M.Erica

It's a Leap Year

2012-02-27T06:54:00.000-08:00

1-2 foray into working with leather SPIKY EARRINGS 3 a whole mess of new baby booties 4 cotton tie-dyed scarf with leather detail 5 lace-edged gigante scarf 6 silk turban style headband 7 tractor cake 8 we officially have a two-year-old

♥m.erica

Intern

2012-02-07T15:23:00.001-08:00

My assistant "helping" me stage some booties for photoshoot this week. I'll have these adorable lil' shoes listed in the shop as soon as said assistant takes a realllly long nap.

Almost two!

♥♥m.erica

String Art

2012-01-07T16:32:00.000-08:00

Love the geometry, texture, and bling of this string art display I finished this week.
Its representative of the "origins" of the members of our family and inspired by this lovely Texas map.

Further inspired by these

And planning a million string artish projects for the next few weeks.

I got a pine board at Lowe's, something like 1 inch thick and 24 or so (?) inches long, about 10'' high, and had it cut in thirds at the store. From there it just took a little sanding down and a few packs of brass linoleum nails (about $1.30 apiece). Super cheap project.

I freehanded the state/country outlines due to extreme laziness, but you could use a projected image or pattern. Nails were hammered in about 1 cm. apart, and about 1 cm. deep. It takes a few tries to get the nails straight, and if they tend to lean in a little, just tap them with the hammer.

I used sewing thread in some of my favorite colors. Embroidery floss might look good on a larger image but probably wouldn't have worked with these petite nails.

The thread goes from the center nail, to each nail in the surrounding outline and back to center. Stringing the project was the easiest and fastest part.

...Our family enjoyed the holidays immensely and until next year, I'll be scouting for vintage glass ornaments like these...

♥m.erica

Christmastime is Heeeeere...

2011-12-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

SO begins my favorite Charlie Brown Christmas song.
Here's our little tree on a pedestal and put up high and a good distance away (we hope) from little grabby hands.
Because it's a small tree, it's stuffed to the gills with all our ornaments. I love it.

Here's a wreath I made after this tutorial

And Gabe's burlap stocking

A holiday menagerie from various secondhand items

My newest soon-to-be shop additions:

silk garlands in these colors and lots more...

more baby/toddler dresses in sizes S/M and M/L (adjustable neck)

and the last of my zip pouches. These and the dresses sold pretty well at the last two markets!

lovely oragami stars found here (change the language setting to English for a really funky translation...but clear enough for me to be able to figure out, and that's saying' something.)
So much you can do with these things...

Now let it snow!
♥m.erica

Silk Rose Garlands

2011-11-26T14:18:00.000-08:00

I've been playing around with the piles of silk scraps left over from other projects. I sewed some handmade silk roses together to make garlands of various lengths and colors. It took a long time to make each garland, but I think they would make a lovely touch for any celebration as a banner or table runner as seen here

This weekend is the Bijou Market--the first in Salt Lake--and post-Bijou I'll be dreaming up something new and Christmas-y to work on

*those are persimmons in the photos which I've yet to try. They were a Thanksgiving treat from a sweet colleague of mine.

Lots to be thankful for around here. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday♥
m.erica

Catching Up

2011-10-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

You'll please pardon my absence over these long weeks as I've been busy dealing with life, watching back-to-back episodes of Peppa Pig with my poor little sick babe, and now working nights teaching English to adults.
Still trying to sneak in time to sew/create whenever that may be...which is usually weekends or late into the night!

I am currently showing my designs at the Spark Artisan Market in Lindon this weekend and gearing up for the Bijou Salt Lake Market in November.

Lots of baby and toddler girl pillowcase dresses which I've neglected to photograph but will soon be listing in the shop.
Soaking up the fall any way I can

new curtain panels...LOVE anything ikat

clearing out the garden boxes

a bit of new landscaping

garage=somewhat organized, finalmente

eyeing grasscloth wallpaper for one living room wall

made these caramels but wasn't impressed (too soft, too tart) (via pinterest)

why didn't I discover this show sooner?

♥m.erica

Patchwork!

2011-08-31T15:34:00.000-07:00

Using up the last of some of my fave cotton scraps...
*sniff*
...but I absolutely love how this little pillowcase-type dress turned out.
I added a turquoise silk rose pin with a gold button.
This dress fits a babe up to 17 pounds.

Just about ready to start listing these here.
♥m.erica

annilygreen give-away

2011-08-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite artists is hosting a giveaway on her blog!
Go over here to enter a fabulous giveaway for a $50 gift card to annilygreen's shop.
I've been in love with her pillows for a while and basically everything she does with that metallic leather. She's one of my inspirators (is that a word...probly not.)
I am secretly hoping I'll win this giveaway, but I won't make a big deal about it if you enter ha!
m.erica

girls frocks

2011-08-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a small line of these cute, simple frocks for baby girls and toddler girls.
These three are sized for 18 months, but I'll have some in smaller sizes soon.
I'll also do some silk flower pins to match each dress.
all cotton and fully lined in muslin.

d'ya love?
♥m.erica

I've Got Zips!

2011-08-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

I love that they call zippers 'zips' in Australia and such.
I've just finished a line of canvas zipper pouches, they are sturdy and mainly neutral, go-with-anything. My friend Amber pointed out their potential use as mini-diaper bags, which I thought was groovy. You could stash a couple of diapers and some wipes in them so as not to have to lug around a huge bag with your babe.
I think they're splendid for iPads, notepads, cosmetics cases and the like.

I'll be selling these at Spark, and am applying for Bijou Market in SLC (wish me luck, I'd LOVE to get in).
Just spent the past weekend at Craft Lake City and because we brought Gabe our time was limited to his patience being in a cramped stroller in the sun: exactly 1 hour?? Lucky for us they had a swell kids' area with a bouncy house and tie-dye t-shirt craft thingy, with proceeds going to a young cancer patient.
Craft Lake City was fab, saw all my fave artists and lots more to boot. I love that there was food and music as well, not just your run-of-the-mill craft show.
Tomorrow I'm starting on baby and toddler girl dresses. I have an idea forming in my brain about peter pan collar necklaces.
LOVING the slightly cooler weather. And I won't even be depressed this year ONE BIT when fall rolls around. Need there be better reasons to welcome the fall than boots and sweaters?

via pinterest

♥m.erica

los pouches

2011-08-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

I've been experimenting with zip-pouches as evidenced here. I'm pretty pleased with how the final one turned out, though my first pouch was rather disastrous. I'll be adding some classy pouches to the shop as soon as my zipper order comes in.

Monday Inspiration

2011-07-31T21:36:00.000-07:00

credits

1 deep within the armoire, etsy 2 clare vivier 3 doughmesstic.net 4Tom Banwell, etsy 5 scoutandcatalogue, etsy 6 Flutterby Cakes 7 Blondie 8 Noir Jewelry 9 urban design, etsy 10 Matt Bernson

Wah-La!

