These black and white polka dots will be lovely accents for a black tie wedding.
We made this glamorous collection of four clutches for couple who is tying the knot tonight at the Smith Tower here in Seattle.
I love the pop of watermelon bengaline that creates a bright surprise when the bag is unzipped.
Now that the gifts have been unwrapped and the holiday has passed, we can show you pictures of some of our favorite Christmas 2007 projects.
We made this collection of clutches for a local woman who wanted a special gift to commemorate a treasured family member named Violet. We made one for each of her female relatives.
We paired silk tweed with violet silk dupioni, and topped each Luxe Clutch with a unique vintage glass button.
I still feel like I did thirty years ago when looking at the magical Christmas tree and all of the beautiful boxes. 
She's a dressmaker and tailor in Nepal, and the first person to whom I've loaned money as part of Kiva. Have you heard about this website? It is an amazing micro-loan venue. You can loan money in $25 increments to entrepreneurs all over the world. I was thrilled to find a woman-owned business that needs money to buy fabric. How perfect. To learn more about Ambica, visit her page on Kiva.org.
These Christmas votives were a gift a few years back. A kind customer gave me a set of three as a Thank You for rushing a photo bag so that she could give it on Christmas day. I think that the best part about getting out the holiday decorations is remembering the story behind each sparkly item. It's a way to mark time and to be thankful for all of those small kindnesses.
On our tree-shopping excursion we made a pit stop at our favorite thrift shop. I found this box of vintage ornaments for a mere $1.50. I love the proud Made in the USA on the original box.
As Jeff and I searched for the perfect live tree today, I realized that I've had much more time and energy to enjoy the season this year. The store has been truly busy, but everything is much more organized and solid now than in past years. I am so thankful. 
Since I'm not much of a cook, I decided to use this Pyrex dish to hold these little gift cards from Letterspace Paper. I bought it at Goodwill for about a dollar. I guess that's called 'repurposing,' a term that I've heard quite a bit lately. I'm not sure if I like that word; it may grow on me. I do, however, find it fun to think of new uses for charming old items.
"What's that yer haulin' in that wagon?" one curious chipmunk asks another.
"Why, it's a white button for my winter pantry!"
Never one to make conservative sartorial choices, Otis enjoys mixing plaids and stripes.
For you dedicated blog readers, here's a special. From now through December 23rd, mention this offer and receive 20% off all holiday cards. We have some beauties in stock, such as these nostalgic Rudolph cards, and these cards I showed you a while back. It's not too late to send out seasonal greetings to friends and relatives. We have lots of great New Year's cards too.
I have a pair of these tiny bird earrings and I wear them all of the time. Made by our California friends at Classic Hardware, we sell these sweet studs for $12 a pair at our shop.
We know it's close to December when we get the pink tree out of storage. I bought it about five years ago here. It was even made in the US rather than in a factory across the world somewhere.
We've built lots of our signature pink bakery boxes and cut bright paper strips for our free gift wrap.
We hope you'll stop by to say hello!
We're giving away two $30 gift certificates next week.
Stop by the store to enter our guessing contests for a chance to win.
Ashley just made this sparkling silk wristlet for the store. 
The crystal button shimmers in the light.
Now this would make a great gift. 
Last year we offered Christmas cards for the first time and they sold so well, we have many more options this time around. (Cards on 100% recycled paper by Loose Petals.)
Who can resist unconventional colors and imagery? They still feel nostalgic, but new and fresh at the same time. (Cards on 100% recycled paper by Loose Petals.)
These peppermint cards are designed to showcase your own 4"x6" photograph on the inside. (Cards by Letterspace.)
We've also added some cute little gift tags this year. They're the perfect embellishment to a simply wrapped present. (Gift tags by Letterspace.)
If Christmas cards aren't your bag, then try a New Year's greeting. (Cards by NuVue Studio.)
Watching a bunch of strangers on Project Runway last night, we couldn't help but wonder which 'character' we'd root for in the upcoming weeks, which person we'd love to hate. The LBD peanut gallery weighs in:
Thanks to everyone who came to our party. The turnout was beyond our expectations. I had a great time seeing bags that we've made in the past come in to visit us on the arms of customers.
We had a little treat table with cider, candies and cookies. Yum.
The first hour of the party was the busiest. Wow, we've never had this many people in the place at once. Here you can see the checkout crew wrapping gifts in a flurry of pink tissue and bright bows.
Last night was one of the few times that the whole team works at once so we took a picture. From left: Debbie, Laura, Ashley, Rebecca, Katie and Ali.
These are a few of my favorite (new) things:
Here's an easy way to make hot spiced cider that I concocted recently. (This may be old news to those more domesticated than I am, but here goes.)
Inspired by the popularity of our small goods in our store, we've created Goodie Boxes. Arranged around a color theme, each bright take-out box contains five individually wrapped gifts.
In just over a week, we'll be celebrating our anniversary with a party at our shop. Local designer Heather Lewis will celebrate with us as she displays and sells her line of handmade jewelry.
Her collection, Crescent Moon Designs, has been popular in the shop all year. You also may have seen her at the Ballard Sunday Market over the summer.
Heather combines sterling silver with semiprecious stones and vintage lucite components to make unique, versatile pieces. In addition to her popular earrings, she'll have new work on hand, including necklaces and bracelets.
