Hitchcock Creative

New Blog & Site

2010-12-09T21:02:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone!

I've decided to switch my blogging over to WordPress, because I can host my whole website on the same site as my blog. The new address is: http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/

I invite you to continue following me over there!

Sarah

tis the season

2010-12-02T11:25:00.002-05:00

Last night we bought and put up our christmas tree.

Nothing makes me feel like a giddy little kid like decorating the tree.

(And thank you to the superly-awesome Hipstamatic app

on iPhone for this vintage and bright photo)

I also made a couple new ornaments this morning
whilst feeling in the spirit of things...

Now i just need to get those gift baskets together for my graphic design clients/vendors. I'm making them with products from local farms and stores - plus a handmade ornament for each.

Naturally Spun Treasury

2010-11-30T18:31:00.000-05:00

New Item :: Retro Folk Ornament

2010-11-30T12:48:00.000-05:00

Getting back to the classics with this red folksy/retroish ornament.

Check out the Etsy listing here.

New Item :: Henna Tree cards

2010-11-27T14:43:00.000-05:00

Slowly but surely I'm getting my new items up on Etsy. :)

Here are two new ones I've uploaded today, as part of

my "Henna Tree" line that I'm working on:

I swear I've seen that somewhere before...

2010-11-26T21:56:00.000-05:00

While browsing Etsy today I saw the following "original handmade" items. Now I won't speculate on who originally designed this, because I have no idea. It could be 7 shops all by the same person, but that's doubtful. It's very odd to me that on a site which is all about handmade and vintage items, all these sellers can get away with selling the exact same product. At least they're all taking their own pictures?

Let me know what you think.

by PrettyWhimsical

by UnScrabbled

by WickedlyModPendants

Snowflake Treasury

2010-11-26T21:17:00.000-05:00

I'm really inspired by a Dark Red and Teal color combination for the holidays this year. I think they're a great compliment to eachother. Here is my latest Treasury of Snowflake items in my favorite color combo (CLICK HERE or on the photo to view the treasury):

Reopening Etsy Shop

2010-11-26T12:16:00.000-05:00

After a 6 month hiatus (which included getting married, buying a house, renovating said house, working 2 full time jobs, not sleeping, etc.), I've decided that I can now devote an appropriate amount of time to my Etsy shop. I am very happy to announce that it is back up and running.

I'm changing some things up -- less ornaments, more paper goods. The holiday ornaments I made last year were fun, but the time+materials+etsy fees+paypal fees > what I could make in profit. Less than a dollar return on something that takes 30 minutes to make is just not feasible with my life right now.

I am working with a printer to create more notecards for the holidays and other occasions. I've also been talking to a partner about working together to create laser cut wood items for the home (trivets, coasters, ornaments, napkin rings, etc.).

So, take a peak at some of the new (and relisted) items in my shop: http://hitchcockcreative.etsy.com.

Enjoy!

Flower Ornament w/ Instructions

2010-11-23T13:09:00.003-05:00

These flower felt & fabric ornaments were very easy to make. They'd be a great kids project (moms might want to do the needle/thread part though). They only took about 10 minutes each to make.

Supplies

- Felt

- Fabric

- 9" piece of ribbon

- needle / thread

- button

- glue

- scissors

Instructions

1. Cut five 1.5" circles out of felt and five 1" circles out of fabric.

2. Use fabric glue to glue the fabric circles onto the felt circles. You may also sew the fabric circles onto the felt. I use glue to make it easier and a bit more kid-friendly.

3. Take the circles and pinch one edge of each circle together, like folding a pizza slice.

4. Line all 5 folded circles up, like so:

5. Using the needle and thread (I use a large needle and embroidery thread), guide the needle straight through the end of the pile, tying all of the pieces together.

6. Pull the thread tight and tie off into a knot. You will need to flat and reshape the flower petals as you go, but the result should look like this:

7. Cut off the extra thread. Take the 9" piece of ribbon (longer or shorter if you prefer) and glue on the backside, between two petals as so:

8. Cut a small felt circle as a finishing touch to the backside. Glue into place.

9. On the front of the flower, glue a button to the center.

10. Hang on a tree or doorknob or give to a loved one!

Henna Inspired Cards

2010-11-22T18:11:00.000-05:00

comfort & joy

2010-11-20T10:39:00.001-05:00

new Holiday Card

2010-11-17T13:43:00.001-05:00

Apparently I'm in a red and white phase. :)

For Serious

2010-11-16T10:51:00.000-05:00

A new line of notecards I've been working on...

New Found Etsy Shop

2010-11-11T10:16:00.002-05:00

I was purusing Etsy, like I do. And I came across a new-to-me shop called Graphic Spaces (It's a Cute World After All), which makes seriously adorable wooden objects for kids. I mean, how incredibly cute are these bookends?!

