oooh I almost forgot to tell you........

about one of my Christmas gifts! My sis bought me a brandy new sewing machine!!! The pressure is on. But I'm sooo excited! It's sooo ironic that I would ever be excited about a sewing machine. I would have never thought so a few years ago.

stitch...stitch......ouch! haha... I better get lessons~

Hello, hello

So this is the first weekend where I actually don't have to run around and I don't know what to do with myself! Imagine that. Well, I've spent some time 'creating' a Valentine piece and I have a sick lil girl who needs some TLC. I could take down the tree but it seems too early, I'll wait till after the new year.

I'm looking forward to 2008 and many new things to come!! Wishing you a fun filled New Year's Eve!!!!

This is the new piece for your Valentine! It's titled 'Does LOVE grow on trees?'

In the works

EDIT: this is the updated finished pic. : )

This illustration I'm working on is inspired by my favorite lamp! As if you didn't know.

I still have to add a few more things... maybe some embroidery....hmmmm......... let's see.

Woof woof!

The 'Woof Woof' print can be found in the shop now.

Read it: NY Times article

There was a great article about ETSY in Sunday's (Dec16) NY Times magazine! I am going to see if anyone still has a copy today. But you can read it online here......

Great exposure for ETSY and it's sellers!

Art for him

This one is titled 'My guy', inspired by the endless search for holiday gifts for a man.

Will be in the shop as a print soon!

Hello rainy, snowy Thursday

I'm feeling much better. I've sorted through all the presents I bought so far, wrapped some, figured out whats left. So I feel like I know what I need now and that makes all the difference!!

I also worked on some art last night, which I love, love, love. It's great when you're in the moment and it just flows naturally, oh how we wish it be that way always.
I don't have a pic right now. But I'll upload tonight. It's actually an ART Piece for guys! It's not exclusive, but made with keeping the guys in mind.

stuck

Hi all.......I'm in such a shopping funk, if you can believe it. I'm just refusing to do it. The thought of the crowds just turns my stomach at this point. I know this is temporary and I will need to go back out and shop. But not now, not today, maybe not this week.

Art

I saw this piece of art while I was out shopping yesterday. I really like it! I snapped this pic with my cell. It says 'there is no such thing as small change'.

Pick your own presents.......

So do you ever pick your own presents for Christmas? Well, this year, with all the shopping I seem to be doing, I think I'm just going to consider them my x mas presents! Hey, makes it easy for the spouse.

So these amazing pillowcases are also from Dottie Angel. I cannot wait to get them, along with my tea towel.

And did you notice the embroidered words...............so cute and frisky!

One says 'feeling lucky' and the other pillowcase says 'try me'. : )

Weekend recap........

...reading December's Domino, of course...........

Well let's see........Friday was the lil dance recital which was soooo cute!!! I love watching all the little ones with their tutu's and happy faces. She did such a great job. Not shy at all, which was great. You just never know when that shy bug will show up. And we all went out for a bite to eat after.

My daughter's best friend and her family went to the same restaurant as well, so my lil chicky was just happy and silly as can be!! I took lots of photos.


Sat........went to visit my sister and kiddies who I haven't seen in many, many months. So it was Great to see them!! And that evening we went out to celebrate my sister-in-law's Bday, yum!

Sunday... as I mentioned, it was supposed to be all about 'doll making'. But I ended up sick in bed..all day!!!! All day. So nothing happened on Sunday. So that's still on my to do list.

A promise is a promise

So guess what I promised my little girl this weekend. I said I would try to make.............................................. her very own stuffed doll!!! YIKES... am I crazy or what?! Sure I've made a basic stuffed turtle but a doll, what am I thinking. The pressure is on!!! I guess I was feeling very ambitious and confident at the moment. Funny how that goes. Well I did say 'I will try my best'. So send all your crafty wishes my way, because I'm going to need it. : )

Hello Jigsaw.......

Jigsaw is a company based out of England. (womenswear, children's and accessories)

The styling and photography for Jigsaw is gorgeous! Take a peek below and here on their site.

Inspired by DottieAngel

I just can't say enough about how much I love what Tif has created here! Her shop is Dottie Angel on ETSY. I ordered this teatowel above. It's gorgeous! The shape looks similar to my Flavia Del Pra, don't you think?

Check out the amazing pillows below and

the best, best best is this Lamp shaped Pillow that I believe she made for her own sofa!

I'm so inspired!! What a talented, crafty lady!!!

Present for me..........

A dear friend of mine heard I was eyeing this book and gave me a gift card for Barnes and Noble!!! How sweet!

That book is, of course, Amy Butler's Midwest Modern. So I just snatched it up at lunchtime!!!

Every page is full of something good and beautiful. I swear this is a gem of a book and I can't wait to soak it all in!!!

Long weekend...........

