Magic Potion

Don't you wish there was a little instruction book for saving the world? Maybe an actionable task list? That's how we like to think of the seven creative briefs up at Good 50x70. This nonprofit project works with major charities, such as UNICEF and Greenpeace, to highlight world issues ranging from child labor to climate change, then invites designers to respond with posters. The visual solutions go into a database charities can access for free, and the top 30 entries become part of a catalog and traveling exhibition. Deadline: April 1.

by Michelle Taute

Many bloggers express themselves through words, but with the blogosphere approaching overpopulation, it wouldn't hurt to pay a little more attention to site graphics. Enter House of Three with a mix-and-match line of blog headers and backgrounds to pretty up the internet. These decidedly girly designs layer color, texture and pattern in way that's reminiscent of a lovingly crafted scrapbook page. And at $1.50 each, these à la carte graphics are a bargain for any blogger lacking the time or cash for a custom design.

by Michelle Taute

If love was a DVR, you'd hit rewind after your last bonehead remark. But the real world requires, say, a loving gesture or killer communication skills. Honesty Stamps help you skip to the kissing and making-up with eight rubber stamps featuring truthful and sometimes humorous statements. Screaming match? Try "I swear on my mother's grave I'll never do that again." Need a few brownie points? Ink your own greeting card with "In all my life I've never met anyone as beautiful as you."

by Michelle Taute

The wonderful folks behind the six-word memoirs at Smith are now offering up brief-yet-poignant reflections on romance. Watch the trailer for their new book—Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak—for laughter, tears and enough optimism to update your Match.com profile. Our favorite musings include "Married by Elvis. Divorced by Friday" and "Don't trust a man who waxes." You can cozy up with the whole collection for a mere 10 bucks ... or if you think you can best the bunch, share your own abbreviated tale of tragic/true love on the site.

by Michelle Taute

Google maps may keep you from getting lost and confused, but these always accessible, highly accurate directions can also suck a little adventure from your journey. The Hand-Drawn Map Association reminds us that geography has as much to do with the human experience as finding a destination. The group's online collection includes fantasy locations, personal notes and incoherent squiggles. And they're looking to expand the arsenal: Submit your own sketches or direction-giving attempts by April 30 for the chance to be included in the group's upcoming book for Princeton Architectural Press.

by Michelle Taute

Pour the milk over your cereal and listen for Snap, Crackle & Pop. Then point your mouse to MetaFilter to see how these characters fought the evils of sogginess in an early Rice Krispies' commercial. It's one gem in a link list that takes you through cereal commercials from the '50s through the '90s. Watch the Beverly Hillbillies shill for Corn Flakes, the Jackson Five promote Alpha-Bits and Mary Lou Retton "eating what the big boys eat" (Wheaties, for the record). It's a crunchy mix of advertising history, pop culture and vintage animation.

by Michelle Taute