The Best of Westervin 2011

It turns out Westervin has a had a pretty great year. We’ve done a lot, most notably got hitched, and have had a lot of fun. We’ve put together some of the highlights so that you all can take a look back with us. While we certainly feel that we have accomplished a lot in 2011, we are hoping that we can make 2012 even better. We’re full of ideas and all of that fresh start enthusiasm, so look for this train to keep on rolling.

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A Pretty Pair: Beaded & Tiled

{ Embroidery Sample by Anna Jane Searle }  { Samples by Katie Bell }

The Best of Westervin 2010

A Friggin’ Awesome  Logo (You’re So Jealous!)

Momma’s back, kiddos! Now that my application to grad school has been submitted, I can focus on what really matters: you, my little babies. Now, you may have noticed by the title of today’s earlier post that change is in the air (in addition to the smell of fresh laundry, since I get MLK day off, but I’m sure you can’t smell that). Our readers’ favorite series Daily Pretties is now called A Pretty Pair. You see, Westervin is a year older, and we’re thinking it’s time to mature a little. Just a little. Don’t worry. I hope you like the new name, but if not… don’t tell me. We’ve also got a few new columns to debut, which guide Westervin’s focus more toward art and fine craft. We’re hoping to improve the content you know and love (don’t deny it) by making it a little more thoughtful, a little more meaningful, a little more inspirational. We hope to create content that celebrates a lighthearted, lovingly handmade life.

But before we move forward, we’d like to take a look back! Below are a couple of our favorite and most popular posts from 2010.

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Daily Pretties: Threadbare

{ Delicado by Leidi Vionica }  { Hippie Chic by Jesica Bianchi }

A Westervin Wedding: A Friggin’ Awesome Logo (You’re so jealous!)

We’ve done it. We’ve gone corporate. Well, not exactly, but we do have a logo! It’s pretty great, incorporating both the cliché “two become one” concept and a W / E weathervane metaphor — something for everyone. I mean, it’s got an arrow. Southwest trend: check.

Daily Pretties: Along for the Ride

{ Untitled by cindi. } { Untitled by Mia Christopher }

Last week was a whirlwind!  Here’s hoping we’re graced with another 7 days of good fortune.  I’ve never been one for superstition, aside from wishing on birthday candles, shooting stars and fallen eyelashes, but I find myself contemplating Karma.  Perhaps I don’t believe that we can accumulate spiritual “brownie points”, but I do believe in the power of a good deed.  If you’re kind and helpful to the people around you, the people around you will be kind and helpful in return.  That’s reciprocity!

Daily Pretties: Fuzzy Feel-ables

And purchasable!

{ Fiesta Flamingo Necklace from A Alicia Handmade Accessories }

{ French Knot Wall Art from Ruggles Stitch }

Daily Pretties: Distracted

Hello daily pretties!  You just fell into my lap today!  You’re so busy and beautiful.  I’m distracted by your dazzling colors and amorphous shapes.  Are you trying to tell me something?  That I need to slow down and focus?  That I’ve been pulling myself in too many directions, and because of it, I’m not really getting anything done?  Silly!  I already knew that.

Hello daily readers!  Do you ever think, “I wish I had a magic eight ball right now.”  A real magic eight ball.  I’m wishing I had one right now.  I need some direction!  Oh no.  I think I just had an epiphany.  (I hope I’m using that word right.)  Right there between “direction” and “!” it came to me — it’s not direction I need, but motivation.  Motivation to do the things I know I should do but don’t want to do.  Oh man.  My mind is like a magic eight ball.  Who knew?

Clockwise from left { A flower is a tethered butterfly by Janae Easton of platypusfile }  { piñata by Florencia Delboy of pinkflor }  { wake up by Gidi Culus }

Giveaway! Love, Heal, Seek & See

Note: This giveaway is closed.  Checkout our latest giveaway here!

Are you sitting down?  Because we’ve got another giveaway!  Starting.  Right.  NOW!  You could win this set of four (count ‘em, four!) mini prints (ACEO) from Shannon Rankin, titled Love, Heal, Seek and See.  Just leave a comment on this post to enter, but please read these simple rules first:

1. You must leave your first name and last initial (at least — full names are encouraged, but not required).
2. You must leave a working email address (this will not be published).  How else will I contact you if you win?
3. You have one week to enter.  This giveaway ends on Sunday, February 14th at 11:59pm CST.
4. You can increase your chances of winning just by telling someone else to enter!  You’ll get an additional entry (no more than 20) for every person you refer — just make sure they leave your name in their comment.

Some details about these prints: Each one measures 2.5″ x 3.5″.  They are signed and dated on the back, and are guaranteed to last up to 108 years.  The originals are made from cut vintage map and embroidered with thread.  Perfect for National Embroidery Month!

Some details about the artist:  Shannon Rankin is partners in crime with Jusin Richel (from our last giveaway).  She’s so sweet, she’ll give you a toothache.  You can see more of her beautiful map collages in her shop Selflesh, and you can become a fan on Facebook here (she has lots of giveaways there, too).

Yayza! Maria Gil Ulldemolins

More embroidery and feminine exploration, you say?  Well, I’m here to deliver.  Maria Gil Ulldemolins‘s cross-stitched barbie is both strange and beautiful… an intriguing contemplation of femininity.  I don’t know about you, but I wanna see more.  Found via Design for Mankind.