THE PEACHIEST MAIL INDEED

I srtolled down to my mailbox today, just like any other ordinary day, thinking about what will await me inside that black, metal box. Bills, junk mail, various catalogs--nothing too exciting.
But, look what I found inside, on this fine September day, among the bills and pizza flyers! I was giddy with delight!
My very own copy of Dottie Angel's new book, the second in the Suitcase Series from Uppercase.
I couldn't get inside my door fast enough, to see and touch it in person---I have been anticipating it's arrival for the longest time.

The cover and the back are very tactile with thread and fabric. LOVE!

And look at the goodies that were included if you pre-ordered the book. Vintage buttons, thread, a beautiful fabric scrap, a doily bit and the sweetest little postcard.

LOVE LOVE!

And then....I opened it. The smell---that wonderful book smell---do you know what I'm talking about?

Then, I flipped through the pages ever so briefly just to take a tiny peek.

LOVE LOVE LOVE...

and LOVE some more.

I cannot wait to sit down in my favorite chair with a cup of tea and savor each and every page, for Dottie Angel has been a true inspiration to me for a long long time.

It truly is a beautiful book, one to cherish forever. A perfect souvenir for Kelli to keep in a special spot in her studio.

Congrats to Uppercase and to Tif Fussel for creating such a Peachy Book!

I will be back very soon to share photos of my various Summer projects.

SUMMER SCENES

Wow! Our Summer flew by so quickly. It has been a lovely one, full of memories to last a lifetime.

The kids go back to school on Wednesday--already! For me, it's bittersweet. I'll miss them, but it will be good to get back to a regular routine, with much more time to get things done around the house as well as much needed time to work in my poor neglected studio.

I have many photos to share with you. But, instead of long, in depth detail of each, I'll let the photos tell the story.

Goodbye Summer---see you next year.

A Very Kelli Journal

Thought I would share the latest finished project from my studio, on this very hot humid Monday.
I received a sketchbook from Chloe, for Mother's Day, full of glorious thick, textured, watercolor paper. I decided it needed a cover, that has "Me" written all over it!
The book is small enough that I can fit into my tote along with my favorite markers and pencils. I love that I can take something to doodle in, wherever I go.
Sketching or doodling is one of the things I wanted to get back into this year. I have fallen out of practice, and have forgotten how much I love to do it. I have never considered myself very good at drawing. I just find it fun and relaxing---it's right up there with stitching!

For the cover, I used a mix of vintage and new fabric that I had in my stash. The bird pieces you see on the front and back are from my good friend, Hope. She knows I like birds. They worked perfectly for this project.
I didn't have a plan at all, when I started, I just added bits and pieces that I loved. I even added a pocket on the back!

The photo below is of the inside front flap.

And here is the back flap. I'm still practicing my free motion embroidery on my sewing machine.

I thought I would also share the few pages I have started on, inside. The photo below is of a page I had a lot of fun with. Not a whole lot of doodling, but I think that is OK too. I have a thing for pretty paper and love to use it whenever I can. I started the page with a rose cut from fabric, and sewed it to paper. I then added other bits of paper that I like. I left room for writing---which I will fill in---someday.

Here, I added an old book page that I had doodled on.

The page below, was inspired by this quote from Mark Twain. Love the quote so much, I'm adding it to my quilt as well.

Last, but not least, are my doodled elephants. On one beautiful day, a couple weeks ago, my girls and I sat outside at the patio table and doodled together. We had all our markers, crayons and pencils spread about, filling up the whole table....
And I was loving every minute of it!

New Memoir Keepers

Just stopping in to let you know that I have restocked the shop with new Memoir Keepers.

Two of them are much thicker with 192 plain pages to doodle, sketch or write to your hearts content.

I truly enjoy creating the Memoir Keepers. I hope you like them too!

I hope to have new Posie Pockets and Strands available soon soon soon.

Summer with the kids is already passing by too quickly.

Sigh...so many things to do---so little time.

Have a grand 4th of July weekend, everyone. May your bbq or picnic taste extra yummy, your drink simply refreshing and your fireworks extra dazzling!

A SUMMER PROJECT

Just look at this lovely bouquet of yummy colors. Summer inspired threads to add to my new summer project.

All of these goodies (which make me giddy everytime I look at them) will be used in my Summer project, inspired by this very creative person. I will be working on a quilt. Something of an heirloom to hopefully pass on to my kids someday. I will be hand stitching, free embroidery with the help of Miss Mabelle, adding pretty little bits and bobs of fabric, doilies, hankies and dresser scarves all on a base of pillow cases sewn together. I have already started with the little horse you see in the photo. Abby sketched her famous horse in her own little Abby style and I stitched it into a palomino (her favorite kind of horse). Then I snipped small circles from a favorite dress of hers when she was little, and stitched them around the doily. The doily will then be sewn onto the quilt wherever it may suit my fancy at the time.

I have many ideas floating in my head---things I would like to add to the quilt. Maybe a few favorite quotes or stitchings to remember special family events or moments. Kinda like a memoir of our family that we can wrap around ourselves and snuggle with.

I'm guessing it might take me a little longer than the summer. But, this is one project I really want to see to the end. Sometimes I start something with good intentions then life gets so busy and my good intentions get pushed to the back burner.

My very good friend, Cammy, is going to do one as well. We made a deal to keep each other in line and stitch together. Now that it is summer, it is something we can both make time for.

I'm REALLY looking forward to it.

Can't wait to dig in and get stitching.

What summer projects are you working on?

ART JOURNAL E-COURSE and GIVEAWAY

My good pal Hope, is doing it again. She is offering another amazing art journaling e-course.

I'm so lucky to be able to see Hope's journals in person when we get together. I love her journals. They have a simple, fun, yet elegance to them. I love how she uses very few supplies and how she always carries them with her wherever she goes. I love that when the three of us get together, Hope will pull out her journal and favorite pen---doodle or letter while we chit chat. And no matter where we go, whether it's lunch, out for coffee or exploring a new shop, she always gathers a napkin, business card, or tag to tape in, or slide into a secret pocket.


If you find a bit of free time, grab a cold drink, a comfy chair and take a peek at Hope's journals. They are simply amazing.

Check out her new e-course. If you sign up before the course starts(June 20, 2011), you'll receive a very fun free gift. ( I have one--and it's one of my favorites)

Also, if you sign up before the course ends (July, 31, 2011), you will be entered to win this Memoir Keeper made by me. My Moleskine cahier cover (includes the notebook) is made with vintage a new materials.

RAINY DAY GARDEN

Hello everyone!
It is a very wet and rainy day, today. But, I could not resist some garden photos.
We started a veggie garden this year with radishes and lettuce. I LOVE the French Breakfast variety. They make a great radish sandwhich, but are also tasty, just plain with a sprinkling of sea salt. YUM. I also read that you can roast them. Double yum. Can't wait to try that.

Such beautiful colors.

We are eating LOTS of lettuce as well. There is nothing like a fresh salad picked right from your very own garden.

Spinach too!!

Chives are in full bloom! Love the shade of purple.

A beautiful pansy looking down on me---making me happy.

Knockout Roses are a favorite in my garden. They are virtually carefree and bloom all summer.

And last but not least, my very first Peony. On the verge of opening in all it's glory.

What is growing and blooming in your garden today?