A WEE BIT LATE

Please excuse the short hiatus, friends – I'm back! You haven't missed much though.. my maternity leave is over, I started a new job, bought a house, began major renovations and Layne's now a toddler. NBD.

I'm sorry, okay?! Here's to a new year and better blogger!


BEE NICE

I thought I'd share the envelopes I made for The Elevated Envelope exchange. With the "summertime" theme in mind, I focused mine on the oh so under-appreciated bee! There's been some scary stuff circulating about the decline of our world's bee population. A third of our food supply depends on pollination and for some reason they are disappearing. Not cool.


I had wanted to try papercutting, so I decided to cut a honeycomb pattern out of the envelope. This revealed the yellow card inside. I lined the envelope with watercolour stripes and punched out the flight path of each bee. My note on the card included a few ways to help save our bees:

- Stop using insecticides
- Plant Bee-friendly plants
- Support your local beekeepers
  (or become one yourself!)

 I also added a beehive magnet and a minicard with my Etsy shop address.

I loved making these! And loved receiving others even more! Our lovely host, Tara, has been posting all the beautiful envelopes here.

so. much. fun. :)

2012 PRINTABLE CALENDAR


This calendar was a popular item last year in my Etsy shop so I brought it back for 2012! It is provided with two months per page. All you need to do is print and make one cut down the center of the page. You can keep the calendar for yourself, give it as a gift, or do both – as many times as you like! 

WORDS TO LIVE BY


TEN MONTHS


I have never realized before how fast 10 months goes by. And I don't understand what I did with all my extra time before Layne. I'm going to need a faster camera in order to get pictures of her, in the meantime, cookies will work ;)

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS


9 MONTHS

Oh wow, I'm just now realizing that I haven't shared Layne's 9 month picture and we're quickly approaching the 10 month photoshoot. Shame!

She's moving on up.. off the floor ;) This little girl has far too many other things to do than lay on the floor and pose for the silly pictures her mom takes. So here we are in her rocking chair, where we've spent countless hours these last 9 (er, 10) months..

PANTONE'S FALL COLOURS

“Designers take a painterly approach to fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colors with staple neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art. Much like a painter's masterpiece, there is a certain romance to this season's palette.”
– Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®


Oooh, which is your favourite fall colour? You can take Pantone's survey. (I bet you can guess mine!)

TO MARKET, TO MARKET



I added a new item to my Etsy shop! This Printable Grocery List makes your shopping easy by organizing the items according to supermarket departments. No more zigzagging through the store scrambling to find the items you need. I originally created for personal use but I thought there might be others that would appreciate it as well. You, perhaps?

YOU ARE INVITED

Have I mentioned I love weddings? True story. I have a few friends getting married and my obsession has resurfaced. They are just so beautiful and fun. And the invites, oh the invites.. how beautiful (and fun) are these?!






ELEVATED ENVELOPE


I'm excited to be part of The Elevated Envelope in the coming weeks. This is an exchange hosted by Tara Bliven of Ephemera Press. In her words: "Wouldn’t it be fun to be pen pals with incredibly creative, talented, smart strangers? That’s The Elevated Envelope in a nutshell."

So I have to come up with handmade envelope design that embody this round's summertime theme and create them to send out to other participants. I've been having fun with it lately. I love anything that gets me off the computer and working with my hands again. Plus, I can't wait to see the envelope's I receive!

If this is something you think you'd be interested in participating in, keep an eye out for the next round (Tara's thinking maybe January) sign-up here.

SUMMERTIME

Ok, so apparently the sun in the sky directly effects my time spent blogging. I've been slacking, friends. But I'm back! This photo is a valid depiction of what I've been up to :)



(via)

NUMBERS FLASH CARDS




As promised - I added the numbers version of Printable Flash Cards to my Etsy shop


Flash cards, again, are a great resource for little ones during many stages of development. This set can be printed for yourself or for others, they can be framed as artwork, used as a set, or given as a gift. Along with the rest of the items in my shop, these cards can be used however you like, as many times as you like! 


Feel free to contact me with any questions or special requests :)

IN THREADS



I'm mesmerized by these embroidered paintings by Daniel Kornrumpf. Yep, embroidered. I can't imagine how long this would take but it's worth it.  I would love to see the textures in person. Equally beautiful is this wedding invitation by Rifle Paper Co and his book cover designed for Penguin Books.

I may have to try this embroidery thing out. Tomorrow.

    
(via Cup of Jo)

EIGHT MONTHS


Layne's SO not into lying on her back anymore. Or staying still for any time at all really. She's on the move this month - not crawling yet, but she still manages to wiggle her way around the floor somehow. Her new favourite things are clapping and screaming as loud as she can.. YAY! This kid could not be any happier :)

ALPHABET FLASH CARDS


I added some Printable Flash Cards to my Etsy shop. These can be a useful tool for parents in helping their little ones learn the alphabet and the corresponding objects, but also with speech development, reading and writing, spelling, and memory recall in years following. As with all items in my shop, they can be printed for yourself or for others, they can be framed as artwork, used as a set, or given as a gift. They can be used however you like, as many times as you like! I'll be adding a Numbers Set soon..

