Cute and complimentary

This is my new bff, Ruby. She came over with her parents to my dinner party on Sunday. It took her a little while to warm up to me but eventually she decided she liked me. I was wrapping up the prime rib and making sure everyone had their food. Her mommy microwaved her some mac & cheese and while she was chowing down she looks up and tells her parents, "That lady makes great dinner!"

Quintessentially American

This is my brother and sister-in-law's home and I think it's adorable. It's on a cute, quiet street in a small Pennsylvania town. The block of homes is perfectly post-war, each one is the same size with subtle differences like dormers or not. They're all set back the same distance from the street with perfectly sized lawns and square bushes.

Stan goes crazy, gets a puppy treat

Stanley was out in the backyard when we got to my sister's house last night and didn't know we were there for a few minutes. But once he saw us through the window he started dancing and barking, "Hey, let me in!" He was more than a little excited to see us.

We played for a little while and he ran circles around me. It was fun to get love from a big dog. It really made me miss Henry and Lola, I think Stan would have fun with them.

Documented theft: Forever 21

Copyright infringement is a serious issue that small designers often don't have the resources to fight. Jezebel.com has a shocking, but not surprising article on about how the clothing chain Forever 21 doesn't develop their own fashions they just rip off the small, creative designers. Beware artistic friends! This kind of thing is happening in fashion, art and design. Get informed and choose where you shop carefully.

Article here: jezebel.com

Gypsy Garden Collection {Designs by Heather Walpole}

Remember when I showed you this sneak peek?

Well here it is, the Knit Collage Gypsy Garden Collection pattern booklet and I had the pleasure of designing it!

I worked with Knit Collage to design a line of six fun and easy patterns using their Gypsy Garden yarns. The booklet debuted at TNNA 2011 and will be in yarn stores very soon! Here's the Tinkerbell Mobius Scarf worked up in the stardust garland colorway and Kinari Bolero in kinari bazaar.

And here in the trade show booth you can spot the Secret Garden Pillow knit in color bubblegum twist and the Bundled Up Beanie Hat crocheted using mermaid café.

Tucked into the left corner is the Sweet Pea Baby Sweater knit in emerald rainforest. Knit Collage yarns are handspun in India and each skein is a beautiful work of art making each knitted piece unique. The project ideas are endless!

I had so much fun creating this booklet, I can't wait to get my hands on some new yarn!

Click here to visit knitcollage.com and see all their amazing yarns and a list of retailers. Happy knitting!