An Afternoon Idling Lazily on the Internet

The best weblogs always just suck you right in, don't they? You click on them and suddenly it's four hours later and you don't even know where the time went (and your wishlist suddenly has 10 new things on it, but more on that in a minute). Such was the case with me today with Mizutamago, a website I only just discovered this week. Let's review:

First, I was totally smitten by Mizutamago's own graphic designs (above and below). I have ambitions of taking my own graphic design classes this fall, and adorable things like this really get me all excited:


Then I started clicking through her archives and realize it's easy to find really cute clutch purse patterns. (!!) I don't know why I never realized this before -- I'm still new to the sewing, you see. I'm currently scouting about for the perfect pattern to use for my first attempt, but you can see some of Mizu's – er, is it okay if I just call you Mizu? – clutch creations here.

Then she got me desperately wanting Built by Wendy's adorable jacket pattern. And about nine thousand other things on the Built By Wendy online shop (some photos below), which is, rather conveniently, having a huge sale.


And then, of course, I needed to put Sew U: The Built By Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe on my Amazon wishlist, so I can buy it immediately when it comes out Sept. 1. (And then I had to add Amy Butler's In Stitches -- also out Sept. 1 -- because you know how I love Amy Butler.)


Oh, but we're not done yet. Mizu also made me desperately want to own even more books -- specifically, Eva Zeisel On Design by the notable industrial designer and ceramicist, as well as this book on graphic designer Paul Rand (a few of his creations are below, and you can see even more from the book here. Aren't they great?)



Also, I am clearly one of the only people in the world who hadn't seen the trailer for Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola (out this fall), but if you are one of the other people, I -- and Mizu, of course -- highly recommend.

And I haven't even gotten started on all her great Japanese toys, which is inspiring me to plan a trip to Japan *immediately.* Really, this was such a fun way to spend an afternoon. [And now, actual work beckons. Or, more accurately, it's sitting here poking me annoyingly until I attend to it.]