And this bookshelf...perfect for a kids room:

In addition to Etsy, you can also find more cute creatures at www.graphicspaces.com and on twitter at www.twitter.com/graphicspaces. And as if the wooden items weren't enough, the multi-talented creators also have two other Etsy shops with art prints and wall decals:

new cards

2010-11-02T13:49:00.000-04:00

While waiting for new edit requests on projects yesterday, I decided to use some of my scrap materials and make a few new notecards. I have a goal this year to give only handmade gifts to people in an effort to save money and clean out my supply closet. :)

Copycat logos

2010-10-29T13:27:00.000-04:00

Last week there was an interesting article in the Washington Post about logo trademarks and copyrights when it comes to high school and college mascots. There are of course differences of option on this matter. But it made me think about my high school days and our mascot, the Colonel:

In case you don't recognize the little guy right away, here is the

Ole Miss Rebel from University of Mississippi

(registered trademark of University of Mississippi):

Of course Ole Miss is currently narrowing its search for a new mascot,

so if it is an issue now, it likely won't be for long.

Free Veer!

2010-10-28T16:10:00.004-04:00

Attention art/graphic/font loving people! Veer is having a few cool Free For All right now where you can download FREE (includes license) fonts and images AND get entering into a really cool contest to win great stuff.

So CLICK HERE and start downloading free stuff.

Kennedy Center Opera House

2010-10-24T13:24:00.001-04:00

A couple new shots of the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. I borrowed a 12-24mm wide angle lens and had a great day getting shots of things I could never fit in one frame before. :)

(To see larger version, click on photo)

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-23T11:05:00.002-04:00

Still a week about, but who cares. :)

holiday cards

2010-10-19T12:11:00.001-04:00

Working on some holiday cards...

They're really basic right now, although I'm not sure I want to add too much. I've always been drawn to simple cards around the holidays. It's probably because everything else is so big and overdone. :)

DCist Photo of the Day

2010-10-14T12:39:00.001-04:00

A day late I realize (took a small internet

hiatus yesterday), but yesterday one of my photos

was chosen for DCist's Photo of the Day.

Vertical Chess Board

2010-10-10T10:02:00.000-04:00

Super cool find on Etsy this morning, just had to share:

Vertical Chess Board by StraightUpChess

From the Item Description:

"...Designed for a casual game of chess as the board hangs on the wall like Art. As you pass by, make your move, mark it with the "Last Move" marker, and go on with your day. Later your opponent passes by makes their move and the game continues. ... It's off the table, out of the way and Art on the wall."

I love this!!

Harvest

2010-10-07T13:51:00.000-04:00

I love autumn. It means leaves and cooler weather and halloween and thanksgiving and scarves and boots. I was searching through Etsy today with the keyword "Harvest" and wanted to share some of the items that stood out to me:

Cloth Napkins by CreativeChicsHome

4 Print Set by WalkingToJericho

Felted Pumpkin Bowl by thefuzzymonkey

Bracelet by dutchpearl

Plaid Pillow Cover by Modernality

Place Cards by SoftDayStudios

Felt Acorns by feltlovely

Connecticut Trip

2010-10-06T15:28:00.000-04:00

I went up to Connecticut for my brother's wedding this past weekend. It was an amazing weekend full of amazing weather, amazing friends and family and an amazingly decorated wedding reception. I didn't have my flash, so there are no good pic's of the reception (I was enjoying myself too much to shoot anyway!). But here is what I did capture in Essex, CT:

More photos from my trip can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabekkas

Golden Circle Lounge Chandelier

2010-09-30T02:13:00.002-04:00

The Kennedy Center in Black & White

2010-09-12T10:16:00.002-04:00

The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC hosted its annual Open House event yesterday. Here are some black and white's I took while walking around:

Photography by Roberto Samayoa

2010-08-28T10:14:00.000-04:00

Some of my favorite pieces by local Washington, DC photographer Roberto Samayoa.

You can check out all of his work on his flickr site by clicking here.

Back to School

2010-08-25T19:21:00.001-04:00

It's that time again!
In honor of school starting back up, here are some handmade items
from Etsy that are perfect for you and your little ones:

linen notepad cocy - PilliPillihandmade

organic kids messenger bag - SewnNatural

The States of the Nation - falldowntree

Point of Light Moleskin notebook - shoofly

Mod olive green and polka dot dress - allthenumbers

map notecards with globe stamp - craftgasm

Southern Comfort ruffled front skirt - LoveToLoveYou

decisions

2010-08-23T11:29:00.000-04:00

About a month ago I decided to stop selling items on Etsy. The decision was purely a financial one. The fees, taxes, record keeping, monthly forms to the VA and DC tax offices were all too much for the low amount of sales I was doing. I was barely breaking even and since I can't (and honestly don't want to) commit to it full time, it was the right choice to make.

But that doesn't make it an easy choice.

I find myself urging to create something to post it on Etsy; hoping for some hearts, maybe a spotlight in a treasury, the lofty goal of the front page. I really want to make more ornaments and pumpkins for the holiday season (and I will, for family and friends). But it's not the same and the satisfaction that someone bought something from you that you made with your own two hands.

Maybe I'll just start doing some blog giveaways. :)

sunshine of my mind

2010-08-20T16:28:00.000-04:00

sunshine of my mind
n o t e c a r d

Felt Birdie Ornaments

2010-08-20T10:36:00.001-04:00

Some new ornaments I've been working on:

I've been experimenting with new fabric, but it frays a lot more than the felt. I need to figure out how to prevent that.

