ROBYN GETTING MARRIED

I recently had the pleasure of designing wedding invitations for my little sis. I couldn't be happier for the two of these guys - it was such an honour to do!

Sometimes you just gotta give into cuteness when it comes to wedding invitations. (Don't crash her wedding please haha) 

Real life version: 

Process shot:

NEW: TOTES! PRINTS! CARDS!

It's been a while since I've added new things to my personal shop, but today there are a whole bunch of new things available! Starting with: psychic readings totes (black and natural). Above and below you will find me trying my best to be a tote bag model. My elbow scar really pops out in the one below. I got it flying off my bike as a youth in London, Ontario. I remember my dad laughing at me as I walked in the door because I was such a blathering mess. That sounds mean, but it wasn't. It was a really nice, funny moment!

I've never been to a psychic, and I'm pretty sure I don't believe in them, but I've always been drawn to the imagery. I think it's because life is long and hard at times, and there are so many decisions to make every day - the idea of someone just telling me how things are going to go, or the idea that I don't really control my own destiny is kind of appealing (and hilarious). Of course, things do not work this way, and I would much rather control my own destiny. Danielle and I joke about going to the psychic by our studio all the time. I wonder if we'll ever go? Speaking of Danielle, have you seen her badass jewelry lookbook by Celine? It's the best. She made a mask out of leaves!

Next up: this We'll Find Out print inspired by Timber Timbre songs. Specifically the 2009 self titled release. Each panel represents a line or a feeling from that record. If you haven't listened to that album, I strongly urge you to do so. You will not be upset about it. You will have a new favourite record! Here it is in better detail: 

"Do your actions mention, your heart's intentions? We'll find out. 

Is your mind mistaken? Is your conscience not at ease? We'll find out.

Do you strive to deny each kindred spirit in the room? We'll find out. 

And is your highest pleasure now, the misfortune of fools? We'll find out. 

You hide nothing. Just believe it. We all see it."

This Timber Timbre thing started as a zine experiment, and then ended up as a print. This is further evidence that I will never, ever be able to finish a zine. Note: I cheated on screen printing and digitally printed this guy. 9X12 on matte cardstock. I might just start illustrating my favourite albums all the time, because it's really enjoyable. I live for great lyrics.

This short story of a blog post continues with: a couple of small prints! 

Wild Eye & Coors 5X7 digital prints on cardstock. 

I had my first (and last, because I have other favourite crappy beers!) Coors the other day, and then repeatedly drew the can. Good times! There is definitely pleasure in repetition. All hail the summer of cheap beer!

And last but not least, there are cards too! Something sentimental for all the X-Files fans who want to believe, more psychic readings for the fortune tellers in the house, and a couple of beer cans for all the b-day party animals.

And since we're on the subject of stuff for sale (sell sell sell), let's also point out a couple cool things some talented buds have got going on:

Shayna has more beautiful moon cycle necklaces in her shop

Caitlyn has some cool new collages and prints in her shop

Time to go eat freezies!

SPRINKLES.

Do you, for some reason, need a repeating donut sprinkle pattern?

If so, download one of these pics & tile it up.

  

NEW: SOJOURN, FALCONWRIGHT.

I recently had the pleasure of designing a couple logos for one of my very talented pals, Shayna (aka Sojourn). Here they are on her boxes and envelopes! I stole these two photos from her instagram account: @alittlesojourn. Making things for friends is the best. Also? Shayna just updated her shop, and it's bananas. Go check it out! A few of the pieces are already sold out, but there are still lots of beauties up there just waiting to dangle around your neck all summer. 

Speaking of shop updates, we recently added a few new bags to the Falconwright shop! A fresh little summer update in the form of pineapple prints, watermelon seeds, beachy stripes, and more! Throw your sunscreen and your e-reader and your snack money in your clutch and head down to a patio or the beach? Sounds good to me. Check em' out!

PS - A reminder that my new email address is sandifalconer(at)gmail.com!

