Scoutie Girl

there’s still time to enter the orglamix eye shadow collection giveaway! click over to the giveaway post to enter.

you know marisa, from creative thursday, right?

i am constantly inspired by her positive, professional, creative take on being an artist. marisa envisions her success and works towards realizing it every day. today’s post on her blog came of no surprise to me: marisa is embarking on a campaign to empower artists to think of themselves as “thriving artists“, not “starving artists.”

i couldn’t agree more!

do you suffer from this? do you assume because you’re creative, enjoy working with your hands, and enjoy pretty things that you’re destined for a life without?

artists, crafters, creatives: i have news for you. you are in demand.

you are people who are actually producing something tangible, with real worth, in an economy that is based on service. we must reclaim that sense of value or corporations – and friends, and family – will [continue to] take advantage of us.

don’t let anyone else assign value to you or what you create. don’t let others tell you to starve. only you can give value to your work by finding real value in yourself & your talent. you must choose to thrive, succeed, and prosper.

this weekend, make it a point to exclaim that you’re an artist, crafter, writer, creative to anyone who asks – and maybe those who don’t. and let them know you’re thriving, not starving.

if you need a reminder, marisa is creating a line of “thriving artist” goods – starting with the print above – available in her shop. and marisa, if you need any foot soldiers for your battle, you can count me in!

i know this trend is nothing new. not even a little bit. but i simply can’t get enough of flags & pennants and their seemingly infinite reinventions. here are a few of my favorites that i’ve spotted around the web lately.

above, is a diy pennant flag stamp tutorial by cathe, at just something i made. so clever! (via how about orange by way of craft zine)

five flags necklace by amybsjewelry

silk dupioni bunting by annaleahart (there’s a tutorial too!)

spring fiesta by pragyakothari

circle bunting by kitschcafe

rainy day window by et lille oejeblik

spring mantel by studio

uh oh!i just discovered the ga ga for garlands flickr pool while doing this post. bad news….

i hope you have a banner weekend!

Cheers to Fierce Mally for creating these whimsical pen and ink illustrations of everyday objects, which are printed on note cards. I would love to find one of these in my mailbox!

Hello, friends!

Taking a little break from editing my book to say hello.

Just a couple of yummy faves for you today, ok?

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One of the little luxuries that I can’t imagine doing without now is handmade soap. It just makes me feel so good. This might sound weird, but washing with delicious-smelling artisanal soap makes me feel like I am living the life I want to live. Not a bad way to start the day, if you ask me.

It’s the little things, right?

I have carried these soaps, by the beer soap company, in my Cape Cod gift shop and they make the whole place smell so good.
Yes, BANANA BREAD beer soap! Smells just like banana bread. Amazing. My other favorite flavors of theirs are the Caramel and Tobacco (which is sexy and masculine) and Black Rice and Vanilla (super yum.)

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And if you love scents like I do (they can really change your mood!) you have to check out wiggle perfume:

She makes the most wonderful perfumes and perfume oils. Plus, is there a cuter name than Wiggle? Anajali is one of my favorites, but The Honeysuckle Sweet Tea is so good. I don’t know how she does it, but it smells just like instant iced tea powder! In a really good way!!

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Obsession Update: I have started a Bronte-Along over at my place! Come read and watch Jane Eyre with me!

Back to editing now, wish me luck! (The sooner I finish editing, the sooner I can get back to swooning over Mr. Rochester. It’s a strong motivator!)

xo, melissa @ yummygooods