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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black
@nicolablack.bsky.social
530 followers 370 following 1.9K posts
Design, history, knitting, genealogy, gardening, hiking, self-employment, cooking, baking, outdoors. 👩🏻‍💻Ethical Creative Director & Design Strategist: https://nicolablack.com 🚀Community: https://joinwip.com
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · Feb 18
Work in Progress applications are OPEN! 🥳 If you're running a one-person business and are looking for your people, this is for you! Apply today at www.joinwip.com
Advertisement for Work in Progress, Community Support for Freelancers & Creative Solo-Practitioners. Yellow checkmark logo is on graph paper background. Below that is a box that says, "Apply today for: support & camaraderie, virtual coworking, accountability check-ins, members-only Discord, member-led office hours, community roundtables, roundtable repository, work sprints & more!" At the bottom it says, "Learn more at JoinWIP(dot)com"
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Reposted by Nicola Black
tammi.bsky.social
Tammi, yeah, that one. 2.1 @tammi.bsky.social · 11h
I found a 19th century Cat Villain!
A huge chonk of a fluffy cat sitting on a table near an open fire. The cat is cream and grey and appears to be shaped like a barrel in a fur coat. They are scowling fiercely with their moustache and bewhiskered ears apparently flowing back into the cold wind. There's a definite vibe that this villainous cat twirls their moustache as they evict orphans into the aforementioned blizzard and think Scrooge was an easy-going lightweight. They are magnificent.
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Reposted by Nicola Black
nimasprout.bsky.social
Nicole aka Nimasprout @nimasprout.bsky.social · 1d
TLDR my shop sale is still going on
nimasprout.bsky.social
Nicole aka Nimasprout @nimasprout.bsky.social · 3d
Valid this week only, use code "ACORN" for 20% off your entire order in my shop 🫶

Prints, originals, cards, stickers,.bookmarks and more!!!

nimasprout.shop
Print with purple poppy flowers and magical shool Bea eating a snack greeting card
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Reposted by Nicola Black
racheldeering.bsky.social
Rachel Deering @racheldeering.bsky.social · 20h
From American Spiders and Their Spinning Work, Henry C Cook.
The image is a scientific illustration from the late 19th century, specifically from a work titled "American spiders and their spinningwork". It depicts the web structure of an orchard spider. The illustration is labeled "FIG. 143." It shows a "Section of foundation lines and orb of the Orchard spider." The web is shown at "Natural size."
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Reposted by Nicola Black
maddybellwoar.com
Maddy Bellwoar @maddybellwoar.com · 21d
Another mushroom studies page in gouache 🌿🍄✨
Photo shows a sketchbook sitting open on a wooden desk, surrounded by painting supplies such as paint tubes, brushes, and a palette. The page displays 5 gouache painting studies of different types of mushrooms growing locally in the Netherlands.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 10h
Sometimes, you just need a little bread, cheese, fruit, and honey. 🍎 🍞🧀🍯
Crusty, white home-baked bread topped with mozzarella, apple, honey, salt and pepper.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 2d
😂 I miss you, friend.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 2d
Matt.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 2d
Tried acryla gouache for the first time today. It’s gonna take some getting used to, but it’s fun! I’m enjoying it so far.
A leaf on a page with two in-progress acryla gouache painted versions.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 2d
Dinner tonight was a delicious squash curry w/chickpeas, mushrooms, and kale. Topped with roasted butternut squash seeds. So good! 😊
Closeup of squash curry in a white bowl.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 2d
It's so decadent. 😋
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 2d
Frosty morning! ❄️
Frost on a windshield.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 3d
What a cool project! Looks like they've been providing free, non-commercial maps made by locals for European travelers since 2005. use-it.travel
USE-IT Europe | Free maps, made by locals
USE-IT provides maps made by young locals, not commercial, free and up-to-date. We are a European network of young map-makers sharing the best of tips to help you act like a local in our cities.
use-it.travel
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 3d
Woke up this morning and put all but two of these into the freezer to stash. They're incredible! But there's no way I'm keeping them in my fridge to taunt me. A good dessert (or sweet breakfast if that's your thing) to have on hand.

