ga-ga for gingham...

Gingham makes my heart happy. It's just so fresh and easy. I'm especially loving these items in gingham from Olive Juice. The designs are so simple and classic... and what's sweeter than gingham on a little girl?



















Sunday Picnic Frock




















Josephine Top




















Mayfair Sundress


Love gingham for the boys, too...



















Gingham Camp Shirt

ella...

Ummm... so cute. I think I've mentioned that I'm a sucker for gingham , haven't I?

How sweet are those gingham ears? And the gingham belly...

♥ felt...

Alicia's done it again.  Felt ornaments so delightful it makes me want to cry.  Look at that red coat.  The red gingham... the tiny stitching.  Could it be more darling?

The last three years she's designed these felt ornament kits and each year I drool and then hem and haw over them until they are gone.  I have no embroidery skills.  Would I massacre their heirloom-worthy loveliness?  Would this fear cause me to leave the kits in their bags indefinitely?  How sad would that be?

I was actually slightly relieved when I saw the new kit.  I can't possibly buy it since I never actually bought the previous kits.  Right?  Can't not have a complete set.  Then I scroll down.  Oh... oh!  It's the cottage with the sweet beaded lights from last year, the tree with the perfectly placed sequins, the charming pink cocoa cup and... *sigh* the beloved, much-remembered ice skate.  She's re-released the last two year's sets.  My heart beats faster.  Now a new reason to hem and haw... should I spend $75. on ornament kits that may suffer the horrible fates listed above?

Oh, but look at that ice skate.  Can I resist?

crisp and classic...

Loving this little dress at Pottery Barn Kids. So simple and classic with the crisp Peter Pan collar and the fresh navy gingham. Of course, the monogram is just icing on the cake. Looove it!

fit to be tied...

The Boy turned twelve this past weekend. Twelve! He is now part of the young men's group in our church. I'm the mother of a young man. Wow. When did that happen? This means white shirts and ties on Sunday as that is the suggested attire for men participating in services in the church. Gone is my cute little boy in pastel gingham shirts and matching vests *sniff*.

We're shopping for some smart looking ties which can be hard to find for this age group. Looks like we've hit the jackpot with etsy though. Such a great selection of sharp ties for my handsome boy *ahem*, I mean young man! Which one's your favorite?

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just pretty...

Love gingham... love matelasse... love that striped rug upholstered into a headboard! Psyched for my annual getaway to the Berkshires. Can't wait to shop at Pine Cone Hill. That Annie Selke... such a talented lady. Will be getting my fill of Dash & Albert rugs, Potluck Studio tableware, Kaffe Fassett quilts and Pine Cone Hill furniture! Yummy... can't wait! Now... how to win the lottery without actually playing...?

pb teen pretty...

Am I too old for this room at Pottery Barn Teen? I'm ga-ga for the gingham chair, the bookshelves are perfect, the style tiles are so versatile, and I love the little ladder stacked with books. I want it all!

Lots of other pretty things in the latest issue...















1.safari animals 2.plum tree lamp 3.plentiful perfume bottle 4.bubble dot mirror set


And a couple of my old favorites are on sale! Now, if only I had a place to put that fabulous mega desk!








1.mega desk 2.beadboard magazine rack

pull-toy perfection,,,

I am so enamored with these adorable pull-toys... I haven't been able to stop thinking about them for several days. Aren't they dreamy? Smooth and graphic and timeless, oh my! There aren't any for sale right now but oh, how I want one. Maybe I'll have to make one of my own with the directions the artist so generously provided here. Perhaps a pink polka-dotted bunny or a gingham giraffe or... so many ideas so little time...

via ohdeedoh

new year, new banner...

Welcome 2011! Time for a bit of a blog facelift. The banner hasn't been changed in quite a while. Since January 2008, to be exact. Wow, it's about time, eh?

Say goodbye to the simple dots...

 and hello to some sweet gingham. 

I even made a pretty little button for you to put on your sidebar if you're so inclined.

Here's the code. Copy and paste to your heart's content!

<center><a href="http://lainakay.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u235/lainakaybanner/goodnessgraciousginghambutton200.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>

get a little closer...

Finally turning in Assignment #2. I don't think I have the right camera for this. Either that or I really need to find some time to experiment more. Anyway, I wasn't thrilled with my results, but here they are.

The first one is obviously bark from a huge old oak tree in a park that I brought the kids to.

The second one is blueberries from a recent blueberry picking foray.

The third one was the one I really wished had worked out. It's my shower curtain. I have a clear liner and when the water beads up on it the beads reflect the pattern of the curtain in miniature, convex gingham bubbles. I love it... but alas was unable to capture it. I think I may try again if I can find the time.

Off to see what the next challenge is...