Nashville

2010-08-18T09:30:00.000-04:00

City of the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The birthplace of Hatch Show Print. I'm working with a company who is hosting meetings in Nashville and wanted a fun, musical and colorful itinerary to get their folks around town. Here's what I've been working on so far...

Front and Back Cover (bi-fold)

Borders at the bottom of the inside pages.

Weird Cupcakes

2010-08-14T19:01:00.000-04:00

You can blame this on me being in a weird mood....and being hungry. Either way, it was really fun searching Etsy with keywords like "crazy cupcake" and "zombie cupcake" and looking at what came up. Here are 16 of my favorites:

Click here to View Treasury

My DIY Wedding

2010-08-11T17:03:00.000-04:00

It has taken me a lot longer than I thought to get this post up. :) But now, a month after the wedding, I'm ready to share some of the aspects of the big day.

We really wanted to tie in the beautiful scenery and victorian mansion into our decor, so we grabbed some vintage books from home and paired them with mason jars of candles and wildflowers for the centerpieces. The bridemaids and my mom spent a great deal of time tying twine around the necks of the jars for an added touch.

For favors, we chose to make a CD of some of the music played at the wedding. Our guests really enjoyed having something fun to listen to on the way home.

Instead of a traditional guestbook, I designed a postcard that people could write notes on the back of. I found this great basket on Etsy which was our take on a mailbox. It was a big hit, but of course now I need to come up with something creative to do with all these cards!

We purchased the neckties, necklaces and earrings for the attendants as well as my veil on Etsy. It was nice to pair our big-store bought clothing with something more personal and crafted.

Wedding Photography by Chris Zarconi. Graphic Design by Sarah Hitchcock Burzio. Mail basket from AuracaunaDesigns. Bridesmaid necklaces/earrings by TheSilverDog. Bridesmaid dresses by J Crew. Groom/Groomsmen neckties by rabbitstop. Bride's headpiece by hemsandbustles. Paper items from Paper Source.

Photo's in this article by Chris Zarconi, Sarah Hitchcock Burzio, Jimmy Klein, and the owners of the fabulous shops listed above.

Lazy Day Doodling

2010-08-07T15:20:00.000-04:00

Some lazy day doodling...

News, Etsy Shop, Updates

2010-07-20T09:12:00.001-04:00

As some of you may know, I have a full-time-thanks-for-the-health-benefits job in addition to my 30+ hours of weekly freelance design work. This helps me do those little things like pay the mortgage and buy new shoes. I don't find it overwhelming, because I've always been one of those people who's had 4-5 jobs at the same time. I like staying busy.

That said, I've decided to stop selling craft items on Etsy for the time being. I'm not making enough of a profit for it really to make sense and while I love being crafty, I don't want to spend the time or money marketing (or dealing with the sales tax paperwork).

Maybe I'll change my mind later. But for now I'm going to focus on design work and my new house (which is slowly being renovated).

Photo of the Day

2010-07-18T14:14:00.000-04:00

I realized last week that I have a ton of photographs in my flickr library that rarely get seen, so I've decided to post links to a Daily Pic via Twitter. Today's is an oldy but a goody. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's super sleek and modern lobby with Escheresque stairways.

Follow me on Twitter for blog updates, new items, business news and daily photos.

Bahama Pics!

2010-07-16T09:11:00.001-04:00

Two weeks ago I went from a Ms. to a Mrs. with a small ceremony in Eastern Maryland.

Photos of the DIY wedding to come...

In the meantime, I thought I'd share some pics from our honeymoon to the Bahamas. There were some beautiful sunsets and silhouettes, although I didn't take quite as many shots as I could have (the camera doesn't exactly go with my swim suit). :)

Check them all out on my Flickr page!

Sunset on New Providence

Private beach we found on Rose Island (with rainstorm coming in on the right)

More of the private beach on Rose Island

Colortime

2010-06-26T11:59:00.002-04:00

Some of my favorite Etsy items - full of summer color!

organic kids messenger bag / hope springs green

by SwenNatural

Custom Little Houses

by thelittlereddoor

Modern Alphabet Nursery Wall Art

by MamaMayI

Flower Garden Necklace

by tamar

In the Limelight

by PaintingPrints

Clutch Purses with Flower Brooch

by allisajacobs

DIY wedding favors

2010-06-21T14:31:00.000-04:00

For our wedding, I created CD's with some of the big band music that we'll be playing at the reception. Are CD's the most unique gift for a wedding? Probably not. But we were left with few options since we didn't want to give away something with our name or initials on it (remember the single monogramed wine glass you got at your cousins wedding? Useful, huh.) And since we'll be outside in July, edible favors were also knocked off the list. I'm happy with the end result though.

All of the pieces of the project (minus the CD) were purchased through Paper Source, my favorite local and online supply store. I used their diagonal folder enclosures in gravel tied with Moss Green 1" double faced satin ribbon. The playlist is printed on their Luxe series paper, a textured version of their text and cover weight papers, in the color Glass (now discontinued). The damask square on the front is the Brocade White Opal fine paper cut down to a 3.5" square.

