Ideas

While I haven't been actively making much lately, I'm keeping myself busy by doing a few custom design orders that will actually be produced once we finish our move. I'm also trying to use the time to think about new products and where I want to take this little adventure.

One thing I really want to do is expand beyond cards. I had a fabulous little idea pop into my head yesterday that will combine Gocco printing and sewing techniques. There's a little peek from my sketchbook above--- but just a little peek!

More shall be revealed later.

(Please don't critique my drawing abilities in this quick sketch. Or poor Jane's painfully pointy boob.)

Summer Reading

{Photo courtesy of flint knits on Flickr}

I'm hoping that I can carve out a bit of time for some summer reading in the next few weeks. During the school year it feels like, well, homework. Which makes me sad.

I'm very much into short stories these days, which is a genre I used to loathe. After taking a short story class a few years ago, though, I came to respect just how challenging the form is for writers.

My favorite short story collections include:

• Interpreter of Maladiesby Jhumpa Lahiri
• Runawayby Alice Munro
• Where I'm Calling From: Selected Storiesby Raymond Carver
• The Things They Carriedby Tim O'Brien
• The Complete Short Stories Of Ernest Hemingway: The Finca Vigia Edition

I'd love to have some recommendations, too, particularly short stories or nonfiction. What are you reading lately?

Lists and Lists

I've been running around like crazy and haven't had much time to blog . . . until I was inspired by Julia to answer the questions below. Anyone else want to play? Post your comments or share on your own blog.

What were you doing 10 years ago?
Working like crazy to pay my college tuition! In June 1998 I was opening a bagel shop in the morning and waitressing until closing at a Matchbox-car themed pizza joint. Nine years ago was much more memorable--- I was nannying in Provence.

What were you doing 1 year ago?

A year ago my husband and I were meeting with caterers to plan the vegetarian menu for our August wedding. We had sage and squash ravioli, tomato and mozzarella salad, spinach salad . . . oh, and vegetable sushi rolls at cocktail hour! Too bad I didn't have time to eat any of it. My bridal shower was actually a year ago today, and I was so overwhelmed by all the loveliness from the women in my life!

Five snacks you enjoy:
Stoned wheat crackers with extra sharp Cabot Cheddar
Stoned wheat crackers with cream cheese and jalapeno jelly
Edamame with lots of salt and rice vinegar
Cashews
Rhubarb Crisp (don't tell me it's not a snack)

Five things you'd do if you were a millionaire:
Start a nonprofit for adolescent writers
Buy a country estate and become a gentlewoman farmer
Donate to dog rescue organizations (more)
Quit my job and enjoy the handmade life
Travel abroad more (Spain, New Zealand, and Belize, please!)

Five bad habits:
To-do lists. The same ones. Over and over again.
Compulsive email-checking
Eating sweets late at night
Drinking too much coffee on Sundays
Avoiding cardio like the plague

Five things you like doing:
Trying new recipes
Drinking a cold beer on a sunny porch
Walking my dogs
Making new, neat to-do lists
Writing postcards from faraway places

Five things you'd never wear again:
The hideous blue (sequin!) dress I wore to prom
Nikes
Overalls with one strap undone
Flannel shirts around my waist
Blossom-style floppy hat

Five favorite toys:
Gocco
Sewing machine
Digital camera
Computer (Etsy, Flickr, blogs)
Nice blank Moleskine journals

New Magnets in the Shop

I've had these made for awhile, but was finally able to list them in the shop today, along with some other sets. Don't you love the vintage tomato images? All I need is some mozzarella and some basil and it's summer.

And don't forget that the "buy one, get one" sale is still on in my shop!

In the City

We took this picture on Billy's cell phone last night during a ridiculously fun date where we went to see separate movies. If you recognize the drink, then you know which one I opted to see . . .