(Inside A Black Apple)

Tiny New Presents

It's a little funny (in a good way) that after all this time of having The Black Apple, I still get giddy about shop stuff. Such is the case with my new order-enclosure bookmarks, featuring a troupe I like to call "The Library Society" (the image also appears on my new shop banner, which a few eagle-eyed folks might've noticed) . They just came from the printers yesterday, and I love them so:

I wasn't 100% thrilled with the last batch of enclosure bookmarks (the image printed really, really dark) but since I had, oh, several thousand of them, I felt bad reordering right away.

I made it a few months before having these made! Oh, I love them.

And I hope that every customer  who finds one inside their official Black Apple mail will, too!

Peanuts in Hats

Thanks for all the get-well-soon wishes. My ankle surely appreciates it, and has decided it is on the mend. Today I had my first voyage out in exactly one week, and it was short but a nice change of scenery from the living room!

Sarah sent me this fiendishly cute package last week, and it really made my afternoon. I do love kraft paper something fierce.

Inside were these amazing little vintage peanut men...

and a note: "Portland best be nice, because Georgia is a big fan".
Shucks!

Well, I am (and Portland certainly is, too) a big fan of Sarah + the 'Object! She was one of my very first favorite internet-crafty blogs oh those many (five?!!) years ago, and still remains at the toppermost of my to-read list...her brain is one of the best around. Her beautiful products are so singular, and she's uncommonly generous with good ideas on her blog steno pad. Also, she is the Webster's definition of "button (cute as a)".

Thanks for sharing your brilliant brain and your red and white and lovely little world with us, Sarah N!
(And thanks sending irrefutable proof that Mr. Peanut isn't the only dapper peanut around. He doesn't even have the best hat!)

She's My Paper Crane, what can I say?

Saturday was the best mail day in a long time...I got these pretty postcards from Amy Earles (blame it on Janelle):

Her work is just heartbreaking, it's so lovely. Ugh.
I'm so humbled every time I see it. And check out that little ghostie stamp!! My hedgie mail stamp is humbled too...

And this SPECTACULAR package from my sweetest Heidi came:

These crazy-sweet little solar-powered bobblin' guys were in there (amongst tons of other cute things):

Happy Monday, everyone!
Commence to bobblin'  ;)

A Sorta Fairytale

Today was a very nice, Emily-style fairytale day. I spent the afternoon painting and watching the film version of Matilda, which I love. I've been working on a Valentine's present-painting for the sweetest of boys, and also my own portrait of Ofelia from Pan's Labyrinth (which I saw for the second time last weekend, and, if possible, became even more smitten).

Ofelia, 11"x14"x2"

She'll be posted to the shop in the next update, which should be in about a week or so!
I then had super-deluxe Mexican dinner with my wonderful friend Corie, who never fails to remind me of a baby bird. In the best way possible. I liked my clothing ensemble today quite a bit, so I made sure to snap a little photo of it...

I think the whole shebang (minus the tights) is Anthropologie (oooh, and the ivory-print blouse is Urban Outfitters/last Summer). Skirt from 3 Falls ago, pinafore-tank from this year's Spring collection, and boots from last year's Winter. I also wore my favorite necklace today, which I got from Snapcrafty about a year ago. This necklace is the perfect necklace, I have decided, and I wish that I had bought all that Sandra had in stock, because I could've had some very happy friends. It magically looks great with everything, and a few of the shop girls at the Anthropologie in Union Square used to recognize me by it. So, I suppose it is my "co-signature necklace" for the time being, (sharing a title, of course, with my skeleton key necklaces).

Now I'm watching Closer, which is a favorite film... and not just because of my husband's amazing portrayal of "Larry", the saucy dermatologist. Natalie Portman's "Alice" reminds me so much of myself in all of the least-flattering and confusing ways. And I'm working + painting + the like.
Tomorrow, my little Bandit and I are going on an adventure to poke around in the countryside for old things. I think this is going to be a good week.
I can feel it in my bones, Buster.

PS:  A lovely and ornate package arrived from Vanessa yesterday, including the sweetest little scarf-wearing mouse. Thank you, thank you, lady...you are so very sweet.

In which Bribery is the best motivator

So, thanks to a sweet bunch of little 'applets, I've got loads, LOADS of mail-room work to do today and tomorrow and as far as I can see. As you might remember, I'm a big fan of bribing myself in order to do things that I don't want to do...things such as a.) cleaning or b.) packing + shipping.

The bribery today involves making chocolate and peanut butter brownies, listening to more of the audiobook of Fragile Things, the newer Neil Gaiman story anthology (his reading voice is so lovely and comforting and wonderful), and then dinner with my friend James. And then more packing up of things.

Some good mail just arrived...Risa sent some adorable tea party favors for the ladies who attended the make-believe tea party:

Also, this beautiful package from Krista of Papered Together, the hedgie cards I mentioned the other day, and other things inside...

