I love this project 'Hearts on Vivian' ... members of the community were invited to loop and tie yarn, creating these bright and colourful hearts on a rather drab chain link fence ...

{Hearts on Vivian - photographs courtesy of Outdoor Knit}

I also love this window display of miniature houses aglow for the little winter market...

{photograph courtesy of little winter market}

I am really excited that winter is drawing to an end, and we are getting the first glimpses of spring, time to get the spade out and plan the new garden ... my most favourite thing about springtime! Here is some gardening inspiration ...

Quirky garden blogs - gardening in heels and terri planty. Shown below are just a few of the unique ideas featured on their blogs ...

{San Francisco's Alamo Square Shoe Garden - photograph via Glue and Glitter}

{Flora Grubb Gardens}

{Set of three vintage garden markers by emerald + ella}

Inspiration: origami paper crafts ...

I spent a good portion of yesterday evening folding colourful paper into origami hearts. I know it's a little late for Valentine's day, but I thought it would make for cute garland if I strung them, or perhaps incorporate them into wedding favours or decorations ... a little premature, but if I can get it done early I might as well!

{image courtesy of Paper Source}

Paper Source's How-to: recycled origami hearts offers some great ideas. Click here for their tutorial.

Some of my next origami projects ... These are all how-to videos, if you want to give them a try ...

Cherry Blossom Ku-Kusudama
Kusudama Flor
Flores de revista
Cherry Blossom Plate
Origami pouch {part 1} Origami pouch {part 2}

If you care to read the article I wrote for UPPERCASE magazine, Issue 8, you can find it here.

Inspiration: paper + fabric craftiness and groupings of collections ...

I am excited to be designing a window instillation this coming week. We are making it spring-themed and over the top - with bicycle and basket, floral-inspired garlands, and sprouting flowers ... Pictures to come soon ...

For inspiration, I am loving this handmade flower installation by Ashley Meaders, in which she used both fabric and paper to create the hanging centrepiece for a ceremony. Also, these heart pillows she made for use as props for a wedding shoot are adorable ...



Crafty lady and graphic designer by day and night Debee Campos collaborated to make these pretty cards (one is shown below). More cards along with her beautiful photography can be seen on her blog ...


Loving these interior shots of Liza Giles' home, especially the groupings of collections in every room! She is senior stylist for the Designers Guild London ...

{photographs via decor8}

Inspiration: Hearts! St. Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and soon an abundance of hearts everywhere- taking shape in paper cut-outs, sweets, valentines, people wearing their hearts on their sleeves!!! Mostly, I admire Valentine's Day for its cuteness to the point of tackiness! Explore the meaning and history of this day here "a landscape of story and a world of delight in the love and affection human beings have for each other."

Here is some sweet and crafty inspiration for your Valentine's Day ...

Display your love at home ... ranunculus and narcissus blooms floating in a heart-shaped ceramic {Floral by Studio Choo}

{Heart Wreath by Design-Aholic}

Woven heart valentines are perfect for storing secret love letters, candy, and little tokens of your affection.
{Image courtesy of CRAFT NIGHT}

{Vintage Valentines from Carmen and Ginger}


{paper heart valentine garland by Amy Butler}


{I Heart You - Origami Hearts Bouquet by My Bohemian Summer}


{Valentine's Day Treats from Big Sis Lil Sis}

The photographs from the engagement shoot are finally here. Our session was with Blair Marie ... I love autumn for the colours! Here is my family on a beautiful fall morning walking in the area we frequent most! Of course Leo made it into some of the shots!

Inspiration: My very favourite ee cumming's poem:

you shall above all things be glad and young
For if you're young, whatever life you wear

it will become you; and if you are glad
whatever's living will yourself become.
Girlboys may nothing more than boygirls need:
i can entirely her only love

whose any mystery makes every man's
flesh put space on; and his mind take off time

that you should ever think, may god forbid
and (in his mercy) your true lover spare:
for that way knowledge lies, the foetal grave
called progress, and negation's dead undoom.

I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance

I have loved this poem for over a decade. Who doesn't love his poetry, it's so romantic! For me, this poem represents staying young at heart and keeping one true love at heart. It's about doing one thing very well, including love and not fumbling around, ruining things or making people a little less shiny or happy ... it's about remaining true to yourself and to your love.

I love this poem so much - it represents me and my true love ...

(Tattoo by Trevor at Bushido) (Photo taken by Blaire Marie)

Today's inspiration: a whole lot of love and a whole lot of heart ....

I made this with shape collage...these are pictures of all things I love!

MY HEART

Could make for a fun home project ...

Here is 'love me, love me not' heart necklace I made a while back ... The arrow spins to reveal your fortune ... I believe I still have one available for purchase ...

I love the following two heart images...

(artist - unknown)

(artist - unknown)

And this is definitely someone we heart ...

And another picture I took about a month ago. It looked like an old photograph, so I simply antiqued it further ...

Here is a picture I took at home today... a small ceramic bunny on my kitchen window sill ...



Tamar Mogendorff creates these fantastic creatures, from different birds to bunnies, mushrooms and dogs. She uses different fabrics and assorted vintage buttons and ribbons. They are so arty, funny, and crafty. Here is an example of her work.


Here are some great blogs to check out...

art indulgence
house on hill road
love forever
polka dot pebble
tru design
kay starr
hodge podge farm
monmartre's sketchbook
free people
handmade-design

And here are yet more little illustrations I have finished, these are all inspired by Valentine's and Spring... I think I may take a break and actually do some painting...

As promised, here are the latest little illustrations I have been working on. I finished these today, and I am still working on more, so check back soon.