HELLO SANDI FALCONER.

The time has come! Time to phase out my old print moniker Deadweight, and embrace my 100% legit name, Sandi Falconer. In honour of this little shift, I have built a brand new website! Check it out. Feels like a step in the right direction!

If you follow me on twitter or instagram, you'll notice that both accounts have gotten the @sandifalconer makeover. Plus, you can now find my blog & shop & everything all in one convenient location! A real one stop destination, ya know?

*IMPORTANT* My old email address is no longer active. You can now contact me via sandifalconer(at)gmail.com! I want to make things for you.

Please visit all my future blogs at: http://www.sandifalconer.com/blog

TRIPPING PART 2: DESERT MAGIC.

Behold The Valley Of Fire! Ancient wood, petroglyphs, gorgeous red sandstone, mountains in the distance, winding roads, endless blue skies, and NO buildings in sight.

I've never gone on a trip where the geography has been vastly different, so The Valley of Fire blew my mind. I don't even know how to explain the vast beauty of this place, but these panoramic shots below come close. Who knew that rocks could be so gorgeous? And the quiet? Don't even get me started. Just kidding. Let's talk alllll about it. What a great break from the noise of city life. Even if just for one day.

Here's Rob doing his best 127 Hours impression. We came across a few people on paths, taking pictures on the side of the road, or a gaggle of bikers here and there, but for the most part this state park wasn't very populated. You could really get lost out there, and that's kind of a wonderful feeling.

(When I was a kid, my buddy and I used to ride our bikes somewhere we didn't know well and attempt to get lost. But we lived in a small town, so we never really accomplished getting lost. It was fun to try though.)

GET REAL, NEVADA.

One of my favourite parts of this drive was putting on Anna Calvi's record, turning it way up, and just looking out the window and taking it all in. That was a perfect hour. Anna Calvi was made for the desert.

We also checked out Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. It kind of blows my mind that people use these roads to drive to work or whatever. If you're in Las Vegas, you should definitely rent a car for a day and get out of the city. It's really a perfect way to break up the craziness. Balance achieved!

Got a sunburn. Didn't care.

Lizard count: 2

Fun fact: this Lana Del Ray was partially shot in The Valley of Fire.

I also really can't believe palm trees are real. Look at these stumpy little dudes!

And this is what it looks like when you land in Toronto when the sun is coming up.

Ok, gonna go fantasize about road trips and living in the middle of nowhere again...

TRIPPING PART 1: LAS VEGAS

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Rob and I went to Las Vegas and The Nevada desert for a quick three day adventure. I met Rob in college, and we've talked about going since then, but it never really came together until now. Why Vegas? We both have a love for carnival-esque ridiculousness and humourous excess! As you can see above, with this thematic hotel slash casino slash mall slash roller coaster slash trinket depository - the ridiculousness was in full effect.

A representation of what all my slot machine pulls looked like. I did not come home a rich person, but you can see how casino's make all that cash. Desperation and hope are a dangerous combination. I probably spent $25 over the course of 3 days in random penny/quarter slot machines, and every time I pulled I thought what if....

Fremont Street has a digital canopy (outside) that projects images. It goes on for 4 blocks! There was a Queen presentation going on while we were there, and Bohemian Rhapsody sounded/looked pretty excellent. My highlight (besides this awesome cowboy sign) was Carl "Safe Sax" Ferris playing sax standing in the back of a pick up truck. Cool nickname, man. There were also some very weird celebrity impersonators in this zone, people zip lining overhead, a less polished overall vibe than the strip, and some pretty impressive cover bands.

At Circus Circus we watched a lady do swing tricks with a bunch of families, tall cans in hand. You can drink everywhere in Vegas. Even at this kid friendly midway show! There was a live keyboard player and drummer accompanying this performance, and they played the best dark synth metal/casino rock.

NEON EVERYTHING.

