Slowly I’m started to feel a little less frazzled, a little more myself.  I think part of this change is the weather - a change for the better.  The recent heatwave in L.A. has played itself out.  In fact, it should be in the 70s this weekend which is below normal for August. The heat really just gets to me every time.

I’ve also cut down on internet time - big time.  Which is weird, because my job is web-based and most things I do revolve around the computer.  I mean, I love to stay in touch.  But too much virtual reality can leave one feeling a little out of touch, you know?  For the past two evenings I’ve had my nose in a book - actual books made with paper that smell good and have roughly cut edges (there’s a term for it in publishing though I don’t remember it).  OK, maybe paper books are not as “green” as digital ones but I love the tactile quality a book has and it just seems more real, more real than anything labeled “reality” as of late.

And I’ve talked to friends - on the phone!  One friend of mine, who is going through some difficult times, I talked to maybe 3 or 4 times in the last two weeks.  We were laughing at how it was the most we’ve talked to each other in a long time, and how silly it was that it took something painful for that to happen.

I feel like I’m gaining some clarity and lightening my load…No, I wasn’t able to take an actual vacation, but taking a mental break from the everyday does help!

………

Anyway, I can’t post without including a picture of something pretty, right?  I found this old ’50s dress at a local antique market and have been wearing it almost non-stop (along with my homemade granny cardigan).  In fact, I think it has already faded a bit from the repeated washing.  It’s sleeveless and lightweight and in the sweetest print.  The best part?  Rhinestones!  Yes, my dear friends, said dress is BEDAZZLED.

This is not the first ’50s dress that I’ve found with little jewels encrusted on the bodice.  I suppose it was a trend back then.

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Dears, enjoy the weekend!

I’m popping in to let you all know that everything in my vintage shop is on sale: 25% off!

I’d like to send this stuff to good homes so that I may focus on other things.  That being said, I’m totally open to a little haggling, flea market-style, so if you see something you like make me an offer via the “contact” link in my Etsy shop.

If you think you have a friend that might be interested in something here, please spread the word, thanks dears!

I feel like a need a vacation.  I mean, if I’m going to sit around doing nothing, I might as well be sitting around doing nothing in a bathing suit on some tropical island drinking something fruity.  Perhaps it’s the fact that summer has finally hit L.A. (even later than usual) and I just can’t think when it’s hot.  I’ve been feeling listless lately and a bit unbalanced.  Not unhappy, just really unmotivated.  It makes me wonder if I need to step back and re-assess my priorities, goals etc.  What do you do when you feel this way?  The good news if it’s supposed to cool off a bit this weekend.  Maybe I’ll be able to think then.

I hope I don’t sound like a Debbie Downer.  :)  This is just a temporary feeling and I’ve got to roll with it.

xo

Hi dears!  I’m so glad to be adding a couple of new things to the Etsy store.  Some pretty stationery things for you: a Thank You card set plus Print Your Own stationery (you’ve gotten a sneak peek of both items on ye olde blog).

The drawings are inspired by late summer:  lazy afternoons, golden sunlight and pretty wildflowers.  And as you can see I’ve used some of my favorite colors too (coral-y pink, golden yellow and teal blue!).

As of this posting, the above stationery items are on Etsy but I’ll also be adding them to le shop as well.  But first my husband is taking me on a museum date!

Happy Tuesday.

*UPDATE* Stationery has been added to le shop: Thank You Cards and Printable PDF Stationery.  Enjoy!

Last week my husband and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary!  It’s hard to believe that a year ago I was immersed in mini-wedding planning.  To celebrate, we had dinner at the very same place where my husband proposed.  I,  finally, got one of our wedding pictures properly framed.  And I even bought a beloved cookbook to honor the occasion (because paper is the traditional first anniversary gift, right?).

Anyway, I remembered that I was going to post some post-wedding, “non-reception” celebratory photos.  Looking through them, I don’t have very many with actual people; I think I was too busy having a blast to take many photos which often happens!  So, I’m just going to post some of my more craft-related ones.

These pics are from non-reception #1 which took place at our home last October.  Rather, they were taken during preparations before anyone showed up.

Since it was October I wanted a slightly spooky theme but not in a costume-party kind of way (see our party invitations here).  The colors were black, white, silver, pink and orange.  In the photo, above, you can see our pretty bunting crafted with paper doilies, silver glitter card stock letters and black & white striped twine.  The wee cake is pre-wedding topper (silvery glitter initials much like the ones used in the bunting).  Originally I wanted to make a larger 2-tiered cake but became petrified by the thought as I’ve never made one.  But a sweet little cake plus cupcakes galore did the trick.  (By the way, the frosting was pearly and marshmallow-y, while the cake was yellow with chocolate chips.  So good!)

