Bits and Bobs

Finally, a few more pretties. This time inspired by the Christmas favorite "Raindrops on Roses". I've started with two colorways for my collection "Brown Paper Packages". They aren't tied up with strings, though! The first colorway is Whiskers on Kittens.

I also wanted to invoke the feeling of the fleeting autumn in "With the Moon on Their Wings"
I also did "Whiskers" in specialty ribbons- velvets and curls! and an embellishment set. I couldn't resist the red shoes in the backdrop. But, alas, the Princess Royale still needs to wear these through the holidays, so I'm not sharing those!

Velvet Ribbon

Hmmff! I've been waiting for about 2 weeks since I placed a wholesale order for more velvet ribbon that I've needed for some upcoming etsy or other projects. Finally called them today to ask about said order and it's backordered til next week! Thanks for letting me know, Mr. Company.

I'm hoping to add more painted velvets and some more made-to-match lines soon, just waiting on the supplies!

My new toys

Brand new lines of Martha at the big M's. LOTS of new glitter sets, just waiting to be collected and sprinkled. My must-take-home set for the day is her Vintage Leaf Glitter. It's a flat chunky glitter, similar to gold leafing, but in ever so many sparkly colors! I also like the new packaging with the molded trays that the tubes lie in, easier to pull out without the others all rolling around.

I'll go back next week for some of the tinsel glitter (I got the Christmas set of that last year) or the new irradescent colors. She also has flocking sets and microbead sets (and lots of new punches).

Just thought you might need some enabling inspiring.

Something to Crow About!

One of the most anticipated exchanges of the year is ArtsyMama's Sweet & Sinister Swap. Our swap suggestions for this year included something sweet, something sinister, something handmade, a home decor item, and something thrifted. Mostly black & white, with just a smattering of orange. Now, I was so excited to get my package to my partner Candice Carpenter of Peacoats & PartyHats that I neglected to take pictures of what I sent out, so I made sure to share all of the black and white deliciousness of my received box here. This is only the first layer, a spooky handmade card and two black roses on white shred. Everything was wrapped in black tulle. Upon removing the first layer, I discoverd many tissue wrapped parcels amongst other treats- the lolli is from a new line I've admired "skelanimals". The beribboned box holds even more surprises...

The second layer: a white pumpkin, autumny candle, black&white purse filled with Reese's. Well, it WAS filled with Reese's. Black cat and halloween ornaments. The black and white striped bowl is JUST perfect for this stripe-loving person!

It took awhile to get everything unwrapped, but here is the main photo of everything, also including some Bethany Lowe Halloween tissue banners, and a homemade banner by Candice herself-very dimensional with those white yarn poms!

I waited and opened the candybox last- little things are too fun, and this was no dissappointment- cupcake picks, mica and super chunky glitter, velvet flowers, ribbon, Halloween rings, bingo cards, even the dried baby's breath lent an autumny scent to the box.

Yes, this year's swap is definitely something to crow about!

Land of the ArtPrize

Yes, I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Home to ArtPrize, the brainchild of Rick Devos, and the worlds largest monetary prize for art. Last Sunday my family and I went downtown to watch the worlds record release of 10,000 paper airplanes (and me without my camera!). Today we took in some of the other exhibits. This first one is a "memory jar" of sorts. The artist captured scents in these canning jars- each is labeled with a smell and a location.

I just plain liked these plum and gold rotating flowers...
A traveling wagon for an artist family...

This one centered on Grand Rapid's history of furniture making...

Grand Rapids own Loch Ness monster (made of styrofoam) floating in the Grand River...

My family enjoying a playful sculpture...

The Sharing Tree, leaves made from melted pop bottles...

The Sharing Tree holds a kaleidoscope that actually turns- autumn leaves are in the base for a colorful presentation...

The exhibit continues until this Saturday and spans a good portion of the downtown, come see it if you can!