pics, craft, work? : oy, beta giveaway!



as much as i try to fight it, i need to have all my ducks in a row, or i'm stressed out. not eating breakfast, lunch at 3 pm, and a shower at 4 pm leads to quack, quack = not good. they're not all lined up with my little shop, so i'm going to put off opening with a big bang until january 2010. i don't have all the things ready i'd like to as i'm getting new ideas as i go along and dribbling them in one at a time in the beginning doesn't sound like a good idea. photographing some of these little darlings has also become the hardest part!

but, i do want to hold a giveaway as promised. think of it as a 'beta giveaway' in the research and development department. so, just leave a comment before december 7th telling us something you're looking forward to this holiday and be sure to include an email address so i can contact you. i'll choose one winner using random.org for the butterfly garland of her choice. i should have four different versions by then, i hope. definitely, two & a half. see what i mean ;)? enjoy your weekend, y'all!

xo, cindy


this one is called lilly after lilly pulitzer - see the bright colors? they're made from vintage wallpaper backed with colored paper. i'm going to have them using vintage maps and music sheets, too.


this one is tasha, after tasha tudor. soft blues, reds & yellows. the doily in the center is specially treated and meant to resemble a petticoat. two clothespins adorned with butterflies are included for display.


how to photograph these so as not to be confusing about exactly what you're buying?


on white or a pattern or canvas or linen? scott says white. what do you think?


i'm almost there, but not quite. sorry for the false start :(.

22 comments:

Pascale said...

The butterflies look lovely - and I know for a fact we would have fight here as to who would get them if I were to win...

I believe all of your pictures look great. It's hard to make a choice on which ones look best. You get more contrast with a patterned background I believe, but I like plain white too (minimalistic as I am) - how about a combination of both like in the last picture, a picture from your first butterfly post I believe it was, to add some depth? Just an idea...

The Holidays, you asked? I have mixed feelings about them. I do not particularly like the whole craze around the holidays. The hunt for the right presents, the time and effort going into the organizing and cooking, finding the right outfit (?) ... But I do like the family gatherings and the get-togethers with friends, which I'm really looking forward to. I just wish people would keep things a bit more simple...

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I say Scott's right. White.

My step-mother, who lives 11 houses away and is the survivor of a severe stroke loves butterfly anything. And her birthday is January 6th...don't let that influence you or anything...

What I'm looking forward to? Shoot Cindy, I'm not looking forward at all right now. I'm not able to do that yet. What I'll celebrate is Christ's birth...the rest of the holiday hoopla I will gracefully bow out of. What I will lean on is my faith. I've finally gone 48 hours without crying about Scotty...but there is this numbness and time passing without me being aware it's passing. I know you understand that.

blue moss said...

i think that all your butterflies are so lovely and i love all your photos....you just can't do wrong in my book! it's all good!
i'm looking forward to having my kids home, and enjoying time with them and not having to worrying about homework at all :)

Line said...

I love these lovely butterfly, good luck with your shop it must be a lot of work, I can't wait to see more!!

Shari Lidji said...

hi cindy, the butterfly garlands are just precious. i would be delighted with any of them. i will admit, i felt conflicted about the holidays for a long time. i grew up with christmas, then married a lovely jewish man and am raising jewish children. after many years, i am finally at peace with this season. i had a childhood filled with beautiful memories of my own and an adulthood filled with beautiful memories i'm helping to create for my own children at hanukkah. it's all good. you know what i mean? xo,s
p.s. good luck with all of your beautiful products.

ambika said...

Oh what a generous giveaway! The thing I'm most looking forward to is being with friends and family--especially all the little ones I've gotten to know in the past year who will be enjoying their first Christmas.

jennifer said...

SO pretty, j'adore!

i'm looking forward to not thinking about "work", sitting on the couch with my family and making each other laugh, holding my newborn niece and playing with my nephews, and eating and drinking something naughty. bonus points if there's snow.

Jaeveberry said...

i just look forward to spending the holidays with my wonderful family! that's all it's about for me!

jbennako@yahoo.com.

jane said...

your garlands are lovely. i can´t wait to see all your creations. besos! and what am i looking forward to- family, and friends happy and all together.

MichelleY said...

Hello, Cindy:

Is your favorite lens the 35mm? :) I should send you the diptych(es?) I made of when you showed me how to make them and yes, the butterflies with the plain white background are what I like best. Pure and simple :))

Havilah Savage said...

i think the photo of the hanging garland works best. they're so cute!!
i really look forward to the general goodwill of people during the holidays. people just seem nicer somehow. i love that.

meg said...

I can't wait to see all the butterfly garlands Cindy - they look SO LOVELY!!!

I am looking forward to all my boys being here together under the same roof. As they get older and go out into the world, this occurs less and less. I am reminded how it makes my heart whole to have all my children here sleeping under the same roof at night. I drift off with a smile on my face.

xoxoxo

nadia said...

incredible cindy! really special and how wonderful that you will be opening a shop! i actually love all the shots showing them at different angles is key! and your packaging and wording is perfection!

i am looking forward to having my mum niece and nephew here( it has been years since i shared christmas morning with them. sharing my home with them is a gift. i can not wait for the smell of fresh pine, roasting chestnut by the fire and my mums croissants. i hoping for snow covered pastures and making snow people, a wintery sleigh ride in my own back yard and me at the reigns. snuggling on couches watching old classics! I am excited cindy- handmade presents and baked goodies!

Bella Sinclair said...

WOOHOO WOOHOOO! Oh, these colorful butterflies! Yes, I am sooooo excited. And I think a white background shows off their pretty colors so perfectly.

This Christmas, I'm looking forward to opening up presents with my parents. It's been a very long time since we spent the actual day with them.

Have a great evening, Cindy!

Beth Stone said...

These are beautiful! Thanks for the giveaway!

I'm looking forward to celebrating the true reason for the Season - the birth of my Savior. Also looking forward to spending time with family and friends...

Bonbon Oiseau said...

miss cindy, these are incredible. just incredible...i'm in love with these and can't wait for your shop to open.

i feel your stress honey. i feel it. it's something too strong in the air this december.
so I'm looking forward to getting my balance back, breathing a little again, maybe reading a book(?) and wishing it for you and all...
oxo, deb

Joyce said...

Cindy- I know the feeling. I wanted to just stop by to say hi and have a golden weekend!

I love my butterfly garland so I know the lucky winner will be thrilled.

Enjoy!
xo

leslie said...

hi cindy.
i am so excited to see what your new shop is stocked with. and am in love with your butterflies. i know my niece would love it.
leslie

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

hi Cindy,
I think the white is cleaner looking! The butterflies become the stars~
I know someone is going to be very happy to get their hands on them...I like the fact that you used vintage wallpaper! Lovely weekend guys~
I can see Takashimaya carrying your butterflies in the baby section!
xo*

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

I'm so excited for your etsy shop! I know you'll do great :)

cindy* said...

hmmm...i like the green gingham, but i don't have any qualms with pattern-on-pattern :) i've been so absent from my blog reading lately...all of your photos are lovely as ever and i love, love these garlands!

i heart the holidays a ton...this year sean and i are hosting for the first time, so i'm very excited for that. i'm also excited for some holiday gift baking ;)

Natasha said...

I am so looking forward to a week off!

The garland is beautiful.