Stationhairy : Fish kissin' fun

I've been known to mooch about in a shop for half an hour trying to find the perfect card for someones birthday. It drives my companions into a twist (which is why I prefer to shop alone. I also drink alone, but let's save that for another time).

These cards are perfection. They're crazy beautiful, really a bit funny (sometimes I laugh alone too) and altogether unique. They're by Kata and Maz, the peeps behind Raven & Lamb. They're cool. They have fun doing what they love, print using vegetable-based inks and hail from sunny, wonderful Sydney.



Feeling lonely? Send someone a card for no reason whatsoever (don't leave it blank) and you'll feel all loved up before you can say "I hate walking to the post office in the rain, why can't posties collect mail when they deliver it..." ravenandlamb.com.au

Cardtherapy : Chillin' up north

Anyone who hails from Canada, lives in Canada or has been there and raves about it is an instant friend. I was born in Toronto a few years back and although I've been in Sydney most of my life, (with a bit of Melbourne and Detroit thrown in for fun), I still know how to throw an 'eh' into any conversation. The only thing is I can't ski and I'm no good in the cold. And by no good I mean completely useless. I know, I know, it's really letting the team down, but I love snow and watching people skate on outdoor rinks and the flamboyant way they cover anything stationary with lights at Christmas. So I obsess from a distance. This is my fate.

Happy was the day I discovered the cards above by Katie Muth, a Toronto-based artist, illustrator and print maker. Ain't they too cute? She also makes pencil cups, journals and greeting cards inspired by the Victorian wrought iron fences of Sydney - in the most stunning colours. I love her originality. Here's a bit more about her...

What gets you in a creative mood? Unfortunately: deadlines! But I've learned to accept this fact, and enjoy being creative in these frantic spurts.

What's your favourite subject to draw? Lots of subjects catch my attention: Nature is a huge inspiration; patterns, human connection, fun things to do... but what I am most satisfied by is when I'm able to really capture a moment, and take the viewer to that place in time.

What's your biggest craving? Well, I've been on a crazy diet recently that doesn't allow booze or sweets, so that's the first thing that comes to mind! But long term I'd say to be surrounded by beauty ~ flowers, colour, nice art.

Cards above clockwise from top left: mix tape, baby foot, girl with skates and wedding birds.
katiemuth.com

Plaything : Note to self

Edward Monkton makes the most brilliant and funny cards. Some are completely random, while others are so perfectly and simply insightful, like the one above (I added the stripes, couldn't help myself). It reminds me to have faith in myself and others and to believe that I'm being looked after every minute of the day. And sometimes, that's all that really matters.