Vintage Garden Wedding

2010-06-17T13:24:00.000-04:00

Check out my Vintage Garden Wedding treasury on Etsy. So many lovely handmade items!

Sleepy Time

2010-06-16T16:07:00.001-04:00

Charlie's all tuckered out after a day of watching me clean the office. He's a good assistant.

Photo Notecards

2010-06-16T12:51:00.003-04:00

I created these photo notecards to sell at Artomatic in 2009

and decided to put some of the leftover sets up on Etsy for sale.

Chesapeake in Sepia (Set of 12 notecards) - $18.00

Washington, DC (Set of 12 notecards) - $18.00

Blog Roll

2010-06-13T18:03:00.005-04:00

I thought I'd share with you some of the blogs and websites that have been inspiring me lately.

~ ~ ~

Ruffled Blog

ruffledblog.com

My favorite source of vintage wedding photos and ideas. The first time I looked at this blog was the same day I had my first (and only) mini-wedding-melt-down. After browsing through 25+ pages of gorgeous wedding pics, I declared all my ideas to be horrible and tacky. A glass of wine later though, I realized that I was not that far off and by tweaking a few things, it would be picture-perfect and exactly what I want.

~ ~ ~

Bohemian Vintage

minasdecorandfashion.blogspot.com

A Tampa, Florida staple, Bohemian Vintage also has a great blog full of artsy ideas. A lot of their stuff is also for sale via their Etsy shop.

~ ~ ~

Style Me Pretty

stylemepretty.com

Another great wedding photo-book. This one focuses on more of the invitation, dress and vendor part of the planning and less about the whole concept. But it's still fun to look at. There are quite a bit of helpful links to different vendors used in the shots as well as shop ads on the sidebar that are fun to browse.

~ ~ ~

decor8

decor8blog.com

Lovely, fresh, hip ideas for your space. There are a lot of features of different shops and sites on here, which is perfect if you have the money to spend on a cool new room.

~ ~ ~

Etsy Wedding

etsywedding.blogspot.com

Support handmade! I purchased a lot of my wedding items on Etsy including my attendant gifts, ties for the gents, headpiece, centerpiece items and vintage decor props.

~ ~ ~

Royal Steamline

royalsteamline.com

Can I have one massive event a year, each with a different theme inspired by these invitations? Because I'd do it. They're just that cool.

~ ~ ~

So what blogs and websites inspire you? Let us know in the comments section.

Paper Birdie Notecards

2010-06-12T15:45:00.000-04:00

As promised, some better photos of the birdie notecards. See the Etsy Listing here!

New notecards

2010-06-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

I needed to take a break from all the wedding designing tonight and made this series of bird cards out of scrap paper from other projects. They remind me of something you might pick up at Anthropologie, and who doesn't love Anthropologie? :)

Sorry the photo's aren't fantastic. I need to wait until daylight to get some better ones before posting on Etsy.

Birthday and new cards

2010-06-04T11:36:00.005-04:00

My fabulous husband-to-be bought me this vintage Etsy treasure from whichgooseco for my birthday today. I've chosen to store buttons and other craft items in it. The man knows I love to organize things! :)

In other news, I'm playing around with different card ideas. From this stitched bird (not sure what the finished product will be yet, but I'm enjoying stitching paper):

To these birthday and anniversary cards I'm working on:

Right now they're still in the experiment phase, but hopefully soon I'll have some up on Etsy to share.

Blue Bird on Red card

2010-06-02T11:12:00.000-04:00

Made out of leftovers and scraps from another project...

For the Love of Typefaces

2010-05-25T15:05:00.003-04:00

Every designer I've met has love affair with fonts. Professionally made typefaces are sexy, beautiful, masterfully created little pieces of art that can make or break your design piece. My latest love affair is with House Industries out of Yorklyn, Deleware. As REM would say, if I had a million dollars...i'd buy every single one of these fonts. But since I don't have a million dollars, I had to buy just one:

Neutraface.

This is a clean, san-serif font. Straight lines, with even, wide bowls. The first thing I noticed about this typeface though, was its low x-height. To me, it gives it almost an architectural and mathmatical feel. Ever letter is the perfect compliment to the next.

The sharp points at the elbows of the "N" are more noticeable in the bolder versions. Notice the different "M" and "Q" options. A simple change like that can make a big difference in the feel of your project. A last quick preview of some additional House Industries collections:

Unless you're a professional graphic designer, you most likely don't buy fonts. Mostly because websites like dafonts.com, urbanfonts.com and freefonts.com exist and partly because most folks don't realize that there's a difference. But the typefaces you find for free can't compare to the collections that professional font designers create.

It is truly art.

(All images are the property of the awesomely creative House Industries)

Timing is Everything

2010-05-21T18:21:00.001-04:00

I've realized (suddenly?) that I'm having a serious lack of extra time lately. I hesitate calling it "free time" as it's not time I'm looking to lounge on the couch watching 6 hours of TV. It's really time I'd like to be sewing, making ornaments/note cards, blogging, etc.

