April Fools’ Fishies!

For the French, April 1st signifies le poisson d’avril (or, April’s Fish). While the history of the April 1st/joke connection remains a bit shifty, the most widely accepted source finds itself anchored in 16th-century France, when King Charles IX adopted a new calendar. This calendar, called the Gregorian Calendar (after Pope Gregory XIII, who commanded it), shifted the start of the new year from April 1st to January 1st. Some traditionalists, however, refused to acknowledge and accept the new date; still others simply remained oblivious to the change. Whatever the reason, those who remained loyal to April 1st New Year were soon deemed “April Fools” and were mocked and tricked by their peers.

Similar obscurity surrounds the origin of the April 1st/poisson connection. Some have theorized that the fish relate to the sun’s departure from the zodiac sign of Pisces. Others make perhaps the more obvious connection: fish are easily baited and fooled into being caught. Fish, the symbol of les fous/fools. (My apologies to you fish-lovers out there. Don’t hate the messenger, please.)

The evolution of le poisson d’avril finds little French children taping paper fish to the backs of adults and lightheartedly yelling, “Poisson d’avril!” once said adult discovers the fishy. Likewise, adults play pranks and, whenever the prank’s truth is discovered, the prankster will yell, “Poisson d’avril!“. It’s all fun and games until someone throws a chocolate fish at your head.

In any case, April 1st in France is a sight to be seen… particularly in the Chocolatiers, where various incarnations of chocolate fish shroud the windows. It’s INCREDIBLE. I’ve never seen anything like it. But since I’m not in France right now, I thought I’d share some images that I found online… chocolate-related and not. Enjoy, and happy April Fools’!

(Above: found HERE)

(Above: from Chocolatier Patrick Roger)

(Above: “Happy Fishing!” found HERE)

(Above: found on Flickr)

(Above: found HERE)

(Above: found HERE)

(Above: “Eaten!” found HERE)

(Above: found HERE)

French Friday: Fifi Mandirac!

While the brisk New England weather often makes it seem otherwise, springtime will soon be upon us (yay!). It is with the seasonal advancement in mind that I offer you the vibrant colors and springy designs of Fifi Mandirac! All images below originate from either her blog, Les Surprises de Fifi, or her online shop:

Wordshop Wednesday: Dutch Door Press!

Behold the sweetness of Dutch Door Press. And hightail it to their Etsy shop immediately. Thank you.

 

 

I haven’t posted any calendars in a while…

It’s almost 2009! As in denial of this fact as I am, it doesn’t make it any less true.

Cr@p.

But, if another year threatens to begin, well then, we might as well welcome it with designeriffic beauty, don’t you think?

I bet you’ll want all of these calendars, just like I do.

LENA CORWIN (this one’s my personal favorite, shh!):

 

SOMETHING’S HIDING HERE (what a great shop name, huh?):

 

SEESAW DESIGN:

Letterpress makes me more willing to ring in the new year, how about you?

 

HAPPIFY‘s postcard calendar (I find this incredibly inventive/awesome):

Four seasons letterpress calendar by ELUM DESIGNS:

Wordshop Wednesday: ZippityDooda

For this week’s edition of Wordshop Wednesday, I am extremely excited to present you with the extraordinary project known as An Artful Agenda. Featured on ZippityDooda’s Etsy site,

An Artful Agenda:

“showcases the artwork of eighteen different artists who have donated their art to benefit the Northeast Portland Tool Library (neptl.org). Two-thirds of the proceeds go to support NEPTL. The mission of An Artful Agenda is to harness the power of community through resource sharing, whether it’s sharing skills, knowledge and equipment to create a work of art or sharing tools in a neighborhood.”

There are three different cover designs to choose from, and four different color options. But, in my opinion, the best part is that the book isn’t overpowering in size (it measures 4.25″ x 5.5″ x 5/8″), and it comes with unlined pages. I tend to be vehemently anti-line. 

Here are the three cover designs,
which also showcase three of the different color options:

 

Interior image samples: