thankful + thoughtful (a giveaway)

so excited about being featured on the thankful & thoughtful blog today! bekah and ryan are a sweet grand rapids couple with a beautiful and inspiring blog about what it is to be thankful and thoughtful in our everyday lives. how often is it that we rush around from here to there and forget to stop and consider what it is that we are thankful for? I love that their blog opens the space to rest in that thought. Thanks Bekah and Ryan for taking the time to reflect on that beauty.

check out their post today about loving where you live (you can enter a giveaway to win a pack of Lief Design Michigan Cards! by responding to her question of 'what is it that you love about where you live?) I love this question because it slows us down to notice the good we are surrounded by. it can be so easy to reside with cynicism, sarcasm and negativity, but there is so much beauty to be found, and we have a lot to be thankful for.

happy friday!

(here is their blog and you can like them on facebook as well)

thank you + congrats!

first, thank you for all of your support. I am humbled and joyed by this.

second, a big congrats to shawn campbell for winning a lief goodie bag (filled with notecard packs, notepads and a lief coupon) from the email list drawing from GRunveiled.

here is a picture of the liefdesign stitched notebooks that the first 50 registers for GRunveiled received in their goodie bag.

a picture of the beginning stitches of the lief banner. that is one big embroidery hoop!

and a new picture from the studio. screenprint thanks to delicious design league. and to my dear friend suzy for working there...

enjoy your sunny (hopefully it is where you are too) Tuesday.

GRunveiled booth.

GRunveiled was a treat to be part of, thank you to all who came out to support! It was great to meet you all!

valentines day cranes + endymion

happy valentines day! although I am not one to get super excited about this hallmark filled holiday, it does get me thinking about love. and today I love paper cranes {tons of them!} and the movie bright star. (a movie based on the life of poet john keats) so to celebrate these two I post the image of my graph paper crane and john keats' poem endymion {first stanza}. enjoy!

The First Stanza Of "Endymion"

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness; but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways::

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,

Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon

For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills

That for themselves a cooling covert make

'Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;

All lovely tales that we have heard or read:

An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

"proficiency in knowledge of linen"

today I have been reading a lecture by W.H. Webb regarding linen. He was the president of the Irish Linen Merchants' Association and deemed it imperative that the people selling linen had a deep understanding of this beautiful product. it's only 28 pages long [hehe]. the salespeople even had questionnaires at the end in which they could be granted the diploma of "proficiency in knowledge of linen," if passed. awesome. I printed it out and will continue to swoon over it for the next couple of days. this quote did make me smile: "Germany, France and Czecho-Slovakia are producers of flax [linen comes from flax] but chiefly for home consumption. Holland also produces flax, and Dutch flax-seed has been famous for years." (Webb, pg 8) leuk!

and some pictures of the linen I hope to incorporate into my booth at GRunveiled. oh what fun it is to stitch with some gorgeous yards of linen.

going to the meet 'n' greet last night was very exciting! it was great to see joy'l and aletha and see where my booth is going to be -- right on the top of the stairs. come check it out! even if you're not a bride, you can still come! there will be treats for you too! :)

ready, set, bodice. yup, made a bodice from this. confused? I was too! but I finished it. now for next week: arms, skirt and jean pants. woah!

I sure do love winter. a picture from the blizzard last week.

snow day {inspiration}

snow day = blog day. yes! I love perusing other blogs and getting inspired. I just have to share some of the products I stumbled upon...

first, printed hankies from thornback & peel. dark turquoise ships wrapped up in a sweet little box.

second, world's greatest mugs made my MINE found on the feltandwireshop. these just crack me up. imagine the early mornings racing for the coffee only to get the second greatest mug while your honey-pie stands there with a sly little smile silently holding the world's greatest mug. no words necessary. awesome.

third, sweet little shittodo notepad. love the clean design of it as well. Made by Matterial Matter found here.

Fourth, everyday I'm hustlin poster by Paper Jam Press. love this. find it also on the feltandwireshop.

if only I lived near soho. purlsoho is hiring. {sigh}

GRunveiled + Drafting.

It's funny how as soon as I posted about the beauty of winter's slower paced reflection, my life starts to speed on again. ha, someday my life will slow down...but probably not. I guess my 80 year old soul will have to try and keep up with my 25 year old body, once again. {oh, but all I want to do is sew + dip that beautiful nib into that smooth calligraphy ink!} But the things keeping me busy are pretty awesome - I'm really excited about them!

I started a Pattern Drafting class at Kendall College of Art and Design (a seriously cool gift I got for Christmas). This week we drafted our bodice - fun, but very difficult! For someone who still uses her fingers to do simple math, drafting makes my head hurt! But after three hours of 1/4ing, 1/2ing, and 1/3ing my measurements I have a bodice draft that should fit me to a tee (that is if I did all the math correctly!) luckily I have some delightful people in my class to help me along. thanks!