Design work has been really busy, which is good, because I can pay my bills and buy the shiny new iMac I've been needing for awhile. it's also nice that the jobs are coming to me. I'm pretty lucky to have a few steady clients who always seem to need a new piece at the exact moment I finish another project. The timing has been nothing short of miraculous this year.

I'm also getting married in 6 weeks (yikes - that's coming up!) and while my background in event planning mixed with my OCD super-logistics-girl tendencies has helped me get things set, I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting. Also, my fiance and I moved into a new house a few weeks ago, which is a good thing but it definitely takes a while to get settled and back into the routine of things.

So what's a girl to do? Budget my time better you say? Hire an assistant you say? Nah. I'll probably just leave it until after the wedding, then have fun this summer when work will likely be slower. But it's nice to get it out there. :)

Marigold and Khaki Birds

2010-05-16T12:51:00.003-04:00

I have a new card up on Etsy in my khaki notecard series. This is the Lil' Bird Card in marigold and khaki. I found some great marigold/mustard fabric that I plan to make birdie ornaments and cards out of. I think it has a real 70's vintage feel. It coordinates well with the wallpaper in my kitchen in fact.

I've also started on a yellow felt birdie with fabric wing. I think he'll be really cute when he's finished.

Front Page Love

2010-05-15T13:28:00.000-04:00

My khaki and red fathers day "dad" card is currently featured on the front page of Etsy. Check it out!

Work in Progress: Natural Kahki Notecards

2010-05-11T14:30:00.000-04:00

New card creations that I'm working on today!

Dad card

2010-05-10T18:18:00.000-04:00

My dad is awesome - he has taught me pretty much everything I know about how to run a business. Does your dad inspire you too? Than show him you care on June 20th with a handmade card. Custom color/fabric's are welcome at no additional cost.

Etsy Treasury: black and blush

2010-05-10T11:31:00.000-04:00

Check out this great black and pink treasury by SeaPinks, featuring my Staircase and Radiator black/white print.

Etsy Treasury: Tweet Tweet Lil' Birdie

2010-05-08T10:48:00.000-04:00

It's no secret that I love little birdies. Check out all the cute different ways you can wear/display/hang them in this treasury.

CLICK HERE to view treasury.

UFP photos from exhibit

2010-05-07T06:52:00.001-04:00

Photos from last nights Urban Forest Project exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery are up on flickr!

Click here to view all photos

Urban Forest Project Exhibit

2010-05-04T20:27:00.001-04:00

My banner (on the right) was choosen along with 99 others out 400+ entries to hang in downtown DC this summer as part of the Urban Forest Project DC. The idea is to have a "forest" throughout downtown. After they hang in town, they will be recycled into tote bags that will be auctioned off and sold to raise money to plant trees in our neighborhoods.

Before the banners make it to their streetlight poles downtown, they will be displayed at the Corcoran Gallery of Art from May 5-9, 2010. There's also a reception Thursday night to view the banners and the (gulp) video they made while interviewing artists.

For more information:
AIGA UFP Page
Urban Forest Project DC
Corcoran Gallery of Art

Re-Organization

2010-05-02T13:26:00.000-04:00

I'm organizing and re-organizing my office this weekend. I enjoy stacks of color coded fabrics and pins neatly arranged in tiny containers. The workspace is starting to feel really nice.

felt pin cushion

2010-05-01T13:30:00.001-04:00

I've been needing a pin cushion and while there are a ton of cute ones you can buy on Etsy, I decided to take 15 minutes and make one. Is the most fabulous thing I've ever crafted? No. But it works and didn't cost me a dime.

My Wish List

2010-04-29T19:10:00.000-04:00

No, I'm not trying to get you all to buy me things. But I did want to share what is currently on my wish list from Etsy. It's kind of like online shopping where you fill your cart full of things you like then never buy them. One day I'm buy all of these....one day.

Serif Typography Wall Art by Peppersprouts ($70)

metal organizer by whichgooseco ($45)

Les coquelicots Diptych by sibylleart ($55)

Zipper Bag - Modern Patchwork in Blueberry by allisajacobs ($28)

Etsy Treasury: graphic design treasury

2010-04-29T09:43:00.001-04:00

This is my graphic design treasury for font-fanatics and typeface-fans. Get your lorem ipsum on and geek out!

CLICK HERE to view treasury. (btw for you Etsy fans, the new Treasury East setup is way cool. Much more control and editing/sharing options, plus it's a full 16 frames)

Wednesday's Pretty Little Things

2010-04-28T10:08:00.000-04:00

Checkbook covers. Functional AND fun to look at. There is no reason why you can't be stylish whilst writing checks. I'm search of two checkbooks right now and have narrowed it down to the follow possibilities. My problem this time is the opposite of most of my shopping experiences. I've actually found so many that I like, I just can't choose.

Like these first ones by Quilish. Super cute colors and patterns (with different but coordinating prints on the inside). But how can I choose just two?!

