Summer Sun

Good morning and happy Monday! I hope everyone enjoyed themselves this weekend and did something that was either fun or utterly relaxing. I, myself, did a bit of both and all of it was outside in the glorious sun. So, last night when I woke up at 4am with skin that was on fire and a sunburn on my back, so bad that it makes it hard to simply scoop my long hair up into a ponytail, I wasn't too surprised. I knew it was coming. I could tell when showering with my loofah last night seemed a bit like rubbing my body with sandpaper.

You see, I'm not the kind to lay out and get a tan. I'm completely comfortable with the skin color I was born with. I have a big floppy hat, face cream with an SPF built in, and a strong aversion to premature wrinkles. I am, however, the kind to forget how long I've been outside swimming with my niece or just how long I've been perched on that beach towel engrossed in a vastly entertaining science fiction novel. And now my carelessness has resulted in a bit of uncomfort and I'm sure a few more freckles to go with the rest.

{freckles image via Julia Mogensen}

What's in Wonderland...

This week has been all about crafters and artists who've flexed their creative minds and come up with something inspired and full of magic. From the whimsical applied arts of frank to the overactive imagination of Lewis Carroll and Tim Burton. These artists stretched their minds as far as they would go and created a little bit of magic for us all to enjoy.

Since I don't want to let go of the whimsy of Wonderland just yet here are a few simple and ordinary objects that, either become a bit or, inspire a bit of madness on the other side of the rabbit hole:

Need a little illumination? How about you snag yourself a hat sconce; very lovely and very Mad Hatter inspired. Ready for a match? Nothing as simple as this lovely vintage table croquet set for the folks in Wonderland. There, only flamingos will do for the queen and her croquet matches. Sigh...I love, no I adore this clever, beautiful, inspired green house ad that was a part of the Albion Cosmetics campaign; a bit reminiscent of the constantly size shifting Alice, don't you think? In the mood to make your own magical concoctions? Well, these tiny dram jars will hold just the right amount. Just don't forget to label them! A rabbit hole is sure to be full of rabbits is it not? I thought this clever bunnies pouch by Thomas Paul would be the perfect reminder of one's time spent in Wonderland, and...well, its just really fabulous too! You can't go to Wonderland without being invited to a tea party. No, really you can't. I checked. It's a rule. And what better way to celebrate tea time than with this lovely hand painted tea pot. The Queen of Hearts was a little mad. So, I thought I'd pledge allegiance to the Spades instead and let everyone know it with this fun little tea cup necklace. Wait, maybe spades was the wrong choice because these crazy cards are attacking! But, I still love them and this attack of the cards mouse pad so much that I'll be adding it to my wish list folder. Its the perfect thing to sit on your desk and remind you that a little bit of inspiration can lead to magic.

I Want To See...

I love classic storybooks for children like The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland. Although, they always seemed a bit too spooky for any child under the age of 12, but maybe that's just me. Afterall, I read them young and turned out just fine. Then again, my father let me watch The Puppet Master with him when I was nine years old. So, I was probably desensitized to spooky and scary stories at an early age. I wonder if that's why I always double check that the door is locked at night?

At any rate, I'm so excited to see this version of Alice in Wonderland and I'm not sure that I'll be able to stand the wait. I can't think of a better director to take on this story than Tim Burton - creative master of the imaginative, out-of-sorts, a little weird, and deliciously spooky. This film is sure to do the book justice and entertain us all. Just do me a favor, when it comes out, promise not to take your seven year old to the theatre to see this one. They'll get more from it when their older.

Let's Be Frank

I think we all need a little more frankness in life. Don't you think? Well, you should because frank is a funky applied art store based in Whitstable and is full of creative whimsy. The products that they sell are a bit hodgepodge, from stationery and hand printed art works to egg cozies and baby booties, but each item has one thing in common; they're all handcrafted one at a time. No mass production there. And now, thanks to their new online shop, we can all enjoy the great finds of frank stateside. I took a quick turnabout the store last night and here's what I found. Just imagine what awaits you there.

clockwise from top left: Do-It-Yourself limited edition screenprint by John Dilnot, ceramic baby bird by Hannah Turner, hand painted ceramic table lamps by Ruth Taylor, doodle book by Taro Gomi, lavender bods and egg cozzies by The Black Rabbit, Rosie Flo and Johnny Joe colouring books, hand knitted baby hat and boots by Kate Erbe, stitched and appliqued Man and Cat in New York by Laura McCafferty

Hand Printed Goodies

...I've been busily crafting a wedding invitation suite for a lovely gal I met on Etsy. This order's been a real treat for me since A.) the customer is so sweet and easy to work with and B.) its actually one of my favorite designs. I just love looking at the slew of hand printed batches waiting to dry; rows and rows of sky blue gorgeousness. In a few days the order will be complete and I'm so excited to send these well loved invites out to their rightful owner. Its a fun thought to picture all the places these little guys will go; to the homes of intended guests all as unique as each one-of-a-kind hand printed piece. Still, I know I'll be a little sad when my counters are clear of them and I have no more pretty rows to look at...but, thankfully at that point I'll be moving on to the matching thank yous! So see, there's always a brighter side!

I Want Wednesday...

Lately I can't get enough of jewelry that looks like its been cultivated from nature. So, I thought I'd share some of my favorite jewelry designers from Etsy; designers whose work might just be mistaken for actual organic specimens.

Clockwise from center left: Rockwell stud earings, Jewelry and Storage Box, Seaside Collection necklaces, Copper Leaf earings, Lichen studs, Vinea and Folium earings, Bare Branch necklace, Dendrite II earings

Ink Stains...