Paper Pie

Vintage And Animals

Hi, meet our new puppy. He is kid-friendly and never barks. Isn't he the cutest?

Okay, okay, but this is one adorable and sweet book cover, don't you think? The Poky Little Puppy is just one of the many Little Golden Books that we have picked up for our baby girl. We got this one last week at the antique market. I had a huge collection of books when I was a kid, Little Golden Books, and others. I remember I had this plastic, orange Fisher Price record player and a bunch of books that included records and I would just listen to stories for hours and hours. Slowly, but surely we are building a collection of books for our girl too.

And slowly, but surely I am making some progress on the nursery/studio space. Vintage and animals, that is the very loose theme that I started out thinking about with this space. A lot of what we have done follows those two ideas, but we've also got some modern touches here and there. Not these vinyl stickers though, they are straight out of the late 60s and I could not resist them when I saw them at the market last week. They work in perfect with the other colors in the room.

Oh, well, this definitely fits the theme, don't you think? On the back of this sweet little lamb picture it reads:

This is a Magic Picture. It Glows in the Dark. After a short exposure to any light, portions of this picture will be luminous and visible in the dark. The darker the room the brighter the picture glows. Exposure to any light "recharges" the picture, and it will last indefinitely. The luminous material contains no radium, phosphorous or other poisonous material.

It still works! Isn't that amazing? It really does last indefinitely. And don't you think it is so nice that they let you know that it contains no poison material?

My mom sent us a package last week with a little dress and socks for Baby Scott to wear home from the hospital. She bought my sister's little girl the same dress in the hopes that someday her two granddaughters will save the dresses and their daughters will wear them home from the hospital. Sweet, don't you think? In with her package, she sent me three baby blankets that she found in my hope chest that is still in her house. One of them is an adorable crocheted afghan from when I was a baby. The one above she thinks was my grandmother's when she was a baby, that would have been in the 30s.

The blanket above was also my grandmother's. Isn't this little bonnet girl so cute? I can hardly stand it. I am so ready to meet our girl and I am just keeping myself busy around here, nesting and getting prepared. It seems like I have been pregnant for ages, but at the same time it seems pretty unbelievable that Ryan and I are about to become parents! There is no way that we can even begin to imagine what those first moments with her will feel like. Complete and utter endorphin-aided euphoria, I'm told.

Two For Tuesday

We were out and about at the antique market yesterday. What can I say? It is just one of my favorite things to do. Especially now as we are prepping the nursery. What fun! I just love the look, texture and implied history in old objects. Objects that have had a previous life. I also like natural materials rather than plastic, and a lot of baby stuff is made out of plastic. Yesterday, what started as an innocent trip to go out and find a couple of shelves, book ends and other assorted cuteness, turned into a retail blitz that lasted straight through the evening and even included dinner out. We started out here, and found a few things, but overall that place was a bit overwhelming. Then we went to Stars in Hermosa Beach and I found all kinds of great things including the shelf and little miss bookend above. After that, I decided that we really needed to get a rug for the nursery to soften and warm things up a bit.

So I heard that there were some nice, soft shaggy options at Target right now, and we headed over there. This rug is pretty nice quality for the price and I have to say, a lot better than what was available at Ikea. The cashier scolded us at length for buying a white rug when we were about to have a baby. I'm sure she probably has a point, but it was the one that I liked best. Plus, it's not like we are choosing between a college fund or a rug. It was pretty cheap. There you go; all that you ever wanted to know about the nursery-rug-buying process.

I've got some more goodies from yesterday to show you, so I will share those with you as they are put into effect here in the studio/nursery. Now, I need to start thinking about dinner. I am always amazed at how quickly that time of day rolls around. There are a lot of variables to consider when thinking up dinner; what do I feel like eating, what does Ryan feel like eating, what do we have, what is quick, what is healthy, what is tasty, etc. I love this cookbook that I bought a few months back and I love the idea and philosophy of a whole foods diet, it just takes more time, ya know? It's totally worth it though, I know that. Especially after all of that ice-cream last week!

Sewing Nook Saturday

See the new home I found for my samples of Sugar Pop? There is so much going on in the studio these days that I had to get creative with my space planning. This is my little sewing nook that now lives in the walk in closet across from Baby Girl's clothes and on the other side of the doorway from her changing table. Now I feel the need to paint the inside of the closet. Is that just crazy? Well, at least I have all of that space to hang some inspiration! See how we are all just nestled together in here like the best of friends? She will be surrounded by fabric and art and sewing machines from the very beginning so maybe the craft bug will bite her early. Or maybe not. Maybe she'll think it is all just a bunch of malarkey and study the solar system or trees or creative writing, that would be cool too! So the studio/nursery organization is humming right along. I'll keep ya posted.

Oh! I also wanted to tell you that I set up a Sugar Pop group on Flickr for all of your fabulous creations you'll be making this fall. I know it's kinda early, but like a true girl scout, I like to be prepared. I've even got the badge up in the right hand column over there. And don't forget the WonderFluff group, keep adding those photos! I love to see what you make! While I was poking around in the land of Flickr groups today, I found this one, isn't it great? Oh and this is one of my all-time faves. You gotta love Flickr, I can get sucked in over there for hours sometimes. Happy Weekend!

Making Room

Slowly but surely we are making progress on Baby Girl's spot in the house. She will be sharing my studio space with me and we have completely rearranged everything since I did this. Although, she is not the only one that I am making room for in the studio. There is another arrival coming very very soon.