This is a five day weekend for me and I'm enjoying every single second! Long weekends are just the best in my book, even if I am doing nothing! Thanksgiving was great, I will be doing alot of visiting these next 2 days. It will be good to catch up with friends and family.

Below is a photo of a little Holiday card I made for this year!

This is a print I just finished framing for my niece to go along with her B-Day present.

I didn't get into Black Friday this year, I can't believe it myself. I just didn't have a plan of what I wanted, so the last thing I wanted to do was wander around aimlessly in that chaos.

Anyway.. .I'm off to pick up the latest issue of VENUS mag. If you haven't read... The Black Apple was chosen as 2007 Best Indie Business, Congrats Emily!

Sock-dreams

These black beauties from Sock Dreams will soon be mine and I can't wait!

Etsy Success Story: Ashleyg

I was thrilled to read Ashleyg's interview on ETSY for their online zine The Storque.

I love how her interviews read like a conversation and you feel like she's talking to you. She also is kind enough to share some of the details of the business side of the craft, which is really the things we want to know. Check out the interview or you can catch the latest on her blog, Kitty Genius!

Great crafty project

See my post on Craving Anthropologie about designer Anna Maria Horner's appearance on Martha Stewart. She walked through a great silhouette project on canvas that I am definitely adding to my list of things I must do.

Monday browsing...SMALL magazine

I was just looking through the Fall edition for Small Magazine. I'll just pick 2 things that I like.


I'm stuck on this gorgeous little hat by 'Soil'. It is the perfect had for a lovely little girl!

They feature the artwork of Kate Wilson, which you can find on etsy.

And many other lovely things... check out small magazine.

Before and after: Wardrobe re-design

BEFORE: This was a top I picked up, but it turned out to be too small for me.




AFTER: I loved the pattern and especially the eyelet lace bottom. I thought this would make a great kid's skirt for my little girl.

So, I grabbed my scissors and starting cutting. I cut off the top part of the blouse right underneath the bossom, but right above the first line of brown lace. The back of the top actually had ties so I could adjust the waist as a skirt. and voila!!!! The best part was NO SEWING! I tried to get the lil chicky to model for me but she was so tired and constantly moving that every shot was blurry. : )

Front

Back with ties

I had some extra material so I made a matching double wrap bracelet or it could be a headband as well. I'm really happy with how it came out.

Sunday happenings

I can't believe I'm making something Christmas-y before Thanksgiving, it's soo unlike me! I'm a last minute type of gal. Even though I would love to plan ahead, it never quite turns out that way.

So I made these cute little Christmas trees and balls made out of Pink and cream yarn. And it's the softest yarn ever!! I took those styrofoam balls and tree shapes and glued the yarn as I wrapped them up. I want to make a ton more!!

Loving this chair

from ETSY's VintageRenewal shop. So, very nice!!!

New scent of the moment

is Abercrombie and Fitch's CLASSIC perfume....it has such a good, good smell, I am hooked on it!

So Abercrombie(minus the Fitch), their lil sister store, has this Chunky striped scarf for kids and I am admitting to you that I totally bought this scarf for myself. Is that crazy? First of all this scarf is soooo long I can't imagine how it would fit a little one. Well I'm just making excuses so I don't feel so crazy about it. But its an awesome scarf!!! And you will see me all bundled up in it!!!!! (I might take the label off... : ) nahhh.

Casa Mila

I am so intrigued by this piece of architecture designed by Antoni Gaudi, it's called 'Casa Mila'. It's located in Barcelona, Spain.

It is often referred to as La Pedrera. It almost has a spooky feel to it. I'm drawn to its curves.

It doesn't use a single straight line, the building doesn't use load bearing walls but rests on pillars and arches. Learn more here. There is such a wealth of knowledge on this site, there are wonderful interviews with tenants who live there, videos and beautiful photos of the interiors, details on the architecture and on and on. Worth a visit!

I had a great Halloween

hope you did too! Next year I want to try and carve this!!! Isn't this the BEST pumpkin, so creative!

I spotted it on Jordan's site. My sister also carved some great pumkins, I'll have to show you her pics later on. (Lighting McQueen and Lilo & Stitch)

I had the day off yesterday.........and it was a very good shopping day. I spent the rest of my Bday money. I got a great haircut, which we know is hard to get sometimes. Ended up at my little ones Halloween parade, we enjoyed lots of sweets and laughs. Ended the day with a little trick-or-treating! Perfect weather too, that's always a plus!

Tuesday browsing...

Stopped by Barnes and Noble for a Frappuccino and to read some mags.....

Domino Magazine November issue.... I bought this one.

I browsed through this one called Baby Couture...the cute/hip cover caught my eye..

Also looking at some new things online.....

the blog: fine little day ...lula has this wonderful print..that is currently sold out of her etsy shop but I'm hoping she will replenish soon..

lisa stickley london lots of lovely things I want to buy. Bookmark for gifts (later)

AND

little fashion gallery

Happy Tuesday!