Here’s what I found on my last trip down the handmade rabbit hole of lovely things.

1) Chalkboard Mug  2) Porcelain Bottle  3) Cori Badge
4) Camera iPhone Cover  5) Antique Ring

When Cors and I went out this morning, the sky was grey with little wispy pink clouds. Just like this collection:

You can find all these lovelies right over here.

You can visit their Etsy shop, website, and blog, too.

Your work is beautiful! How did you begin letterpressing?
We took a letterpressing workshop down in Irvine. We were addicted (I think we both dreamed about printing that night) and decided to buy our very own press! We took some more classes but are largely self-taught. We’ve definitely learned through doing.

What is your favorite part of the creative process?
Our favorite part of the creative process is seeing our designs come to life – that final stage where we ink up the press and start printing! It’s such a satisfying feeling seeing it pressed on to paper.

What was your inspiration for your Valentine cards?
My dad always draws an arrow through his hearts when he writes me a note. It’s the sweetest depiction of his love. I’ve been incorporating arrows in a number of our cards for a while. One of the prints we made is also of a heart with the phrase “You Quiet My Wild Heart” inside of it – Sarah designed it and thought it was a common phrase, but we’ve come to realize she just made it up. It was inspired by Valentines but really could apply year round as a nice gift.

What’s your favorite dessert?
Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies hands down. Ok, that’s a lie. Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough. The salt, the sugar, the oats – nothing beats it.

Sarah’s got a vicious sweet tooth… she’ll pretty much eat anything in the dessert department. But for her, nothing beats a scoop of well-made vanilla bean ice cream.

2012 Goals for Wayside Violet:

• Improved/updated packaging. Time for some newness.
• Discontinue products. A few cozy styles and colors will no longer be available.
• Create new things! I’m really excited about this one. There are tons of sketches piling up and I think there are some wonderful things coming. You can be sure to see sneak peeks and in progress updates right here in the next few months.

I’ve learned this year that my positivity could drive me crazy if I let. I broke down and I bought my Christmas cards. They are gorgeous and I love them!

I went with posts cards from Rifle Paper Co. in the Happy Holidays and Noel designs. The little monogram notes in the upper right-hand corner are from In Haus Press and they are the perfect size for little gift tags or stocking stuffers.

I also threw in a few fun mailing accessories like this return address stamp and golden heart stickers and dotted washi tape for sealing envelops. Time to get writing!

The shop will close at 7pm on Friday December 16th. Any US orders placed on or before  the 16th will be shipped in time for Christmas gift giving. Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that international orders will arrive before the holidays.

Thank you to everyone who has made a purchase from my little shop so far this season. I still have that, “Yay! A sale!” feeling every time that Etsy notification pops into my inbox. It is a pleasure to be a part of your holidays!

Before I go I thought I’d share a little treasury I pulled together today. It’s a bunch of things that I’m loving right now. I hope you like them, too!

Click here for links to this beauties!

I’ll be back soon with a few travel photos and stories to share. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Peacock Ore Studs – A Lovely, Little Shop, Camera Strap – Lorayn, Futura Print – The Medium Control, Headband – Love Maude & Brown Heels - Old Baltimore Vintage

Three of the shop owners graciously took time to answer a few questions:

What does Vintage mean to you?
“I love vintage because it’s practically one of a kind and I like to feel special.” – Jenny of Old Baltimore Vintage

What does Handmade mean to you?
“Handmade to me, means creating a unique item, from start to finish, with pure dedication and love. There’s nothing quite like making something with your own hands or receiving an item that you know that has been painstakingly hand crafted by someone’s hands. It’s amazing!” – Chelsea of Lovely, Little Shop

Why do you create?
“I know it sounds cliche, but stitching is such a natural part of myself, it’s almost as normal as breathing to me. I always, and I mean always have a working piece with me! I have been known to sneak in a stitch or two when stopped at a long stoplight. I feel most comfortable with a needle in one hand a piece of felt in the other and a box of thread at my side.” – Sandie of love, maude

Thanks ladies!

I love this glittery magnet idea from Pugly Pixel. So simple and pretty and of course shiny!

Five things that I’m loving on Etsy right now:

Brass Leaf Ring, Little Goat, Monogram Locket, Arrow Letterpress Note Cards and Flower Backpack

My dream cottage would have a mighty little garden of sweet peas. Then I could copy the way Jeska has arranged hers so sweetly:

Two Good Reads:
If you haven’t already, get yourself over to Kinfolk and lose yourself in its loveliness.
I’ve always wanted super glamorous mod-eyes like Twiggy. If you’re the same way this is the tutorial for you!

]]> http://waysideviolet.com/2011/08/03/wednesday-loves-9/feed/ 1 http://waysideviolet.com/2011/07/09/recent-knits-2/ http://waysideviolet.com/2011/07/09/recent-knits-2/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 01:15:39 +0000 Jessica http://waysideviolet.com/?p=12963 This week I got a custom order for an oatmeal-collored mug cozy with a wooden button. I used some beautiful fisherman’s wool form my stash and I’m so happy with out it turned out! I might add a few to the shop.

What do you think? Is it a keeper?

I don’t think I’ve posted any photos of my new packaging. Here’s a little peek…

I’m getting lots of pattern making and knitting done this weekend. Which means, I have lots of new things coming to the shop in the fall. I can’t wait to share them all!