Thanks Brittni and Papernstitch.

Things have been a bit busy around Camp Graeff lately. One 5th birthday can certainly take up a lot of time. It was perfect - and when would I ever use my real china except for a Princess Dress-up Tea Party for 12 beautiful girls.

I think it was a hit - at least it was with my little princess. Now that I'm done with hand washing dishes......

On a more "business" side - I wanted to thank Brittni over at Papernstitch - for all of the wonderful news she has been sending my way this week.

Firstly, she was lovely to have picked my "My Heart is Yours" tea towel in her Top Picks for a fun interview she did on Heart Handmade's Blog. (see picture - and of course link - to check out the others too!) I was happy to have been chosen - but equally happy to learn more about Brittni and the development of her site. It's really great to see it taking off - I'm always encouraged by other's successes - especially when they are so nice to work with.

And then - again I received a note just today that my "Custom Portrait - Tea Towels" were picked by Erin Loechner as a Design for Mankind Favorite - on the Papernstitch blog.

I'm very happy to have been chosen for both of these Favs. There are really so many wonderful designers being showcased at Papernstitch it must have been very hard choices.

So thanks mucho Brittni for these as well as all of your hard work- and I wish I could send you a piece of the super-fun, quadruple tiered, from scratch, Barbie cake as a little treat. Yum!

Tea Towels Unite...

I know my world is a bit skewed - but I really think there is a tea towel revolution on the horizon. Ok - nothing violent or really uprising - just some more exposure than is normal.

Poppytalk has a nice showcase of tea towel designs in their latest newsletter ( I'm happy to be included).

There are more articles on the horizon - so keep posted. (I'm sure you are on the edge of your seat).

Have a wonderful - cozy day.

New in Shop - Love is in the Air.

I am happy that I have started up again. It was a bit overwhelming this Holiday - all the printing...printing...printing. I'm not complaining - but because I was so busy producing pieces - I couldn't design anything new.

So here are two new tea towels for the shop. Why not go seasonal?

Actually the Doggie was a pattern I made in December with my daughter - at her request because she loves our dog soooo much. (As I write this she is sitting next to me with our dogs head on her lap).

I really wasn't sure how the "crochet" would turn out - but I am happy. I think it captures my impression of those delicate hand made doilies.

Ok - on to the next....

I really love Tea.

It's kind of ironic that I started printing tea towels - as drinking tea is one of my favorite past times. This is a misnomer, however, - as I don't really pass time while drinking. Its more like grab a cup of hot tea in one hand balancing purse over arm - other hand filled with keys, lost mitten, hat, school book/paper - late for school - out the door while two kids ( and dog) bump, pull and generally trip me - all the way to the car. Set tea on roof - buckle everyone in. Once in car drive with one hand - other holding tea so it doesn't spill all over the console - drive down our very bumpy steep hill (read: potholes and stray branches) - down the driveway - again bumpy. Ahh at the street - once on pavement - drinking - finally - while driving.

So, I had a tea kettle that worked. However, it didn't whistle - and was always burning me with steam that escaped at the most inopportune moments - and had a loose handle (from continual use). I really needed a new kettle.

This beauty caught my eye and I splurged. The Oxo in orange. We are in the honeymoon phase - no hard water deposits - yet. All is good.

And I think it is really influencing my choice of color too - see these new custom house portrait tea towels - doesn't the color look great?

Now if I was only civilized enough to actually serve with a tea towel...

Little Gifts!

Just wanted to post about my new Christmas items. I will have more as the week progresses - can't get it all done at the same time around here.

Today was a bit rainy to take photos - but I was actually happy with their color etc.

So here's the first of the ornaments - Tractor Set of 2 - all packaged up properly - imagine that!



Come back again I will have a couple more cuties to put up later this week in my shop.

Oh, and I have a new Holiday Tea Towel - I forgot to post about it last week.

Enjoy!

Thank You Poppytalk.