Roseanne happened to be performing in Vegas while we were there. We found out a couple days before we left and got tickets! In a weird twist of fate, Roseanne re-runs were being played on the plane (until the TV stopped working and we both reluctantly watched the last half of Life of Pie). It was a super intimate show, and hearing Roseanne laugh IRL was pretty amazing.

"If I was a stripper, my show stopper would be the Roseanne theme. Think about it." - Rob.

Oh yeah, we slept in a GIANT PYRAMID. Cross that one off the bucket list! It smelled like coconut all the time (gross), and you could buy a slushie booze drink at any hour of the day (gross), but it was a pyramid (yes!). Did we sing a lot of Frank Ocean? We did.

I wish I could have brought home some fireworks from this roadside store. 

They had quite an exciting selection.

The Bellagio had a pretty neat conservatory and botanical garden area. Huge mushrooms! Giant swans! Windmills! We walked through it around midnight with some beers. While the price of food stuff is inflated in Vegas (a coffee at Starbucks ran me $3.50), you can walk around all day looking at weird stuff for free.

A Bellagio swan & our pyramid shaped hotel room number.

There are over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers on the ceiling at The Bellagio.

The hotel beside ours was shaped like a castle. No biggie.

Even McDonald's has a fancy neon sign.

There are people in costumes all over the strip looking for donations from tourists to get their pictures taken with them. I gave this unofficial Mickey and Minnie team 2 of my dollars. There were basketball players, superheros, the cookie monster, a weird guy in a bad hot dog costume, a really amazing batman and joker duo, etc.

It was all definitely something to see. Good times!

COFFEE TIME.

COFFEE TIME IS THE BEST TIME.

PUMPKINS ONLINE.

Finally updated my Etsy shop with these two pumpkin prints!  

Sad Pumpkin 1: Bar Open

This guy had a rough day at the office. After he punched the clock he went over to his local watering hole for a beer or two and some alone time. He has a lot on his mind, you know? It's too bad his friends are busy tonight. Soon he will hear a song he likes on the radio, and then he'll pay his tab. He's going to be ok!

12 X 18 4 colour screen print on cardstock. Ships rolled.

Limited edition run of 20. Signed and numbered.

Sad Pumpkin 2: Bad News

This pumpkin is having a rough morning. He slept through his alarm, spilled 90 percent of his coffee, and the paper is FULL of bad news. It's not even 9 yet! What is he going to make for dinner tonight? Will it rain later? He forgot his umbrella...again. That's ok. He's tough. He will survive!

8 X 8 inch 5 colour screen print on Stonehenge paper. Ships flat.

Limited edition run of 25 prints! Signed and numbered.

If you're located in Toronto, and would like to pick a print up locally to save $ on shipping, email me: info(at)deadweight.ca

SIGN PAINTERS MOVIE

SIGN PAINTERS (OFFICIAL TRAILER) from samuel j macon on Vimeo.

"On my gravestone it's going to say He Died For Greater Opacity."  I really want to see this movie!

Website.

FALCONWRIGHT SPRING.

Big news! We released our spring collection over at Falconwright today!  

Shop / Blog / Site 

Danielle and I built a fruit stand in our studio for this collection. Hoisted up an awning with fishing line, covered tables in burlap, stacked fruit, etc. Pretty lucky that making a fake fruit stand is part of my job. And now our new backup career plan is to go into the fruit game. Time to go eat some more bananas...

It was such an honour to meet one of the Honest Ed's sign painters, Doug Kerr. If you aren't from Toronto, google image search HONEST ED'S SIGNS, because there are so many, and they are all so good. Our studio is right down the street from this local landmark, and as a nod to our city, we thought it would be really fun to use Doug's authentic talents. He also paints ice cream trucks in this town! Lettering pros blow my mind.

As promised you will find: zippers, neon, new metal tags, some nature inspired prints to go with our usual bold geometric stuff (flowers!), some bright leather colours, some neutral leather colours, and a bunch of contrasting leather zipper pulls for good measure! YEAH.