I still haven’t quite finished that dress I posted a sneak peek of on Monday (the polka-dot material was snipped from the most major alteration I did). It is just missing the voile ruffle, but I dare not show the entire piece until it is complete! hehe. Hopefully by Friday I shall have eked out an hour of sewing time to finish it…

Anyhow, I spent a little bit of time the other night, winding down with a cup of chamomile tea, my pretty little cahier (I found the website of the manufacturer–they are some other, absolutely delicious notebooks!), and a pile of inspiring images that had been sitting on my computer.

As you can see by this page, Art Nouveau has been absorbing me quite a bit lately! Design History class this week we spent most of the three-hour class discussing the movement and viewing utterly gorgeous slides!! I was in heaven! I think I took nearly four pages of notes… hehe! I just love the color and vibrancy of line; I think it fits quite well with the mood springtime brings. Do you ever feel a stylistic look fits well with a particular season?

I think perhaps next week I shall declare it A Week of Thrifty Finds! I’ll post a photo (or two…) of some lovely goodies I have happened upon in the past months, since I have been so bad about sharing them (and its quite a pile now! hehe!). Is anyone else game for five days of blog and thrift-fun? Do let me know… perhaps we can organize an informal little something.

Oh, and before I dash off, I wanted to remind you that the deadline for signing up for the Creative Cacophony Swap is nearing! Be sure to drop me an email by Friday evening if you’d like to be included… I think it is going to be so much fun!!!

Have a lovely Wednesday, all!!

Cheers!

[ Ali, is having a week of Amelie themed posts!!! What a perfectly lovely idea… a whole week of basking in Amelie goodness! Read all the posts (thus far) here. Discovered via Frolic!.

I haven’t talked much lately about what I’ve been doing in school (besides the emotional turmoil of midterms), which is a pity because in Design History it’s starting to move into the territory that I find fascinating! Specifically, we’re beginning to cover the Arts and Crafts, and Art Nouveau movements, which sadly are only briefly covered in the book–I think I could devote a whole semester to studying it. I just love the marriage of influences (Eastern and Western), the creative and artistic energy and exchange of ideas that one perceives, and the beautiful legacy of this era in design history.

Going over the assigned reading, it struck me how closely both movement mirrors the current revival of interest in the creative pursuits that is going on right now. Aesthetics, and returning to a sense of the wonderment art can produce, and creative exploration seems so prevalent right now. Perhaps it is just me, but I can’t help but think there is a bigger movement going on that is touching so many areas. I suppose the best label to slap on it is “DIY culture”. It has influenced so many areas of the arts and created a sort of frenzy among artists of various types to reach out and express their own vision of the world (whether real or perceived).

Yet as I was reading my textbook, this paragraph caught my eye and resonated: “…art historian Herbert Read once suggested that the life of any art movement is like that of a flower. A budding in the hands of a small number of innovators is followed by full bloom; then the process of decay begins as the influence becomes diffused and distorted in the hands of imitators who understand merely the stylistic manifestations of the movement rather than the driving passions that forged it.” I can’t help but feel that we’re beginning to see the diffusion of the DIY Movement into commercialism and the greater, societal “aesthetic”. Take for instance the oft-cited Urban Outfitters, a company that peddles a wide variety of “faux handmade” items in an effort to bring the look of DIY to consumers who may not fully embrace (or understand) the concept. In a way, is Urban Outfitters (and like, mass retailers), not cheapening and causing the “decay” of the original movement in its effort to cash in?

There is no doubt that the “handmade look” resonates with quite a few people; I think in many ways the DIY culture is a reaction to the overly sleek and impersonal manufactured goods that are available to the wider market. Its a return to the feeling of “soul” in a piece because someone, not a machine, put thought into the design and process of creating those goods. I know I personally am drawn to making things myself, or purchasing them from other artisans, because it gives a feeling of integrity to the piece; that it wasn’t just slapped together thoughtlessly, nor am I just following some whim or trend without thought.

But where does the line between “bloom” and “decay” become crossed? The popularization in the social consciousness of the DIY movement has in a way, I believe, created a movement away from thoughtful creation and effort to protest against impersonal consumerism, to a more frenzied appeal to “standing out” and looking “handmade” at any cost. While I applaud anyone who does take an interest in engaging in DIY (after all, I do encourage everyone to find their creative outlet!), when mass marketers and manufacturers begin to mimic the essential “look” of handmade, have we lost the edge and have begun to witness the beginning of the end?

What are your thoughts?

To reward you all for having read through this rather tedious, muddled post (thank you if you stuck with me the entire way! hehe!), here is the Vintage Monday feature for today!! Hurrah for pretty things!

Another, pretty 1840s print! Although this one is just black and white (I think I’ve posted most of the hand-colored ones), I love the details and lines of the gowns.

I hope you have a lovely Monday, all!!!

