Looking Over

{Design*Sponge}

As we are looking over the brink of a new year,

this is a great time to reflect and introduce new things.

I have a few thoughts brewing on resolutions, goals, and Edwards, and once those thoughts are organized you can find them at The Pickwick Portfolio!

In the mean time, I'd like to introduce and re-introduce some wonderful and inspiring resources!

This is by no means an exhaustive list but they are the highlights of

creative, online finds for this year. Perhaps you've seen them already and perhaps these are brand-new, regardless, I hope they help to creatively jump-start you into the new year.

Caro, Mica and I in downtown Alexandria, VA

A Wholesome New World

In the past few years, our family has really branched out in the area of nutrition and my sister Mica has been quite the leader/researcher in this area. Not only has she come up with some yummy recipes and new traditions but she's also learned a lot about the history and the "why's" of what we do in the kitchen. Her "foodie" posts mostly cover gluten and dairy-free recipes and she also includes some interesting facts and tid-bits.

This is a great place for all of your health and nutrition interests!

L-R: Ana, Alyssa, and Amy

Days to Remember

Pressing Toward the Goal

Everything Good

The three blogs above are authored by some very sweet, new friends that I met in November at our annual church conference. Living in the wintry north and being delightful "stay-at-home daughters", they offer a wonderful perspective on making home a sweet place to be.

This is a great way to receive sound encouragement--they also have a shop (Rosebud & Wilbur)!

Kyleigh Fox :)

A Drum of a Different Beat

Kyleigh Fox is the sister of Cait Cady (whom you've seen here before) and I have had the dear pleasure of getting to know her a bit through email and meeting her-at last!- in person recently. She quilts beautifully and has a unique creative touch; more significantly, Kyleigh has a wonderful perspective on living Biblically and doing everything she can to please the Lord.

I am challenged by what she has to say and am blessed by her posts.

Inspiring photo from the blog

Soule Mama

If you haven't check this one out yet, please do! Amanda has a wealth of creative knowledge and is just so inspiring; she also does things as naturally as possible and I'm always inspired after reading her posts. Right now I am using some of her projects as an inspiration for an upcoming shop item/new project--stay tuned!

I Still Love You

You might have seen the button for this on my sidebar.

I love Melissa's creativity, DIY's, and tutorials! It's a great place to get calligraphy ideas, color and placing, as well as some great ways to refashion your favorite clothing items.

She also has great photos and an easy to navigate site.

Flying Fingers

If you are in the Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown area, I would highly suggest making a visit to the Flying Fingers yarn shop! It's an adorable shop set-up, snug in the main street of Tarrytown. They have a wonderful, colorful selection of wool, angora, and blended yarns!

And if you have a moment to spare, take the 30-second walk up the street to Coffee Labs! It's a warm coffee shop with their own roaster, right in the cafe!

Don't forget to ask about their burlap sacks (and get one for me too!).

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Well that's all for now, what are your favorite places?

Do you have a blog/shop that you just love?

Let me know and after a preview I'll feature it here!

{New Shop Items}

{All Posters}

Here ye, here ye!

There are fun new things happening in the shop!

A new banner and new items to show you,

so make your way over there and peruse through, and let me know what you think!

Be sure to check back here for more fun products, my closet/studio is bustling with new ideas and products while my knitting basket is full of new (and old) projects.

Needless to say, as full as my time is I always enjoy custom orders and I can make time for something that fits your fancy--

--don't be afraid to ask!

I hope that you're as busy with new inspirations and well-loved hobbies; it's wonderful to have things that full and make use of your time.

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Today I am packing for the Texas hill country for a long weekend!

I'm looking forward to spending time with my Grandparents and family there, as well as

some fresh tamales and empanadas,

long walks and hot tea,

Old Christmas movies and popcorn,

Giggles and lots of Spanish!

I'll meet you back here Tuesday for some fresh inspiration and possibly a tutorial

(as long as I can find the pictures!).

