Isn’t that ladybug amazing? Having been nicknamed Ladybug as a kid, I have quite a collection of these, but I was so amazed to find this little pressed tin one that is a pincushion and a tape measure (look at the little behind!) It’s missing one googly eye, but I’m gonna do my best to find another to replace it. Great 50 cent purchase.

The cape I found at Goodwill and is adorably handmade. It’ll probably take several years before my little one (who is still making us wait for her arrival) fits this cape, but it’ll be getting alot of use then, I hope. Can’t ya’ll just see it paired with a red dress and some rad knee-high stripey socks?! Rad!

Last weekend we went to a college surplus auction and I fell head over heels in love with a few items. A card catalog has been on my list of wants for a long time- wouldn’t it be great to store ribbons and markers and tiny little treasures in? And that table! It was this amazing shade of minty green with this sort of mid-century style legs. It would be perfect for my heavy paper cutter and book binding machine. And that mailbox!!!!! I don’t know what I would use it for (dirty laundry? books? gallons of chocolate sauce?)- but it would have been mine if there weren’t a move to Hawaii in our very immediate future. It sold for $25!

Amazing things can be found in your area at public surplus.

Love love friends! Hopefully the next news I share with you is about a little baby named ginger.
elle

I hate to announce that the summer is here in Florida. That means that I am hiding inside my house, blinds closed, fans on high power, wishing that I was somewhere else. I just keep saying to myself, “this is your last summer here Laura, enjoy it”, and I am trying to do just that. At least between the hours of 5 and 7am- since that seems to be the only time that it’s not miserable outside. I popped out to take some photos on the front porch for this post this morning, and was instantly sticky. ick. icky sticky. And without further whining- a show-and-tell of what I’ve recently made and thrifted.

I’ve been wanting a clipboard for the market and was having the hardest time finding a small one that was awesome and less than $15. This is so simple it’s ridiculous- just an old book cover cut down with an extra large clip. It’ll be used when someone needs to sign a credit card slip at the market. Garth tells me everytime he sees this that he used to have this book when he was a kid.

new screenprinted journals! I have so many blank covers and have been wanting to print something on them. I love this tiny phrase and love how these turned out. I am less thrilled about the hello my name is journals that I also printed.

The sisters in my relief society wanted to make sock monkeys, so I made one to see how it was done. He’s cute, but does not compare to Oliver, the real sock monkey.

And, tags for my bow ties! I’ve been waiting to make these until I purchased an embroidery machine, but that keeps getting pushed back because of clutches and other almost-emergencies, so I made do. As always, making do is so much more interesting than my first idea. These are screenprinted and just the first version, but I love the idea. They are preppy, colorful, and fun- all things I want to have associated with my brand.

And now the thrifted!

The ladies at the thrift store where I grabbed this dress were fawning over it when I brought it to the checkout. They were quick to point out that of the three of us standing there, I was the only one it would fit, so it should go home with me. I then moved Jack to my other hip to show off my 6 month baby belly and explain that it’d be at least a year until I fit a vintage size 8. Maybe longer. But oh lovely hawaiian thing, we’ll show ‘em all.

I am always on the lookout for ties- but rarely (have I ever?!) do I purchase a tie to keep as a tie. This one was too wonderful to turn into a bow tie (plus, I don’t think that the pattern would convert well). It’s a clip-on, which my husband won’t wear, but it came home with me and is now hanging out by my sewing desk, just to make me smile.

a quick trip inside a small thrift store on a rainy saturday (with sleeping Jack and sweet Garth waiting in the car) yielded the best find in months! This vintage board puzzle is missing one piece, but is otherwise looking awesome. I had to get it since it’s a boy named Jack. LOVE this. Plans to replace the missing piece are already in the works (probably just in time for Jack to lose a few more!)

Gazillions of bow ties are being produced in this little room and will be making their way into the shop this week and next. I want to have 100 listed before I take a break!

Until next time, stay sweet,
elle

It’s an added bonus that the maker of the scissors, one Dick Blick Co, is my prefered art supply vendor. They just rule.

Back to making for me- hope you’re all enjoying your tuesday!

xo
elle