2011-07-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

wah-lah.
aka, voila.
Doesn't that misspelling drive you mad?
that, and sneak peak.

Here's a sneak peak.

That SNEAKY peak.

Anyhoo, here's my latest clutch:

And this is a bit different from all the rest I've done because I spent a lot more time on it, with topstitching, heavily interfaced and back-stitched this and that.

It may appear demure but this baby is TOUGH.

See it, and another new listing here
♥m.erica

more clutches

2011-07-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

I've been working on some gifts

...and here's a preview of my latest project, + a close-up of some gorgeous fuschia Tussah silk I'll be using on some future pieces

♥m.erica

Finally Organized

2011-07-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

My good friend + 'publicist' Deanna sold me this lovely number.
I consider her my publicist of sorts because she's promoted me a lot and sent some business my way!
I failed of course to take 'before' pics, but picture plain pine with bronze handles and three wood-colored shelves.

Sanded, painted creamy white, spray-painted handles gold, and had three more shelves cut from pine.
Painted all the shelves a lovely navy-black and covered the back inside with heavy mocha-colored linen.
Finally, replaced the old wooden knob with a glass crystal-ly looking one.

The most glorious moment for me however, was gathering all my piles of crap from various corners of the house and giving them an orderly home! Love it!

The entire project cost less than $120 including cost of furniture.

De: don't be hatin'! I'll make one for you too! :)
And muchisimos gracias for this piece of furniture. It made my summer.

M.Erica is back in business!

Denim N Canvas

2011-07-12T22:09:00.000-07:00

Finally something new. Yes it took me roughly 5 billion years to create one new bag.
Hey! I've been on vacation...and, it's the summer and heat makes me...inert.

Lotsa upcycled materials used here. Side striped cotton bow, jeans pocket topped with bronze silk stripe on both sides, divided pocket inside, super roomy.

Next up: New clutch collection!
Think: Chartreuse embroidery, silver and bronze silk AND vegetable-tanned leather details, and lots of textural neutrals and battenburg lace (my fave)

♥m.erica

Lately I'm Enjoying

2011-07-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

windswept beaches with nary a soul around at Cape Meares, Oregon Coast

staying one relaxing night in a dapper little (pink!) seaside cottage built in the 1930's, also Cape Meares
♥
view atop the Astoria Column, Oregon Coast

Cannon Beach.

ruffle shirt

la marquise desanges, etsy

clutch

scout and catalogue, etsy

Tillamook Cheese factory (and a cheese tasting!)

Gabe walking through a daisy field.

petting a wee pony!

Peppa Pig

my boy helping Grampa fix a tire

a smile to light up any day

Gabe and daddy

teacup pendants

re-nest.com

dainty collars

burdastyle

sweet paintings

artist unknown...via fabulousfifi.typepad.com

leather and lace

scout and catalogue, etsy

summer summer summertime...

What are you enjoying lately?
♥m.erica

Giving it away....

2011-06-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

My friend Deanna, whom I met for the first time in the hospital the day before we both brought home our betrothed adopted newborns (all true) I also consider to be my publicist of sorts.
She is hosting a giveaway for this clutch on her blog...
You have until Tuesday to enter!
While you're at it 'like' M.Erica designs on Facebook here

the betrothed...Gabe with hamburger juice dribbling down his chin. At least, that's what I think it is?

Bolsters

2011-06-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

One of my summer projects is to convert a twin mattress set into a sort of sofa bed in Gabe's room. Eventually it will be his bed, but right now it's just a mattress and box spring shoved against the wall and looking mighty ugly.
Eventually I'll cover each with blankets or such in heavy linen, but first I wanted to tackle these huge body pillows and turn them into bolsters much like this inspirational shot:

bolster on far left, via house beautiful

And I love the "addition sign" motif going on with these pillows:

via pinterest

The photos aren't the greatest, but these pillows are mega-grande and comfy, and very simple to make without a pattern. I can do a tutorial if anyone's interested...leave a comment!

♥m.erica

Matchmaker, matchmaker

2011-06-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

Received this RANDOM email in my work inbox the other day:
And binding with briars, my joys & desires.

Hello pass-holder
Nor longer, her ungrateful sons to please,
NEW: Application form-71854610363:

First name: Ganna.
Surname: Dyakina.
Immortelle's dry and pink. On the fresh heaven
Country: Ukraine.
City: Veliky Novgorod.
Age: 31.
Height: 171 centimetres
Weight: 52 kilograms.
Eyes: green.
Hair Color: blond.

Her Type of Man:
A really charming and exciting man!
Character:
I am a kind, cheerful, optimistic girl with a good sense of humor.

Interests:
I like watching quality historical movies, listening to almost all kinds of music and dancing

Bye!

All I could think was, whaaaaaaaaaaaaa? Whyyyyyyyyyyyyy?
Anybody know any eligible (and really charming and exciting) bachelors we could hook up Ms. Dyakina with? She likes almost all kinds of music...
Anyone else receive mind-boggling spam email on a regular basis, and which was the wackiest?

Customized

2011-06-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

I do custom!
Just finished this lovely.
Muy grande tote.

And it just may be that the point to this post is to say, I'm quite proud of how it turned out.

My focus was on quality and perfection in durability.

The lining is fully interfaced and those interior magnetic snaps are double canvas-backed with reinforced stitching.

The leather upcycled straps are double-riveted and there's even a cloth divider on the inside (this will be a laptop bag).

It's 20'' wide and 15'' high, 4'' deep. My most versatile and utilitarian bag yet!

I'm totally proud.

The tote is off to Australia tomorrow, and there will be more to come like this...shifting my focus now more towards versatility and raising the bar even higher on quality.

Enjoy the rest of June, my favorite month...

♥m.erica

Simplicity 2215

2011-06-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

Another Cynthia Rowley design for Simplicity. I have almost the entire collection (I buy them when they're $1-$2 on sale!)

I bought this pattern for the summer skirt pattern, but will probly make that cute jumper in the future...love it!

The skirt can be made in a few hours, even with the pockets and funky zipper. I am one who usually follows directions religiously until I get frustrated/confused, at which point I head off in my own direction, blazing a new trail that is 97% likely to be the WRONG trail.

So it was my first time attempting pockets in a garment, AND the zipper goes up the side and along the edge of the pocket. And guess what? I FIGURED IT OUT! (not by reading the directions though, mind you)

So without further fanfare here's the skirt, hecho.

The pattern envelope specifies using a lightweight cotton, linen, etc. and I chose a really lightweight, flowy ecru-colored linen.

I may live in this skirt this summer. I love that it goes with everything!

I lengthened the skirt because I'm six-feet-tall and it's kind of a must for me.
If you're a beginner this is a good pattern to tackle and a universally figure-flattering shape!

Next project...
Simplicity 2281 in view A

...using lightweight white linen dress (every woman needs a white linen dress for summer!)

