lit*chick

Merry Christmas to You! Jane Mount Print Giveaway

In the gifting tradition of one for me, one for you, ahem, here is a shelf of classics from Jane Mount. Specifically Ideal Bookshelf 353: English Lit.  As you can see, they are all sold out at 20x200 so here is your chance to nab one. You can enter to win this 8x10 print by leaving me a comment about your favorite present - to give or to get or both!

Giveaway ends Monday 12/19 at noonish :)

The End.

 

Greenfest 2011

For those of you wondering about my Greenfest experience - it was all good!  The event was extremely well organized - good signage, detailed instructions, and plenty of help for loading/unloading.  That was a tremendous relief as I wasn't expecting all the externals to run so smoothly. Also, I was blessed with an AWESOME table location, close to the stairs, and more importantly, next to the free tree people. Apparently the Dept. of Forestry gives out about 400 trees (this year cherry and white pine) for replanting and are sought out by Greenfest attendees. While lining up for trees, they had time to browse.

Here are a few pictures of my table (a simplified version from the previous show):

And some new designs for spring:

  

 

For those of you wondering where the monkeys are....they are coming! I had a minor gluestick mishap on while working on his face and it has held up production while I fix (um, redo) it.

My lil table had plenty of visitors who managed not to overlap so I had a constant stream of friendly faces. And I was busy - I gave out all my cards and talked to a lot of people about upcycling and crafting.  I sold more pieces than I expected and got recruited for a couple other events.  Many noticed that I try to incorporate the words with the design and it felt good to have people "get it".  It was a great encouragement that I may be on the right track, despite my low etsy sales. My only regret is that I didn't get up and walk around to see all the cool exhibitors - I know there were only 2 other crafters there and I would have liked to see their products.  I also heard the Master Gardeners were selling garden boxes already constructed and planted with everything to grow your own salad.  And I'm totally looking into RePAX boxes the next time we move. Plus there was a good deal of free stuff.

I realize I haven't talked about The Paper Pear much, so you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. There is more info coming now that I have a little bit of perspective and a clearer direction, it may seem backwards but I don't always work everything out before I start (otherwise I'd never start anything!). If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll incorporate them in the future post.

The End.

Nursery Art - Prints

Obviously these prints don't HAVE to go in a nursery, but I'm a big fan of using pieces I love in kids' rooms.  Nothing against theme rooms - I've been there too (Curious George)...now in the age of etsy and online design you aren't limited by what can be found in stores. I'm drawn to certain color combinations and art that either includes books or looks like children's book illustrations.

From etsy:

My main inspiration in Evie's room (apart from Charlie & Lola) was a print from Cathy Nichols. Part of the plan for the big wall opposite the crib is to include more of her work. Here are some more examples - I love how she brightens up nature.

  Sanctuary

 Ice Cream Girl

 The Boys of Summer - I love this for my boys' bathroom, anytime I see 3 dudes I can't help but think of them

Cathy's blog is www.cathynichols.blogspot.com .

Swallowfield is another favorite shop, here's my latest fave:

   "six"

The Reading is Cool print (called Imagination) in Evie's room, is from DazeyChic - I love her bold graphics like this:

  sweet and sour

    curiousity

from seaspray blue's shop - pink & green, anyone?

the caravan exhibition

I've seen people framing & hanging gift wrap or craft paper - this would be great, from enna:

matryoshka wrap

jane mount's shop carries her bookshelf series:

#22

and another was featured on 20x200 a few weeks ago and i snapped it up:

Ideal Bookshelf

Lisa Congdon has an etsy shop with originals (out of my budget), but she had a print on 20x200 that i'm saving up to get in a larger size...

birch forest no. 7

creative thursday has wonderful whimsical prints AND a children's book for sale too!

 sock monkey tree

  eli (i know a lil Eli..)

andannechovie's new chair print - so colorful and fun

I could go on all day, here's my final suggestion.  I am loathe to rip apart books - I don't even dog-ear pages - but someone on a message board was looking for a Chesley MacLaren print on the cheap. My suggestion was to buy a book she illustrated and frame some pages:

like this one... Let's face it I'd love to own an Oliver Jeffers or Melissa Sweet original, but until then I'm not totally above taking a page from one of their books, cringing all the way. The same goes for vintage children's book art (particularly one that might be already falling apart).  I picked up a book of National Children's Book Week posters at a yard sale and one day plan to frame some of those :)

 available used here

tips for hunting on etsy:

• you can use their search function, of course- by seller name if you know it, or color,or by number (if you have a favorite number) - i used to search for 3 (no. of children) or 5 (no. of people in our famiy) now i'm all about 4 & 6

• but the easiest way for me, is to go to an artist i admire and click on favorites (under their picture along the right column in their store) - because the etsy community is so supportive of one another, you are sure to find tons of great art being nosy :)

• and once you register as a buyer, you can add items to your favorites and refer back

• if you see something you like, but it isn't the right size, email the seller - cahty nichols was able to make a bigger print than the 8x11 that was offered on the site

Happy Hunting! Let me know if you find some cool stuff :)

The End.

Happy Windsday!

...from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.

(cel image from vegallaries.com)

The End.

Hither and Yon

I have updated the feed with reviews and will continue to add to them the rest of the day.

Look for:

• The White Mary
• No One You Know
• The Gargoyle
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
• Matters of Faith

• The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters

I am also working on post of short reviews, finishing the online bookclub qs for Olive Kitteridge, and catching up on my favorite blogs.

Check out:

www.nonsuchbook.typepad.com for a post on Books in Art.

and

www.booksonthenightstand.com for their posts on Most Interesting Bookstores and amazing libraries.

and

20x200 had a special edition on Friday that sold out before I had a chance to get one of these by Mickey Smith.

   URGH.

and

finally, if you are interested, here is Jane Mount's etsy store (lots of bookshelf prints).

The End.

20x200: Jane Mount

I have been a fan of Jane Mount from Etsy and now Jen has TWO prints from her this month. Check them out!

 Bookshelf 20 Bookshelf 29

The End.

inspo to go

 i love this idea from gigi. check it out. i think i'm going to try, if i can rip apart a book. yeesh.

happy friday!

the end.

what do you do?

Our good blogging friend Miss Joni just finished The Zookeeper's Wife. And she was so inspired by it she created this:

Please visit her blog to see more pictures of this piece and more about the book. Definitely adding this book to my list.

What do you do when you are inspired by a book?

The End.

unbelievable

i saw this awhile back on some blog or other and you really must look...

http://www.sublackwell.co.uk/gallery.php?item=66&id=1#66

..those are books, good people. and her art is altogether lovely and amazing.

The End.

inspiration

from the cover of The Uncommon Reader

to this:

and my favorite:

  from karen hilton's etsy shop.

The End.