layering, gardening, intriguing patterns, mixing old with new...really makes me smile and makes me feel good. a set of cocktail napkins and lavender filled sachets are new and in the shop. i have so many projects started, so many things i want to make. i've wanted to make appetizer sized napkins for quite some time. they're just so handy. i really like the idea of a set of each for a hostess, a new home or bridal gift. the lavender sachets are arrowhead and botanically inspired.

embrace what makes you smile and feel good this week.

sources:

1. photo by jason busch of debra cronin's home via blueskybutterflystudio spotted on pin by rose rockrosewine 2. carlo scarpa brick pavement via tectonicablog spotted on pin by brandon freitag 3. garden from smith and hawken garden structures by linda joan smith via poppytalk spotted on pin by susan tuttle 4. set of four handmade cocktail napkins shop at kuwatani 5. set of 4 lavender filled sachets via kuwatani 6. antique and variance objects bracelets via metiersf

summer months have a special sweetness and lightness in colors - a natural glow indoor and outdoor - around here in the bay area it's overheating. these images make me feel a bit cooler. below are a couple images of fabric cards i worked on for a good friend and a relative. each has a separate sturdy card, simple but delicate embroidery stitching and an embroidery floss bowtie on thicker muslin with a wire for hanging. i would like to make a series of one of a kind fabric cards for the shop. it would feel special and unique to receive a hand embroidered one of a kind card - a lingering sentiment that doesn't wilt and hopefully doesn't land in a box somewhere.

have an especially sweet and light week.

sources:

1. emily wolfenden watercolor via poetryandstones spotted on pin by lizzyjanssen 2. home of tomas colaco via tomcolahome 3. paper cut outs via britishmuseum spotted on pin by mirella bruno 4. villa lante garden via wikipedia 5 and 6. a couple of fabric cards - similar cards to be in the shop someday soon, photos by me.

after gathering bits and pieces of made and collected treasures, cary (good friend and author of the ins and outs post) and i styled the tables on our back deck to set the mood to embrace a tactile summer celebrating with close friends. it turned out to be a very nice evening - tasty, tactiley inviting, fun conversations and witty banter - a good time all the way around. for those interested parties in the bay area wondering who to consult with to compose or put together a setting for an event or photo shoot celebrating a certain mix, a thoughtful jumble of tactiley inviting textures, colors, and layers send me a message to a certain mix. we'll be happy to go from there and see how we can help. it's an informal collaboration - simply offering ideas or arranging the entire visual feast to set the desired mood.

have a summery week filled with visual delights.

sources:

1. a handmade banner above a collection of ceramic goodies, found treasures, a footed serving bowl from pottery barn's napoli line and a hand formed waxed linen basket. 2. a close up shot. 3. on top of an old redwood table made by my husband, a tranquil although dark shot of this tactile summer setting. images 4,5, and 6: the other side of the deck - a round table with a circle of goodies including a few treasured hardie cobbs ceramic vessels, another one of a kind waxed linen basket and lavender filled arrowhead inspired sachets - handmade objects also made by greg and i to be found at kuwatani. all photos by me, karen.

a dash of pink, a splash of purple sets an energetic and playful mood. below, images of a couple brooches with layers of soft and feminine mixed with strong and rustic elements - smooth satin stitching hand embroidered in pops of color juxtaposed with nubby linen yarn and twisted wire made to playfully add a boost of tactile sweetness to any ensemble.

hope you have a playfully energetic week.

sources:

1. kettle watercolor by misato suzuki via alittlepainter 2. hand embroidered brooch via kuwatani 3. a couple of brooches, designed and handmade in marin, california via kuwatani 4. jess brown interior via silenceondecore spotted on pin by bon boutique 5. garden photograph by hannah via gravetyemanor 6. mociun sapphire and ruby ring via mociun

hope your father's day solstice weekend went smoothly. a hand-embroidered hand-beaded boutonniere or pin shown below is in the shop.

have a soothing dreamy week.

sources:

handmade in marin county,california - a boutonniere or pin via kuwatani 2. frederik vercruysse photo of bedroom interior as seen in dwell magazine via frederikvercruysse 3. photo by misato via alittlepainter 4. georges lacombe marine bleue painting via wikipedia 5. forget me not ring via inezstodel spotted on pin by jeanne van etten 6. rosanna castrini image of villa bricherasio botanical garden via elblogdelatabla spotted on pin by fredric herbinet

i really like the combination of old world charm and new modern charm. if i could master this aesthetic, it would make me feel like i've accomplished something uniquely wonderful and creatively complete. furry little milo wanted to be part of the photo below showcasing a cheery yet romantic handmade tiara now in the shop.

have a wonderful week.

sources:

1. garden at snowshill manor, photo by jayembee69 via japaneseflowergarden spotted on pin by frederic herbinet 2. emil nolde orchid via mutualart spotted on pin by jill marie greenhill 3. 1900s edelweiss locket via eriebasin 4. handmade tiara and milo the neighbor's cat via kuwatani 5. rare peach bougainvillea via saipua 6. s.r. gambrel designed glover street interior via srgambrel 

wedding details can be as unique as you choose to make it. the little things can make a difference. i finished a tiara with lavender and turquoise highlights shown below and in the shop.

celebrate what makes you feel unique this week.

sources:

1. ceca georgieva necklace via abigaildoan 2. thistle study photo by dawn m via athomewithred 3. handmade one of a kind tiara via kuwatani 4. old st. hilary's church in tiburon where I grew up and got married, photo by kinsey mhire via sincerelykinsey 5. claude monet's wisteria via wikipedia spotted on pin by mirella bruno 6. mociun sun and moon stone cluster ring via mociun

an easy breezy aesthetic feels just right. look at the meticulously handcrafted hanging baskets added to the shop and swaying in the image below.

hope all mothers enjoyed their day yesterday. have an easy breezy week.

sources:

1. glowing gabriella kiss ring via augustla 2. andrea belag painting via andreabelag spotted on pin by bailey b 3. mark and sally bailey's home via sfgirlbybay spotted on pin by beatrice sarti 4. stream farm lodge via lovelylife 5. handcrafted waxed linen baskets via kuwatani 6. photo by marcus harpur and helen fickling of chris moss designed garden via carex