Just Up the Path

Remember these? I've finally developed my mushroom drawings into a new collection of paper goodies, pairing them with light blue accents and polka dot motifs. In honor of a friend's birthday I assembled this little sampler packet of tags, stickers and labels and I am pleased to announce that some of its contents have inspired me to create a similar collection for Natural Historie. Be on the look out for these brand new additions to the paperie - they'll be making their debut in the very near future.

A Winner

At last, the anticipated conclusion of the first ever contest at A Field Journal. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter - your comments were lovely and so much appreciated. All sixty two entries were printed, cut, folded, and placed in a roomy blue box (after rapidly outgrowing a small bowl). Congratulations to the very lucky winner drawn at random... Mary Hanks! Enjoy your new earrings from Natural Historie. As for the future, I can hardly wait to host another contest -this one was such fun! So stay tuned, you may have a chance to be a lucky winner yet.

Winter Garden

Beneath bell jars and glass roofed conservatories lies a winter garden, its specimens snugly nestled within white ceramic vases, mossy terracotta pots and old apothecary jars – the splendor of springtime cultivated indoors. A traipse through a January garden in full bloom need not require more than crossing your threshold. Meander through the snapshots above: {1} A store bought bouquet of tulips before the windowpane - my favorite flower, exceptionally warm and beautiful in pink and orange {2} A potted amaryllis in a wintry white, finally in full bloom on the kitchen sill {3} A lone narcissus sprouting in the garden foretells of spring. {4} Rather modest rosebuds reside in an antique decanter atop a volume of rainy day reading. At right: {5} My humble emulation of nature’s beauty – a sketchbook drawing in colored pencil.

Deerly Sweet {Part Two}

Did you miss {Part One}?
And here it is, the sweet scene I imagined, delicately rendered in ink and watercolor. A dear little doe amidst a pastel picnic demurely sips from a polka dotted teacup, all the while unbeknownst of the twittering bluebirds overhead. “Happy Birthday Deerest!” they proclaim. Springtime fast approaches with pastels, petite fours, fawns and flowers, so treat a dear one to this lovely forest fete. I’m so pleased to introduce the first ever birthday notecard from Natural Historie.

Deerly Sweet {Part One}

It was during the incessant drone of an twelve thirty lecture that I found myself engaging in that age old classroom pastime. Between the “good afternoon, class” and the “next time we shall discuss,” a nonchalant little margin doodle evolved into a page of ideas. Here are the beginnings of a fanciful design I’ve been working on for the first ever birthday notecard from Natural Historie. Ever since jotting down this rough sketch I’ve been dying to create some developed ink and watercolor drawings. Take a peek at these snippets and notes from the process; there are even a few of the finished elements dashed about it (strawberries and such)! Next time I’ll share the finished scene with you – I hope you’ll think it as lovely as I do!

A Contest

{Contest Rules and How to Enter}
In celebration of the new year, I am holding the first ever giveaway contest at A Field Journal. Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post to enter to win the boxed pair of Natural Historie earrings pictured above. In your comment, please include a method by which to contact you if you are the winner. Contest is open to continental US residents only. Contest begins January 1, 2008 and ends January 25, 2008. At this time I will place each contestant’s name on a slip of paper and draw a random winner. Happy New Year!

{About the Prize}
Queen Anne's Lace Earrings There they are, growing wayward along the woodland path, perfect reconciliations of humility and elegance. Stop and gather a few wildflowers – after all, you’ll look positively regal adorned in these. Earrings are made with nickel-free ear hooks, metal findings, lightweight metal “doily” and glass beads. They measure approximately 3 inches from arch of ear hook to bottom of longest bead. Your earrings will arrive beautifully nestled in a rustic Natural Historie gift box.

{The Contest Has Ended}