And goodness gracious, do you SEE those surprise personalized hedgie cards she made for me? I am so spoiled, Krista! Thank you!

Okay, back to the mail-room I go.
Happily, too...actually, let's just say contentedly.

PS: I love the new painting on Mark Ryden's homepage from his new show...go visit it. It is beautiful!

Do-nothing-day & Good, good mail

Yesterday's do-nothingness could be best summed up by these facts:

1.) I stayed in my slip all day. And my vintage candy-colored slip happened to match (in a way that the photography doesn't want to show off!) the cupcake that made up the majority of my food intake yesterday.
2.) I read A Very Long Engagement all afternoon, and finally managed to snap up one of Jenn's incredible bears. Again, I had that lottery-winning-feeling.

3.) Then, amazing mail! Amazing.
This Passenger Pigeon dress (which I have been coveting ever since I saw it in the shop) came from the lovely Erin at Sodafine:

The second image is mine, the first is snatched from the Passenger Pigeon website. The dress is just perfect...beautifully made, with a chartreuse silk lining. I'm going to wear this baby alot. Alot.

Some other lovely mail from the wonderful  Mary, designer for Contrary, some of which were top-secret Christmasy things, but I also snapped up a couple of her antique spoon hooks (not just like the one shown, but similar) and also a new skeleton key necklace (again, not exactly like that one). I love Contrary. I mean, I think I'm a certifiable junkie at this point. There are not too many Etsy shops that I buy things from consistently and am really interested in, but Mary's is one of a tiny handful. Her things are just my speed.
Also in the mail, a little packet from Ms. Posie herself. And, I just have to say, the woman must be stopped! Her packaging skills put us all to shame...I mean, it's a couple (albeit, very adorable) vintage plastic deer, and take a look at this gorgeous packaging:

The woman is a freak. And I mean that in the sweetest and most loving way possible. Also, check out the little pink melamine bowl and peppermint striped mini-tray in the photo...both Target finds (!) from last night (the bowls are in that little "dollar store" section they have, and also come in mint, and the trays are from the holiday "napkin-y" area). Perfect for serving small things or for serving things to small people.

Last, I've been wanting to share this idea with you for a while, but I kept forgetting. This wee project is super easy and charming and SO useful:

 Vintage buttons, simply hot-glued to regular old plastic thumbtacks (the longer kind, not the flat disc kind). The buttons need to have flat(ish) backs so that they'll bond evenly with the tack.
Voila! Perfect little adorable hooks for your necklaces, your potholders, your stockings (I used a whole line of red ones for my sweater-stockings!) etc. Or, for your inspiration board.

Make a whole batch of them in similar colors/shapes and package them up prettily for an easy and useful little Christmas gift. If you don't trust hot glue, you can use E600 or some industrial strength stuff, but I've found the hot glue bond between thumbtack and button to be surprisingly sturdy (even through repeated moves and repositionings).

Happy Tuesday, dears!

My Winter Fairies

So, how did I get to be so lucky a girl?

A girl who goes out to check her mailbox in the afternoon, to find presents from faraway places and people she has never met. Friends-through-the-wires-of-the-Internet that care about her. It's so amazing. Just amazing. And I feel self conscious...I don't want to brag about my lovely presents too much. I will say that this beautiful fairy-girl came today from a faraway girl, and I'm totally enchanted with her. That face!

Another winter girl:

She and another original are up in the shop as of a few minutes ago. There will be dollies soon, too. I promise. I've got a few that I'm going to be spending the evening with, so they should be ready to meet you tomorrow-ish!

More winter fairies from the new issue of Selvedge:
I think they are collaged fabrics/paintings on linen?

It is so expensive, but I swear that every time I open their new magazine, it takes my breath away. I know that sounds so lame...but it really does. Each one always seems more beautiful than the last...  Now that I finally got a subscription to Milk, maybe I should make like my favorite bird and shell out the big bucks for a Selvedge subscription!

Happy Tuesday, sweet peas. You are so appreciated!

Three things (or people) I love

So, I was thinking I would share my little Alternative Press piece today, but I ran down to the Union Sq. enormous Barnes & Noble when I was out running errands, and it is still not on newstands yet! Boo.
Instead, I'm going to share 3 things that I love, in no particular order (accompanied by lovely pictures, of course):

Item 1: Ashley G
I love this little lady for many reasons...she's super talented + I love her work. She is kind and thoughtful.
AND she is maybe the only person in the world that I know of that has almost my identical life (at least as far as our work + businesses go!). So we experience many of the same troubles (occupational hazards, etc.) and also good things, and it's really nice to know there is someone else to chat about that stuff to.
I also love her because she sends me impromptu presents in the mail, full of amazing things:

This was a wonderful suprise that made a boringish afternoon turn totally lovely! Do you see the little "E"'s on that cafe fabric?! Love!!! I love it. And there's a whole bunch of it... All the better for decorating future kitchens with...
and
This little darling...who was a legitimate puchase of mine, but still somehow feels like a present:

I'm just in love. That's all there is to say about that!

