tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82649166368053178372024-03-06T00:42:02.449+00:00one little birdUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-86483752872811264722013-03-13T17:10:00.001+00:002013-03-13T17:20:47.484+00:00ssh! don't tell anyone!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KyK2jSt4_GY/UUC1MQUv2HI/AAAAAAAADXM/QXIsZTgeEhU/s1600/i've-moved.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KyK2jSt4_GY/UUC1MQUv2HI/AAAAAAAADXM/QXIsZTgeEhU/s1600/i've-moved.gif" /></a></div>
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I've got a brand new <a href="http://www.olbstudio.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and a brand new <a href="http://www.olbstudio.com/olbstudio-blog/" target="_blank">blog</a>! Come on over, have look around and say hi!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-5358219033407801402013-03-04T10:04:00.000+00:002013-03-04T10:04:00.077+00:00ryo takemasa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I spotted the lovely work of japanese illustrator <a href="http://ryotakemasa.com/">Ryo Takemasa</a> this morning. </div>
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It remind's me a lot of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charley_Harper">Charley Harper's</a> work. </div>
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Ryo has a brand new <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ryotakemasa?ref=seller_info">shop</a> where you can purchase his work.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7MhzZQZsVw/UTRvNMPQ2FI/AAAAAAAADS8/zDvEwvUeazo/s1600/VEG-AND-FISH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7MhzZQZsVw/UTRvNMPQ2FI/AAAAAAAADS8/zDvEwvUeazo/s1600/VEG-AND-FISH.jpg" /></a></div>
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And there's a lot more to see over on his <a href="http://ryotakemasa.com/">website</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8UIRW-fDAo/UTRvMBZ96YI/AAAAAAAADSs/OptUQojxhhU/s1600/POND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8UIRW-fDAo/UTRvMBZ96YI/AAAAAAAADSs/OptUQojxhhU/s1600/POND.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-78938155097098052102013-02-27T11:44:00.000+00:002013-02-27T11:44:04.525+00:00jet set<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These <a href="http://www.crayonfire.co.uk/30440/1077702/work/flight-tag-prints">prints</a> (spotted on <a href="http://grainedit.com/">Grain Edit</a> yesterday) from uber-talented designer/illustrator <a href="http://www.crayonfire.co.uk/">Neil Stevens</a> had me swooning. They are all based on vintage airline baggage tags. I love information graphics as art. They are available to buy <a href="http://crayonfireshop.bigcartel.com/">here</a>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-58670875018683764622013-02-23T11:27:00.002+00:002013-02-23T11:27:36.161+00:00the skinny la minx story<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-QaGaXmlno4" width="560"></iframe><br />
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I love <a href="http://skinnylaminx.com/about/">Heather Moore</a> and everything about her gorgeous print business <a href="http://skinnylaminx.com/">Skinny la Minx</a>.<br />
But I'd never seen this little promo film she'd made before. It's delightful. Sit back and watch!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-63873217473343909542013-02-21T16:31:00.002+00:002013-03-10T22:25:44.299+00:00say hello to a new birdHave you noticed any changes around here of late? I've spent an awful long time pondering over what to do about my 'brand'. Having just come out of a year long hiatus (last year involved a lot of moving around) I felt the need for a fresh look and fresh work (coming soon-ish). I have to admit that One Little Bird is not a name I particularly like. I chose it on a whim in about five seconds flat as I knew that if I spent a long time thinking about it, it would never get done. And there's far too many <a href="http://youtu.be/iHmLljk2t8M">birds on things</a>, aren't there? I've been toying with the idea of just using my own name, but I've finally made up my mind (thank the heavens) to stick with One Little Bird as it's a name I've come to be associated with and I've already spent this long building things up. But something needed to change. I felt the old bird was a bit 'lifeless' (am I the only one who feels like that on a daily basis). I needed something with a little more personality. So here he is. My new yellow birdy. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0ysW7bdRBc/USVAq9zTN_I/AAAAAAAADP8/iHZ3CopJm9s/s1600/olb-hello-mac-template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epnf-XrvQD0/USVAotVthUI/AAAAAAAADP0/R6XIgx0BGww/s1600/whole-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epnf-XrvQD0/USVAotVthUI/AAAAAAAADP0/R6XIgx0BGww/s1600/whole-image.jpg" /></a></div>
