While traveling through Venice last month, I was struck by the Islamic influence on the city’s architecture. Such lovely peaks and curves, so unique to that culture.
Today, I made a pattern from the doodles I did on the train from Venice to Florence. Introducing “Venice.”
Talk to me if you’d like to use this pattern somewhere.
I’ve been working extrariffic-hard on a project, to the point of near brain burst, so when SparkyFirePants posted this contest today, I couldn’t resist the diversion. I’ll show you what I sent in, but let me show you the progression. 
Here’s his original photo:
I cut him out:
I made a pattern with him:
Then I thought, well, hm, that’s sure boring. And kind of obvious. Let’s be different. And then I noticed the shapes created by the Not David parts were kind of… cool. And we have our pattern.
Wah-lah! I think it kind of looks like chandeliers hanging up-side down and right-side up.
*Coming soon to Spoonflower
Available as a card on Cafepress and as a print on Etsy.
I could definitely be persuaded to update the colorways on these for specific uses. Talk to me.
FTC disclosure: if you buy my stuff, I make money.
Ha. Actually had a college boy-interest say that to me once. There was a reason. 
Dear blog-readers, I’ve not kept up with you – I’m sorry! I’ve been traveling, first to my family for Thanksgiving, then to Oregon to see friends and family. My Google Reader has over 300 unread items! I can’t wait to see what everyone has been up to. And I am on the hunt for Christmas table setting ideas, presently.
This is also partly why I’ve been absent. We moved into our house October 26th and the chipper bird in me offered to have the Big Family Christmas Dinner at our new house. I’ve been a tornado of painting and decorating since. It’s our first house (every wall was hospital white – ack!) and I want the Grand Unveiling-Slash-Christmas to be just perfect. Today, I will be putting the finishing touches on all the painting projects, applying the final coat on the refinished china cabinet, and rearranging the living room. Hobby Lobby & Home Depot, here I come!
On top of trying to channel Martha the last few weeks, I’ve been working. Two (TWO!) lines of Christmas cards, a few patterns, a tutorial, tons and tons of sketching and I have a major-huge project next week. No, I do not take any drugs. But I drink an inordinate amount of coffee. And I don’t sleep…much.
So my fine feathered friends, as I have nothing of my own to show you, I’d like to point out some really juicy bits I’ve seen on other blogs (no particular order, no particular category).
OK kids, I’m off to Home Depot & Hobby Lobby. (Let’s hope DH isn’t reading this.) Enjoy your day!
Check out my interview on sparkyfirepants.com! Fun questions, fun answers, and my very own recipe for the *perfect* PB&J.
Thanks, David, for a super-fun conversation!
Hello! I’ve been busy tonight (yeah, yeah, I should sleep…I don’t even know what that means anymore!). This pattern collection has been bouncing around in my head for so long, I couldn’t let it go. Introducing: Linoak.
Click here to see the whole collection. Enjoy!
While staying at my grandma’s this summer, I was drawing while we watched TV, and she asked what I was doing. It was really just a page of doodles, but she honed in on one in particular. Her first name is Alice (she goes by Ann), so I named the collection after her.
Contact me for licensing options.
My husband’s grandmother passed away earlier this year, taking us to Illinois for the weekend. One task before the family was sorting through her possessions. We went to her house and despite the sadness of the situation, were filled with delight as we looked through her things. I’m always looking for visual inspiration, and her stuff sent my hungry creativity into overload. Here are some things I photographed:
“Everyone loves Carnation’s economy, of course. But what a bonus it is to find that Carnation brings superior goodness to cooking!”
It is cheaper in the long run to buy one good item made by a reputable manufacturer than two of questionable quality? Ask these questions: 1. Is it colorfast? 2. Is the color affected by light? 3. Is it pre-shrunk? 4. Is the finish permanent? 5. Does it have a close weave? If the garment carries the “Certified Washable Seal” of American Institute of Laundering, you’ll know it has passed exacting tests for launderability, shrinkage, color-fastness and numerous other qualities. © 1961, American Institute of Laundering
Gorgeous design on a candy box.
Tested Milnot Recipes for Thrifty Cooking. Because no one wants untested milnot.
Little piece of wrapping paper, framed. I love this little 1960s bird!
She did a lot of needlepoint. My favorites were the ones with lots of color and curls.