mood this week. And nothing says "summer" to me more than the ocean. I miss it.

Images ///// Wolfgang Uhlig at Lumas Editions.

Style Snapshot ///// Summer Nostalgia

Summer is finally here!

Thinking about this season always makes me nostalgic. Lanyard bracelets, It Must Have Been Love, green hair, fresh watermelon, Zinka sunscreen, Salt Water Sandals, The Beach Boys, and boogie boards were a few of my summer staples growing up.

What reminds you of summer?

Images ///// Noir Jewelery via Style.com ///// Miami Opti Moms

Sycamore Street Press //// Sycamore Tattoos No. 2 & 3

Friends and photographers Brooke Marie and Ashley Norquist just got matching tattoos. Aren't they cute?! The tattoos are based on an illustration from the Click Click Click letterpress art print designed by our girl Steph.

Remember the first Sycamore tattoo? If anyone else has one or is thinking of getting a tattoo based on one of our designs, we'd love to see it!

Our Little Life ///// To All The Dads

I'm sorry this is so incredibly late, but I still wanted to wish you a Happy Father's Day!

(This is me and my dad circa 1985.)

Our Little Life ///// Don't Mess With Her

Ingrid has quite the stubborn streak. I wonder where she got it? :)

Looking Lovely ///// Kidnected World

Have you heard of the new non-profit, Kidnected World? Here's what they have to say:

We were founded with the thought that if you can erase the difference between fun and learning, introduce kids to places and people they've never seen and show them that there are things that connect us all, you can help them to create a world that we all would want to live in.

Sounds pretty great, right? So I was thrilled when my friend and collaborator, Kristin Mills,  asked if I'd do some hand lettering for them. I think she did a great job on the logo and website. It's bright, cheerful, and whimsical -- perfect for a non-profit focused on children -- without being too sweet and cloying. She also pulled in the über clever Amy Shaffer (her Lark co-conspirator) to do some writing for them. (Hiring someone to write your website copy is something small business owners tend to overlook, but it can really make ALL the difference... I'm planning on hiring Amy to write ours the next time around.)

Anyways, I loved doing the lettering. I always do. This was my first time working for a corporate-type client (as opposed to a bride, mama-to-be, etc...) Although I was a bit nervous at first, I ended up having a blast!

If anyone is interested in hiring any of us, here's our contact info:

Kristin Mills (graphic design): mills.kristin(at)gmail(dot)com
Amy Shaffer (writing): amy.e.shaffer(at)gmail(dot)com
Eva Jorgensen (hand lettering & illustration): eva(at)sycamorestreetpress(dot)com

At The Table ///// Peas, Pears, Prunes...

Call me crazy, but I'm making Ingrid's baby food.

So far, so good.

The peas are my favorite, simply because they look and taste so much better than the bottled version. Some of the others -- apples for example -- don't seem that much different, and I wonder why I bother. But it is quite a bit less expensive overall, especially if you're going the organic route.

When Kirk's mom found out I wanted to make Ingrid's food, she gave me this book. It's been really great. In addition to baby food recipes, it's been a handy reference for feeding timelines, safety tips, etc... which is nice for a somewhat nervous, first-time mom like me. If anything, it errs on the side of giving too many recipes and information. (A recipe for apple oatmeal tells you to mix together one spoonful of apple puree and one spoonful of cooked oatmeal... Ha ha. Really?)

Who knows if I'll keep this up for Ingrid's entire babyhood, or if her future younger sibling will get the same treatment? For now, I just know that I enjoy making Ingrid's food, and she seems to like eating it... well, most of the time, anyways.  - Eva

Giveaway ///// Shabby Apple

I've noticed that Shabby Apple has some cute vintage-inspired dresses, bathing suits, and skirts lately. So I'm happy to say that they're giving away the Adelaide skirt (pictured above) to one of my readers! Just leave a comment below to enter, and be sure to check back on Monday, June 27th for the winner. If you like, you can also use the code: sycamore10off to get 10% off in the Shabby Apple shop.

p.s.  I love how they shoot their collections on location. That polka dot bathing suit was shot in Cinque Terra... a place I've wanted to visit for so long! One day, right?)

U P D A T E D : 6.27.11 Ashley (Mrs. Marcus) is the lucky winner! Thanks to everyone who commented. 

Sound & Vision ////// New Animated Video from Belle & Sebastian

I Didn't See it Coming is my favorite song off of Belle & Sebastian's most recent album. So I was happy to hear that a video and remix of that particular track just came out. I love all the brightly colored patterns and folk art inspired animations in the video -- and the new beats and synths in the remix are great. Dare I say that I like it even more than the original?(Although, Stuart's dancing in the original video is awfully cute.)

p. s. I know I'm a bit predictable when it comes to posting Belle & Sebastian news, but I just can't help myself.

Our Little Life ///// Two Birds With One Stone

As a mother, and a somewhat type A personality, I love finding ways to effectively multitask. It's great to be able to spend quality time with Ingrid while also getting stuff done.

