studious reflection. custom order.

I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas -whoa, I really did just type that. Hope that you had a good Thanksgiving.  Wow. My brain has not been functioning well, can you tell!? haha.

So, I've had a lot going on & have been fairly quiet. I thought I would share one of the projects that's kept me locked away.  This custom order is now a coordinating set of necklaces & earrings. 

These are just a few of the sample pictures to nail down the particulars. Up top, the picture shows all of the samples together...didn't it make a pretty picture?! I really like it.

 

The bottom image shows what was ultimately decided upon [including the earrings to match]. And they're all turning out lovely. 

But that reminds me that I have more flowers to sew. 

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Enjoy!

♥ -Kat.

studious reflections. sparkle sensation.

As noted before multiple times: I have serious design a.d.d. issues. 

I love it when I get in a custom request that was an idea in process. One, it means that I'm on the right track with an idea, + two, it probably means I have the supplies on hand!

I've had two of those types of requests this week. The non-flower beaded necklaces [which will also come in longer lengths, too]. And a request for some metallics. Shiny stuff, yay!

My next collection that I've been gathering is going to utilize some great metallics. I've pulled these dreamy matte silve + gold faceted beads that I've been dying to play with. But with a request, I have a bona fide reason to interrupt the previously scheduled studio program to play with something else for a bit. 

I'll follow-up with a post showing how the silver flowers turned out!

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Have a great weekend!

♥ -Kat.

new arrivals. more color box necklaces, floral earrings.

 

 

 color box collection - 300 series.

apple green, yellow, red, olive green, blue, lilac.

$18. 

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floral earrings.

thistle pink.

$16. 

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Enjoy!

♥ -Kat.

new arrivals. floral earrings by cardinalhouse.

 

floral earrings.

sage green, turquoise, cyan blue, and tan.

$16. 

 

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My giveaway ends tomorrow [Wed @ 11:59pm], details HERE. 

 

♥ -Kat. 

GIVEAWAY fit for Thanksgiving! by cardinalhouse on Etsy.

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week?! I want you looking all pretty-fied, so my very first giveaway at cardinalhouse caters to the holiday at hand! But hurry up & help spread the word because the giveaway ends this Wednesday [11/17] at 11:59pm [US eastern].

4 lucky people will win one of the following:

clockwise, from top-left: 

no 04 hair clip/ brooch, no 10 rust necklace, 

no 06 peach necklace, no 01 hair clip/ brooch. 

[click on images for details]

my cardinal rules:

• to enter, leave a message below with your 1st + 2nd choice 

• us and canada residents only [1) canadians, consider this a belated thanksgiving; 2) international beyond the land of canadia...*i'm sorry*, but let me do some rule-checking & maybe next time]

that's it. simple. done. 

well...almost.

4 winners will be chosen at random this thursday afternoon [11/17]; if i can't contact you through a current profile link, it's up to you to contact me within 24 hours.

[ cardinal_house {?at?} comcast (%dot%) net ]

I'd love for any new followers/subscribers/fans--ever how, but it's not mandatory. Actually, *kill joy* it's against Facebook rules to use new likes as a giveaway/contest entry. But I'm including all the links because there will be more giveaways & fun stuff coming your way if you do join in! Yippee!

Shop • Newsletter • Facebook • Twitter

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Good luck & help spread the word!

♥ -Kat.

ps- I knew I forgot something. 

May I advise that I don't make any promises that the items will, in fact, get there by Thanksgiving. US residents..they should BUT..no guarantees, you know. 

Canadians- hey, I'm a month behind your Thanksgiving so most definitely no guarantees there!  

 

new arrivals. rosebud earrings.

 

rosebud earrings.

orange, sky blue, red, and charcoal rosebud earrings.

$16. 

studious reflection. being green isn't easy.

It's Friday & we know what that means for my studio. Uh-huh, more books from the library that would be destined for el trash can. This is what our librarian brought to me before I left for the day: 

 

 *double sigh*

 

Really? You know "green design" is preached EVERYWHERE these days, but do you have any idea how wasteful our industry really is? I'm only one chica & can only do so much...

