[I'll be...]

for the next couple of days, so I'm wishing an early happy weekend to you all! I'm off to see my little brother get married so posts will be on and off for the next week. see you when I get back!

print by ara133 photography.

[art fix]

holly farrell's paintings are so great and so inspiring.

[true bloom]

another pretty picture.

[this makes me happy]

find it here.

[I heart this]

from emedemarta.

[more craftiness]

I'm working on a pillow to give my husband for Valentines Day (which he's already seen me working on). It has sort of become a humorous gift tradition for me to give him a pillow each V-day. Two years ago I gave him a pillow that said "Valentine" in felt letters. I loved it. He thought it was nice but saw through it...he knew it was really was a gift for myself (after all it was pink and not really something he would do much with). We got a good laugh out of it this year and now I think I'll make it a "gag" gift tradition. (Don't worry, I have something else up my sleeve for him).

[i have the craft bug]

there's always room in the world for one more softie right? i couldn't resist. i might only have boys but I have always wanted to make dolls. I have lots of little nieces however that are going to love their v-day treat from auntie mer.

[the new]

how much do I love thrift stores? so very much.

[how great is this?]

i love this in every way possible. found it here.

[so cute!]

darling valentine by suzy jack*.

[in love with the blog...]

I just found the blog Weekend Designer, and LOVE it. how great is it that the author shares patterns for fashions, accessories, and more? so all over it.

[wanting this book]

there are so many books out there that I want. this one is high on the list.

[handmade patterns for living by...]

Little A has his third birthday coming up in March and I have my eye on this Pirate Supply Kit, by Miss Natalie. So cute.and how about this adorable Growth Chart kit? My boys are growing like weeds. What a great way to keep up.

[more great sachets]

so elegant and simple. find them here.

[pretty pretty pictures]

purchase her prints here.

[art fix]

beautiful prints from etsy shop, groundwork. i want every single one of them.

[smitten with]

etsy shop, chez-sucre-chez, has the most exquisite hand stitched items. I'm simply smitten. I've been wanting to switch over to all cloth napkins (and do away with the paper ones) and I just can't get over how great these ones look.

[I want to snuggle up in all of these]

For a glorious brief week it was cold enough here in Southern California to cuddle up in a cozy quilt. I love quilts and I've just started to get my feet wet in the making of them. My little A is turning 3 this year and I want to make him a quilt that will fit a twin bed. Friend and fabulous painter/photographer, Jordan Daines, made the most darling little baby quilt. I love the pattern she came up with. I'm also head over heals for my friend Katie's simple modern quilt she made in only 24hrs! wow. These others are ones I've found while perusing the net and love them. I really want to make the zig zag one for myself.

1. jordan's quilt
2. katie's 24hr quilt
3. bookhou kids patchwork quilt
4. makebabystuff.com quilt contest entry
5. urban outfitters quilt
6. mountain peaks makebabystuff.com contest entry
7. loobylu scrappy doll quilt

[i love this]

from AMH Design. I've never really gotten into needle point but want to try it, starting with this. Brilliant.

[i'm starting to...]

how about you? i always love valentines day. it makes a dreary february light and lovely. etsy seller Apol Lejano-Massebieau, of lapomme, does this too with her handmade hearts and sachets. oh l'amour.

[art fix]

love this. find more of Ramis Kim's work here.

[organize your pantry with these]

I'm a sucker for attractive organization and am slightly obsessed with labels so when I saw these fantastic Matthew Mead creations in the latest Country Home I was more than smitten. So pretty. I would want to bake everyday if my pantry looked likes this. Download the labels for yourself here.

[these make me happy]

found at Burke Decor.

[If I were throwing a]

it would look something like this.
and I would do my hair and make up like this.

[sharing my current...]

What are some of your current design or fashion love affairs? Anything you hope to see more of in 2009?

[Merry Christmas!]

[finishing up last minute...]

I'm working hard in Santa's workshop to finish up my last minute gifts. I added these little guys to a couple of Old Navy shirts for my friend's little girls that are staying with us for the holiday. I'm so excited! So, in order for the rest of my family to have a Christmas I might have slow down a bit with my postings. Happy wrapping, shopping, eating, and partying to all!

[in love with mondo cherry's...]

This is such a great and EASY way to spruce up a brown paper package. I love it.

[who needs a...]

[Left stocking display from here's looking at me kid]

OK, I think most people, like myself, are a fan of real Christmas trees (or real "fake" trees at least) but if you have limited space or are traveling for the holidays (or even if you just want another tree in another room), then I think this tree decal idea is perfect. I also love these creative "mantle" solutions. If I were in a place where I could find a large, long branch, I would run out, paint it white and hang my stockings on it right now! (I also love the stockings themselves...I think I'm slightly obsessed with stockings right now...they are like pillows - you can never have too many of them. I have problems, I know).

[and the winners are...]

The winners from the Portrait Christmas Giveaway (chosen using randomizer.org,) are...drum roll please....
Kate Horowitz, of things written down...and...the biggie goes to...

Randi, of Life with Randi and Hudson. I will be emailing the winners later today to get things started. Thank you ALL for participating! It was so wonderful to hear all of your thoughts and stories about this time of year. It really lifted my spirits!

[I'll never tire of the idea of a...]

{above pics via cafe mom}

{above pic via the unicorn diaries}

Red and green are great and all, but these pics have me missing my pink tree and candy land decor.
I'm also loving these pink picks for the stocking:
1. pink smiling skull wool felt stocking by habitat
2. print of the Karen Klassen watercolor chair illustration
3. live love life journal
4. paper peony
5. striped metallic scarf