I don't mean juggling her on my knee while I send an email or write a blog post. I mean things like going on walks, taking a bath, and gardening. We both enjoy all of these things, I'm able to accomplish some sort of task by doing them, and we can do them together.

Gardening is something I just figured out that she likes. She happily hung out -- strapped to my back -- while I re-potted these succulents and cleaned up the front porch. (I think it helped that there was a kitty near by for her to make eyes at.)

Our next "mommy & me" project: planting a kitchen garden with her grandma. I'm pretty sure Ingrid will love hanging out in the dirt and picking tomatoes off the vine.

Sycamore Classes ///// Intro to Letterpress Summer Workshops

 

  

I've had so many emails over the last several months wondering when we'll be teaching classes again. So I'm very happy to say that we scheduled some for this summer!  

We'll be teaching a morning and afternoon workshop on both Saturday July 9th, and Saturday, August 20th.  

Bring a friend and come hang out with us! You'll learn the basics of printing and you'll walk away with 25 pretty letterpress cards made with your own hands! Added bonus: We give a 25% discount on all Sycamore goods to students on the day of.  

For more details, click here.

Image ///// Eva Jorgensen for Sycamore Street Press

Our Place ///// Let's Get This Party Started

I haven't posted about our place in a long time, and it's for a good reason. We simply haven't made much progress. Between work and family, there isn't much time left in the day. Luckily, I love my work and I love my family, so that distracts me from my half-finished home & studio most of the time.

But I do love living in an organized, eye-pleasing space. So when I let it, this in-limbo state drives me C-R-A-Z-Y. I decided I've got to set goals for myself and make time to finish the nesting process. (And I realize that I'll never really be finished... but for now that just means no more boxes and piles of things waiting to be put away. And no more bare walls and windows...)

My first goal: to "finish" the living room by July 9th. You may remember what it looked like before. You may remember some images I posted of what I'd like to feel like after. And just for good measure, I decided to throw in another mood board today. No more excuses.

Images (Clockwise from top left) ///// String garden DIY by Design*Sponge ///// Leran Pendant at Ikea ///// Underground Clock at Terrain ///// Cobble Hill Martha Sectional Sofa at ABC Home ///// Kenitra Rug at Anthropologie ///// Mudcloth Pillow at John Robshaw ///// Large Woven Seagrass Basket at Wisteria ///// Unit Buiding Blocks from Plan Toys at Oompa ///// Ranunculas Poster by Debbie Carlos /////

Looking Lovely ///// FriendsWithYou

Oh. My. Goodness.

I didn't think it possible for the High Line in NYC to get any better! But when an inflatable sculpture installation called "Rainbow City" pays a visit, you know it will.

Images ///// FriendsWithYou via I Heart Guts

Looking Lovely ///// Alphabet Round-Up

How Now Design

Beauchamping

Sycamore Street Press

Besty

Petit Collage

The Big Harumph 

Little Korboose

Pintameldia

El Jefe Design

There can never be too many alphabet prints. 

Sycamore Street Press ///// Be a Collaborator

Hello Utah friends!

I know it's last minute, but I'd love to invite you all to a Creative Collaborative get together tonight.
I will be speaking along with Sarah Jane and Justin Hackworth. We'll all be talking about "The Road to Success". Ha ha. I feel funny telling you the topic. But I suppose I am proud (and grateful) of the progress our little letterpress company has made in the last 3 1/2 years.

So please come and join us if you can! Bring a friend and a chair.  And if you can't make it tonight, find out about future meet-ups here.

Hope to see you there!

When ///// Tonight, Thursday June 9th at 7PM
Where ///// 1 East Center Street #214 / Provo, UT
(same building as Gondolfo's)
Please bring your own chair.

Sound & Vision ///// Oh! Darling

I've been having a crap day.

My computer has been on the fritz for awhile -- making me feel like I'm working with one arm tied behind my back. After refusing to turn on yesterday, Kirk took it in (for the second time in 3 weeks) and it turns out that the hard drive is toast. Luckily we had backed everything up with Time Machine, right? But oh wait -- for some reason, my iPhoto library didn't back up. That's about 9 years worth of photos.

So I had my crying fit (complete with a dive onto the bed for dramatic effect).

Then I took a hot shower to clear my head. I still felt sick to my stomach, though.

But when Ingrid woke up from her nap, I only had to see her funny, smiling face to feel better. (Okay, maybe not 100%, but I'd say at least 85% better.) I'm still amazed by how happy she makes me. Even on Especially on days like this. After all, I'd only lost some photos. I looked at Kirk holding her and realized that as long as I have the two of them, I have no right to complain.



It's fitting that I had already started working on a mix of songs that I like to sing to her. The songs for those moments when I swoop her up, squish her cheek against mine and sway back and forth. The songs for the kind of moment when I feel like I'll burst with happiness because of her. I might change a word here or there, but overall the lyrics are pretty spot on.

Click here to listen.