 

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Psst. Make sure you stop back by Monday [giveaway announcement]. See, I'm posting this so I can not take it back now -no way, no how.

 

 

Hope you have a great weekend. 

♥ -Kat. 

new arrival. earrings 09. lemon chiffon mini rosebuds by cardinalhouse.

rosebud earrings no 09.

reclaimed lemon chiffon yellow fabric.

$16.

 

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♥ -Kat.

photo eye candy. isola bella.

isola bella.

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♥ -Kat.

[image by moi]

how cool is this?! papercuts by joe.

Guys [& dolls gals]!! LOOK AT THESE! Hand-cut...not machine. HAND CUT. wowsa.

I discovered Papercuts by Joe while over at Indie Fixx & started drooling. These are presented so professionally. Seriously. Browse through his gallery. The presentation has such a great sophisticated + museum installation vibe. 

I love that there are triptychs & multiple pieces that are focused on negative space --and I believe he's self-taught. For those of you that have never had any artsy projects requiring you to use the negative space & to forget the positive-- it's not easy. It's like trying to remember to sing harmony when you want to slip right over to melody. It's reverse of how you'd normally compute an image.

Oh, & he had me at NPR. 

[read his interview at Indie Fixx here & you'll get it!]

More of Joe:

Website • Blog • Etsy Shop • Facebook

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Enjoy!

♥ -Kat.

[images linked to source]

i'm feeling random.

I'm here.
promise.
again.

*sigh*

I'm doing a LOT of planning in the background so I can do a fun magic trick for you. Well, except I don't plan on just springin' it on you. BUT no spillin' just yet.
AND don't think that I've forgotten about the necklace giveaway I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. I haven't & it's coming on a Sunday/Monday [perhaps the one coming up]...

So, meanwhile,  I'm cleaning up my email & thought I'd point you in the direction of a few good things. Such as:


The cutest DIY pilot's cap/goggle/jacket tutorial [& models] that you ever did see.

This Mark Bronson print.

My candy apple red briefcase business card holder.

Invitations by Ello There [I looove the Silhouette designs!].

Duvet cover tutorial with standard [non-wide] fabric --think calico thoughts.

Snap. crackle. pop. DIY pinecone firestarter.

Caaw. Caaw. Limited edition area rug [flock of crows- maroon/black].

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Enjoy!

♥ -Kat.

[image by moi]

coming soon. rosebud earrings.

 

 

coming soon.

topaz, emerald, violet, and lilac rosebud earrings.

$16. 

new stuff.

fleur necklace no 07.

beige floral rose and pearls.

$29. 

customized photo cards on a budget!

It is November & now's the time to start preparing for the holidays. I'm always on the lookout for good DIY alternatives so I can funnel more money into great food + gifts. Sound good?

How about a way to send out beautiful personalized photo cards on a budget?

Check out Christi's full line of pre-designed photo card templates at her Etsy shop HERE. Aren't they pretty?!

Here's how it works:
You send her the photo you want to use, & for $15,  

she'll work your photo into one of her lovely designs,

personalize it to your specs & 

send you the complete digital file. 

Just like that.
Take the file to your normal spot for printing photos & your entire Christmas card list is taken care of.

Think about it, even if you have 50 people on your list & it costs 13 cents to print each "Card"...that's $6.50 + $15 = $21.50 [or 43 cents each] for 50 customized photo cards. Plus, most places will let you upload your print order online so all you have to do is pick the order up while running errands. That saves a LOT of time, which is such an extra bonus!

Also, for those around the Hartford, CT & Springfield, MA areas: check out Christi's gallery to get some great location portraits done.  Christi really is the sweetest & I know that her customer service is excellent! Her black & white hydrangea prints decorate my mantle & walls!

Alfredo's Gallery 

116 Mountain Road
Suffield, CT 06078

[860] 254-5400

Etsy Shop • Facebook 

new stuff. bracelets.

bracelet no 06.

plum floral rose with thistle vintage pearl beads.

$15. 

new stuff.

color box no 202.

green + pink floral necklace.

$28.