Guest Post on Monday

Monday, I will have a guest post from my brother, Brandon, who has been living in Germany for the last few months and is coming back in just a couple of days. Here’s a sneak peak at some of the fantastic pictures he took while he was there. Make sure to check out the post on Monday, it is very well written and thoughtful.

It’s Pear-ific

Yummy Pear Petit Collage from Supermarket

Pears are one of my favorite fruits, so I thought it only right to round up my favorite pear pieces. I am really diggin’ Petit Collage, so be on the lookout for another post about them soon. Until then, enjoy the pear goodness.

1. Pear Nesting Dolls Print by Bubbledog from Shana Logic 2. Kenneth Jay Lane Pear Pendant from Net-A-Porter 3. Robins Blue Ceramic Pear from Three Potato Four

Queen Bee Fannies

So let’s say that you have a “friend” and that friend has been talking about how he wishes fanny packs were cool, so that he wouldn’t feel so bad buying one. And let’s say that I kept assuring said “friend” that fannies are cool and he should totally get one! 

1. Hello Hip Holster from Queen Bee Creations 2. Velocity Hip Holster from Queen Bee Creations

After that “hypothetical” situation, I found these and thought I just had to post about it. Queen Bee Creations makes these really neat, really colorful fanny packs. They call them Hip Holsters and they’re extremely versatile. What a versatile fanny pack? Yep, it has an adjustable strap that can convert it into an over the shoulder mini-bag if you wish.

3. Detail shot of the Varieties from Queen Bee Creations 4. Lightning Hip Holster from Queen Bee Creations

Their shop has plenty of other handmade, non-leather goodies as well, so be sure to check it out here.

The Beauty of Aelisheva

1. Black Dress by Aelisheva from Smashing Darling 2. Tan Dress from Aelisheva 3. Black Dress from Aelisheva

Simple and Sophisticated. These dresses from Aelisheva are gorgeous. Perfect for a party and I think #1 and 2 would easily work for day as well. Each piece is individually hand-crafted and the line is based out of New Jersey. You can pick up Aelisheva at a handful of stores, or you can purchase online here. 

Aelisheva Blog

Reasons Why I Love DaWanda

DaWanda just launched their Summer in the City feature, which has five different categories of handmade, summer-themed goodies from tons of very talented makers! I have really been diggin’ DaWanda lately. Don’t get me wrong, I love Etsy too, but I think there is plenty of room for both. Don’t you? I have some posts coming up that feature some lovely DaWanda peeps (yeah, I said peeps), so be on the lookout because there is more to come. Click here to check out The Summer in the City special.

New CB2 in San Francisco

The ad says tomorrow but what they really mean is today (I got this yesterday, so that’s why it says tomorrow. Because tomorrow is today. Make sense? No? Fine, you win.). So, the new San Fran CB2 opens today. Sadly, I don’t live anywhere near San Francisco anymore. But if I did, I would probably go to the opening today. I happen to like CB2.

Apartment Therapy Inspiration

1. House Tour from Apartment Therapy 2. From Scary but Creative from Apartment Therapy

I’ve been getting a lot of inspiration from AT lately, and these images in particular are of interest to me. Although they are very different, they are very similar: namely the silhouettes that are created. In image one, the elaborate frames on the mirrors mimic the ornate detailing on the painted headboard in image two. And both are relatively simple ideas (if you can call hanging mirrors from the ceiling simple) that make the room standout. Click here for more from Apartment Therapy.

Another Opportunity to be in a Book

Bookends available at Simple Vintage

You may have seen this post for a book opportunity feature with Vickie Howell. Well, I stumbled across another one! This one is for a book called Print and Pattern, which will be published by Lawrence King. This book will “celebrate the creativity in surface design and stationery today. We’ll hopefully feature patterns, cards, papergoods, scrapbooking, textiles, ceramics, badges, in fact anything with a great printed surface. in the USA the book will be distributed by chronicle books. If you would like to submit images for the book then here are all the details.”

According to the Print and Pattern blog, the very latest they will consider entries is August 27th but would like to have everything in before that if possible.

Alive and Well

All We Are Saying print from I am Still Alive

Three Days Worth of Weather print from I am Still Alive

I Am Still Alive has some stylin’ prints. I was planning on getting someone special this print, but now if I do, I will have ruined the surprise. Hmm…what to do. What to do. For more from I Am Still Alive, click here.

Sale!

Rock Scissors Paper is having a 20% off summer sale event off everything in their store! Those tote bags are from the shop and are just a couple of my favorites. The sale ends tonight at midnight, so don’t delay.

Thanks to Creature Comforts for the scoop.

Blog I’m Lovin’

Cake Stands from Clara French

I absolutely love these cake stands by Clara French. I found them randomly one day, while looking for wedding cake inspirations. They are fun and a little bit whimsical and if you are afraid to commit to purchasing one, you can actually rent them for special events!

