artist feature: susan connor

Susan Connor is a self-taught textile designer who launched her namesake company in early 2014. Working in editions with limited availability, her pillows and blankets are individual pieces of art. Simple and bohemian in nature, her designs feature beautiful colors with delicate patterns. Personally, I would be happy to own any of her wares but below are a few favorites.

Have a good weekend everyone!

totem cushion

taza cushion

temple cushion

circa throw

mara throw

Want to read more? Check out one or all of these related posts. 

cushion source
february 25, 2014

artist feature: haptic lab
march 19, 2014

artist feature: rebecca atwood
april 4, 2014

illustrations for kids

Recently, I have come across some really great illustrations for kids. They all depict animals because lets be honest what is cuter than a graphic animal print in an adorable nursery or play room? They also are all priced between $20 and $30 making them super affordable. 

Gingiber

Gingiber is a Springfield, Arkansas based papergoods and homewares studio selling the designs of Stacie Bloomfield. Her prints as well as other goods are available on her website or on her Etsy shop. 

gray sheep

dalmation

brittany spaniel

Pico Modi

Pico Modi is a Society 6 represented shop with a huge selection of graphic prints. Their graphics aren't just of animals nor just for kids so check out their shop to see more. 

chewy

zen snow bunny

slow day

crocodile on roller skates

Oh Bessie!

Oh Bessie! offers room decor, clothing and accessories for kids. Started by the mother-daughter duo - Lisa and Jamie - the shop features original fun and whimsical designs in multiple colorways.

zebra

piggie

gators

Want to read more? Check out one or all of these related links. 

hey baby craft co.
july 9, 2014

land of nod for kid spaces
july 31, 2014

animal patterns for kids
april 3, 2015

our landscaping master plan

So this post is about four months overdue but better late than never...Back in September, I wrote this post about the jungle that was our yard and my goals for fall clean up. I attempted to keep my expectations reasonable but in the end the work was just too much and our fall schedule was too busy to really make any sort of head way. So we hired the work out!

Back in October, we found a great landscaping crew on referral and they clean up the whole yard in a matter of two days. It took four guys each day but they cleared all the beds - front and back - and torn out/dug up all the bamboo. On the third and fourth days of work, they planted local grass seed, edged in new beds, dug out a sump discharge run, laid some flagstone pavers and did a little bit of transplanting. The transformation was/is incredible and the fact that it happened so quickly was really exciting. 

The decision to do the work/getting the work done happened really quickly as we were working up against the first frost deadline. The clean up required no planning but then what to after required me to rush to come up with a whole landscaping master plan. It was and is by no means complete but as I start to think about the coming of Spring, I am excited to start executing what we set in motion back in the fall.

Our lot is a 1/3 of an acre which is a lot for us to tend so like all our other projects, we are tackling it in pieces. I will call the work we did in the fall "Phase 1: Clean Out and Master Planning". 

The plan above is a mix of things already in place and things we plan on adding. Existing landscape elements include: flagstone patio closest to the house, concrete back door walkway, concrete patio behind the garage, driveway, sump discharge/runoff, backyard grass!, edged in beds and large trees. Things to be added include: fencing, edible garden, planting of all beds, adding bushes and trees, extension of flagstone patio by the house to hold our fire pit and grill, flagstone walkway at the end of the driveway leading to the backyard and about a thousand other things. 

I haven't quite gotten my head around what are the priorities as we think towards spring but I know at a minimum we need to line/fill our sump discharge with rock, maintain our garden beds by at least weeding, edging and mulching and re-seed the grass. I also would really like to start on getting our edible garden going even if this just means prepping the soil. There is really so much to think about/do it is a little overwhelming but I am also just so excited to be able to use our yard this year. Lots more to come and hopefully not so delayed....

Want to read more? Check out one or all of these related posts. 

black fences
march 28, 2014

our front yard
march 9, 2015

searching for gardening blogs
may 18, 2015