Happy Weekend (and big news next week!)

We are heading off to Vancouver island today for a few days away. We'll be back here on Tuesday morning with some great big news that I know some of you have been waiting for - hopefully you can wait for just a couple more days ;-)

Have a wonderful weekend and, at some point over the next few days, take a moment to visit the website of artist Holly Farrell who painted these fabulous paintings . . . . enjoy! See you next week!

Window shopping - Jurgita Mi

I can't stop looking at this cream felted flower. It's so organic and puffy and meringue-like. I want to reach into the picture and bury my fingers into it - don't you? When I post beautiful things, like these flowers, here, I really hope it inspires you - not to go out and make felted flowers but inspires you to create something, anything, fabulous, tactile and delicious. These flowers must be so rewarding for the artist to produce - I envy the feeling that she must have when she takes these stunning pictures for her Etsy shop. These gorgeous creations are by Jurgita Migoniene. Take a look at her shop and while you are there check out the amazing flouncy shawls.

Shiny happy people!

How fun are these - tongue in cheek purse designs from English designers French & English Confectioners. I love shiny leather and French & English almost work entirely in patent leather. Cream patent leather is so soft and yummy. The stitched detail is so whimsical. Great stuff!

Gifts - Uncommon

People keep asking me if I am going to do a holiday 'gift guide'. Well, it's design time at the studio right now - believe it or not we're preparing our 2011 Cartolina Holiday Collection - so there are just not enough hours in the day at the moment to add any new projects - I'm sorry - there won't be a gift guide this year! BUT if you asked me for some tips I might suggest something from Uncommon. I really do like what they do and everything is so reasonably priced. Who can resist the doily clocks and coasters - great gifts for $18 and $28. Okay, so I may throw a few gift suggestions your way in the next few weeks :-)

Uncommon

Found - Beautiful Skin

I was window shopping at the Poppytalk Handmade Market yesterday and I ran across these fabulous creations by Beautiful Skin. I love them - they're so pretty! The white pattern on the natural tan leather is so appealing! A great gift perhaps ;-)

Inspiration - patterned buttons

Pretty patterned buttons - might inspire you to sew something pretty - paint something pretty or start collecting buttons. They caught my eye at Orit Dotan.

Spotted in Style at Home

We're thrilled to see our Cartolina iPhone app in the December issue of Style at Home magazine. It's such a beautiful issue full of wonderful holiday decorating and inspiring gift ideas. We are very flattered to be included - thanks Style at Home!

Found - Stitchographie!

I love this idea. Developed by Delaney Gates(who you may know from the fabulous Delaney Gates blog,) Stitchographie specializes in wonderfully simple, hand-stitched, 5x7 frame-friendly art. It's for people who love the luxurious and timeless quality of embroidery, yet prefer a more traditional wall display method than an embroidery hoop. I think her pieces would look wonderful hung as a group - even as custom designs. Delaney has been working on this project for a long time and this week is celebrating the grand opening of her Stitchographie site. Congrats Delaney and best of luck!

Found - Mary Ink

Really lovely, hand printed Ts from Mary Ink. Great to see such non-trendy, unique designs on Etsy. Good job!