I just received my Postcard Box from Chris Judge in the post (things in the post! yay!) today.  Chris is a Dublin-based illustrator, a lovely chap and very very talented indeed.  He’s currently selling this collection on his website for an extremely reasonable €20.  I’m addicted to buying art on the web, and this might be one of the best deals I’ve come across.  Take a look at Chris’ site and blog to see his  colourful and joyous illustration work.

A gorgeous, funny, evocative poster collage of one canvasser’s experience in the US election.

[ Via Social Design Notes ]

Absolutely gorgeous poster work from Scott Hansen, the posters are gently distressed and textural without being overdone.  His site uses Flash beautifully as well.

Via Grain Edit.

I’ve seen the incredible illustrations of Jesse LeDoux around the place, but just found his website today through the lovely Design Freebies blog.

I found this illustration on the brand new blog So Much Pileup – run by a designer who wants to share the piles of interesting paper from his studio. As opposed to hoarding them, crazy-hermit style, like myself. See the full post for more in the same series.

I was sent a link today to the site of ‘writer who draws’ Austin Kleon today. I really love his ‘Mind Maps‘; maps of impressions and memories.

Via the Ernie Pook mailing list.

So cute and lovely.  I want some.

One of the many great things about having a tiny sidekick is the pleasure of putting together a library for her. I’ve found some excellent vintage children’s books recently, and this is one of my favourites. I got it in a bookshop in Hay-on-Wye, which is like a town from a fairy tale (twenty-seven bookshops!).

It’s a lovely annual from the year I was born, showcasing the work of various Puffin writers and illustrators. There’s stuff from Quentin Blake, Roald Dahl, Raymond Briggs and Tove Jansson; a Professor Branestawm story (I used to love Professor Branestawm); and the obligatory story on a member of the Royal Family – this time the hunky dreamboat Prince Charles. I wonder if kids annuals still do this? When I was growing up, we had a box of annuals from the Fifties and Sixties that belonged to my mother, and at one stage there was a Princess Margaret Annual in the collection. I would love to get my hands on that now.

I’m currently subscribed to dozens of design blogs which provide me with untold inspiration. I thought I’d start posting some choice selections here. It doesn’t always have to be about me, honest.

I’m particularly fond of cartoony and kawaii graphics and illustrations, vintage and retro type, and crafts and craft-inspired design.

The picture above shows a gorgeous Flickr set – Typewriter Ribbon Tin Collection. Via the Creative Ireland forums.