Her crib is assembled. Her bunting from the shower is hung. And the most adorable mobile ever made is dangling in anticipation. I have grandiose plans to make some bedding for the crib in a few fabrics from Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley collection. Actually, I have many grandiose plans and I'll update you as I make progress. I need to hurry! Do you know today is exactly one month from my due date?

All of her itty bitty clothes are hanging in her closet. Her socks folded, her hats stacked neatly waiting to welcome her home. Her changing table is in front of the window so she can have a look out while we are dealing with her business. Do you remember what used to be in front of the window?

Yep, it was my sewing machine, which has now moved into the closet. I miss the view, but I must say, it's quite cozy in there. I'll show you that on a different day, I promise. So do you have any guesses about the other arrival that I am expecting? Any ideas about why the studio/nursery needs to get organized and why I need to find new space in here? Stay tuned for some very big news!

Miracle Flower

The other day Kalli and I went out to lunch at Forage, and afterward we stopped in this flower shop and she bought me a peony. Not just any peony, a miracle peony! Have you ever seen anything like it! This week I often found myself rushing around the house, trying to get things accomplished and then literally stopped in my tracks in jaw dropping awe to ponder this amazing flower. It is reassuring to see such beauty. To know that this thing exists in the world just has to put a smile on your face.

I mean . . .

Here she is today, floating and buttercream. I told Ryan I want one of these at the centerpiece of every table at our wedding. He said, "We are already married." I said, "Oh yeah."

Liz & Kalli #52 Reward

Who knew that it would take me weeks to post the very last Liz and Kalli Tuesday piece? Not me, chaos has just gotten the better of me lately and I have not given myself time to do the things that I truly enjoy. I know that is a big time no no. So hopefully you will see me around here a little more often from now on. The last word for our art project is reward. Liz's is on top and Kalli's is on bottom.

*Liz

For completing 52 weeks of the art project I bought myself these kicky and comfy sandals. For completing 3 weeks of over-activity I gave myself some time in the hammock. I am happy with both of these gifts to myself.

*Kalli

Here is my "reward" ribbon, meant for you to print out, color in with your favorite colors and hang on the wall to remind yourself that you are awesome! 

We should both color our own and hang them up so that we always remember our art project!

Liz & Kalli #50 Thread

Hi there! Sorry for the tardiness with this Tuesday art project. Both Ryan and I have been busier than ever. It seems hard to get to everything. You may notice that this is #50 for the Liz & Kalli art project. I can't believe that we have done 50 already! When we first set out on this project we thought we would try to stick with it for at least a year. We have! Actually it has been longer than a year but as you know, our pieces do not always make it to the blog on a weekly basis. Anyways, after #52 we are going to call the art project quits. BUT, we have a new project in store that I am very excited about. It's going to be quite fun, so stay tuned. So without further delay, let me tell you about our pieces this week. The word is thread, Liz's is on top and Kalli's is on the bottom.

*Liz

I bought this framed thread art piece when I first moved to California. I got it at the Salvation Army in Santa Monica. I like to think that it is a souvenir from someone's travels in Latin America. I love this piece, it is so vibrant and loud, it just makes me happy. Ryan hates it. I think he thinks it is tacky, but it's not. It's really not.

*Kalli

I just finished this necklace today, and attached an "in progress" photo. It's made with howlite stones dyed to look like turquoise, hand-knotted on silk and finished with sterling silver end bars and clasp. I've been wanting to do a classic-style, multistrand choker necklace with pearls, but I think this is younger and more appropriate for Spring and Summer.

Pretty, pretty and my favorite color.

Lilac Lovelies

Growing up in Michigan, almost everyone I knew had a Lilac bush. We did, and I knew that summer was just around the corner when I smelled their sweet scent. Imagine my delight when I found a bouquet at the grocery store this morning. I had no idea that Lilac could survive this climate, but it seems they are very drought tolerant. Another fun fact about Lilacs? They are loved by deer, which explains why they are so ubiquitous in Michigan.

Look What I Found In the Backyard

Little lavender lovelies were peeking over my neighbors hedge. Happy Soon-To-Be-Spring!

Liz & Kalli #45 Little

Hi there, it's Tuesday and time for the Liz and Kalli Tuesday Art Project. The word this week is little, as in small, tiny, of the pint-sized variety. Liz's is on the top and Kalli's is on the bottom.

*Liz

Here is my little breakfast or my petit dejeuner if I were in France. Baked goods two weeks in a row!? Perhaps once our weekly art project has run its course, maybe I can talk Kalli into doing a weekly baking project. Wouldn't that be fun? Just think how much more skilled we'd be after a year of that challenge. The photo above is of a little raisin pecan scone that I made this morning. I got the recipe from The Grand Central Baking Book (confession: the recipe was part of the content that Amazon let me scope out when I clicked to look inside.) I followed the recipe as written and opted to make 12 smaller scones instead of 6 jumbo-sized scones like you'd get if you were at the renowned bakery. I sprinkled some cinnamon on top along with turbinado sugar and they are quite a nice morning treat! They are very flaky and crumbly and I love them! I am definitely buying the book!

*Kalli

I found these little sterling charms that say hope and love and decided to make necklaces. The charms are paired up with either a crystal heart or a silver anchor (an old symbol of hope) and the lengths are adjustable. Little messages that go a long way.

I love those adorable necklaces Kalli. I'm pretty sure that little automatically equals adorable. Unless you are talking about fruit flies or termites or something like that.