It's Etsy time!

  
I'm really enjoying the "Suggested Shop" feature on Etsy lately. Here are a few shops they thought I would like. And they were right, I do like them.

mudpuppy

ethanollie

elista

lulubugjewelry

oktak

ArtMind

Gretel wiped bitter tears, and said to Hansel, "Now all is over with us."

   

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They traveled along like Hansel and Gretel. He led her further and further into the dark unknown. She grudgingly followed, leaving a trail behind her, hoping it would eventually guide her back. He pulled her along, deeper and deeper, until they reached their destination. He spread his arms out proudly.

"Isn't this great?"

She looked around. It was peaceful, it was relaxing, it was comfortable. It would do.

"I like it here."

She sat down and immersed herself in the surroundings, finding her nook, her place, her home. He stood over her, tall and looming.

"Okay, let's get going."

He was ready to move on. She frowned.

"But I like it here."

"It's better further ahead. I want to take you there. Trust me, you'll like it."

They traveled further into the dark unknown. She grudgingly followed, leaving a trail behind her, hoping it would eventually guide her back again. He pulled her along, deeper and deeper, until they reached their destination. He spread his arms out proudly.

"Isn't this great?"

She shrugged.

"I was happy at the other place. I liked it."

She sat down and studied her surroundings, trying to find her nook, her place, her home. He stood over her, tall and looming.

"C'mon. There's another place I want to show you."

"No."

"What?"

"I don't want to go on. I want to go back."

"I'm going on. You should come with me."

"No, I shouldn't."

He traveled further into the dark unknown, leaving her behind. She settled in, found some peace, and waited. He didn't come back. She stood, found the trail she had made, and followed it back to her nook, her place, her home.

(The title of this post is taken from Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm as found here.)

Vintage Inspired Drawer Liners

 
Remember when drawers were lined with pretty patterned paper? Here are some of my recent, vintage inspired finds.

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Searching for Inspiration.

  
A few weeks ago I made the decision to participate in The Sketchbook Project. I was so excited when I heard about it that I immediately signed up and anxiously awaited the arrival of my bar-coded sketchbook in the mail. When it finally arrived I marveled at its tiny size and delicate paper. And I've barely touched it since.

I was hoping that by joining a creative project, I would be motivated to create again. This theory has yet to come to fruition. I'd like to blame the bad place I'm in life-wise right now, not, as I fear, my lack of creativity. The jury's still out on that one though.

In an attempt to find some inspiration, I decided to search the internet for images and ideas inspired by my sketchbook theme, "Great Hopes and Massive Failures." Here are some things that caught my eye...


great hopes

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massive failures

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Yeah, well, so much for that idea. Guess it's back to the drawing board for me (pardon the pun).