♥m.erica

Indie Ogden

2011-06-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

Check it out peeps!
I'm back from my Vegas vacay (busy, relaxing, perfect weather, food poisoning blech)
...and m.erica is doing another GIVEAWAY hosted by this awesome website right here

All things artsy, independent, and from the land that I love, good old Ogden Utah.

My prize is going to be given away TOMORROW (Saturday 6/11) so make sure and enter on the site. You can hail from anywhere in the lower 48...just kidding, Alaska and Hawaii, we love you too. So any of the 50 nifty United States can have a chance at this clutch:

Dude. Isn't this the perfect clutch you NEED for summer?

Remember to enter here at IndieOgden tomorrow!

♥m.erica

Photobooth App

2011-06-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

I love my little family...
And Gabe was a terror in church today,

..but we forgave him.

Want to Read: The Good Closet

2011-05-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

via offtherail.org

Very interesting article over here today

The History of a Cheap Dress

Ever since I learned how to construct my own clothing (tunics, skirts, and dresses being the extent of my knowledge at this point), I've become a little obsessed with clothing quality. I'm the one squinting in the store to see if seams line up, buttons are well-adhered, and whether or not the garment can take a few good washes without falling to pieces.

I've been agog over the past few years, more and more so recently it seems, at the ridiculously cheap clothing items that clog up stores like those mentioned in the article (H&M, Forever 21, and lots more low-end chains). It really has become a throw-away culture in terms of dressing with the trends, and I was once guilty and sometimes still am, of picking up a few down-and-dirty, super-cheap-yet-fashionable items. Few of these items last over a year in my closet and it's not at all because I don't want to keep wearing them...it's more likely that they've shrunk, faded, or straight-up fallen apart.

I hear the French women know how to invest in a few good pieces and look killer-fashionable all the time. In the long run they might spend the same amount as their American counterparts who are not buying 'investment pieces'.

I'm also a fan of thrifting, for both financial reasons/the thrill of the hunt, but tend to be really discriminatory in my choices there. High-quality is easier to spot when it's second-hand however, because it's already survived months/years of wear and looks decent. It's such a confidence booster to score a high-quality designer item second-hand for a lot less money.

I'm putting this book on my must-read list now. I had no idea how much the cost of clothing has fallen over the decades, yet we've sacrificed quality and perhaps our ethics at the same time. I'm making a goal to take quality over quantity, and thanks to clearance sales, I think I may be able to afford it!

♥m.erica

Projects for a rainy holiday

2011-05-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

We've seen an awful lot of rain around these parts for months it seems, and the last straw just may have been a rainy Memorial Day. Boohoo! Bring on the sewing projects...and some In'N'Out burgers...

Just nabbed this gorgeous huge coral print for $3 a yard! I'll be making a single curtain panel out of this for the laundry room.

And re-used the linen for the pillows from an old slipcover I'd sewn and was sick of.

Inspiration for first pillow is that gold-spotted one on the left:

via apartment therapy

Finished product:

Second pillow inspiration (sort of):

iviemade on etsy

aaaaand finished project:

I love me some polka dots lately, and metallic gold as usual, and ruffles made out of silver silk.
I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday rain or shine. Blue skies are headed our way soon!

Happy Friday!

2011-05-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

In celebration of it being Friday AND May AND almost JUNE, let's enjoy us a few Candyland cakes, shall we?

This is Gabe's (read: my) dream cake so he shall have it for his next birthday.

flowerbangkok.com

taste of home

octopusmom.com
...and this is really mean, but this one is totally what mine would turn out like were I to actually try my hand at this...

Happy Friday, all y'all!

♥m.erica

A tisket? A tasket? A green and gold bag?

2011-05-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I throw all caution to the wind and create something for myself using up some of my best supplies. And then I cry. And then I realize that I only live once.
I created this bag from new and upcycled materials and I'm diggin' the design. Those strips of leather down the middle are from a secondhand leather belt I found and am wishing I could replicate it, but I'm sure to find more on my next "thrifting trip" (right?) The khaki-colored linen comes from a set of gorgeous linen napkins I found, secondhand (who would get rid of those right??) Can't wait to rock this bag come summertime if ever it decides to make an appearance here. In the meantime I can while away the rainy days catching up on episodes of Tori & Dean, Home Sweet Hollywood, anyone else LOVING that show? Who knew Tori Spelling was a really cool person?

May I 'spark' your interest in this event I recently learned about, coming up in October?
read more about it here
I will be a vendor there, but the workshops, food, and company are sounding so sweet, I may need to start saving up my pennies to attend the entire conference, it sounds divine, no?

In the meantime....a few days left of working the 9-3 followed by massive amounts of yardwork and yard-sale-ing all summer long, and an upcoming short vacay to Vegas to look forward to. First time traveling with a 15-month-old in tow makes it rather daunting, but I'm fairly sure we'll all survive.

I'm going to enjoy this summer immensely, there will be lots of time spent with these two boys

m.erica

Feliz Viernes

2011-05-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

via pinterest

Happy Friday ...

Pretty sure Lucky Charms would see a major increase in sales if they stopped producing all those pesky oaty bits and stuck to the good stuff.

I've discovered that dipping Nilla Wafers into slightly softened chocolate icecream is BOMB.

I will be kick-starting my half-marathon training this weekend which should have occured oh, months ago.

What will you be doing this weekend?

♥♥♥

Pièce de résistance

2011-05-17T21:48:00.000-07:00

Just finished working on this roomy leather-handled tote, and it just may be my pride and joy.
I am loving the way it turned out!
4 outside pockets lined in neon green cotton
Made of sturdy cotton canvas and lined in upcycled blue-and-white ticking cotton, four individual inside pockets
Upcycled leather handles attached with bronze rivets
A sweet linen bow on the side

linen ruffles on the pockets. You'll pardon me saying so but isn't it sooooo cute? ♥

It may be hard to part with this one...

More fun with freezer paper

2011-05-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

Stenciling with freezer paper is really so simple. If I can figure it out, quite sure anyone can.

You just need an x-acto knife, freezer paper from the grocery store, an iron, and fabric paint.

I printed my random images found on the internets and traced them onto the paper--letters need to be done on the reverse.

Cut with x-acto knife, iron on paper with a low setting.

I start applying the fabric paint from the outside edges of the stencil working my way inward.

Wait for the paint to dry, remove, and you've got a (hopefully) clean design.

Gabe (no longer Baby Gabe, but Big Boy Gabe) will be rocking these onesies come summertime.

mushed up avocado

2011-05-10T21:24:00.000-07:00

image via eatingwell.com

This = fabulous.
Just sayin'.
You've GOT to make it...so healthy and so yummy.
chipotle CHECK, red cabbage and carrots CHECK, beans and avocados, CHECK, and CHEESE!

ok?
Au revoir♥

A shout-out

2011-05-09T21:22:00.000-07:00

Tom and Lucy's Art Shoppe boutique is happening next Thursday through Saturday, May 19-21 in Lehi.