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He's based upon the old logo, with a few tweaks here and there...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d01iEw6w4n8/USZFDP_RXHI/AAAAAAAADQc/T4nm_w5jAqU/s1600/evolution-of-bird.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d01iEw6w4n8/USZFDP_RXHI/AAAAAAAADQc/T4nm_w5jAqU/s1600/evolution-of-bird.gif" /></a></div>
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...and I discovered (didn't take a genius) that if I rotate his body on his legs by 45 degrees he looks either ahead or down. His eye can turn in any direction too - watch the header at the top of the blog for a few seconds for the whole shebang. Just these tiny little movements bring him to life and I now feel I have a logo that can be applied to many different things in a myriad of ways (I've already got a germ of any idea for a children's book featuring him). He's starting to appear around the web on my various <a href="https://www.facebook.com/onelittlebirdstudio?ref=hl">social media sites</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/onelittlebirdstudio?ref=si_shop">shops</a>.<br />
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Anyway, I do hope you like him. I'd love to hear what you think of him and the rest of the changes I've made to the place (another change I've made is that I've shortened my blog name to <a href="http://olbstudio.blogspot.co.uk/">olbstudio</a> - it's a bit snappier and less stuff to type in). I've got some plans in the pipeline for a new website, but that's turning out to be more of a challenge than I first thought, so not for a while just yet. In the meantime, if you'd like to put a bird on your desktop with a handy reminder of the new blog URL, I've made a desktop wallpaper for you all. Just follow the links for your size and download.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.squarespace.com/static/50ef44c5e4b09de5ca19b3a8/t/513cfc1be4b00efcff580dd9/1362951195542/2560X1440-olbhello.gif" target="_blank">2560x1440</a> // <a href="https://static.squarespace.com/static/50ef44c5e4b09de5ca19b3a8/t/513cfc75e4b0cc0702fac464/1362951285271/1680X1050-olbhello.gif" target="_blank">1680x1050</a> // <a href="https://static.squarespace.com/static/50ef44c5e4b09de5ca19b3a8/t/513cfd0ae4b0abff73bd466c/1362951434627/1440x900-olbhello.gif" target="_blank">1440x900</a> // <a href="https://static.squarespace.com/static/50ef44c5e4b09de5ca19b3a8/t/513cfe1ee4b0fe58c65a34a4/1362951710236/1280x800-olbhello.gif" target="_blank">1280x800</a> // <a href="https://static.squarespace.com/static/50ef44c5e4b09de5ca19b3a8/t/513cfe41e4b0b5df0ec00cfb/1362951745084/iPad-olbhello.gif" target="_blank">iPad</a> // <a href="https://static.squarespace.com/static/50ef44c5e4b09de5ca19b3a8/t/513cfe51e4b0df5368924cf6/1362951761363/iPhone-olbhello.gif" target="_blank">iPhone</a></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-36325405507419970252013-02-17T18:10:00.000+00:002013-02-18T10:11:04.357+00:00make a map<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Not like I haven't got enough to do already or anything, but I couldn't resist signing up for this course called <a href="http://www.skillshare.com/Map-Design-Learn-to-Communicate-Places-Beautifully/1003892661/812423379?refId=8453787">Map Design: Learn to Communicate Places Beautifully</a> from <a href="http://www.pret-a-voyager.com/">Anne Ditmeyer</a> on <a href="http://www.skillshare.com/">Skillshare</a>. <a href="http://www.pret-a-voyager.com/">Anne</a> is a graphic designer, consultant, published writer and a longtime contributing editor for <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/">Design*Sponge</a>. I've always loved maps; I remember the pleasure I used to take in colouring maps for geography class in school. Although I've made plenty of maps within the course of my design career I was attracted to the course for the challenge of creating a personal hand-drawn map (I don't do enough drawing) within a short space of time whilst at the same time making new contacts around the net. I believe there is always something to be gained from these quick, fun challenges, seasoned designer or not (especially if, like me, you work alone and need a bit of creative social interaction and feedback). There's still time to sign up before the course starts on Tuesday. It's very much aimed at busy people who want to work at their own pace and at just $20 you can't lose!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-66335170085756494912013-02-14T17:04:00.003+00:002013-02-14T17:04:52.432+00:00a little bit of toast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WeSovjgfaLA/UR0XkDYWaII/AAAAAAAADLI/5GvIqSaWJgo/s1600/toast-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WeSovjgfaLA/UR0XkDYWaII/AAAAAAAADLI/5GvIqSaWJgo/s1600/toast-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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I always love what <a href="http://www.toast.co.uk/">toast</a> do... have you seen their latest spring <a href="http://www.toast.co.uk/content/lookbook/SS13/houseandhome/1/spring.htm">lookbook</a> for house and home?</div>
