Curious Bird

I have intended to make myself a new Spring bag for a while now. I finally got around to it this week and I"m pleased with the result. It's just a simple tote bag with some inside organization {much needed} but the thing I love most is the vintage Waverly print paired with the linen. Boy, do I love that print. I've been hoarding it for a while now. It must be the bold floral and the colors. Yep, I'm definitely a fan of the colors.


My cats have been breaking things in the middle of the night. Okay, I'm exaggerating, they've broken one thing, but that was pure luck if you ask me.  They've been out of control and my knick knacks are paying the price. I really liked that green dish. It served absolutely no purpose, but I liked it anyway. Apparently they thought it needed to go.

Since it's Friday, how about some flickr favorites...

Steady
...
Untitled
get closer, baby

This week has been hectic and I'm very much looking forward to the weekend.
Have a great one!

-leya

lightning quick.

Hello out there,

Where oh where did this week go? I didn't get lost at sea, I swear.  I did, however, get a little distracted. So distracted that I'm posting now for the first time all week.  What can I say, the weather has been amazing here in Philadelphia and things have been moving forward at record speed. Not that I'm complaining...because I'm most certainly NOT complaining.

For starters, we finalized the location of our wedding {geez, September will be here soon}. It's going to happen here {well, not there exactly, but in the country, on the property}. The location feels perfect and might just be really fun.  If anything, one big decision is out of the way and there is now some room for all the other smaller decisions that still need to be made. What an adventure.

Let's see...what else is going on?
I made the Mujadara that Molly recommended and it was amazing. So simple, yet so tasty -- my most favorite kind of dinner. And carmelized onions are heaven.

The above photo is one that I recently added to this flickr group. If you're at all interested in polaroid self-portraits, you should join.

Happy Spring!

More soon,
L.

have laundry. will travel

Hello,

Happy Friday. This week has been such a whirlwind that to me it really only feels like a Wednesday, but that's probably the last remaining bit of cold medicine talking...I'm happy it's Friday and even happier the weekend is so close I can almost grab it.

Recently I was given a bag of vintage items by a friend and while going through it, I found a few things worth mentioning. First, there was an entire book of postage stamps from 1988. They are the best postage stamps ever because they're very lovely and more importantly, they're bird and owl postage stamps. birds AND owls! {apparently 25cents was letter postage back in '88. what a bargain}

Along with a few other interesting items, I found a little leather suitcase. It is fit for a mouse, well, probably a large rat, but who's counting...

In case you can't see, it says Travel Laundry. Look at those little clothespins and the clothesline...something tells me the pure soap flakes might not suds up anymore, but maybe...
What a funny little find in a bag of randomness.

before I take off, here are a few of my recent flickr favorites.
balloons
44. 3.16.07
flowerskates

Here's to a sweet and relaxing weekend!
take care,
leya

:sprouts:

hello and happy second day of Spring. it's very "spring-like"outside today and you know what that means. yep, bike rides for everyone! well, actually, it means a bike ride if I can squeeze one in today, but I'm feeling very optimistic. I'm also feeling energized and inspired.

Things I'm looking forward to:

sharing a space at Renegade Brooklyn with Linda -- I think our creations will be really complimentary. *perhaps we'll do another great trade like we did last year at Art Star? yes, that would be sweet.
seeing The Namesake (loved the novel) sometime very soon.
seeing/hearing Peter Bjorn and John in May at the TLA here in Philly.
painted toes
having brunch outside under the warm sun.
more wedding plans falling into place

Looking forward to anything?
I'm all ears...

Be well, l.

on the mend.

Song Bird 5x7  ink on paper and mixed media shadowbox

A quick hello today. I'm feeling much better and in catch up mode after being sick for four days.
The above piece is one I finished recently. I'm working on several new pieces for all the summer shows I have planned, as well as a few for the shop. Speaking of the shop...there are new items being added often over there...

Thanks for all the kind words during my sick days (and always), too. I really appreciate it.

More rambles soon. For now, how about some links...

The mujadara recipe here might just be dinner tonight. Yum.
The amazing File Magazine  found via Bluebird Photography
Happy Owl has new prints and tshirts!
Finding lots of great wedding invitation possibilities here.

take it easy,
l.

**Happy First Day of Spring!!!
I almost forgot.

those little red boots make me laugh every time I see them

**Beware: this post is very high in cat content. if you have a low tolerance for cats, their dander, or decidedly silly mumbo jumbo (that's my grandfather's phrase), then you might want to stop by another time.**

So why the mumbo jumbo {papa would be so proud}?   I'm still feeling sick and I finally broke down and swallowed some of that horrible over-the-counter cold medicine that pusher-man Dustin has been, well, pushing on me for two days now.  The sneezing was becoming unbearable...I caved.

