We're off an a suprise vacation to the mountains this week, so since I don't have time to go through and change my Etsy shop, the Holiday Sale will be extended through the week!

All new sales will be shipped when we're back in town on Friday. OX

UPDATE:

All 8 x10 prints in my shop are buy two, get one free through midnight on Monday! The third image is your choice, you just specify your preference in the message box upon purchase. The perfect opportunity to start a collection, decorate a wall, or create a fabulous gift. All purchases made during this weekend's holiday sale will be shipped on Friday (I can not guarantee holiday delivery outside the USA).

Best news of all: Just for the sale, I have added several images in the 8 x 10 print category that have never been available in this size before, including favorites like The Pirate's Daughter, Claire and the Peacock, and Magda, Queen of the Mice. It's a rare opportunity to buy these images in a collection set.

And don't forget, if you're looking for a more substantial piece, the beautiful signed and numbered limited edition giclée prints of The Pirate's Daughter and Magda, Queen of the Mice are discounted 25% right now, for this sale only.

Happy Holidays!! ooxx M, M & Q

...begins today on my Etsy shop! Stop by throughout the weekend (and cyber Monday) for discounted prices on select items! In addition, ALL 8 x 10 prints are buy two get one free through midnight on Monday November 30. Here's to the magical season, one and all!

First glimpse at the paper dolls in the final stage of production...Cardstock and envelopes on the shelf, a few more details to be hammered out, and they'll be ready for printing!

My newest paper doll form, and her swan friend.

Her outfits will also be interchangeable with those of the first girl. Each will come with a name, a story, and an eclectic wardrobe. While I work, I'm on the hunt for the perfect paper and packaging...

Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Everyone always focuses on Jackie, but have you taken a look at Eunice's early style?
Her elegance truly comes from within.
It's not just about the fashion. OK, it's a bit about the fashion. But she wears the clothes...they don't wear her.

And that smile.


You can't fabricate it.

Another outfit for my girl, who is exerting her personality daily around here!

Outfit #1

...and in color.

My paper girl's fox friend.

I am feeling inspired today by this wonderful shadow play, posted by Daan at maandagdaandag.

Well, the vote is in. Several people now have suggested that I do DIY paper cutouts for the shop. I myself find that I am drawn inexorably to all things paper of late. It's in the zeitgeist. What could it be? A backlash against the digital age? A nostalgia for the dying age of paper products, just as longstanding and beloved newspapers and magazines (I hate to even mention books, because I love them so dearly) crumple like failing dinosaurs all around us? Heaven knows that as an erstwhile journalist I am very susceptible to this form of nostalgia. I have for some weeks now had paper dolls on the brain. I even purchased a set of vintage DIY ones to use as a design model. Today I finally threw caution to the wind and set pen to paper to begin the design of my very first.

And here she is: The outline of my first paper doll. She will eventually be in color, and she will have an animal "familiar", of course, as do so many of my spirited girls. She will also have a dashing and convention-flaunting wardrobe to go with.

Stay tuned for further developments. I am already just a bit in love with this confident girl.

She never ceases to spin her web of magic and inspiration.

New in the shop today!

Starting retroactively at my first sale, I will be donating $1 from each print sale this year to Love Without Boundaries, an organizing dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance to orphaned and impoverished children in China. Though she was not cared for by a LWB team, my daughter was adopted from China with a severe cleft lip and palate. She was lucky to have exceptionally good (if rudimentary) care and sustenance at her orphanage. This level of care can mean the difference between life and death for a child born with medical needs which that child's birth parents don't have the means to support. A child with a cleft can die of starvation in the first days of life if caretakers don't have the education or means to teach them how to swallow formula. And cleft is one of the least deadly of birth conditions. Heart defects, spinabifida and so many others can be far more deadly without proper medical care. LWB runs a cleft care home in China, as well as providing aid in the five key areas of education, foster care, healing homes, medical, and orphanage assistance. While we were waiting to adopt through the special needs program, my husband and I donated to LWB from time to time when we were able. Since bringing out daughter home to a long series of surgeries and therapies, we are on an even tighter budget. Donating a portion of my sales is a good way for me to keep helping out a bit where I can.

The work of photographer Tamara Muth King.

Up NOW in the shop!

Delightful surprise! My work is featured over at Willie and Henrietta today. Always nice to be featured, of course, but this was a double delight since I had not yet discovered their site, and became and instant fan of their wonderful lineup of discoveries in children's design.

Hop on over to their site or read more about them at my home blog Une Envie de Sel.

New in the shop today...Viola's Morning Ride.

Also: I will be doing portrait commissions again, though on a very limited basis since my time is still very tight. There are two sizes listed in the shop at the moment. When a commission is purchased, it will not be relisted again until I have another slot of time free. A commission can take up to a month to complete, but I will be offering a gift certificate for those who wish to purchase a portrait as a holiday gift.

The Royal Tenenbaums.
I guess I have a thing for natural history museums.