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Full of gorgeous imagery... I suspect this shoot took place somewhere like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essaouira">Essaouira</a> in Morocco.</div>
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Find more of <a href="http://www.toast.co.uk/">toast's</a> spring lookbook <a href="http://www.toast.co.uk/content/lookbook/SS13/women/1/february.htm">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-59150524955590870112013-02-07T11:10:00.000+00:002013-02-08T01:06:13.210+00:00geometric stitches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A very dear family member is sick and I'm having a slightly strange few days where I'm finding I can't concentrate too much on anything. However, I stumbled across the incredible work of <a href="http://cargocollective.com/mariaapariciopuentes">Maria Aparicio Puentes</a> this morning and felt I simply had to share with you. She stitches onto found photographs. I find her work truly inspiring.</div>
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You can read about Maria's creative process <a href="http://cargocollective.com/mariaapariciopuentes/creative-process">here</a>.</div>
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Oh, and the eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that my blog header has changed. I will tell you more about that in the coming days...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-29062277874130064952013-02-04T10:48:00.001+00:002013-02-04T10:51:48.872+00:00fiore magazine<div class="issuuembed" data-configid="4296348/1337754" style="height: 468px; width: 650px;">
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I was very happy to find the second issue of <a href="http://issuu.com/fioremag">Fiore</a> magazine in my inbox this morning. Flipping through its pretty pages I was inspired at every turn and thinking I really must blog about this. What a surprise and delight then to find my work featured in its Pretty Etsy Shops section! <a href="http://issuu.com/fioremag">Fiore</a> is brought to you by <a href="http://www.lovelyclusters.com/p/about.html#.UQ-Qymf6u70">Rachel Follett</a> of <a href="http://www.lovelyclusters.com/">Lovely Clusters</a> fame who has a superb eye for all things beautiful. Make you Monday and prettier place and have a <a href="http://issuu.com/fioremag">look</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-60280528514215012692013-02-03T18:54:00.003+00:002013-02-03T22:33:16.744+00:00keeping up with inflation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhgjycuIAmk/UQ6tIKFU6ZI/AAAAAAAADFM/ars3cAyUbYE/s1600/shop-front-page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/85547691/home-sweet-home-giclee-art-print-12x16"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbvfRq07790/UQ6tIoM_xaI/AAAAAAAADFU/vLL71rEr-MU/s1600/olbstore-mac-screen-static.jpg" /></a></div>
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Well, the sales are all finished and I've had a good clear out of the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/onelittlebirdstudio?ref=si_shop">shop</a>. The shelves are looking a little bare, with just twelve prints left after a major purge of my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/114642017">digital collages</a>, but it had to be done. Out with the old and in with the new (coming soon I hope). Regrettably I've had to increase my prices to keep in line with printing and postage costs, but as I haven't increased my prices for nigh on three years now I hope you will forgive me. I do hope you will find a small £1.50 increase to £20.00 still reasonable for a 12x16 high-quality giclee print (around about A3 size). If not, please do tell me... I can only rely on your feedback. I'm also feeling the need to re-brand and re-design my whole look, so stay tuned!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-74417543460786199952013-01-30T07:00:00.000+00:002013-01-30T07:00:12.841+00:00ladies who print<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MaryKateMcDevitt?ref=seller_info">Mary Kate McDevitt</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzDwB_byY14/UQMH06tVX-I/AAAAAAAADEc/kIyfmli-O5M/s1600/alexandra-snowdon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzDwB_byY14/UQMH06tVX-I/AAAAAAAADEc/kIyfmli-O5M/s1600/alexandra-snowdon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/121188721/housework-vintage-style-print-medium?ref=usr_faveitems">Snowdon</a></td></tr>
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I'm taking a short break this week. A few days at my folks house in sunny Lincolnshire while George is away on a last minute business trip in Abu Dhabi. Gives me plenty of time to trawl through reams of inspiration on the internet. Here is a selection of work from three talented lasses who have recently impressed me. Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-71562041998392036022013-01-29T16:34:00.000+00:002013-01-29T19:24:38.036+00:00paper wings<div style="text-align: center;">