My lovely friend Kara, who came down for the weekend, was very kind and totally game for any party-decorating ideas I threw her way including decorating our high ceilings with paper streamers.

The mantle was decorated with various pumpkins, candles and a fabric-covered accordion-style scrapbook filled with photos from the wedding, backed with craft paper I printed and designed myself.  The plastic cauldron on the coffee table was later filled with candy for the young and young at heart.  (We did have real food, I swear, like cheese and dip and charcuterie, but those things were set out just before people arrived.)

Kara and I spent the previous night making these fun cupcake toppers with Victorian clip art butterflies in October-ish colors.  We (and by we, I mean Kara) put that scalloped paper punch to good use!

Oh, I can almost taste those cupcakes!

I don’t recall when exactly but I told you I’d post pictures of my studio (a fancy way of saying office) after I painted it grey (from bright yellow).  Well, it’s probably been a couple of years now but here it is!

A perfectly styled room it is not.   Isn’t it better to see how I really live?  The most significant thing I’ve done to prepare for these photos was clearing off surfaces.  I can’t help but live with stacks of papers (work, sketch, etc.) on my desk and sewing table but I figured that would be too distracting.

This space is really me, a jumble of all my favorite and mostly old-fashioned things.  And I love pattern so much, I buy fabric just because of the print (I know many of you do the same!)  and I’m surely running out of room.  I’m also in love with old, delicate, falling-apart things (as you know) and now the north wall is looking a bit like a bricks ‘n’ mortar vintage shop with the Edwardian blouses and 1930s dresses hanging from it.

You can see my mother-in-law’s rug in the lower left corner of this pic, in front of the antique sewing thread cabinet my landlord gave me.  Isn’t the lighting here a little odd, like I had the flash on?  I didn’t though - it’s just the white morning light coming through the facing windows.

Below is my little nook which includes this unglamorous but functional Ikea futon.  At least it’s a comfortable place for my childhood teddy friends.

Hi Totoro!

I’ll end this post with the seat at my desk, a place where I spend a lot of my day working, drawing and gazing out the window with my dear cat Spoo. (He often sits behind the curtain to watch the busy little house finches in the morning.)

I hope you enjoyed this mini-tour of my world.  Enjoy the weekend!

I’m glad to be adding new works to le shop soon.  It’s definitely a balancing act between juggling work with illustrating, sewing dolls and dresses, ice cream-making, ice cream-EATING, making more ice cream, etc.

Anyway, printable stationery is one of the things coming up.  I love stationery because it can be so pretty but really practical too.

Happy Wednesday!

I’ve been wanting to visit the Huntington in San Marino ever since I stumbled upon it (online) in my quest for wedding locations last summer. (It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since then!)  The Huntington was out of our price range but still remained a place of interest; what I found most intriguing was their scholarly library.  I’m not sure what it takes to qualify but not just anyone can go in and start poking around the old books.  Luckily for the rest of us, there are beautiful art exhibits (permanent and changing), architecture and expansive gardens.  My husband and I went over the weekend and I must say, we fell in love with the place!   I felt like we were on vacation, in a land far, far away.  If we lived in the area I would seriously consider getting a yearly membership.  If you are ever in SoCal or are a local you must visit.

I took a ton of photos and have included some highlights here:

I came away with my one required souvenir, the sweetly illustrated Kate Greenaway’s Mother Goose which you can get on Amazon (but it would be so much better if you visited the Huntington gift store instead).

Hot weather + hectic weeks have made making friends for Lucy a wee bit difficult but not impossible; luckily dolls are very patient.  But I suppose you have no choice when you don’t have arms or a painted-in face.  Oh, and your little midi collar (or shawl, I can’t decide) is missing.

SPEAKING OF SHAWLS, I plan to make at least one chicken shawl for my friend Kara’s new chickens!!  I’m head over heels excited for her and even a little envious because how could you not want your very own chickens?

Have a good Wednesday, dears!

Some lovely vintage goodies are in my vintage shop!  Pretty things perfect for midsummer: gingham dresses and accessories.  (And one very sweet lone crocheted item, hee hee!)  For the first time ever, I’ve got dresses for our curvy ladies which makes me as pleased as punch.

For my dearest blog friends:  buy anything from my vintage shop and get *free* shipping.  To get this deal: please enter “BLOG” in the message to seller box and I’ll credit you the shipping & handling fee.  Free shipping deal ends this Friday, July 23rd midnight PT.

These listings are for U.S. delivery only but I might be able to ship elsewhere; please convo me on Etsy.