I feel like this is a long story for something so simple but it took me a minute to figure it all out so just go on this journey with me. It all started at least a year ago when I started following Annie Atkins on Instagram after seeing her work on a AIGA spotlight post on my feed. I was like this person’s work is amazing. I fell in love with her designs. I don’t know if I actually read her bio but it took me a while to realize she designed for a ton of Wes Anderson’s movies including The Budapest Hotel.The first and only time I saw that movie I almost fell out of my chair when I saw those cute pink and red pastry boxes fall all over the place. I was so awe struck and annoyed that I hadn’t designed this myself. (Why would I though… lol.) So, I followed her and life went on. She started to show up in my stories a lot and I was like who is this woman with a newborn? I always went to her bio and was like “oh yeah, she’s the movie graphic designer I like.” She is also the only Dubliner I follow besides my own family. (My dad is from Ireland and I have family that still lives there. I have visited several times.) One time after visiting her bio I was like, “I wonder if she designed those pastry boxes?”  So, I finally clicked on her link and found that she had some prints and a book.

As a graphic designer I have some basic knowledge that if you work on a project you might not work on every single component of that project so I wasn’t sure if a print of the pastry box would be in the book. I’m also a SAHM so I don’t have a lot of disposable income. The book was cheaper than most of her prints so I decided to buy it. Plus, she didn’t have a print of the pastry box otherwise I would have bought it!

When it arrived I immediately flipped through it to find the pastry box and was so happily delighted to find it. What I had know idea was what I would also be getting is the backstory of designing the beloved pastry box. There is actually a typo on the box which is hard to detect without close dissection. She said if you bought one online you would know it’s an original if it had the typo. I love little nuggets like that! She has great back stories on all of her designs. I actually really love the book not just for the art but for the stories too.

Once I got the book I was reminded of Young House Love talking about ripping art out of her favorite art books and framing them. I always appreciate YHL wonderful information on all things to do with the home. I remember thinking at the time that it was so obvious that it was redundant to talk about but I don’t think I would have thought to do it if she hadn’t talked about it. Always so grateful for YHL. Also, I even dm’d her on how to do it. Just a razor blade but I was super nervous to cut a print from a book. You feel a little bad for cutting into a book but it’s for art so I’m fine with it.

It’s super cute, super meaningful to me and I love how it looks framed!

Here is how to get art from a book: 

Get your favorite art book.

Use a razor blade to cut out the page/art you want.

I ran the blade a long the paper a couple of times, the first time just scoring it. Then going a bit harder each time.

I framed it and taped the back of the matte for the frame with artist’s tape.

It’s really that easy! Now go frame the art you love!

Also, the work below my favorite pastry box is by Julika Lackner. A very talented LA based painter.You can buy her paintings and prints here. She also happens to be a great friend too

Frame the art you love!