nine cool things on a tuesday

1. Happy December! Though the holidays will definitely feel different this year, we can still daydream about idyllic times past. No better way than to escape into Jane Newland’s art.

Fancy the peaceful countryside or a brisk winter walk? 🙂

You may remember when we featured Jane’s work last year. She’s from the UK and does all her work digitally. Her lovely scenes are calming and filled with exquisite detail.

Deep breath. Deep breath. Ahhhhh . . .

Check out her website shop to purchase prints, and for the latest, follow her on Instagram.

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2. Speaking of the holidays, here’s a sweet gift for a special friend (or why not treat yourself?). Yes, you deserve it. 🙂

Susan Branch’s latest book is called Home for Christmas (Spring Street Publishing, 2020):

A brand new book from  New York Times bestselling author and watercolor artist Susan Branch. Home for Christmas is a heart-warming tale of a childhood Christmas in the years after World War II, with Susan, her parents and her siblings. A book for all ages, told from a child’s perspective, filled with anticipation and hope, it’s a charming story about the enduring love of family that reads like a long illustrated letter. A beautiful Christmas gift, because we need a little EXTRA Christmas now. 

We certainly need an extra large dose of nostalgia this holiday season, especially since many of us will not be attending the usual in-person family gatherings. There’s nothing more comforting than fond memories, reminding us to cherish the times we’ve had and to give us hope that good times will come again.

You probably know I’m a longtime Susan Branch fan; can’t get enough of her charming hand-lettered books and watercolor art. I love her eternal optimism (“happy gene”) and as far as I know, no one does heartwarming better. Her gift books and cookbooks are all treasures. Add this one to your collection.

*More about this book in an upcoming post. 🙂

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not a creature was stirring . . . except these mice

Eek! There’s a mouse in the house!

They’ve invaded the Alphabet Soup kitchen. But we don’t mind one bit, because they’re all handmade by indie artists and want you to adopt them. Perfect stocking stuffers for the cheese heads on your gift list. Twelve, for the Twelve Days of Christmas; includes a couple of patterns/kits for you do-it-yourselfers (clickety click). Catch them before they run up the clock. 🙂

christmasmouse
Merino Wool Little Christmas Mouse by feltingdreams

micepattern
Mischievous Mice PDF email knitting pattern

beigemouse
Needle Felted Beige Mouse by HelenDream

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squeak peek for the week: mouseton abbey

Holy Gorgonzola!

Suffering from a little “Downton Abbey” withdrawal? No need to get your knickers in a twist. Now you can nibble on this new gouda picture book until Series 4 debuts in the U.S. on January 5, 2014.

Whether you be man or mouse, Mouseton Abbey: The Missing Diamond by Joanna Bicknell, Nick Page and Tim Hutchinson (Make Believe Ideas, 2013), is sure to get your whiskers twitching with its veddy British tongue-in-cheese humor.

Resident family at Mouseton Abbey

The staff

Whoever said, “when the cat’s away, the mice will play,” knew only half the story. Not only are there mice in this house, they own the place, which is not too shabby considering it dates back to the 13th century and now has over 300 rooms.

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abc prezzies

#37 in an ongoing series of posts celebrating the alphabet.

Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of rum!

Wait a minute. That should be Ho Ho Ho, Fa La La, and Jingle Bells!

‘Tis the season of giving, gifting and going crazy.

I will not panic, I will not panic.

At least that’s what Lisa Schroeder said.

She told me to BREATHE. Inhale, exhale . . .

December just kind of rushed in all of a sudden. Those of you who’ve already finished your holiday shopping, please go away.  I’m totally in awe envious of people who are always so organized and ahead of the game.

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