Nautical Spring Style

Here are a few things that remind me of all things nautical and nice. Top two are from Anthropologie. Sometimes I glance through their newest catalog thinking it’s not that interesting, only to find myself picking it up a month or two later and finding little tidbits that I love. Here are two from the December catalog that I just re-discovered. Next, one of my French History bags...soon to be available on etsy. I love these vintage stripes! And to go along with that nautical skirt and bag, how about this soap from Saipua? Just the packaging alone has me sold on it, but the description on their website sounds lovely too. For a fun read, check out their blog or view their on-line shop. It’s very pretty!

Bright on the inside

It's very grey outside today, so here are some cheery bits of color from my house. The pillow in the middle photo I made from a vintage tablecloth...it's part of a pair that will be for sale in my etsy shop, once I get it up and running. Right now, it's just looking pretty in my studio.

Spring Bags

Here are the first spring bags I've sewn. The top bag is a Japanese print in canvas. The bottom bag is Japanese linen, lined with cotton corduroy. Both bags have matching little zip bags for carrying your cell phone, lipstick, keys, etc., but I don't have any good photos of them yet. I'll post more sewing pictures later in the week.

Winter Garden

We went to visit my parents this weekend for some skiing, sledding, and walks in the woods. Here are some photos of their garden in the snow. I'll post new bags and fabric tomorrow.

Simply British

One more from Bailey's, one more from Toast, one more from Saltwater. Happy weekend everyone. I'll be back next week with more sewing. I'm off to work on it right now.

British style

I love these images from the winter collections of Saltwater and Toast, two British favorites of mine. Top two are Saltwater, bottom two from Toast. Can't wait to see what they put out for spring! More British style tomorrow.

Currently loving

I'm loving the products from British company Bailey's Home and Garden. I would love some of these simple items for my own home. Their products are eco-friendly and often made from recycled materials. And speaking of eco-friendly, check out this new blog by fellow Cantabrigian, mom, small business woman and all around creative person!

Flowery

Sometimes carnations are just so...pretty. I was inspired by the flowers over here on this lovely blog. I bought a bunch at the grocery store this morning and distributed them to various places around my house.

Orange, yellow

Anything to brighten up the grey day here.

Tea Party

These cheerful old Japanese dollies live in my daughter's room. My grandfather brought them back from Japan for my mother in the 1950's when he was working there. So, this afternoon after school my kids and I will have a tea party. I'm going to make currant scones and tea, of course!

Back to work

Time to really get back to work. I will be using this book and this fabric to make a new spring shirt. If I can perfect the pattern, there will be more coming along in my shop. I have some amazing vintage florals to work with! I'll also be making more striped tote bags out of French ticking like the one above. And more hobo bags and matching zip bags are in progress using new fabric...Japanese linen...very cute, I promise. I will post some pictures of them when they are done.

Glass and china

I found these beautiful glass bottles at the flea market last summer. The white china behind them is old ironstone found at the flea market and at my favorite antique store, Red Chair Antiques, in lovely Peterborough, NH. Although this picture was taken in my studio, it always makes me think of some house with white stucco walls in the south of Spain or France. Just a daydream on a winter’s day, I suppose.

snowy day

It's a snowy day here, and the kids are home from school. Tomorrow I will start sewing again when the house is quiet. I love this postcard from Craftland from a year or so ago. Artwork is by Jen Corace.

I miss you, summer house

I miss you, summer house. It is probably very cold where you are right now, and you probably have many winter guests like field mice and squirrels. I will be back in the summer to clean you up and keep you company!

Calm

I find this picture so calming. This is the corner of my work table in my studio/guest bedroom. To the left is where my sewing machine or my laptop live, depending on what I'm working on. The mug is from White Forest Pottery. Happy weekend!

January is for drawing and reading

There's lots of reading, writing, and drawing going on in Will's room these days. Ed Emberley and Munro Leaf are always big hits in our house. The funny rabbit creature is made by me.

Stripes

This is the last hobo bag standing after my holiday shows. I’m still so in love with these stripes. The blue and white stripes are from a vintage yard sale piece, the beige and white is French mattress ticking. This bag represents the last of both these fabrics. I’m awaiting the arrival of some new fabric from Repodepot and PurlSoho which will be turned into more hobo bags for my spring collection. There will be lots of repeating graphic patterns, strong primary colors, and of course, stripes. Stay tuned!

Angels are everywhere

Okay, I know the holidays are over, but I am still inspired by my daughter's Christmas angel. I just love the way the pink and yellow in the egg cup and the angel play off of one another.

Sailing ahead in 2008

Welcome 2008! In this new year I thought I’d start a blog that explores the things that inspire me everyday in my corner of the world and beyond.