As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been keeping very busy preparing our new summer line for the shop...and amidst all of the creating...there has been a little of this and that happening along the way.
First, I have been smelling lavender almost everywhere I go in our home.
If you love lavender, then you will surely love our line of handmade sachets...created right here...by moi. You can get a little sneak peek of the linen ones below...
I have also been busy "decorating" our garden {I use the word loosely...as I have only gone out to arrange things when I want to photograph}. We live in townhouses and do get some freedom with planting, but this year I decided not to do much...just enjoy the roses planted last year...
And the vines {err...weeds }growing wild in the backyard...
This one actually started to wrap around the white lights we have around our door and was looking so pretty..
Until the landscapers came and chopped it down...
Sadness. Now the backyard is empty...no blooms or growth...sigh...
While I tried to put my sadness aside about the pretty vine, I continued creating...with something special in mind.
My mother's birthday. It was yesterday, and since I have been working very diligently on a new line of accent pillows for the shop, I decided to create one to coordinate with my mom's bedroom. When I finished, I decided to throw them all together for an impromptu photoshoot...so now you get another sneak peek at what I have been working on...
Each one is unique with embellishments and/or canvas prints or hand painted text. I will have many different styles available within the next few weeks and hope that you will enjoy them as much as I enjoy creating them for your homes...
This one was made specifically for my mother...
She loved it and put it on her bed right away.
And for those of you who like thrifty gift wrapping ideas...here is how I wrapped it up for her...
I took a large paper bag that had a store logo on the front, covered it with a piece of old sheet music and a cut-out fashion print image. Then I simply tied up a stamped, tea stained tag and a bit of nature...and voila. I wrapped some vintage pattern paper around the pillow and tucked it inside. Simple and easy...and my mom enjoyed it too...
If you feel so inclined, you can visit her blog to send her some birthday wishes...I know she would love it.
My goal for this week was to get a majority of the projects for the shop completed for an outdoor photoshoot today...but alas...it is projected to rain all day.
So, I will be putting that off to spend another day creating. I hope to get the shop stocked up starting Monday at the latest, and I do hope you will come by next week to see everything else that I have been working away at...
I hope that you are all enjoying your week, whatever it is that you might be keeping busy with...
Till next time...
Alice,
I'm with you, I wonder how the gardener's can chop down plants and flowers so pretty but I'm sure that's what they've been asked to do to keep it "clean". On a happier note, I love your new pillow line and want to be one of the first in line to get one from your beautiful store. I hope you get all your photos completed and don't do what I've been doing... dilly dallying with getting things up ;) The pillow you made your mom is beautiful, what a true gift made with love. Off to wish her a happy belated birthday. Can't wait to see everything in the store, don't work too hard and here's to sunshine.
xo~Tracie
Posted by: Tracie~My Petite Maison | June 18, 2009 at 12:59 AM
Gasp. Yum. Thanks...
Posted by: Robin | June 18, 2009 at 08:27 AM
My dear, you have such a great touch with everything you do! Those pillows are to die for!!! Even the pretty bag you altered is wonderful!
So sorry about the vine. What is it with people who are chop happy??? At the house I used to live in, there was a beautiful lilac bush in the back yard by the fence...and my ex CHOPPED IT DOWN!!! I was stunned and heartbroken! Who would do such a thing? And it was all because he didn't want to mow around it...as if it was that hard. MEN!!!
Anyway, this was such a lovely post. I just love your blog!
Hugs,
Lori
Posted by: Lori | June 18, 2009 at 08:46 AM
LOVE absolutely love the pillows, they are SO pretty!!!!
Posted by: Marian | June 18, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Lovely pillows Alice! You have been very busy creating. I had intentions of making pillows, but haven't even started! LOL
Have a beautiful day~
Blessings~
Posted by: Sandra Boothman | June 18, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Everything you have made looks wonderful Alice! What a fun addition to your shop.
You have been busy!
Posted by: My Shabby Roses | June 18, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Love your collection of pillows... They are so romantic!!! And lavender is my absolute favorite scent!
Isabel
Posted by: Isabel ~ Maison Douce | June 18, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Your pillow collection is gorgeous! What a beautiful package... you definitely continue to inspire!
Posted by: Sheila R | June 18, 2009 at 11:09 AM
So nice! Too bad the "weeds" got chopped down, anything with a pretty flower like that around here gets to stay :)
Posted by: Mom Taxi Julie | June 18, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Your collection of pillows look beautiful...can't wait to see them in your shop.
