A Closer Look at Ottoman

Butter is Best?

                                                               

 

So, my recent love affair with water-based nail polish was brief. It chipped really easily and peeled a bit like latex paint on a smooth plastic surface. Maybe a topcoat would have helped? I dunno...if you've had a good experience with water-based polish, do tell what made it work for you.

On to Butter. A nail lacquer that my sister, once again, turned me onto. I decided that if I were to buy this beautiful and rather spendy (but carcinagen-free...a now must) polish, I was going to get the base coat and top coat to seal that beautiful color to my nails for a manicure that would last (especially since it's pretty typical for me to have those undesireable chips rather quickly). Since I had a bit of Christmas money, I decided now was the time (my frugal self/budget wasn't allowing that to happen otherwise). I decided on one lacquer for now, Wallis. It called my name...it's unusual and beautiful. You can read the dead-on description here (scroll a wee bit).

So far, I love this polish. It has lasted since Sunday evening when I applied the several step process (base coat, two coats of lacquer, and a top coat)...four days! No nasty chemicals and a manicure that lasts...finally!

Happy New Year (sale)!

Happy New Year!

Just a quick note...from today through tomorrow (Dec 31 -Jan 1) use coupon code NEWYEAR2012 for 12% off in the shop! Yeah, it's cliche, but it'll be fun!

 

 

Moss + Gray

By request, I made some Moss for your Wall pieces with the gray fabric....I hadn't realized that I had completely sold out! Oh! and this piece with the linen fabric. So, more in the shop!

No. 21

No. 22

No. 23

No. 24

No. 25

No. 26 (sold)

I Miss the Market

I miss farmers' market terribly. It's a routine that I really enjoy. Lunch, a snack for later, a treat for Boo, and any produce or other products we need. Here's a picture of one of the last batches of apples I bought...it's a black apple, though I can't remember the exact variety.

We went to Portland for the weekend. Since we aren't able to visit family for the holidays, we got ourselves for Christmas a quick trip. The Portland Bazaar, Crafty Wonderland, and a steam train ride. It was too quick, but fun!

I hope to be able to catch up this weekend with photos and such...it often seems the only day I get enough time with the sunlight to photograph. Ah well, the tide will turn in just over a week!

I hope you are enjoying this festive season. It's certainly been cold and crisp here...no rain for awhile so it's freezing!

 

Autumnal Brooches

Just a couple of fun brooches I've found in my travels about town. A wee pointy-eared squirrel and a cluster of acorns with multi-colored oak leaves. That squirrel steals my heart.

I've been having a difficult time getting the time to take pictures what with this December darkness...but I hope to get some snaps soon.

I'm really missing the farmers' market, but must admit that shopping in the cold and/or rain doesn't sound too pleasant...and there have been some bazaars lately that I've popped into, which has helped.

With dear Jessica's urging, I'll try to get some pictures of the cursive typewriter soon. It's a Smith Corona Silent and is dark green with that forest service minty green for some of the keys and the case is a tweed-like fabric. I need to do some cleaning (can-o-air for years and YEARS of eraser dust piled up) and probably a bit of oiling. The machine also needs a new ribbon.

I hope you're enjoying the holidays...I could go for a cup of hot chocolate right about now. Oh! that reminds me...Jenny and I are planning on attempting vegetarian marshmallows (agar instead of gelatin)...anyone tried this?

Bye for now!

Woodgrain Letters

A few vintage woodgrain letters were recently put in the shop:

They can be found in this section (for easier reference). Oh! and they are sold individually.

By the way, I found a cursive typewriter at a thrift store yesterday...something I've been on the hunt for for at least a couple of years...more on that soon! Eeeeeem!

 

 

Black Friday Through Cyber Monday Sale!

A quick note to say that if you enter "HOLIDAY2011" from November 25-28, 2011 at checkout in the shop, you'll receive 10% off. In addition, if you spend $50 or more, you'll receive five "FOR YOU" gift tags for free (a $6.25 value)! Shop handmade!

AND...

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy some fantastic squash of some sort...hopefully local. The squash above is a Chirimen from a farm nearby....cut in half, roasted with Earth Balance and salt, and then topped off with a bit more Earth Balance, salt and pepper. It would also be amazing with brown sugar instead of pepper. Mmmmm.

 

 

Shop Update Live

Abstract Fragment Necklace 1

Abstract Fragment Necklace 2

The shop update is live! I wanted to share these pictures of the Abstract Fragment Necklaces. The for your Wall pieces are up as well!

Wee Lichen and Moss

above - Moss for your Wall 18 (3 inch)

above - Moss for your Wall 19 (6 inch)

above - Lichen for your Wall 22 (4 inch)

above - Moss for your Wall (V2) 4 (5 inch)

above - Moss for your Wall 20 (4 inch)

This is the first Moss for your Wall with Linen fabric (notice the writing on the hoop....I love the history that comes with vintage hoops...and the quality).

above - Special Limited Edition Lichen for your Wall 8 (3 inch)

This limited edition is an edition of 10 (includes: vintage hoop, linen fabric, cashmere embroidery floss, and a dusting of gold mica powder - just like the granite rocks around my parents' home where the lichen grows - a lovely combination of colors and textures).

above - Special Limited Edition Lichen for your Wall 9 (3x5 inch)

These will be included in the shop update on Saturday.

Off to go check on my feverish boy....

Shop Update Scheduled

I'm planning on a shop update on Saturday, November 19, 2011. I can't reliably give a time because I'm currently nursing a feverish Boo. I'm attempting to keep positive that I will be well on Saturday and will have not caught the bug that Boo has (poor little pumpkin). Items to expect: Abstract Fragment Necklaces, Moss for your Wall, Lichen for your Wall, and some more Special Limited Edition Lichen for your Wall pieces. There may be more and I'll try to post images of what will be posted if I am able.

Speaking of visuals...I hate to have this post lack one. I know how popular Ojo de Dios have become...and I understand why...

Jenny and I tried our hands at making Ojo de Dios (the above is mine) a few weeks ago because I have a huge stash of yarn. I think it turned out nicely for a first try and the colors worked so well with the gourds that Boo picked out for decorating at Halloween. Here's the tutorial I used for the attempt (the sticks are bamboo from Jenny's yard).