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As a huge fan of <a href="http://www.beck.com/">Beck</a>, <a href="http://jessicahische.is/">Jessica Hische</a> and the art of <a href="http://pinterest.com/leandaxavian/paper-trail/">paper cutting</a> I can't think of a nicer thing to share with you. <a href="http://jessicahische.is/">Jessica</a> has recently designed the packaging for Beck's new project <a href="http://store.beck.com/products/beck-hansens-song-reader-1">Song Reader</a>. One very talented Beck <a href="http://hambeck.me/blog/2013/01/07/5617/">fan</a> in Japan has transformed it into a three dimensional work of paper art.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-88413460798339706172013-01-28T07:00:00.000+00:002013-01-28T07:00:03.923+00:00do the dishes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3aHOqNJpgA/UQL9th6_RaI/AAAAAAAADEA/ZXk6pkM7zTo/s1600/DISHES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3aHOqNJpgA/UQL9th6_RaI/AAAAAAAADEA/ZXk6pkM7zTo/s1600/DISHES.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/99116297/feather-cities-tea-towel-gold">1</a> // <a href="http://www.racheljpowell.com/collections/tea-towels/products/woodstock-print-tea-towel-in-teal">2</a> // <a href="http://www.huset-shop.com/by-nord-animal-photoprint-tea-towels-p-2321.html">3</a> // <a href="http://www.newhousetextiles.co.uk/section/289/1/swedish-vintage-print-tea-towels">4</a> // <a href="http://www.huset-shop.com/klippan-retro-fish-tea-towel-p-1962.html">5</a> // <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/102965393/tea-towel-screen-print-natural-cotton?ref=sr_gallery_38&ga_search_query=screen+printed+tea+towel&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_ref=auto1&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=screen+printed+tea+towel">6</a></td></tr>
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Lord knows housework is boring enough, especially that most boring of boring chores - drying the dishes! So I'm sure one of these pretties will help matters. And if you simply don't do housework, then hang one on your wall!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-70193929037896993622013-01-23T07:00:00.000+00:002013-01-23T07:00:09.183+00:00lost type<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Are you a lover of type like me - appreciate a really good typeface, but frustrated by how much it costs to buy a decent font? Then you will like <a href="http://losttype.com/">Lost Type,</a> a pay-what-you-want type foundry, the first of its kind. Founded by <a href="http://xelentdesign.com/">Riley Cran</a> and <a href="http://galp.in/">Tyler Galpin,</a> Lost Type distributes fonts from designers all over the world. Users have the opportunity to pay whatever they like for a font, you can even type in '$0' for a free download! Designers are young, up and coming talent, so why not show your support and view the whole range of fonts over on Lost Type.</div>
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<a href="http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=muncie">muncie</a> // <a href="http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=pompadour">pompdour</a> // <a href="http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=alexis">alexis</a> // <a href="http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=cubano">cubano</a> // <a href="http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=ranger">ranger</a> // <a href="http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=nelma">nelma</a> // <a href="http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=mission_script">mission script</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-56600513819450847372013-01-22T07:00:00.000+00:002013-01-22T07:00:00.760+00:00colour for a reason<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spring is just around the corner! No, really it is. But if you don't believe me and you need something to remind you, these gorgeous colour-filled shots from the new <a href="http://www.e-julkaisu.fi/marimekko/131_spring_2013_moments_catalogue_38858/">spring catalogue</a> by <a href="https://www.marimekko.com/">Marimekko</a> should do it!