Small but comfy.

I've spent most of the afternoon today working on custom orders, so I thought I might as well take some photos of my workspace. Here is where I spend 90% of my time...

From the top downwards: My beloved PC, kitty on bed (trying to take a nap despite my frecuent interruptions, beads and supply stash (colour coded!), doodling wardrobe door, workbench (plus coke can I was enjoying a few hours ago).

Pretty pictures

When it comes to decorating my own space, I generally prefer prints or paintings over photographs. I have some wonderful glossy prints of some of Nekranea's art, and also some by Felideus, with whom I've had the honour of working with as a publisher. Both are personal friends and very talented artists.

Bird Soul, by Nekranea. I love how she always includes tutorials and images of her creative process in her blogs.

Felideus is working on a book, a very steampunk project that I love. Just look at this homage to The Wind in the Willows, isn't it gorgeous?

'Cause you can never have enough books (or places to read them).

I like books. I like to read them, touch them and look at them. Sometimes I even make them (well, at least the layout, design and revision; the printer does the actual printing and binding; sometimes I even do the writing). I also like bookcases. And libraries. I really like libraries.

The Morgan Library & Museum McKim Building in New York was recently reformed and, as you can see, the results are spectacular. Read more about it (and have a look at the "before" pics to really appreciate the difference) at Architect Magazine.

Wednesday Webcomic

I'm not a huge Subnormality fan (my eyes water over so much small text), but sometimes it really gets me. And the Sphynx is a favourite character of mine.

 (Click on the image to read the rest)

Feels like everyday Spanish bureaucracy to me.

My current object of desire

'Nuff said.

Tuesday Artisan: BeadEvolution

One thing I find on Etsy is that there really aren't many bold, colourful items. Unlike its European counterpart, DaWanda, that constantly features colour in many ways, Etsy seems to favour bland, greyish and pastel selections, whether it be items, web design or front pages. So it's great when once in a while you stumble across shops like Helen's BeadEvolution. Resin is a must in her shop, and everything's crisp and bright as today's sunny blue Mediterranean sky.

 

And of course here's my Miss Cristal contribution for the day, The Blue Unicorn (thank you, Mamen, for the name idea!):

In case you're wondering, the background is my old Chinese workbook. I did one semester of Chinese at University, and all I can remember is "ni hao". Then again, I did a few years of French and I don't remember much of that, either. It's a miracle I still speak English!

From Napoleonic warfare to modern day beauty

A Martello tower in Suffolk (UK) transforms into an amazing home. I'm sure the soldiers who lived in these quarters never imagined it could look like this, over a century later. It took Duncan Jackson 10 years to turn it into this welcoming, extraordinary domus. Read about it in The Guardian.