My NEW Studio!

I think I'm in love...well, yes, my husband is great - but my new studio is REALLY coming together! I just got some great organization underway and the versatility of this space is starting to reveal itself. My new sewing machine (yes, the first I've EVER bought!) fits perfectly on one side. And when I want to sketch designs that I'm thinking of or get out something else to "play" with - I can angle the desk as a drafting table from the other side! I'm so excited about it. It's such an inspiring space. I can't wait to hang a cork board or separte hooks with clipboards for ideas! Oh the things I could do.

Have you been inspired lately?

Ciao for now!

~ Alex

Lazy Sunday

Happy Lazy Sunday!

The house is clean and orderly, the cats are resting, and we're both well fed. Italian soccer is playing, james lounges across the couch, and I browse Etsy. All is well.

Speaking of browsing Etsy, here's todays' find:

madcowdog's equine treat pouch

This is how I'm feeling today too:

I had the time of my life at Diane von Furstenberg's Spring 2009 Consumer Preview this Wednesday at NY's Fashion Week...

(For more video of the evening: check out my Flickr!)

I purchased my Valhalla Brooklyn custom bags (see previous post) - I cannot WAIT to see them! Thank you Karin!

Off to try out my new sewing machine...enjoy your weekend (or at least what's left of it!)

Ciao for now!

~ Alex

Valhalla Brooklyn

I've come to realize in all my travels that I still don't have the perfect carry-on bag...insert AMAZING FIND ON ETSY here! Valhalla Brooklyn comes to the rescue.

Click here!

Karin, the woman behind the genius at Valhalla Brooklyn has been patiently working with me to design my dream bag! A combination of one of her XL Luggage bags in size and the Vigga bag (pictured above) in styling - I can't wait to feel the smooth leather on my shoulder and the funky lining sliding between my fingers.

Check out her website (with tons of amazing photos) here. She's got talent!

~ Alex

Too long...

Well, I guess that's what I get for shopping locally! (I've been doing that the entire time since I last blogged...over a month ago now!) Just kidding, it's definitely time to get back in to things and kickstart 2009...even if I'm a little behind!

I've found a couple of new magazines that I might be purchasing subscriptions too...as I'm already addicted to Real Simple and Harper's Bizarre and now I've found Bust and Craft Magazine (more of a book). I also can't stop checking out Etsy or now Gilt Groupe, and of course...Zazzle!!! I'm just trying to support the economy you know!

And also - so you can check out the AMAZING embroidery work (found thanks to Craft Magazine!): Michael Aaron McAllister. You won't believe your eyes. Click here for my favorite! (Too bad it's not up for sale anymore!)


Smile, it makes people wonder...

~ Alex

Shopping and Dropping...like flies

If you're reading this, blogging on your own blog, updating Etsy, and in the middle of a DIY project...STOP! Just kidding, but if you find yourself shopping online more and more these days, maybe you can change one thing. Try spending some of that holiday money at local stores. You know, the ones that you love popping in to once in awhile to see whats new and what little things you can pick-up for yourself, your home, or your friends and family. We have to support each other in these difficult times...and that means trying to support the local businesses.

Little notes and little things can change the world forever.

Happy Saturday!

Alex

And some color for good luck:

Wish I were there...

It's been awhile...

Hi all!

Wow, it's been a long time. I apologize! I hope everyone is getting their holiday shopping done early...AND considering donating to those that are less fortunate (animal shelters, food banks, homeless shelters, etc...)! We've adopted two cats and are giving them a loving home (if slightly spoiled) for the rest of their lives! It's a big commitment, but they love us right back...so it seems worth it to us! Get ready for Thanksgiving if you celebrate it, and if not, call-up the family and have friends over for drinks. It's that time of year again!

I promise I will try to write more. We've just finished cleaning-up our garage and now that a car can fit in to it, we are noticing everything else that is wrong with our house.

What's new in your life?

Mwah,
Alex

Help the Persians!

...Persian Cats, that is!

Click here to click and donate (no money necessary - just click to donate) and after you click to donate, please vote for "Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats" in the $100,000.00 Shelter Challenge! The Shelter just received over 30 Persian cats from a breeder that can no longer afford to care for them...and they are in very bad condition! This shelter provides foster homes and hopes for future adoptions, but they do not have an actual shelter location. If they could win this challenge (by having YOU vote for them), they would be able to provide for this poor, helpless animals. Please click on the links and vote for "Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats" in Cheshire, CT.

Thank you!!!
Alex

We Did it!

Change is in the air...WE DID IT!

Now lets see what he does.

One week to Vote!

Ciao all!

There is one week until we vote here in the tri-state area...I hope you are all planning on getting out there! Take my poll to the left of this post, please!

I'm on holiday in CT...so sorry for the delay in posting...what would you like me to write about next?!

~ Alex

MY ART STORE!

Gap "Vote For ____"

Well, there I am! And all over the country! The shirt I designed for Gap is featured in windows across the nation! GET OUT AND VOTE! (The photo below is what the window looks like!)

Woodgraindock

Silent Post:

Woodgraindock, originally uploaded by Alexandra Whatton.

Want to OWN your favorite song?

You can now own one of your favorite songs. Head to http://www.songvest.com/ to see what is being auctioned now. They have The Monkees theme song with a starting bid of $100,000.00. Yup, then you will get a percentage of the royalties every time it plays.

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If I had $100,000.00 to spare - I know what I'd be doing. It's obvious this economy is affecting every one of us.

DIY - Photography Light Tent

(Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Bail on Digital Photography Forum Blog)

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While looking through the Etsy Forums I found a seller looking for ways to make a lightbox for better photos of jewelry. This article link was posted and I am so excited to have found it. It is perhaps the best lighting box tutorial that I have ever seen on the web - and also a very inexpensive way of increasing revenues in your store (or just taking better photos!). Read the original blog post here.

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Ciao ciao and I hope you find what you're looking for!

DIY Project - Make Your Own Scarf!

I was looking around the DIY network when I found this great project (click me). Hand-paint your own scarf! Perfect for this chilly autumn weather. Enjoy!

Pounce and Yee Shall Find...

I've decided I should be using the Pounce feature more often on Etsy after I found this eco-friendly tanktop at ancientfurniture's (click it!) Etsy Shop! She has some really unique designs and although she is fairly new to Etsy (September 29, 2008), she already has 13 items up that make me want to shop!

Happy Shopping!