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I don't think this is the first time that I've seen a book used as a carving medium; however, this is perhaps the most impressive example of it that I remember.

Now, I have no idea if this requires the artist – in this case, Canadian Guy Laramee – to glue just the books together, or the books and all the pages, or what, to prepare for something like this, but the results are stunning. The one pictured above really stands out to me as the lighting of the building/cavern is perfect. Clicking the image above will display a much higher resolution version of the sculpture, showing you the detail work on the cavern walls, etc.

I love the imperfect nature of the medium; the way that the pages are tattered and worn and bent. I would think that doing something like this would be very, very dusty work and the idea of working in any reductive medium like this – as, I guess, almost any scupture work would be – frightens me. Dig a little too much in an area, and you can't just put it back. Patience.

There are many more examples of similar works on Laramee's site; click the "The Great Wall" and "Biblos" links under the "Recent Work" header for a look.

» Found at: Guy Laramee's Portfolio site

Wrapping

I had a good laugh at this when I first saw it. It's kinda like Minecraft meets Christmas; sorta.

What it is, exactly, is 'premium' wrapping paper that is currently under-development through a Kickstarter project. So, just in case you're going to be giving someone a stack of books(?) for next Christmas -- or, any other holiday or celebration after, I'm guessing, mid-February 2012 -- you can now do it in style! Well, if you define "style" as a boxy hamburger, at least.

But, seriously... I think this is a really cool and fun execution of an idea. And, as the Kickstarter campaign implies, creating a set of wrapping papers like this opens up lots of other possibilities for similar sets of stacked gifts. I'm not even going to start trying to think up new ideas, but I'm sure there are lots out there... even just within the realm of food, I imagine.

Whatever the case, there is always lots of speciality wrapping paper being advertised and sold at this time of year, but I really appreciated the imagination that went into this!

» Found at: Kickstarter - Gift Couture

Fifty-Two

I ran across this today which was just too awesome not to pass along. We've all played Solitare on the computer; I mean, really... everyone has, right? And, as such, I assume that nearly everyone has won at least one game since Windows 3.1 was released years ago, so we're equally familiar with the neatly piled stacks of cards bouncing off the screen in celebration:

Bounce, bounce, bounce...

In this case, Lars Marcus and Theo (that's two people) have lovingly paid homage to that scene/experience by creating a 3d model of the 'win' screen! Their joint website shows how they did it, how many individual cards they had to create, etc. It's all very cool!

» Found at: Skrekkogle (via Quipsologies)

Costumes

Wow. These guys know how to do hallowe'en costumes. Yes, I realize that we're not even close to this costumed psudo-holiday right now, but ... just look at these. Incredible.

What actually brought me to this guy's site were his "Victorian -era renderings" of Star Wars characters. Equally impressive.

Mr. Greg Peltz, you are quite the talented artist.

» Found at: Greg's Blog

Tree

Two things: (a.) omgosh, this is awesome and detailed and colourful; (b.) I have no idea how the artist, Yulia Brodskaya, does such intricate work with paper. Outstanding.

Many more samples at her website, along with other her other works.

» Found via: kottke.org