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-81126965184743837042013-01-21T07:00:00.000+00:002013-01-21T07:00:12.706+00:00paula mills home tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to another week! Are you snowed in? I hope wherever you are you are warm and safe. Here's something to make us feel warm and cosy. Recently spied on <a href="http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/">sfgirlbybay</a>, the amazing home of artist <a href="http://www.paulamillsillustration.com/#!">Paula Mills</a>. You can see the whole tour <a href="http://www.homelife.com.au/homes/galleries/artist+paula+mills+melbourne+home+tour+,21779?pos=0#top">here</a>. Be sure to also check out Paula's beautiful <a href="http://www.paulamillsillustration.com/#!">work</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-72426629909306911792013-01-19T07:00:00.000+00:002013-01-28T19:49:47.645+00:00fifty five hi's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am always in awe and ever so slightly jealous of really super-talented so and so's who manage to master the balance between humour (just read this guy's FAQs) and superbly executed design work. One such so and so is <a href="http://www.55his.com/about/">Mr Ross Moody</a> of <a href="https://www.55his.com/shop/">Fifty Five Hi's</a>. I absolutely adore his gorgeous <a href="https://www.55his.com/shop/retro-radio-prints">retro radio print</a> available as an 8x10 letterpress, and <a href="https://www.55his.com/shop/retro-cameras">retro camera print</a> available as an 18x24 screenprint. There are a ton of other wonderful retro-inspired <a href="https://www.55his.com/shop/type/posters/">illustrated</a> and <a href="https://www.55his.com/shop/type/stationery/">typographic</a> prints in the store. And some really cute <a href="https://www.55his.com/shop/type/greeting-cards/">Valentine's cards</a> too!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-75443714384627452222013-01-18T09:00:00.000+00:002013-01-18T09:00:08.462+00:00retro ceramics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPeyBRvdwTs/UPhQUjMRXLI/AAAAAAAAC9s/xFg4ih2Osvo/s1600/HORNSEA-SPRINGTIME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPeyBRvdwTs/UPhQUjMRXLI/AAAAAAAAC9s/xFg4ih2Osvo/s1600/HORNSEA-SPRINGTIME.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">top: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/68278941@N07/6756149491/in/pool-hornsea">canisters</a> // left: <a href="http://www.retropottery.net/2011/02/hornsea-springtime.html">square butterbox</a> // right: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatcatbrussels/6085047318/in/pool-hornsea">jam pot</a></td></tr>
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I can promise you that I never ever tire of mid-century and retro design! It will be an enduring life-long love for me. I love the simple, fun and colourful designs. Last year I bagged myself a lovely set of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/63819132">Hornsea Heirloom</a> canisters from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodNorth?ref=seller_info">Good North</a> on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> (who was kind enough to throw in a little milk jug too). I've recently been busy designing some patterns (all will be revealed later) heavily influenced by said items and in my research stumbled across this lovely <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornsea_Pottery">Hornsea</a> design called Springtime. Seems I will have to get my collecting hat on!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-89447148135312099032013-01-10T16:54:00.003+00:002013-01-17T10:04:23.907+00:00intricate<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clockwise from top left: <a href="http://lovewarriors.se/le-shop">love warriors</a> // <a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/1316752/via/drathira#">paper cut invite</a> // <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/photo/251668">doillies shot by Jose Villa</a> // <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/theNestatWindyCorner?ref=pr_shop_more">carved eggshells</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I'm trying to get back into blogging on a more regular basis (honest). My only real regular activity online in the past year has been via <a href="http://pinterest.com/leandaxavian/">Pinterest</a> which is addictive for me. I've recently pinned some beautiful intricate things and I love this return to really labour intensive handy work. Isn't everything here amazing! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-17314839193279401902013-01-01T21:51:00.000+00:002013-01-18T17:31:44.761+00:00the big january sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First off I'd like to wish everyone a very happy new year! Welcome 2013!! Goodness, how time flies. Anyone made any resolutions? I can't believe nearly a year has gone by since I was anywhere near what you could describe as active around here. I've kept my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/onelittlebirdstudio?ref=si_shop">shop</a> ticking over, but I haven't had much time to concentrate on it. So I've had a good sort through and think it's high time I dusted off the shelves and had a grand clear out. From the end of January I will no longer be selling my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/onelittlebirdstudio?section_id=7775757">digital collages</a>. They've served me well and been some of my best sellers, but I no longer feel they really relate to what I'm doing anymore, so it's time to say a fond farewell. All my digital collages are now 30% off in the shop, with everything else at 20% off. I'm hoping to start concentrating on producing some new work soon! Oh, and I've also got some potentially exciting projects in the pipeline, but more of that next time.