Flattering words from their blog today about my business!
And be sure to make a trip to Lehi to see all kinds of fabulous vendors...

Experiments with Rivets

2011-05-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

I love the look of rivets attaching straps on handbags and have wanted to try it for some time. I didn't think I could figure it out, but turns out all I needed was a hammer and the actual rivets purchased at JoAnn. The handles I'm attaching come from secondhand belts, of both leather and "vegan leather".

I've been doing a lot of stenciling and am learning that a lot of fabric paint goes a little way. Does anyone know of other kinds of paint that may work for prints on fabric, other than screenprinting?

My new items are more streamlined, less frilly, a little less feminine, but still of good quality and materials. I'm trying to make items to match the current trends in fashion such as geometric prints, canvas for summer, ombre, and metallics.
I'll be adding some neons a little later, to the line.

In reflection now..

Has the experience of having a "business" been rewarding for me?
Financially, somewhat (so far).
I started this little project in August of last year and expected immediate success, which was of course slow to come. I expected any kind of exposure to bring immediate floods of success, and have learned that building a business of handmade items is incredibly gradual and yes, slow!

This is okay with me though, because on the whole, I've been more and more successful with time.

Overall I love that I can create things that people like, which are completely original.

I love that people have trusted me to create things for me, and are willing to refer me to others.

I've been a teacher for years, but I can say that this is more rewarding to me because creating is my true passion.

I am a constant seeker of inspiration and a do-it-yourselfer at heart.

Creatively, INCREDIBLY rewarding.

What have I learned?
Maintaining a business of handmade items = hard work, no room for laziness or giving up. So I'm gonna keep on keepin' on!

So, to all of you who've supported me in my business endeavors, I give you thanks. It's something I appreciate very much.

Take a look at my new listings HERE, and g'day to you!

New items in the Hizz-ouse!

2011-05-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

Explorations with stenciling in gold!

Canvas is so perfect for summer...durable and light.

Completely one-of-a-kind

New Spring Totes

2011-04-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

large spring totes from m.erica designs have begun to make an appearance!

springy

beachy

ombre

delicate

parisian

je ne sais quoi

♥♥♥♥♥

A-Marketing in May

2011-04-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

Look for the M.Erica spot at Tom and Lucy's Art Shoppe in Lehi, May 19-21.
Will be featuring new summery totes...nautical, functional, and even Parisian-inspired...and perhaps something new for the little ones

lovely cuffs

2011-04-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

I've done a little experimentation with fabric as jewelry, as evidenced by these lovely cuffs, recently listed and soon-to-be listed in my shop.

link to shop

Blingy Diaper Bag!

2011-04-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

just finished this extra-large and extra-blingy diaper bag. Seriously the most stylin' diaper bag I've ever seen, if I do say so myself.
And I do.

Includes two outside pockets on the side panels and five individual inside pockets.

From Amy Butler's Style Stitches book, the Blossom Bag.

Vogue 1220

2011-04-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

Just picked up this new Vogue pattern by Donna Karan. I fell in love with it instantly...doesn't the model look fierce in the pics? Especially digging the sash around the waist. The model is sporting espadrilles with the dress, espadrilles are another item I am putting on my 500-item long spring/summer wardrobe wishlist.

The pattern instructions recommend stretch broadcloth, stretch crepe, or stretch linen. I'll definitely go for a stretchy cotton, with just minimal stretch. I want as lightweight as possible. Not sure if I'll go for a stripe, floral, or solid (or maybe all three!)
Some possible fabric options:

Here's a lovely Donna Karan cotton/lycra/silk blend that would be perfect for the dress. Too bad I look horrible in yellow.

Gorgeous coral color...but no stretch

This might be fun...briiiight Oscar de la Renta cotton print

...or I could always go boring predictable khaki?

Thoughts? Which has your vote?

All fabrics pictured via mood designer fabrics

new listings...

2011-04-12T21:37:00.000-07:00

New listings at my shop...clutches galore

cuffs soon to come...many many many of them

Spring FRESH

2011-04-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

via amy butler style stitches

noodlehead

threelittleducks on etsy

These have me hoping for sunny days ahead...little green things poking out of the ground...and nieces soon to be born♥♥♥

Like to see what else I'm interested in? Check out my Pinterest here

Bijou Recap

2011-04-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Bijou Market was a resounding success, I was so gratified to be a part of it this year. I'm so glad for the support/added exposure the Bijou ladies have given my little biz-ness.
The weather? Yeah, it sucked. There was a lot of freeway driving in insane wetness which changed from hail to sleet to snow to rain and back every five minutes.
Um, please Mother Nature, don't ever do that to us again.

From top:
1. M.ERICA booth at Bijou market
2. spray-painted gold stick to display cuffs. Gold spray paint was my friend for this particular setup...
3. bags 'n' aprons
4. clutches galore
5. Gabe refuses to sit the right way in a highchair
6. Manuel discovers crocheted mustache-on-a-stick (mustaches seemed to be a theme at the market)
7. Gabe showing off baby bow-tie by Cavalcade (ingenious!)

Whilst in Provo we were able to sample two fantastic restaurants, Pizzeria 712 and Communal. I especially enjoyed the brunch at Communal. It was like we knew we were IN Provo, but it just didn't feel like it!

Ch-CH-ch-Chevron

2011-04-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

My stepsister asked me to create some window panels for her...she has such an eye for design and I love the composition of the rooms in her home. She wanted hidden tab panels which I hadn't ever done before, but they are incredibly easy and I'm probably doing hidden tabs for future panels in my own home.
Read about the curtains here

Her house is so gorgeous I may want to marry it.

I love sewing curtain panels, so....if anyone needs 'em, call me!

It's Official...

2011-03-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

See all kinds of creations from M.Erica designs at the Bijou Market in April...I've been working like crazy on lots of clutches and I pretty much can't decide which one I like the best. They're all pretty doggone CU-YUTE!

Just a couple more weeks to prep and I'm feeling the stress. I can't wait to see the offerings from the other talented vendors, whose work I've been spying here daily.

Happy Saturday!

2011-03-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

Corazon Wallet/Clutch

2011-03-11T16:48:00.000-08:00

Snap closure...cu-yute inside pockets...super sturdy.

Happy Friday!

2011-03-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Have a wonderful Friday...

Love, Gabe and his Spongebob pajamas

Etsy Love

2011-03-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

Ending our fourth year of living in our home and our walls remain bare, with the exception of mirrors, because how could I ever decide on art to decorate them? There's just too much wonderful stuff out there...like these nature-inspired prints from Blenda Studio on etsy.
Loving the radiant colors on these prints in particular---

This Just In

2011-03-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

A few more item's I've been working on of late

upcycled cuff

Leopard shoulderbag

giant gold damask tote

clutches

bored

2011-03-08T21:15:00.001-08:00

bored by msaine on Polyvore.com

Thai Peanut Noodles

2011-03-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

I believe in sharing a good, simple recipe when I find one so here you go:

Easy to throw together, and though it's a recipe for Thai food, there were no funky and hard-to-find ingredients. I used linguine noodles.

