new design

Wow, I never meant to be gone so long. And I can't believe that it's already close to the middle of September. Part of the reason I've been so absent is that we took a really lovely and needed trip to California. The main reason for the trip was a dear friends' wedding, but we stayed a bit longer and got to have some adventures on our own. Ben had never been to California, and I hadn't been back since I moved back east, so we had a wonderful time discovering new things and seeing old friends. Part of the reason I haven't posted about it (even though we took about a million pictures) is some really geeky computer data management issues. I have about half a gig left on my computer and I'm too lazy and overwhelmed by it all to figure out a good (and more permanent) system for downloading and storing all those pictures. Boring. Anyway, when we do figure something out, I'll be sure to share because we saw lots of great and inspiring stuff.

In the mean time, I wanted to share my new acorn design which will soon be adorning sachets. I've been wanting to add a third design to the sachet repertoire because three's are much better than two's for a collections sake. The acorn was part of an all-over print design I made last winter that never really went anywhere, so I decided to put it into action on it's own. That, and I was reminded when our frisky squirrel neighbor started to try to bury his acorns in our window boxes again yesterday. Which reminds me that I should go and close the screen that I left open when watering the plants. We've already had an almost squirrel break in, and cats have tried too. But that's a story for another day.

(the print in the pic above is just made with a regular old pigment ink pad, which I use to test the print while I'm carving it, haven't had a chance to print it for real. I like to wait until I have a bunch of stuff to print before breaking out the brayer so I don't waste ink. I'll be sure to show you the real thing soon.)

filed under: things I have no business doing right now...

I'm almost finished with a largish project, one that unexpectedly took priority over the last week, but I made time to put this little bit of crocheted art together. It really only took about 20 minutes, but it was definitely not something that needed doing. If you know what I mean. But sometimes you need to just do something that makes you feel good. 

I got the little crocheted piece a few months ago at the Chelsea flea, and had been hanging onto it, not really sure what what it was it was destined to be, until I saw Laura's post on Design*Sponge a few weeks ago. Don't know why it took me until then to figure that out, I've admired Laura's crocheted pieces for a good long while.

I just stitched it onto a scrap of linen with the aid of a small embroidery hoop and then stretched over one of those mini canvases. The whole thing is only 3" x 3". And it makes me happy.

I've listed more maple seed pod tea towels in the shop. Will have them in mustard as soon as I can take some pics.

Giveaway Winner!

I had such a good time doing this giveaway! It feels right cleaning out and finding new homes for my goodies. I'll definitely be doing this again soon. Thanks for everyone who participated, it's very exciting to see all your corners of the world.

The winner is G! (look for an email from me, so I can get your address)

Here are some pictures of the stones on the beach at my favorite place in world.

I have a bunch of new projects to share with you soon. Hope everyone is having a good midsummer. Can't believe it's August already. I swear July is the fastest month of the year.

Flea Finds

and some props I made from this Purl Bee pattern.

projects (for me!)

Since Renegade, I've been itching to do some sewing for myself. That is one thing about having a craft business, I feel guilty (I just wrote 'quilt-y' by mistake, proves my point exactly) about spending time making things that will not generate income, or if I do have extra time, I'm just plain sick of sewing, printing, etc and just need to get out of the house. 

My cousin's wedding a few weeks ago was the perfect opportunity/excuse to make things for myself. I made myself an Alabama Chanin style dress out of some beautiful silk/wool jersey (haven't had a chance to get a good pic, but I'll definitely share them when I do) and this leather clutch. I fell in love with this silvery, soft leather while Jewelweeds shopping at Mood. I certainly had no business pawing through the leather, or the even looking at the silk jerseys, but you know, things happen. I'm usually not one for shiny things, but the silver was so subtle and vintage-y worn. It was really hard to get an accurate picture, it's a little more sandy than it looks in the picture. I kept thinking about the leather, and eventually went back and got it (fyi, the leather is now downstairs at Mood). I cut out the pieces for the purse the night before we left for Boston and sewed it in the car on the way up. Luckily for the clutch (not so much for us) the weather and the traffic was so bad that it took us seven freaking hours to get there. I lined it with some heavier leather that I had to give it more body, the silver leather is quite light and drapey, my sister said that it felt like her puppy's ear which I don't want to think the connection there, but I have a bunch left over and I want to make something that showcases this quality. Maybe something like this. 

Mid-Summer SALE & GIVEAWAY!

In honor of the fact that we are actually having summer weather here in Brooklyn, and my birthday next week, and I'm on a purging kick, Jewelweeds is having a Mid-Summer Sale!

I've been listing many new products in the shop, and to make room for these, I've put a whole bunch of my older items on big sale, quite a few are as much 50% off. The sale will go through August 1st, so get 'em while you can!

And the GIVEAWAY! Also in the spirit of purging and making room for new stuff, I've put together a summery giveaway. It includes: A hand-quilted vintage linen cabbage rose Clutch; Linen Sprig Napkins in ruby red (set of 2), an Organic Lavender Sachet also in ruby red, Linden Berry linen coasters (set of 2) all tucked into a cotton Jewelweeds tote. All together is it a $91.00 value (saying that feels pretty used-salesman...eek!) To enter, please leave a comment here before August 1st, I'll announce the winner on Monday August 3rd!

ps. even if you don't win, you can still purchase the Clutch and the Coasters on sale in the shop...

The fruits of Brooklyn

I've been itching to get a fig tree ever since we got our little meyer lemon, and finally we did! I can't wait for it to bear fruit, fresh figs are so yummy, especially with a little blue cheese or prosciutto, or grilled with honey...

I noticed this mature fig tree (below) on our block a year or two ago, and on a recent trip to the post office was inspired to document other fruits growing on our block. It doesn't seem as though anyone is caring for it, there were many unripe fruits on the ground (I hope some critters are enjoying them at least!). Undoubtedly, this plant was brought to Brooklyn as a cutting by Italian immigrants. My mom is sure that her grandfather did this, his father was employed by the Italian government to help farmers in Mexico grow olives before he brought the family from Sicily to Brooklyn, so he was surely passionate about agriculture. I wish I knew more about this part of my family history. My mom has some documentation, but it a lot of the stories have faded. 

Cherry trees down the block that were planted about 30 years ago when the neighborhood was pretty blighted. A man who helped plant all the trees noticed me taking pictures and filled me in on a little bit of the history. I bit of a sad story involving a murdered friend, but it spurred some rejuvenation and  I'm grateful for the outcome because we now have so many mature trees which do provide a slight respite from the summer heat (if we ever get any...)

And finally, the mulberry trees in our front yard. It's such a shame that most of these berries go to waste, my dad suggested that I bake a mulberry pie, but we've been away so much in June that I haven't had a chance. I'd like to try to make a jam, anyone have a good recipe?