Now for a little peek at what Mortimer was up to this afternoon.

At first, he was acting very conservative. I even caught him making out with his W cat toy.
then...

he snapped and nearly knocked W's boots right off.
I think Mort must have absorbed some of our pent-up political frustration...either that or the time -release kitty crack kicked in.

See, I told you it was a bunch of mumbo jumbo.

more soon,
l.

saltines and ginger ale...because nothing tastes good when you're sick.

Hello, friends

Hope your weekend was sweet. Lots of ice and snow made it's way  to Philly on Friday afternoon. And to make things even more interesting, I was visited by an annoying cold with all the bells and whistles (congestion, sore throat, sneezing). Actually, now that I think of it, it was a good weekend to be snowed in. And my sweetie was such a big help, he did all the errands {which involved lots of trudging around} and picked up each of my special sick lady requests. For example, the always healing strawberry fruit bars -- they work wonders, ya know.

I didn't get much in the way of crafting done. Every time I thought I felt good enough to start a project, I would only last for a short time before needing to retreat back to the sofa and my pile of magazines.
It was good to have to stay away frome the sewing machine for a while because it reminded me of some drawing I had on my agenda. I always forget how much I enjoy drawing. It was nice to be reminded.
Here are a couple of pen and ink drawings I managed while in my sick zone on the sofa.

lavender, pen and ink 5x7


apple, pen and ink 5x7

Are you inspired by the new blog Sew Green as much as I am? What a gem.

More soon, Stay Healthy!
l.

once a cat lady, always a cat lady

hey there,  just a quick hello today. I've got tons going on and since winter weather is moving our way (again), I'd better take some time to get myself mentally prepared. I mean, do we really need snow and freezing rain after a week of bliss?  Yuck.

Until next time, I'll leave you with a couple of shots of our lovely catties (as we like to call them).

Mortimer in his corner in my studio...when he crashes, he really crashes.

And Motown who's always birding. It's a serious hobby of his.

More soon, and stay warm out there {said in a rather cranky voice},
Leya

show and tell

Hey there,

Okay, so first I have to rub in the fact that it's supposed to be in the mid-70's in the city of brotherly love tomorrow. I am going to ride the wheels off my bike if it gets above 65 and that's a promise! Heck, I might even try to join in on a round or two of that strangely interesting game of slap the ground and pass the ball I mentioned yesterday.  {does anyone know what I'm talking about when I describe this game? surely someone does. if so, I'm really curious}

I've been busy creating lots of special orders lately and I thought I'd show a couple of things off. The Imago Series was quite popular and the piece above was a special commission I did last week. I have created nine so far and I'm considering revisiting the series a bit more. Perhaps I'll explore that in the weeks to come...
I think it would be nice to have some  pieces available at both Art Star and Renegade this year. Speaking of Renegade, it looks like I'm going to be sharing a booth with the super talented Linda of Little Flower Designs. I'm really excited about this and loving the idea of putting our work together under one tent in Brooklyn this summer.




And here's one of the bi-fold wallets I've been making recently. This one is off to it's new home in someone's back pocket or bag in Brooklyn. {If anyone is interested in a wallet, drop me a line. leya(at)curiousbird(dot)com}

Okay, gotta run...it's meet up with my peeps night.
More soon.

Happy Spring,
l.

a lady and her bolts : watch out

If this photo doesn't sum things up...
snapped by my sweet friend Liz (she is photographing the wedding!) on our recent trip down South.
She caught me in the act of fabric shopping and started documenting the entire affair once she noticed what a total spazz I can be during what I like to call "the hunt".  Talk about getting into a zone. I've been fabric shopping for almost twenty years and it never changes...well, I have more money (sometimes) than I did back in the early days, but that's about it.  There are two places that make my eyes glaze over and they're fabric stores and grocery stores.  A dear friend of mine once said, "leya is either at the grocery store, on her way to/from the grocery store, or unpacking groceries at any given time" and she was pretty accurate with that statement. I would do that with fabric stores, but (a) I don't have enough money  (b) I don't have enough storage space and (c) the best part of having a vintage fabric addiction is the hunt...it takes time, commitment and luck!
 
Lucky for us, place like: Bolt, Purl, Superbuzzy and Reprodepot exist when time and luck are running short...

one last thing, I walked around today and saw people in the park near my house playing some type of game where they hit the ground with their hand each time they hit the ball to someone across the circle. I have no idea what game this is...but that's not the important part. people playing sports (strange ones at that)  OUTSIDE means it's March and it's warm...I'm overjoyed.

more soon, peeps
leya