I dream of Santa Cruz ...

Because, you see, I went to college there oh so many years ago, and around this time of year I feel waves of nostalgia for the little beach town I once called home.

It's a sacred place, this northern pocket of California, and while it's been some years, I still have vivid memories of long walks through the redwoods on campus, spending an afternoon curled up with books on the beach, or sipping coffee downtown, jotting notes and people-watching.

Santa Cruz was also a magical place because of the winters there, which are absolutely beautiful, and on certain days, unbelievably mild. There was something transformative about growing up in the Northwest, knowing winter to be a season filled with rain and snow, sharp, dry winds, and a grey that only breaks on the coldest, clearest days, to then discover that California offers a much gentler version of the season.

Sure, I knew there were folks living in warmer parts of the world--people who were not in the habit of layering with so much wool during the winter months--but to actually experience this shift was something else entirely. I woke in the mornings to sun drenched fields stretched out across campus, fog burning off the tops of the Eucalyptus trees, and the bay glittering below us.

Oh, Pacific Ocean, how I dearly miss you.

These are the days that I daydream of visits to the beach, warm sun against my skin, and I wish, hope, and pray that I'll find my way back someday soon.

And while it may be some time before we take any big trips south, here are a few sweet ideas and inspired objects from our friends at Etsy that help bring the ocean a little closer.

{You've got to keep the daydream alive!}

Ocean Waves Pencil Case

This sweet little pouch: Home to your favorite writing or sketching utensils and a reminder of the waves, the surfers, the sand and salty mist.

Sleepy Sailboat: A tiny wooden boat that actually moves over its tiny waves. A reminder of sunny days in Santa Cruz when the bay is sprinkled with open sails.

A pretty planter: For filling with jade and placing near the sunniest window to keep the memory of lush coastal succulents alive.

Seven stacked whales: A print to remind you of that one afternoon you saw dolphins (!) swimming in the ocean, and to recall how very wide and deep and full of life that big body of water really is.

Beach glass mobile: Whimsical piece to catch the light and remind you of the faded, sun-washed colors of the town, and the ocean worn relics of the sea.

Wavy mug: Lovely vessel for sipping coffee and tea and remembering all the favorite haunts around town: Lulu Carpenter's, Cafe Pergolesi, and the Buttery--good coffee & amazing baked treats.


What are your favorite ocean memories? Do you have a place you hold in your mind's eye?
I'd love to hear. Happy Thursday to you!

Cheers, xo


{Photo credit: stylishlyme --thank you!}

DIY Puppies

I have a confession: I really, really want a puppy. I realize I'm nowhere near the first to feel this way, and I know there's a very good reason there are thousands of blogs and Youtube videos devoted to capturing canine cuteness, but be that as it may, I'm adding my voice to the masses on this one. I adore pups. I'm smitten with their velvety ears, their heartbreaking little faces, their sweet puppy love, and their paws. Oh their paws!

But, because of living arrangements and my current work schedule, dog ownership is not necessarily in the cards right now. Not yet. For the last couple of years, ever since my puppy-fever really took hold, I've managed to adore dogs and puppies from afar, or if I'm lucky, I cuddle my friends' pups, which does indeed help.

And while this is not a post dedicated to the introduction of a new furry family member, it is in fact highlighting a very happy addition to the home! One of the best surprises this season did not come under the tree, but was gifted just days before Christmas when Joe came home and couldn't wait until the holiday to give me this:

That's right. It's a book that teaches you how to make your very own tiny pup! Doesn't that little face look real? I was thrown at first--the pups are so intricate and expertly crafted in the pictures--but when I leafed through the pages, I saw that in fact the author, Chie Hayano gives very detailed and often funny instructions on how to craft twelve different breeds of pups--no bigger than the size of your hand. Amazing.

The pup on the cover is a longcoat chihuahua named Milk, and he is probably the first one I'll make once I'm ready to tackle my next craft project.

For those who don't know me well, this isn't nearly as random as it may seem. I have a new and growing interest in making softies, puppets, and small creatures, in all kinds of materials. I've made a few things so far, but nothing this tiny--not yet.

I still need to fetch some essential crafting materials for these guys (little eyes, some faux fur, special thread), but until then, and before I have anything of my own to showcase, here are some adorable handmade inspiration pups from Etsy:

Miniature Bulldog by Willane

Mini Spotted Dog and Rust and White pup  by Walking Olive

Felted Husky and Schnauzer by Dr Nancy's Felted Pets

Here's to bringing puppies into the home in 2015, and to lots of crafting/diy-ing in the near future! 

Cheers! xo

(top photo via buzzfeed--thank you)

Vintage Delight

There's a new sidebar feature on Sift & Scatter now, and I thought I'd take a moment to share. As I've mentioned, I do love to thrift, and sometimes I acquire things that aren't quite perfect for me, but that I know will be just right for somebody out there. This is essentially how my Etsy shop, Loved & Lovely came to be: I had an ever-expanding bag of items that had made the cut as awesome vintage finds, but for one reason or another, once they were home and I'd tried them on again, I realized they might be better suited to someone else. And thus, a shop was born.

Loved & Lovely is comprised mostly of 80's and 90's vintage clothing that I find at local thrift stores, with the occasional super retro 70's piece thrown into the mix. I know it may sound a little woo-woo, but for me, when it comes to choosing these items, it's a certain spirit or character that the sweater or jacket seems to possess--it holds what feels like a palpable history or story that makes the piece special.

As a rule, I also try to avoid purchasing anything that simply has too much wear or which seems shoddily made. Quality tends to endure, and I try to find items that have stood the test of time.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces, now available in my Etsy shop:

Fair Isle Sweater

Navy Polka Dot Dress

Blue Sweetheart Sweater

Items go up periodically, so I'm excited to have a little space here to showcase these vintage treasures. Also, not everything in the shop is blue, though I do gravitate to this color more than any other.

I like to plug Etsy as often as possible, particularly around the holidays, since there are also so many talented artists and artisans who feature beautiful handmade items. Perfect for the gift-giving season.

Merry Tuesday to you.

Scatter: Inspiration

This sweet photo, "Orangutan in the Rain" is from a collection of the eighteen best entries to the Sony World Photography Awards. This is what photographer, Andrew Suryano, had to say about the moment:
“I was taking pictures of some Orangutans in Bali and then it started to rain. Just before I put my camera away, I saw this Orangutan took a banana leaf and put it on top on his head to protect himself from the rain! I immediately used my DSLR and telephoto lens to preserve this magic moment. Image location: Bali, Indonesia” 

Here are a couple more:

Times Are Hard for Dreamers

“Woman suspended in a mass of feathers.” Photo by Ahmad Zikri Mohamad Zuki, Malaysia

 Holi

“Hindu devotees throw vivid color at each other to celebrate the start of spring during Lathmar Holi Festival. Hindu brahmans from the village of Nandgaon are covered in colored powder as they sit and sing on the floor during prayers.” Photo by Ioulia Chvetsova, France

See more here.

And, on a slightly different note, Girls Illustrated by Nina Cosford: Yes.

And because I can't stop looking at them, or dreaming about their little clay worlds, these amazing ceramic pieces from Etsy shops Coco & Pompon and Vesna Gusman ClayArt.

          This little guy is standing moute 399.

          Also, precious little Standing Moute 349

          And some of the sweetest little houses for our tiny ceramic friends:

Happy Friday everyone! I hope it's an inspired, restful weekend for you. I'm looking forward to a wintry walk outside, catching up with a dear friend, and working on a craft project for a special someone (updates coming soon). Stay warm, wherever you are.