in the mail

I haven't kept up with a lot of things lately but I am still making an effort to drop at least one card in the mail every week. Honestly, it is a reason for me use & find all the amazing cards out there! This card from Laura George captures the essence of everything I love about mail plus her illustrations are so stinkin cute! Sigh...another reason to love snail mail.

in the mail

It has been a busy, busy week but I did find the time to drop some sweet Halloween greetings in the mail to some of my favorite people. Honestly I could have spent hours doodling on these envelopes but I restrained myself. Festive Halloween Lanterns from a. favorite design.

yes, i still send snail mail & love it...

oh what fun, baby shower decor

My brother & sister-in-law are having a baby girl so time to throw a little shower for the both of them! The baby room has a modern woodland theme using neutral gray, a bold dark raspberry & pops of yellow artwork. So the theme for the shower was yellow using mostly the gifted artwork as decor.

Geometric Owl & Fox prints from Gingiber || Heart & Feather print from Lovely Sweet William
Handmade paper flowers from Scrappuchino || Yellow polka dot wrapping paper & yellow print paper (used to wrap guest gift soaps & matte art prints) from Paper Source || Hanging garland made from invitation left-over scraps

Bookshelf bought at flea market & painted to match the baby's room || All guests brought a book as a gift to add to the book shelf || Lamp from Target || Yellow ceramic flower vase from Anthropologie || Bear soap strait from the Yellowstone Lodge

 

Yellow painted cloths pins from The Papered Crown & will be used in the baby's room to hang artwork || Garland made from left over paper scraps || Cutest baby ever from Night Owl Paper Goods printed on Birch wood || Butterfly & Dragonfly prints from Peace of Violet || Triangle note card from Courtney Oquist || Hedgehog illustrated print from Mika Art

in the mail

I saw this bold, graphic card at Foursided and I had the perfect person to send it off too. Even the envelope shows the awesome artwork from Petra Borner.

color love

In the past I have never been a huge fan of Mums but this year they have caught my attention. You've got to love something colorful & hearty when everything around slowly turning brown. Today on Poppytalk they showcased this lovely Mum garland. I love the colorful ombre of mums!

photo kindly borrowed from Poppytalk.

in the post today

Sending out a sweet little note today, just because. You're so sweet letterpress card from a. favorite design.

send a card today...

words to relish

Hand lettered Beatrix Potter quote print by Lisa Congdon.

intellectual jewelry

On Project Runway this season, one of the designers used 3D printing to create accessories to compliment his line. I thought it was a pretty ingenious way to pair Science with fashion plus it looked so unique.  I was fascinated by the whole process. Honestly, it must be so fun to see a paper 2D piece come to life in 3D form. I was so excited to stumble onto this jewelry line by way of Fab.com and I had to see more!

This line is not only organic, modern & just cool; every piece is based on nature. Nervous System "write computer programs based on processes and patterns found in nature and use those programs to create unique and affordable art, jewelry, and housewares". The jewelry is so sculptural yet wearable and it's affordable. Check out the whole line here & take some time to play with their Radiolaria to create your own biology inspired jewelry piece.

Silver vessel pendant | $300 \\ Diochotmous earrings | $35 \\ Folium series pendant | $70 \\ Parallel earrings | $40 \\ Radiolaria silcone necklace | $75 \\ Cellular earrings | $50 \\ Hyphae ring | $28 \\ Cellular pendant | $50 \\ 
Porous bracelet | $70 \\ Stainless steel ring | $40 \\

all photos kindly borrowed & admired from: http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/shop/

color love

I am in fall mode and looking forward to enjoying all the fall colors and food but today I saw these fantastic gypsy curtains and fell in love with them & their fantastic blues made from vintage scarves. Lovely Gypsy curtains made by Babylon Sisters.

in the post today

A sweet, simple "hello" for a long lost friend. Hello card from Egg Press.

betsy & iya

I am all about some chunky metal adornments but add a pop of color and you have my heart. I am loving these cast bronze painted pieces from Betsy & Iya.

