Curious Bird

Hello friends,
What a week *deep breath*... I'll just say, I'm so glad it's Friday. I could use a nice weekend to catch my breath.

As of yesterday, some very cool gocco goodies started showing up in my mailbox. I hope to take a few show and tell photos this weekend.
My Toadstool print, along with the prints below {I'll just call them my Spring Maidens}  should be arriving to new homes any day now. As you can probably tell, I had a few ideas I couldn't decide between, so I just went with both. Sometimes it's just easier that way.

Have a nice weekend,
l.

one dozen

Hello.

I finished up my prints for the Mid-Winter Gocco Swap and they're on the way to the post office. It was down to the wire, but I managed to get them out by today's deadline. Can't wait to see what I find in my mailbox in the next few days. I'll show and tell once things start arriving.

The week is off to a good start. I woke up to a freezing eleven degree morning, but after putting on several layers and having a cup of green tea, I settled in for my day. So far, so good.

Have a good monday,
L.

mail goodness

It's been a great mail week for me. First, we received our very first wedding gift, a George Nelson "Omar the Owl" clock, which we love. And if that wasn't enough, I received my part of a swap I did with the super talented Dawn from Look What I Can Do. I absolutely love my creatures, Dawn. Thanks so much for agreeing to a trade.

More soon,
Leya

how long has it been since you did a swap? too long...

The lovely Tiffany is organizing an art swap and I'm all about it. If you're in the mood, you should go and sign up. It'll be fun and you'll receive a great piece of art in the mail. It's a win/win situation.
go sign up.

Also, everyone can use a good laugh sometimes. I'm a sucker for stuff like this.

my new friend Boris

I recently received the best package from the lovely (and very generous) Wendy. Boris, the long-legged bird now sits above my desk keeping me company.

home again + an unbelievable swap

We're back from our beautiful Smokey Mountains camping adventure.  It was fantastic in so many ways, although I'm glad to be home after four days away. What can I say...I love camping and nature and exploring, but I'm also a huge nester that relishes my time at home. Besides, after four days in the woods, it feels so wonderful to be home sleeping in a bed (turning over without throbbing hip pain) and using warm water I don't have to heat up myself.  Before officially giving the play by play on our trip (there are plenty of photos to share), I wanted to show off the amazing package that arrived on my doorstep recently. It's unbelievable, look at all the beautiful items the talented and generous Carolyn sent me.  A while ago, we chatted about doing a part handmade, part vintage swap and after several date changes (my fault, I'm moving) here are the thrilling results. Thanks for your overwhelming generosity, Carolyn.  I love each and every thing you sent.

Perfectly wrapped...

Unwrapped...
The parcel included a sweet cotton blouse, the sassiest striped skirt, a lovely and very Loretta Lynn goes skiing vintage sweater (I can't wait for Fall to arrive so I can sport it) a very dainty vintage scarf, movie star sunglasses, vintage fabric -- swoon!, the coolest chunky red bracelet, which didn't make the photo because I forgot to take it off (couldn't resist putting it on immediately) and that list is only the vintage part. She also sent along the best cityscape shadowbox and mushroom pouch she created for the handmade part. Pretty fantastic, wouldn't you say?  I would. I'm over the moon.

More soon...I'm off to splash more warm water on my face. You know,  just for kicks.
L. 

trade ya?

While at Art Star, I had the pleasure of not only meeting wonderful crafty ladies, but also meeting wonderful crafty ladies and doing a few trades with them. Swapping Curious Bird goods for creations by others is one of my favorite things ever. EVER. 

I adore these teacups created by the super talented and sweet Linda at Little Flower Designs. The colors are so wonderful, photos just don't do them justice. Dustin and I were talking about how we wished she had dinner plates because we would love a set. Hey Linda, wanna make us a set of dinner plates??


If you haven't yet discovered the amazing letterpress cards by Jezebel, you're in for a treat. I love each and every one of her cards, and she has endless designs which made it terribly hard to choose.

I also did a great trade with Rebecca for one of her snazzy tulip bags. What a score.

A few new items were added to the Nest section of the shop. The few Owls and Baby Owls left from Art Star have landed...

Lastly, here's a great link for ya. Look at all those groovy patterns!  I want this, this, and this.

More soon, my friends.
L.

I'm a list maker.

This lovely tshirt and the pouch that they graciously threw  in with my order came a while back and I forgot to show it off. The shirt is D's and according to him, it's his new favorite. He says he likes the pirate ship, but I think the mermaids are really what he fancies. I picked it up from the nice people at Lucha Workshop. I think another shirt from them might be on the horizon, too. Their stuff is very sweet.

The list is made and my days are laid out in terms of what needs to get done before heading up to Philly in early June. I don't want to be too scheduled, so I may or may not stick to my list totally, but I really, really needed to make one. I had a hankering to get some Art Star stuff done, and after wondering around my studio in a craft daze yesterday, I decided a serious list was in order. This weekend will need to be very productive because next weekend is Dustin's "hooding ceremony" (graduation) and the family is coming to town.  We're going to have a great time, but I don't know how much work I will be able to get done. We'll see, I suppose.

Before I head off to *cough the Y *cough, take a look at the sweet soap (and birdie) package I received from Kathy. One bar is missing from the photo due to it already being in use.


Oh what the heck, since it's Friday, how about some gratuitous cat photos? You haven't seen my little buddies in a while.  These shots are actually really funny because they show where Motown ends up sleeping when Mortimer steals his bed.


yes, the recycling box in the office. he's a trooper.

Have a sweet weekend!

survey says...

There's nothing like sewing to lift ones spirits. That's dramatic,  my spirits weren't all that low except it's been raining here for the last 36 hours so a little sewing boost was just the ticket to get the synapses firing and the mood stepped up.  I made several quilted pouches (I had to find a way to use my new Zodiac trim) and enjoyed every minute of it. I'm so inspired by the Japanese craft books I ordered a while back from YesAsia , I think I've been dreaming about patchwork everything, even placemats and I don't think I've ever even owned a placemat.


The birdie pouch is off to Kathy as part of a little swap we're doing. She's sending me some of her sweet smelling homemade soap. I've developed quite a thing for great handmade soap (thanks to my friend Leah), so I'm pretty excited.

Thanks to Katie for linking the hilarious

secret language of sleep


my pose would be TOBOGGAN!
find your pose. the survey is ridiculous.

***I'm in need of a good printer and quick. Does anyone have a recommendation??

enjoy it while it lasts

If you don't know Sabine, you should drop by her blog and take a look around. She's quite a sweet lady. I always enjoy her lovely posts, which happen to be full of  beautiful graphic design and handmade goodies. A while back she contacted me about doing a little swap, and I jumped for joy. I had only recently found her blog and had taken to visiting daily. I think I was hooked when she posted gorgeous photos of her recent trip to Thailand. You know I have a lot of love for trips to SE Asia.  Take a look at all the fantastic goodies she sent me (all the way from Copenhagen). I love having a friend in Copenhagen...

Birds GALORE! Beautiful vintage fabric and trims (swoon). AND loads of wonderful postcards,  handmade tags, and lovely badges, all created by her. What a talented and generous lady. Thanks!

Below is another collage from the "life without iron" series. 

enjoy it while it lasts
various paper and fabric, 9x9 shadowbox frame

A few of you have emailed me asking about my most recent collages and their availability. I plan to add them to the nest section of my shop in the next day or two. Thanks for asking!