{Fun Finds} For the new year...

I feel a like I'm jumping into the new year in slow motion. I have so many ideas swimming around in my brain but I need some time to sit & ponder a bit before I start in on anything new. Sometimes just letting my brain ebb & flow between creative thoughts is what I need. One of the things that I like doing to let me brain wander is create an Etsy Treasury. This time I started with these three cool items & went from there. 

I got Sayer a smaller version of this Peg & Awl chalkboard & it's fantastic. With kiddo's love of pencils & drawing, I couldn't help but be drawn to these adorable & cozy scarfs from Sara Carr. I also really love these prints from Blanca Gomez & can easily envision them on our wall. 

You can view this whole collection of loveliness live here.

Happy Monday!

{Fun Finds} It's looking a lot like... December.

So, today was that super hyped shopping day - Black Friday. While I know it's good for the economy, it's just not my thing to brave the crowds or big box stores for that matter. Instead of dealing with the long lines & craziness, I locked myself in the studio & worked on orders. It was nice actually- I was sort of oblivious to the hubbub going on outside. I did need to get my fix of looking at cool things though, so tonight I decided to make another treasury to celebrate small businesses. It's funny how these collections sort of put themselves together. I was particularly struck with texture, pattern, & color in this one- it's my December dream list of characters & props. Oh, & the number "36" isn't particularly significant. Sayer is just really into numbers lately & is counting all of the time & posting numbers all around the house. So that painting was for him. Hope everyone has a nice weekend! 

View treasury live here 

Photo via husavik

{Handmade Inspiration} Fun Finds #8 ...

{Matte Stephens}  

{Blackbird Letterpress} 

{Lisa Golighty} 

{Artisanie Europe} 

{Royal Buffet}  

Poppytalk Handmade just turned 5 & the celebration is starting with a new market called "indie love". This is such a great place to find oodles of handmade goodness! Here are  5 of my favorite fun finds - 1 for every year that Poppytalk Handmade has been showcasing handmade goods & emerging design talent. Happy Birthday Poppytalk Handmade!

Pop on over and have a look at everything here. 

{Fun Finds} timo inspiration...

Those that know me or have followed this blog for awhile will not be surprised that I love the design line, Timo. You most likely also understand my interest in characters, textiles & drawing with thread (see my thread figures here). The Timo designs just really speak to me - ALL of them! When I saw the gentleman with a black hat, it pretty much inspired me to make an Etsy treasury right there on the spot. I pictured this gentleman as an artist- (specifically a writer) walking around in Paris on holiday, looking for inspiration for his next book. When I create Etsy treasuries it's usually when I need to be doing something else. It's a way for me to take a little break & creatively recharge. I like to pick images/products that help me tell a story.... 

This treasury is called "The Creative Process" & it's full of characters, places, & things that may be used when when in the creative bubble & possibly on a deadline. You can view it live here. 

Hope you are having a great weekend! 

{Everyday Inspiration} dreaming of vintage...

{picture via hutch studio}

Chris has created beautiful interior spaces at hutch studio & visiting him there is always inspiring. Each room is filled lots of vintage finds and recycled, handmade creations. This room at hutch is called the "sweet room" and I'm always taking note of the way the shadows are cast, how the light fills the room, the textures, & the color palette. I made an Etsy treasury last night that reflects how I feel when I'm in that room & the colors that I see. These are items & images that may appear in my dreamworld....

You can view this Etsy Treasury live here.  Hope you are having a nice week!

{Everyday Inspiration} four fun finds #7

The countdown has started...Christmas is just around the corner! Here are some last minute gift ideas. This collection of four fun things is inspired by my love of paper & making things.... 

1. The top row of Christmas Creatures is perfect for the procrastinator who likes to make their own gifts. If you visit  the mibostudio Etsy shop, you can buy all sorts of cute critters that are sold as a pdf file. Which means, no shipping, no waiting in line and the satisfaction that you made something special for your loved ones. Genius really... 

2. I've had my eye on these paper cut map prints from Famille Summerbelle for some time. They are a perfect way to pay tribute to your favorite city.

3. I just love paperdolls. I found some earlier & mentioned them on one of my first 4 fun find posts -and here is another sweet shop that makes them. Edith is my gal -but there are many to choose from. They come with clothes as well. 