Dalarna square hoop earrings\$62 || Scania Cuff Bracelet\$69
 Sabin necklace\\$157 || Bahusia circular hoop earrings\$69

all photos kindly borrowed from http://betsyandiya.com

color love

I'm feeling green today & House of Ceramics has the perfect green fix with these handmade, rustic bottle forms.

photo kindly borrowed from http://www.etsy.com/listing/101142507/still-life-of-six-bottle-forms?ref=af_collection_featureditem

in the post today

I think it's always a good idea to send Mom a little shout-out once in a while. I know she will always appreciate it. Also, she will love my favorite vintage hot air balloon stamps! Grand prize Mom card from a. favorite design.

woodland cuties

I am helping to decorate my niece-to-be's nursery. We are going with a woodland theme and I have found so much lovely art along the way. I love the idea of having original artwork but of course that is expensive & takes time so yes, another reason to love all the makers at etsy, there is something for any theme you can think of.

Little yellow fox illustration from Gingiber \ $23 || Pen & Ink Heart illustration from Lovely Sweet William \ $26.95 || Geometric yellow owl illustration from Gingiber \ $23 || Pen & Ink feather Illustration from Lovely Sweet William \ $26.95 || Hedgehog woodland love from Mika Art \ $7.99 || Bunny & Bear woodland love from Mika Art \ $9.99 || Squirrel & bird reading a book illustration from Mika Art \ $7.99 || Honey bear watercolor print from River Luna \ $20 || Yellow feather water  color print from River Luna \ $20 || Sweetest thing hand-cut birch tree note card from Ashley Pahl \ $12.00 || Bunny stack illustration from Lulu Froot \ $30.00 || Forest friends bears from Lulu Froot \ $30.00 || Hand painted woodland bear on wood from Sweet Bananas Art \ $70

color love

I have found myself admiring all the hoop embroidered wall art out there. It has such a great shape, texture & pop of color on your wall. I thought this would be cute in a baby or kids room. Colorful hand embroidered fireworks from On The Wall by Yoko.

photo kindly borrowed from: http://www.etsy.com/listing/163026540/colorful-hand-embroidered-fireworks-home?ref=favs_view_13

in the post today

I love this wedding card, perfect to congratulate the newly weds!
Wedding slot machine card from a. favorite design.

brilliant words

I could not have said it better! These words are from the pretty blog, Lovely Clusters. There are so many reason's to love Etsy but you can't beat the work & uniqueness of a lovely handmade gift. We all have our needs from the local big box store but when it comes to a gift, knowing that it is made by hand makes it even better. Handmade may cost a little more but remember that little extra cost is because one person imagined it, developed it, loved it, had confidence in it & created it for you to love...I think that is worth every penny.

the brilliant edison bulb

I love the industrial Edison light bulbs. I have been searching high and low for cheap Edison bulbs and some crafty, ingenious DIY ideas to showcase them. I love them plain & simple but I love them even more in a group. Some day I'll narrow down a solid idea but every time I look I find some lovely new idea.

Orange textile cable from Lacasadecoto $51.21 | Vintage Bed Springs made into pendants from The Interior Revolution | Industrial beater made into pendants from The Interior Revolution | Cage light chandelier from Born Again Wood Works $510 | Industrial Edison bulb pipe lamp from New Wine Old Bottles $325 | Tin Ceiling Chandelier from Kootenia Designs $469

color love: snoozer looser

Fall is in the air and I find myself lovin' these fall scarf colors & prints from Snoozer Loser.

Photos are kindly borrowed from snoozerloser.com

robbie moto leather

This Saint Paul, Minnesota based company makes some awesome wallets! RobbieMoto makes these beautiful, handcrafted leather lovelies. The colors are fantastic, the craftsmanship is impeccable & they just feel good in your hand. I saw them at the Renegade Craft Fair and for a really nice leather wallet they are reasonably priced.

all photos kindly borrowed from www.etsy.com/shop/RobbieMoto

good words for the day...

Saw this great little sign on the street, made me smile.

i heart nell & mary

Nell & Mary is a Portland, Oregon based environmentally friendly & social conscious line. This line is simple, unique and refreshing. I am loving these geometric, sketchy designs. The pillows are mostly two-sided so you get a little something extra in each one. This is another favorite from the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair. I am so drawn to the mountain art...love this tote!

all photos kindly borrowed from www.nellandmary.com. thanks!

color love

Well it's summer and I am coveting the last lovely bits of summer. Mother nature makes the best colors!

lucid design: cement planters

Believe it or not, these planters are very light weight. They look cool, they feel great and they add a great pop of color. I love these sweet cement planters from Lucid Design. I saw these at Renegade and I'm now wishing I had brought one home...

in the mail

I'm going to be an Aunt! 1st step: baby shower invites, check.

good words for the day...