...having one w/my coffee this chilly morning. It's so f'n good.
nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 4d
This should be illegal. Pumpkin cinnamon rolls. 🥹🎃🍞
A pumpkin cinnamon roll dripping with icing on a white plate.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 4d
Super happy with how these turned out! A few pics of the process. First time making them. They’re probably a once a year thing cause… these are LOADED! 😄
Pumpkin cinnamon rolls, before baking, getting ready for their 2nd proof. Baked pumpkin cinnamon rolls. Walnuts were added to top during the bake. Homemade vanilla icing in a plastic container on the kitchen counter.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 4d
This should be illegal. Pumpkin cinnamon rolls. 🥹🎃🍞
A pumpkin cinnamon roll dripping with icing on a white plate.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 4d
Pita bread baked! For the first four, I thought I'd go faster w/two sheets (of two) in the oven. Big mistake. I know better! 😅 Air circulation is a MUST for the puff! Luckily, they still separate with a little help. The last batch, however, puffed up perfectly using one baking sheet at a time. 👍
a batch of pita pockets lined up side by side in a plastic container.
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Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 4d
Same! I'm thankful for the case study and process that Gretel provided. Seems like they had a lot of fun with it.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 4d
Of course! I had to go digging after seeing it. 🙂 It's always interesting reviewing process behind a refresh. I do enjoy the nod to the 1938 logo. Always a fan of incorporating a bit of history/roots if and when it makes sense.
Screenshot from Gretel's website showcasing the brand refresh for the Philadelphia Art Museum. "An icon revived and redrawn — The Philadelphia Art Museum’s primary logo builds on seven decades of brand equity. It features the newly revived griffin—an iconic and mythical protector of the arts. Several different griffins grace the cornices of the museum, and merchandise bearing ‘Griffy’ were consistently among the museum’s most popular pieces. To mark this moment, the badge was redrawn based on the original 1938 version. Historical details discovered in the museum’s archives and architecture were infused, alongside cues from our custom typography. Through a meticulous process of exploration and refinement, we modernized the badge while preserving its heritage—ensuring it reads clearly from large-scale signage on building facades down to a thumbnail-sized social icon. The logo system contains a primary badge and a secondary wordmark. These allow us to adapt to different uses and formats while maintaining consistency."
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 4d
It's always interesting to see the process behind brand refreshes. I'm enjoying the nod to the 1938 version. The Philadelphia Art Museum brand refresh designed by Brooklyn-based design firm Gretel: gretelny.com/philadelphia...
Screenshot from Gretel's website showcasing the brand refresh for the Philadelphia Art Museum. "An icon revived and redrawn — The Philadelphia Art Museum’s primary logo builds on seven decades of brand equity. It features the newly revived griffin—an iconic and mythical protector of the arts. Several different griffins grace the cornices of the museum, and merchandise bearing ‘Griffy’ were consistently among the museum’s most popular pieces. To mark this moment, the badge was redrawn based on the original 1938 version. Historical details discovered in the museum’s archives and architecture were infused, alongside cues from our custom typography. Through a meticulous process of exploration and refinement, we modernized the badge while preserving its heritage—ensuring it reads clearly from large-scale signage on building facades down to a thumbnail-sized social icon. The logo system contains a primary badge and a secondary wordmark. These allow us to adapt to different uses and formats while maintaining consistency."
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 4d
I was curious as well. Designed by Brooklyn-based design firm Gretel: gretelny.com
Gretel
Gretel is an independent branding, strategy and design studio based in Brooklyn, NY.
gretelny.com
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 4d
Homemade falafel and tahini sauce was put together for last night's dinner. Baked vs. fried which is why it's not darker on the outside. But it's still delicious! The tahini sauce is soooooo good. 🍽️😋
Two pieces of falafel on a bed of cucumber salad (w/tomatoes and onions) drizzled with tahini sauce in a shallow, white bowl.
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 5d
Just realized I reposted the last post from the original thread that didn't include alt text. So, adding it here:

Two hands holding a book called "Primarium: Handwriting education across cultures and continents." The cover has colorful blobs in blue, red, and purlple on a grey/silver background.
nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 5d
A fantastic reference to handwriting models taught across the world. I believe I was taught the Getty-Dubay Italic model. Our teachers always referred to it as "practicing our italics." This book looks like quite a treasure! 😍 primarium.info
typetogether.bsky.social
TypeTogether @typetogether.bsky.social · 5d
You can also visit the award–winning Primarium website at www.primarium.info.

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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 5d
Thanks. 😊 It'll definitely be appreciated. I'm still shocked they were just letting it go!
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nicolablack.bsky.social
Nicola Black @nicolablack.bsky.social · 5d
Quick update on this table since it's making the rounds. It's an Ethan Allen piece. With the info on the underside, I've found that it's (I believe) from their Heirloom Collection. It's solid maple (nutmeg), round, drop leaf table. So glad I spotted it when I did!
The wood from the underside of the table I picked up off the side of the road yesterday that our neighbor put out. It has a stamp that says, "10 60 14P" and "Ethan Allen American Tradition."
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