Paper Quilting

Over the weekend, I started experimenting with some paper quilting of sorts (low quality photo above), learning what's working, what's not, and along the way, I thought about all the paper goodies you could turn into quilts. Not quilts for cuddling, of course, but memorable pieces of art as framed keepsakes - birth announcements, wedding invitations or programs, love letters, even old photographs. You wouldn't want to cut up originals, but if you have extras, I think it could be really neat, don't you?

From the {studio} Fridays: Fold, Tape, Box, Repeat

I'm sorry I've been such a slacker blogger this week. No, I wasn't ignoring you (on purpose) or having the baby (thank goodness!). Instead, I spent the week up to my ears & elbows in boxes. And tape, and paper, and labels. We called in reinforcements (thank you Katie & Mat & of course, John!) and packaged day & night to get this order done. And I am one exhausted Mama. But I'm also so excited because this is going to... West Elm! They bought our 2011 Calendar, as well as three exclusive note card designs for the holidays. Look for them in stores this October! I'll share some more sneak peeks of the new note cards (& the new packaging) over the next couple of weeks. But for now, I'm off to rest my back:(

Have a great weekend!

Anorak Oilcloths

I was reminded of Anorak yesterday over at Cup of Jo. My sister who lives in London has this cool Seagull oilcloth tablecloth, above. The rest of their collection of tablecloths makes me want summer to stick around, especially if it means cooler days like we've had recently - this pregnant lady's prayers are answered. I could also drape myself in dresses of every single print. No? Just me? Check out the rest of the great Anorak offerings here.

Paperfinger Goodies: Calligraphy Stamps

I got the nicest surprise package in the mail on Friday from talented calligrapher Bryn Chernoff of Paperfinger. Inside were all sorts of goodies for me & the babe. A plush lamb wrist rattle (which I promptly put on & shook -- and tried not to cry:)) and some beautiful "it's a", "boy!", and "girl!" calligraphy stamps she made, along with this super sweet return address stamp, above, that says "liz + john + kingsley + 1." I love that she included our furry baby:) I'll definitely be using this one for our birth announcements.

Thanks, Bryn!!! xoxo

From the Desk Fridays: August's Monthly Project

August's Monthly Project is here! And I love it: A Vintage Flower To/From Stamp. I knew we were going to launch the 2011 Calendar & August's monthly project at the same time, so I wanted the project to be something that would complement the calendar's reusability feature. And I thought about my old friend, the rubber stamp, that has endless uses. I also thought about how many people give our calendars as gifts. So, I decided on a to/from stamp that you can use to create your own gift tags - and specifically, using paper you often throw in the recycling bin. Of course, you can do this without a stamp, but I think the stamp bumps up the special-ness of the tag just a bit:) I hope you agree.
Check out the stamp here, as well as the just-posted 2011 Calendar!

Have a great weekend, everyone.

From my iphone: week in review

I've been thinking a lot about what to do with the blog when the baby arrives - when I'm on no sleep, when someone needs undivided attention every 2-3 hours, when showering becomes optional. If I'm going to blog in the first month (or even first couple months), it's got to be in the interest of time. And I thought it might be fun to post iphone pics - quick shots of what's going on behind the scenes (not too far behind the scenes!), letting the images more or less speak for themselves. I'm giving it a first go here, unplanned, with this little week in review:

Top to bottom:
- Paint chips for the bathroom. It's dark blue now & is too dark for me. Need it brighter & lighter.
- Bottle stoppers from Jonathan Adler at the NYIGF.
- And we picked up our stroller this week! A gift from my in-laws. So pretty & fancy! (Kingsley in the background - feeling left out already:(

Hope you guys enjoy. We'll see how it goes!

Hold Your Horses Video

For all you art history buffs out there: a fun video from the band Hold Your Horses.

Warmer Side of West Elm

I was flipping through the latest West Elm catalog last night & was pleasantly surprised to see warm tones & styling throughout. I had heard through the grapevine that this change was coming to the sleek shop, but this was the first time I had seen it in their catalog. This image above made me smile - and to me, was the most noticeable example of this warmer, softer feel - the birthday celebration scene, left early to go play board games or take the coffee over to the couch.
Touches like these wooden boxes, framed silhouette, and red wall make this industrial lamp seem less sterile & more friendly. Little things like this definitely make a difference to me in terms of picturing them in my home - a place I want nothing more than to feel warm & cozy.

Well done, West Elm.

