In The Works and On The Table...

Welcome back to the start of yet another work week! I hope everyone is coming back relaxed and refreshed. I ended up working through the weekend. So, for me, nothing seems much different. I've got a few custom orders in the works for this week (yay!) and I'm desperately searching for extra time to list some more holiday cards and tags before the end of Friday. Fingers crossed!

A Funky Kind of Love

Well, it has officially started. That cold Fall air has turned frigid and moved right inside my home. I swear I'm seconds away from wearing gloves inside! I thought these adorable fingerless Doubs Gloves by Free People would be perfect to give warmth and street cred. Plus, I could stay cozy and still be able to type and text! I'd say this pair is a good find.

I Have An Idea!

Recently, I've been finding that there are a few lovely blogs I just don't make time for anymore. That is to say I just don't have the time to read them. The online journals that I do get to enjoy are the ones that make several quick little posts throughout the day. And I think there is something to that. Those blogs with the little mini-posts, its not just that they fit into my schedule. It's that I find them more fun. They share a lovely image, new product, or idea but all at different times. Sometimes I go back later the same day to see what's new and other times I head over there later in the week and find a whole bunch of posts filled to the brim with eye candy just waiting there for me. Because they're not too lengthy I have time to read them all instead of feeling overwhelmed that I've missed too much.

So, I'd like to give it a try here today and see how it goes. For my regular readers out there I'd love to hear your take on which style of posting you prefer. I'm thinking that with the several mini posts I'd be able to share more throughout the week instead of just Monday, Wednesday, Friday. There are so many fun finds I stumble across every day, but if I don't have a lot to say about it it doesn't get shared. So, I think I'd like to change that - at least for a few days a week.

{image found here }

Don't Forget

I adore this ring - I mean I really adore this ring. Don't you just think its lovely? And if the holidays weren't coming up I'd probably treat myself to it today, but alas the non-selfish season is fast approaching and my sweet little forgot me knot ring will have to wait for me. Please... please wait for me.


{Don't Forget Wire Ring by Whimsy Wire and Wool}
p.s. - isn't that a great shop name?! I just love it.

I Want Homemade Goodies

There is just something special about giving a handmade gift for the holidays. It lets someone know that they are special; that they are thought of. But let's face it not all of us can knit a sweater, print our own cards, or whip up a batch of homemade peanut brittle. I for one have learned there are some things better left to the pros.

So this season I have vowed to celebrate a homemade Christmas without having to make a thing. And while, yes, I will be hand printing a few gifts here and there mostly I will be seeking out items made by others. This year Etsy is going to be my shinning beacon; guiding me to the handmade goodies. With so many talented and independent artisans and crafters to choose from the most difficult obstacle I fear I'll have to face is convincing myself to not buy everything! And today I'm diving deeper into my hunt with some homemade sweet treats that would make great hostess gifts or stocking stuffers for the holidays.

{clockwise from top left: chocolate covered pretzels, not your grandma's peanut brittle, chocolate and caramel covered apples, mint chocolate rice crispy squares, homemade maple marshmallows, pumpkin ginger sandwich cookies, peppermint bark, caramel popcorn}

I Want Candy

Ever wake up in the morning with a song in your head? Of course you do. We all do from time to time right? Although I do find it a bit odd since I spend most of my time not listening to music. I can't imagine how anything could find its way into my fresh out of R.E.M. subconsciousness. But, regardless of my frequent musical abstinence (which is due in part to a computer/itunes disaster that put me off reloading my music into my computer for a 3rd time rather than an aversion to stimulating sounds) I still wake up with a song in my head more days than not. Occasionally, I can even recall dreams where music was playing throughout the entire thing - anyhow, back to this morning.

Despite getting up an hour earlier, I feel rejuvenated and energetic and I believe its because I woke up singing this song. This song put such a smile on my face and is so rooted in my mind right now that I'm going to whip up a whole new I Want Wednesday post for later this afternoon because of it. Although, it could just be because I'm a sucker for sweets! Anyhow, enjoy your 80's flashback and the rest of your morning :) I'll see you later today with some yummy finds.

