Bursts of Color...

It's been raining all week here in CT, hope these brighten your day!

New Shop at ArtFire!

So, I'm trying another online venue besides Etsy to sell my Art & Artful Goods. All will be able to purchase Prints, Note Cards, and more featuring my original artwork at my new ArtFire shop, MSD Design-Art & Artful Goods. Enjoy browsing, and I'd love some feedback! Thanks, Michele

MARTHA,MARTHA,MARTHA!!

Four days later and I am still basking in the glow of my visit to NYC with my dear friend Penny to watch a live taping of The Martha Stewart Show! What a great experience! First of all, let me start by saying that I'm an even bigger fan than before. Martha is more beautiful in real life than she is on TV or in pictures. She was very gracious and poised and professional;so unbelievably at ease in front of the camera. And do I even need to talk about how gorgeous the set is? I would die for that "craft room" set-up. Joey Cola is a doll, and so funny-VERY good at his job. The whole experience was pretty relaxed-we were let in and seated in a very calm, orderly fashion; all the staff were so professional and friendly. Martha showed us decoupaged Easter eggs, block-printed linens, and hot-crossed buns. The only disappointment was that her scheduled guest, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, that yummy fellow from The Tudors, cancelled due to illness. Our giveaway for the day? Martha Stwart Crafts Scissors
and Craft Knife, both of which I already own, since I ran right out & bought them as soon as Martha came out w/craft products. Penny and I were hoping for a nice shiny copy of Martha's new book, Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts, which we didn't get, but it's okay. It's ALL GOOD! We'll just buy the book. The experience was worth way more than the price of the book. I loved every minute of it and I'd do it again! And, I'm more inspired by Martha than ever.

Confession...

OK, here's a confession. I would post more, except that I feel like I can't blog without adding photos. There, I've said it. Am I looking for an excuse? Possibly. But, truly, I find it boring to visit other blogs that don't add photos in their posts. Well, sometimes. I guess once in a while is fine. So, I either need to reconcile myself to the idea of occasionally posting sans photos, or start taking more pictures! Wish me luck.

Recent Aquisitions

Greetings! I want to share with you some great antique and e-bay finds I've aquired over the past few weeks. First is this lovely wooden doll form. I keep wanting to refer to her as "angel" rather than "doll", I don't know why. Maybe because she seems kind of ethereal? Anyway, I think she's so chic-shabby chic!


Next up is this awesome spice cabinet! I just fell right in love with it. It was already this perfect shade of robin's egg blue and I just love the look of it-so country charming. What I especially appreciate in this piece is the repair work on the back. It reminds me of what a disposable society we've become. Nowadays, I think we'd just as soon replace it rather than lovingly repair it. (I'm as guilty as anyone) These little drawers are perfect for stashing supplies and it makes a great addition to the studio.



Finally, some additions to my growing collection of vintage bling. Theoretically, these are to be used for embellishments on future products, but I'm not sure I'll be able to part with them!

New Goods, New Shop

BAD, BAD Blogger! I was going good with consistent posting for a while there, but then I fell off the wagon... But, I have been pretty busy lately-I set up a new shop on Etsy, MSD DESIGN Art & Artful Goods This new shop exclusively sells products featuring my original art; Mixed-Media and Illustration. You'll find prints, note cards, home decor items, and more. There's some nice spring art newly listed there. My original shop, MSD Design Illustration & Inspiration still offers all of my yummy vintage and vintage-style supplies-Paris items are hot right now.

Vintage Goodness @ the Etsy Shop

Good Morning! It is once again snowing here in New England, and rather bleak. Time to light some yummy scented candles. I always go for the ones that smell like baked goods; Buttercreme, Creme Brulee, Spiced Pumpkin , Yum!!
I've added another lovely collection of vintage ephemera to the shop. This is the Paris Parcel-all Paris-themed items. Also, I was able to rework the price on my Vintage Ledger Packet; it's now $15 instead of $20. Yay. And I still have a couple of my popular French Paquets left.

So excited...

Hello All! I'm so excited to have my "French Pacquet" chosen to be among Etsy's top sellers of 2008. A winning vote will provide MSD Design with much needed and appreciated publicity & honor. Go here to vote. Only five days left! Thank you for your support!

Valentine's Products

Hello All! Just jotting a quick post to tell you that we're adding Valentine and Heart themed goods to our Etsy shop and our CafePress Shop. Check 'em out, and stay tuned for more...