If you want to go for a recycled vintage feel, you must check out the shop of MyPaperGarden. Wallets, Checkbook Covers and more made out of old maps and vintage papers. Perfect for the world traveller.

And then there's this one by tinymeat. I mean, how cool is this with the motorcycle blueprint. Maybe for my little brother.... Does his generation even know what checks are?

Green Ribbon Heart Notecard

2010-04-27T11:01:00.000-04:00

Polka Dots and Lattice printed ribbons, intertwined in a lovely heart shaped card. Perfect for Mothers Day or your Anniversary.

CLICK HERE to view the Etsy listing.

In Progress: Felt Blue Bird Ornament

2010-04-26T17:37:00.004-04:00

I'm spending this rainy rainy day working on some new felt birdies. Navy with light blue wings and a tan button eye. I'm thinking of making some smaller ones into magnets and pins as well.

UPDATE: Finished product below. Cute little blue bird! Click Here to view the Etsy listing.

New Etsy Item!

2010-04-23T16:20:00.000-04:00

Introducing the Woven Heart Notecard. Perfect for your Anniversary or Mothers Day (May 9th - don't forget!!). I really wanted to make a card with a heart on it, but I though having plain fabric behind it might be a little boring. So, I went with a quilted effect by weaving the strips of fabric together. I'm very pleased with the result!

Wednesday's Pretty Little Things

2010-04-22T18:31:00.001-04:00

In addition to experimenting with new birdie ornaments this week, I've realized that my new office/studio looks out onto a giant maple tree full of little tweeters. So I guess you can say I have birds on the brain. Below are some of my favorite birdiesque items on Etsy:

Bird on a Branch Wood coasters by Peppersprouts

Perched Coin Purse by enamor

Green Eyes by SimplyRiveting

Painted Bird Wedding Cake Toppers by RedLightStudio

Together at Last 8x10 Print by PaintingPrints

Cute Journals for Kids

2010-04-18T14:09:00.000-04:00

How cute are these journals for kids? Fashioned by recycled kids clothes, these journals by Etsy seller Nicopapergoods are around $21, making them fun and affordable for your favorite kid or your favorite kid-at-heart.

Washington, DC Skyline

2010-04-14T13:32:00.000-04:00

DC doesn't really have a skyline, but this is what my neighborhood skyline looks like. I started these building for another project, but never used them. I keep hoping something will come up where I can tweak them for a piece.

Wednesday's Pretty Little Things

2010-04-14T10:08:00.001-04:00

Keys gain us access to our most valued possessions and keep others out. As relationships becomes serious, one might be given a key as a sign of trust and welcoming. When you buy your first house or car, that key symbolizes everything you've accomplished up to this point to get where you are. As I move this week, I am very reminded of keys and the significance that one small metal object has.

The Keys to Time Clock by CyberMoon

Old Crocodile Vegan Leather Journal by moxy

Vintage Framed Skelton Key and Keyhole Wall Art by JordanJames

Unlocked......tags by caelum

Antique skeleton keys burlap pillow cover by styledspaces

Happy Birthday!

2010-04-13T09:56:00.000-04:00

I made a craft and ribbon birthday sign for a friends surprise party last night. They are 8" squares tied with yellow satin ribbon. It was fun and easy to make and only cost about $8 in supplies.

Moving!

2010-04-12T11:24:00.002-04:00

Hitchcock Creative (along with mascot Charlie) will soon be moving from city life in Washington, DC to the lovely suburbs of Virginia. There will be a little break in posting for a few days while we box everything up and move, but we should be back in a week once the internet is hooked up.

One of the best parts of the move? The idea of new organizational containers for the office. I'm a bit of an OCD crafter and designer and the thought of having a bin and drawer for every object in my new super-organized office just makes me giddy! I know some of you can relate.

Wednesday's Pretty Little Things

2010-04-07T10:34:00.001-04:00

There's nothing like a good plaid print for spring. If you think plaid is strictly a fall/winter affair, then take a look at these color combos:

Eco Toes in Vintage Golden Plaid by infusion

summer handmade madras clutch by CalviRee

Pretty Pink Plaid Wren by SeaPinks

Lulu dress w/ Heart pocket by cindymars7

Mini Gratitude Journal Plaid by DribsNDrabs

Sleeping Squirrel

2010-04-07T09:49:00.000-04:00

This little guy sunbathes on my back fence every morning. Arms and legs all sprawled out. Too cute!

New Etsy Items!

2010-04-05T19:53:00.003-04:00

I've been battled a cold and while I couldn't do much of anything today, I decided to spend my time on the couch wisely and make a few new items. Not to worry though, the germs don't translate to the fabric. :)

Baby Birdie

Green and white damask birdie ornament with button eyes. (Not listed on Etsy yet)

Blue Bird Notecard
Inspired by the pretty little bluebirds outside in my tree.

Wise Old Owl Notecard
Hoot hoot! Little green owl with tan buttons for eyes. Perfect for kids and adults and all of us in that awkward in-between stage.