Thank you Poppytalk - for brightening my day! I awoke to find this lovely post on the Poppytalk site. If you haven't seen all of the goings on at Poppytalk - check it out here. Not only do they showcase different artists, designers regularly in a blog type format - they have the most fun and eclectic sales showcases too. The showcase up now until Oct 10 is "Mixed Tape". Which is " A compilation of all our favorite things. From papergoods, affordable art, ceramics, softees, housewares, gifts, jewelry, the whole shabam!"

New showcases are up monthly - and are a great way to find a gift for another - or something special for yourself quickly.

I'm so happy the the Camp series has been well received. My husband thought I was a bit nutty to be printing tents and campers on Tea towels - but I guess the world is full of nuts! I'm happy I'm not alone.

Thanks for looking!

Camp Graeff.

In the spirit of our move to the New House, I have produced a series of towels. Camp Graeff is a bit tongue in cheek - as we will be moving into a structure more like a camp site than a true functioning home. I don't mind - and am excited to finally get in. You see, we must be there for the start of school - as we cannot commute from the old house.

So inspiration is born - and I am going to love having these as a memory of this time in our lives. Just like camping - it is a bit of an adventure - and we can't wait!

I think I may post these in my Etsy shop- maybe others enjoy thinking about living in a campsite too!

Back and Busy.

Things are getting busy.

My trip to California last week just added a bit of distraction and fun and sadness as my very wonderful uncle died - and we were celebrating his life. I couldn't cry when I was surrounded by my family, as I love to see them and it was a happy reunion of sorts. But when I left on the Bart to go see my best friend in Piedmont - the tears came. I am so sad that he is gone - it is a part of my life that confirmed my kid-ness. And now that things are changing - I feel like I am on the front line of life - as the previous front line is getting thinner.

Ok - enough of that - just had to give the reason for my delinquency and absence to my posting.

All kinds of nice (other) things are happening:

1. With my new house - it looks like camp Graeff will begin in a week or so. We are going in - with a kitchen or not. Will show pics in a couple of days of progress.

2. Started a new consulting job in New York - back in the saddle again. I'm working with some very nice people - doing some fun top secret things. Perhaps I might be able to fill you in later ( I'll need to ask my boss ;)

3. Finished a very pretty House Portrait - "the House with the Red Door" - is now called "40 Parker" - and some pics will be posted next.

4. Received a very nice convo from Flowerpress this morning that we ( a bunch of us on Etsy who hand print tea towels) are featured on a fairly well read blog called My Home Style. Here is the link if you would like to see!

I have been especially delinquent with my Printsy Thursday - I have some favs. I would like to show - but I think many are out for vacation( I have not gotten permission yet) - I may post as soon as I have the OK.

OK - back to work...

Front Page..."Look at these Eggbeaters"

I am throughly exhausted - again with the paint and cleaning etc. (very boring to all - but still the reality ;)

After arriving home I checked my Etsy ( as usual), ready to see if anything happened at the shop today. Wow - 50 new hearts. So onto the search to find out why.. I use the Heartomatic for a quick review of item hearts - and found that the new post I put up this week was picked by the fabulous CuriosityKilled for this lovely Treasury in the Treasury West.

How great does this collection look together? It's just luscious- and so many of my favorites too - they make me smile!

Also - a great instant gratification for my most recent tea towel creation. I just love this red house and it's so nice to see that others do too!

OK into a hot bath - to try to scrape the paint from my hands, arms, legs, etc.. etc..

Back In The Swing.

Well... vacation was great! Full of beach and family and parties. So back home again with some new prints. I have been making some custom house portraits on tea towels this past few days - so wanted to show some shots.

I have listed this custom service in my Etsy shop as well - it is certainly fun. I am always a bit surprised when the block gets printed - how nicely the pattern develops from the repetition.

Front. (There are actually 4 houses across the towel, in two rows - they are behing the fold.)

And this is the back - with the single image.

Oh - and a very big thanks to Decor8 for the callout as a contributer to the "Inspire Me Givaway". Just wish I had been the big bingo winner in that give-away! The packs just look so refreshing and tasty!!