little pattern tribute...

This hot and vibrant pattern is my little tribute to one of my favorite artists - Frida Kahlo.

lighters are overrated:)

Here's some matchbox geekery for you! Found all this goodness on flickr - Mid Century Modern - Sticker, Label + Stamp Club (pool). I especially love the pipe smocking cat:)

These make me wish I had a gas stove (although, I remember how stressful it was ,as a kid, to light it).

change of address card:)

I've made this change of address card for a lady who has moved with her 3 boys and a husband to Paris. The new address was written in the clouds, but I took it off for the blog entry.

It turned out really fun! I'd like to move to Paris for a week or two myself. I'll keep on dreaming... for now:)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

pillows...pillows...pillows...

Lately, everywhere I look I see pillows. There's such a variety out there... it's hard to choose. Right now, I'm head over hills for Nate Williams pillows (new in urban outfitters - thanks modern craft:), but really... I want them all!

1. PILLOWS at urbanoutfitters

2. CUSHIONS by BONJOUR MON COUSSIN

3. PILLOWS on Etsy...

a. PILLOW DESIGN BY joom

b. CHARCOAL GEOMETRIC PILLOW COVER by meringuedesigns

c. BIRD NEST CUSHION by lalitah

d. SWEET LEONA PILLOW by norajane

4. PILLOWS by KOKO company

5. MARIMEKKO THROW PILLOWS FROM always MOD

fun prints on Etsy...

Maybe you've seen these two print stores on Etsy, or maybe you didn't... in any case - they are great!

Hsinping Pan is one of my new favorite illustrators (check that awesome portfolio here) and now she has a store on Etsy.

Amanda Kindregan has been amusing me with her awesome artwork for a while now. I love her gouache creations. The girl with the rats nest on her head (refusing to brush) is exactly what my Lola looks and acts like every morning.

pass the album, please...

Sorry for such late entry today... I had to prioritize against you and get some work done. Work, mmm... who does she think she is... always getting in between me and blogging... kidding:)

Last week, while googling (researching) some instrument, I came accross this little library of RECORD ENVELOPS. The site is designed and managed by illustrator Kavel Rafferty. I really enjoyed looking through it (being the retro geek that I am), so it is a must share.

there's a pattern...

Birds, flowers and butterflies... I know , I know... you've had enough... last one, I promise. Every time I start... they just come out. I can't say I don't like them, though... I'll challenge myself to do something different next time. What theme pattern would you like to see?

it's apples and oranges...

Ta Da! I finished stitching up my felty woolly pillow! I'm pleased with the way it turned out:) I actually like the side 2 better  (even though that was an unplanned turn of events). It would permanently reside in the green chair. I love the way the colors go together.

HAVE A SUPER WEEKEND!

everything is coming up pattern...

mmm...Can I get more flowers with these flowers please? And some more flowers on the side, please. Yes, that would be all:) Thanks.

It's either a cow at the drive through or me and my new blooming pattern:)

I see curtains and  table cloth. What do you see? 

inspired by...

These two illustrators inspire me today! Garrett Morin - with his wonderful color combinations and hilarious imagery, and Linzie Hunter - with her funloaded typography (some from lettering sketchbooks).

prefab modern for birds:)

I know it's kind of late in the season to be thinking about bird houses... but check out this affordable little eco shack:)

I got two, and the girls had so much fun putting them together and painting them! Now we just need to find the best location for these cardboard (water repellent) sheltaroonies:) 

(from POP DELUXE, $3.99)

lil tiny tile dilemma...

I found this little 70th Japanese bird tile on Etsy (fox & found), and had to have it! It just makes me happy to look at it! 

Now that it has arrived (just as pretty as I've hoped), I want to display it, but I can't think of a way to frame it. If you have any advise for me ... do share:) I would really appreciate it.

new collections for CI...

Here's a little sneak peak into 2 new collections I made for Creative Imaginations. One is a school theme collection, and the other is teen girl. They are supposed to be out and available any day now. I can't wait to get the school stickers... That was my favorite part:)

earl grey, please:)

Welcome to my tea party! Mingle, take small sips and be social. After all, it's Friday... 

I think this pattern could make fun upholstery fabric. What do you think? Can you see an arm chair dressed in it?

I'd like to stay and have some more tea with you.... but work awaits. Have a fab weekend!

pillow in the works:)

I've had a lot of illustration work lately (thank you lucky stars, and please don't take it as a complaint:) that I just couldn't spare any time for "little miss crafty". Lil MC ... if you will:) ... So, I had to cut into the sleeping time to scratch that stitching itch. I put the girls to bed and got to work. A couple more evenings and I'll have a cute pillow to show you! 

Boy, that sleeping thing... really getting in the way of all the things I want to do. Got to get to it, though...

colors in the rain

It's been a pretty rainy summer so far. I complain, but... look how the rain makes everything look fresh and vibrant. Made this photo of Lola and Margo outside in the rain last weekend. Orange, Green, Blue... aaah:)

REX RAY

I first saw Rex Ray's work 10 years ago in a Metropolitan Home magazine. Up until then collage was nowhere near  my list of favorite media, but his work was so fresh and exciting - I've completely changed my mind about cut and paste:)

10 years later, Rex Ray is still one of my favorite artists. When I saw this book - REX RAY - ART + DESIGN - I couldn't pass it by. I had to have it! It's full of collage magic:) Check it out if you have a chance.

fridge liberation:)

Another weekend slipped by me... filled to the brim with TO DO and 'must not forget'. It's a good thing it was mostly rainy, so I didn't miss much fun. I did, however, liberated our fridge from the kids art, and am pretty happy about it. Like most fridges, mine was heavy with kid art and a million magnets holding all that genius together. It was getting ridiculous, so... I went out, got a bunch of frames and framed some of girls favorite pieces. Now their room looks like a little gallery. I hope to add more frames in the future to fill that entire wall with adorable nonsense:) If I had a little more time I would have painted the wall yellow first, but that's a project for some other time...

(b.t.w.: when I say I, I mean me and my husband Mike - who actually did all the work while I did all the directing. I'm not very handy at all.)

buggie world:)

Here's a shot of color for you to celebrate the coming of August! Now is the time to grab summer (like it's on sale at 70% off) and  run with it! If it didn't rain so much this July I would have spent more dinners in the backyard. I hope that August has more sunshine in store:)

Usually, I play around with the colors until they feel right, but this pattern knew what it was going to be right from the start. No color variations on this one. This is my summer palette!

Happy weekend to you all! See you Monday:)