A New Venture with Style. Polka Dots Make Me Smile.

I've taken on yet another passion... pattern design. I've been working in architectural and urban patterns for years. I've collected as many fabric patterns as I have fonts. It is yet another one of those "you should be doing in your work life, what you do while you're "procrastinating".

If you've never heard of Spoonflower you're in for a treat. If you already know it, then you're way ahead in your crafy career. On Spoonflower you can design fabric, decals, gift wrap... it's AMAZING!

So here is my first shot at using my watercolors and some simple pattern basics to throw myself into the fabric and pattern making ring. I'm always inspired by images that make me smile... polka dots make me smile. Which is why I worship Kate Spade. Yeah. If you know me... then no secret there!

It is a lot of fun... and John asked me yesterday, "What are you going to do when Kate Spade comes knocking at the door?" I responded, "Well, I will faint. So, put some pillows by the door; in about 20 years." What a wonderful supporting dreamy husband I have. I don't dare to dream as far as he does. I am just enjoying myself. But, I won't deny I'm so glad he will do it for me!!

I'm excited to receive my first roll of gift wrap that will be made from these patterns. If you order from Spoonflower you can get this in fabric too!! I will have the gift wrap available in my Etsy shop too!! It's kind of a branding thing that I'm using the same art and ideas on several different design "fronts". I will also make these designs available on Vectorstock for seamless background downloads.

Here is my Spoonflower shop if you'd like to check out my progress.

I promise the shop will fill up, but it will be slow... this has been months in the making!! xoxo Thank you again and again for all of your love and support as I use every creative bone in my body to be employed!! I am blessed to have survived on my wits for so long (4 years now...) I am haunted by the words of my father when I enrolled in "art" school... "What, are you going to sell your paintings in the park??"... To me that was derogatory and mean. Somehow meaning that I'd never be successful with a fine arts degree. Yeah, well I should have stayed in art school... AND now I sell those paintings in an online "park". So, lesson learned. I hope to pass on to my son that life has a way of showing you that you should have stayed on the path you were on. If it made you happy then follow it. I'm happy to be on the path again!!

Love: hand stamped sterling silver flatware!!

Okay. I had to have a set of these stamps as soon as I saw them.

Now... what to punch and stamp... After researching a bit online for cool gifts and jewelry I settled on silverware. I had a bunch from my grandmother that was a bit disheveled and not a complete set. I don't know where most of the pieces are... So I went to TOWN! Throw on a bit of angry music - Florence & the Machine or Nitzer Ebb... or both...

WA LA!

Forks are definitely the hardest... Small amount of space and I think they are stainless tines. {?}

'a' and 'k' are also difficult letters! 'b' is also... but practice makes perfect!!

i want to get a <3 stamp="" td="">

i sold this one about 10 minutes after i posted it!! i've ordered more spoons to keep this one going...

i may have to keep this one... it really makes me smile!! LOL!!

Holiday Brightness. The rainboot.

A new card set at my Etsy shop. I'm giddy with these colors. Maybe it's a reaction to my killer bright christmas tree... the stark white needing a POP. I don't know! But I'm having fun and these cards make me smile. I hope that they will bring a little smile to you too.

The white tree and color lights circa 1968/70, silver tree skirt 1980 and ornaments from 1930 to 2013.

Smiling is my FAVORITE!! {buddy the elf}

Meet LaFawnduh - My Muse as we open Rebekah's Valentine the Etsy shop!

LaFawnduh is *the* best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm 100% positive she's my soul mate. Don't worry Napoleon, I'm sure there's a babe out there for you too. 

Peace out. -Kip

I've been working hard on getting some new items photographed for the Esty shop. Which got the name change approved yesterday and is officially... REBEKAH'S VALENTINE!!! Holy crap... I feel like a real brand now!!

Making everything has been a breeze and so much fun! It's listing that is the killer... It takes days. Seriously... Tonight I just went for it because when the lighting is great for natural photos, Xan isn't having it! I decided to go a little retro for the shoot and used the hipstamatic. Let me know what ya think! Too grungy?? I would love clean and sleek... but then again, thats not really me... I'm a little rough around the edges and messy so I guess this photography fits me better! Plus, I think it lends to the handmade look.

All of the hearts are made from a dictionary I found upstairs. It was copyright 1956. Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language. Personally, I find that entire title waaayyy too amusing!! I couldn't fold that page just because!! A NEW WORLD dictionary of the AMERICAN language. Please tell me that isn't lost on you. I'm such a nerd. And for the record... I speak English.

Anyway... have a laugh and check out our new handmade cards and LaFawnduh's debut! I've got a few more on the way that are a bit on the cheeky side too.

Advent calendar origami hearts

LaFawnduh helps show off the size and pocket of the origami hearts

little pink houses watercolor card

blank watercolor heart card

watercolor heart gift tags

little pocket blank origami heart card.

i still chuckle. i'm a dork...