lunch at the zoo...

Me and the girls have been reading through 'Pippi in the South Seas' and various 'Babar' adventures... so red haired girls and good natured elephants have been on my mind. I really love these two characters and so I started the pattern with the girls and the elephant and all the other weirdoes just grew around them. I think it looks like a busy lunch hour at the zoo:)

At the moment, I'm in the eye of a due date storm, and need to concentrate all the creative power to finish up and get to the dry land of relax. See you all on Monday:)

a new card...

A new card I've made for those days when you need to go and shower somebody with presents:)

Almost forgot to brag a little about Lola's  birthday present...

Not many girls get custom made electric guitars on their 7th birthday - but having a luthier for a father helps! I love that it's just the right size for her little fingers. She has already written a few songs. One particularly hilarious is a story of how seagull stole her sausage. Wish I have recorded that:)

experimental...

So... it turns out... I'm not so good at watercolors... yet:) I sure am good at too-muchery , which just happens to be the enemy of watercolors. I'm going to take a 'less is more' approach on my next try. Also, after working with a brush for a couple of hours - I've gained back the appreciation for command Z. Not so easy to 'redo' without it.

just add water...

This weekend I'm testing out my new/old water-colors I have gotten on Etsy:) To be  honest - I have not touched water colors in 10 years... but these awesome tin boxes are forcing me to come out of water color retirement:)

I'll show you on Monday if anything good comes out.

HAVE A FUN WEEKEND!

certified fruitcake...

So... I don't really have an explanation for this pattern... except - I was feeling fruity in mid-century type of way. These little fruit mutation characters were just fun to do... so - take it where you may:)

non blond...

Just couldn't resist showing you this and leaving a little note.

Margo's been staying home with strep throat and we've been "working" together in my office. All of my cork boards are now covered with fantabulous kid art... it's kind of fun:) 

The drawing above is a self portrait (I've been explained to) of her as a rock star when she's older. 

mid-century textile...

A little inspiration for you today in a form of Robert Stewart textile designs. These beautiful fabric patterns from the 50's are being digitally reproduced and availabe HERE. Glad to see they are alive and kicking:)

zoorific...

Got some of my office buddies (Totoro & Mr. Burger) to help me show you this Garve, LLC giftbag that features my 'it's a zoo' pattern. This bag would be just perfect for the baby showers and first  birthdays.

Too bad I couldn't get the light and the camera to cooperate... I have much to learn  about photography. 

the nature of things...

I think we are all connected somehow... by nature (and internet). That's what this pattern is all about.

and...

The obvious problem with giveaways is that there's only one winner. But.... don't worry:) Many more giveaways will come your way in the future:)

The winner of the 'orange you lucky!' blogaversary giveaway is: Emma Loves Stitching! E-mail me you address ,Emma, and I will send it your way:)

A million THANKS to all who have entered and left me a heart-warming message! I needed this cheer up during this flu festival in my household.

HAPPY LOVE DAY TO ALL!

xo

Here's a last minute Valentine's breakfast in bed idea:) All one needs are love muffins/cupcakes, toothpicks and some colorful paper... and coffee, of course:)

Thanks for all the sweet love on the post below! I'm lost for word in a sea of appreciation:)

first birthday!

A year ago today I woke up in the morning with an "I could do it" thought... and did it! Started a blog:) Orange I glad I did!

So... to celebrate my beloved blogs 1st birthday I have a fun card giveaway for you:) I made these for CARDMIX, and am super pleased with the way they've turned out. If you would like to enter... just leave me a comment.

I'll draw a number from a hat on Sunday morning and let you know by afternoon.

my aquatic puzzle:)

I imagine that if we all lived in a yellow submarine the scenery would go something like this puzzle illustration I made for mudpuppy. Well... maybe less busy... at times, but certainly this bright and lively. It came in the mail yesterday - and I love the way it turned out! Me and the girls are going to put it together today. 

show & tell...

I just had to show you this new pillows (from urban outfitters) with Matte Stephens wonderful illustrations:) Just love 'em!

Thanks for the heads up Print&Pattern:)

cardorama...

I'm working on some cards today... or at least I'm trying. The girls are home. All 3 have a cold that they generously shared with me and their daddy. I wish I had a fireplace to curl up by, a good movie and nothing to do... ha:) A girl could dream!

drum-roll...

Many many thanks for playing along! It's been such pleasure reading your comments! Loved all of them:)

On a personal note, my love of vintage comes from the love for good design (first and foremost). I feel that some things have stood the test of time and are still influencing the future. Also, I feel a certain nostalgia for the days (before my time) when people were given more time to design, to purchase and to own. The time when mass-production was on a smaller scale, quality mattered more and the word disposable wasn't such a big part of life. I'm totally romanticizing, of course...

Oh... and lets not forget  that 'vintage' means - the girl next door probably wouldn't have it... what a great bonus that is:)

unlikely friends

A new pattern to show you today. Somewhat influenced by Norwegian ceramics and Russian folklore. It depicts a tea party attended by the most unlikely friends. I was trying to work with 2, 3 colors maximum - and play with the miss-registration effect a bit. I think it tells a neat story:) This would work as wallpaper, ceramics, fancy coat lining, inside of a book jacket... etc,. Mama's got big dreams for this pattern:)!

sweet giveaway!

Thanks to Sweetshorn Vintage etsy store - I've got a little sweet Valentine's Day Giveaway for you today! Yeah! This adorable heart mug would make anyone feel warm and fuzzy and loved!

To win - simply leave me a comment:) Let me know why vintage makes a fabulous gift!

You've got until Monday morning to enter.... and I'll let you know who's the lucky reader on Monday afternoon:)

xo...

Did this Valentines card two years ago, but it's still my favorite. I wouldn't mind a little tea (or coffee) bath every morning. I'd probably get a little less transparent (pale) and gain a tint:) Kidding. A few cups internally is good enough:)

The big D...

Here's a bit of silliness... to lighten the mood after the post below. Although, Domo does belong to the 'stuff' category and isn't handmade or vintage - he's a keeper! Girls love them to bits (daddy Domo and baby Domo). I tell them that they'll turn into Domos if they watch too much TV - because that's how Domo got his shape:)

•above - Margo with her square friend.

stuff...

This is a very important story to know... so if you have a few minutes, check it out HERE. I know that most of us already know or at least suspect how the story goes. That's why I'm a big fan of vintage and a tiny enemy ('cause I'm just one person) of a store that rhymes with shmallmart.

bird-house-warming:)

Think spring thoughts:) Can you see the birds coming back from the south and having bird house warming parties? It's still a little chilly, so they brought some hats and scarfs. 

Well... the groundhog said - six more weeks. The pessimistic side of me thinks - eight. The optimistic side says - let's put the birdhouses up now!