I waited all summer for my hibiscus plant to bloom and finally it did! Next year I’m going to make sure I plant more flowers. I should start this fall by planting some bulbs, which I say I’m going to do every year but never do.

Today is the official start of fall. My mind seems to be preoccupied these days with thoughts of making fall-appropriate clothing and getting mentally prepared for holiday gift making. Is it too soon?

• i must be thinking about fall. i’m sewing black clothing and wanting black shoes. like these.

• nikole posted her first recipe, peach cream cakes! i can not wait to make these.

• you can never have enough terrariums. it might be time for me to make another!

• i’ve been thinking a lot about making a skirt with a zipper down the front… this one has two!

• wonderful patchwork post

• just discovered Jessica Marquez via heart handmade. instant love, everything is so beautiful!

• this is the coolest calendar i have ever seen.

• i want to make mini pies shaped like apples!

• cutest thing. slinkachu’s clothesline in italy. (via notcot)

• i especially love the stuffed toys from lucky boy sunday (via Oh Joy!)

• great find! via Giant Dwarf: custom woven sew-in labels. old fashioned cuteness + super cheap!

• oh my yumminess! nikole posted a recipe for blackberry sangria

• clever becky is sharing her security envelope project with the world in fabric form

• coolest pockets i’ve seen – navy blue draped pocket dress (with pink cardigan!)

• lovely design has reprinted her beautiful conifers & beautiful leaves posters! i can complete my set now.

• how a sewing machine works. very enlightening animation.

• i miss fashion week. Karen Walker‘s S/S 2010 collection is full of fun prints.

• loving the cape, but those shoes!!! WOW.

• skirt inspiration in blue

I’ve been meaning to talk about how cool the patterns are inside of security envelopes for a while now. I’ve been collecting them aimlessly for a few months now. Finally, I’ve been nudged into action with the opportunity to also talk about how cool Becky is too.

Becky has a never-ending list of cool crafty-ness on her resume. Her company, Sweetie Pie Press has been supplying the universe (literally) with sweet one inch buttons since the beginning of time. (or at least for many many years) She is also a part of and affiliated with City of Craft, Toronto Craft Alert and Church of Craft. Her craft influence is not just based here in Toronto. She’s currently wrapping up a North American tour of the craft fair circuit. It’s impressive and you can (and you should) read all about her adventures on her super entertaining blog.

Back to the envelopes. Becky has hatched a plan for a massive art project that involves the collection of security envelopes from around the world. In exchange for any envelopes you might be willing to send to her, she will send you a set of security envelope buttons. What a deal! Read all about it here.

Also – Jill told me about Kristiina Lahde who makes cool art from security envelopes. There is treasure in to be found in that pile of pesky bills!

security envelope button sets – photo by Becky