Turns out that when you have a blog you start doing bizarre things like taking pictures of the sardines you bought.  But then again, you never know when you will be inspired.  And it might be in the canned fish isle in your slightly depressing grocery store at 10 o’clock at night.  I was thinking I might try to make my mobile out of paper and this little sardine box may even play a role, but I may chicken out and just sew something instead.  Speaking of mobiles, Leah from leahglass.blogspot.com has kindly offered to help all those out who may have questions about mobile construction–I haven’t got to the construction part yet, but I’m a little nervous thinking about it.  You can email her directly or go the discussions in the mobile swap group on flickr and ask questions there.  Leah is an artist who makes lovely mobiles out of glass.  If you are involved in the mobile swap she is offering a two for one deal on the mobiles in her etsy shop.  Just type in “mobile swap participant” in the notes to seller box.  So go take a look.  And I’d love to see what others are inspired by these days–post a picture on your blog or just leave a comment.

some greens for today. click on the picture for all the photo credits.

I know it’s not quite the holiday season proper, but if I’m going to make an advent calendar (like I say I will every year) then I better start soon. Here are a couple that I think are just lovely.

Martha Stewart made this one, of course. I think only Martha could make 25 gifts small enough to fit in it–really what the hell do you put in there? one m&m? whoopie.  Still part of me wants to make it, because it’s just so damn clever and the tiny drawers are ridiculously cute.

This one is from the flickr group DIY holidays 2007, which is full of chock full of ideas. It was inspired by Martha and made by Ali Edwards .

And this is my favorite: an advent calendar kit from Domesticali‘s etsy shop. She’s sold out, but maybe we could all convince her to make more. Have a good weekend everyone!

There are a couple images that have really caught my eye recently that I wanted to share with you, dear readers.

The first two are from the blog Debi Van Zyl. The mobile I think is just fanastic. I have always loved those strange little seed pods and I think this is a beautiful way to use them. And I can’t stop thinking about the polaroid pictures she took and what great little art quilts they would make. I never thought I’d be one to make an art quilt, but it’s next on my list (right after all that other stuff).

It was this block [edit: the picture was removed by the artist, sorry] that got me thinking about art quilts to begin with. It’s from the blog Dear Meagan, and she has recently made another block just as beautiful as the first. The soft toy is hers as well. I think this is a great idea and a nice way to remember how little your little one once was and the adorable outfits they won’t let you put on them anymore.