Cheers!

[ Julia Kuo’s pretty little illustrations. I love how light and storybookish they are; go take a look!

[ a pretty, vintage peignoir I thrifted recently! ]

I meant to post this earlier today, but despite my best intentions, this day has definitely been “one of those” Mondays! lol. I feel somewhat like Garfield, who preferred to sleep through Monday… if only! hehe! I’m playing catch up today, because L. was back home this weekend! I hadn’t seen or talked to him for a few weeks (aside from our constant stream of emails), so needless to say I pretty much avoided my computer between Saturday morning and now.

It is quite frigid today… only in the low 20s! It seems so weird to think just last week it was pushing the low 70s, and today I’m bundled up and making lots of hot tea to stay warm (should I admit to the fact that I had four cups of tea before noon?! Oh my!!). Before it got so icy-cold, I did wear my “new” cardigan I refashioned! The pictures are a little odd, and I look rather serious (I was trying not to grin like an idiot! hehe!), but here I am sporting my revived cardigan!

I also have been working in snippets of time that I eke out on the Annabelle paperdoll. My fingers are slowly starting to remember how to paint, hold a brush comfortably, and manipulate the paints. Its so calming for me to just sit at my desk, perched on my stool and concentrating on the light washes of color as I build up shadows and depth. I can let my mind wander a bit, or just listen to music (Iron and Wine, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Be Good Tanyas are in heavy rotation these days)!

Thank you all so much again for your feedback last week on Vintage Monday features! I’ve uploaded the first one this week, which is the beaded necklace that I mentioned. I really want to try my hand at making one of these; if only because I think it would be a great way to use up the beads I’ve been collecting and hoarding for years! hehe. You can click on the image above, which is to the little preview image on my Flickr, or view and print off this large version! I wish I could offer it as a .pdf download, but alas–I only have Adobe Reader. So hopefully it isn’t too teeny-tiny when printed!

Have a lovely Monday, my friends!! I’m off to do some cleaning and reorganizing in my room (my “early spring cleaning” fever has hit!)…

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

Watercolors! How I love thee! Let me count the ways…

Suffice to say right now I’m having a love affair… of the art supply sort, of course!! My brand-spankin’-new tube watercolors are so gorgeous an I’m quite entranced with how beautifully they mix and apply. I had forgotten what a joy it is to work with really high-quality materials (I admit it: I tend to buy “student grade” for a lot of my art-application classes, which means that at the end of the semester I don’t keep much of anything because its so cheap!). And oh! The color theory class I took waaay last spring is really starting to pay off… After consulting with Blaze about what colors she uses, I decided to go with the primaries (in warm and cool hues), black and white. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get the exact color I want, but I am not quite as afraid of mixing as I used to be.

[ nothing to do with watercolors... just some new knitting I'm eager to get started on! ]

And may I also be allowed a few sentences to wax poetic over my new paintbrush! I splurged and got a very, very nice, natural bristle liner, and am having a ball using it. It holds the point so much nicer than even the natural bristle brushes I’ve bought at Michael’s over the years. I definitely know what I’m saving my pennies for!

Enough art-supply obsessing. I’m sure I’ve bored the majority of you to death! lol! Here is this week’s Vintage Monday inspiration. Again, it’s the 1840s (I promise we’ll move onto another decade next week!!), but I just love the lines of these garments… so elegant!!

I need an opinion about the Vintage Monday feature. I know everyone loves the pretty, vintage fashion images. But would anyone be interested in occasionally (maybe once-a-month at most) having a “how-to” article from a vintage source posted? I have loads of needlework and craft instructions from the ‘20s and ‘30s, and would be more than happy to share them! (Some are really quite interesting: like weaving your own bird cage, or knitting a long, flapperesque necklace!!) Please comment and let me know your opinion…

Off to get into some sort of creative trouble or another! Have a lovely Monday, my friends!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

Thank you all for your sweet encouragement and sharing in the excitement at my “super-secret” graphic design comission! I was approached about a month ago by the ever lovely G. of Vintage Indie about doing a banner redesign for the blog. I was delighted to do this: it is just the sort of thing to use what I’ve learned in all the graphic design classes I’ve been taking for the past two years! She unveiled it on Saturday, so now I can share it with you all.

*dances about*

Besides working away on that, I’ve been sewing… again. I think its the time of year; for some reason I simply cannot get enough sewing! I found some pretty-ish cotton at JoAnn’s the other day, and started work on one of my vintage dress patterns. (Is it just me or does this stripy pattern remind one of Marjorie’s delightful patterns in her artwork?) Of course, I needed to spend time doing the requisite adjustments (drat!), but it is turning out rather fetching, I think! I fancy myself wearing it come May, with one of my lacy slips peeking out, and maybe a flower tucked in my hair? Still needs a hem, but almost there–though it is far too cold to be wearing a short-sleeved frock!