With the help of my dear friend Suzy @ suzannewilliamsdesign, I redesigned my logo. I wanted to keep it simple while incorporating my calligraphy. so here it is:

Another huge highlight for the week was getting into the GRunveiled show. I am thrilled about this! It's a really cool bridal show held at St. Cecilia's downtown Grand Rapids on February 24. I went last year to check it out and loved the vendors that were there -- unique and local, with lots of great design! I can't wait!! If you're interested, check out the website for more information.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the last bits of January!

winter. beauty.

I have a strange love with winter. it's cold, clean, crisp. everything is dead, and quiet. i become introverted and search that idea of wholeness. what does that mean? what does that look like? this time of year is nothing like those carefree summer days or those cozy fall evenings, but there is a beauty in this serene white world around us. with these quieter days, I have more time to devote to those around me and the design + crafts that I love. one project I was working on was some custom aprons. a great idea for those who love to cook! here's a peek at them:

I also wanted to share a great new magazine I was introduced to (the wonderful Joyce had given me a subscription to it for Christmas -- how did she know I would just love it? :)it's called: UPPERCASE. maybe you have seen it already, but it's wonderful. those uncoated pages (same as selvedge) are just a treat to feel, not to mention the oh-so-awesome pages stacked within. here is a link to check it out.

hope you are well.

2011.

the new year has begun. I am very excited to see what 2011 will bring.

I took the past couple weeks off. a break. a holiday. much needed.

I hope you have had the chance to rest as well.

but...now, lots to catch up on. :)

Did you know there are more type designer's per capita in Holland (the Netherlands), than anywhere else in the world? yup. another reason to love the dutch. :)

over break I met with Earl Kallemeyn, a letterpress printer from Brooklyn who had informed me of this statistic. It was such a treat to meet up with him! he is a highly talented printer who combines paper, type, design and color in such beautiful and simple ways. what's really neat is that he is family as well (my mother's cousin) and has the same ties to the Netherlands as I do. seeing his work and conversing

with him was such an inspiration and affirmation that simple type designs combined with quality paper is perfectly enough to have exceptionally beautiful designs. He gave me a bunch of his samples that I can't stop dragging my finger across the indentation of the press. Thanks again for meeting with me Earl! Check out his website at iletterpress.com.

here are the promised pictures from the Artist Market. Many thanks to Laura (lpoortenga@gmail.com) and my mom for taking some great pictures for me. I really appreciate it!

setting up the booth.

2011 calendars

bags: grey, white and curry camera

jan hagel cookies homemade by the wonderful debi visser, mom, and wilma bauman, grandmother. free for the taking!

oh, how I love calligraphy gift tags.

'don't forget to write those you love' cards.

get me to the kitchen, eileen!

'in case you forgot your camera' bag

the bird loved the jan hagel.

UICA CoOp shop and handmade gifts.

the holiday artist's market was: wonderful. exciting. busy. lovely. stimulating. great.

thank you to all that came and stopped by my booth. it was great to see you all!

I loved meeting some of the different artists as well.

if you didn't get a chance to come down to the UICA, stop by the UICA CoOp shop. located at:

41 Sheldon Boulevard SE

Grand Rapids Michigan 49503

lots of great work and delightful christmas gifts as well.

speaking of christmas gifts, what are your ideas this year?

I love making handmade gifts (which I will show you post Christmas for many who will receive these gifts also read this blog. :))

In Selvedge's recent issue they spoke about gifts being an experience, for both the giver and receiver. curious. interesting. and true, I think.

Here's a small snippet from that article:

"It's the thought that counts. At this time of year buying gifts is almost inevitable and most of us put plenty of thoughts into what we give to others. We realize that a gift represents us, and reveals

what we think of the recipient but a gift has further layers of meaning. An object is also an experience. It carries the experience of the maker: if you made the gift yourself then you are giving your own time and affection, as well as the present - that's what makes a homemade gift so special."

Selvedge Magazine Issue 37 pg. 23

so hats off to those of you making your whimsical gifts this year.

UICA Artists' Market this Friday and Saturday.

Just a reminder to come down to the UICA Friday or Saturday to check out the new lief products and the the many other talented artists that will be there! Here is the UICA website for more information.

Here is a little inspiration for your weekend from PurlSoho. Enjoy!

Glass Jars

a quick picture of the studio slowly coming together.

I love having my tools out where I can see them.

[please overlook these granulated pictures, I'm hoping Sinterklaas puts a camera in my shoe this year. although I will greatly miss the delightful drop.]

Holiday Artist Market is coming soon! The studio is filled with bags, zippers, fabric and paper, oh, and of course, coffee! :)Pictures to come...

Holiday Artists' Market

December 3, 5-9 PM

December 4, 10 AM-5 PM

also, Lief Products will be in the UICA's Co-Op shop which is open to the public December 7-23. Shop hours are Tuesday-Saturday Noon to 10 PM and Sunday Noon to 7 PM.

check out the UICA website here for more details.

