Paperdolls

I love paperdolls.

I know, but I can't help myself! Ever since my Granny bought me my first book {"The Godey's Lady's Book 1840-1854"} I've been hooked. Maybe it's the possibility of endless wardrobe changes without the messy hair or just the romance of slipping into another identity free of charge. Whatever it is, I like it. I also love the section of Instyle that lays the clothes out for you, mmm...pure goodness. Well, great joy(!) I've stumbled upon the online version of paperdolls + Instyle- Polyvore. Now this could become a serious procrastination tool but it's so darn fun.


A little outfit I put together just moments ago with Polyvore.

They collect images of clothing and stash them in their database, access is free and you get to become a fashion editor at home! If you also like paperdolls/not sure what they are Donald Hendricks has a beautiful site, his illustrations are clever and inspire me. I love that he chooses classic books and brings them to life.

A sample of the paperdoll I made for my friend Julie (sorry poor picture quality). I make custom paperdolls for friends to kind of capture the fun times we've shared and showcase each ladies fantastic personality. Little details are tucked away on each page for her to find. The stack of fabric in front of Julie were the fabrics she used to decorate her first apartment as a newlywed.

The outfit on the right was from the mother of all flea market trips to Canton, TX. Our slogan that morning was "Hard Core" with a giant laugh, we were too determined to let the rain slow us down! It turns out, that's the best time to shop, we got the best deals and the greatest stuff. I'll be posting samples of my paperdolls this weekend at my shop. I'm very excited to get them out there finally, they're my most personal & favorite creative outlet. Hence my procrastination to put them "out there".

Olivia Grace

Uncle Dan and Olivia
Our sweet little niece Olivia came for a visit this weekend! Dan and I were pleased as punch to spend the day with her and Dana, Dan's sister. She'll be One next month and I think she's the happiest little girl in the world! Always smiling, laughing and showing off her tricks- blowing kisses, flirting with boys and dribbling her finger across her mouth. Aren't family days the best? We started the afternoon with lunch at Counter Culture, {Dana is the newest fan of the Humphrey Yogart (yum!)}, galloped with a zebra on the Boardwalk's carosel, swam til Livie's heart was content and full and ended the evening with a cookout. The backyard was a happy place- fireflies danced around ball players, popsicles melted down tiny fists, contentment was is in the air. Dana declared Uncle Dan Olivia's favorite person so far, he is LOVING it. We miss them so much- the house feels empty without them. Looking forward to our next visit! Love you!

Bluettes

Julie , Arielle and I had a fabulous time picking blueberries out in Oil City yesterday. If you're ready for blueberry season, this is the least expensive place around. I came home with 5 pounds of the beautiful berries and paid ... $2.00!!! yahoo! Can you believe it?! I'll post the phone number and directions later if anyone would like them. Great morning full of friendly chatter and chirping birds, very peacful.

Julie (with Olivia Ann-due July 1st!) + Arielle (due in October!) + Jen (not due anytime soon!)

Packing the blueberries away for winter. Filled freezer bags full 2 cups each and laid flat in the freezer. Mmmm, these will be so good over my pancakes in December!

The World's Best Cookbook!

This is it- The World's Best Cookbook! My dear friend Tara gave this to me last Christmas and what a gift. I used to feel overwhelmed and inadequate in the kitchen, but now there's no stopping me! I even like planning meals and look expanding my culinary vocab. Test Kitchen tips are every page, it's like having an expert coach you through meal prep. Each recipe has been perfect and they even share which products worked best during testing

p.54- Test Kitchen Favorite- DaVinici Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - best overall flavor and only $8 liter

p.563- The Perfect Pie Plate- Pyrex Ovensafe glass pie plate
Can't wait to try out my new frosting skills-mine usually look the one on the right!

Ta Dah!

I finally have a desk! yahoo! I've been searching since October for the perfect desk at the perfect price and last Saturday the Lord blessed me. Here it is measuring 60" x 34" x 31.25". The doors to our home are exactly 31.50" inches across once you take the doors off. It was a perfect fit! The little desk I was using before was the size of the green mat in this picture- just a little bit more elbow room now.

A little bonus compartment on the left-a spring loaded shelf pulls out and gives you more space! Dan told me it was originally for a typewriter, I'm using it for my sewing machine. It's tucked in there with my batting, patterns and paint box.

The estate sale was selling it for $200 (yikes), I put a bid for $50 in case no one bought it. Went home and started cleaning out my studio to make room and at 3:30 they called! No one else wanted it, thank goodness. The Lord is amazing- I woke up that morning and knew it was the day I'd get my desk! Thanks Drew for helping me bring it home!

Little Cards

A sample of some cards I've been making and giving away. Everyone who loves polka dots raise your hand! Took some card stock and rounded the corners , then used a hole punch on all my favorite scrap pieces. Little glue stick {okay- a lot of glue stick on my fingers} and it's done! Easy + quick are my favorite projects!

A little messiness in the middle of busyness. Love all the tools involved in creativity.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday dear Kelly! Hope you receive the royal treatment today from your sweet men. Three cheers for a terrific wife and fabulous mother! Have fun celebrating you and put your tootsies up for a bit. This Boston Cream Pie is just for you!

What a Man!

Who can resist this man?

My Pawpaw- dressed to the nines with my sweet Aunt Linda for his monthly men's club. I am so wowed by him. He's always been my favorite man in the world, but lately my heart's filled to the brim. He's really gotten out there and kept going, Granny would be proud. At eighty years he's making us look like homebodies- Dances, Dinner Trolley's, Musicals, Letterpressing, Dance lessons and Senior Olympics. Lunch with him is a hoot, he knows everyone dining and working there. And I'm so proud because they all respect him, love him and are so very kind to him.

Plump and Full

I'd like to take a moment and introduce my beautiful blueberry bushes to you. I am the proud owner of three gorgeous and happy bushes, planted firmly by the fence, in a sunny patch of our backyard. They keep company with our sunflower and the little sunflower babies that are currently sprouting. Dan thinks it's funny that I'm so proud and keep introducing them to everyone who ventures into our backyard, but I can't help it. I'm excited about growing my own little berries and the endless dessert possibilities this summer. The only thing standing in our way are the plump and full little birds who've have discovered them. Any tips on shooing birds?!

If you're planting in your garden soon, this is where I bought my berries. They are so friendly and helpful!

Blooming

Isn't this a beautiful bunch of peonies? This picture always makes me feel most happy, doesn't it make you square your shoulders and sit up a little taller too? I'm on vacation this week, but have decided this little beauty will be at my desk, cheering me up this summer. Thought this was the perfect time to start a journal of all the inspiring and fun things I'd like to share with my favorite friends who are so far away. I'll be posting every few days- ideas, pictures, randomness and projects I'm working on. So thankful for every ones encouragement, interest and shared joy of all things Ruby Coco! My favorite part of this whole blog world is getting a glimpse into the creative world of other artists, it's so fun and there's always a connection that zaps me. Hope to hear from you!
Image from Domino