i just signed up for the sketchbook project : and you should too

Here’s how The Sketchbook Project works:

Anyone can sign up (until October 31st) and for $25, you receive a blank moleskin sketchbook with a bar code and a particular assigned theme. You have until January 15th to fill it with doodles, drawings, paintings, collages, whatever you want. Then you send it back and all the sketchbooks go on tour across the country in galleries and museums!

You can track where your book is at all times and even view it on display at one of the above scheduled tour locations. At the end of the tour, the books will all be cataloged as a permanent collection at The Brooklyn Art Library. For an extra twenty bucks, they will scan and digitize your book so that you can have an electronic record of all your hard work.

This is the first I’m hearing about it, thanks to The Donut Project, but Art House Co-op has been running this for five years now.

I am excited to get started! Join my sketchbook on tour and sign up here.

brooklyn navy yard : photographs by nathan kensinger

I’ve been looking for this! Photographer Nathan Kensinger was granted access to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for a year and posted a fantastic collection of images to his blog.

I bike past this restricted zone of Brooklyn every day, curious and intrigued by the history and current state of the buildings and grounds within. Finally, a glimpse.

All images courtesy of Nathan Kensinger.

a beautiful summer wedding concoction : poppies & posies + paperfinger

Brooklyn Bride featured this shoot on Monday, orchestrated and created by Poppies & Posies — the floral and event design duo that I’ve worked with before (remember the oyster bar menu?) — along with calligraphy by yours truly, Stuart & Welch catering, Sarah Seven bridal gowns, all captured by photographer Jen Huang. The models were Jasmine Johnson of BridalBod and Davraam.

The theme: chemistry!

I created a periodic table of elements-esque table sign along with whimsically written place cards for the shoot. The floral display here is gorgeous — Sierra and Jen of Poppies & Posies made it work so elegantly with the old science test tubes and vintage medicinal glass bottles. Read about their process and selections in greater detail on the Brooklyn Bride post.

Some of my favorite shots by Jen are included here. Enjoy!

(All images by Jen Huang Photography)

bryn listens : aloe blacc

KEXP chose this as song of the day this week and I have been feeling it.

Aloe Blacc is represented by Stones Throw Records. His new album, Good Things, which contains this track, will be released in September. For any of you who’ve seen the new HBO series, How To Make It In America (not me), this is the theme song for the opening credits.

Good news for NYC! Aloe Blacc is performing tonight at Southpaw in Brooklyn and tomorrow with Raphael Sadiiq at Summerstage! I wish I could be there! Check the schedule and details here.

Listen with me:

“I Need A Dollar” by Aloe Blacc

pier 41 : red hook, brooklyn

In Saturday’s brilliant sun, we took a ride down to Red Hook’s Pier 41, home to these beautiful plantings and the city’s legendary key lime pie by Steve’s Authentic.

if you love new york city : i have a question for you (and a little prize)

So the first piece of news is that my big sister just moved to NYC and we are really excited to live in the same city for the first time as adults! I’ve been here for about eight years now and have been slowly, gradually working on a plan to get her to move. At last!

To welcome her to the city, I’m putting together a box of tips and ideas for favorite places to see, eat, play, visit, sit, walk, bike, drink, celebrate, and generally enjoy New York.

What is your suggestion? What’s one of your favorite places in New York City?

Please post your recommendation as a comment on this post. You don’t need to live here to make a suggestion! At 5pm EST Friday (June 25), I’ll choose one of you by random and gift you a Paperfinger-made NYC skyline stamp (with the illustration above) and an ink pad (in any color of your choice).

Thanks so much for contributing your ideas!

a weekend : of summer eating

I spent the weekend at home with family in Amherst and savored fresh, home cooking all weekend long. It was casual, easy and vegetable-centric thanks to the goodies from both my and my mom’s CSA (Community Support Agriculture) memberships. I’m delighting in the weekly deluge of veggies both familiar and foreign.

Our meals included (see links for recipes or sources):

• My father’s specialty, elote (above), grilled salmon and an endive salad
• A light and springy green “Bright Green Spinach and Pea Soup” by Deborah Madison from Vegetarian Cooking For Everyone

• My take on a summer berry crisp with blackberries, raspberries and a buttery, oat crumble, topped with Tofutti

• More delights from Deborah Madison, “Pizza with Escarole, Fontina, and Walnuts” from The Greens Cookbook

• My new obsession, French macaroons from Brooklyn’s Almondine Bakery

paperfinger is hiring ! seeking summer intern

Paperfinger is on the lookout for a summer intern who wants to learn about small business adventures, calligraphy and hand-drawn design and get good experience in managing the variety of things that come across my desk in a given day. The full job listing is posted here. Please send it along to anyone you think might be interested, thanks!

studiobooth and paperfinger ! at urban wed

Needless to say, I wasn’t the only one enjoying myself at Tuesday and Wednesday night’s Urban Wed event, hosted by Brooklyn Bride. As a new offering, I created custom props and signs for party-goers to use at the always-a-riot StudioBooth photo station.

I raved about StudioBooth in a previous post, but in case you don’t know, it’s a mobile photo studio that brings life and humor to any event, party or wedding. Something happens when you step into the bright (and blessedly flattering lights) — everyone ends up jumping, leaping and posing in total delight. As the party goes on, the photos are projected in random order on the wall, providing for endless entertainment.

Having a great set of props adds to the fun so I was excited to forge a new collaboration with StudioBooth and create signs like “We’re getting hitched!”, “Congratulations”, “She said Yes!” along with calligraphic mustaches and eyewear. This is a brand new offering from Paperfinger and can be custom ordered for any event. Contact StudioBooth for bookings and contact me for the props and signage.

Here are some shots from the event:

another great night ! paperfinger holds down a table at brooklyn bride’s urban wed event

I’m worn out after two amazing nights of festivity at Brooklyn Bride‘s Urban Wed series! Last night was also a big success — I had fun seeing so many of the industry folks along with chatting with friendly, engaged guests!

You can see shots of the Paperfinger table in yesterday’s post if you scroll down. For today, I have some shots of fellow vendors and the beautiful loft, Nest.

These first photos are from the gorgeous table and event design by Hatch Creative Studio director, Barb Salzman, who also owns the Nest loft.

57 Grand specializes in modern bridesmaid dresses and accessories, like the hair pins below.

Paper + Cup displayed their unique and very appealing line of stationary and invites:

Breathtaking dresses from Samuelle:

Cupcake treasures from Nine Cakes:

More vendors to highlight and more pictures to share but that’s a taste for now!

Thanks to everyone for coming.

(All photography courtesy of Jen Huang Photography)