Two very talented ladies (”very talented” doesn’t even begin to describe them, actually) are coming out with new craft books this year.  I’m very crafty myself (um, yea?) but I don’t own very many craft books.  Nowadays I tend to only get the ones I really, truly want; too many craft books in my collection have ended up on the local library steps (figuratively speaking) and that can get expensive (although I’m always happy to donate useful things).

And the books I’m referring to are about two of my favorite things: embroidery and paper dolls!  Both so dear to my heart, perhaps because they remind me so much of my childhood art-making.

My friend Alicia’s “Embroidery Companion” is such a beautiful book, due out August 10th.  I mean, look at the cover!  Sheesh, I love that skirt.  I want that skirt.  We need to embroider more, don’t you think?

Emily Winfield Martin (I just had to mention her middle name, as it is the best ever), also has a book coming out on November 2nd called “The Black Apple’s Paper Doll Primer.”  This book looks like so much fun for both little and big kids (I.e. moi).   I bet you could get lost in it (which is fine by me, especially if that sweet little white bunny led the way).

Both books are available for pre-order if you want to make sure you get a copy.  And don’t forget to click the above links to find out more info and see some sample projects!

I got some Spoonflower samples today!  Always exciting.  When I discovered they now offered cotton lawn I had to come up with some designs to test it out. (Lawn was the first thing I requested back when I first signed up with them.)  The samples you see above are all printed on lawn.  The colors came out mostly as expected which is nice.  Can you see the old-timey circus/Alice influence?

The fabric itself is a looser weave than I was expecting; maybe it will shrink up a bit in the wash.  My idea was to construct a wee 1930s dress for myself from Spoonflower lawn.  And, I suppose, some dolly dresses too.  What do you think?

I printed the strongman design on canvas.  I really like the canvas. (I wasn’t expecting to as I haven’t had much use for it; perhaps that will change!)  There were other strongman versions on quilt-weight fabric but I don’t like them as much.  Somehow the details didn’t show up as well. (Plus the scale was smaller so the little guys just seem sort of lost.)  I think this design would need something a little more if it were ever to be printed, some kind of design element in the background.

The diamond/star design is printed on their standard quilt-weight fabric in a slightly different colorway from the same design above it.  I like the softer, more greenish version in the lawn. (Although the bright red, blue and white is appropriate for our holiday weekend!)

Have you printed up anything at Spoonflower lately?

Anyhow, I wish all my fellow U.S. residents, citizens and ex-pats a Happy July 4th weekend!   Actually, a lovely weekend to everyone!

I’ve been meaning to share with you photos of my studio after I painted it grey from bright yellow (goodness, that was a while ago!).  And I guess this is really just a tease since I’m not quite ready to really show you everything. I’ve spent many hours cleaning, organizing and rearranging this room; it’s the one in the house where the misfit furniture ends up and I finally figured out how to make it all work.

Here you see some of my most loved vintage wearable things including stuff that will end up in le shop.  I’m really excited as I’ve had a kind of epiphany in terms of what I want to do with my time and what makes me happy; therefore my shop is going in a slightly different direction than where I was taking it before.  (But I don’t think it would be much of a shock to any of you.)  Details later.  (Oops, there’s that teasing again!  Hee hee.)

xo

It’s too early in the morning (and week!) for writing paragraphs.  So here are a couple of happy and silly pics for you.  Happy Monday, dears!