Oh! Darling Mix

1 ///// Oh! Darling - The Beatles
2 ///// Do I Love You? (Indeed, I do) - Chris Clarke
3 ///// Isn't She Lovely? - Stevie Wonder
4 ///// I'll Be There - The Jackson 5
5 ///// Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) - John Lennon
6 ///// God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
7 ///// I'm a Believer - The Monkees
8 ///// Be My Baby - The Ronettes
9 ///// For Once In My Life - Smokey Robinson
10 ///// That's How Strong My Love Is - Otis Redding



p.s. I've been on the phone with the Apple Care people, and they've helped me go in and manually recover a few files. It's slow going, but it looks like I'll be able to get back at least some of my photos.

Sycamore Q & A {no.70} ///// Michéle Brummer-Everett

My dear friend, Michéle Brummer-Everett, has a knack for making amazing things. Drawings, books, prints, and now textiles. She just finished designing a collection for Cloud 9 Fabrics (joining other talented designers like Julia Rothman and Heather Moore from Skinny laMinx). It's called Monsterz, and it is so lovely. I'm picturing my little Ingrid in a romper made from the above fabric combo. Too cute!

1 ///// How did your time at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago influence the kind of artist you've become?

First of all, I have to say that I absolutely LOVED going to school. I dreaded graduating and had a little baby breakdown when I finally did. 

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has an interdisciplinary philosophy. This means you are not stuck in one particular department, you can take whatever classes you like. I took classes in drawing, printmaking, animation, art and technology, fibers, mold making, textile design, social sciences and history to name just a few. In the beginning that was difficult because I felt a little bit lost and unfocused. Once I sorted myself out I was able to use all these different avenues/skills to create a body of work that was varied but worked together as a whole. 

I suppose my time there taught me not to be pigeon-holed into one particular discipline. I like the idea of working on lots of different kinds of projects and hope I'll get the chance to do so.

2 ///// How did you dream up Monsterz?

Well, Monsterz actually started out as a very different project. My friend, Sarah, was having a baby and I said I'd do the decorations for her baby shower (I was doing loads of party decorating in Chicago on the side at the time). She was having a little boy and thought monsters would be a fun theme. My husband, Daniel, always forcing me to try new things against my will brought a wacom tablet home from work for me to play with. As usual I resisted, but as I was fiddling around I drew the simple blobs that became the monsters. I made them into invitations, giant posters, patterns for table cloths etc for the party.

(I now have my own tablet and could kiss it good night I love it so much) 

Fast forward a few months later. We moved from Chicago to Utah and Daniel set up a studio for me saying that I should just work from home on my own stuff full time. (yep, he's a goodie) I sent out some pattern portfolios to different fabric houses and heard back from Cloud 9. After lots of emails back and forth with Michelle Engel Besco, I was asked to design a children's line. Michelle loved the monsters and wanted them to be the main focus. I then wrote and illustrated a little story about the monsters to help guide me and give me ideas. This gave me a clear direction and made the design process a lot easier.

3 ///// What have you learned from your experience of collaborating with Cloud 9 Fabrics?

I must say that working with Michelle and Gina from Cloud 9 has been a really fantastic experience. I truly feel very lucky to have had the chance to work with such wonderful ladies. They always respected my opinions and ideas and made me feel comfortable doing something that seemed so daunting at first. 

This project really was a collaboration. I have always been a bit wary of working with others (enter childhood memories of disastrous group projects) but this was an absolute dream! I loved being able to bounce ideas off each other and watching all these different parts come together as a whole. 

4 ///// List 5 of your current inspirations:

1. This video

2. Big, colourful African baskets. I want all of these please.

3. This album

4. Tinsel door decorations for the holidays from the dollar store. I am trying to collect these against my husband's will. So far I have a giant jack-o-lantern and a bright pink chick.

5. This book

5 ///// List 5 of your goals for the next year:

1. Visit a real life ghost town.

2. Get published.

3. Have a little vegetable/herb garden that survives despite my plant murdering expertise.

4. Make a cherpumple and have a little party to celebrate.

5. Finally watch the original Star Wars movies.

Thanks Michéle! 

Visit her Tumblr ///// Website  

All images (except for last ) ///// Michéle Brummer-Everett for Cloud 9 Fabrics 
Last image /////  Michéle Brummer-Everett

On the Road ///// La Bastide de Moustiers

Tucked away in a less traveled corner of Provence is a little town called Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. It's built into the side of a cliff, with a waterfall spilling out below. Hanging on a wire between the two peaks above the town hangs a golden star.

It's a magical place.

One summer day, over a decade ago, my mom and I were lucky enough to visit. Moustiers is known for its earthenware pottery... which was beautiful, but we had another prize in mind...

La Bastide de Moustiers. A beautiful little country inn with an unbelievable farm to table restaurant. We spent an evening on that terrace eating course after delicious course. The one that stands out in my memory after all these years was a truffle risotto.

It was quite a splurge for us, so we only spent one night, and we only ate one meal. 

It was so worth it. 

Have you ever saved up your pennies for one crazy decadent thing? What was it? Was it worth it?


images //// 1 Jialang Gao ///// 2-6 David Bordes & Bernard Giani at La Bastide de Moustiers ///// 7 Nepomuk