Meg Mateo Ilasco calls herself a "jill-of-three-trades."

Mateo Ilasco is a designer-writer-illustrator based in Pinole. You may have seen one of her books blogged on AT:Chicago. Or read her article in the Chron's Home & Garden section a couple of weeks ago. But what really caught our eye was Mateo Ilasco's work as a home accessories designer.

At first glance, the images on her Literacy Line of pillows, dish towels, and cards appear to be abstract squiggles. Look closer, however -- oh, and rotate the image 90 degrees (or, while you're looking at your screen, tilt your head to the left) -- and a literal message appears.

The Motion Line consists of pillows and notecards, with an abstract, almost mid-century feel. Again, take another look, because if you look at them all together, they tell a story (pillows, $45, and notecards, $5).

The Seeds collection includes limited edition products. At this time it's made up of notecards that are made of white foil-stamped illustrations on walnut veneer ($16, set of three).

Mateo Ilasco's pillows and other items are sold here -- and check out her Designer's Library blog here.