denim bags

I've been working on these denim zip bags and tote bags, but need to take some better pictures before I put them in the shop. They come in both a dark wash denim and a chambray wash. They each have one of these cool little vintage "177" French number tags sewn on the front.

Wool totes coming soon, too. Maybe tomorrow I'll have some pictures of those.

dahlias?

Spent some time last week taking pictures of other people's fall flowers. My own garden is long on spring flowers and short on fall blooms. Next year, remind me to plant dahlias! I think that's what these are in the top two photos anyway. And I never get tired of ferns. I have some in my own yard, but these were such a nice shade of bright green.

And speaking of pretty flower photos, I discovered British photographer Cassia Beck's lovely etsy shop this weekend. She has beautiful prints and postcards, and I got so excited about them I immediately purchased some postcard sets! Cassia also has a great blog (which she very kindly mentioned me on today) and a jewelry shop on etsy as well. Be sure to check out her gorgeous work!

fall cooking

I think fall is my favorite season for cooking. Fruits and vegetables are abundant and fresh and cool nights are great for soups and stews or things roasted in the oven. We went apple picking last Sunday so there were lots of apple-y things that needed to be made. I think I spent most of Tuesday cooking. I made bran muffins, granola, applesauce, apple pie...I cooked so much that I didn't have time to cook dinner that night and my husband had to make us all omelets.

Hope you all have a nice weekend!

squam art fair

Ahhh...Squam Lake in New Hampshire. One of the prettiest lakes ever. Doing the Squam Art Fair , the grand finale of a week of wonderful art workshops, is a pretty special event in my book. This past weekend's show was great...wonderful vendors, wonderful customers, beautiful setting. There will be another one in June and I do recommend you put it on your calender if you are in the Northeast. It is worth the trip.

I was in good company there with Angela Liguori, and my table was next to Sarah Ahearn who makes beautiful paintings and prints. Taryn Reece was there with some wonderful vintage items (wish I had bought more) from her store Navel Jelly Studios. And although I didn't get a chance to meet her, Andrea Jenkins was there from Hula Seventy. My one regret about the show was that it was so busy, that I didn't get around to see all of the other vendors and I know there were some really nice things that I missed seeing. So, I hope to get another chance at the next show in June!

p.s. wouldn't you love to stay in a cottage like the one pictured above? i hear they each have their own fireplace with firewood delivered every day and their own dock on the water for early morning swims and late night star gazing.

barn sale

On Sunday, driving home from picking apples, the kids and I passed a barn sale. Here's some of what I brought home.

1. lovely old french bottle.

2. beautiful old afghan, perfect condition. I love thinking about whoever made it and the time it took them to pick the colors, design it and do the crocheting. I wish they knew how much I am appreciating their handiwork!

3. geranium painting.

This showed up in my e-mail today. A new film from Toast. It's so pretty!

clothespeg dolls

These lovely little ladies are made from antique wooden clothespegs I found at the flea market this summer. I've hand colored their hair and faces, handknit them little sweaters, dresses, and skirts, and given them handsewn vintage wool garments. I imagine they have old fashioned names like Gladys, Betsy, Gertrude or Beatrice. I've never made dolls before, and it is SO much fun. I'll be working on these all fall using various combinations of wool and vintage fabric and will be adding them to my shop as I get the chance. They are $20 each.

I have so much to post about the weekend and will be getting to that throughout the week. Happy Monday! It's bright and sunny here, a good day for a sweater dress and boots!

blue

Did I ever mention that blue is my favorite color? Have a great weekend, everyone!

around the house

Looking around my house, enjoying small bits of color here and there. I'm back to picking small bouquets from my garden and stashing them around. These peaches are divine. Been eating one everyday. Back to cooking too after a summer of shared meals with various friends and family. It's nice to cook in my own kitchen again. Tonight's menu is roast chicken, roasted squash, sauteed swiss chard and a real treat: chocolate bread pudding I made with leftover french bread for dessert. And a glass of red wine, I think.

Thank you so much for all of your kind and supportive comments on my work the past week! I treasure each and every one of them and am honored that you take the time to look and comment.

new shelves

My neighbor was giving away this set of shelves the other day. I knew I could use them for something. After a good cleaning I put them in my studio. They will make great storage for fabric, but I couldn't resist lining up some of my current favorite things that were hanging around the studio just for fun.

3 more scarves in the shop today. They will all go to the show on Saturday, so if you see anything you can't live without let me know before then.

The Bensimon tennis shoes pictured above can be found at the Harvard Square Urban Outfitters in the bargain basement for $9.99. Thank you, Blue Moss for the tip!

scarves in the shop

Scarves are here in the shop, ready to keep you warm and cozy at a moment's notice! I'm hoping to add more later this week too. Got three more new ones to add. Just need to get the photos taken.

I keep forgetting to post that I am doing a show this weekend, Saturday September 12th at the Squam Art Workshops in NH. It's from 7-9 pm. So I'm working away to get things ready for that! I'm very excited, since it will be the first show of the fall season AND it's in a beautiful place with lots of lovely people about too.

at pod

These vintage grain sack pillows went over to Pod in Brookline. If you're in the Boston area, Pod is one of those stores that you must make a visit to. It's filled with goodies from Fog Linen, Saipua, Makie, bags from Susy Pilgrim Waters, ribbons from Angela Liguori, Selvedge Magazine and so much more...trust me, you will love it! For a taste of what's there, check out their on-line shop. My pillows are now there too!

plaid

I'm always crazy for wool plaids come fall. I've had the pile to the left for a while, and am ready to sew them into pillows next week. Still working on bags this week, and I'm liking what's happening with them, but no photo to show you because today is cloudy, and although I tried to get a good photo, it was impossible. You know how that is, right? Also never got to posting my new scarves on etsy, so I'm hoping, hoping I can get to that next week as well. I finished another one this week and started one last night and I really am excited to show you! Just not enough hours in the day. Have a really nice weekend. Hope it's filled with good weather, good food, good cheer.

trimming

I found these vintage wool strips at my favorite antique store, The Red Chair this summer. I'm not sure how I'll use them yet, but I love them! I'll post more fabric here tomorrow.

I've updated quiet with two more summer slide shows.

fabric

I got this vintage wool and cotton fabric at the flea market this summer. I haven't been brave enough to cut into it yet. I'm just enjoying how it looks stacked up. It will be sewn into tote bags soon though. Just have to get my courage up with the scissors.

Tried on this shirt today at Gap, but it didn't look right on me at all. Too bad!

thread

Back in my studio, back to work. Playing with thread. These are the colors that are inspiring me for fall. Tomorrow I'll show you some fabric. Maybe by Friday I'll have some bags to post as well!

p.s. my photos were inspired by Rebekah's thread on etsy! if you visit her shop don't forget to check out the awesome hats she has just listed!

night sky

Taken a few nights ago, that's what the sky looks like here on the marsh as the sun sets and the moon comes up. Tomorrow, we go back to the city. I'll miss it here, but in many ways I am ready to return.

I had a nice surprise today when I visited Orange Sugar Home. Kathryn was the winner of my giveaway over on Sofia's Creative Ones, and she posted the little package I sent her! Thank you Kathryn!

Have a nice weekend, all!