New Work: The Endurance Training Diet & Cookbook

Yay! My samples of this awesome book, which I designed for Harmony Books, are here! I took a few interior shots, all of which are terrible, but promise to post some as soon as life cooperates.

Hi, It's Been a While . . .

So, it's been a while since I posted, but I have good reason. This little lady arrived on October 30th, and will doubtless take up quite a bit of my time in the weeks to come, and demanded a major rush on my last few projects and commitments in the weeks prior. But as soon as we get some sleep and adapt to our new schedule, I promise to post on a somewhat more regular basis.

Friday Fun: Gifs from the National Archives

Sometimes one needs a little end-of-the-week, and these gifs from the National Archives perfectly fit the bill. Happy Friday!

Source: catalog.archive.gov via giphy.com

The Esquire Cookbook

My husband found this copy of The Esquire Cookbook at the Book Thing in Baltimore a few years ago, to add to my vintage cookbook collection, and I nearly forgot about it until today. The recipes are the sort of curious mixed-bag you'd expect from a mid-century cookbook (Chartreuse Pudding, Fish Mayonnaise,  or Eggs and Shrimps with Curry Sauce, anyone?). But what makes this book are the amazing illustrations by Bill Charmatz.

I can't say I was overly familiar with Charmatz work before coming across this book, but am in love with his style and humor. His spot illustrations, for one, are brilliant. His line work reminds me of Serge Bloch, as does his sly, occasionally dark, sense of humor (the happy ham in the middle of the top row is my favorite).

There are also some amazing larger illustrations, of such as this meat diagram . . . which I'm very tempted to frame and hang in my kitchen. 

Letterpress Wedensday

Fun with type today for a new project!

Out With the Old . . .

Sometimes, the best part of moving is getting rid of old things you've held on to for far too long. Other times, it's the hardest. Today I'm combing through old sketchbooks deciding which to keep and which to toss. The few that are mostly notes (such as the one I used in my grad school weaving class—loved weaving, but until I can find/house a loom . . . ), but the others, well, they're filled with all sorts of little doodles and ideas that might be helpful again, one day. How long do you hold on to old sketchbooks? And when you do toss one, why? I'm typically not overly sentimental about stuff, but I can't help but worry I might toss the wrong one, or regret tossing any of them down the line. Can you tell I'm not great at making tough decisions?

New Work: National Park Roads

This past year, I designed a massive book (at 11" x 12" it is easily the biggest book I've ever worked on! Thank goodness my bookshelf has some tall shelves) for UVA Press about the creation of the roads that have shaped the NPS, and our basic experiences within those parks. Here's a peek inside . . . 

Unused cover, but one I love (sadly, the author preferred the photo in the final design)