I NEED these.  These are too cute for words.  Tiny villages, mushrooms, and even a ship or two for your terrarium or planter from The Oak Leaves.

{images shown belong to The Oak Leaves}

This past weekend the temperature hit 60.  In Boston.  In January – EARLY January.  This is not only odd, it’s completely bizarre.  January in New England usually starts with biting cold and the worst of the snowstorms, and thus far we’ve had basically no snow (except for a random storm in October and 2 dustings).  So what did I do on this sunny, glorious day?  I went to a cemetery with my dear friend.  I know, I know, I thought it was funny idea too, but it was really lovely.

We went to the Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston.  Open since 1848, it’s a beautifully laid out “garden cemetery” with trees, a pond, different sculptures and secret places.  A mix of gravestones, markers and mausoleums, it was actually really enjoyable to walk and explore.  It was so quiet, especially for being in the middle of the city, and the feeling of the area is really is peaceful.

If you’re in the Boston area, make sure you stop by for a walk on a nice day.  It had a similiar feel to the Arboretum and is definitely worth a visit.

{images shown via my iPhone}

Working to finish up details for an secret invitation-only event for tomorrow…  I’m really excited about it and can’t wait to share details about how it went with you all next week.

Hope you all have a great first weekend of December!
- Colleen

{image shown via my iPhone; lots of boxed holiday cards for sale}

I love the feeling of this photo (from almost a year ago, via From Me to You).  It really captures the natural light from this time of year.  So sad to have to change the clocks back this weekend; just means it’s going to get darker, earlier.

What do you have planned for the weekend?  I’m busy most of today trying to wrap up projects, but thankfully I’ll have some good time with family for most of the weekend (including one of my favorite people flying in from Canada!).  Hope whatever you have planned, you have a great first weekend of November.

{image shown belongs to From Me to You}

I’m crazy for Amy Merrick’s flowers.  These fall arrangements are to die for.  What inspiration.

{images shown belong to Amy Merrick & An Apple a Day}

The last few weeks were a big blur of illustrating, designing, and marathon printing, and yet it was all done with lots of love and care.  I’m pleased to share my first letterpress calendar, A Year in the Woods.  It’s inspired by my local Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and all the time I’ve spent there during the 12 months of the year.

Things are always changing, life is always growing.  Often I’ll bring my camera and stop to try and notice all the wildlife the forest holds: the tiniest mushrooms in the fall, various animal tracks in the snow during winter, or a clump of fiddleheads coming through old growth in the spring.  Even when the woods are silent, there is always something new to see or be inspired by.

To reciprocate my love for those 2,000 acres, I’ll be donating 10% of each calendar sale to the Mass Audubon Society.  For more details, check out the calendar in my shop.

{image shown via my online shop}

I went apple picking last week and it was a really nice afternoon outside.  The weather was perfect, super sunny with a clear blue sky and just warm enough (but still fallish).  Not sure why I do this, but every year I always bring home a ridiculous amount of apples, like I’m a squirrel stocking up for winter.  Unfortunately I’ve been so busy this week that I haven’t made any desserts yet.  I did, however, make my favorite butternut squash & apple soup recipe (via Simply Recipes) since it’s so quick but still haven’t gotten to eat any!  As soon as it cooled I had to run to the shop and print way into the night.  Hoping to make some apple crisp this weekend…

{images shown via my iPhone}

This image made me laugh out loud this morning.  Found this weeks after designing my new Autumn Leaves Note Card, and would’ve loved to see this beforehand for color inspiration.  An interesting side note, the photographer said they’re all from the same tree!

Getting excited for fall in New England… the colors have only just begun to change…

{image shown belongs to chrisglass on Flickr}

I’m already short on wall space, but if I had a plethora of walls to decorate, these prints would be on my must-buy list.  Bookmarking for the future…

{images shown belong to Panteek}

On a walk this week at my local Audubon Sanctuary, I couldn’t get over how many mushrooms there were.  Seriously, about every yard or so there was another, and another… and yet, another.  So many colors, so many sizes and shapes, it was unbelievable.  I don’t recall seeing so many at any time of the year before.  My husband said this is proof that now I need to do a mushroom print to match my lichen one.  Perhaps, perhaps…

{for more of my audubon sanctuary images, check out my Flickr}