New supplies...

In Kansas City on the first Friday night of each month, downtown comes alive with art! It is such a creative person's dream...just strolling from one gallery to the next checking out every nook of the Crossroad's District from the street performers to the food trucks and aart, art, art inbetween.

On of my most favorite places to visit is Hammerpress. I remember the first I stepped foot into that place, and I fell in love with letterpress printing. (This was way before Letterpress was cool. Not that there was really a time it wasn't cool, but you know what I mean.) I was a graphic design student on a field trip...and I thought I'd hit the big time! I was so happy to be in a creative field and visiting this printshop downtown was a big deal for me.

It has since moved on to a much bigger building, and a great gift shop filled with my favorite things: baker's string and kitschy potcards, not to mention a great selection of washi tape and darling wrapping paper. So I picked up a few gems and can't wait to get back to creating this week! Thanks KC for a great Friday night spot for inspiration!

Calorie-free candy!

Now, that's the kind of candy I can get on board with. Stop on my KCParent.com to see my blog today on the darling stuffed, fabric candy Gracie and I made! It doesn't take any sewing, and can probably be done with items you have around the house. Super fun!

Rubies for baby Ruby...and Catherine, too.

I've been busy this weekend! Putting together lots of pretties for my home party on Tuesday and the boutique in October. But, by far my faves are the personalized stationery I did for a couple of baby gifts for our friend's and family's new arrivals. Ruby-inspired, our friend and neighbor's 5th child arrived just over a week ago. So, we had to pick up this pomegranate metallic scalloped paper for her and of course embellish with RUBIES for Ruby! And sweet Catherine is our cousin's new baby and she just had to have the same. I love how they turned out. I will be offering this style for custom order coming soon, so email me if you're interested!

Art class today!

Check out the outfit Gracie picked out for her first day of art class at the Nelson! Don't tell me this girl isn't an artist in the making? Now, I am a proud mama of course but I have to say, she's got the art genes. She's fiesty and creative, her drawings aren't too shabby, and now she's off to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and nothing's going to stop her!

I love Emily (and calligraphy!)

Of course, we've never met. (Emily Jones & I, that is.) But, I am pretty sure if we did, we'd be instant besties. First of all, she's a graphic designer, too. And she even designs stationery and invitations (like me!) And she's super-duper fashion forward (OK, I strive to be although aren't yoga pants a lot more comfy?) Also, she's got adorable little ones (which we KNOW I have covered!) So, as you can tell I've been a big big fan of her blog, Emily Jones Design Company for a long time now.

So, I was just too excited when today, in my little email box, came this new blog posting from Emily about how she's learning calligraphy, because I wrote a couple of months about this fantastic online course I took from I Still Love Calligraphy this summer. (See my original posting about it here). And guess what?! Yep, Emily is taking this exact course! I just knew we were meant to be BFFs, right? So, the Raspberry Prairie banner (top) is one of my attempts, as well as this piece (left). Why don't you pop over to visit Emily and see how she's coming along? (And while you're there let her know that I am really a fairly normal gal, and do not stalk for new best friends....very often.)