Merriment and Peppermint

From the time I was a little girl my favorite animal has been the Moose

to be honest I'm not sure I've ever seen one in person

but I love them none the less

Last weeks Doodley Doo was Woodlands

and I used the topic to work on a drawing I did back in 2008

I've been so dang frustrated lately with how to color my work

and after hours of experimenting I think I've finally found

a process that works for me!!!

What do you think?

I painted my moose - his name is Peppermint

in photoshop... it's a rather long process

well at least adding all his hair was

but I love the clean look

and the fact that I can edit my work as I move along

no more going to far with the colors

or oh my goodness why did I choose that color!!

and so forth and what not...

I was so excited with how Mr. Peppermint turned out

that I used him as the mascot of my new etsy shop I just opened

I know - kind of sudden right?

well I've been thinking about and honestly really needing to

open a second shop in order to separate all the different avenues

my little creative mind takes me in

So now you can find all my vintage items at Merriment and Peppermint

along with some new vintage inspired nursery decor

that I will be finishing real soon

Here are a few more shots from the little photo shoot

hubby was kind enough to do with me yesterday

in fact hubby was such a great sport

because we realized after we were done

that I didn't have a memory card in the camera

so we had to go back to the house and then back out again

and of coarse the lighting wasn't as good the second time around

so I don't think any of these photos are amazing

but I also couldn't decide which shot was the best... lol

For those of you who signed up for my giveaway

and were so kind as to spread the word about my shop

THANK YOU!!!

I did see my numbers jump a bit

and even made a sale! :)

I really appreciate the support!!!

So without further delay...

the winner is

the ever sweet Linda

of Linda's Goodies

♥

Shop Talk - & A GIVEAWAY!!!

It's a bit hard to see here on my blog

but I finally made a new banner for my etsy shop

I wanted it to match my new blog design a bit

I wish I could figure out why in the world

it looks grainy every time I upload it to etsy?

I've tried playing with different resolutions

but nothing seems to help...

any one know what's going on?

I've finally updated my shop with all my new hair pin sets

I've been really down these last few days

a lot of self doubt.... ick

but I'm trying to pick myself up again

am keep on keeping on

I could really use some help promoting my shop...

I'm not very good at this part of the business

and I know 2-3 views a day is not going to do the job

so...

here is the part where I kindly ask

you to share with your friends

a little mention on facebook, twitter or such

it's easy as pie to find an item in my shop that you like

and click on the share button that fits you

and in return I would like to offer a special gift

the chance to win a $10 voucher

towards any item in my shop

(to be used at anytime)

+ I will also give a $5 voucher to one of your friends

(anyone of your choosing)

you can just let me know who you would like the voucher to be sent to

or have a giveaway on your blog - for all of your friends.

Just leave a note on this post to sign yourself up for this giveaway

I will announce the winner next Monday

One last thing...

have any of your etsy seller tried using the showcases

to get extra exposure

and hopefully some sales?

if so has it helped?

I've signed up for two this month

and I am really hoping it will help

*crossing fingers*

Pets Are People Too

I hate being late...

it's one of the things that most always sets off my anxiety issues

but yesterday I could just not get myself

in gear and post this weeks Doodley Doo

Might be because I was having one of THOSE days

or more likely because I'm not very happy with this weeks drawing

Actually I was quite pleased with the sketch

it is as usual the "coloring" that just doesn't work

I've really got to find a medium that works for me

it's really starting to drive me crazy! GRRRR

The topic this last week was me and my pets

but I kind added to it and did

me and my boys

Both Miller and Charlie are technically my dogs

but they are really my husbands dogs

not doubt about it

If Dad starts packing his suitcase

they both start acting up

they instinctively seem to know when they are going

and when they are being left behind

oh what sad puppy dog eyes my Miller Dog has

but somehow they are 10% more powerful

when he wants a bite of your cookie

I love my boys!

I always refer to them as my children

and in so many ways they are

Taking care of these two pups

is like taking care of two toddlers full-time

who NEVER grow out of the terrible 2 stage!

But oh boy do they melt your heart

when they come up for cuddles

and when they are fast asleep

I always say I hope I'm better at raising Children

than I am dogs!!!

These two rule the house!

& my Heart

An entire outfit for just $4.69!

I've always wanted to have one of those girly closets

full of petticoats and sweet ruffly dresses

just like my friend Ashlee

but sadly I've never had the opportunity to own

a single piece of "true" lolita swag

Most of my wardrobe is made up of little girl

dresses, sweaters, and even shoes

It's a perk to being a small as I am

the sweet innocent cuts and girly hues

appeal to my inner child

and the price tags are much easier on my pocket book

such as this darling dress that I purchased

for $1 at a thrift store

and this Old Navy T I got on sale for $2.50

I'm so excited to share my first "handmade" outfit

call it cheating but when you are learning to sew

an entire outfit can be rather daunting

at this point a simple hemline is no small feat

I'm learning that sewing is much like wood working

cut once - measure twice! or 5 times in my case

My waistband is wonky wonky wonky

but hey it stays in place

and so I am quiet satisfied!

I hand sewed the top collar of the dress to my t-shirt

and I am just so excited with how it turned out!!!

I'm going to be on the look out for more cute collars

to add to boring ol' t-shirts

Next week I start my first "real" sewing project

I'm going to make a jumper

I wanted to make some pantaloons first

but the Simplicity patterns are never on sale

gosh dang it!

So what do you think of my new hair color?

A dramatic new hair cut and color all in one week

my poor husband ... luckily he's pretty good with change

I am STILL so in love with my new hair!

I can't really put it into words

it just suites me

I mentioned in my last post that I was working on some new items for my shop

and that I would be doing a giveaway this week

but sorry - I'm pushing it to next week

I'm really excited to start editing through

the 250 pictures I took of all the new coordinating hair pins

I'm getting ready to post in the shop next week

Question for all you mommas out there:

I'm often asked if I carry hair barrettes

for babies and small girls with fine hair

but I just can't seem to figure out what is the best type?

I'm so dang broke these days that I don't want to invest in a "bad"

barrettes type that wont stay in or might hurt... any suggestions?

I would really appreciate it!!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone

Hubby is dragging me along on a day camping trip

doesn't the man know I don't even own a pair of tennis shoes?

haha yeah I know that is pathetic

I think I'm more worried about taking our dogs

they aren't exactly the most well behaved pups

and I'm afraid an entire day outdoors with them

is going to be a LOT of work

To Never Never Land

This last weeks Doodley Doo was HATS

and well I guess I cheated a bit

because I ended up finishing up

this drawing I started a LONG time ago

but hey - they are all wearing hats

so I think it counts

I started working on this Peter Pan series

right after I finished my Alice in Wonderland set

way back in the summer of 2009

I'm not sure if I will ever finish this set

I've been stuck on this one of Wendy and Peter

"kissing" for ages!!!

I can't seem to figure out

how to make my simple little faces in profile

it's driving me crazy

Here are a few fun clippings I found last year

at the Portland Public Library

I love the story of Peter Pan

and so who knows I might just finish

this set - Someday

Perhaps another Doodley Doo

will come around that inspires me to work on

Tinker or maybe Nanna?

I'm hooked on making treasuries

now that you don't have to win the "etsy lottery"

so to speak to get ahold of one

I never did get a chance to make

an "old fashioned" treasury

Take a peak at this Pan inspired treasury before it disappears

Oh and hey this is a bit of fun news

I'm going to start posting on Paper*Cakes Finds again

Nothing more fun that having a good excuse

to scour through the wonderful world of etsy