warmer times

Right now I'm tired of winter. These photos bring me back to a warmer time, a warmer place.

I won't be going anywhere warm for awhile though, and this weekend I'm planning to do wintery things, like bake a chocolate rasberry cake, drink tea, knit, play board games with my children and maybe go ice skating. And take some photos of it all so I have something to post on Monday!

working on

Working on a few new things. Hope they will be ready to show you next week.

The sailor girl is back in the shop.

Last night I finally got to see Bright Star. Beautiful movie. See it! It's out on DVD.

Oh, I just noticed it's snowing outside. Hmm....a good day to have soup for lunch. If only I had some already made.

And thank you to the lovely Maria of Vintage Simple who so kindly mentioned me and some other fab ladies on her blog.

today

It's sunny right now, really sunny, and my mood is reflecting that. I'm going out for a walk right after I post this, but first I had to share a few things.

pinks and yellows from my vintage thread stash

handkerchief in a liberty print from Kim's new shop

this book that I won in Jane's giveaway. Thank you, Jane!

little packages that will go to the post office soon

Also, the sailor girl that I posted yesterday has sold, but I think I will make another one soon for the shop, just in case anyone is interested.

hello sailor

Been working on this clothespeg girl. Sailor stripes and tailored denim pants. Makes me think of spring! She's in my shop now.

i'm nominated for a poppy!

Much to my surprise I've been nominated for a Poppies Award on Poppytalk! I've been nominated in the "Favorite Handmade Artist's Blog" category. There are so many amazing blogs in the category, and I feel very honored just to be included on the list. If you would like to vote for me, please follow the link here. You can vote from now until January 29th, one vote per person. Thank you for your support!

And as cool as it would be to actually win an award, I think of this not as a competition, but really as a way to bring more awareness to handmade things and their creators. There are so many people out there deserving of recognition, so congratulations to all of you who are making and creating things. Yay!

angela's studio

Last week I visited my friend Angela Liguori at her home studio for a morning of good food, good conversation and artistic inspiration. Angela's home is lovely and you can see more of it here in this sneak peek on Design Sponge. I got to take some photos of her studio, which is filled with color and beautiful things. She has just finished working on this lovely 2010 calendar. Check out the teeny, tiny clothespins it comes with! Adorable, right? You can see more of the calendar here on her blog, with details about how to get one for yourself. I think she's having a giveaway, so hurry.

Thank you, Angela for this wonderful morning...now I need to return the favor!

Have a great weekend and thank you for all of your encouraging comments on the last post!

***

I can feel some creative energy starting to sink into my bones once again. Natural colors, whites, blues and greys are inspiring me today. I think I want to try to knit this vest, pictured above. Winter is a good time for experimenting. Right now I'm working on a tedious knitting project for myself, a super large cowl knit with skinny yarn on skinny needles. I knew there was a reason I knit in bulky yarns all fall, but now that I'm into this project I am determined to finish it. I just hope I like it when it's done. I'll post some photos if I finish it anytime soon. I would like to be able to wear it this winter!

I think I'm going to re-read Jane Eyre as my next book. I haven't read it in about 10 years. One of my friends re-reads it every winter. When in a quandry she says she often asks herself, "What would Charlotte Bronte do in this situation?" I love that!