Parrott Design Studio Website

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

One of my favorite letterpress studios just updated their website this past week!  Congrats, Sarah!  The site looks amazing… definitely check it out!

{image shown belongs to Parrott Design Studio}

Vintage New England

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Really great post today on Katy Elliott about her favorite old books on New England scenic views, architecture and design.  Definitely stop by and check it out!  Love her photos of the book spreads as well (great old tabletop).

{image shown belongs to Katy Elliott}

Cynthia Warren

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

I’ve been a fan of Cynthia Warren for a while now, but recently revisited her portfolio for inspiration of illustrations with fine-line work.  She is so talented!  Love her drawings and especially love her use of typography.

{images shown belong to Cynthia Warren}

Kraft Paper Inspiration

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Loved this post from Oh So Beautiful Paper from a week ago… the color palette of two of the photos, side-by-side, inspired me for a holiday project I’m wrapping up this week!  Hope the OSBP post inspires you too.  I think anything looks good with kraft paper.

{images found via Oh So Beautiful Paper; left image from Country Living & right image from Design*Sponge}

Hidden Holiday Market

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Finally I can share with you a project that I’ve been secretly working on for a few months!  This past Saturday was a small craft fair I organized, called the Hidden Holiday Market.  I was so inspired by Chelsea & Abby in their creation of the Little Winter Market from last year, that I wanted to create a small fair of my own.  I know so many talented and creative people and I knew collectively we could put together something really wonderful.  I decided to host the event at my home, making it a warm, inviting, and casual holiday shopping experience.  However, since I didn’t want complete strangers showing up or knowing where I live, we made the event by invitation-only for family and friends… which is why I’ve kept it secret until now.

In total, 9 different artists and craftspeople came together to showcase their wares and their talent.  We had hot cocoa & cookies, a fire in the fireplace, and holiday music to get visitors in the mood.  After a bit of a slow start, we suddenly had the house full of people and it was absolutely buzzing with activity!  From what I heard/observed, people really liked that it was held at a home and felt like they could linger and meander more so than at a craft fair, and thus were really able to relax and talk with the artists about their work.

I had such a great time and I’m very much hoping to have this event happen again next year.  My dream and goal for 2012 is to be able to afford my own studio space, and if I’m able to do that (and it’s large enough), I’d love to host this event there and have it completely open to the public.  Although, there is something nice about having a cup of hot cocoa by a toasty fireplace…

Thank you again to all the artists who showed their work and who helped make this event go off without a hitch!
Allison Bianco
Leo Bonarrigo & Leah Mooney from Bonarrigo Weddings
Jeffrey Ellse
Calla Fogarty
Meagan Gilner from The Brocade Blackbird (and who also represented Shortstack Accessories)
Lara Henderson
Laura Warecki from Paper Taxi

*Photos and a video (I do believe!) of the event from Bonarrigo Weddings to come soon!

{for more images of my fairs & events, check out my Flickr}

Anna Allen Lookbook

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Love, love, love these shots from Anna Allen’s new holiday lookbook.  All the clothes are gorgeous, and I especially love the red velvet top!

{images shown belong to Anna Allen}

Moment of Zen

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Today was nothing but absolutely nutty for me; everything that could possibly go wrong while printing – did.  Well, okay… maybe not EVERYTHING, but it sure felt like it.  Came home and saw this desk space from Lobster & Swan and immediately felt relief, if even for a moment.  Someday, I will have a workspace of my own and keep it clean and organized.  Someday.  Today, I really love this image.

{image shown belongs to Lobster & Swan}

Mimi Kirchner

Monday, November 7th, 2011

I cannot get over Mimi Kirchner’s handmade dolls.  Especially the “tattooed” ones (with toile fabric – how clever)!  She’s a local artist of Boston; definitely going to have to see these in person.  Such amazing attention to detail.

{images shown belong to Mimi Kirchner}

New York Rifle Print

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

I really hope Anna makes this New York print available for purchase… I know someone who would LOVE it!

{image shown belongs to Rifle Paper Co.}

Ampersandity Address Stamp

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

These would make such great holiday gifts!  Custom return address stamps from Ampersandity.

{images shown belong to Ampersandity}