I’m off to do some knitting on that wee elephant I’ve been slowing working on. I need to finish it asap too… the little girl its for is coming home soon! Eeep! Have a lovely evening!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

What originally was supposed to just be cutting out the skirt turned into an evening spent sewing! Somehow, that happens more often than not… hehe! There was a minor hiccup at the outset though: I was about 1/2 yard short for the wrap skirt. So after some pondering (and going through my pattern boxes to see if there was anything else that suited the weight of this wool), I decided to just eliminate the back wrap. An easy adjustment, that preserved the elegantly-curved waistband that drew me to this pattern. It is deliciously warm and delightfully bright… just what I need to chase away the winter blues! (Still needs a hem, but I need to procure some hem tape.)

I’m rather put out right now because I can’t ink my little w.i.p. that I showed the other day. My favorite inking pen is all used up, and although I purchased another recently, I came home to find the tip bent and dried out!! What use is a dried-up pen?! lol. But because of the snow yesterday (and rather treacherous conditions on the road period), I haven’t been able to get out and procure another pen. Miss. A. is waiting rather impatiently to be inked. She keeps making little comments whenever I catch sight of her. I’m sure its rather vexing being in such a state of uncertainty!

I must away… I’ve got a long laundry list of things to finish before L. and I go on an ice skating date!! Hooray!! Have a lovely weekend!

♥ inspiration [ twenty-two ] ♥
♥ 9 ways to cultivate creativity
♥ classic children’s book illustrations [ via ]
♥ beautiful paper dolls!!
♥ I could look at these all day long…
♥ a cute idea for your Valentine sweets!! [ via ]

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

p.s. I just wanted to say thank you to G. for the lovely interview up at Vintage Indie today!!

The weeks are just flying by already… it seems hard to believe that I start back to classes tomorrow!! *sigh* My little “hiatus” from school was fun, but I knew it would come to and end sometime. hehe!

Look what the postman dropped in my mailbox today! This sweet little pink, mouse brooch from the always-whimsical Marjorie!! I’m so delighted with her–I can’t wait to wear this with my green and pink cardigan refashion. Though my Mr. Bunny pendant (also from Marjorie) will have to vacate his spot pinned beneath the eyelet cockade…

Sketching has been forefront lately… my mind is just swimming with ideas! My latest little fancy… though she is very much still in progress and needs to be transferred to some board and painted!

Look what I treated myself to the other day while I was at Borders: the February/March issue of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion! I love this magazine anyway, but this is always my favorite issue because its the yearly artists’ studio tour feature! I’m always inspired by the beauty artists surround themselves with, their philosophy on art and the artist, how they got started… I just want to cut this issue to pieces and stick the images in my notebook!! But I have a “no cutting” policy with ME Home Companion (I have stacks of back issues!), so I just keep paging through again and again. Such a wonderful way to refill and refresh my creativity!

Here is this week’s Vintage Monday Feature! I’m still stuck in the 1840’s (though that isn’t a bad thing!), and keep returning to the patterns, colors and lines of the decade:

Have a lovely Monday, my dears!! I’m off to knit and draw some more… ta-ta!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

Wow… I am utterly speechless at your generous, sweet, and encouraging words after my last post!! I worried for so many months (I’ve been writing that post since late October) about how to put everything that has been percolating in my head. My biggest concern was addressing the eating disorder; I didn’t know the best way to simply say it. I am so humbled and thankful for your kindness… I had a tears in my eyes when I opened up my email to find my inbox flooded with your comments. (My sincerest apologies that I cannot respond to each one individually… but please know that I appreciate your reaching out from the bottom of my heart!) I wish I could give you all a big hug!!

And thank you too for the wonderful feedback on the sweater revamp! I had lots and lots of fun reworking it and adding the new trim–probably too much fun! lol! It just goes to remind me that even a little bit of something here or there can do wonders on an old standby (or in this case, a rather plain-Jane basic)! One just has to be willing to open your imagination to the endless ideas and possibilities. Allow them to flood in, fill your mind up, get excited! Never to dismiss something because it doesn’t fit “convention” or seems too hard or outlandish; no idea is ever totally useless!! Even years later I go back through my sketchbooks, and sometimes ideas that I didn’t use then strike a chord now! One never knows where the next bit of imagination will hit…

Speaking of inspiration, I have been busy at work on my latest art print!! I’ve been working on this piece for about a month now (off and on, of course!), and am happy to announce that I just got the beautiful prints back, and they are now listed in the Shoppe. Please hop on over to take a peek at the Wonderland Balloon print!

Finally, I’ll leave you with a list of Inspiration Friday links. The internet has been abuzz with some lovely ideas recently–my mind is just spinning with possibilities! Enjoy and have a lovely, restful, and creative weekend my friends!

