I was so excited to hear that the incomparable Donna Hay has a new book entitled Seasons that just came out. I just happened to notice it while browsing her website. I'm sure it is every bit as mouthwatering and gorgeous as everything she has ever done. I also read while on her site that she is now dabbling in homewares. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!
Hopefully mine will turn out this beautiful! Here's the info for it.
Here are a few pics of an ever so sweet Wizard of Oz party that I spotted on the wonderful imprintables blog. How fun!
I absolutely love this party that Sharnel (from one of my favorite blogs my life-my loves) created for her son's birthday party. The navy and green theme is unique and wonderful. I love the way you do things, Sharnel....crisp and clean with attention to every detail...very inspiring! 
I have been a long-time fan of designer Anna French...even her name is perfect. I have always been drawn to her sense of color, particularly in her children's wallpaper design. She now has a new collection out called Wild Flora. I just love wallpaper, if I had my way, every room in my house would be papered in a totally different print and colorway. There would be no rhyme or reason to what I chose...each room would stand alone and their would be no flow from room to room. It would end up looking somewhat like a fun house, I'm sure...but I could satisfy all of my different loves...and when I'm feeling peaceful I could go be in my soft, muted, very little color room and when I'm feeling more playful and fun, I could be surrounded by a wild pattern in pinks and reds. It would be kinda' like a mood house :)
I was just wondering around the All Things Cottage blog site when I happened apon this lovely posting of the cottage owned by Portland artist Leah Anderson. What beautiful style and talent. "Born in British Guyana, South America, Leah gained a broad view of societies and cultures as her father’s exploits as an adventurer meant living and traveling to new and exotic countries all over the world. After completing her education, mostly in British schools, she spent twenty years dedicated to family and horses. Clearly her appreciation for calm and serenity is reflected in the decorating style which she displays in her comfortable cottage…the perfect space for her and her husband, and their guests, to enjoy the relaxing tranquility Leah so cherishes."
The figurines, which began melting within half an hour, were meant to bring awareness to the World Wildlife Fund's warnings on Climate Change.
What a beautiful and haunting sight that must have been to see in person.
I think this is one of the greatest craft projects I've seen in a while. I stumbled upon Cathe Holden's blog Just Something I Made and am so happy I did. Look at this gorgeous project. Self admittedly, I am a jewelry junkie...but I can think of so many other cute ways to incorporate this idea. Here's Cathe's tutorial on the project an her images from the JSIM blog. LOVE. IT.
"To make my pieces, I first ordered the sampler set of bezel settings from Etsy seller dasb56. When they arrived, I carefully measured the inside area of each bezel. I designed my images in Adobe Illustrator to size with the engraved area white and the raised area black."
"Before committing to the sizes, I first printed the images out onto cardstock to place in the settings to make sure I had a good fit."
"I then emailed a PDF file of the images to a local B&M North Coast Stamps (they also do web orders if you don’t have a local shop near you!). I requested the stamps un-cut. My order was ready the same day. Set up this way, the individual image/stamps averaged just over $3 a piece. When placing an order like this, be certain to explain what you are making and that you do not want the image mirrored as with traditional rubber stamps, since you won’t be stamping with them. I cut out each individual stamp image, double checked their fit into their settings and trimmed as necessary."
"I used enamel paint to coat each piece, Krylon Fusion spray paint for plastic for the black and red and Testors paint for model painting for the blue and silver. Once dry, I used acrylic paint to enhance the engraved areas of some by filling the area well and wiping the surface clean. I gave each piece a final finishing coat of clear matte enamel spray and glued each stamp into its setting with Super Glue."
A friend of mine recently introduced me to local Birmingham gal Allison Banks and her beautiful calligraphy and monogram business. Allison says she's been perfecting her art since her teenage years and has always had a love for the traditional beauty of custom hand-printed lettering. Here are a few of Allison's pieces. Check out her website. Beautiful stuff...go Allison!
Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays because I get to go overboard with the goopy love stuff for my kids (no joke...I'm talking heart-shaped pancakes with pink strawberry syrup). I love having a holiday that I don't have to make an excuse for being sappy over. Bring on the pink and red, boxes of dainty chocolates and little "theme-y" gifts. It's also one holiday that I LOVE designing for because I am the girliest of girlie-girls, and Valentine's Day is one day that I don't have to tone it down. I know that the Christmas/Hanukkah holidays are still sort of hanging around (I think I have a holiday hangover), but I'm already lookin' out for some sweet nothings for my sweet somethings. Above are three cute little gifts I've already spied from Rhode Island manufacturer, Decor Craft (top: the very adorable "Blooming Heart", middle: heart shaped magnetic board, bottom: "Flower Pot Pens") along with some Stacy Claire Boyd Children's Petite Valentines and Valentine Photocards.
