holed up in the studio

the last loose ends of my first wholesale order are all tied up and a big batch of matryoshka sachets and aromatherapy compresses will soon be available at doubledutch boutique in baltimore, maryland! i'm thrilled to have this experience under my belt and if you're in the area, i hope you'll be able to stop by and let me know how the display looks! well, i wouldn't be opposed to you buying something either, wink wink.

i've been busy in my workroom with several custom orders as of late and haven't been able to come up for air much lately to photograph or work on my own projects. that's ok though, it's great to have people coming in search of handmade items for the holidays and i feel special to be able to play a part.

i did manage to stitch up one of my matryoshkas, complete with a sturdy red twill loop and stuffed with polyfil...and wah-lah: a lovely little christmas ornament now available in the shop!



i better get a move on for now though...my cats are stalking their way into my workroom to tell me it's time for their dinner. i wouldn't be surprised if they tried to start gnawing at me if i don't get up and fill their bellies!

magnets and memories

i've been working on rephotographing a lot of items in my shop now that we have all these lovely sunny windows in our house. the use of natural light is really a big improvement i think while the other side of my perfectionist's brain says, "there is always room for improvement!"

so far, i have gotten through all the fabric magnets and i'm especially happy with these "action shots." ahh, haha, well they at least show the magnets in use and how fun looking it is to have these guys on ones fridge...i suppose that's as much action as magnets can expect to see! The little matroshka magnets in the shot i've included here are actually holding up a picture of me and some friends from waaay back when during vacation bible school—that's me in the middle there with the big floppy hat! i love how the little blonde girl seems to have great medical ambitions while the other two of us are much more interested in being generally fabulous.

just click to the image below to see a full selection of these little darlings:

and the winner is...

lovely little deer—congratulations!!!

The giveaway prize includes "spring cleaning" inspired items: a matroishka lavender sachet as well as a charming laundry bag for delicates! These are both new items from geschichtenvonkat and you can find more of them coming to the shop soon!


Thank you to each and every one of you who entered my first giveaway and to those who spread the word on your own blogs; it was wonderful to read all your comments and helpful for me to get a good idea of what items you want to see more of! If you liked what you saw in this giveaway, be sure to keep following here on the blog (just scroll down to see the follow button on the right hand side) and the GVK shop for future freebies, you never know who the lucky winner will be!

FIRST EVER GVK GIVEAWAY!

Finally, we are opening up our first ever giveaway! The winner will be receiving these "spring cleaning" inspired items: a matroishka lavender sachet as well as this charming laundry bag for delicates! These are both new items from geschichtenvonkat with more arriving in the shop soon. See the bottom of this post for details on the items and more photos.

The rules are pretty simple:
–To enter this giveaway go to my shop, then return here and leave a comment on this post about something you found, nothing more to it!
–On April 4th, I will be drawing a name from a hat (literally). After the name is drawn I will contact that person. However, if they do not respond within three days another name will be picked!!

Bonus ways to win:
–I will enter your name 2 extra times if you write about my shop and our giveaway on your own blog—just leave another comment on this post with the link to your post so I can easily find it.
–I will enter your name 5 extra times if you purchase something from my shop—again, just leave another comment on this post about what you got.


Item Details:


This laundry bag is made of muslin with a drawstring cord closure. The decorative fabric on the bottom is cotton and is quilted with a delicate top-stitch. The matroishka is a linoblock print which i carved after one of my own drawings. The print was then accented with some embroidery.

The laundry bag can be used to seperate delicates in the wash (cold, gentle cycle only) or stash your delicates and other odd n' ends in it for easy organizing during travel. You could even tie the cord around a hanger in your closet and use it to store scarves, sashes, and other accessories.
Size: app. 15 x 10 inches


The second item is this lavender sachet made with cotton and natural linen on the back. It is filled with a mix of organic lavender blossoms and a small amount of organic flax seed—just scrunch them with your hand to activate the oils after they've sat for a while. The sachet can freshen up your closet or dresser drawers and you can also put them in your pillowcase to help you relax as you fall asleep or place between guest towels and sheets to make them feel like royalty when they arrive!
Size: app. 5 inches tall

keeping up the pace

ooooo i am falling behind on my blogging...but i sure have caught up on busy work for the shop! i am doing a lot of experimenting with the new sewing machine—and i've already broken and replaced a needle on it which obviously shows i am doing some serious work here ;)

i've been drawing and carving new linoblocks, making a custom clutch for a friend, learning to felt (if you are a felter i now have a deep and lasting respect for your patience level), hand sewing more matroishka sachets, working on some new designs for pillows (i've been wanting to have them in the shop for some time now), and making masses of labels to use in upcoming projects so i don't have to stop each time i need one. phew!

i'll be keeping the pace up through the end of the week at least (with a short break to watch the last BSG episode on Friday, tear) so it might be a bit quiet round the blog for a couple days more...stay tuned though because i'll be opening up GVK's first ever give-away right here on the blog on March 21st!


p.s. speaking of BSG, i think what Edward James Olmos said at the UN had to be the coolest frakin' thing EVER.

my little matroishkas

o i love these dear little matroishka sachets that i just finished with. They are cut from a great print which i backed with linen and then stuffed full of some very fragrant lavender. There is only one in the shop for now as I am saving the one with the turquoise kerchief for GVK's Spring giveaway...i am going to pair it with a few other spring cleaning themed items and will open the giveaway up on the blog here March 20th! free stuff for you, yay!