♥ inspiration [ twenty-one ] ♥
♥ gala’s guide to setting amazing goals!
♥ beautiful photography collaboration at fresh pears
♥ knit a stylish, thick and cozy cowl
♥ inspiring interview with crafting hero jenny hart
♥ tips and tricks to a successful, unique wardrobe
♥ miss anna’s adorably winterish outfit!
♥ the nubby twiglet guide to making a press kit
♥ camilla engman’s guest blog @ d*s [ via ]

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

The past three days have been an incredible blessing to me–just what I needed to get the holidays really started out right! Warning: I will gush for the remainder of this paragraph! It started Saturday when L. made a surprise visit! He’d been gone since the beginning of the month, and we’d really only been able to email each other for the past two weeks; according to his schedule we wouldn’t have seen each other until the end of this week. That was, until he got an extra 24 hours of shore leave and suddenly was at my front door, in his dress blues (he looked mighty fine, I might add!), with a bouquet of roses and a lily for me!! Of course, this is all without telling me that he was coming or had the extra time… so I think the first words out of my mouth were something along the lines of scolding him for coming up (because I figured he’d have to turn right back around and make the 4+ hour drive back!). lol. I wasn’t mad for very long though… and it felt like Christmas came a wee bit early! (End of gushing!)

Yesterday I met up with my friends Jenny-Rose and her sister. We hadn’t seen each other in awhile–since last December! So we met at a Starbucks, got our drinks of choice, and then proceeded to gab for nearly four hours! So much to catch up on… so much to say… I really don’t feel like we even began to cover everything that has gone on. But it was good to see them again, and have some good “girl friend chat-time”. Afterwards, since traffic was so bad (its nearly Christmas after all!), I decided to kill some time and stop by Anthropologie… because you know I just had to! I came away with these four pink mugs and a pale pink glass knob for my closet door. All for the grand sum of $3.75… because I had about $10 left on a gift card from last Christmas. Hooray for Anthropologie sales!

I have been drawing, scheming, cutting out, stitching, and dreaming up all the new goodies I’m making for the Shoppe. And putting together some little Christmas gifts for friends:

I dreamed these little stars up late last week and managed to have my act together enough to photograph all the steps as I went along! (Is that a gasp of shock and surprise I hear?! lol!!) So the tutorial will be going up tomorrow; perfect for very last minute holiday decoration-making! What I’m most excited about with this project is the endless variations of decorations and the like… the more versatile, the better in my book!

Oh, and if you requested a Christmas postcard, I sent the first batch out yesterday… so keep an eye on your mailbox! I hope you all are having a lovely Tuesday!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

[ a little something I put together last weekend. ]

We have two winners for the Holiday Giveaway! Congrats to Kierra and Jessica!! Thank you everyone who entered this little giveaway… be sure to keep your eyes peeled for another sometime after January 1.

It seems hard to believe that Christmas is really and truly just around the corner! My little schedule is becoming quite plump with things I need to do, presents that still need to be wrapped, last minute projects that need to be finished! And somewhere in there I need to start working on the January product line for the Shoppe! So, as a result, I’m going to be doing two things: First, the Shoppe will be closed December 15th through the 26th. The free shipping special has been extended through Friday, so be sure to take advantage of that if there are any little things you’d like in there right now!

[ pretty new thrift-find! ]

Secondly, I’m going to scale back on the amount of posting I’ve been doing; its becoming a wee bit too much, and I think the quality of the posts is more important that the quantity, don’t you? So, I’ll only be posting a few times a week. Hopefully that’ll also give me more time to respond to all your lovely comments and emails; I’ve been feeling so guilty that I haven’t had the time lately! And never fear, all my weekly “features” will still continue; just incorporated into my regular postings!

So, now that the business side of this post is out of the way, I’ve got a little snippet of a piece that I’ve almost finished:

[ Heartstrings, ink and watercolor on bristol. ]

I’ve had this piece in my head for weeks; it started out as a sketch on a corner of my sketchbook of two girls, and then it became a lady and gentleman, more in the theme of early portrait photographs where the sitters seemed quite distant. The Victorian ideal of how lovers were supposed to represent themselves in public situations is so different from the modern acceptance! Hence the averted eyes, grey palette and then burst of red in the center for good measure!

And look at this gorgeous card I got in the mail yesterday from Heather!! Isn’t is pretty–I love all the colors and the touches of embroidery! Thank you, Heather!!

♥ inspiration [ week nineteen ] ♥
♥ I wish I could go see this gorgeous exhibit! [ via ]
♥ the beautiful photography of janne peters [ via ]
♥ amy’s adorably-retroish holiday “candy cones”
♥ how to make your own aprons, from the 1940s! [ via ]
♥ a great, make-your-own-hoodie tutorial

Have a lovely afternoon, friends!!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]