4. "How to" kits are always a great thing to find. This little kit includes 4 favorite papercut design templates {Peter Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland, Pinnocchio, Little Red Ridinghood} from elsita Etsy Shop. 

What's your favorite new discovery this holiday season? I hope you are enjoying the hustle & bustle and all of the traditions & festivities that comes with it!

{Everyday Inspiration} Four fun finds #6

This collection of four fun finds is inspired by the holidays. I'm always drawn to palette of winter- cold skies & peppermint sticks. Here are a few things that caught my eye this week- a few for the first time & a few old favorites.

1.The Normanville coat from LittleHouses was one of the first things that I called a "favorite" on Etsy. I really like the color, buttons, & hood. Seemed about right for the weather these days. 

2. When I saw the Tapikids playmats via Pirouette blog, I was immediately smitten with them. I would love to get one for Sayer- I know he would have a lot of fun with it. I think Chris & I might make him a custom playmat for his birthday though.

3. This tiny red, felt Roland from Pulsewidth caught my attention when I saw it on Etsy. I really like plush musical instruments.

4.The Secret print from Blanca Gomez is a favorite of mine. I have a few of her prints & have her 2010 calendar. The woman from this print is the December picture & enjoy staring at it while I work.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Are you getting a chance to enjoy the holiday festivities? What is your favorite tradition?

{wish list} The Elegant Cockroach....

While I certainly love all of the items that I include in my four fun finds posts, this one is on  a special wish list. When I read about this book in UPPERCASE Magazine, I got really excited to see it in person. I'm already a big fan of their books- I have the Suitcase Series: Camilla Engman that I bought myself for Christmas last year. The design of the book is a cool as the inside. It's the whole package.

The Elegant Cockroach from UPPERCASE gallery on Vimeo.

I think it would be safe to say that any project that UPPERCASE takes on, would catch my interest, but The Elegant Cockroach is first on my list.  Doesn't it look great? I think I would qualify as a whimsical adult, don't you?

{via UPPERCASE}

{Everyday Inspiration} four fun finds #5

The Christmas preparations are in full swing at our house. Kiddo met Santa this weekend & I think we are going to the tree farm this week to find our tree. With the festivities on my mind, I found four more fun finds to share that reminded me of the holidays. 

1- The top print is from a favorite NW artist, Matte Stephens.

2- I found this fedora from another cool, NW company called Knuckleheads. I actually just    bought one for Sayer. They have some pretty darn cute things for little boys. 

3- This Candy Man Pillow is from LuckyBoySunday & can be found here.

4- I have a thing for coats & big buttons. Isn't this coat cool? I found it on Etsy here.

I hope you are having a great weekend! How do you get ready for the holidays?

{Everyday Inspiration} four fun finds # 4

Cozy weather & the holidays inspired this mini collection. Here are four fun finds that keep me thinking about the idea of "home"....

1. This Peter Rabbit Cabin Ornament stole my heart immediately when I saw it.  Chris has been making little cabin ornaments & garlands at hutch studio lately & I adore them. He uses recycled, vintage children's books- in this case, Peter Rabbit. I first saw the storybook cabin garlands on the hutch studio FB page & immediately inquired about them when he came home.

2. I actually own a little Alice Apple plush dog that I find really sweet. The new House & Apple cushions caught my eye when I was checking out what's new in her shop.

3. This dollhouse from Ferm Living is really smart. The house is wallpapered with Ferm Living wallpaper designs & it's easily foldable. 

4. Not an afterthought at all, this print by Hollie Chastain called, "Afterthought"  has been in my "Etsy Favorites" for a little while now. 

Hope you are having a nice weekend! What makes you think of "home"?

{Everyday Inspiration} four fun finds # 3

In keeping with the tradition that I started 3 weeks ago, here are four fun finds that made me smile last week. This post could actually be considered, four funky finds... 

1. This "Circus"  print by Judy Kaufmann is one of the MANY prints in her Etsy gallery that is a  favorite of mine- it was honestly hard to choose just one. 

2. How adorable is this "Splish Splash" play kitchen made out of olive tins? I love the concept behind rafinesse & tristesse - pretty darn genius. 

