paper garlands are classic- christmas mantle 2013

I really can't quite believe it's Christmas time again. It seems like we just took down the tree from last year like 3 months ago.

This year I am inspired by the amazing and intricate work of various paper cut artist.

I hand cut the village and trees. I ended up buying the sleigh and reindeer because, well, I saw them and it saved me some time. I also bought the snow flakes.  Everything including the black and red paper used to create the silhouette and garlands is available at Paper Source, a.k.a. One of the Happiest Places on Earth.

new dates for Kenya

Hey guys.

In case you were wondering, we did change the dates of our Kenya trip. Please go to the Vagabond Creative website and check out all the details. We have put together a once in a lifetime, amazing trip. You can see all the details on the site.

If you are interested, don't delay because we only have a limited amount of slots left to fill.

Here's hoping we see you in Kenya 2014!!!

schmancy halloween dinner party

Small plates are from Pottery Barn. Pumpkin bowls are from Linen N Things. Wooden treat coffins are available at Michael's Craft.

My Mr. Fox painting got a halloween update for the party.

Candelabra is from Joann's Fabrics. Bottle labels are all part of the Witch's Larder printables.

See's candy fit perfectly in each little coffin.

The best part was the company.

specimens & curious findings

I am planning a very special Halloween dinner for later this month. All my guests are flying in from out of town so I wanted the invitations to be extra special.  The theme of the party is Specimens & Curious Findings. I added in a little "specimen" gummy snake to each invitation box. Ben and I are working out the menu.

The decorating is under way.

I finally got to bring out Lily and Oscar, the art dolls I made special for the mantel decor this year.

I thought it would be fun to share the invites with everyone.  I also created place cards to use at the dinner party. Scribble your guests names on them in scratchy script and they will look great. You can click the download button under the images to download.

The poem is an excerpt from Shakespeare's Macbeth. The bottom is in Latin and reads: 

The one safety for the vanquished is to abandon hope of safety.

I hope you enjoy! If you use them, please tag me in your twitter or Instagram photos! I'd love to see what you do.

Download these printables here.

Atelier East Collection

Introducing Secondsister's newest design collection Atelier East. Most items are one of a kind, so if you see something you like, don't delay!

Start Shopping!

Enjoy!

April

the pemberley collection

I guess it's no secret that I've sorta kinda given up blogging. For now. Maybe forever. Maybe not.

I don't know yet.

But I haven't given up all my busy little projects I do to keep my life happy and healthy. No, not at all.

In fact, I have been quite busy.

This new collection of digital patterns, brushes and elements came from my deep love for Jane Austen and the literary worlds she created.  I think they would be great for making cards or party printables. I envision book club invites and art journaling pages.

All of the collection is orginal hand drawn sketches. There are 20 digital brushes (or stamps- whatever you like to call them) available. I created 6 patterns that mix and match. The elements file contains 11 separate watercolor images and 2 watercolor banners.

These graphics make great blog bling!

The entire collection can be purchased as a package or each file separately under the "Shop Digital Art" button at the top of the blog. Please make sure you read through the terms and conditions before buying the art to make sure that it is suitable for use regarding your particular project.

vagabond creative society

Friends.

Hello there.

I want to tell you about one of the projects I've been working on behind the scenes of Suaviloquy.

Mindy Gledhill and I decided that our trip to Morocco last year was such a big success we really need to do it annually.

We have been working together with our husbands, to form our new partnership, Vagabond Creative Society.

Our mission is to inspire people to tap into their own brand of creativity and use that creativity to life fuller, happier lives.

We have planned our next creative retreat for April of 2014.

Vagabond Creative Society presents:

The trip we are planning is going to be amazing. We have incorporated a service project this year that we are really excited about. We will also be spending a couple days on safari and meeting with the Masai people. We will have workshops and shopping and all the the fun of being on the beach.

Please check out our new website. If you are interested in joining us in April, please send an email.  Registration opens today. Space is limited.

friendship garland

My daughter has so many cute friends, but unfortunately not many of them live close to us.

I decided to make her something to help her feel closer to her girlfriends that live far away.  I saw a paper doll garland on Pintrest that sparked an idea.

This garland was super simple and cheap to make.  The most expensive part was the fabric stiffener I used to make the dolls stand upright.  I used scraps of fabric for the dresses.  One important thing, as I have said before, is to use good felt. I have a local quilt shop that sells quality felt. Search one out. It will make a lot of difference in your end product.

Top roll:

Charley, Patterson, Ivy

Bottom roll:

Eloise, Amelie, Emerson

the woodland project

I have been painting lately.

To be more specific, I've been painting woodland animals.  I'm working on a collection. It's a project.

What it really is is a distraction. Because, you see, lately I've felt a little inundated with bad news. Stressful news.  It doesn't help that I'm a bit of a news junky. I read every little bit of bad news out there. And we all know how the media just loves to make every thing dooms day.

I should just stop reading the news. But then I would feel uninformed. So I read.

So I'm painting woodland animals.

Because they are innocent and not at all scandalous.

And fluffy.

I think I'll paint a squirrel next.

love is a many splendored thing, and it's free

Free download here.

2013

1. creativity bubbles, 2. ♥ Txuster, 3. In white, 4. fuzz, 5. 119.365, 6. ei phais hi, 7. ., 8. perfect little white things, 9. enter softly

Here's to a great new year.

Here's to laughing hard, eating well, living creatively and throwing caution to the wind.

Here's to being compassionate and understanding and living in peace.

Here's to hard work.

Here's to seeing through the crap to what is really important.

Here's to holding onto hope.

Here's to all of you and the love and friendship you have shown me.