hey party people!

so how does double dutch 

do a snowy saturday morning DIY project?

i'll show you...

first, a little bloody mary action

then gathering of DIY ingredients...

and why not get beautified while we work!? 

so, we tried out this rose clay mask from paisley & co.

letting it dry while finishing up...

then we washed it all off with paisley's 

orange you beautiful face wash:

 and enjoyed our job well done!

check out the end result of our project:

 {click on the image to see in detail}

since this was so much fun we've decided to keep it going –

we'll be posting a new fun DIY every month 

along with a drink and beauty trick to go with!

check back to see where our DIY's show up...

and again, if this is work – 

i don't ever wanna quit.

xoxoxoxo

so, we've had this illustration in our house since we bought it from the previous owner. people always asked about it and we loved to look at it and imagine how the house might have been back in 1880...

then one morning we see this article! 

we were so excited to finally find out more about the image we've had all this time. 

turns out fredrick brader (check out his exhibit website) was a vagabond traveling around offering illustrations for room and board back in the 1800s. how awesome.

(one of my favorite parts about these illustrations is that brader would stay in the barn and always draw himself in the doorway. it was so neat to find him there!)

so we ordered a book about him... 

and found our house illustrated inside...

also we've contacted the exhibit curators to let them know that we live in the rockland township house.

they were so excited since they've been trying to piece together the actual homesteads with the illustrations for their exhibition. sooooo neat!

i just LOVE our home so much and this just makes it even better. this place really does have a super happy vibe and i think it may be the 7 children of the youse family who keep it so light around here.

xoxoxoxoxo

hey ya'll – just a suggestion...

since my edward sharpe print is one of my best sellers of all time 

i figured i should check out:

big easy express...

basically the zeros along with mumford & sons and old crow medicine show take a tour across the country in amazingly beautiful vintage railroad cars and make you really wish you were doing it too...

my friend mary summed it up well as inspiring a serious wanderlust. 

personally, i LOVED the part where they play with the local high school marching band – cause you know i have a special place in my heart for HS band! so the hubs and i have talked about a xcountry train ride and this really may have sealed the deal. 

gyspy style train ride? oh heck yeah.

xoxoxox

what an awesome photo, right!?

oh susan, i love you. 

but seriously, who doesn't?

last week i got the most exciting news;

susan sarandon purchased one of my prints!

gaaaaaahhh how stinkin' cool is that!?

 she found it in a great little boutique in atlanta that carries my work called young blood –

another cool photo, right?

then in a strangely coinscidental way susan popped up in my life again.

it looks like she is one of the hosts of the fifth annual blossom ball for the endometriosis foundation along with dr. seckin who preformed my laparoscopy back in 2008 –

and what timing since my new little babe is about to be 4 months and i'm feeling so super happy to have been able to actually become a mother despite having endometriosis. 

funny. the print susan bought is one i have in little bear's room 

since i made it while i was dreaming of her.

it's simply the lyrics from the toto song: 

"hold the line - love isn't always on time"

... or maybe it's exactly on time? 

just like susan.

xoxox

love that this was named "love you"...

xoxoxoxox

i am 

the happiest girl

in the world.

thank you to all my customers who make my business what it is...

my new computer is blowing my mind and i love how great it looks next to the crazy old stone of my house. new and old. my inspiration continues...

xoxoxoxo

um. how cute is she?

gemma has a lovely blog called typically.pretty.english

 and an etsy shop called silver shed

and featured me today in a nice little wish list collection...

thanks for sharing some love, gemma!

xoxoxoxox

wowee! i'm back!

can you believe it!? 

am i crazy? 

is my baby a perfect dream-boat who sleeps all day and just coos all night?

heck no. i'm a ragged mess. 

but i still want to keep at it, so i'm opening the shop once again...

{it may not last– so just a warning. 

this a a trial run, and if i really start drowning in it all i'll humbly bow out asap.}

so what have i been up to?

well, it's been super COLD around these parts lately.

and so we've been trekking out – 

but only into the back yard, since baby bear swallows air like it's water when it's cold and windy!