Serves 4-6

8 oz Udon or linguine noodles

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 Tablespoon creamy peanut butter

1-2 teaspoons Sriracha chili sauce

1 1/2 Tablespoons honey

3 Tablespoons soy sauce

1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh minced ginger

2-3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

chopped green onions

chopped cilantro

chopped peanuts

2 limes, cut into quarters

Cook noodles in salted water according to package instructions.

While noodles cook, combine chicken broth, peanut butter, chili sauce, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic in small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk until smooth and remove from heat.

Toos cooked noodles with sauce and divide among 4 bowls. Sprinkle with green onions, cilantro, chopped peanuts, and garnish each serving with lime quarters.

Before eating, squeeze lime juice over noodles and stir to combine.

See? I told you it was easy. And Sooooo tasty. I pretty much inhaled two servings today for lunch...

A Thousand Words

2011-03-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

Gabe's first birthday!
...and incidentally, first time feeding self cake!

A progression of images from start to finish. He really polished off that sizable piece of cake. He takes after his momma for his love of cake.

Happy first birthday to baby Gabe! And, when did he get to be soooo big? We're forever grateful for the miracle that brought him into our lives.

This is Awesome...

2011-03-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

I will officially be a vendor at the April Bijou Market in Provo.
Which means, I'd better get sewing. Like pronto!
I will be offering cuffs, handbags, clutches, aprons galore!

Make it a date to check it out: April 8th and 9th in Provo, Historic Southwick Hall
Here's the deets

I may be feeling like this right now:

But still...SOOOOO Excited!!!!!!!!!!

Also, I'll be holding a giveaway on the Bijou Market website soon...be sure to enter to win a clutch from M.Erica Designs

Tees for Spring

2011-03-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

I've been embellishing a couple of otherwise blah tees I've had in my closet in order to breathe some life into them. I sewed epaulettes onto this one, which I like because I think it helps to minimize my broad shoulders.

I sewed a little tiny gold chain that I got off some thrift store item I bought who knows how long ago...
I love the way it turned out! Now if the weather would just turn agreeable enough to be able to wear short sleeves!

This other plain white tee from Target had a funky neck that never quite hung right. I added some delicate cotton voile edged with black scallops and gathered it. Super eassssy!

Leave a comment if you'd be interested in tutorials for either project for a future blog post.

2011-02-27T13:35:00.000-08:00

Today it is icy clear and bright blue outside, and gorgeous, and I had the most awesome idea.
I put on all black clothes and my black coat, and pulled our sleeping bag pad out from the garage, set it on a giant bank of snow in the backyard, and laid there for about half an hour just soaking up sun, sun, sun!
The temperature is 28 degrees but I felt warm and toasty, and laying on a mat on top of snow was more comfortable than my mattress!

It is the next best thing to soaking up rays in the Caribbean at this point, in my humble opinion.

And I'm not sure about you, but I have been needing sun and warmth lately, desperately.

I'm always quite amazed at how a sunny day in the midst of a lot of blah January and February days can really lift my spirits. It's a glimpse of spring to come; a brief respite and a lovely blessing.

Hope a sunny day comes your way soon.

New Stuff in Store

2011-02-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

ze shop

What's New

2011-02-15T19:57:00.000-08:00

Cuffs and more wallets....and yes, that last one does have wings.

m.erica design on etsy

Check back for more of my cuffs. Guarantee you're gonna ♥ 'em...

Cuffs! Cuffs! Cuffs!

2011-02-13T20:53:00.000-08:00

I Love cuffs because they look better than a simple, delicate bracelet on my monstrously long arms.

♥♥♥
Cuffs are my next etsy endeavor...I've already made two and LOVE how they turned out. I'm making fabric cuffs with lots of ruffles, sparkle, and detail, with both snap and tying closures. They're such a fun and easy way to accessorize, and they seem to be all the rage for spring.

I've been hunting around the internets tonight and have found all kinds of cuffs to love. I'm particularly keen on the delicate one-of-a-kind creations on the etsy store LaTouchables--love pretty much everything in that store! Fascinated by the silver-and gold-dipped lace cuffs on net-a-porter.com, chain-link, and gorgeous bridal cuffs.

Anthropologie

LaTouchables on etsy

SharonaNissan on etsy

SharonaNissan

Erickson Beamon

Aurelie Bidermann

Anthroplogie

Hive & Honey

♥♥Come back soon to see how mine measure up ♥♥
....and Happy Valentines Day

Just Added

2011-02-06T15:59:00.000-08:00

Some pretty little clutches and wallets

Have a look-see here

m.erica designs on etsy

The Dash that is Dirty

2011-02-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

So this should be quite fun....

read about it here

One of my running buddies and I are registering. I'm sort of over the Ragnar Wasatch Back, due to the whole not-sleeping-in-over-24 -hours and putting-your-intestines-through-hell thing. Also: I've always wondered just how I would perform at boot camp.
And slogging through mud? Super awesome as long as I know it's only a 10K and a shower awaits within a couple of hours.

I am so excited for September...

You're So Nautical

2011-02-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

Inspired by all things nautical, navy stripes on white, flashes of gold, anchors and the like.

It's Cold Outside, and That Ain't Cool

2011-02-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

I've been sewing up a little storm because I can't exactly venture outdoors...it's exactly negative two freezing BILLION degrees with lots of icy winds to boot. My car almost blew away today driving to work.
And my fingers became icicles while I shot these photos...don't let the sun fool you it was BLASTED COLD.

I'll list these items soon here.

Bee-Joo

2011-01-30T20:30:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about the Bijou market in Provo? The market is twice a year, April and November. I went with my very patient friend Deanna (thanks Deanna!) last November to seek inspiration and inspired I was. Indeedy. I loved the location (Historical Southworth Hall, downtown Provo). I love that it's a small venue, intimate, not overwhelming, and the vendors chosen are hip and fresh.

I'm going to enter to have a little spot at the market this year in April. If I get in (fingers crossed!) I'd be selling handbags, aprons, clutches, etc. I'm probably not super wise to have such a lofty goal because I'm working days and spending literally every other nanosecond of the day entertaining my baby boy, and while I sew he likes to pull on the cord of the sewing machine so THAT doesn't work out so well...

So pray for me to make it into this market. Fast and pray. Ha ha! Not really the fasting part. But seriously keep your fingers crossed.

However I have about two months to prepare, which means around 60 days. If I can create one item each day then I just may be in business. I've already got a bit of inventory built up.

My problem is trying to hone down my massive inspirations into a couple of basic concepts, then make something with that concept over and over again, slightly different each time. You following? No? My train of thought isn't easy to follow...

I'm thinking designs along this line:

Yup. Crappy picture. Don't I know it.

