holiday quick picks

doodle drawn throw pillows from The Small Object



lets go everywhere vintage paint by number USA from Somethings Hiding Here.


Mid Century Modern 2011 letterpress calendar from my gal Rachel at Pistachio Press.

Volume 1 :: Camilla Engman

I realize posts are few and far between lately and I do apologize for that. My work days are consisting of doing three peoples jobs in one which can be very draining especially when you come home to a spunky 1 year old and what you'd really love to do is sleep! I'm sure many of you have experienced this very same thing. When things like this happen you kind of have to tell yourself that you can't do EVERYTHING even though you think you can, this is consistently my problem so i've had to make a few sacrifices like posting less in order to have the time for organizing the ornament swap. I'm hoping that after the holidays, I can hunker down and really become more apart of my world here once again.

In the meantime check out this amazing creation from Camilla Engman. Its a 192 page book called the suitcase series :: volume 1, it's filled with all types of goodies from postcard art prints to an original baggage tag. Preorder and get a lovely two color print!

ink & wit :: totem animals at play

New lovely calendar designs by tara hogan of ink & wit. Totem animals at play is locally printed on 100% cotton paper made from tree free fibers. see more pics and a wonderful description of the calendars inspiration here.

nebo peklo :: new work

New work from Natalie Tweedie of Nebo Peklo. Lovely letterpress print of autumn poppies.
It is on sale for $60 at the working proof gallery and 15% of the proceeds will go direct to the Show Hope charity who are dedicated to orphan care and facilitating adoption.

Announcing the 5th Annual Holiday Ornament Swap

Welcome to the 5th Annual Holiday Ornament Swap hosted by freshlyblended! You'll be happy to know that the swap has gone back to it's original format. Every group will be organized with care and the you will once again be able to swap within your own groups. Please read the sign up rules accordingly so that we can have a highly organized swap! Today is the beginning of our week long sign ups, the sign up window will close on Sunday November 7th.

The guidelines are simple:

1. Sign up for the swap by sending an email with the following information to holidayswap10@gmail.com

- NAME

- FULL MAILING ADDRESS

- EMAIL

- your website or blog (only one site please)

2. On November 15th you'll receive an email from us containing the addresses of 8-10 other swap participants to send your ornaments to.

3. Design a handmade ornament that you can create multiples of and make your ornaments.

4. Package your ornaments well...especially if you create anything fragile.

5. Send one of your ornaments to each person on the list of 8-10 other swap participants in your group by December 10th.

6. Sit back, relax and wait as you receive 8-10 fabulous handcrafted ornaments in the mail!

 If you would like to share photos of the ornaments you make and receive, please do so in the swap flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1530273@N20/  You will need a flickr account to upload photos. A flickr account is free and easy to set up. We will be choosing photos from the group at random through out the holiday season on freshlyblended.

****A note on international shipping****

This year we will have the ability again to specify how many international addresses you will get, we will do our best to make it as equal as possible but please understand that we do get a larger amount of US swappers every year, so please plan for that. If you package your ornaments accordingly, shipping prices really aren't that much different considering the weight of your ornament. Be sure to read your countries shipping policies as well.

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Common questions we answered just for you!

What sort of materials can be used?

~Anything! Knit, sew, letterpress, gocco, paint, draw, sculpt, glaze, cut-out, glue, weave, blow glass, weld...go nuts. Please note that certain countries have restrictions as far as importing grains, beans, or other like materials, so please take that into consideration if you are making ornaments to ship internationally. 

Who are the other people I'll be swapping with?

~The other people on the swap list you receive on November 15th.

Will my address be on the internet anywhere?

~No. The only people who will receive your address are the people you are swapping with.

What about shipping costs?

~You are responsible for shipping costs for your ornaments...just as others are paying to ship ornaments to you.

Other questions? Email holidayswap10@gmail.com

HAPPY SWAPPING TO ALL!