Bon voyage.

p.s. You might have seen the items featured here on the blog!

Family Portraits

I love old photographs.

One of the antique shops that we seasonally frequent has a box of old photo's for sale. Mostly there are quite a bit of wartime photo's and family shots like the one's above.

The knowledge that these were once cherished memento's makes looking through them a bit odd and slightly morbid.

At the same time, I'm glad that as the owners don't care for them anymore, someone else can;

Much better than dusting up someone's attic or the rubbish can.

And, as the cashier at the shop said,

"At least they're in good hands now".

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What sorts of things do you keep an eye out for while you're shopping?

A few of mine are sentimental photo's, spoon rings, vintage fabrics, and depression glass.

{Recent Creation}

Here is another custom order crown that I donated to an auction.

You remember me mentioning the Frye family and their adoption process?

Well, I was very excited to participate in a Facebook auction to raise funds for their family.

You can keep up with them at their adoption blog, Walking in Faith;

Mr. and Mrs. F are currently in country on their first visit with Alice. It has been a sweet blessing for me to read their daily posts and what the Lord is doing there!

This project reminded me what I LOVE doing custom orders.

Each time I learn something new and am able to expand my creative horizons. This was my first time to work with sequins as well as the first time to add ribbon to the end of the crown as opposed to elastic--I like the ribbon much better :)

Sophie willingly agreed to pose for these shots as well as her bunny. Isn't she adorable?

{Apple Cider and Van Gogh}

{Vincent van Gogh}

I found this peaceful print in my studies for the Humanities exam and I think that it's the most non-van Gogh looking painting that I've seen yet. Quite a far cry from Sunflowers and Almond Branches in Bloom, San Remy, this simple piece is giving the viewer a peak at her knitting labor.

How did you like my ultra mini-Sister Wendy commentary?

I must say that I will be very sad when this exam is over; I've really enjoyed all of the art, literature, and music studies!

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Well, we are planning to spend the latter part of next week at my Grandparent's home in the Texas hill country. This will be our first Christmas with them in this great state; usually we would go to see them in frigid New Mexico but since they moved here last year, this will be different.

I'm very happy to say that the scheduled knitting/sewing projects are done for the month and I'm furiously working on a few side projects for my Dad, a sweet friend, myself,

and a new pattern. Hopefully pictures will follow of...

a Harry Potter-like hat and scarf,

a super cute and warm Longford and/or Republic hat,

a lavender, lacy cardigan, and

a sweet, yellow beret

(a new pattern from Stitch Nation that I

found--for free!--at Hobby Lobby).

Yes, the knitting basket is full again and I have this hankering for hot apple cider--again!

The urge came to me in Baltimore and I'm afraid has followed me all

around our travels and back here at home.

Unlike chocolate chaud, you can keep drinking apple cider without the fear of a sugar rush.

At any rate, back to knitting.

Happy Merry Christmas

November Highlights {in pictures}

{one lucky duck}

If you're in New York and in need of a raw food fix or just a really good salad,

Pure Food and Wine is the place to go,

just be sure your wallet can manage the cost it is to make the food

(I which case, I would highly suggest the Spicy Thai Wraps).

It was a bit like culture shock to come home to a Houston December after being in a New York November (as in a 25-30 degree difference!), but home is very sweet :)

Here are a few shots of the times we've had over the past two weeks,

enjoy!

My sister Caro enjoying a Gray's papaya hot dog!

Not sure it would make it after being shipped halfway across the country but it was pretty tasty.

{National Gallery of Art}

Soon after this picture was taken, I found a $20 bill on the sidewalk, neatly folded and screaming, "take me!". So I scooped the dust out of my wallet, place it inside, and named it "Lucky". Green proof that I don't miss everything.

A great window display outside a bookshop (ideas, ideas, ideas!).

22, November

Quail egg from Whole Foods!

For a mere $.89 you could take that cutie home with you--we we're pretty tempted.

Fun times with my very dear friend, Maria