Solids in interesting colors, with upcycled materials added for detail.I want to use lots of lace and bling.

In other news, this little dude is pretty close to turning O-N-E.

kickin' back eatin' crackers YO!

sweet potato beard. Awesome.

Raaaaaaaaawr

2011-01-22T10:52:00.000-08:00

ain't it a beautiful day today?

EX-TRA roomy

The leopard tote in taupe
Featuring wide straps made of upcycled menswear
large interior pocket
lined in black canvas

take it anywhere
m.erica design

So I Got a New Sewing Machine and I Basically Want to Marry it

2011-01-20T21:10:00.000-08:00

Pillow covers are hands-down the easiest sewing project I can think of. Switching up pillows is something I do fairly often, due in part to my O.C.D. about decorating my house. New pillows on the couch make the entire room look fresh and a bit new.

I found this lovely seafoam-colored heavy cotton-linen blend decorator's width fabric for a measly $3 a yard last weekend. I love love love the ombre effect and the center ruffle adds lots of dimension. The ruffle was SUPER easy to do!

To share some other projects...I apologize for the horrendous photo quality.

Busy Bee apron

Black and White Smock...buy it here for $15

$20 here

Sorry not for sale...this was for my momma for Christmas

Baby Gabe's Toy Guide

2011-01-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

do not play with this toy

1. Is it dangerous? PURSUE.
2. Did mom and dad specifically buy it for me to play with? AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
3. Does it plug into the wall? HELLZ YES!!!
4. Can it be chewed on? YEP, PURSUE.
Bonus points if YES to both 3 and 4
5. Is it precisely the same object that mom and dad are holding/using/looking at right now? PURSUE
6. Could playing with it potentially cause a major electrical shock to the body? MUST BE PURSUED
7. Can it be climbed upon? PURSUE
8. Are there lights on it? BONUS POINTS if they are flashing
9. Can it fit inside my mouth? BONUS POINTS if I can fit it inside my mouth though it appears to be three times the size of my mouth.
10. Does it remotely look like it could fit inside my mouth? PURSUE
11. Can I break it? PURSUE
12. Is it at all inscribed with the phrase "SAFE FOR BABIES"? AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
13. Was it a Christmas gift? AVOID AT ALL COSTS

creativity dearth

2011-01-08T21:22:00.000-08:00

....so I'm being a schlump and simply enjoying the awesome things that I'm finding on etsy.

Like this pillow from iviemade on etsy

and this entire shop (fabulousmess on etsy)

featuring these fantastic home decor items....

Hubba hubba. Whatever that means to you.

Please stop being so cool.

...yelllloooo?

zebras and horseheads and mirrors, OH MY!

WANT WANT WANT WANT.

Christmas Gifts

2011-01-01T21:47:00.000-08:00

Time to roll out the pictures of the gifts I made for family this year. I had to wait until the last was unwrapped because I didn't want any ruined surprises!

I'm basically in love with sewing aprons. It's quite fun and easy, and everyone could use an apron to cook in, so why not a stylin' one? I'll be featuring a lot more in my etsy shop pretty soon.

Monogrammed! That's a giant J for my sister's last name. This apron goes with anything and has a sturdy pocket and pleats at the bottom edge.

This little number had the perfect amount of bling, for my sis-in-law who recently cracked the news she's expecting, and possibly a girl, which is pretty cool because that means I get to sew for another niece ♥

I made a few more aprons and they were good ones, darn it, but I was on a major time crunch and didn't think to take pictures so I could share with all y'all...*sigh*

Fabric containers are a new endeavor for me, I love the idea that you can store pretty much anything in them, they look classy, and if they get dusty or dirty just stick them in the wash...unless they're made of burlap like these...

image via jennilyons81 on etsy.com

This particular basket has customizable lettering corresponding to the geographical coordinates of your home.

I created this monogrammed set...

When I do it again I'll use a stencil so the letters match perfectly (probably in an Olde English type font) and I would like to somehow incorporate off-white burlap because it's the next textile I want to work with.

Speaking of burlap I LOVE this idea from the January issue of House Beautiful magazine of burlap for window treatments.

Also love the twin bed and box springs covered in painters linen, with a large bolster pillow thrown on top. It makes a gorgeous sofa and extra comfortable, I like the idea because it can so easily become a guest bed, and it would be grand to sprawl out on while reading a good magazine or watching a movie. Look to the left in the photo to see the bed/sofa and burlap window treatments.

photo via House Beautiful...Roman Alonso's L.A. home

Happy New Year to all!

I'm ready to keep creating in 2011

Soup and a Fashionista

2010-12-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

Because Grand Ideas Rarely Originate from My Own Noggin...I pretty much usually need to be inspired before I create something be it an outfit put together just right or a hearty winter soup.

Just throwing my recommendations out there for a couple of blogs I've been following, these provide a daily dose of I SHOULD TRY THAT, and THANK YOU for allowing me to steal amazing ideas and gawk over gorgeous photographs of my top two delights in life: food and clothes.

The first, behind the skillet, no idea how I discovered it. The author is an American woman living in Germany and cooking and baking up a storm. Guten Appetit! But seriously, the recipes are scrumptious, the photography stunning, I can truly say as I've already baked two of the cookie recipes (:LOVED) and as of right now I'm trying to decide which soup to cook up for the holidays with family:

spicy chicken and white bean

or

the classic broccoli cheddar?

HELLO, just stumbled across the loaded baked potato soup. Decision made!

...and onto clothes.

The Chloe Conspiracy

See Chloe Shop

Does this gal know how to put together an outfit or WHAT?

Some of my faves:

and pretty much every other outfit she has ever put together.
What I love about these blogs are the links to similar but less-expensive styles for many of the items she wears, and the daily deals she finds for just about every apparel store that exists. It saves on quite a bit of surfing time if you're an online shopper like me.
And just get a load of that feather skirt! I couldn't afford the above version in a million years, but it could provide some inspiration for a future sewing project...now who knows where I can buy faux feathers?

Now back to wrapping up my last-minute holiday gifts...oh yeah, and my loaded baked potato soup.
Merry Christmas to all!

I ♥ Shout Outs

2010-12-15T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hop on over here to see a shout-out to my recently given-away clutch!!

much love, illy
(I ♥ her blog, I recently discovered it through my giveaway, must say the clutch couldn't be in better hands)

Been sooooooo busy with getting gifts and such ready for Christmas. CANNOT WAIT to start some new creations for my shop!

My husband is teaching me how to use Photoshop and I sorta feel like I'm in second grade again, is there a remedial course somewhere out there for peeps like me?