Posted by: Andrea | June 18, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Hi Alice! I came over because I wanted to personally invite you to the blog party I am throwing. I think it will be fabulous, and I want all my fabulously creative blog friends to come! It's called...Where Bloggers Create! It was inspired that by the magazine Where Women Create. I would love for you to show off your workspace! I have admired your blog for some time and think you would make a wonderful addition to the party. Hop over to My Desert Cottage or Valentine Studio and read all about it!
xxxKaren
Posted by: Karen Valentine | June 18, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Such beautiful things!! You've been very busy! I especially love the pillow you made your mom with the holy card image - so lovely!
Posted by: Jackie | June 18, 2009 at 04:06 PM
the pillows look wonderful! and i snuck over to your shop and can't wait for my hubby to give me my home decor budget back!! (i went a little overboard with new furniture in our house and he's said NO MORE for just a bit, ha ha)
oh i love the smell of lavender too, enjoy!
Posted by: Lizzie | June 18, 2009 at 06:57 PM
Hi Honey!!
Thanks again for the beautiful bolster pillow, it really looks great on my bed, I keep going back it to look at it from different angles hehehe, and with Angela's presents It really is looking like a magazine FINALLY, I am catching up with my daughter!!! (well maybe hanging on the tailcoats)
Love the pillows, don't worry about the weeds, they grow back, you did see my garden right????? hehehe
LOVE YOU
MOM
OH and P.S. I was completely taken by surprise when 2 of your followers left wonderful comments and birthday wishes for me on my blog, it really was very touching, thanks for sending them over! I was thrilled!
I LOVE YOU
Posted by: Janine | June 18, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Enjoyed the sneak peek at your items. I can almost smell the lavender! Looking forward to seeing your new line of pillows-
I am a pillow junkie!
Posted by: Chatelaine | June 18, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Wonderful pillows....I bet your Mom was thrilled with hers...love the gift wrap bag idea too....and thanks for stopping by and leaving such kind and encouraging words!
Take care, Laura
Posted by: Laura | June 18, 2009 at 11:02 PM
I really like everything you have done thus far - but that pillow is one of my favorites....
Posted by: Anne Marie | June 18, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Alice, Your new pillows are just sooooo pretty...You did such an amazing job...I love the way you wrapped your mom's birthday gift.. I bet she really loved her present...
Stephenie
Posted by: Stephenie | June 19, 2009 at 02:22 AM
Love your lavender sachets with the laced edge. I can almost smell the fresh lavender from here. A very happy birthday for your mom!
Posted by: Kimberly Shaw | June 19, 2009 at 03:30 AM
Mmmm... lavender!!
I grow my own and love harvesting and using it in my art work. I tie up bunches of it and hang them around my house to keep bugs out too.
I love your cushions and your mum's birthday gift too. All beautiful!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Posted by: Kerryanne English | June 19, 2009 at 03:38 AM
Looks like you've been very busy creating some wonderful lovelies...can't wait to start shopping! Now, I'm going to go wish your Mom a "Happy Birthday":)
Posted by: Leah C | June 19, 2009 at 05:43 PM
wonderful pretties Alice..can't wait to see the updated shop! happy summer,xo
Posted by: natalea | June 19, 2009 at 06:27 PM
Hi Alice,
You have been so busy and everything is so beautiful. You just have such a lovely way with everything you do. I think I will go wish your mom a happy b-day and congratulate her on having such a great daughter while I'm at it.
Smiles,
June
Posted by: June | June 20, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Everything is beautiful! I love your house. We live in a rented house. We decided to go ahead and do a garden. I'm happy we did.
Posted by: Kristen Smith | June 20, 2009 at 06:31 PM
I love the new look around here! Your new headers and images are so nice for summer...as well as the music. I for one love lavender too. Can't wait to see all of the new thing in your shop!
Posted by: Cindy | June 21, 2009 at 12:40 AM
I do not leave you a message often, but I visit you regular..I love the way you make photo's...so I like to use some of them on my blog if thats oké with you..
http://annasinterestingplaces.blogspot.com/
Gr. Anna
Posted by: anna | June 22, 2009 at 04:50 AM
Love the pillows!!! I am redoing one of our bedrooms and will be on the lookout for one of these beauties for it.
xo,
Lesley
Posted by: Lesley | June 22, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Just beautiful!! Can't wait to go peek at all the new stuff in the shop:)
Posted by: Andrea Villarreal | June 22, 2009 at 04:34 PM