NEW PRINT - BLUE & WHITE GINGER JAR

I am happy to introduce a brand-new print to my store. This recently completed gouache and ink painting was based on an ancient Chinese ginger jar. It's available now in 2 different sizes. It's also available on mounted canvas in several sizes (contact me here for details).

A JEWEL OF A BOX

As a child, I had a special jewelry box that I loved. It was one of those boxes that contained a delicate little twirling ballerina. When the lid was lifted, the ballerina, dressed in her sparkly tulle tutu, would pop up and start spinning to the music. I kept all of my junky little plastic rings and a goldtone locket in there for safe-keeping. While I still don't own a lot of fancy jewelry, I do dig this totally feminine and classic jewelry box by Smythson. Isn't it beautiful? It would look great just sitting there, minus any exciting contents (it's tres expensive, and I have a strange penchant for colored boxes, even if they're just cardboard!)

PORCHLIGHT INTERIORS

So fun to see my "Antique Porcelain Jar on Peony"canvas print all the way down under at the fabulous Porchlight Interiors! Tracey and Hailey are not only gifted designers, but two of the nicest Aussie bloggers you will ever have the chance to meet! Check out their post and blog here.

I'm also loving this grouping below.

Thank you so much for the mention Hailey and Tracey!

BLUE & WHITE CHINOISERIE CHAIR

I have created another Chinoiserie Chair Silhouette, this time with a deep blue background reminiscent of the classic blue and white pairing found in so many vintage porcelain designs. This is an entirely hand-cut silhouette mounted on a 3/8 inch thick, 12x12 inch board with black painted sides and groove in back for hanging. Does not require framing. Would make a great gift for any style/design aficionado. Find it here in my Etsy shop.

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Congratulations to Sherrie who is the winner in this week's Tim Irving photo give-away!! She was chosen via random.org and her gift will be mailed out next week. Thanks to everyone for participating!

THANK YOU, CHINOISERIE CHIC!

I'd like to thank Beth Connolly of Chinoiserie Chic for her kind post last week! Beth has a love for all things Chinoiserie and sent me this photo of a vignette in her kitchen that features one of my silhouette collages and some plates by John Derian. Thank you, Beth!

ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * SUSAN SCHNEIDER

I discovered the beautiful work of artist and blogger Susan Schneider last year after she left a comment on my blog. She specializes in creating all sorts of decoupage pieces for the home, vintage lighting and gorgeous lampshades. Her shop and studio is located in a newly renovated, century old building in Millerton, NY. She is currently having a 15% off sale that runs until August 15th, so don't miss checking out her site or shop! She has kindly agreed to a mini interview here with me so we can find out more about the lady and skilled craftsperson behind Shandell's.

Where were you born?
New York City

This is the lovely tissue box that Susan so thoughtfully created for me with images of my chairs

What would you take if your house was burning down?

My dogs, a 19th century document box filled with memories and a couple of pieces of jewelry.
Your favorite book?

All of them, my vast collections of cook books, design, textile, antique, horses, garden and more. I looked through them all and could not pick one out.

Susan's workshop

If you could have only 1 last meal, what would you want on the menu?

A table full of appetizers and desserts. Smoked fish of all types, caviar, Shortbread cookies, peach pie.
Hot weather or cold?

Strangely cold, summers are okay but anything past 70 is too hot.

Favorite artists?

Art of animals and pansies are my favorites, vintage art no matter if it is signed or not. John Emms, Arthur Wardle, Richard Stone Reeves, Georgia O'Keeffe (she does not seem to fit my group of favorites, but there is something special about her and her art - a very different direction, a bit of fantasy) also, the Victorian women who had the pleasure and time to paint in groups. I also collect paintings of Pansies.
Pet peeve?
Too much perfume!

Susan's darling dogs

Favorite travel destination?

Newburyport, MA
Favorite shop?

I do not get out of my studio much, Etsy has become my favorite shop. Ever changing merchandise, hand made by amazing artists. What more can I ask for.
Most visited links?

This is hard, I visit so many. These are on the top of my long list.

ANNECHOVIE

http://awaytogarden.com/

http://thesisterproject.com/

http://www.designspongeonline.com/

http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/

http://mrsblandings.blogspot.com/

http://emilyevanseerdmans.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/

http://www.eddieross.com/

http://aestheteslament.blogspot.com/

Thanks to Susan for taking the time to share more with us on her life and work. Be sure to visit her website, where you can read her blog and keep up with her latest creations!

LULU DK FOR MATOUK

Designer Lulu de Kwiatowski in her New York apartment surrounded by her pillows
(photo - Paul Costello)

Pictured above - Sky pillow group. Top to bottom: Bloomsbury Tourmaline, River Coral, Tulah Sky, Chant Reverse Sky

Lulu de Kwiatkowski’s new decorative pillow line for Matouk is here!!

There are four color groups, Chocolate, Ocean, Honeydew and Sky. Fans of Lulu’s Chant pattern can now pick up these ready-mades in four colorways of Chant Reverse (previously only available to the trade)…in addition to five other Lulu DK patterns (Tulah, Bloomsbury, Color Wheel, River).

There are also some original embroidered and appliqued designs and a cool zig zag throw (soon to come!) For more info on where to buy, click here.

TIM IRVING PHOTOGRAPHY GIVE-AWAY

These beautiful images are from talented photographer Tim Irving, who lives and works in the Andalucia region of Spain. He is graciously sponsoring a give-away on Annechovie this week.

Tim authors a blog by the name of StyleMed. It focuses on Mediterranean design and lifestyle.

To enter the give-away, just visit Tim's shop and then come back here and leave a comment telling me which 3 photos are your favorites. The winner will be drawn via random.org and announced on Friday, August 7th.

