{ {Upcycled and Repurposed DEsigns Handmade from my seaside home } } Musings on mod & vintage treasures ~ Thrifty Living ~ Urban Pantry ~ ~ Mindful Parenting ~ and a passion for Fantasy Fiction
This cuddled up little fox is my latest needle felted applique design for House of Rowan’s upcycled cashmere baby blankets. He shares his resting place with a three dotted mushrooms - all woodland loveliness.
Continuing my fascination with imaginative tree imagery, I’ve just discovered this vintage children’s fantasy adventure written in 1969 by 18-year-old author Ruth Nichols called A Walk Out of the World, with fabulous and haunting, other-worldly illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman.
The story presents two troubled adolescents, Judith and Tobit, who escape their confining urban world simply by leaving it and walking into the world of fantasy. Here they find the space and opportunity to grow, becoming, almost immediately, significant figures in a cosmic battle between good and evil two troubled adolescents, Judith and Tobit, who escape their confining urban world simply by leaving it and walking into the world of fantasy. Here they find the space and opportunity to grow, becoming, almost immediately, significant figures in a cosmic battle between good and evil…. (www.bookrags.com)
Lately I find myself drawn to the simple graphics, color schemes, and typography of vintage record and book covers. Some of my favorite designs are from Poland and Sweden, the American designer Alvin Lustig, and what really catches my eye is the 1960s modern Czech street map.
We’re so thrilled: our six-year-old daughter modeled for the cover (and back cover) of this new book all about fairy houses in Maine. We’re all so proud of her; and we love the book! Fairy House Handbook, written by Liza Gardner Walsh, with photography by Amy Whilton.
My latest in the spring series of cashmere baby blankets. A luxuriously soft baby girl patchwork quilt in baby blues, aqua, and more wonderful blues! Support handmade, found here on Etsy, House of Rowan.
“Maine Mead Works was founded in 2007 with the goal of re-introducing the world to the oldest of all fermented beverages. Using locally sourced honey, clear, pure water and our own proprietary yeast strain, we blend ancient tradition and modern science to produce distinctive wines at our meadery in downtown Portland, Maine.”
Etsy is chock-a-block with articles championing artists & crafters to quit their day job and become, what I like to call, People of the Handmade Revolution. When I became pregnant with my first daughter, I quit my job publishing an arts and alternative health journal, and I sold my business so that I could work from home making upcycled sweater designs (House of Rowan) and selling via Etsy. Reading articles such as this helps to keep the determination fires lit. - Read the article about Kin Ship Presshere.