i heart typography

MORGAN: Wonderful typographic treatments by Harmonie-intérieure! While decorating their own home in the French countryside, Frédérique and Fabien (a married couple and parents) felt the need to create "inside harmony", or "harmonie intérieure" and came up with the first concepts that launched their company! I am going to need to find a blank wall in the house so that one of these can be mine some day! Beautiful work! The limited edition poster and wall stickers are available to order through their website.

CARRIE: I just decided to create my own little circus in my sketchbook.

MORGAN: Well, I started with thinking a circus theme is a cute concept for kids--so I pictured the flags banner design as a kid invitation or baby announcement, but then the more I thought about the circus, I realized that there are days that I feel like I am the circus animal jumping through the hoops, and that's where the second design came from :)

circus styling

MORGAN: Sweet, carnival-esque photo-styling found at www.simplesilhouettes.com

The Circus: 1870-1950

MORGAN: For anyone with a fascination about the circus, this Taschen book is a must have! "With 670 pages and nearly 900 color and black-and-white illustrations, this book brings to life the grit and glamour behind the circus phenomenon." It includes about 180 of the earliest color photographs ever taken of the circus between the 1940s and 1950s, 200 posters  by the famous Stobridge lithographers, and little known circus images by Stanley Kubrick and Charles and Ray Eames! { via frombestywithlove }

if you live in KC...

MORGAN: ...don't miss Quixotic Fusion! Quixotic is an ever-evolving ensemble of musicians, dancers, aerialists, composers, designers and choreographers collaborating to produce new forms of artistic expression. It's truly a unique experience! They were voted the Best Performing Arts Group 2008 by Kansas City Magazine! The Lux Esalare show will be running at the UMKC Performing Arts Center June 19-27!

gloomy circus

CARRIE: So, I'm drawn to photos again, this time with a darker tone. Photos from etsy, flickr and graphic exchange.

circus violet

MORGAN: An adorable new line of porcelain from Studio Violet with a whimsical, circus flare!

2nd greatest

CARRIE: fun and fitting poster from Yee-haw Industries. Condi, the singing gerbil, is not to be missed.
Available at Yee-haw's etsy shop.

ladies and gentlemen....

MORGAN: ...introducing Grady McFerrin! Clearly inspired by circus artwork, Grady's illustration style is eclectic and has a unique color palette that is bright and eye-catching, yet at the same time, nostalgic. In addition to the above magazine ads, you can see many of Grady's drawings on wine labels and various stationery products.

thrill ride

CARRIE: With summer approaching, I love thinking of roller coasters and carnivals and all of the fun that comes along with them. These images are of Coney Island from flickr.

MORGAN: As I mentioned, there is a special place in my heart for peacocks and that is due to the fact that I grew up with them as pets! yes, it sounds crazy, well...it was a bit crazy, and loud at times...but I wouldn't trade it for anything! So, clearly, these colorful birds make me think of home and of my parents, so it's only fitting to post about peacocks on this particular Sunday. Happy Mother's Day :)

CARRIE: I'm going to go ahead and admit that I'm a big, fat cheater. These are animals that I illustrated for my niece, Emma's, first birthday (in November) so they aren't exactly brand new, but they are animals.

the eyes have it....

CARRIE: I've had these goofy little cartoons saved on my computer forever. I don't have any idea where I got them, I apologize. I just get a kick of the little eyes peeking out.

modern animals for kids

above: the Vitra Eames toy elephant, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1945 out of plywood but never put into production-now available in plastic and wood!
above: Boodalee Trees Surface Graphics

above: SUM Animalia Safari Wallpaper

MORGAN: Everything above found at Design Public!