orange sky designs

it's moving day...

2010-02-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

Hi there...well, it's moving day here at Orange Sky Designs. In fact, we're not even calling ourselves OSD anymore. From hence forth, we shall be called @ Designs!

If you'd like to keep tabs on us, you can find us at www.ambercroce.wordpress.com

kindred spirits.

2009-08-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know who these people are, but I stumbled across this blog and this blog today and well, just refer to the title of this post. I'm inspired to take all of the photos I've taken of the transformation of our house and revamp my blog. I think I might just do that. Yep, that's what I'll do!

i'm in love...

2009-06-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

...with Schoolhouse Electric Co.

-Great logo
-Stunning website design
-Awesome product
-Based in Portland, Oregon (I'd love to live there)

I think I know where we'll be getting some of our light fixtures!

Side note: This is the first post I've done in months because we GOT that old Victorian right outside of the city and I've been incredibly busy working on it! If anyone is still checking in, stick around! I promise I will try to keep up with this blog as we renovate!

hospitality and pineapples.

2009-02-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

Today, after picking up a free recliner for the hubby (courtesy of Craigslist), we stopped by one of our favorite places in all of the 'Burgh-Construction Junction. CJ is a place where you can find recycled building and household items to buy and repurpose for cheap (and sometimes free). Can you tell that I'm a sucker for a bargain? While we are still in negotiations over "the house", we can't help but to be excited and wanting to plan and such. We found plenty of potential items for said house, but we were really only browsing for now. However, as we were getting ready to walk out the door, we looked at some smaller items on a table near the entrance and I found two of these great little architectural pineapple things for $4 each. I'm assuming that's what they are, anyways. I'll post a picture of them later. So, I set out on a quest to find out exactly what they are-I didn't, but I did find this awesome wallpaper designed by Jenny Wilkinson in the UK. It's paint by number. I'm not kidding. You can even purchase it here. Also, pineapples have been used as a symbol of hospitality for a long time, so I think these would be great for wherever we live.

I'm really not a fan of wallpaper, but I think I could dig a little bit of this-maybe on just one wall or something?

beard hat update.

2009-02-06T11:20:00.000-08:00

In December 10th's post a winter beard. , I highlighted a great (albeit expensive) hat from Scandinavian Grace. I had given up on that venture, as it was out of any viable price range to spend on a gag gift. But, today truly is a new day. I recently came across Instructables -a DIY website. Today, I found instructions to make this very hat. The internet is a beautiful thing.

Plus, they have a great logo.

green fence.

2009-02-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

So, my husband and I are about to make an offer on an amazing Victorian house right outside of the city limits. It has incredible character and it is absolutely enormous! There will be plenty of room for us as we start a family, and we will obviously be there for quite a while. One of our criteria in our home search was that the house have a decent fenced-in yard. While this house has a million other things that I never imagined would be in our first home (like the square footage!), it does not have a fence. But, it DOES have a nice yard. I was researching fencing online today and it seems that it can be quite expensive to have someone come and build a fence for us. So, since there are many things we want to do to this house over time, we'll be doing as much of the work ourselves as we can to save money. So, I started researching building your own fence online, and specifically, "green" solutions to fencing. As you might imagine, there aren't many options for tree-friendly fencing. But, I did find one that I just adore. Every time I look at this picture, it makes me smile. Maybe we'll even use this idea in our backyard!

Click here for the full story.

obama+steelers=victory.

2009-01-31T19:33:00.000-08:00

I think we all know who's got this game in the bag. I mean, if you have the president on your side, how can you lose?

jesus is a friend of mine.

2009-01-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

We all need to laugh sometimes. This should do it for you.

fun.

2009-01-22T09:53:00.000-08:00

I just came across this site (though I had seen these illustrations before, just not knowing where they came from)- someecards, where their tag line is, "when you care enough to hit send". Pretty hilarious. You should check it out. Here are a couple from the category, "somewhat topical".

president obama.

2009-01-20T10:29:00.000-08:00

("November 4, 2008" by graphic designer, Patrick Moberg)

("Progress" by graphic designer, Scott Hansen)

("All Colors Together" by Brazilian graphic designer, Daniel Molin)

In honor of today's historic Presidential inauguration, I thought we should take a look at some Obama art (Obamart?). This next one is from 30 Reasons, a website that I found during the election season. It is a series of 30 graphic designers presenting 30 reasons to vote for Barack Obama. Even if you disagree with one or all of these reasons, it's an aesthetic treat! Yum-yum!

(by graphic designer, Chaz Maviyane-Davies)

And I would be remiss if I were to ignore the Obama logo and branding-an incredible way to reach younger voters of the MTV generation (like myself), as well as the growing number of design-concious Americans (and let's face it, who doesn't like pretty things?). Read about it here and here. Presidential campaigning will never be the same.

