everything old is new again

It's funny that those old photos we thought were of such poor quality are desirable again.  You can find Polaroid cameras for sale and the photographs show up on blogs and in publications.  It's not even necessary to own the camera (although that would be fun) there are great apps that allow you to choose "1977" among other things as the filter.  It's nice to have such accessible tools that allow more people to be creative and personalized.

etsy

I can't say enough good things about etsy.  It was a great discovery over three years ago and I have found so many unique and creative items for gifts as well as for our home.  From original artwork to jewelry to vintage items it is a fabulous resource and I love supporting artisans in their work.  Interesting key fobs are fun to own and make finding keys so much easier.  Recently, there was a really cute one listed on ebay but my bid wasn't high enough to win the fob.

So, I contacted leatherprince on etsy and showed them the photo.  They created a custom order for me for less than half the price and here are the results.

So cute! Can't wait to start using it :)

A note on custom orders~etsy has suspended the Alchemy section but I hope they bring it back.  It was such a great way for buyers and sellers to be creative and have original items made.

Rendering

Classes have started up again and for the first time I'm taking three at one time.  Rendering is an elective and the instructor is an amazing French architect.  What has surprised me is the amount of homework and how many supplies are needed for this class.  It has been a long time since I took an art course, it's a great reminder of "the more you learn, the less you know."  Even though I feel a bit overwhelmed, the class is enjoyable and makes us all stretch.

my homework

 the instructor's samples

10 secrets to a charmed life by Miles Redd

love this list from designer Miles Redd which appeared in Matchbook Magazine~think I'll try some chia seeds, I'd love a screen for my living room and I might even iron my pillowcases!  have to admit #10 is my favorite ;D

mercury glass pendant lamps

Mercury glass is so lovely and vintage feeling.  These two lamps from Anthropologie are wonderful and I love the warm glow when lit.

The Spade's Home

These were published in December 2010 by The Selby.  I thought I had posted them before, but couldn't find them in my archives.  For me, the apartment is perfection.  Lots of art, stacks of books, wood burning fireplace, black and white checked kitchen floor with a fabulous gas stove, layers of meaningful and interesting objects . . . what an amazing and creative duo!

love the rotary phone too :)

Matchbook Magazine

Today is the launch of Matchbook Magazine, an online lifestyle publication celebrating classics~shaken and stirred. :) Or a field guide to a charmed life.  I am so excited!  The three women who founded and edit this publication are Katie Armour, Jane Lilly Warren and Fallon Hogarty.  Even their names are fabulous.  Katie authors a blog entitled the Neo-Traditionalist, which I came upon because of her wonderful Plucky Pioneers series profiling creative women in the design world.  Jane is a graphic designer and has a wonderful blog entitled lox papers.  I love everything she posts. Fallon's blog is called a lovely being, I read that she attended college very close to my hometown.  I love a midwestern connection.  Cannot wait to see what these talented women have in store for their readers~congratulations to them for pursuing their dream!