Photo Arrangement's...

I enjoyed using the outdoors for

product shooting last summer. You can't beat the lighting and sharp detail that natural light produces in pictures. This is one of my favorite shots. I had just picked the hydrangea's and their mossy green and powder blue variegated display brought joy to my eyes.

Using the old tattered scale as a prop was even more fun.

I tend to lean toward a simple less cluttered look rather than a bunch of stuff gathered.

It's cold outside now and winter is settling in for a spell. I don't think I'll be taking any outdoor product shots soon, but as soon as Spring ushers in her warm breeze I'll be back at it.

I recently designed a sign for a friends business kind of similar to the pictures above.

Still some tweaking to do, but this is the prototype sign for her new boutique.

I really like it. I also designed another sign for her second business. The two boutiques will be back and back with one another. Kind of tricky when designing signs so close to one another, but these are going to look grand!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,
Jill 00
Two hugs are better than one

BITTERSWEET STUDIO OPEN ON SATURDAYS UNTIL X-MAS ♥

We've made fresh batches of everything Bittersweet! Aromatic Holiday Soaps, Linen Soap Bags, Peppermint Laundry Powder, Pinnie Aprons, Moisture Rich Body Creme, Sugar Baby Exfoliate, Peppermint Lip Balm, and over 100 more unique handmade essentials that if gifted will surely please the most fastidious recipient!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00

Two hugs are better than one

Happy Thanksgiving

My friend Julie...

H'm that postcard design looks very similar to your new blog.

After designing this card for my friend Julies upcoming open house I loved the flashy colors and holiday graphics so that I.....

You would love my friend Julies shop!

The boutique is nestled on the main floor of a

beautiful century old home which is the perfect

backdrop for the vintage theme you will find

throughout. Cottage, Shabby-chic and Romantic

style decorating is my niche. It's all about lacy

linens, pretty plates, teacups and saucers, old

floral hats and beaded purses. Pictures, with

unique frames, from the 50's and earlier cover

the walls along.....read more here.

I took this picture a few years ago. I absolutely love this soft pink gown.

If you ever decide to visit my little town, make sure you drop by my friends adorable shabby chic shop!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00

Two hugs are better than one

Holiday 2010

Personalize a photo slideshow

Apron Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Mary LeAnn on winning the pinny giveaway on our sister site Bittersweet and the little soap company.
We will be treating Mary LeAnn with the lavender pinny and some Bittersweet goodies too!
Happy Holidays Mary LeAnn!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.
Happily,
Jill 00
Two hugs are better than none

Holiday Vintage Studio and a GIVEAWAY!.

The Saturday Studio is decking the halls and feeling anxious about the upcoming open house!
Once I get things put together I think a little slide show would be in order so you can peek around.

The holidays are always special at Calico Petals and Bittersweet Soap!

This holidays theme is "a natural Christmas." Only making one purchase, the frosty glistening tree everything else green and recycled and re purposed. I'll be sharing some creative holiday decorating ideas on the slide show.

Don't miss out on the apron giveaway at Bittersweet. Will be posting Monday!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,
Jill 00
Two hugs are better than one

Friends of Calico and Bittersweet

I'd like to introduce you to my friend Kelly. She's the proprietress of Farmstead.
Kelly has one of the most prettiest most unique farms you'll ever see!
Farmstead has horses, chickens, a beautiful barn, stunning out buildings that are move in ready, tents decked out for cozy camping with girlfriends complete with old fashioned tub.
She also offers creative retreats each month. At the retreats you can learn how to make a variety of handmade things.

When I had my shop downtown Kelly opened a shop next door. We became shop neighbors and friends during that time.
She's since closed her shop as did I and we're both branching out in exciting directions.
I'll be working with Kelly on some logo design work this week. Her new adventure is still hush, hush so I can't spill the beans. Darn it, don't you hate that?

Anyway pop on over to my friend Kelly's blog and check out Farmstead. I think you'll like it there.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.
Happily,

Jill 00
Two hugs are better than one

Halloween

Always pass Halloween right up around here. Not my favorite holiday. Wait a moment is it considered a holiday? Oh, I guess it is categorized a holiday, interesting.

If you are into Halloween then here are some vintage postcards from my library you may copy and use.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,
Jill 00
Two hugs are better than one

The shape of things to come at Calico Petals...

The process of transforming the studio into holiday-ish mood has began!
You can keep track of my progress by visiting my other little cottage blog,  Bittersweet.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00
Two hugs are always better than one

Tis the season continued...

Oh so behind schedule with these.... Had to move shipping up to safely guarantee I'll have them out on time!
I have always loved this vintage image of the little boy, timeless....
Digging my little slogan, "Unwrap the Holidays." Will be perfect to add to the holiday soap packaging.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.
Happily,

Jill 00
Two hugs are better than none

October Mood

I"m very fortunate to have access to my rich family history.
Believe it or not my uncle has traced my family back to 1200 where we came from Pakistan. Yes, I know it just doesn't seem possible to go back that many generations, but we have.
We then go to England, France and Germany and Ireland.  The history is quite interesting to say the least. This is on my Dad's side of the family.

My Mother's side doesn't go back quite that far, but nevertheless I do have a record back to 1700 or so.
If you have little or no knowledge of you family's past, I would highly encourage you to investigate a bit and dig up some family history.

I enjoy looking at my family's history books and keepsakes to learn a bit more about how they lived during different decades.

It's very satisfying to know about my great, great, great ancestors.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.
Happily,
Jill 00
Two hugs are better than one