The studio is a'movin'!

what a crazy week it has been! it is so much work to move, but I sure do love creating and organizing new spaces. (especially design ones!) I think this new space will be a great new home for lief design. pictures will come soon!

but for now...a recent lief design. sewn fabric folder. :)

•

inspiration = selvedge magazine, of course!

[lovely products found in the dry goods section of selvedge online.]

oh to dream of real linen sheets!

buy these Fog Linen Work Bed Linens here.

sweet wool felt,

in slipper form.

buy these Huopaliike Lahtinen Felt Slippers here.

aren't these felt animals just so cute?

buy them here.

all I need is felt and linen.

holiday photo shoot.

holiday product photo shoot. really, it's here already? oye.

this fall has been a blink, literally.

although my mind is still gnawing on the fact that I have been busy with holiday treats, I am pretty excited about this years product.

here are some {not all!} of the products that will be around this holiday season.

let me know what you think!

{felted circle cards}

{hair pins}

or attach to a shirt for a super fast, super cute accessory

{striped everyday bag}

perfect for makeup, pencils, jewelry...

{apron!}

thanks studio @ the hoxie building for a great space to shoot.

yes, please.

soup tasting challenge was a hit. I can honestly say that I have never eaten that much soup before in my life. there were so many delicious soups to enjoy. I loved urbanpharm's coconut-curry-cashew soup, it was quite delicious. (teresa and I just so happened to be right next to them, yum!)

what a cute little soup table. equipped with quinoa, doula services and handcrafted design work. what more could you possibly need?

it was fun to be part of an event where businesses came together to support and encourage each other -- we met some really inspiring people.

Laura from Thrive Worldwide has a business working to educate people on our buying practices and the effects that poor buying choices can have on our individual and global lives.

Amy from Williams Photography started her own photography business. She was a delight to meet.

thanks to all who came out to support!

I recently finished some work for a new snowplow and lawn care business in town. Jeff was great to work with and I wish him all the best with his new business! Check him out.

Precision Snowplow + Lawn Care

jonker87@gmail.com

and now, as only a good announcer can say, for some inspiration!

my dear friend suzy from suzannewilliamsdesign recently introduced me to Papermash. delightful.

isn't this wine tag of theirs so cute?

and check out that beautiful simple wine opener.

yes, please!

soup tasting challenge -- tonight!

come out and support GR local businesses (specifically Birthroot and lief design) at the soup tasting challenge tonight (10/7) from 5-8 pm at the Atomic Object on Wealthy Street. (Near the corner of Wealthy and Diamond). Various local businesses have come together to compete with soup making -- a brilliant idea! Teresa Cramer, from Birthroot, and I have entered a delicious vegan roasted tomato squash soup with quinoa. We are up against some pretty high competition though, such as the Electric Cheetah and Art of the Table -- they usually have some tasty soups! It will be a fun night!

My friend Teresa has started a business called Birthroot where she offers doula services to families that are expecting. What is a doula you might ask? (I say that because I definitely had to ask when she first told me about it). A doula is a woman who is trained to provide informational, emotional and comfort support before, during and after childbirth. Teresa is phenomenal at what she does -- so if you, or anyone that you know, is in need of a doula service, she is an excellent person to contact. (and she has super cute hand stamped business cards!)

teresa cramer.

birth doula

616-334-2326

birthrootservices@gmail.com

I hope to see you tonight!

sunrises and selvedge

mornings embody inspiration for me.

recently I decided to wake up to see the sunrise. combining my love for quiet early mornings and beckoning waves of the pacific, I thought it a good idea to peel myself out of a warm bed before 6 am. initially when I received my wake up call I wasn't too impressed, but once I was finally out in the salted air I was very happy I

chose to do so. what incredible beauty.

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also, holiday product is upon us already! woah. I can't believe I'm designing for Christmas already. does make me pretty excited. :)

thinking of holiday gifts, look at these sweet handmade soaps and little monster men. absolutely adore.

{monsters}

{soap}

idea and image coming from my favorite/obsession (really not exaggerating here...): selvedge magazine. oh how I love this magazine. this will certainly not be the last time I blog about them....

look here for their how-to instructions to make these soaps, monsters and other wonderful crafts!

artPrize and pick-me-up pies

artprize is making Grand Rapids feel alive.

it's stimulating watching the artists set up their pieces. on my run yesterday I saw so many different people working hard to put the last touches on their pieces...looking forward to checking them all out!

here are some fun projects I have been working on as of late...

{pick-me-up pies business cards}

this image is of some business cards that I made for a really cool company called Pick-Me-Up Pies. Ruth Lingbeek has recently started a pie company and I was delighted to help her out! If you ever need some delicious pies made, she is definitely the one to go to -- her pies are incredible!!

{personalized notecards}

this image is of custom notecards that I made for a wonderful client.