(Obama campaign buttons with O logo and Gotham typeface)

If you're wondering what that font is that he's used, it's called Gotham, and it was chosen for its simplicity and elegance.

For more on our new president, check out change.gov and/or whitehouse.gov.

Happy Inauguration Day! :)

nat'l delurking week 2009.

2009-01-18T20:18:00.000-08:00

Okay, I missed it. National Delurking Week 2009 was, in fact, last week. I didn't know. BUT-I like the idea. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself on here and I wonder who's reading my posts and what you think (if there is a "you" out there). So, if you're reading, and you feel like it, leave me a little note and say hello! It would make me feel important and inspire me to post more! :)

Thanks!

coconut records.

2009-01-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

Usually, I stick to the visual on this blog, but I must throw some light on some great music I've just discovered by Coconut Record s, Jason Schwartzman's band (of I Heart Huckabees fame, as well as The Darjeeling Limited). Schwartzman was also in the band Phantom Planet. The song that got me started on CR is called "West Coast" from the debut album, Nighttiming (2007). The newly released album, Davy (2009), has just become available for download on iTunes. Also, you can check out their MySpace page. You'll love it.

And, hey, the album cover ain't half bad either. :)

method.

2009-01-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

I am a big fan of Method products. They make cleaning products that are environmentally-friendly. Until recently, I've only used their cleaning products and hand wash. But, that all changed one chilly evening at Target. Strolling down the body wash aisle, I spotted the most beautiful bottle of body wash I had ever seen-Method's White Tea natural moisturizing body wash. Not only beautiful to the eyes, but it smells amazing. I must say, it looks great next to my shampoo and conditioner in my shower. I was so impressed, I gifted a bottle of it to my mom for Christmas. White Tea body wash, you had me at "hello".

grandfather clock.

2008-12-23T10:22:00.000-08:00

This is so clever and cute-an image of a grandfather clock printed on canvas, with a working clock mechanism. Alas, Rockett St. George is located in Europe, and I guess that means I can't get one. Or can I...?

steve kim=awesome.

2008-12-23T09:59:00.000-08:00

I just discovered this artist, Steve Kim, via this crazy world wide web, and: wow. These are beautiful...and I am lovin' the palette he uses. I can't even pick a favorite.

I think I want to start painting again.

Router Power
oil on canvas

Dog Walk
oil on canvas

Three Heads
oil on canvas

Leashed Dogs
oil on canvas

a seasonal post.

2008-12-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

I love wrapping paper. It's true. There's nothing like wrapping that perfect gift in a beautifully designed wrapping paper. When choosing my wrapping paper, I don't just pick up any old roll. I go to great lengths, scouring the options, picking the most appealing designs. This year, while Christmas shopping at my local Target with my husband, we came across the wrapping paper section, remembering that we were running low, and that we should pick up a couple of rolls. So, in my typical fashion, I went on the hunt for the perfect papers in which to wrap our gifts. My sweet hubby told me I could pick three rolls. Of course, they had to be different. I couldn't get three rolls that were primarily red. So I literally spent fifteen minutes determining the best designs and those that would look great together. So, I came up with a funky light blue pattern with a red stocking pattern, a vintage ornament pattern on a white background, and a classic white snowflake pattern on a red background. They look great under our tree and it always makes me proud to give a beautifully-wrapped gift at Christmas. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and enjoy the aesthetics of the season!

Here are some other cool wrapping papers I found at Whimsy and Erin Ruth's Etsy shop (whose papers are eco-friendly).

check it out.

2008-12-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

Check out my hubby's blog...Beer and Baseball Cards. I made a little banner for him. :)

some of my own work.

2008-12-11T18:47:00.001-08:00

In case anyone is reading and wondering about what my work looks like...I will post completed work here until I launch my website/online portfolio. :)

Also, stealing is never cool. So, please don't. It would make me :(

a winter beard.

2008-12-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

This is something that, if I had so much money that I didn't know what to do with it, I would buy for my husband, my brother-in-law, my 6 year old brother, and pretty much any guy I know. They're a little too pricey for me, but if you can't live without one, you can find them at Scandinavian Grace.

happy anniversary.

2008-12-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary today. Happy anniversary, my love.

simply stunning.

2008-12-08T16:08:00.000-08:00

This woman's beautiful work amazes me. Her name is Geninne Zlatkis and you can find it on her Flickr photostream: here

a brand new beginning...

2008-12-07T21:45:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are, readers. I'm Amber and I'll be your host(ess). We're going to have an amazing time. I'm on the very edge of my seat, completely thrilled at the prospect of our blossoming relationship. On this blog, we'll be looking at all things creative. From logos to architecture, product design to patterns; you name it, we'll discuss it. I can't wait!

For now, I'll leave you with this: a Starbucks poster I saw as of late-from here