Happy Halloween 2010!

{Beelzebub (Speck) & Lucifer (Sprocket)}

Happy Halloween from Beelzebub and Lucifer ~ my very own Scottish devil dogs! The boys are very patiently modeling my Devilish Dog Accessories ~ aren't they hideously handsome?

This year we had to give up on costumes for home as it has just been too busy to squeeze another project in. I did manage to whip together a quickie costume for work though ~ and found a way to incorporate Sprocket as well. As I am the art director for the American Girl Crafts line, we went as an American Ghoul Doll and her pet, Lucifer the devil dog. Beelzebub remained at home ~ he's not one to embrace the corporate life. Another coworker showed up as an American Girl Doll, so we were a great pair - we both won prizes ~ I won for scariest, Kristen for most creative.

Sprocket did very well on his first (and only) day on the job ~ he wore those devil horns all day long with no complaints. He also cleaned up after the breakfast party, managed at least 10 rooster crows, and networked with everyone at the event. After the long day at work, he too was looking forward to a good night's rest! Happy Halloween!

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A Pleasant Surprise

Last week I picked up this year's Christmas Ideas by Better Homes and Gardens only to notice that the stylist has used the glitter chipboard snowflakes I had designed for K&Company's Christmas Cheer ~ what a compliment!

Even better, as I paged through the magazine, I got to the "Vintage Glow" article featuring Debbie Dusenberry's Curious Sofa and noticed that the paper book ornaments I have been making were pictured along with all of the lovely vignettes from the shop.

If you get a chance, pick up a copy of the issue for yourself ~ there are lots of great ideas and inspiration in many different styles.

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If You Missed the Opening . . .

Just in case you missed the Curious Sofa Halloween Show or live too far away to make it, I thought I would post some photos so you would get an idea of what you missed! The photos below are of the artists' work at the show ~ visit here, here, and here to see some wonderful shots of the store display. As some of the artwork is remaining through the Halloween season and more items are being added daily, make sure to visit Curious Sofa to see everything in person ~ it is an amazing store and always provides great inspiration every season. For those of you out of town, Curious Sofa has just opened an online store here.

{Greg Johnson's wonderful display of paper treasures}

{Diane & Madeline Tompkins' array of masks & letterpress}

{Michelle Spaw's beautifully crafted treat bags}

{Lesa Dailey's lovely paper shoes}

The remaining photos below are of the work I did for the show ~ thanks to Scurvy the opossum and a printer problem, I didn't get as much finished as I would have liked, but the show must go on! I managed to get through the stressful parts and had tons of fun participating in this show

My approach this time around was to stick to a limited color palette and avoid obvious Halloween icons ~ my main reason for doing that is because the work I do is time intensive, thus higher priced, so I wanted to make sure that those that purchased an item would be able to wear it for more than one day of the year. I did try to incorporate some themed imagery in my packaging ~ and then of course, the Devilish Dog Accessories broke all of my self imposed rules!

{Selection of brooches inspired by mourning jewelry}

{New brooch designs ~ inspired by Victorian ribbon cocardes used in millinery}

{Crocheted masks in cream and black}

{Crocheted earrings complete with spider themed packaging}

{Devilish Dog Accessories ~ devil horns for your dog to wear}

{Dog stand~in for when Sprocket is not available}

{Devilishly handsome models & spokesmen ~ Dick & Sprocket}

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New Country Home Magazine AND A Plan B!

Country Home Magazine is back! Well, at least quarterly I think ~ I happened upon my issue at Costco this past weekend. I have been on magazine withdrawal since so many of my favorite magazines folded in the last several years so I am happy to see they are bringing Country Home back even if it is only 4 times a year. The issue seems a bit larger than previous issues and the cover is printed on heavier stock ~ the price is higher too ~ $12.99 ~ that seems to be the trend these days! If that is what it costs to make a quality magazine and employ professional designers, photographers & writers, I don't mind spending the extra money!

