Design, art, letterpress, environment, pretty things, pretty cool things...make me a Happy Camper. 
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You are currently browsing the Happy Camper blog archives for September, 2009.
24Sep
Saw that there’s an exhibition on Polish Posters from 1945-89, in its post-war communist era, at the MoMA NYC. You usually see the posters of Russia or Germany from WWII era but these modern posters from Poland is something new for me. Whoever is in the area should see it! They look a bit surreal. You can find more information on MoMA’s website.
Category: vintage // No Comments
23Sep
Found these lovely prints via PrintMag by Lumadessa. It’s a large collection of illustrated birds designed on a species reference layout. They’re beautifully broken down into geometric shapes.
It’d be a nice collection to have all together on a wall, wouldn’t you think?
Category: animals, illustration // 3 Comments
22Sep
Love these animals in design from ModCloth — So silly and cute. Even though I’m an adult, it doesn’t mean I don’t want animals incorporated with my things. I’m happy that I’m not the only one who thinks this.
Like these panda ear buds! Yes please.
Or these useful little cute things from the MoMA store:
Category: animals // 2 Comments
21Sep
Went to a flea market this weekend and found some wonderful vintage postcards. I couldn’t resist and bought these two:
The surfing one is postmarked from 1933 — when Hawaii was still a territory!
I think the most entertaining part of rifling through the cards was reading what people wrote on the back. On the back of the surfing postcard, it’s written, “It is quite a sport if you know how to perform it.”
Or this postcard with a scene of the Cliff House at the San Francisco beach on the front:
11/14/30
Dear S. –
Yesterday I saw several seals on these rocks.
Love Father
This one written on a Dearborn, Michigan postcard from 1943 is amazing:
Dear Phoebe,
Just a bit to tell you Mark(?) called on the phone this morning. He is on a diet now. They hope to taper him down to around 190lbs and he is quite happy about it. He isn’t confined to bed, so if he just relaxes he can enjoy it to some degree.
As ever,
Anna
Also, these cards printed from the early first half of the 20th century can sometimes have excerpts on the backs that aren’t meaning to be funny but they are. For example, one of the postcards from Baltimore is described as, “…a city charmingly picturesque in its ugliness, yet seething with activity and opportunity.”
Or this one that has the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco on the cover: “In cozy nooks about the grounds visitors are served tea and delicious rice cakes by dainty Japanese maidens.”
18Sep
I’m loving this Brazilian illustrator, Mathiole, found via Familiar strangers. The works are very surrealist and dreamy. Having lived in Brazil for about 5 weeks, the waves of vibrant colors really reflect the atmosphere of Brazil.
You can even buy a T-shirt! I like this one a lot. Bear hug! Look how happy the bear is.
Category: Uncategorized, illustration // 1 Comment
17Sep
My mother always thought I should be a librarian because I love to read and I love to display beautiful book covers. Well, I’ll keep it as a back up. I do admit, I definitely judge a book by its cover. Why shouldn’t I? I’m a designer. That’s why this blog, Awful Library Books, is amazing. These librarians weed out old books that people may not want to borrow anymore and scan in the covers for our entertainment. These librarians rock.
If I knew that going into a “computer” career would involve some mustached mullet man on a motherboard..mmm…may have thought twice. Good thing I never found this book.
I know that there are many books published each year that makes you think, “really?” But this book on WAX…? Come on. So a bunch of publishers thought, “yes, yes this is a good idea to publish a book about wax. People will love it.”
I don’t even know what this is about.
This one is my absolute favorite that I’ve seen. So…..you’re adopted. That’s awkward. Here’s a book.
Category: vintage // No Comments
14Sep
I recently got this recycled materials zipper pouch made by BlueQ — It’s the perfect size for my brushes/pens! I love goodies like this with re-purposed materials, like this one made from plastic bottles and grain sacks!
And look at this happy camper!
These toothbrush holders are amazing. What do you think: Toothbrush holders — a lost art?
For those who are Zen brushers:
This is my ultimate favorite. Having a sister who is an orthodontist (who I’m sure will love this post!), I’ve become very protective of my toothbrush:
Category: environment // 3 Comments