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Wednesday I was sitting in the eye doctor’s office, waiting for L. and picked up a copy of Southern Accents that was lying around (a better alternative to the annoying talk show that was on!). I rarely ever look at this magazine, but as I started to flip through, a page filled with delightful trellis patterns caught my eye. Adorning wallpaper, pillows and even paper goods, the geometric lines and color possibilities sparked my imagination. I jotted down a few ideas and when I got back home, set to work in Illustrator to create a fun, tiling pattern.

So how could you use these? Well, after you unzip the files, they can be made into Photoshop tiling backgrounds (you can use the paintbucket to fill). If you aren’t sure how to do this, open the image you wish to create a pattern from, click “Edit” on the top toolbar, and “Define Pattern”. You can specify a name and it’ll show up in your pattern menu when you have “Pattern” (rather than “Foreground”) selected while using the paintbucket. Fun! You could also tile one across the background of your desktop. Or use them as a background for a website or blog. At any rate, I hope you enjoy these and using them to create!

•  fun uses for the clouds filter in photoshop
•  the lowdown on how creative types really get their ideas
•  I simply adore this sweet n’ simple cardigan embellishment!
•  I am so excited this book is available for preorder
•  fantastic Biba-graphic inspiration!
•  Rhiannon’s oh-so-lovely album of vintage, children’s book illustrations
•  there is a new issue of the fantastic N.E.E.T. ‘zine out!
•  check out these fun, retro swimsuits! [via ]

Oh, and remember this dress I purchased a few weeks back? Well, I finally added the halter strap I felt it needed, and wore it the other day to L.’s reenlistment ceremony (he’s in the Navy). It was the perfect dress to wear on a warm and sunny day! Not to mention I really, really love the skirt and how bouncy it is when I walk… lol!

I think I might be posting something fun over the weekend, but that all depends on whether I can ever tear myself away from some of my current, computer projects. lol! I hope you all have a lovely Friday!!!

This week has been odd… rushing past me quickly and full of all kinds of events. Wednesday brought a momentous event: the arrival of my Adobe CS3 Web Premium suite. I have coveted this for ages… and thanks to my generous and supportive parents, I now have all the tools I need at my fingertips to do my graphic and web work. I admit though: having all these choices is quite overwhelming! But I’m having an absolute ball learning where everything is, how compatible each of these programs is, and organizing my images in Bridge.

Because I’ve been having far too much fun with my new geek toys, here’s a wallpaper I created from a image I created awhile back. I hope you enjoy it! (Don’t forget the past downloads available…)

Yesterday Mom was struck by the urge to have a Girl’s Afternoon Out, so she and I went on a hunting trip to our favorite thrift store. Lately thrifting has been rather disappointing–mostly junk. But we lucked out this time; the store was having a great sale and there were some treasures hidden amongst the racks! I found a gorgeous, almost-like-new beaded cardigan. I have been on the lookout for years for one, and because of the sale I got it for 50¢! I also picked up a couple pieces of costume jewelry that caught my eye… as if I need (or have space!) for any more! rofl.

I also bought a pair of summer flats (not thrifted… these are brand new!). Mom spotted them in the aisles, and they are so comfortable; soft leather, rubbery sole (always good considering my klutz tendencies), and fit my wide feet. Hooray! Now if I could only find a pair of brown leather heels to replace my old ones…

Now for some yummy links for this week!

♥ I’m definitely going to try crafting this gorgeous flower bracelet
♥ if only swim suits looked this fantastic…
♥ another bracelet tutorial; this one is a sweet lace style
♥ have you been following the inspiring National Stationary Show posts at D*S? fantastic!
♥ speaking of swimwear… looking for something unique? check out this list of Etsy offerings! [ via ]
♥ for fellow photography & photoshop geeks, there are some great tutorials here
♥ a pretty photograph post

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend filled with lots of fun and relaxation! For those of my readers in the US: have a great, holiday weekend! Becaue of the three-day holiday weekend, I’ll try to post on Monday, but no promises. L. is back in town this weekend, and there is talk of going to work on his Dad’s boat and getting it all ship-shape for some summertime fun…

My design history class really paid off in the end, which I’m always delighted to say after a long semester. Being exposed to a variety of different movements and styles–even those I don’t really care for–has opened my eyes to new graphic possibilities. In some cases it’s brought me back around to aesthetic movements I admire, but haven’t studied closely in years. So in between studying this week, I’ve been playing around in my graphic programs, putting together a variety of different pieces. One of which was this poster, which was inspired by the bright colors and collage style of 1960s concert posters. I made it into a wallpaper, if you’d care to download and use it! There are three sizes, which I’ve linked to below:

Enjoy! This won’t be the last of these graphic-themed downloads; I have a bunch of ideas up my sleeve..

I’ve run across some fantastic links this week–be sure to read over Amy Butler’s interview at CraftBoom! I found it quite insightful and gave me a new perspective on just how much work she and her husband have put into their business. She’s very candid and honest in laying out how rough it can be at the beginning, something that I sometimes find hard to get past when the going gets tough, or the business slow. But the payoff’s of the hard work can be so worth it!

♥ a fun and insightful interview with Amy Bulter!

♥ pages and pages of vintage posters… great inspiration

♥ I love the mood in Anrea Wyner’s photos [ source ]

♥ great sign inspiration

♥ this shirred dress tutorial looks like a fun, summertime project!

♥ I love the uniquely graphic approch of Urban Bark Papers

♥ check out this blog of vintage images (and the flickr stream too!)