Curious Bird

just like clockwork...

 

every year about this time I start obsessing over boots. these are the front-runners so far.

gamers

Hello,
After a little unplanned hiatus, I'm back to say hello.  Sometimes an unexpected and unplanned blogging break is such a good thing for me.

This week is going to be a busy one. I'm leaving for summer camp very soon and there is SO MUCH to get done. You know, like wrap up several wedding plans and pack for five weeks away! Actually, the wedding plans are coming together with very little stress, well, mostly, there has been some.  The invitations were mailed out last week and RSVPs are already floating back to us, which is really exciting.
I'm hoping to post the invitation design sometime this week (life permitting).

Just for fun, I wanted to list a few of my recent favorite things.

Page France and Electrelane are on heavy rotation around our house
Raspberries
Saltwaters from my childhood
Thai Sweet Basil recipes
Funny or Die.com
Sudoku

loveliness. just because.

I've been really drawn to chartreuse and blue lately.




and groovy metallic shoes....



and cute jumpers with big buttons.

more soon.

cheers!
l.

it's a wrap

I recently discovered confirmed something about myself . For a while now, I've noticed whenever the deadline for a project is quickly approaching or I have taken on too many things at once {this has been happening a lot lately} and I'm feeling really stressed about it, I have to drop everything and make something for myself. Example numero uno: a wrap skirt, one of a few new items of clothing I made this weekend. {Norma, my dress form prefers to go topless when wearing wrap skirts in case you're curious}. I've been in the mood for a really bold printed dress or skirt and now I certainly have one. I'm considering going ahead and making a dress out of this print too, just for kicks. Besides, I still have quickly approaching deadlines to distract myself from.

Oh, I've also found that looking for the perfect new pair of yellow shoes is a good distraction from all things pressing, as well.
Currently these are the front-runners:

Have a great day...May is here already. Wow.

More soon, friends

l.

::::::::

(photo is a scanned copy of an Agnes Montgomery Opening announcement)

I've been meaning to mention artist Agnes Montgomery's wonderful collage work for a while now. I saw a show of hers last fall here in Philadelphia and it blew me away. If only my finances were in better shape...I would be a proud owner of one of her pieces.
Upon wandering into a record store the other day, I was reminded how much I love her work when I saw one of my most favorite collages on the new Panda Bear album cover. Brilliant.

Off to brave the rain that happens to be coming down in buckets right now...

l.

spring rain.

hello there, I woke up to rain his morning. a nice, somewhat heavy spring rain. sleeping when it's raining like this is definitely one of my favorite things, but getting up is a whole different story. it's a real challenge, as I'm sure some of you understand. funny thing is, the other day, I was given a big bag of vintage umbrellas, beautiful ones with chunky wooden handles and super fancy color combinations, so the rain arrived just in time and although I didn't hop out of bed this morning, I did begin thinking about which umbrella I was going to choose and that sorta helped to motivate me. funny how things like that work sometimes...

this fantastic flock print arrived yesterday. it's going on the wall as soon as I get it framed. I found it via Design*Sponge. also, Kristen Doran has a new fabric design -- I love the colors she used.


okay, I'm off to start my day. it's going to be a busy one.

cheers!
leya

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.

sweet tooth.

Hi ya,

Thanks everyone for all the nice compliments about my new imago series. I really appreciate all the support -- they were quite fun to get lost in during the creation process, and I have at least four more planned with hopes of getting one started later today {fingers crossed} so more fun to come.

After dealing with a little snow and a lot of frigid air smacking me in the face while out and about these last few days {talk about feeling chapped and wind-beaten}, I am so very happy to see the sun shining and the wind calm out today -- so happy that I had to celebrate by picking up a little cheesecake for me and D to share. Sometimes you gotta treat yourself, right? There's nothing better than cheesecake for pretty much no reason on a regular Tuesday...I highly recommend it, actually.

and since I'm having such fun, here are a few sweet things I've stumbled upon lately.

*always a fan of silhouettes.
*birds and horses, oh my!
*letterpress love

stay warm, friends
l.

the beautiful last page...

Can you believe it's already December? I was having a hard time a few days ago with all the 70 degree weather, but now I suppose I get it since outside it feels very much like Old Man Winter has arrived here in Philadelphia. The chill we're experiencing is definitely very December-like.
Also, the fact that my lovely Nikki McClure calender has been flipped to the last page is yet another reminder December has arrived. I have to say upon flipping to this page, I found myself feeling a little bit of sadness mixed with a tinge of excitement. The sad part, simply put, has something to do with the recognition that another year is almost over...2006...wow...
Growing up, did you ever think 2006 (or 2007 for that matter) would be a reality? I mean, I knew it would on some level, but all the numbers after 2000 sounded so, well, futuristic that it never fully made sense. I suppose that came with the territory of being young and having a hard time grasping the concept of time and how quickly it can pass. But as usual, I digress. So getting back to the excitement part --I'm excited because although I have adored this calender and all its lovely pages for twelve months now, I know this exists and is listed high on my Christmas wishlist. Yet another beautiful calendar for another year. The future has its perks, I suppose.

Before, I head out to the weekly Quizzo (trivia) session with my peeps, I thought I would givea list of a few of my current obsessions -- things I've stumbled upon lately that I wanted to pass on to you. Perhaps there's a gift idea or two in the mix.

Being a huge fan of Owls, I adore this ring.
Anything from this site...especially these
and these.
Sunprints are always fun.
Apples for hanging my coats and scarves.
I'm a soup-lover and this would come in handy for miso.
I love these and these

Okay, off to Quizzo. Wish our team luck...and send us some nautical knowledge if you possess any. We're always super stumped when the question has anything to do with ships or sea. It appears we can certainly handle pop culture questions, but ships are not our strong suit. not even close.

Be well,
L.

to buy or to make

Sometimes I go in to stores and decide I need to purchase myself a new wallet. You see,  I have a thing for wallets, pouches and coin purses. I also most recently have a thing for slippers, but that's a whole other thing completely. This weekend I found myself at *the music is playing too loud for my ears* Urban Outfitters and felt the urge for wallet consumerism. I went through all the reasons why a new wallet would be a good idea and then I left wallet-less because I remembered I have a load of snazzy thrifted vinyl at home that is screaming to become my new wallet. So...long story short, I made myself a new wallet and once again won out over the bossy wallet consumer voice in my head.


I have other obsessions besides wallets and slippers.
Some recent ones are:

Marinated Mushrooms from the Italian Market here in Philly.
The new print over at Tiny Showcase
These notecards. Aren't they pretty.
And this skirt/dress. I may try to make something similar...

Have a great day.
more soon, friends
L.