Wow.

Loving the work of photographer Ellen Rogers.

Working away...

This week I am working to get ready for my upcoming craft shows. Here are the results from my tie-dying last week. This will soon be cut, embroidered and sewn into more zipper pouches.

I finally got more colored hemp twine! Even though I had to go all the way up to Seattle to find it..

My little camp helper :)

Just came in the mail! I'm so excited to sit down with a big cup of tea and read it!

Shows shows shows

Here are the posters for the upcoming shows I will be at. If you're in town, definitely stop by at one or all of these fun events!

2010 Calendars

How many calendars can one person reasonably buy and use? I am struggling with this thought as I've found quite a few beautifully designed 2010 calendars that I have to have!
Menstrual Lunar Calendar by Viva La Craft

2010 Calendar by Caitlin Keegan

Friends Forever series calendar by My Zeotrope

Some Hippie Inspiration

So just stumbled upon the blog, Hippie Couture and am so inspired by the images she posts. Here are some of my favorites:

NEW pouches just added to my shop!

campsmartypants.etsy.com

Katie Daisy

I realize I haven't posted any inspiration in a little while so I thought I'd share with you my latest obsession: The work of Katie Daisy. Her typography, use of color, and illustrations all are amazing! Here are some of my favorites:





Check out her website and Etsy Shop.

Scoutie Girl Feature

This is kinda old news, but I just found out I was featured on the Scoutie Girl Blog last month.

Also, Scoutie Girl readers receive 10% off all Camp Smartypants products this holiday season. Click Here for more info.

What's Happening

Well, after finishing the Llewellyn Holiday Market on Saturday (which went really well & was a lot of fun!) I have found myself with a huge to-do list for this week. Firstly, I have some announcements to make:

- I just did an update on campsmartypants.com. I've got new work up in the "Gallery" section (and more to come) as well as an updated "Press" page with upcoming events/news.

- I am excited to announce that starting on Tuesday, November 17, Camp Smartypants products will be for sale at The Jelly Bean, a retail store located at 721 SW 10th Ave in downtown Portland.

- Another exciting announcement! I have been invited to participate in Reading Frenzy's 14th Annual Cheap Art & Craft Sale. Tons of amazing local artists and crafters are participating this year. The opening is Thursday, December 3rd from 6-9pm at Reading Frenzy on 921 SW Oak Street in downtown Portland. The sale lasts for the entire month of December! So head on down anytime in December to see my products as well as tons of other amazing art/crafty goods all $50 and under.

- I am participating in the 1st Annual North Portland Holiday Festival on Saturday December 5th. The festival is held to raise money for p:ear, a nonprofit organization that builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth in Portland. I will have a booth setup at Icon Tattoo on 813 N Russell Street from 12pm-8pm. Other festivities will include musical performances; food and beverage booths including the Voodoo Donuts van; Christmas carol singalongs; a cakewalk and piewalk to benefit p:ear; a gluten and sugar-free holiday cooking demonstration with Chef Abby of Abby's Table; beer, wine, and other holiday beverages. Should be a lot of fun! Area businesses on North Russell and Mississippi Streets will be participating as well with holiday sales and treats.


Phew! I forgot how busy the holiday season really is! This week I am going to be stocking up on more product, doing another batch of tie-dye, and making a quick trip up to Seattle to visit friends and go to Artists & Craftsman (the only art store where I can find balls of colored hemp twine).

GIVEAWAY on Funky Finds!

Head on over to Funky Finds this week to enter to win some Camp Smartypants goods! I will be giving away a "Friends Forever" Bracelet and Card Set and a pretty Tie-Dye Braid.

4th Annual Llewellyn Holiday Market

This weekend! Friday, 2:15-6pm and Saturday 10am-4pm at Llewellyn Elementary School in Sellwood. Come shop handmade and support the Llewellyn Elementary 5th graders! 10% of all my sales will be donated to their Outdoor School program. Help support some happy campers!

Happy Friday

There's no question, fall is here and winter is on its way. With the holidays sneaking upon us (faster than you think), life is busy. No more nesting and holding on to summer, its time to hunker down and get things done. Time for xmas crafts, starting on handmade gifts, and of course, making and eating great food. I also have found myself some new design projects in addition to my regular Camp Smartypants work. After spending a week working in an office as a contract designer, I appreciate even more working from home (you know, in my pajamas). I also have trouble sitting at a computer all day long (back pain, ugh!) and starting work at 8AM (I am NOT a morning person). With that said, I did make it through the week alive, put some of my design skills to use, and made some money.

Enough rambling, time for a few announcements/reminders:

- I will be hosting a giveaway next week at Funky Finds. Visit their site to enter.

- Don't forget to stop by Crafty Wonderland this weekend! Start your holiday shopping early! This will be the last of the monthly shows. Sadly, starting in 2010, they will only be hosting 2 big craft shows (spring and fall).

- Check out A Tea Leaf, a local artist and crafty friend. She is currently hosting a giveaway of 2 of her lovely prints.

- I just received my first issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly and I love it! The November issue is all about entertaining, having fun with friends, fall/winter crafting, and a great selection of christmas gifts to make and give. The creator, Kristin Roach does a fantastic job putting this together. She shows lots of cool ways to use up your "leftovers" whether it be food, or craft supplies. Keep your eyes out for this zine. You may even see a Camp Smartypants feature coming 2010! :)

Some more inspiration:
via Craft:
via Do Stuff!
via A Beautiful Mess

Tie Dye

So yesterday, before all of the halloween festivities began, I took a trip over to Rerun (one of my favorite thrift stores). I found this old craft book, Creative Hands vol. 16, from 1966. The first page in the book is tie-dye!