Waiting Is The Hardest Part...

Okay, okay I know I already talked about this film back over the summer, but its just so hard to wait for it to come out! Never in my life have I been more excited to see a film than I am to see this one. I have literally watched the trailer countless, countless times and I had to share it today for this morning's movie. I am not your typical Tim Burton fan. I mean, I didn't even bother to see Sweeney Todd despite the fact that I'm fond of the original play. But, this movie of Alice in Wonderland is based on one of the greatest books of all time - one of the truest, purest forms of story telling that I have ever read. It's a story for kids and adults alike. It's a tale that was meant to awaken a resting imagination and its one story, that I have always found, makes the colors of our world seem brighter.

While there have been several movie versions of the book made this trailer seems to nail it just right and I have high hopes for Tim Burton's interpretation. I do hope that many of you will find some time to carve out and read the book first (psst, or just borrow it from the library for free). Trust me its worth missing a few nights of Grey's Anatomy for. I for one plan on giving it another read before I see the movie in March - oh, March! Are you really that far away?

In the Works...

Some pictures of projects in the works. The ornament and ornate swirl Christmas tree images have already been burned into screens and will be released into the Birdcage Cards' shop this upcoming week. The birch trees you may already recognize from this card set. While, the flying birdcage (a possible new logo) and the bows I'm still playing with and have been on and off for a month now. I'm debating size, color, and whether or not some will have sketched tags hanging from them. I also have a few more cards coming out this week but those will have to be a surprise! I'll give you a hit think classic ladylike elements inspired by the John Dillinger film Public Enemies staring Johnny Depp and Marion Cotillard.

Feminine Frills

So, I promised some work in preview today and I plan to keep good on my word, but before I show you what I've been up to I thought I'd share some of the lovely things that inspired a new series of cards I've been working on with ultra feminine details.

Lately, I've been drawn to all things ladylike especially those that are a bit tousled. From bows on bracelets to ruffles in home decor if its frilly and feminine I'm all over it! Here are a few images from my inspiration folder:

{clockwise from top left: hinge cuff bow bracelet from Betsy Johnson, messy bow and rhinestone headband from BeSomethingNew, Halle leather flats from report footwear, rosette napkin rings from Martha Stewart, ruffled shower curtain from Target, bow tie napkin from Martha Stewart, pink and latte modern ruffle pillow covers from Hettle, barquentine skirt from Makool}

Emergency Broadcast

I interrupt your regularly scheduled I Want Wednesday post to bring you something I need - homemade chicken noodle soup like the one above made from this recipe. And quickly too! I've been attacked by a cold virus and I need some warm broth and a good night's sleep to set me right again.Then, by tomorrow when I'm feeling a little bit better (finger's crossed) I'll be needing this awesome soup and sandwich ceramic tray for one of my favorite comfort foods - a grilled cheese sandwich and a small bowl of some yummy tomato soup. Seeing as how I'm sick and all I'll probably want to eat it snuggled up on the couch and this way I won't have to manage a dangerous balancing act of soup bowl, sandwich plate, and what to do when I want to dunk. Cause we all want to dunk don't we? I mean, after all, that is the point of the tomato soup is it not?

Okay, okay I'm off to take my aching bones back to bed and on Friday I'll be sharing some sneak peaks of a few new projects in the works, aching bones or not!

Sailor's Delight

Hi and welcome back to the start of another work week! I hope everyone enjoyed their Halloween weekend. I just love Halloween and this was such a good one for us here in Buffalo. There was a strong wind rustling the leaves about and the moon was quite large and luminous ; perfect for creating a spooky ambiance. Although, because we had over 150 trick or treaters at our house this year it meant it was a long time sitting outside on the front porch in the cold. And now, unfortunately, I've been feeling a little icky since Sunday with the sniffles in full effect. Oh well, I guess it comes with the territory of living in good old cold Buffalo. No use complaining, huh?


{Barn Owl print by Lucy Grossmith}