Gumball Grenade Online Shop

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Have You Met Spoonflower!


Have you met Spoonflower! I was introduced earlier this year via another amazing Etsy artist's blog, the infamous and pixie like Emily Martin of The Black Apple. Since this little introduction I've fallen head over heels in love with Spoonflower! This wonderful business is an independent designer's dream ! On Spoonflower.com you can design your own fabric! No minimum order requirement, no requirement for bulk yardage. Submit your design and order! I have been dreaming that a service like this would be made available! In my mind they are an integral part of supporting independent designers and the indie handmade movement. I am absolutely thrilled that my "Wolf and Little Red" fabric was selected by the wonderful people of Spoonflower.com as as one of four fabric designs that could be made available for a limited time on the Spoonflower Etsy shop. It is up for vote along with three other wonderful fabric designs! You can vote for your favorite by visiting the Spoonflower Blog here!


Saturday, December 27, 2008

Christmas Comforts


Each year we try to get down to the center of town to stroll Christmas Village. My parents used to take me through the park when I was little and I have very fond memories of peeking into all of the little elf houses to see what was going on inside. More and more these houses have been adopted by giant businesses and the decor has moved away from the spirit of the season and more towards advertisement. Santa was even MIA on Christmas Eve. But this gave another opportunity to expand on the tale of St. Nicholas and his goings ons. However towards the end of our stroll a bit of handmade was depicted in one of the homes...A SOCK MONKEY! Anyway here are some pics from the village.

Friday, December 19, 2008

My Handmade Christmas!

Yay! I've had so much fun making goodies and gifts for friends and loved ones over the last couple of days! Here are some chocolate pizzelles I made this morning. Pizzelles are an Italian cookie, but there are also scandanavian versions of this darling cookie as well called Krumkake. I could go broke collecting the different style of irons that make beautiful patterns on the cookie! This is the first time I made a chocolate version! The variety of flavors you can make is countless!

Krumkake and Pizzelle Cookie


I also made some cashew and vanilla caramels, combining a Martha Stewart recipe with another recipe. I love cashews and I love caramel, so it was all I could do not to gobble up the whole lot of them!




Lastly, I finished up a little puppy pop art for my dear neighbor! She has the cutest little Boston Terrier named Zoe. I've been helping her watch the little one during the day. Marzipan, my little Coton de Tulear puppy, just loves her to death! He's so protective and snugly with her. So I put together some cute little puppy pop art prints for her to enjoy. You should have seen me howling at her to get her to tilt her head just right. So sweet!







Boston Terrier and Coton De TulearHere's wishing you a happy handmade holiday as well!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood Keepsake Boxes!

Dark Forest Wolf Keepsake Box
Dark Forest Little Red Riding Hood Keepsake Box
Yay! A shop update today! I just added these two adorable wooden keepsake boxes featuring my Dark Forest Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood illustrations. You can find them here: Fables and Foxes

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Friday, December 5, 2008

More Pillow Talk!

Big Bad Wolf Applique Pillow


Little Red Riding Hood Applique Pillow

Applique Pillow Back

Yay! I zipped over to my mom's house this morning to find that she had completed the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood applique pillows. She said she let out little "horay" when she finished them. Her craftsmanship and attention to detail on these is phenomenal! She came over to my house this afternoon and I gave her a photo tutorial and showed her how the Fables and Foxes shop was looking. She said, "I haven't been this excited about sewing in a long time!" I think we've found a perfect way for us to blend our skills and make something that is truly magical. She's already starting on getting three more pillows together using the same red fabric in the background!

Anyway they are available here!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The Keeper

The Keeper Papercutting


The Keeper Papercut Art Print


I just updated my Fables and Foxes shop with this little papercut, The Keeper Art Print. Such wonderful things lurk in the deep and dark forest. Dare to step in and you never know what the outcome might be. Maybe something wonderful, magical, made up of the pure essence of all things you love. Or linger on the outskirts. Peer from the boundaries. Dance around the edges and never know the wonders that await. I've been thinking of the new year. I'm going to into the deep, dark forest. I'll be sure to leave a trail of crumbs if you'd like to follow!