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-19165405822543555272012-12-22T13:08:00.000+00:002012-12-22T18:17:05.301+00:00Happy Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ck17CjBwepw/UNWwhWclUkI/AAAAAAAAC8U/ZHIaHxsVt18/s1600/Happy-New-Year-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ck17CjBwepw/UNWwhWclUkI/AAAAAAAAC8U/ZHIaHxsVt18/s1600/Happy-New-Year-2013.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I'm hoping to be a lot more active here in the new year and I'm planning some big changes to my blog (maybe somewhere new for me) and work. Do hope to see you back here then. In the meantime, may I wish you a very happy Christmas and that 2013 is a good year for you all!<br />
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PS - For font lovers out there. Isn't 'Happy Holidays' written in the most beautiful typeface. It's called <a href="http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=mission_script">Mission Script</a> by one very talented <a href="http://jamestedmondson.com/">James Edmondson</a>. And you can pay what you like for it! Yes, anything you want! This and other beautiful pay-what-you-want fonts can be found over at the <a href="http://www.losttype.com/">Lost Type Foundry</a>.<br />
.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-74354361798004091972012-04-12T14:41:00.000+01:002012-04-12T14:41:55.625+01:00a virtual rest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YApMnMub4YaJJn2BT2aknXweqeirFE2v_UQD4DKuOW8Eb4-0SEm9CpOGgIh9jEX3mGSgF4OfSyXmwBI7Deni9zGljfWdKssWd3SXgPYTx7JckPeKtk9CbPA7rY9sNIpJpiBOAEfA5Toq/s1600/ranunculus01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YApMnMub4YaJJn2BT2aknXweqeirFE2v_UQD4DKuOW8Eb4-0SEm9CpOGgIh9jEX3mGSgF4OfSyXmwBI7Deni9zGljfWdKssWd3SXgPYTx7JckPeKtk9CbPA7rY9sNIpJpiBOAEfA5Toq/s1600/ranunculus01.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anyone who's ever followed any of my blogs will know that I'm not the most consistent of bloggers, with frequent big gaps in my posting regularity. But the alert amongst you may have realised that it's been unusually long since my last post in mid-February.<br />
There's no one single reason for this. Maybe it's just a touch of virtual fatigue - I simply can't be faffed with all the blogging and tweeting and flickring and pinteresting, or following this blog or that blog and leaving comments everywhere, or editing photos and uploading for a post which always takes an age. Maybe I'm just tired of all this virtual etiquette that one seems to have to follow along with simply to get noticed and so my Etsy shop will thrive. Maybe I simply don't have time, now that Leo, my nearly two-year-old son needs that much more attention each day and I just want to make the most of these precious moments. Or maybe it's because there is too much reality to deal with here in Greece right now, when pensioners are killing themselves in a country where you simply don't do that and my husband doesn't know if he'll have a job three months down the line... (actually there <i>is</i> a big change coming up, but more of that in time)<br />
It's a bit of all of the above, but right now I prefer to spend my time in the real world and when time allows to do nothing more than a relaxing bit of knitting or crochet which I've recently found a renewed passion for.<br />
In time, I hope to be back with something fresh and new to share with you, and to reacquaint myself with my lovely circle of virtual buddies - who are among the most talented and inspiring people I know (you know who you are girls) but until I have more time on my hands to be able to dedicate to a project properly I'll be limiting myself to a few posts on Facebook and a few pins on Pinterest.<br />
Hope to see you later in the year!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-65659352959651183702012-02-28T15:32:00.000+00:002012-03-07T15:59:25.391+00:00the graphics fairy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYYpYhEo8gE/T0zbGt4ivtI/AAAAAAAAC1s/NBVCysTi8Ao/s1600/graphics-fairy-promo-antoinette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYYpYhEo8gE/T0zbGt4ivtI/AAAAAAAAC1s/NBVCysTi8Ao/s1600/graphics-fairy-promo-antoinette.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">The Graphics Fairy</a> is an amazing and seemingly endless resource of around</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">2,500 FREE clip art</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">images and vintage printables, to use for craft projects, collage, scrapbooking etc! <a href="http://graphicsfairyabout.blogspot.com/">Karen</a>, the graphics fairy herself, has generously been adding vintage image downloads every day since 2007!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> Above you can see a few of the images that I selected to use for this digital collage I created in Photoshop called 'Let Them Eat Cake'. Watch the animation to see how it develops...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oj6q9BNrKFU/T0zabN7Q05I/AAAAAAAAC1k/zXrXscNtNw0/s1600/animation.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oj6q9BNrKFU/T0zabN7Q05I/AAAAAAAAC1k/zXrXscNtNw0/s1600/animation.gif" /></a></div>
