Paper Thank You's

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, actually spending it recounting all you have to be thankful for and to Whom thanks is due.

We celebrated with friends including 6 Japanese college students (my first time topping off turkey and stuffing with a tiny mug of warm sake--like the pilgrims did no doubt.)

As a little thank-you gift for the host I made my own mini version of these paper flowers. I strung a black bead onto the floral wire as the center of each bloom and skipped the floral tape since I didn't have any around. And I used a dot of hot glue under each bead to hold it all together. The paper I used is vellum which I picked up a long time ago at Staples Office Supply. It's semi-translucent but thick enough to not be too fragile. The little "thank you" tag was a last-second add.

I LOVE some of the beautifully, intricate decorations people make with paper, such a cheap and readily-available medium.

Like this chandelier from CraftStylish! If you've got the time and the patience, you can read how to make it here!

Or this cake decoration demonstrated here!

Or paper snowflakes in this window at Anthropologie. Alright, that's it, I'm TOTALLY gonna make some paper Christmas decorations today. Since we've got to pack up and move right before Christmas, I want to get an early start on our decorating so we can enjoy it just as long.

Leaving Home Print

Two posts in one day...craziness...



Just in case you're gonna be doing any online Christmas shopping this holiday weekend, I thought I'd make you aware of the new print I just added to the shop...you know, just in case.

Speaking of Christmas shopping, with our quickly-approaching, pricey move 1/2 way across the country, starting a new business, the economy and such, we're really trying to be just as aware of who we buy FROM as who we give TO. You know, making sure we're supporting who we want to be supporting with our dollar-- buying music from our musician friends, art from our artist friends, books from our author friends, photos from our photographer friends, buying local, buying handmade. Hope you'll consider doing some of the same!

Heey...wait a second!

I was checking out one of my favorite blogs (i.e. procrastinating) and followed a link to this downloadable Homemade Holiday Zine. As I was skimming through all the pages of the zine, I was thinking "Wow, there is some great stuff in here and some great artists! I wish I could have somehow gotten in this thing." Then to my surprise I found out I was!! Look, my customizable "I Do" print in the gift guide for couples! Yay! : ) I imagine it's a little like an indie musician walking into a store and hearing their cd playing...it just kinda makes your day : )

Print Your Own GIft Tags

I just added these gift tags to the shop in the form of a "Print Your Own" PDF. When you purchase, I email you the PDF so you can print as many as you'd like for all the gifts you give this holiday season.
I'm working on having these available for purchase as a pack as well. But if you've got a good printer and a decent pair of scissors, the pdf might be the way to go!

Happy wrapping!

What He Says

New haircut this weekend--I'm now rockin bangs ( a little shout out to every year of my life before the age of 22). I like it. But don't take MY word for it....

Christmas Cards!

I just added Christmas card and envelope packs to the shop! They're the product of my pencil illustration and some pages from a great vintage book find (signed "Christmas 1883"). I print them (on my Epson R1800), fold them, wrap them, and lovingly ship them off myself. Hop on over to the shop and grab a pack if you'd like!

Note: Don't worry, no vintage books were harmed in the making of this card.

In case you were wondering, that sweet little square plate in the photo is something I picked up at a recent social justice craft fair. It comes from an organization called "Just Potters". Read more about them here!

Seabird Stops By

The band Seabird, GRACIOUSLY, drove through the night to play at our little 'ole church yesterday between shows in New York and New Hampshire and BLEW THE FACES OFF the old ladies in the back pew. It was GREAT!
Seabird at their merch table after church where one of the said "old ladies" bought some t-shirts : )


And then we drove to New Hampshire to catch their show last night. I got to snag the shirts I designed for them and I have to admit, it was pretty cool to see people wearing them around. I LOVE collaborating with musicians. Art and music joining forces to eventually try and take ovER THE WOOORLD!!! Seriously, check them out. They are great guys!