[images courtesy of West Elm]

Martha Stewart Living: Loving Sept

I'm loving the September issue of Martha Stewart Living. It's the home issue, and it reminds me of (and makes me miss) Domino - tips, sources, & spreads of gorgeous rooms. I'm assuming they only do one home issue a year, but I could stand for a few more. A couple of my favorite pages from the issue are below. That hippo rug is just awesome would make me smile every time I came home. And I'm obsessed with the home of MSL's deputy decorating editor, Rebecca Robertson - especially her son Luca's wall of art. Love.

From the Desk Fridays: 2011 Calendar

It's been a busy week over here in preparation for next week's Big Ship - when all of the 2011 calendars go out to our retailers. We will also be announcing its launch online, so stay tuned for that or sign up for our mailing list here, to find out when it goes up.

Have a great weekend!

Packaging: Tape

I'm prepping for a big store order (more on that later) and am changing up my packaging a bit. I have a need for some tape & am tempted by all the colorful & patterned options out there. I love the vintage-y feel of the ones above, but don't think they'll work for this particular use. I'm leaning towards using my Japanese tape or one of these fabric options below for a bit more texture. Anyone know if one is stronger than the other?

Weekend in Photos: A Swedish 70th!

I waited too long in the night to take photos of the table from Saturday night's birthday celebration - and this was the only stinkin photo I got. Not great. But at least you can see the little notebooks - and kinda see a napkin & a jar of pickles in the upper left corner.

I like the shot of the red lobsters below better. John & his brother in law cooked them in a huge restaurant-sized pot over a fire pit. So fun. And I hear they were great.


It's back to biz over here at L&H this week. We're shipping out our 2011 Calendars to stores all over the country. And it will be available for purchase online in the next week, so stay tuned for that announcement!

From the Desk Fridays: The Three Crowns

We're headed upstate this weekend to my in-law's house to celebrate my mother in law's 70th birthday. (She & I share a birthday, and together, we're 100 this year!) We're having a big family-of-24 cookout on Saturday night, so I thought it would be fun (and a bit fancy) to make place "cards" for everyone, as well as something that my mother in law could keep as a momento of the gathering. Since she is Swedish, I decided to use a national emblem of Sweden - the Three Crowns. I screenprinted notebooks for the kids' place cards (below), muslin for the tops of the pickle jars for the adults, and white cotton napkins for everyone to use and for my mother in law to keep. I'm excited to see how they all look on the table!

I'll try to take some more photos of the weekend festivities to share on Tuesday, when I'm back.

Have a great weekend!

Shanna Murray Decals

Whenever I hear, see or think of the song You are my Sunshine, I'm reminded of my mom - sitting on my bed at night, rubbing my back or smoothing my hair, singing me to sleep. So needlesstosay, it holds a very special place in my heart & is a song I will teach our children. This decal might just need a spot in my home.

Other cute decals from Shanna Murray here.

[photo courtesy of Shanna Murray]

The Animal Print Shop

How great are these photos? Highly acclaimed photographer, Sharon Montrose has recently added a more affordable open edition option ($25/print) to her sought-after limited edition print collection in The Animal Print Shop. I just bought White Goose No. 4, above, for the nursery:) The Baby Porcupine was a close runner up, but I liked the softer colors of the goose, not to mention that little wobbly waddle - so cute! Check out the other gorgeous options on the site, beautifully designed by the ALSO team.

Note Cards by Chance

It's not often I post about other paper goods - but these from Chance really caught my eye. I love how minimal, how clean, how very beachy they feel. Such a refreshingly simple set. And, to top it off, they were illustrated by Chance's founder's mother. Done & done.

[image courtesy of Chance]

Baby Shower at Terrain

I thought I'd share with you some photos from my baby shower at Terrain this weekend. I have been wanting to visit Terrain for years after hearing rave reviews (and receiving some amazing gifts) from friends & family. Let me tell you - it did not disappoint. The place was picture perfect, as was our little baby shower -- all my favorite ladies in a gorgeous greenhouse setting, enjoying lots of yummy food & pink lemonade, and surmising about the baby's sex (I think Girl is in the lead).

Lizzy went above & beyond and made all of the desserts: carrot cake cupcakes (with marzipan carrots on top), strawberry cupcakes, brownies, a berry gelatin, a peach cake and sugar cookies in the shapes of t-shirts (for me & John), baby bottles (for the baby) and dog bones (for Kingsley) - the whole family was represented:) She even brought her own serving dishes for everything. Just incredible.

As favors, we each got to take home one of these sweet little plants wrapped in burlap - a perfect little reminder of such a special afternoon.

Big big BIG thanks to my sisters, sister-in-law & stepmother for hosting! And to Lizzy for all those amazing goodies! xoxo