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Stitchwitchery By Aubrey Longley-Cook. Sew Cool.





Talented young embroiderer Aubrey Longley-Cook ( who turns 24 tomorrow.. Happy Birthday Aubrey!!!) writes a blog from Atlanta, Georgia named Spool Spectrum on which he posts his own handiwork along with some fabulous textile work from other artists and some kitschy finds. He also sells some of his unique embroidery, each framed in a wood hoop, in a store of the same name as his blog on etsy.


above: Front and back of "Rex"

A self-proclaimed fan of cartoons, animation, cassettes and mix tapes, he is bringing embroidery a long way from its stereotype as a Granny craft.

This particular series of his fun "Stichwitchery" caught my eye:

Undead Thoroughbred:

Coop Spook:

Croaker:

Elephantom:


And more of his other wonderful pieces:

Make A Wish
( a series of embroidered Dragon balls):

Midas:

City In The Trees:

group Duel:

It's In Our Fingerprints:


Baal's Brass Band (embroidery on found fabric):


In addition to his embroidery shown above, he hand stitches cards, and creates many other interesting pieces of textile art.


above: Aubrey Longley-Cook

Check out his blog, Spool Spectrum and his etsy store. I, for one, look forward to seeing more of his work.

Never Heard Of Biegert & Funk? Then It's Time.




Biegert & Funk make one of the most beautifully designed clocks I have seen in awhile (and a cool matching iPhone app, too!).



The 45 squared (also called the QLOCKTWO) is a unique clock designed and handmade in Germany by Biegert & Funk, who also offer another clock, the Qlock 3.14, which you'll see later in this post.

The clock is marketed under two different names (the 45 squared at the London store fci and the QLOCKTWO at Biegert & Funk), but whatever you want to call it, it's a great looking timepiece.

Available as a wall mounted or tabletop version, without hands or numbers, the clock reveals the time, every 5 seconds, through glowing words that are selectively revealed by the cover placed upon it. The cover is not only available in five colors, as well as the newly released stainless steel version, but also in six different languages as well, allowing those all over the world the chance to own this extraordinarily designed clock.

(click on image to enlarge)


The front surface of the clock is made of polished synthetic glass and is supported by eight magnets, so the front surface can be replaced without visible attachments. When the clock is switched on, the chronometer adjusts itself to the split second and adapts the brightness of the characters to the ambient light.

Their newest addition is a Stainless Steel version:

Lime Green in Dutch:

Vanilla Sugar in Italian:

Cherry Cake Red in Spanish:

Black Ice Tea in German:

Frozen Blackberry in English:

Tabletop version in Russian:


All five colors (black, red, silvery-white, purple and lime green) and the stainless steel version are available in English, Dutch, German, Spanish, Russian and Italian.

The front cover replacements can be purchased separately, so you can have multiple colors or languages:

covers cost €95.00 EUR.

Even the cable extensions are thoughtful in their design, as they come in various colors:

clock cables cost €34.50.

How to read the clock:

No matter what color or what room, the clock looks fabulous in almost any interior:



technical specs:
* typographic time format in 5 minute intervals combined with four-minute dots
* Front: Acrylic glass polished edges, Body: Wood, four layers of lack
* DCF-77 time-signal receiver for to the second accurate time-telling without manual setting
* Automatic summer/winter daylight-savings time
* Light sensor for automatic adjustment to ambient light
* manual brightness control
* including wall brackets for mounting
* including massive acrylic glass holders for stand version
* Dimensions 450 x 450 x 20 mm, Weight approx. 4 kg
* International electricity supply 110V/220V, very low energy consumption (LED)
* handmade in Germany


And yes, there's an iPhone app too (English and German only):


get the iphone app at the itunes store.

QLOCKTWO is officially awarded the FORM#09 design award by German Crafts Association for its innovative design and functionality

At €900 EUR, it's not cheap, (stainless steel version is €1099.00 EUR) but then again, you're investing in a piece of art that functions as a clock. The clock is available from both the upscale and unique furniture and interior design company, fci and from the Biegert & Funk online store.

Qlock 3.14


Qlock 3.14 by Beigert & Funk is a much less expensive (€179.00 EUR) and less unique option, but is also available in various colors and languages. The round clock (love the name beause it is Pi and 'pie' is round) is battery operated and has a synthetic glass cover with metal hands.




Buy the Qlock 3.14 here.


Biegert & Funk GmbH & Co. KG
Goethestraße 29
73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd
Phone: +49 7171 104999 0
Fax: +49 7171 104999 22


A Cool Look & Warm Feeling For The Winter Olympics From TBWA Chiat Day & VISA




Advertising agency TBWA Chiat Day continues their inspiring work for the Olympics with a new campaign, promotion and website for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The GO WORLD ad campaign for VISA continues, but now with a cool icy blue winter look and a warm approach. The television, print work and accompanying website give us chills, while simultaneously raising our body temperatures.

The campaign breaks with a new TV commercial, still using the fabulous Morgan Freeman as the voice-over:


In addition, they are promoting using your VISA card for a chance to win a trip to the Winter Games:

     
The website, which just launched yesterday, intimately introduces us to five competing athletes; Linsdey Jacobellis, Julia Mancuso, Ryan St. Onge, Angela Ruggiero, and Alexi Salamone, whose inspirational stories are told through nicely produced beautiful training videos, photo stills and more.

   
above: the homepage of the newly launched website   

Here are the 5 athletes showcased on the site, photo stills and training videos.  

Lindsey Jacobellis, Women's Snowboard Cross:
 

Lindsey, 24, is one of the most successful women snowboarders in the world. At the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, she took home a silver in the Women's Snowboard Cross.

     
Julia Mancuso, Women's Alpine Ski:
 

At 25, Julia is the current women's Olympic giant slalom gold medal champion, and holds the record for the most consecutive podium finishes at U.S. championships.

   

Ryan St. Onge, Men's Freestyle Aerials:
 

Ryan, 26, is the Olympic gold medal favorite in the sport of Men's Freestyle Aerials. With 7 career World Cup wins, he closed out the 2009 season ranking #2 in the world. Look out for his quintuple-twisting triple-back somersault (that's 3 flips with 5 twists) he plans to unleash in Vancouver.

    

Angela Ruggiero, Women's Ice Hockey:
 

A three-time Olympic medalist, World Champion Angela is the leader of the U.S. Women's Hockey Team. She currently holds the record as "All-time Leader in Games Played for TEAM USA."
 
      

Alexi Salamone, Men's Paralympic Sled Hockey:
 

At only 22, he is one of the best sled hockey players in the world. An integral player in the bronze medal-winning team in the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, he made the 2010 US Paralympic sled hockey team and is presently training in New York for a victory this year.



And, beginning November 4, you can customize a VISA gift card on the website to include a photo of one of the athletes:
     
The Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games take place on February 12th. TBWA Chiat Day VISA

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