Twenty

I recently celebrated a birthday, spending a wintry weekend consumed in lovely and simple amusements. A morning spent in the kitchen happily dipping strawberries in chocolate and icing cupcakes a dreamy light pink gave way to an afternoon of golden garlands, papery crafts and perfect place settings. After dinner out, a party of six sat down at twenty past seven to savor a delicate, decadent dessert of sherbets, strawberries, cakes and tea.

Snapshots: {1} Homemade cupcake and a solitary candle sit atop a table strewn with decorations {2} Place setting with handmade box - tea bags and packets of sugar reside inside {3} On handmade boxes the little doe I sketched and painted stands coyly near a line of text that reads "for you deer" - these will surely inspire a new product at Natural Historie {4} Simple vanilla cupcake, frosted in pink {5} Homemade chocolate covered strawberry, liberally coated in creamy milk chocolate and indulgent dark chocolate drizzle {6} A lovely banner, with hand drawn lettering on circles cut with scissors (used earlier for a similar affair, see Tea for Two)

Nothing But Pictures

"In my world, the books would be nothing but pictures." Alice in Wonderland

A most appropriate present for my dear friend Alice. An enchantingly serene and simple little piece, drawn to mimic an old black and white illustration from the classic storybook. Only its color hints at the imaginative fairytale that is Alice in Wonderland. Attired for adventure from her signature bright blue frock to the coral pink piping along her petite pinafore. Snapshots from the project: {1} Sketching {2} The completed ink drawing {3} Adding color with acrylics {4} The finished piece within creamy matting {5} The completed present, finished and framed - I do think she'll love it!

Dear Valentines,

Wishing you all a simply lovely day! Don't forget to check your inbox if you've signed up for Natural Historie Correspondence by the 13th at midnight (EST).

Secret Valentines

See those mysteriously entrancing little hearts floating upwards? They're tiny sneak previews of the virtual postcard that's coming your way this fourteenth of February. (If you're on the Natural Historie Correspondence list that is!) I had a lovely time designing what will be one of the first little goodies I get to send out to all of you! It features among fonts and flourishes, a snapshot I took while rummaging through my collection of Victorian paper cutouts and ephemera. It's the quintessential Valentine, Natural Historie style. If you're not on the list just yet, not to worry. Be sure to click the button below to sign up by the fourteenth. Update: This subscription list is no longer active.

Valen{tiny} Garland

Perfectly pink and fetchingly festive this garland of miniature paper hearts is just in time for St. Valentine's Day. Swag a strand across a door frame or over a window for a look that is demure and charming.

{You will need} paper scraps* scissors coordinating thread sewing needle *we used assorted scrap booking papers, in varied textures & prints in shades of pink, violet, gold & red; heavier papers work best
{Step 1}
Fold a 1-2" square paper scrap in half with right sides together.


{Step 2}
Along the fold, cut a half-heart shape as shown in the diagram.









{Step 3}
You should now have a symmetrical heart shaped cut out.







{Step 4}
Repeat steps 1-3 with different types of papers - try an array of colors, textures, and prints. The number of hearts you will need will vary based on the size of your hearts and the desired length of your garland. Our hearts ranged from 3/4" to 1"and approximately 14 hearts were required for each foot of garland.




{Step 5}
With a threaded needle begin to string paper hearts by passing the needle through the top center of each folded heart (right sides together).<
{Step 6} Continue adding hearts - you can create a repeated sequence or simply add varied patterns and colors at random.{Step 7} As the garland grows longer, space the hearts evenly so that their edges just barely overlap.
{Step 8} Enjoy decorating your home!