3. I've had my eye on this block set from Fidoodle for some time now. The illustrated characters heads & bodies can be mixed & matched. There are blocks with illustrations of doors, windows, & other essentials for building things as well. 

4. Harold (the art doll) has me smitten. Timothy was a close second. My eye has been drawn to Elze's shop a lot since I discovered it. She apparently does custom couples too - which would be very cool...  

Hope your having a great weekend! I'm sewing with wool socks & a hat on today. I think I need to find the space heater (which I believe is in Chris' studio).

{Everyday Inspiration} four fun finds # 2

Not surprisingly, I found some more things that caught my attention this week. This might have to be a weekly feature until Christmas now, what do you think? Here are four more fun finds that  highlight shape, pattern, color & texture.

1.  How fun would this  modern storage credenza by modology, be in your living room?

2. I just learned about this very cool e-shop called Zoe de Las Cases via Pirouette blog  the other day and thought about this cardboard  "bunch of kids" all week. I really like them.

3. Well, this isn't a new find. Lulu Smith Jewelry has been a favorite of mine for years now. Her colors, and the way that she uses her materials just "sing" to me. Which is why I have so many lovely Lulus in my jewelry box. These earrings are from her October show that is currently up right now. Lulu makes gorgeous & special pieces of art to wear. She is also a great momma, has two sweet little girls, a talented husband & calls Seattle home. Come to think of it, I like her as much as her art- which is a total bonus!

4. I found out about yorktownroad from my good pal Daria (aka LaLa shoes- the cutest darn baby shoes around). I love this textural and roomy carryall. I'm a very tactile person & her work looks really interesting.

This little group of fun finds make these grey Northwest days a little more cheery. They put a smile on my face anyway. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

{Everyday Inspiration} four fun finds

I see so many fun & cool things each week. I think I may need to start documenting them regularly as to not forget them. Here are 4 things that I have been thinking about. Each one has been bookmarked  on my computer for some reason or another so I thought I would share them with you. 

1. I saw this amazing Paperback Wall System by Studio Parade on sodapopgirl and was totally smitten. I've had dreams of something like this on all of our walls...

2. These great Moveable Paper Dolls by Hollandsworth caught my attention a long time ago and it's one of my "favorite" Etsy shops. I had it bookmarked because I saw that she did custom, family paper dolls and I wanted to have some made of our family for Christmas (including our kitty).

3. If I had a little girl, this would be a frequently purchased from shop. I love these modern dresses by Mette! I just spotted them on papernstitch.

4. This wood sign from, What Wood You Say, was immediately bookmarked when I saw it on Smarts & Crafts a few days ago. This particular saying has been number one on my New Year resolution list almost every year for the last 15 years. It's a phrase that is used often when people give me advice. 

So there are four fun finds . Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Boy did I enjoy that extra hour we gained! What are you using the extra hour for?

{objects} of my affection...

Sometimes I respond strongly to certain pictures or objects and I continue thinking about them for days... even weeks. Here are a few objects of my affection that have been kicking around in my thoughts for the last month. 

"Les Modules" {linen, ballet style room shoe inspired by Le Corubsier's architecture} LaLa Shoes  - I have dreamed about wearing these wonderful shoes as studio shoes. Just think of what I could create when wearing them. Wouldn't mind these little cozy LaLa shoes either...


Eames House Blocks {The portable Eames Case Study #8 house} House Industries - Ray and Charles Eames are my favorite designers so I would love to fiddle and play with the case study #8 house.


Alexander Girard Alphabet Blocks- {Mid-century designer} House Industries  -These are beautiful, bright & could inspire all sorts of things, I am sure. 

Ties by Something's Hiding in Here, found on the Curiousity Shop Blog ~ Smarts & Crafts -These ties and the way that they are displayed, had me asking my husband if he wanted to start wearing ties. But I think they would also look dashing with the "Le Modules" shoes. 

I have to admit that I think I could entertain myself for quite a long time with this awesome  MoMA modern play house. I wonder if Sayer would like it ? (wink wink)


Just wanted to share some of my cool June discoveries with you. Can't wait to see what July has in store visually... Happy July 1st (particularly to my Canadian friends)!