Yes! Yes! Saw this on Facebook & had to share from Home Eco:Nomics.

viva zapata! bags

I made my way to the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend. There was lots of great stuff to check out and way too many things I wanted to buy. This line from Viva Zapata! was memorable. I love the bold, bright colors. Plus, these are so durable and functional. The bags are made from vinyl used to cover the seats of Argentinian public buses, love that!

All photos kindly borrowed from vivazapatabags.com, photos by: Alejandra Lopez

color love

I am a huge fan of Sweet Paul Magazine. The recipes & crafts are fantastic but the photography & colors are simply beautiful. Love this photo inspired by a trip to India, amazing color palette!

photograph kindly borrowed from Sweet Paul Magazine. Photo by Dietlind Wolf.

mane message

I got a sample of a hair tie at a trade show and I can't believe how much I covet this one little hair tie. It looks like a bracelet when I have it on my wrist. It's really comfortable in my hair or anywhere I wear it. I had no idea the name of the company until I ran across them on Curio Road. These colorful, practical ties are created by Mane Message and come in every color & pattern. I am addicted.

all photos kindly borrowed from manemessage.com.

in the mail

A birthday wish honey badger style, the youtube (WARNING: vulgar, swearing & funny!) is an underground hit & hilarious...perfect for the birthday girl.

From Chicago based Tiselle Letterpress + Design.

Letterpress print from Western New York Book Arts Center

yellena james

Yellena James is a pretty amazing artist I recently stumbled across. Her work his intricate, colorful & makes me smile. I found her work on Etsy and for a limited time you can buy 2 prints & get 1 free. There are so many beautiful pieces to choose from.

Pods: Gilcee 8" x 10" Fine Art Print

 

Glimpse: 8" x 10" Fine Art Print | $20

Season: 11" x 14" Giclee fine art print | $48

Morning: Giclee 8" x 10" Fine Art Print | $20

sample gallery of Yellena James work

color love

Lille Syster is a "paper gardener", love that. She has so many lovely color palettes to choose from and right now I am so drawn to this yellow, gray with pops of white.

happy labor day!

Time to BBQ print from Kollective Fusion.

in the mail

A sweet thank you from egg press.

words today

a favorite to share: my walit

I have owned this great little wallet and realized not only is it bright & easy to find in my bottomless purse but it's also functional & practical. All things we need it our daily life. For a wallet I will admit it is on the pricey side but this is one of those accessories you will use forever. MyWalit is impeccably made, the leather is beautiful, & did I mention the functionality- all the pockets & zippers just make sense.

Breast Pocket Wallet | Credit Card Holder with Plastic Insert | Matinee Purse with Credit Card Holder


all photos kindly borrowed from MyWalit.com

color love

Colorful, Giclee, modern map from Jazz Berry Blue.

kiddo corner: janod magneti'stick

It seems like every little girl is crazy over princesses. So it was time to find a birthday gift for a little princess. This is so out of my element - I was play in the dirt kind of kid & don't remember my pink princess phase. Plus it seems like every little girl has every Disney princess toy, costume & craft. I wasn't sure what I would find in my quest for this little princess until I found this...and I thought I would have totally wanted this (& I'm not ashamed to say I would love to play with it now!).

This is a large wall decal with 30 add-on magnetic stickers to play with. It is created by the French company, Janod. The illustrations are so cute down to the little gnomes. It's pink but done in these bold non-traditional princess colors. I bought mine at the best little toy store in the neighborhood, Timeless Toys. You can also find it here.

Janod also carries a large world map with over 100 magnetic stickers and a racing version with 12 magnetic stickers.

in the mail

My mailbox has been begging me for some mail, time to send some sweet notes to some sweet people!

This card from Wiley Valentine makes me laugh...there is nothing like a rooster to say "thinking of you"?! I love it!

Just a simple lined note card with a monogram "j" plus this pretty awesome envelope. This is an old-school design from a. favorite design.

Pencil thank you note from One Canoe Two.

Handmade A-team comic book envelope & card. A friend made me a set of these years ago, and every once in a while I have to mail one out. Love them!

...yes, i still send snail mail & love it!