Letraset Sketch

I recently had some time with a pile of Letraset, so I chose various fonts and created illustrations to match the words I wrote. This is one of my favourite forms of doodling!

Rock Exhibit

Here's my fabric for Spoonflower's Geodes and Gemstones design challenge of the week. I made marker and watercolor sketches and then altered them in Photoshop to create the design. It was inspired by my childhood visits to the nature museum, where I would drool at the giant, sparkly geodes.

Vintage Find: Crystals and Stamps

I've been wanting to start a collection of chandelier crystals for a long time, but I never seem to find any off the fixture. So when I saw this pair for $5 at an antique store I bought it to start that dream once and for all. I have always wanted to make an elaborate chandelier, although for now I will channel my inner Pollyanna and the sparkly melange will hang by my window.

That same day I also found this nifty British stamp album from the '50s, which I bought for $10. 

Thanks to Mr. James David Crawford I now have a myriad of stamps, from several countries, dating back to the '30s, and '40s. I will use them for various creative projects!



Happy Valentine's!



Lovely Literature

These two cute books are from 1957. They are full of musings on love with illustrations by Ruth McCrea.

L'Amour is composed of quotes and proverbs about love.

The poems and letters in Love Poems and Love Letters for All the Year are sectioned into monthly chapters.

I have to say, though, that my favourite aspect of these books is their appearance. They are slender and whimsical little compilations that make reading all the more delightful!

Single

 This week's Spoonflower contest theme is Anti-Valentine's Day Cross Stitch. I didn't have the heart to produce a pessimistic design, so, instead, I made my Single fabric to celebrate the freedom of those who have no significant other. Why mope when you can smile?

Modern Manners

"He measures her real worth by her good taste and consideration, and certainly prefers this modern-mannered miss to a merely pretty one."

Some old-fashioned charm may be the perfect thing to brush up on in this season of romance. I've been doing just that with this pocket-sized etiquette manual I purchased at a book sale for $0.25. I imagine it was the ideal little piece to whip out of a purse in a moment of social uncertainty. Copyrighted in 1932, Modern Manners is a hilariously cute read.

  The chapters of advice are "First Impressions," "Meeting and Talking," "Letter Writing," "In Public Places," "Romance in the Air," "The Office Woman," "Short Trips," "Traveling," "A Newcomer in Town," "The Formal Dinner," "Week-Ending," "Country Club Life," "Easing Illness," "Harmony in the Home," "Marriage Engagements," "The Wedding Day," "Wedding Receptions," "Dress for Special Occasions," "Funerals," and "Social Incidents." Whew! Yes, it's that exhaustive.

However, the book begins with an intelligent disclaimer: "Common sense is the guide. Our manners change with our methods of living, but consideration for others remains the basic fact."

Pretty Pastel Style

I just read Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake. It's full of gorgeous color schemes, eclectic decorating ideas, and, of course, tons of florals and pastels! It certainly has lots of visual inspiration inside.

The title is very appropriate!