A Closer Look at Ottoman

Cosmic Combo

First of all, I have to say that I have a difficult time reading blogs that are all about consumerism. However, since these are handmade items, I feel it's justified. I love supporting handmade (duh) and I'm trying to buy less, but buy handmade. So, I just had to tell you patient readers that I have found a fabulous combo and had to share.

(ZIBtextile)

I love these Space diamond leggings from ZIBtextile! And their XL fits gals who are a little bigger than the size states rather well. They are perfect with...

(vozcollective)

...this Cosmic Wood Bangle (choose your pattern) from VOZ Collective!

Anyway, I know I've been working on "new work" forever and I am, but it's been mostly brain work...and it's changed a few times because I keep re-thinking it. In addition, the main reason I haven't gotten much done is that I am (or was) significantly deficient in vitamin D (I do live in rainy Oregon) and borderline anemic. Sigh, I'm also borderline hypothyroid. I'm sure you can image that all I've been wanting to do lately is sleep (not that I have lots of time to). I simply haven't had the energy, and I found out there's a good reason. So, if you've been feeling like you've been run over, there may be a reason...go get checked out! And, when I finally feel better, I hope to be making things...lots of things!

Until then....

Recent Goodies

It's been awhile! Boo was sick, then I got it, then he got sick again. Typical I suppose for January, but nevertheless...not so fun. So, we laid low for a bit and just took care of ourselves. And, sometimes it's nice to disconnect for awhile.

Anyway, on to fun stuff. Here's a couple of things I ordered recently...yay! packages in the mail!

Flecked Lightning Leather Earrings by Hende (photo from Hende shop on Etsy)

Fox in the Snow Cameo Necklace from I'm Your Present (photo from I'm Your Present shop on Etsy)

Which reminds me, I saw a fox in my yard last night. A rare but happy sighting.

Oh, and did you see that Pantone's color of the year is Tangerine Tango? From a lover of the color orange (yes, it's my favorite color), I'm pretty happy.

I'm also working on a new project (and have been for what seems forever); I hope to be able to share soon!

A quick post for now...and I know, I still owe you photos of the cursive typewriter. I haven't forgotten!

More soon!

Miniature Rhino

Oh, look what the postman brought recently!

Jessica of Miniature Rhino makes the most lovely pieces and she is simply a peach! I love this Tree Stump....Doesn't it look at home?

I'm wanting to collect up a grouping of little pieces from others...this is the first.

Thank you Jessica, for making such wonderful things.

Masking Tape

I finally had a specific reason to buy some washi tape. It's for a project I'm working on for the shop and quite the variety pack:

I bought it here. 

I'll have more on what I'm up to, hopefully soon!

Oh, in case you're wondering, it is environmentally-friendly.

Jane Austen and Letter Folding

Design*Sponge had a quick post about valentines that Hello Handmade is making this year inspired by Jane Austen. It mentioned that these valentines are folded in the regency style. So, if you read my featured seller interview, you know that I love Jane Austen and if you've read my blog, you'll know that I used to do some calligraphy....So, I had to learn a bit more.

Here's the Hello Handmade valentines, and you can see the folding used (Aren't they stunning?).

So, I started searching the web for more info on folding letters in the regency style. I found a step-by-step info/tutorial entitled Regency Letter Writing from The Jane Austen Centre. The reason for the letter to be folded this way was so that the paper in which the letter was written, could also be the envelope, as this saved money on postage (the recipient payed for the delivery). It was also common for letters to be written in one direction and then continued over the top of the script already written at a 90 degree angle (also to save on postage).

(via Jane Austen's World)

I also found a blog named Jane Austen's World (what can be more lovely than that?). There is a post entitled Letter Writing in Jane Austen's Time that is full of wonderful information. The post is just a taste at the info which can be found on the blog...I can't wait to spend some time with it! Also, note that Emma begins January 24th (Masterpiece Classic on PBS)...eeeeeeeeeeeeem!

If you have any more interesting info about different forms of letter folding, please comment and give some sources; I love history and research!

Today's Inspiration

I spotted a few things today that just hit me like a ton of bricks. 

1. All About the Whipped Cream - Film Photo Card (spotted on the front page of Etsy), by Helene Smith. 

2/3. Amazing photography captured with an iphone by Deb McLean (found via decor8).

4. Stunning new work by my Etsy friend Jessica of Miniature Rhino (pssst...these will be in her shop update today). Long live snail mail!

What hit you today? Erm, I mean that figuratively.

Thrush

I've been meaning to write about Thrush for awhile, as I received (among other things), these cute vintage bowls in the mail several weeks ago:

I think they will be perfect for ice cream this summer. When I look at them, for some reason I think about color harmonies:

Oh, the options!

1. Monochromatic - a scoop of mint chip
2. Analogous - A scoop of lemon sorbet
3. Complimentary - as scoop of vanilla with several maraschino cherries

Oh yes, back to Thrush...

I'm not sure what I like more from this vintage shop, the fantastic pictures or the witty titles.

Such as this:

The Jeanne Moreau Purse

Or this:

The Billie Holiday Gloves

Oh, and the title of my dessert cups? "In June Cleaver's Kitchen"....Eh...not so much! But, maybe when the kitchen is done!

Happy Monday!

The Sweetie Pie Press

I recently got some pins in the mail from the wonderful Etsy shop "The Sweetie Pie Press" some of which are these:

These pins are my favorite because Becky's security envelope project is rad...check it out here.

How did she know that I LOVE orange? Ooh, and the one in the middle is like a honeycomb - love that!

And...now I know what to do with these pins....I'm very excited....I'm going to hang them up as such. Now I just need to figure out where to hang them.

If you like these, but would rather wear pins, wouldn't they be adorable as brooches in the office? Pins don't have to be casual.

Vaeda

You may have noticed that honeybees are on the decline and you may have even found out about it here. Well, I got very own photograph from Vaeda and it's a lovely reminder of these "sweet" pollinators; it's entitled "Stained Glass Visionaries" and here's a look (yes, it was included in another post as well):

It's printed on metallic paper and it looks as though it's lit from within; simply beautiful!

Of course, this isn't the only photograph available in Vaeda's shop...here's a couple more:

Synapse - clever and beautiful! This photograph is also perfect if you are more into black and white.

Hallowed - This is perfect if you do seasonal/holiday change-outs and it's much more sophisticated than the wrap-up-all-the-framed-pieces-in-the-house look.

Happy Tuesday!

Phydeaux

I usually don't miss summer at all (even though that is my name), but it's difficult to do remodeling (especially when the floor is cut up for some repairs) in the cold, damp weather. So, to remind me of warmer days, I can wear this lovely Ripe Raspberries Scarf/Neckbow that I received from my friend Phydeaux last week, and I adore it; Brenda is a peach and she also has a lovely blog. Here's what I opened in the mail:

I love how feminine this piece is when it's tied in a bow!

Now here's a couple other works by Phydeaux that are currently available:

Soft Snow Scarflette - This is a lovely (not-so-Christmasy) winter piece.

Forest Floor Scarf - Well, I don't think this needs explanation from and moss and lichen lover!

Also, check out Phydeaux's blog for info on the Sonoma Artisan Holiday Faire she will be at this weekend!

Happy Monday!