Caffeine Addiction

2010-04-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

Monday mornings (like most mornings...and afternoons), mean coffee time. Sweet sweet caffeine that many of us can't live without. Or perhaps we could live without, but we couldn't function very well without. My favorite accessory for a hot cup o' joe? This Caffeine Love Tattoo Coffee Sleeve by 60bugs.

Cherry Blossoms!

2010-04-03T13:46:00.003-04:00

Spring in Washington, DC means Cherry Blossoms. It also means traffic, tourists and allergies, but lets focus on the blossoms for today. I've been so busy with my day job and preparing to move that I haven't been out with my camera this season to shoot the blooms. So I offer you pictures from the past few years inside. Enjoy and for goodness sake don't try to drive near the Tidan Basin this weekend. :)

Etsy Treasury: Vintage Music

2010-04-03T10:24:00.001-04:00

Check out my new Vintage Music Treasury!

CLICK HERE to view treasury.

Wednesday's Pretty Little Things

2010-04-01T10:36:00.001-04:00

Since my time is limited these days, I decided to features clocks on this weeks Pretty Little Things. You may not jump to the conclusion that clocks are "pretty" (or "little" for that matter), but I love what these artists have done with their time pieces.

RETRO wood clock with hooks - Bingo by OldNewAgain

Modern Baby Clock Owl by decoylab

Honeycomb Modern Wall clock by pilotdesign

Clock made from a recycled Decca Record Player by pixelthis

The Etsy Unknowns

2010-03-29T10:32:00.001-04:00

Have you ever played around with the Pounce feature on Etsy? It shows you a random selection of shops that have been recently updated but haven't had a sale yet. Today I'd like to feature some of the shops I found in Pounce that are bound to have their first sale soon.

ButtonTin's Shop
There are adorable little paper birds and other paper items such as cards and neat wire/paper sculptures. Very vintage and inspiring!

FullofGlee's Shop
This Chicago, IL based artist has a great collection of jewelry where every piece is named after someone who fills their life with glee. How fun is that?

photographybykarina
Karina just opened her Etsy shop on Sunday, so I anticipate her first sale is right around the corner. The photographs have such a lovely, whimsical feel to them.

Etsy Treasury: OWL always love you

2010-03-28T10:24:00.000-04:00

I'm a little tired this morning, hence the cutesy name. I do love owl's though. Maybe they remind me of the good-ole(or owl?)-days of reading Harry Potter or maybe I like that they're nocturnal like me. Either way, here is my ode to owls on Etsy. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE to view the treasury.

Wednesday's Pretty Little Things

2010-03-24T19:25:00.009-04:00

This weeks Pretty Little Things is a collection of lovely yellow and grey springtime purses from these talented Etsy sellers:

Large Pleated Bag in Yellow & White by daphnenen

Army Green foldover Clutch with Hens N Chicks print by appetite

Mimosa Yellow by ikabags

Zipper Clutch - Retro Leaves by allisajacobs

Pretty Bird Tote Bag by rainbowswirlz

Etsy Treasury: Spring Wedding in Pink and Grey

2010-03-21T10:24:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I guess I've caught a little spring wedding fever. I promise it won't last forever. Until then though, here is a pink and grey treasury I created with a fabulous items from some very talented designers.

CLICK HERE to view the Treasury.

Introducing: Folk Americana Star Ornament

2010-03-16T12:54:00.001-04:00

I've been working on a Folk Americana Star Ornament for the the summer. Here is the first one and a link to the Etsy Listing. Enjoy!

A Handmade Wedding

2010-03-14T16:03:00.002-04:00

I'm planning my own wedding and decided I wanted to purchase as many handmade accessories as possible, which is becoming an interesting challenge. After spending a few years as an event planner, I figured this would be a piece of cake. I'm finding plenty of hair clip, necktie and jewelry options, however the bigger items like dresses and shoes are proving to be a bit more difficult.

Here are some of the accessories I've already purchased (for my bridesmaids and groomsmen):

Here are some of the hair pins I'm considering for myself:

Two beautiful necklaces: I'm not sure the first will match my dress (might be too ivory) and the second (right) I adore, but can't really afford:

Links to items in order of appearance: Dahlia Flower and Pearl Necklace by TheSilverDog; Purple Stripe Silk Tie by rabbitstop; belle amour mossy rose comb by whichgoose; Celia Bridal Headband with Veil by hemsandbustles; gone with the wind bridal comb by whichgoose; hairpins by LittleWhiteDresser; White Lace Necklace by nyjolejewellery; Ivory Lace Necklace by yuyuXD.

Etsy Treasury: Eggs

2010-03-11T17:40:00.000-05:00

Easter will be here in a mere 2 weeks, which means it time for eggs. Hard boiled, dyed, cadbury, fabric, scrambled, chocolate and those little plastic ones that your mom used to hide in the yard and inevitably someone would get all except for one and that one would get run over by lawn mower come July. Yep, lots of different eggs out there. animadesign made this eggtastic treasury and featured some of my fabric oval guys along the way.

CLICK HERE to view the treasury. Click and Comment away!