Item 2: The Ronettes

I just love Ronnie Spector's voice so much. And the songs!!! The songs. And the production (obviously...I mean it's darn famous for a reason!)
Anyway, I love the Ronnettes because they are the perfect anytime music. I love thinking about teenage love & grownup-versions-of-teenage-love and all of the horns and strings and, oh, everything. They're the best.

Item 3: Bleaching Fabric
I went on a bit of a binge last week...filled up the tub with a ton of water and a scary amount of bleach, and went to town. I actually became a bit of a maniac, throwing in tights, shirts, whatever I could find that seemed bleach-able and therefore could be part of my mad science experiment! Obviously, the things that turned out the loveliest were the 100% cotton printed fabrics that were just a little too...bright? Annoying somehow?

Ack! I love them so much now I just want to hoard them! I wish so, so much that I had had the forsight to take some "before pictures" (because comparing side-by-side is half the fun of it!), but believe me, the background on the umbrella girls was an annoying violet, the baby deers were a bright teal, the fruit-florets were very bright, and the japanese apple fabric was a bright green, with  bright orange and vermillion apples. And I just like them so much better bleached!
It is so fun...and addictive. Because of the "experiment" aspect, which I've always been a total sucker for.

So, now I'm going to go listen to "Be my Baby", whilst sitting under my lovely new painting, and stitching away with some of the newly lovely fabric. Well, maybe I will.

More Portable Sweeties

Today some eagerly awaited button-gals arrived in the mail...

They are in the shop...
Wow, I just really love it when shop-things arrive in the mail. Even more than, say, shoes or presents for me...no, Really! I don't know what it is, it's just so satisfying. I guess it's just a reminder of the reality of my very own cottage industry.

Yesterday, I spent the early part of the afternoon with my dears Sara & her husband Andy (they stayed over with me after the show before they jetted off to their next show in Philly). We had a great time, but that did mean that sadly, I missed Nigella's new show on Food Network (thank you for thinking of me, though, Jessica-my-favorite-squirrel!). I feel more than a little sad about that...but I did make some of Nigella's Snickers Muffins, which were very, very good. I added a tsp of cinnamon, just for another little bit of kick. The only thing that is a little jarring about the Snickers content is that it never occured to me just how insubstantial the insides of Snickers are... and with the high-heat in the oven, the chocolate, "nouget" (who will ever know what that stuff is) and the caramel part of the candy kind of dispersed into the muffin at large, leaving behind some very lonely, glaring peanuts. Still good though. Very. Here I am, complaining about the peanut-factor, but I have eaten them for breakfast and for lunch, so they are obviously tasty! 

Baking is one of the most lovely, grounding things that you can do, at least for me. It is lovely, and makes everything smell warm and cozy in your house while the baking itself is going on, and then afterwards (especially if you don't have a gaggle of little ones) you have something wonderful and homey to eat for the next few days. I think I'm coming to the realization that whenever I feel out-of-sorts, a bit of baking is the cure. You would think that it would be painting, but really, I only like to paint when I am content or ridiculously upset... out-of-sorts does not a good painting make!

Adios, little appleseeds. Enjoy the week!

The Monday Review

Hello dollfaces!

I had a nice little weekend, and I hope that everyone else did too. The weather here has continued to be so lovely, so everything just seems a little better than it otherwise would, you know? Leaving the house is so much more fun when it is beautiful and comfortable out-of-doors.

On Saturday, a gaggle of us went to The Cloisters, where, let's not kid ourselves, the centerpiece of the whole shebang is their room of the Unicorn Tapestries:

I've been seeing these images in books for all of my life, and they've always seemed so magical and also a little terrifying. My grandfather (who, in his lifetime, has sailed his boat to the Keys for 4 months out of the year, 20 years in a row, also knits, only wears orange socks, and loves unicorns) would have loved it so much! I hope he gets to go there one of these days!

Here is a silly picture of me and my darlings:

Sarah, Jenny, Elizabeth and Me (with my eyes closed like a silly goose)
Greg was the camera man.

On the mail front, an AMAZING haul of vintage trim came in the mail. Unfortunately, I think I have a little competition for ownership:

Eliot was going absolutely crazy over this stuff. But then it occured to me that someone who would accumulate all of this trim was more than likely a pretend elderly lady, and maybe she had a healthy supply of catnip for all of the cats that I imagine she had.

Finally, this is the last item to share today:

The original is gone as of yesterday, but there are prints available if you love Little Red as much as I do.

There will be more Samplers up  in the shop tomorrow circa 1:00 pm EST, and that's all that I have for today! Off to spend some more time with my beloved houseguest before she turns into a pumpkin and has to head off to the land of endless security measures tomorrow afternoon.