EDGE to edge

If you've been an attendee of ArtFest or ArtFiberFest or a visitor to Port Townsend, Washington, you're probably no stranger to EDGE to edge, the cutest vintage fabric shoppe in town. Proprietors Joan Wenske (pictured above) and Eve Eves (too busy ringing up customers to pose for a pic) are not only the nicest, most helpful people, but have incredible taste and a wonderland flair for design. Their shoppe is complete eye candy, filled with vintage trims and ribbons, jars of multi-colored pom poms, shelves upon shelves of dreamy upholstery fabrics (that would make Marie Antoinette swoon - head or no head), wool felts in every color of the rainbow, and an impressive vintage button collection. Yes, I dropped some benjamins in this store, but I defy anyone not to. They have a little bit of everything from German glass glitter to vintage rhinestone hat pins to sweet handmade journals, photo albums and tea cups all made by a local artist. Their shoppe is a must see and was one of the highlights of my trip. Enjoy the pics and be sure to drop in and say hello the next time you're in their neck of the woods. These women get it!

EDGE to edge
Vintage Fabric & Unexpected Inspiration
234 Taylor Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-379-0860
open daily

Calling Cards and Leaving on a Jet Plane

A few months ago, I ordered a set of custom business cards from the amazingly talented Delila Jemaiel of Sepia Art Studio. I was so delighted with them and love the sweet and dreamy quality she gave each one. Delila has made well over 100 custom business cards for others and has a keen appreciation for the smallest of details - a trait that just makes my heart sing. I love shopping at both her etsy store and her online shoppe. What a talent!

I am being a bad girl today and blowing off the gym in lieu of last minute packing for ArtFiberFest. Why is it so hard to pack for these events? I know it's crazy but I feel this strong compulsion to bring everything in my art room, knowing that I'll never use it all and that it's slightly insane to haul it all across the country anyway. Ninety-nine percent of the time I don't finish my projects at the retreat (I'm a slow worker.) so I can find that perfect button or piece of trim when I get back home. I guess it's like going to the first day of school: I want to be prepared and have all my colors sharpened and all my erasers in a row. As a newbie, I'm still trying to figure this all out. But, I have been observing how others (the seasoned retreaters) seem to bring less of everything but just what they need. I think it helps to know what you might like to make, at least in terms of color schemes or themes so you can hone in on what you bring. That being said, I'm sure I won't have a couple of the necessary items on my list, but as long as I remember to bring my toothbrush and underwear, I'll survive.

Thank you all so much for all the baby love you've sent my way! I had a big smile on my face when I was reading your sweet comments.

Blissed Out Happiness

My nose is pointed skyward, eyes tightly closed, and my feet are in a blurry, rapid fire Snoopy dance. Like Nicole, Cristina, Halle, and J-Lo, I, too, am pregnant. It seems like a dream. I don't have words to describe it. We are in a perpetual state of joy, elation, and thankfulness. This has been such a journey. A very hard year...until now. We're pregnant. We are so grateful. We're on our way to starting our family. Just a couple of days ago, we found out we're having a little girl. My heart is already about to burst with love for this babe. How will my heart continue to beat when she arrives? I am changing in big ways. My life is about to change in big ways. I'm having a baby! Thank you, God. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Running Like Mad

Do you ever feel like you've bitten off more than you can chew? That's my state of being right now. After back-to-back visits to see family (and, no dang it, I didn't get to stop at any junk/antique stores) it kind of dawned on me that I have two upcoming art retreats and need to get ready for both. I signed up for two Silver Bella swaps and have yet to finish one of them, although I am hoping to get my Christmas tags finished this weekend. I like to take my time and mentally design the finished product before I begin. Of course, I always change it up as I go along, but I like to have an idea of where I'm headed at the onset. And then of course there's the dreaded supply list and the running across town picking up this item and that. Seems to take forever. Art retreats are a luxury and investment for me so I want to organize myself and have the needed supplies. And I may be the last person in blogland to order her Moo cards, but now that's done. Whew! There's so much work preparing for art retreats, but it's all worth it when we arrive, isn't it? In less than a week, I leave for ArtFiberFest and am delighted to be taking two classes from the fabulous Pam Garrison, the girl who got me over my fear of the sewing machine. I am looking forward to some art time and some me time, as well as meeting like-minded friends. In the meantime, I wanted to show you a recent acquisition by an amazing artist, Kitty Babendreier. I have admired her work for a long time and finally purchased one of her pieces. I love her style and her work. She makes 3-D shadow boxes filled with all the fun junk and ephemera I love to collect. Each piece seems to tell a little story and they have an old, grandma's house kind of feel to them. This one, with loose mica snow at the bottom, is entitled "A Girl and Her Goat." Okay...back to my Christmas tag production. Fa la la!

Pimp My Nursery

Here are a few more baby inspired ribbons. I hope to make some soon for baby boys. First place horse ribbons are primarily royal blue so it's quite difficult to find lighter blue ribbons. I know it's probably time for me to stop horsing (ha!) around with these and move on to something else. I've never even owned a horse and have only ridden one a handful of times, yet I remain slightly obsessed. I am, however, born under the Chinese sign of the Fire Horse so maybe in a past life or something I lost a race and have been yearning for a fancy prize ribbon of my own. I guess my inner child is actually an inner horse.
Last weekend, we visited my in-laws and now, this weekend, it's my husband's turn to visit his in-laws. It's a 6 hour car ride round trip. I'm hoping I can convince him to stop at an antique/junk shop along the way. Happy weekend, everyone!!

In-laws, Tasty Kakes, and Ribbons

Well, I'm definitely out of my blog groove. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever had a blog groove since I seem to be averaging a measly post a week. There just never seems to be enough time! Jim and I just got back from a quick trip to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for a visit with his family. The weather was so nice and pleasant. It had that crisp "fall is in the air" feeling. We don't get that feeling much in Texas so it was nice to soak it in. Funny thing is my favorite season is fall even though I've never truly experienced it in a big dose. (For example, it's September 27th and our high today was 94 degrees. Yowsa!) We didn't have time for much exploring but took a stroll down South St. in Philly and had some good pizza. Also, I had my first Tasty Kake. My husband has been talking about these things since I've known him. They're cheap convenience store snacks equivalent to Little Debbies, but I must admit...they are yummy. We OD'ed on Kandy Kakes (chocolate peanut buttery things), cream filled chocolate cupcakes, and cherry pie. So good! And while they may not be on the diet, trust me...when you're visiting the in-laws, a little sugar rush (or any kind of drug for that matter) can calm the nerves.
I've been working on a new batch of vintage ribbons - these have a childlike theme and are destined for a baby shower or nursery wall. Sweet little lambs, bunnies, and kittys to look over a sleeping babe. I tend to produce these ribbons in themes and am currently working on a Halloween theme but so far I'm not at all pleased with the results. I'll keep trying.
I'm also hoping to open an etsy store by the end of the year. Vintage altered horse ribbons and decorated holiday frames like these will be offered plus some other fun and funky things. Hope everyone is enjoying their fall season. Can you believe October is almost upon us?!