So why is this post called Blog I’m Lovin’? Well, one of my favorite blogs right now has absolutely nothing to do with handmade crafts, art or design. BUT it does have something to do with cakes… extremely unfortunately looking cakes! 

The blog, Cake Wreck, is dedicated to showcasing hilariously hideous cakes that were actually made by professionals. Readers send in images of disaster cakes and the best are posted. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so not all of the cakes are ugly, some just include the excessive use of quotation marks. But the best part by far of this blog, and why it is one of my favorites, is the writing. It is laugh out loud funny! Check out Check Wrecks here.

Pair A Birds

Orson and Melba in the Field of Marshmallows

Tabitha from The Pair A Birds makes fun pieces of art rooted in an illustrative style. Compositionally, her works are strong and provide a unique point of view.  And there is definitely a certain sweetness to her pieces. In her shop, you’ll find small drawings, prints, and original paintings. In addition to being an artist, this Chicago-based artist runs another shop, Pairadactyl, and she also has a blog.

1. Still Working on the Equation 2. After the Dance 3. Sink or Rise

For more from The Pair A Birds, click here.

Stephanie Levy

Stephanie Levy, an American Artist living in Germany, produces colorful and all-around cheerful works of art. Her mixed media approach often combines watercolor, collage, ink, and acrylic. 

1. Retro Look 2. Detail of London 3. White Sangria 4. Chelsea 5. Detail of Wohnzimmer

While Levy’s subject matter sticks mainly to interiors, it is still able to incorporate an element of abstraction, which is delightful and unexpected. But, I’m not the only one going goo-goo for her work, of course. Stephanie has been featured on many other sites and is even Decor8’s blog of the week (yep, she has a blog too).

6. London 7. Dessert

For more from Stephanie Levy, visit her shop, website, or blog.

Over my Head

Little Joseph Candle Holder from Generate Design

I love these! They’re kinda kitsch, kinda creepy, kinda funny. Perfect. Personally, I think it looks best with the candle wax dripping over it like hair.

Convertible Clothing

I love the idea of convertible clothing, especially if you are trying to cut down on your consumption or if you have a very small closet. I found this in one of my endless Etsy searches: a shrug that converts to a shawl and a scarf! 

This convertible piece is from Studio YTE. It looks so cute on the model and appears to be really light, so you could get use out of it in all types of weather.

Want to be featured in a book?

Found this colorful image on flickr c/o Kathryn Ivy. Here’s Kathryn’s website.

Vickie Howell (author of Knit Aid, Not Another Teen Knitting Book, and New Knits on the Block) is writing a new book entitled Craft Corps and she is looking for crafters to feature (about 50-60 profiles total) in it. All types of crafters (knitting, ceramics, painting, sewing, crochet, collage, beading, tat, etc) are encourage to apply. All you have to do is fill out a simple questionnaire and she will pick her favorites. All entries must be received no later than August 15th to be considered. So what are you waiting for? For all the details, click here.

Argyle Whale is…

Hawt Gocco Print (I just bought this one-love it!)

Argyle Whale is the brainchild of Elise Snow and includes a shop, blog, and website. Elise’s work is delightfully humorous, adorable, and affordable. Her gocco prints, paintings, and cards depict various animals and elements of nature. 

1. Scarf Bunny Journal 2. Jackalope Customizable Card Set 3. Fiesta Snakes Gocco Print

Bunnies, specifically, pop up in much of Elise’s work (as you can see), which undoubtedly is derived from her love for her own bunny. 

4. Scarf Bunnies Gocco Print 5. Detail from Scarf Bunny Journal 6. Proud Llama Notebook 7. Treasure Patterns Gocco Print

To view more from Argyle Whale, click here.

Decor 8 Redesign

The long anticipated Decor 8 redesign is finally here. Take a look.

O is for Orange

After I wrote this post, I knew I had to do an all orange board. I tried to include a little bit of everything. I think this is one of my favorite color boards so far. Enjoy!

1. Orange Convertible Sofa from Urban Outfitters 2. Kristina Orange Skirt from Heidi Merrick 3. Petra Necklace from Liebling Design 4. Cabochon Round Ring from Banana Republic 5. Christian Louboutin Yasmin Shoes from Net-A-Porter 6. Orange Pekoe Cup and Saucer from Anthropologie 7. Orange Half Circle from Snap Catalog

8. Assault with Deadly Weapon by Chris Crites from Petaline 9. Orange Woodgrain Notecards from Rock Paper Scissors 10. Orange Leather Mantanzas Bracelet from Karmaloop 11. Matthew Williamson African Dress from Net-A-Porter

In Stitches

Austrailian artist, Little Miss Mozzie from Vinegar and Brown Paper makes incredibly intricate works of art with antique Japanese papers and a needle and thread. Her hand-stitched imagery depicts scenes inspired by her trip to Kyoto. 

Infusing materials from the past into layered imagery of the present, gives these works of art a nostalgic but contemporary feel. So lovely!Vinegar and Brown Paper is having a great sale right now too, so be sure to check out the shop before your favorite is gone.