Urban Forest Project

2010-03-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

As I may have mentioned before, my banner submission for the Urban Forest Project - Washington, DC was accepted and will hang in downtown DC for two months this spring. On Sunday I met some of the fine folks organizing the project while (gulp) giving them a taped interview for their promotional purposes. As someone who does not speak on camera often, this was.....enlightening. The crew couldn't have been nicer and more relaxed. But it's amazing what pops out of your mouth when you're some-what-nervously speaking into a camera.

I also found that their using some of the out-takes for the project as well (oh good lord). I only said one or two idiotic things, and those were answers to the random "If you were a DC monument, which one would you be?" and "If you were an artist's tool, what would you be?" questions. My answer on film to the later? "I would be a compass. Because everything in design comes full circle and I'm pretty well rounded." Hitting my head on the desk right about now. May not be providing you all with a link afterall...

For fun, here is a copy of my banner which will be downtown Washington, DC in April/May 2010. More info on exactly where in about a month.

Heart of Hearts

2010-02-28T11:46:00.001-05:00

Just because we've past Valentine's Day doesn't mean we can enjoy a good heart ornament now and then. Here are some new pictures of one older ornament and one brand new one that I've made. I'll be adding a lot more of these to my holiday ornament collection next season.

Etsy Treasury: I Dig Dirt!

2010-02-25T20:19:00.001-05:00

I really do. As soon as all this snow melts, I'll be the first person back in the garden. Check out this dirty treasury by sacredsuds.

UPDATE: This Treasury made it to the front page this morning! For all you non-Etsians, the Etsy Admins picks a new treasury (or pick their own 12 items) every hour for the front page of Etsy. It's the best way for shops to get exposure. This is the first time a treasury I was in was picked.

CLICK HERE to view treasury.

Follow me...keep in touch

2010-02-25T11:22:00.000-05:00

Like facebooking, tweeting and blogging? Follow me here!

Facebook Fan Page

Twitter

Blogging - well...just hit that handy little "follow" button in the upper left hand corner of this screen.

Etsy Treasury: Audio A's Bitter Bloom

2010-02-21T09:20:00.000-05:00

I couldn't really tell you what the title means, but Etsy seller Emmamaha has made a beautiful treasury full of faded spring time hues. She features my new Fabric Easter Eggs in her mix of pastel items.

CLICK HERE to view the treasury.

Trip to the Museum

2010-02-20T20:24:00.001-05:00

I spent today at a few of the fine Smithsonian Museum's in Washington, DC. I've lived here for around 8 years and rarely go out and do the touristy things like visit the monuments and museums. I really should do more of that when I get a day off. Here are my favorite black and white prints from the trip. As you can tell, I tend to be drawn to the architecture more than the art. :)

Etsy Treasury - Earthy Goodness

2010-02-16T19:26:00.000-05:00

I've been chosen for another Treasury, this one comprising of earthy, gardening themes. Have I mentioned lately that I can't wait for spring?

CLICK HERE to view the treasury.

Crank Menu

2010-02-16T12:38:00.000-05:00

Menu for the coffee shop "Crank." My tag-line for the shop is "What cranks you up?"

Wedding Invitation

2010-02-15T13:07:00.001-05:00

Below is a sample wedding invitation I've been working on. Actually, it's the design for my wedding invitation with the names and info changed (because I love you all, but you're not invited). :)

My fiancee and I are both outdoorsy people and our wedding will be outside this summer in a wooded area near a river. The tree image is a modified version of a photograph taken on the property where the wedding will take place. It will be printed on a textured white paper. It's been fun to make something so personal and organic for our invite.

I've also made thank you cards to match:

Spring hath cometh

2010-02-13T11:21:00.004-05:00

Well, unfortunately spring has not cometh to the Washington, DC area. But while I was snowed in I decided to think ahead toward spring. Here is what came out:

Fabric Easter Egg ornaments -- $7.50 each

Yellow Flower card -- $3.00

Urban Forest Project tree banner

2010-02-12T18:23:00.008-05:00

I'm happy to announce that my banner was chosen to be one of 100 tree-themed banners that will hang in the city of Washington, DC this spring. My banner is below. The Urban Forest Project says:

"The tree is a metaphor for sustainability and, in that spirit, the banners at the close of each exhibition will be recycled into totebags and auctioned off to raise money for a local non-profit organization. Each local project will also incorporate or support an environmental call to action such as tree planting initiatives. The program can easily be adapted to address a number of green and creative initiatives in a variety of ways to shape a project that is unique and expressive of the local community."

Etsy Treasury: Beach L.O.V.E

2010-02-10T09:50:00.000-05:00

A sunfilled, beachy treasury by MysticMessages (featuring my Blue Heart 5x7 print) should warm us up in the mid-atlantic blizzard, right?

Right?

CLICK HERE to view the treasury.

let the sun shine in

2010-02-08T14:36:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite photography from the snow weekend:

Snow in DC: Part II

2010-02-07T00:03:00.002-05:00

It's been a record breaking year in DC in terms of snow fall. With the latest blizzard, come the latest photos. I enjoy shooting snow covering cities in black and white. I think it translates that peaceful feeling you get in the city when the snow comes. Here is what I saw: