Nature Calling

We have been enjoying a most splendid spring with lots of rain and cool weather, and I couldn't help but share a few artistic graphic designs that I've created that draw upon nature for inspiration and for, shall I say, a bit of humor.

I designed the Homestead Antique Flyer above--I styled it (alongside the owner,) photographed it, and created the final graphic design. These were made into postcards and sent out as advertisments for thier upcoming spring antique fair.

Two years ago I shot these last three photos for a nature-inspired line of postcards (back when I still sold items in my Etsy store).  My neice and I had quite a bit of fun tweaking the text and overall graphic design of the cards. I actually spent quite a bit of time creating this line, but in the end, even after hours of work, I realized that while these cards reveal the quirky, nature-loving side of me, they did not fit my over all style, so they were just filed away into a folder on my computer. I'm sure we all have folders full of ideas that never made it past our personal computers.

Typewriter Tango-- Just a silly picture-- nothing spectaluar, but I can't help but imagine tango music while watching these two intertwining worms.

My very favorite postcard: Texting is 4 grubs:)

This postcard was my very favorite design as it gave me the chance to vicariously poke fun at technology via a curious, hungry caterpillar. (And I had to resist adding LMAO at the end of the phrase...)

I could go on and on about how texting gets on my nerves, but I guess I'll save that for another post, another day.

I hope spring has also been treating you well.

I'm off to finish preparing for Amelia's 4th birthday party...


I'll be back soon!

_{images by à la parisienne}

Autumn Palette: From Nature to Wardrobe

Fall has a way of convincing a person to love warm colors. Normally, I am a lover of cool and neutral colors-grays, blushes, lilacs, aquas, but when the crisp fall winds arrive,

I am hypnotized by her seasonal hues: burnt oranges, mustard yellows, mossy chartreuse greens, teal, bare branch grays, and browns the color of acorn shells.

I am invigorated as I survey my fall sweaters and scarves and always enjoy dabbling on the warm side of the color spectrum. My fall wardrobe reflects that part of me that loves warmth, that part of me that loves texture, that part of me that enjoys trying new things...

_{images and design by à la parisienne}

Cultivating a Sustainable Life One Step at a Time

As the prices for groceries gradually climb and the quality of grocery chain's produce continues to decrease, my desire for cultivating a semi-self-sustained life grows.

For the last two years, I have dabbled in gardening hoping to save a few bucks on squash, tomatoes, and zuccinis, but my desire to grow my own food has flourished into a passion.

This spring, my husband and I completely revamped our garden (pictures to come soon), and I have recently started a garden club at our church, which has already been a great blessing of fellowship and exchange of gardening wisdom.

The following images are pictures of my 2010 garden.


_{We made a literal raised "bed" by placing an antique headboard behind the raised bed containers.}

_{Last year's garden was quite small-about 4 feet wide by 10 feet long and was comprised of a small 4 foot square plot in the ground and 4 small raised beds.}

_{Amelia's watering "can"}

<sub>an old wheel barrow cradled cheerful zinnas

In last year's garden, I parked an old wheelbarrow in between the raised beds and the plants planted in the</sub>

_{ground to offer some height and interest.}

Who says escargot can't entertain a two year old?

I tried my best not to freak out everytime Amelia played with snails in our yard. She needs to get her hands dirty and to have a hands on experience when we are outdoors.

In a month or so, I will be sharing the newly designed garden, and by then, hope to be feasting on its goodness!

_{images by à la parisienne}