Dreamland

Recycled Friday.

 
 
I sewed this wool coat two years ago, but hardly wore it because 1) I didn't get around to sewing the buttons on the front; 2) last year fall lasted about two weeks; and 3) it got buried in my closet. With that wide lapel, having buttons turned out to be essential, and now it is a very comfortable coat to wear...perfect for the farmer's market on a Saturday morning.

Introducing...

 
...Purnah.  My new friend, coworker, confidante.  Before I even took her out of the box, I started a short list of names:  something to inspire me, something sassy, something out of the ordinary; a name that can be exclaimed in excitement or whispered conspiratorially.  This summer we read a couple of books by Howard Whitehouse and were deeply enamored with the character of Purnah, even a little sad that we had to say goodbye to her.  (In J's words, she's "spirited."  Perfect.)

Although she'll eventually make her home here in my studio, for now she's wearing a fall coat (which I'll share tomorrow) and standing guard in the living room -- where she did startle my husband when he went to get the newspaper yesterday morning.

Should it stay or should it go?

 

When my niece was visiting this weekend, I had to get something from my closet while she was sleeping, and my closet is in the guest room.  (When we moved here ten years ago, we both preferred the little bedroom with the bay window -- and only one closet -- to the bigger master bedroom with two closets.  So the master bedroom became the guest room/my husband's office/the "craft shop.")  Now, two weeks ago it would have been a problem to get into my closet; boxes of old clothes and books and shoes were piled three feet deep on the floor.  And I share space in there for F's dress clothes (since his bedroom doesn't have any closet, oh those Victorians!).  And the suitcases are stored there.  And it's really not that big of a closet in the first place (though those crazy Victorians did trim out the insides of their closets with pretty woodwork).

So a week and a half ago I went to town on cleaning my closet.  I didn't even set a timer and tell myself I only had to clean for 30 minutes.  I spent the whole afternoon.  I actually started with my dresser -- since we got a new dresser (an Amish dresser in a Victorian bedroom!) and I hadn't actually gone through my old dresser yet.  I held up every single piece of clothing and said,

Is this who I want to be?

 

My old dresser: empty. My closet: so spare I can walk inside while my niece is sleeping, shut the door, and turn on the light.

What's left is all the things I want to wear -- plenty for me, but meager by American standards.  I don't think I have double digits of anything; less than 10 pairs of pants (including jeans, my daily uniform), less than 10 t-shirts, less than 10 sweaters (including sweatshirts).

Two days later I made a list (and yes, enjoyed it immensely) of every time I need to wear clothes: working at home, meeting with customers, co-working with the Magic Wand Collective, teaching Sunday school, it was a long list.  But I realized almost everything I do can be accommodated with one of three "uniforms".  Honestly, I felt almost giddy for figuring this out.  And relieved.  And satisfied with the pieces I already have, in my pared-down closet.

Quote of the Week No. 18.

 

This week's quote is available for purchase here.

I have been updating my A to Z book, and you'll find some of those quotes here over the next few Mondays.  (They are some of my favorites, after all.)  I'll also be sharing the new A to Z pages after I get a little farther along.

And thank you for all the orders on my etsy-versary!  I was busy enjoying a visit from my niece Lauren, who just started college an hour away from here.  I hope she'll visit more!

One-day sale!

 
Today I'm celebrating three splendid years on etsy with a one-day-only sale:  use discount code 3YEARS at the etsy checkout to get 30% off any one in-stock item at lettergirl.  *Valid 9/23/11 only; cannot be applied to custom orders.  Enjoy!

Patterns.

I've been dwelling on patterns lately -- where ideas come from, how to develop them, how to integrate patterns + words.  Nature seems the best place to start.  My study of tree rings in reverse applique:

 
 

Quote of the Week No. 17 + Giveaway Winners.

 

This week's handwritten quote is available for purchase here.

Drumroll please...the winners of last week's giveaway are:

The lanterns, the dragonflies, and the Eiffel Tower :) I couldn't pick one!

Posted by: chel

I really like the acorn & leaf one from today (but think all your stuff is amazingly fantastic!), but I think maybe by the wording it's funeral-related and thus it seems a bit weird to say it's my favorite. But I'm big on leaves and acorns and all things fall!
Happy (nearly) anniversary once again!
Enjoy the weekend!
Shana

Posted by: shana

I really like the grad announcement! It's so unique and really pretty!!!

Posted by: Maggie

My favorite is the quote "to love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides". It is one of my all time favorites! (the Eiffel Tower is a close second!)

Posted by: Jill

It is so hard to choose loved the Eiffel Tower, flowers and the names around the letter C and the stars.

Posted by: Shannon 

Please email me to claim your prize:  lettergirl66{at}gmail{dot}com.  Be sure to include your mailing address.  And thanks to all who entered!

My fall newsletter is on the way tomorrow -- with not one, but two sales and a free download.  Enjoy!

Recycled Week Giveaway.

I have just a few more random bits of stationery to share:

 
 
 
 
 

 
As I mentioned on Monday, I'm in the process of weeding out a lot of extra stuff in my studio.  Want to help me?  Just leave a comment on today's post telling me which was your favorite stationery piece from all the photos this week.  I've got five sweet little grab bags to give away, and I'll draw the winners on Monday morning.  Enjoy your weekend!

Recycled Week: Holiday.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 

Recycled Week: Babies.