(still she's surviving, and even offers up a fist pound and 

check it out – i brushed my hair and have makeup on!)

most of my days are spent like this:

ha! who am i kidding?

they're actually like this:

so how will i ever get any work done?

well, it's called baby jail...

just kidding.

no but really it's tough, so i'll only be shipping orders once a week and holding off on the custom orders until the spring. (seriously, my mom brain will have all of your names and dates messed up FOR SURE.)

so, stay tuned for new items popping up here an there and please enjoy 40% off your entire order with my coupon code: IMBACKBABY40 which you can enter at checkout!

(coupon expires at 5pm tonight so hurry now!)

and big thanks to monday's child yesterday...

what a sweet blog post from my lovely friend christin kelley.

christin has been such a help to me on my leave posting to my spread the love facebook page and keeping me afloat with all things biz like – i just can't wait to hire her as my sales rep! 

ahhh one day.

i love you people and couldn't do all this without ALL of you –

hugs to you and wish me luck...

xoxoxoxoxoxo

hee hee! check out me and my little baby-bear on from my hearth to yours...
{beautiful photo taken by cally herself!}

cally writes an amazing blog inspired by her life and motherhood and all that goes along with it – especially the educational yet super fun parts. 

she's always been an inspiration in fun and good times starting from our old school college days 

(a little less wholesome but certainly hilariously enjoyable!) 

and has now completely blossomed into the super-dee-duper fun and educational mom role. it's so great to watch parents having a good time with their kids beyond the "no!" and "stop!" that fills most days. 

she always reminds me how to play and is such a generous soul in her spirit, kind words and positivity... it contagious people, so follow along and feel the goodness it brings.

xoxoxoxo

time is just flying by...

merry christmas and a happy new year!

little update: i am starting 2013 with the best time! luella and i are getting on a schedule and having so much fun. she's growing so fast and i'm soaking it all in. i'm so in love.

this month i will be cleaning my studio and setting up my brand spanking new computer! hooray!

once i'm all set and ready to go i'll be opening the shop with a bang!

i'll spread the word when it's gets closer to showtime...

till then we're sending out love and hugs to all –

xoxoxoxoxox

 

amazing...

 wowee! while i was busy giving birth (whew!)
my maple veneer calendars were really getting some love!

first they were selected as a better homes and gardens DIY issue– 

"best of etsy" pick...

and then highlighted as an etsy gift idea –

amazing, right!?

hurry now and get your own!

xoxoxoxo

Luella Reed Linder

November 9, 2012

7lbs 4 oz 20 inches 

my very best creation yet.

xoxoxoxoxox

well folks, this is it.
this is me signing off for a bit.
i'll hopefully be popping this baby out any day now and i just wanted to do a little goodbye post featuring the "just beginnings" of my neutral nursery.
(we decided to keep the sex a surprise and it's been so fun!)

once we know what this little thing is i'll update with more 
of how we add to it and make it even more special! 

just entering this happy space makes me smile every day 
and really wish this babe was here already...

 

 

the whole gang is just waiting for you! come out now!

all of my amazing friends have made such special things for you –

like this incredible little dutchy hang-out-matt by one of my best buds, jen lindsay.

and this beautifully impecable gray and yellow quilt made by another best bud, bethany lewis!

more details on this awesome thing soon
since it needs a whole bunch of shots to show off it's true colors!

it seems every nursery needs some eric carle...

and because we love cutesy + gross humor = the best of daddy's garbage pal kids collection...

and because i love the "little things" i had to get this adorable owl light switch

and i replaced the boring closet pulls with this little fox chasing a hare!

you may notice a few ikea treasures including this ceiling light 

which is a good temporary fix until we decide on a ceiling fan or not...

some closet goodness... ah, just look at those booties!!!
(more details on the handcrafted booties soon since again, they need their own post!)

and finally the rocking chair – and a packed bag sitting by... ready and waiting!

so, while i'm off enjoying this most enchanting time i'll be having some specials guests popping in to update you and keep things a'rolling. 

my lovely friend and PR princess, christin kelley will be making some guest appearances and keep you informed of all the biz happenings. and my super special best gal-pal, cally graham will keep you informed of all things LOVED around these parts.

so, orevwa and sayonara but no worries – i'll be back soon and i'll be even better than ever since

i'll be back a mother which i've always pursued as the ultimate dream job in this awesome life.

wish me luck and be sure to stay tuned!

xoxoxoxoxoxo