<b>Stage 1 </b>First I place the image of <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2010/09/vintage-graphic-image-marie-antoinette.html">Marie Antoinette</a>, cropped from it's original frame, slightly off-centre.<br />
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<b>Stage 2 </b>I lightened the image using the curves function and start placing a few cropped images of <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/search/label/Flowers">flowers</a>.<br />
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<b>Stage 3 </b>More flowers... until I feel her 'wig' is just at the right ridiculous height!<br />
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<b>Stage 4 </b>Some more flowers and then I <a href="http://www.putabirdonit.com/">put a bird on it</a>... of course!<br />
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<b>Stage 5 </b>I finish off embellishing Ms Antoinette's wig, then I give her a <a href="http://tackorama.net/">hand</a> holding a cup of french <i>'chocolat'</i>. The swirl of steam is a glyph from <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/typesenses/parfumerie-script-pro/">Parfumerie Script Ornaments</a>!<br />
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<b>Stage 6 </b>I need to give her a background. I've used the back of an <a href="http://www.fuzzimo.com/free-hi-res-old-air-mail-envelope-images-1/">old airmail envelope</a>, from another amazing image resource site, <a href="http://www.fuzzimo.com/">Fuzzimo</a>. So lucky to have found one with the red, white and blue stripes, for that extra bit of Frenchiness. The <a href="http://www.fuzzimo.com/free-vector-notebook-papers-and-cover/">grid paper</a> and <a href="http://www.fuzzimo.com/free-old-sticky-tape-textures-ps-brushes/">masking tape strips</a> are also from <a href="http://www.fuzzimo.com/">Fuzzimo</a>. <i>(ignore the scissors outline - that wasn't meant to show up yet :)</i><br />
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<b>Stage 7</b> I build up the background layers for a bit of depth. I add a strip of (my own) pattern behind the masking tape, a vintage ticket (from my lovely friend <a href="http://www.lovelypaper.blogspot.com/">Dawn's</a> fantastic ticket collection) and some faded astrology symbols from my own brush collection.<br />
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<b>Stage 8</b> A bit more pimping up of the background - I add some larger scrolls from the <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/typesenses/parfumerie-script-pro/">Parfumerie Script Ornaments</a> font, some circle shapes for balance and some nice <a href="http://photoshoptutorials.ws/photoshop-downloads/photoshop-brushes/dried-blood-splatters-photoshop-brushes.html">blood stains</a> - we know where this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Marie_Antoinette">little lady</a> ends up!<br />
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<b>Stage 9</b> She's nearing the chopping block now, so let's give the executioner a helping hand by telling him where to cut! Another bird here, a couple of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4861004195/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=">butterflies</a> there... nearly finished. Oh, and as if the hair isn't quite extreme enough, let's stick a <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2011/12/instant-art-printable-fancy-desserts.html">cake</a> on top and the <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2011/05/vintage-image-eiffel-tower-old-photo.html">Eiffel Tower</a> sticking out at the side!<br />
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<b>Stage 10</b> Marie's blindfolded and rouged, ready for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillotine">guillotine</a>! Finally, I add a lovely flower and scroll motif with the words '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_them_eat_cake">Let Them Eat Cake</a>'. She really took the biscuit!<br />
