Carving My Initials

As the new year rapily approaches, I wanted to let you all know about this awesome calendar by my studio mate Jim DeLucia (aka, Carving My Initials).  It's beautifully illustrated with planty of space to write in important birthdays, vet appointments, and family vacations!  Jim's work is impecable and worth every penny.

Focus!

Remember how I was obsessed with owning a cottage a few months ago?  Well, I still am.  I think about it almost every day.  I will surely own these lovely dishes from L'Abitare and use them to entertain the neighbors.  And in return I'm sure they will give us rides in their awesome boat and let their puppies play with ours.

I heart Jackie Bos

Jackie Bos makes seriously awesome art.  This piece is from her Magical Land Series, a series of ongoing works on paper.  I love the vibrancy of color and strong lines in her work.

She also just completed a limited edition book titled I Heart the Arctic, based on Inuit myths and the arctic.  I ordered myself a copy, so get yours while you can, I'm sure these will go fast!

And I couldn't resist posting this picture of Jackie taken in her studio.  Pastel-pink desk, blue chair, heart sweater?  I'm pretty sure we would be friends if we ever met in real life...she even photographed her new book on a pink background, which is perhaps that adorable desk :)

Damn, I need a wall of lockers like these!

I was perusing Viv's beautiful blog Ish & Chi this afternoon when I spotted Carl Bengtsson's photos.  Aren't these stunning?  Happy to have found both Viv and Carl :)

The winners are...

Thank you to everyone who left a comment about the best parts of Fall in my calendar giveaway.  Congratulations to our two winners, Jane and Chantel.

Jane won the 13-page calendar!
"My favourite bit about fall (another autumn-sayer over here, really...) is cycling through big piles of crunchy leaves :)"

Chantel I. won the tear-away calendar!
"Fall is by far my favourite season. I love the colours and the crisp air. I love to hear leaves crunching under my feet and to eat warm stew.  Your calendars are beautiful and I'd be most pleased to win one."

Chantel, can you please send me an email with your mailing address.  Your email address bounced back to me.

Stop back in early December for another giveaway :)

Missed Connections

I love reading Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections Blog.  Her illustrations are perfect for the odd missed connections, almost always hilarious, although sometimes a little sad.  She also has prints for sale!

And, make sure you check out her apartment Sneak Peek, it's equally amazing.  I seriously love how full it is and the quilt is awesome!  It makes me feel good about all of my stuff :)

don't you need another bag?

I just love Pansy Maiden's purses.  All of Laura 's bags are vegan and sustainable and gorgeous.  Every one of them is on my wishlist :)

puppy burger?

My sister sent me a link to the most amazing dog Halloween costume...chihuahua on burger!  I wish we had been able to think of something so genius for our girls this year.  Susie would have loved felt burger paws and Cassie would have loved trying to eat them :)  Maybe next ear we won't be so lame.

Stephen Wiltshire

When I came acrosss Stephen Wiltshire's work on A Cup of Jo I was blown away.  After short ride in a helicopter he was able to recreate the skyline of New York City.  From memory!  Can you imagine it?  The details are just incredible and I don't know that I've ever been able to concentrate so intensely on one thing in my life like he is able to do in these.

November giveaway

In my last giveaway I mentioned that I'd be having more.  Well, October came and went, so now it looks like I'm saying hello to November with a calendar giveaway! 

One winner will receive the full 12-month calendar and a second winner will receive the tear-away calendar.  Both are letterpress printed and the imagery is inspired by vintage china patterns. To enter, please leave a comment telling us all what you your favorite part of fall is (mine is that I have an excuse to make and eat soup!). To double your chances, post about this giveaway on your blog and leave another comment with a link to the post and I'll make sure you're entered into the drawing a second time! The contest will end on Monday, November 9th at midnight (EST) and I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, November 10th.

As an added bonus for reading my blog I’ll send an extra greeting card with any shop order if you enter the code “hello fall” in the checkout section (valid until November 20).

Wow, things are moving so quickly!  Plans are well under way for the next Second Storie Indie Market.  We'll be picking up posters to plaster the town, for both the market and the Western New York screening of Handmade Nation, tickets are still available.  I'm so looking forward to both.  The best part of the entire event is when vendors start arrivig for set up.  Everyone is so excited and chatting about the holidays and their work and busily setting up their tables.  It makes the whole planning process worth it!  I hope some of you in the upstate area might be able to stop by in person and say hi during Thanksgiving weekend :)