This is my brain on Photoshop

New Items IN THE HOUSE

2010-12-14T13:21:00.000-08:00

These items just added to my etsy shop

and

And I just realized that there's an awful lot of pink in this post, but we do love a little pink don't we ladies?

apron for $20
clutch (2 available) for $15

More items coming after Christmas...stay tuned
m.erica design on etsy

etsy.com/shop/msaine

Shameless Consumerist (am I)

2010-12-13T21:19:00.000-08:00

In our family we sometimes draw names for Christmas so we can get one special present for one special family member. I was asked to make a wishlist for my gift, which I now shamelessly share with you just because it's so darn fun to dream about things and money and gluttony and all that.

1. Gap back button shirt. In the new cashmere color.

Buttons in the back. I love little details like that, I love the shape and color of this shirt, and that it comes in tall. I want one in every color. Yes, do keep track of how many times I will now say I WANT.

2. Banana Republic necklace.

I may or may not have ~~lusted over~~ blogged about this before. Aaaaand like all good things it's now on sale.

3. Wool headpiece from this lovely little shop I just discovered on etsy. Seaside siren? Yeah that's a cool name.

Though I can't figure out which continent the shop owner lives on...are they from Germany or England or California or perhaps Rhode Island? Do try to find out for me. In any case it most likely wouldn't arrive on my doorstep in time for Christmas, but perhaps for good old MLK day?? Gotta put my order in.

4. A random cotton cable-knit sweater from ebay

5. And now in my dreams I WANT this

Tinley Road leather zip jacket via Piperlime

6. AND these lovelies

via J.Crew, also on sale, meaning it will cost your arm only instead of both your arm and leg.

7. AND these.

Also via J.Crew

I WANT. One more time for good measure. That was fun!

Repeat the Sounding of the Joy

2010-12-07T19:10:00.000-08:00

Just need to share the gleeful feeling I'm having today...centered around my first three etsy sales! Yes, when it rains it pours, and somehow I have managed to sell three items within a few days to three different buyers...I am feeling the love! And feeling hopeful that maybe the work I've put into my items is beginning to pay off. So apparently I better bust out my sewing machine again.

um...yum

Secondly wanted to share this fabulous smelling little candle that one of my bestest ever buds gave me for Christmas...so I have not even lit the candle yet. Merely taking the lid off has been enough to fill my living room with the tantalizing aroma of peppermint...and do I detect vanilla? Perfect holiday scent combo if you ask me. Available at Bath and Body Works...go get one. No seriously you must. 'Scuse me now while I go light it.

Finally my CHRISTMAS TREE! Decided to make a pennant garland made of scraps I've needed to use up (to make room for more fabric to buy, natch). I used some lovely cranberry colored velvet ribbon, gold lame, and some silks for random details on each upside-down triangle. Finally I hand-sewed a little gem to the bottom of each triangle and connected all the individual triangles together using green-and-white striped cotton (a half yard was enough to create the entire garland, which wraps completely around our mid-size tree). The pennant is seriously easy to make and a great way to use up scraps that are basically too small for any other real purpose. Our tree is lopsided but we do love it. It hails from Kalispell, MT.

Do you spy baby Gabe?

Happy Holidays, ya'll! Now we all ought to commence dreaming of a white Christmas...

A Christmas Dress for my Niece

2010-11-29T19:27:00.000-08:00

So I may have discovered a new purpose to my existence, and that is sewing dresses for little girls. I seriously had a blast sewing this dress for my sweet little niece Maura. It takes about a quarter of the time it usually takes me to make a dress for me because the pieces are little and the seams are shorter, which for me translates to less time spent ripping out seams.
I gave this dress to Maura on Thanksgiving Day because I was dying to see if it fit her (I took a wild guess on the pattern size which turned out to be a good guess), and also because it's a holiday dress. Because toddlers grow like weeds she'll probably only get a few good wears outta this one before it's too small.

Yeah she's trying it on with jeans under...

What are you lookin' at?

I added the silk ruffles to the bodice neckline and the cranberry velvet trim to the lower hem to up the holiday fancy-fancy factor. Love it! I'm pretty sure I need to have a little girl of my own to sew for...

I used McCall's 5966 in view C, although I love all the views for this pattern. I especially love the sleeves on view C.

If anyone is interested in having me sew for a little girl they know, do custom work, etc, please contact me!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with lots of family and double turkey meals. I made two of my specialty lemon meringue pies and only burnt one horribly...oops!
Hope everyone's holiday was safe and memorable...in a good way...now we're back to the grind until Christmas!

m.i.a.

2010-11-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

I've been m.i.a. for a lil' while, and so has my voice...have had a massive cold and been in a major funk this week. The good news?
Snowing outside, beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and my voice is making its way back, starting in the lower ranges which makes me sound a little masculine/pubescent teenage boy and quite frankly, freaky.

I went here this weekend, in good old Provo, and soaked up the inspiration. So many creative vendors, so many gorgeous fabric prints, so little time.

um hi I want this cake for my next big festivity...

Pink Peach Cakes....please!

Planning to hit this market next weekend. It didn't disappoint last year...

And on the creative front I've been experimenting more with aprons like this little battenburg lace number...

Finally CONGRATS to the winners of my very own giveaway for m.erica design, via Busy Bee Lauren! Watch the video to see if you won some swaaaag! Lauren is hilarious...
(giveaway was for this lovely tote and clutch)

keep your eye on my blog for more giveaways to come!

Angel From Montgomery

2010-11-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

Make me an angel that flies from Montgom'ry
Make me a poster of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing that I can hold on to
To believe in this living is just a hard way to go

This hauntingly beautiful song to inspired this angelic clutch...

Button tab closure
upcycled vintage battenburg lace
plum purple silk folded 'architecturally'
...and a shiny gold rose (or halo)
lined in plum silk

$20 at m.erica design

Domestic Divas

2010-11-12T16:10:00.000-08:00

I found a pattern for matching mother-and-daughter aprons with plenty of frills and ruffles. Decided to test the pattern out with a black and white color scheme and came up with these:

mama version

closeup of flower detail

daughter apron

Daughter version modeled by the lovely Sophia:

....aaaaand another clutch (fancy schmantzy!)

Busy Bee Giveaway!!!

2010-11-07T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hop on over to Busy Bee Lauren's site and enter my DOUBLE giveaway!! You could win a lovely clutch or tote bag!!

You pretty much need to win one of these...right??
Good luck!

Down De Bayou

2010-11-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

I've never been to New Orleans or any part of the "deep down and rusty South", but this shop on Etsy has me dreaming of the deep South and days gone by.
Their shop announcement claims some of their products are to be featured at Anthropologie's flagship store in New Orleans. They're kind of a big deal!

Bayou Salvage uses a lot of recycled materials and reinvents them to create absolutely gorgeous items. The shop owners aim for a Southern Gothic aesthetic.

Southern Gothic...I wasn't quite sure exactly what this referred to, so I looked it up on trusty Wikipedia.

...Southern Gothic is a subgenre of the gothic novel, unique to American literature.

Southern Gothic is like its parent genre in that it relies on supernatural, ironic, or unusual events to guide the plot. It is unlike its parent genre in that it uses these tools not solely for the sake of suspense, but to explore social issues and reveal the cultural character of theAmerican South.