SEVEN MONTHS

Man, I love this kid. 

SO VERY UNCOOL

Left: Stevie Koerner / Right: Urban Outfitters (image via apartment therapy)

Urban Outfitters has been notorious for stealing designs from independent designers and is keeping up the reputation. The latest is jewelry designer and Etsy seller, Stevie Koerner. Urban Outfitters's "I heart destinations" line not only ripped off Koerner's "I heart" designs but even stole copy from her product descriptions. Sad.

Koerner's blog post circulated the the world yesterday. Her story was a trending topic on Twitter and covered by the Huffington Post within hours. It only took ONE day, 24 hours, for Urban Outfitters to pull the product line and they have yet to comment. I'm loving the power of social media and just a few passionate voices!

DRAW IT YOURSELF

I would love to do this with Layne when she's older!
What kid wouldn't love to do this - okay, what adult wouldn't!


FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

This selection of prints is really interesting - these are not just stripes of color, they are movie frames. Each print consists of an entire movie, all approximately 180,000 frames. I love the idea of a seemingly abstract print with such a strong story. Literally. You can purchase prints in canvas, as cards, poster, etc.

HOW PINTERESTING



Pinterest has a new logo and I like it. I think it suits the company's personality really well.  I love the subtle detail of the pin in the P. The designers, Michael Deal and Juan Carlos Pagan, wrote some notes on the Pinterest blog about their process.

40 DAYS OF CHANGE



The Ecology Action Centre turned 40 and is celebrating with "40 days of Action". The fun began on Earth Day with an event planned for the forty days following. I helped out with this poster and am hoping to join in on some of the celebrating. If you are in the Halifax area, check out the schedule on their site.

HALF A YEAR


Layne's loving life lately - she's full of energy with all the new foods she's trying!

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS

I'm not gonna lie, I don't love the majority of seasonal decorations out there. I do though, love pretty DIY projects - especially ones that are recycled, reused and oh so subtle. Happy Easter weekend!

(via)

SYMMETRY

I get pretty deep on rainy days.. but I'm pretty sure this is amazing.


(via)

LOTTA NIEMINEN

I had this illustration in my "I like this" folder on my desktop from quite a while ago, not ever quite sure who the illustrator was. I happened upon Lotta Nieminen's work again this morning, I love the textures she creates and colours she uses.

APRIL SHOWERS

Yes, we've got some rain ahead of us before we can enjoy the summer.
But, look how beautiful rain clouds can be!

Love this baby shower..



this necklace..

 (via Etsy: alittleluster


this cup o' cocoa..


(Photo: Nikole Herriott)



and these mobiles :)

(via Etsy: goshandgolly)


(via: bees knees)


HEY, LITTLE GIRL


It's getting hard to keep Layne still for her monthly photo.
She's now rolling and sitting up - she's growing far too fast!

ON HER WAY..

My friend Kate photographed her walk to work. I love the idea of seeing the world through someone else's eyes, experiencing the small details of someone else's regular day. I'm definitely going to contribute one of my own little adventures to Kate's blog, I'm looking forward to who else will contribute! Anyone?


DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS

Type and and music unite. Purchase one of the many songs designed or suggest one of your favs. so. hard. to choose. (via We Love Typography)


YAY! IT'S FRIDAY!

Couldn't resist :) This is pretty much how I feel.. what a week! 




(via srslycute.com)

SAY IT AIN'T SO

Spring is finally here! I thought the winter would never end.. though I do still see a little bit of that white stuff. Ew. I don't care though, I'm letting some of this fresh air in and starting my spring cleaning. I picked up some flowers the other day and spread them all over the house. Love it. Though, since I haven't the greenest thumb (working on it), I may try these paper cherry blossoms..

BIT O' GREEN

I realized yesterday that this year's St. Patrick's Day was the first in 9 years that I was not working above a pub. Though I usually don't even really partake in the madness, I do wear green, sing along to some irish songs, etc. This year I enjoyed a green tea, wore some green shoes and stayed far, far away from it all. For all you who didn't, David's Tea has a little something for you :)

HELP JAPAN



Poster designed by James White of Signalnoise.

Canada: Text REDCROSS to 30333 to donate $10
USA: Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10

James has listed other ways to help on his blog.

DONATIONS FOR FAVOURS. FAVOURS FOR DONATIONS




This a poster I did for The Volunteer Market – such a simple and great idea from Extreme Group to help the raise money for The Red Cross. I love the requests and offers that are being added! What can you do to be part of it?

MARDI GRAS


(via Ashley MeadersHappenstancegingerella + a wind)

Hope you will be enjoying some pancake deliciousness today! I like to make mini ones, because, well, they're cute. Here's a recipe to get you started: mix in order, pour, fry and enjoy :)

Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
- 1 ⅓ cups milk
- butter for frying