Below are a few highlights from this issue ~ the design and layout is a bit cleaner than before ~ a fresher and more contemporary approach to country. The fonts used throughout the issue are elegant and feminine, yet inviting and easy to read ~ I think the whole issue has a kind of relaxing and serene quality to it. I love that all of the rooms look comfortable and lived in ~ they seem attainable to me (a person with alot of stuff!). There are many different features throughout the magazine ~ I've just shown a few of my favorites ~ I especially like the hunting & gathering section and the ideas for reusing vintage finds. Then, my absolute favorite ~ antiquers & junkers and their favorite finds!

As I was leafing through the issue I came upon the page below and noticed something familiar......are you thinking what I'm thinking? You know how sometimes you are out and about and you see something you haven't seen before ~ then, the rest of the day you end up seeing 2 or 3 more? Maybe it's because you've just never noticed it before ~ or maybe it is just a freaky coincidence ~ but this sort of thing happens to me ALL the time!

In this instance, the metal cabinet with the 30 drawers that I posted about here is buried on page 21 of this issue (see it hiding there in the background?)! I wonder if theirs was sponge painted when they got it?! I find it so weird that I haven't seen such a thing for years ~ then, in the space of a week I see two! I am happy to see a different solution for the redo ~ now, in case the brushed metal idea doesn't work out I have a Plan B ~ paint it white!

{all images from Country Home Magazine ~ late summer 2010 issue}

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Diamond in the Rough?

As I have mentioned, I am in organization mode these days, so when I spotted the item above, I immediately saw potential ~ especially after discovering that it was metal (from a distance I thought it was cardboard) and that is was an affordable price. Despite not having room for it and not really having time for another project, opportunity was knocking, so the lovely sponge painted 30 drawer cabinet is waiting patiently for its makeover in my garage. I took the handles off yesterday and will see how far I get today with getting rid of the paint ~ my hope is that it will look similar to the second cabinet below!

{Before ~ Untouched!}

{After ~ The look I am striving for! ~ image via Cafe Cartolina}

Check back in a few weeks (dare I promise? ~ these projects always seem to take much longer than anticipated!) when I share a before/after post!

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Object Ephemera

Lately I have been spending much of my free time trying to clean and organize my house and my stuff ~ it has been slow going ~ the dining room table is still not fit for dining! Of course, I am my own worst enemy as I always manage to squeeze in another antique show or flea market between cleaning/organizing binges.

Maybe that is why the grouping of metallic objects above is so satisfying to me ~ everything is all lined up and in its place, the colors are a lovely subtle mix of metallic neutrals, and it is a collection of objects I love. I think I will keep this idea in mind as I am cleaning and organizing ~ if I could get my house looking like this, it would be a good thing!

{Love the intricate pattern on the ladies pocket watch!}

Another thing I really like about the items shown is that they are rather simple and imperfect ~ the roller skate pincushion has a broken wheel, the buttons are rusty and the watch is broken ~ even so, to me they are lovely treasures. This reminded me of a quote I read recently:

Perfection does not exist. To understand this is the triumph of human intelligence;
to expect to possess it is the most dangerous kind of madness.
• Alfred de Musset •

Embrace the imperfect!

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Self Portrait with Objects

Last week at work we were given a frame and asked to do a self portrait which would then be hung in the office. We had two requirements as well ~ the portrait had to have a recognizable image and your name. As usual, I was short on time, so I had to come up with something I could get done quickly. I started out working digitally, but soon gave that up as it was taking too long. Instead, I gathered up some of my favorite things and arranged them on a piece of felt ~ I had to add the photo in via photoshop, along with some additional felt background.

I tried to use items that either had some sort of meaning to me or what I like to do, so I chose some various tools I use like knitting needles, crochet hooks, scissors and tape measure. I also included a few items I made ~ a crocheted & felted brooch, a folded paper ornament. The buttons and other bits and pieces are objects that I am drawn to for one reason or another. The biggest challenge was finding things that looked well together and fit in the space.

Overall, I was happy with the results ~ especially as I ended up photographing it on my kitchen table without decent lighting. I'm hoping to do some more of these ~ it'll be a great excuse to buy more bits and pieces!

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