...So...Gone With the Wind does not = Southern Gothic.

I'm kind of getting the picture now.

My only exposure through fiction and film to the Southern Gothic genre are through the fictional works To Kill a Mockingbird and The Glass Menagerie, and the films O Brother Where Art Thou, Big Fish, and The Green Mile.

Some of my absolute faves from the etsy shop:

French Market bag of burlap and jute

Antique lace...this could dress up or down

Recycled leather belt

french quarters market bag

Real Housewives of the Bayou Tuxedo Ruffle Dress

A ruffle here, a bit of lace there, lots of burlaps and linens and silks...

Check out the gorgeous goods here!

Teacup Jewelry

2010-11-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Anthropologie images

StayGoldMaryRose on Etsy

Here's a new trend you may have seen...china bracelets. Innovative? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely. Practical? Errrrr NO. I love the way these bracelets look but all I can think of when imagining myself wearing one is HELLO, THESE THINGS CAN BREAK, AND IT WOULD HURT. China breaks and it can cut you. I can just imagine the bloody mess that may result from tripping and falling whilst wearing one of these or am I just being really paranoid?

There's certainly a lot of ways one could artistically pay homage to the graceful beauty of the china teacup. Verdict: I'd stick to tableware.

Dirt Road South on Etsy

The tiny teacup ring I can dig. I could probably wear this without hurting myself. It's may just be the most adorable piece of jewelry I've ever seen!

Giveaway Winner!

2010-11-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

The winner for this lovely clutch is....

drumroll....

Super B!!!

Super B said...

Love it! I love all your stuff too!

Paula and Simon are beside themselves with happiness for you

Super B you are now the proud owner of a clutch from m.erica design...Email me your address and I"ll get it in the mail pronto!!! CONGRATS GIRL!!!

Stay tuned for more giveaways soon to come on my Facebook page...

luv Meg

Sugar and Spice

2010-11-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

...and everything nice

The entire clutch is made of silk.

Rows upon rows of ivory silk covered in a pink pleated silk runner and topped with a cluster of pearls.

Ties at the top with a black satin bow.

Lined in ivory and pink striped silk

m.erica design $15.00

Stay tuned for new projects on the horizon...fancy aprons for mommas and their hijas

My Website!

2010-11-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

First let me just say that my husband is amazingly talented and computer literate. I am...getting there.

Together we created my new website! It links to my blog, etsy store, and soon-to-be-created Facebook group for m.erica design.

Link here (for now!)

Monkey Brains

2010-11-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Went on a loooong hike with my good friend Jana Saturday in the foothills of Mt. Ben Lomond up by her house. The weather was cool, an overcast gray sky, and promise of rain in the afternoon. Thus, not many were braving the trails as we were, which made for a feeling of solitude. We hiked a total of just over 6 miles at a leisurely pace, from the west end of Pleasant View to the North Ogden divide.
We came upon a new housing development high in the hills with the appearance of having been abandoned. One sole completed home stood in the midst of fields of sagebrush and last year's ghostly sunflowers, a black cat stretching out on the driveway and pumpkins lining its front steps. According to Jana the development is at a standstill due to disputes over water rights. Beautifully paved roads with fancy lamp streetlights ran straight to nowhere it seemed to me. I thought it was a surreal place...which contributed to the lonely feeling of the morning.
When first starting out I stumbled upon this

Which Jana pointed out to me as monkey brain fruit, AKA the fruit of the maclura pomifera. I had never seen anything like it. According to Wikipedia the tree was used as a windbreak in prairie states in the 1930s and 40 and has great wood for making bows. ALLRIIIIGHT!

Funky Halloween Chicken

2010-10-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

Spent Gabe's first Halloween with our good friends the Munoz family, whom we met in the hospital on the day after Gabe was born, the same day their adopted daughter Emma was born.

We decided that since our son and daughter were basically born together, we should never separate them. They will thank us one day!

Thanks to the Munoz's for the chicken costume they lent Gabe...somehow it fit him to a T.

And amazing that Gabe somehow was able to swipe a 3 Musketeers while trick-or-treating...that's also his daddy's favorite!

Los Saine en la casa de Los Munoz

Our kiddies and their Latin daddies

Gabe is usually dazed by the presence of the lovely Emma

And now it's time for sugar withdrawal...

She and Him

2010-10-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

This clutch has a little of the masculine and feminine mixed together for a perfect pairing.
Sage green silk dupioni rosette sewn on a strip of bronze silk with an ivory pleated silk runner stripe.

Upcycled brown plaid supersoft heavy cotton fabric. Lined in soft charcoal linen.
Snaps closed with a magnetic closure.

$15.00 here

No Really I Am Giving It Away For Free

2010-10-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

People! Now you're just embarrassing me. Because I really want to give away this clutch and so far my only comment entry is from my husband, and ain't now way I'm going to allow him to win.
No offense, dear husband.
But I don't know that it's the best accessory for him...
SO please enter, neighbors, friends, relatives, people I don't know from Adam (yet). Basically if you like this clutch then TRY TO GET IT!

And share this giveaway on Facebook, blog about it, tweet, what have you.

I want this clutch to be yours, and I want to do many more giveaways.

Onto other topics...
For whatever reason I'm feeling a bit sentimental tonight and that sentimentality has drudged up regret. I am extremely regretful tonight of these two facts:
1) That I got rid of these shoes. Shoes I actually owned 3 years ago. These awesome, awesome shoes. That I always got complimented on. WHY OH WHY do I not still own these shoes? I would so have worn them tomorrow.

Yes. They have skulls and rhinestones on them. SNIFF.

Do you ever get rid of stuff and then wonder what the crap you were thinking? I do. All the time.

2)That I did not attend a Killers concert with my husband. Again, years ago. The reason I didn't attend the concert was because it was a SCHOOL NIGHT. Yes, I was 28 years old, and I was worried about being a groggy teacher the next day.

I think this guy is a great musician.

And I'm glad he got over the eyeliner thing.

Favorite Killers songs: all these things I have done, and when you were young

Enter my giveaway.

Clutch Giveaway!!!

2010-10-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

In preparation for my giveaway on this blog next week, I'm giving away a clutch on my own little blog.
It's for this lovely zipper clutch:

This clutch is also a wristlet for easy carrying...just loop it around your wrist.
Attached silk rose flower, gold lame and ice blue silk dupioni detailing.
Zips closed at the top.

I'm giving it away!! All you have to do is leave a comment in which you boast about your best Halloween costume ever...
Become a follower of my blog and double your chances to win!!
Winner chosen at random...so go on 'head and enter N-O-W! As in, right now. ahorita.

Also announcing this zipper clutch soon to be listed at my Etsy store:

$15 for this little lovely!

BUENA SUERTE everyone and Happy Halloween!

Chain Handle Purse Part 2

2010-10-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

$30

Etsy Link