The New Year

Greetings & Happy New Year! I hope everyone has a healthy and prosperous New Year. I'm looking forward to starting fresh, as I always am at this time of year. I have high hopes for myself, my home, and my family. And of course, high hopes and goals for my beloved work and business.
I count 2008 as a successful year. We are no less in debt than this time last year, but I had much opportunity to meet and connect with fellow artists and Etsians, reconnect with a wonderful old friend, and spend time with out-of state family. For this, I feel richer.
I spent much time last year gathering vintage materials which I will incorporate into many new designs and also offer at my Etsy shop. I have a feeling bird-themes will be playing a large part in upcoming work. We already have some beautiful Heart Themed work ready to go for Valentines. Look for it soon both at Etsy and CafePress.
Until next time, I'll be hunkered down at home, dreaming and creating.
Again, Happiest of New Years and Warm Winter Wishes.

New Holiday Art

Here are some new mixed media pieces I've done for the Holidays. You can find them featured on some great products at our CafePress Shop. And stay tuned for some lovely Holiday items from our Etsy Shop.

Ho,Ho,Ho, It's off to work I go!

Gearing up for lots of Christmas work this week...new Etsy items, special orders, designing christmas cards, offering up some vintage supplies for Christmas crafts, etc. Also, I'll be adding some Christmas designs to my CafePress Shop. Maybe I'll sneak in a little decorating, too...Snow expected tonite, that'll bring on the Christmas spirit!

PS Does this photo look like a Martha Stewart ad or what?!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I'm prepping for tomorrow-it's the first Thanksgiving that I'm hosting at our house. Can't wait for Turkey!! I'm shutting down my computer for the next two days-no work, no internet...just food & family.
I hope everyone has a yummy, safe, and joyful holiday'
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Twitter

So, I caved and join Twitter. I met a colleague the other day, a fellow Etsian, Gayle, from Monkey Threads, who recommended it and said it was really fun. So, I signed up and let's see what happens! I'm not sure I totally get it yet, but I'm sure I'll catch on evench.

So Exciting...

I'm very excitedly getting ready for "Escape to the Cape". It's a scrapbooking retreat that I'm attending with two of my sisters-in-law. We have been counting down the days for weeks, and now its finally here! Four days of non-stop cropping and sister-in-law bonding. Without husbands or three-year-olds! Yay. I even designed special t-shirts for the three of us (which, by the way,are also available for purchase at my CafePress shop).

Discovering Derian

Greetings! While surfing the 'net today, I discovered designer/decoupage artist John Derian at Anne's Blog. (Which, incidentally, she's got a good thing going on, too. I'd LOVE a "Subscription to Delight". )Anyways, back to John Derien. I'm completely entranced by his work. The designs are random, simple images plus ephemera, mixed and layered, perfectly, somehow...I can't put a finger on it, but these simple images; a fir tree, an insect, a word, are elevated to icon status in his beautiful collages. Enchanting.

Book Review

Bethany Lowe's Folk Art Halloween
My latest Halloween decorating/inspiration book. I love this book-the design, the color palette (yes, of course, black & orange), and the photography. My favorite part is, as usual, the pictures-EYE CANDY! The projects are cool-vintagey, whimsical. They seem easy enough,and there's lots of good instructions, templates, and clip-art included. A very fun and inspirational book. Especially if you're already a Bethany Lowe fan, as I am!

P.S.

I am loving this new color scheme for my Blog. Very Halloween-y. I'll change it after Oct. 31st!

Miscellany

No great shakes here, at home or in the studio. Well, that's not entirely true-I've added some Autumn goodies to the shop, some have already been posted here, but here's photos of the latest:


I'm still lagging on the Autumn decorating. I wonder what my problem is? Need some inspiration. Think I'll hole up in the bedroom and flip thru some decorating magazines for ideas. My favorites are Country Living, Country Sampler, and Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion. Always good ideas and great photos.

AUTUMN GREETINGS!!

YAY!!!! It's Official-The First Day of Autumn. In case there's any doubt in your mind, I LOVE AUTUMN!!! The cooler air, the gorgeous colors... Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and, ohmygod, more Pumpkins! I love words like... Harvest... Gather... Bountiful... Abundance. I love colors like ... ochre... burnt orange... paprika... sage... copper...amber... cinnabar (love that name!) The crispness in the air is so energizing to me, I wish it could be like this all year.
Happy Fall! Go out and Gather your Bountiful
and Abundant Harvest!!