PIECES OF THE PICTURE

Sometimes it's the little things that make the room. This room by chic designer Phoebe Howard contains that famous bedside table making appearances everywhere over the last couple of years. My eye is drawn to it over and over - I even painted it by itself last Summer (top image). Can any of you design sharpies identify it? I'll bet many of you can!

SWEET PEA ON IDEELI

This GREAT from ideeli starts at noon today. The event features women's tees and tank tops.
ideeli says"Lightweight and luxe, Sweet Pea pieces hug your curves to flatter your form without restricting it. Bohemian prints draw attention without demanding it. And a bright, no-apologies color palette takes eye-candy to a whole new level. From relaxed tunics, to sweeping caftans, to sporty yoga pants, each creation captures an adventurous spirit. Frati designs for women with an active, rich lifestyle and a savvy sense of fashion (you know who you are!). So snap up a few Sweet Pea pieces and discover your very own sweet spot for style." Click here to shop.

STELLA and DOT

Meet Jenny Foley, a new sponsor of Annechovie. She represents a wonderful line of jewelry by the name of Stella and Dot. The new Stella & Dot fall line was just released and it is irresistible! The collection was inspired by 1940's daytime glamour and includes a mix of vintage and modern styles. The line is extremely versatile and covers all the latest trends from embroidery to statement earrings and shades of berry. The pieces are made in the same high end factories that produce for companies like Coach, David Yurman, Marc Jacobs, and Christian Dior, yet at a fraction of the cost! Annechovie readers get 10% off your order throught August 5th! Browse the line at www.stelladot.com/jennyfoley and contact Jenny at jennyfoley1@yahoo.com to place your order or learn more about becoming a stylist - a ground floor opportunity you won't want to miss!

A NEW CHAIR SILHOUETTE COLLAGE

The latest in my ongoing series of handcut chair silhouette collages, this piece features an inticately delicate Chinoiserie style chair on a geranium pink background (so intricate that I had a serious case of scissor cramp upon completion!) Measures 12 x 16 inches on board with protective coating. Ready to frame or perfect as is! Limited edition. Available now on my Etsy site.

PAUL OF PARIS

Recently my blogging artist friend, Carol Gillot, wrote another one of her fascinating posts on PAUL, another landmark tea room and boulangerie in Paris. She painted this beautiful watercolor and also included some great photos from her visit there. It was so fun to see her photos and read her take on PAUL, because it is one of the places that stands out in mind from one of my trips. I love to live vicariously through her blog! She introduces me to places I have not yet been, as well as resurrecting many fond memories covering familiar territory.

(photo by Joshua Harwell)
Carol's post reminded me that my brother had taken some photos there, as we sat with our friends enjoying some afternoon refreshments. This little old man captured our attention. He was completely engrossed in a stack of papers haphazardly scrawled with figures and notes. He is one of those unique individuals you see that stick in your mind and make travel such an interesting experience. I imagined that he might be a professor at the nearby Sorbonne??

I love it when I run across someone else, be it on the internet or elsewhere, who shares a similar experience from their unique perspective. Do you enjoy taking photos of interesting people you see during your travels? Has anyone ever confronted you or dodged your camera lens?

A MINI MEOW

I am so loving this illustration by my Martha's Vineyard-based artist friend, Jamie Shelman. The Mini Cooper, the color, the fact that a CAT is driving it.....vaguely reminiscient of my days as a kid reading Richard Scarry's books. Utterly charming. Snap it up here and have a really good weekend!!

BAG THESE DEALS.....

I love this witty and charmingly subversive bag from from legendary French design house Longchamp. There is a give-away with a secret start, so join ideeli now to enter!

More great deals today on ideeli! Mikael Aghal, Hobo and Free People - check them out here.

CLAYTON GRAY HOME GIVE-AWAY WINNER!!

CONGRATULATIONS to Averill - she's the lucky winner in the Clayton Gray Home give-away! She will receive the gorgeous and green (in more ways than 1!) desk set. A special thank-you to all who participated and to Clayton Gray Home.

ARTIST TURNS BATGIRL

Taking some time out from my regular job last week for a private tour and visit to Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. Fun to visit the player's locker room and hang out in the dugout for a bit, but I'm not quitting my day job just yet.

CLAYTON GRAY HOME GIVE-AWAY

I feel very fortunate to have such a great relationship with sponsor Clayton Gray Home. The owner, Wendy Garraty, has tons of style and class and is as nice as she can be. For the month of July, she asked me to pick my top ten from Clayton Gray Home, along with a mini interview - you can check out here.

Today and tomorrow on Annechovie, Clayton Gray Home is sponsoring a great "green" give-away. It's a recycled cotton desk set, valued at $95.
The seven pieces in the set include: file box, magazine/file holder, journal, mail sorter, business card holder, pencil cup and note slip holder.
This unusual desk set from Arcadia Home manufacturers is made from recycled cotton salvaged from the apparel industry in India. Each item is made from "khadda," which is the unbleached hand spun rags left over from the garment industry production. No harsh chemicals or dyes are used in processing the material. The 100% cotton products are water resistant and hand-made by rural craftsmen in India. Not to mention the fact that this set also happens to be such a fabulous shade of green!

In order to enter, you must do 2 things by the end of tomorrow, Tuesday, July 21st:
1. Leave a comment on this post about the item
2. Go to the Clayton Gray Home site and signup for the mailing list (which will include discounts for future products, new arrivals etc....). The sign up box is at the bottom right of the home page.

The winner will be chosen by computer-generated number via random.com and announced by Thursday, July 23. Go for it!

213 INDUSTRY DRESS SALE AT IDEELI

Check out these great values on chic and comfortable 213 Industry dresses at ideeli now!