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If there are any links I have not provided for images from <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">The Graphics Fairy</a>, that's because I couldn't find them again <i>(or couldn't spend the time looking for them again - this blog post alone has taken nearly as long to complete as the collage itself!)</i>. And that is really my one and only tiny criticism of the site. <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">The Graphics Fairy</a> is basically a blog and truthfully the format just cannot handle the amount of stuff on there! It's very slow to load and searching is a bit of an effort, although Karen's recently added a basic <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/p/search.html">search</a> function to help matters. But we are talking about a huge one-woman effort here and I know how difficult and costly a dedicated website would be to set up! I just hope one day this becomes a reality, but until then set some time aside to have a good root around <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">over there</a>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-45316808140925512802012-02-23T15:31:00.000+00:002012-02-24T21:19:19.201+00:00a feast for the eyesSigh... this has been my first post in a loooooooooong while! I simply don't seem to have time! A poor excuse I know, but <a href="http://onelittlebirdstudio.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">Leo</a> is more demanding than ever (mostly in a good way) but his hour in the park has now turned into two hours in the park, and he rarely lets me just sit at the computer for long before he's tugging at my leg begging to sit on my lap or wanting me to play with him. I get a break in the afternoon while he's napping, but by the time I've had my lunch, answered a few emails and done a scant bit of housework he's awake again and so starts the evening round. I'm not complaining - far from it, I cherish every moment with him - but it does mean that blogging has to take a back seat for a while.<br />
Anyhoo... I just couldn't not post about the most <a href="http://www.purephotographybylakshmi.com/">gorgeous food photography</a> I discovered this morning via a link from <a href="http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/">Creature Comforts</a>. I am neither a foodie nor a vegetarian, but there is something so 'nourishing' for the soul to be found in great food styling. <a href="http://www.purevege.com/">Pure Vegetarian</a> is a beautiful blog featuring recipes from <a href="http://www.purevege.com/p/lakshmi.html">Lakshmi Wennäkoski-Bielicki</a>, a lady with a very spiritual attitude towards food, and a special talent for photographing it. Just feast your eyes on these...<br />
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<a href="http://www.purevege.com/2011/10/cooking-with-kurma.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJM_ApKSXfw/T0ZYdBVePqI/AAAAAAAAC00/PUfALYH4NEY/s1600/almond-cookies.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.purevege.com/2011/10/cooking-with-kurma.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J7Dz6ntOPb8/T0ZYfPI7trI/AAAAAAAAC08/9CC5C6IvxeE/s1600/almond-toffee-fudge.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.purevege.com/2011/10/cooking-with-kurma.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g8mPo_1e5AE/T0ZYhE_XlXI/AAAAAAAAC1E/ZwkivtQjIQg/s1600/feast-for-eyes-layout-apple-dumplings.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.purevege.com/2011/10/harvest-lunch.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8gznpFEye2k/T0ZYjG07aMI/AAAAAAAAC1M/V2NbbVT_M0o/s1600/fried-caulifower.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.purevege.com/2011/10/cooking-with-kurma.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRKZxDkHLMo/T0ZYk2s490I/AAAAAAAAC1U/iWMiuQ9uF6E/s1600/lemon-tarts.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.purevege.com/2011/09/hearty-pumpkin-soup.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uweM_9cIBJo/T0ZYmbKGx9I/AAAAAAAAC1c/MrfA9QznBps/s1600/pumpkin-soup.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[ ALL IMAGES <span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://www.purephotographybylakshmi.com/">Lakshmi Wennäkoski-Bielicki</a></span> ]</span> </div>
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Wonderful eh! Bet that's got your mouth watering! You can find a lot more inspiring images over on Lakshmi's <a href="http://www.purevege.com/">blog</a> and the above recipes by clicking on the relevant image.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264916636805317837.post-82331944045055775022012-01-26T16:04:00.001+00:002012-01-27T22:20:42.095+00:00secretly in love<blockquote class="tr_bq">Very happy to be part of this pretty treasury today...</blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTg2ODIwMjh8MTk0MDAzMTYxMw/secretely-in-love" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img onmouseout="this.src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6772895659_60ed5fd4d8_z.jpg'" onmouseover="this.src='http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6772903773_495aff918d_z.jpg'" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6772895659_60ed5fd4d8_z.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[ CLICK IMAGE FOR LINKS ]</span></td></tr>
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