Book Sale booty and the backstory of my craft adventures.

This weekend is one of my very favorite each and every year: the great big Planned Parenthood Book Sale. I have been going to the book sale for years, because I have always. loved. books. Ask anyone. At one time I had 26 boxes of them that I moved around with me from one apartment to another; I packed them and unpacked them in alphabetical order and was ridiculed for this, but I am after all the daughter of a librarian. So every year I would go to the book sale and be unable to resist such steals as a vintage etiquette book for a dollar. I would read a few pages and then put it on a shelf with other vintage books in my collection. Vintage books make lovely displays in any home, in my opinion. I did this for years and in 2008 I made my first upcycled journal. And then I made a few more, for practice. I got better at it. I started to sell a few. When Belinda from Pure Paper said my journals were nice and offered to sell them in the store, I was elated! I got busy making books. I got brave and applied to craft shows. I had fun and made money--really, what more can you want in life? That's the dream you hear people talk about : do what you love and the money will follow.

The book sale has been, and always will be, one of my very favorite things.

The gals have arrived...

....in my etsy shop, in the form of greeting cards. I know, I'm not the first person in the world to do something like this, but nonetheless, I am super-excited because, let me just say that I LOVE cards! I love buying them, sending them, and of course, receiving them. I don't think electronic communication will ever replace the delight of getting a real old-fashioned greeting card in the mail. Birthday cards, great. Christmas cards, great. But a card just for no reason to say you were thinking of me? Even better! And that's the kind of cards that I've made. They're blank inside so you can send them for absolutely any occasion or for no reason whatsoever.

I'll be listing a couple each day on my etsy. The listings are for single cards, but if anyone wants to order a certain card in quantity, just let me know!

Blossom!

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." --Anais Nin

For me, this quote speaks to being your true self and to chasing your dreams, whatever they may be. Life is just too short not to, don't ya think?

Eye Candy on a Dreary Day

Unusually awful day at the day job today. Thank goodness my latest order from Paper Source was waiting for me on the doorstep when I got home. Can't wait to start using these gorgeous papers in some new journals. Happy Tuesday!

Mail Art Rocks

You know it's a good mail day when there's a crown right above your name and address.

And there are cool customized stamps and Katharine Hepburn stamps on the envelope as well.

A few days ago I received the second issue of WWRD? from Sweetwater Studio. What in the heck does "WWRD" mean, you ask? It stands for "What would Ruby do?" Ruby is the studio assistant to the fabulous Kay Sperry, artist in residence at Sweetwater Studio, and the creator of fabulous altered books, altered art, and gorgeous handmade books. I have been lucky enough to take classes and learn from her and laugh with her for the last year. Maybe you saw Kay and Ruby this past fall at the East Village Sunday Bazaar? You can also look for Sweetwater Studio on Facebook and even become a fan! If you want to know more about WWRD, a fabulous newsletter filled with art, wit, and whimsy, become a fan! I so look forward to the days when WWRD arrives in my mailbox.

In other important news, I submitted my application for a craft show today--the first one of 2011, so it's time to get in gear because spring will be here soon (I think? Not so sure looking out the window and listening to the howling wind just now, but I'll pretend to be optimistic) and then the fun will start! I have really missed loading up my tables and my inventory and seeing my craft show friends and meeting new customers. I can't wait for it to start again this year.

Happy Valentine's Day

We enjoyed a nice mellow weekend and started celebrating Valentine's Day (or V.D. as we like to call it) by exchanging gifts. The little guy made out like a bandit, fueling his idea that he should get a "present with trains on it" every single day. There was candy, new Starbucks travel mugs, Elmo outfits and monster truck t-shirts, and of course, trains. A good time was had by all. Jacob really seems to have the Valentine spirit and enjoyed making Valentines and handing them to Mom, Dad, and Nana. Also shown above is a bit of Valentine art that I made last year and stowed away with our V.D. decorations. So I felt the need to add a quote and just a hint of glitter to it as it seemed to be lacking that certain something. I just love the vintage Valentine that I copied and included in it; it was one that someone gave my grandpa's brother (my great uncle) many years ago. The quote I added is one by Joan Crawford: "Love is a fire. Whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell."
Happy V.D. everyone!

Happy Mail Day

We are having a great Saturday here at home, just made a bit happier by the mailman's delivery of my etsy order of some vintage patterns! Very excited to put these ladies in a collage. So far today we have made Valentines, done a bunch of laundry, watched some Thomas & Friends, and enjoyed a delicious lunch of peanut butter sandwiches and assorted snack foods. And outside, the sun is shining, amazingly enough, so soon we are headed out for a little stroll. Life is good!