Fresh Colors...

I had such fun doing these envelopes and tags for a lovely bride in Los Angeles...the beautiful invites are by Sycamore Street Press. Don't they make you feel fully ready for Spring? I love the pairing of teal and coral.

Lemon Tart with Pinenut Crust

Okay, I admit it. We stole some lemons. But they were on a huge tree! In the yard of an abandoned house! They were going to go to waste! So we took some, and I made this tart, the recipe found here. This tart is amazing. I could eat it every day for the rest of my life and probably never get tired of it- although I probably wouldn't fit into my favorite jeans anymore. But it might be worth it. And there is something so relaxing about the process of making the sabayon (the filling). Does anyone else find themselves doing some seriously productive pondering while they are baking?

Whales

I don't remember where I stumbled upon the link to this little print shop, but I absolutely fell in love with this whale print. I'm crushed that they are sold out. But anyway, it reminded me of the really interesting article I just read in National Geographic about blue whales. What amazing, majestic creatures! I would love to go whale watching sometime. Have any of you ever done that?

Another Wedding featured in New York Magazine

I did the calligraphy for this lovely wedding- photos found in New York Magazine. I love the boutonnières made of bluebells and cotton, don't you?

Sabino Canyon

Since it is Rodeo Break here in Tucson and Nick had a couple days off, we decided to go hike in Sabino Canyon yesterday morning. It was so lovely- perfect weather, perfect company, and I have perfectly sore muscles today. Yikes! I guess that's what 7.5 miles will do to you! We have plenty of work to do the rest of the long weekend, unfortunately, but it was nice to escape for a morning, at least.

xoxox

I found this vintage postcard in a shop in New York City, and it hangs framed all the year round, but it is especially appropriate for Valentine's Day, don't you think? And it reminds me of Mr. Rogers asking "Won't ya be my neighbor?!" every time I walk by it. So hilarious.
It's been a crazily busy week for me, trying to complete several personal jobs, along with getting all of Hello Handmade's Valentine orders out in the mail. I'm definitely ready for the weekend to start!

I did find time to make another loaf of this lovely bread this week - I'm trying to get into the rhythm of making a loaf every week for our sandwiches, in addition to other bread experiments...I'll keep you posted! My friend Marianne and I went to an enlightening King Arthur Flour Bread Workshop a couple of weekends ago, and I'm more inspired than ever to try to bake all of our own bread. Do you have any bread recipes you are particularly loving right now?

Personalized Valentines from Hello Handmade!

Oh, I'm just so excited to introduce this project! For Valentine's Day, Shanna and I are offering personalized valentines; Shanna illustrated and designed the letterpressed cards depicting a sweet pair of enamored foxes, and my part of the project is inscribing the love note on the back! We love this project and think it is so unique and different from anything out there. Check out our shop and the details here! Send one to your sweetie!

Wedding at Blue Hill Farm

When Nick and I were in New York last summer, we were so happy to be able to meet two of my clients for a lovely little dinner. I was thrilled to see their wedding featured in New York Magazine! It took place on Blue Hill Farm, an amazing looking venue for a wedding. And don't you just love her dress?!

Via Frolic

Painstakingly Opaque...

Here are some lovely gray envelopes I just completed for a bride across the country...opaque or lined envelopes always take much longer because of the necessity of hand-ruling each one and then erasing the line once the ink dries --thus the extra charge per envelope! Result? A perfectly straight address.

Sweet Monograms

These little monogram cards were commissioned by a friend for a Christmas gift, but I can't help but think how sweet they would be as a bridesmaid's gift or a surprise for a newly married couple. Monograms always seem so sweetly old-fashioned to me. Don't you think? Such a tangible symbol of the joining of two names and lives....

The Amazing Tartine Bakery

One of my absolute favorite parts of being in San Francisco last week was visiting the amazing bakery, Tartine. I have had the Tartine cookbook for about a year, and have loved all the recipes I have tried, including the addicting crackers pictured below, but nothing could have prepared me for the amazingness of visiting it in person.

We had to wait in a line outside for quite a while before we got in the door, and by the time we got to the counter to order, we had to make decisions extremely quickly, and unfortunately, we got overwhelmed and went a little crazy, as you can see from the top photo, ordering a banana cream tart, a slice of quiche, an eclair filled with vanilla custard, a chocolate croissant, meringue cookies with cocoa nibs, coconut macaroons, iced coffee.....it was so lusciously decadent. The atmosphere was bustling and friendly, the decor was rustic and a little indie, all at the same time. It was a perfectly appropriate way to eat on the final day of 2008, with resolutions for much healthier consumption in the new year making up most of our conversation for the next hour. It was so worth it.

Pacific Coast Highway...

Nick and I had an absolutely amazing trip up the Pacific Coast Highway over the last week. What a beautiful way to start the new year...Happy New Year, everyone!

Merry and Bright...

I've been seeing some really sweet little Christmas "house tours" on the design blogs over the last couple days, and wanted to give one of my own! I am so drawn to really simple decorations....images tacked up on the fridge, natural looking wreaths, things made lovingly by hand. I think everything should be beautiful and simple this time of year, reminding me and my family of the beautifully simple reason for the season. What about you? Feel free to link your own tour to this post....I love peeking in other people's homes. Merry Christmas, everyone!

The Plan

For our Christmas present to each other this year, Nick and I are contemplating taking a trip up Highway 1 to see the Redwoods. Our plan is to not really have a plan, just to stop in whatever city we fancy along the way. I really can't wait. Is anyone else doing any traveling after Christmas?

Mmmm...

Perfect for the day after Thanksgiving.....an english muffin with Trader Joe's cranberry apple butter. So addicting.

Sisters.

This year I am incredibly thankful for my precious sisters, among so many other amazing blessings. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

kettles and slippers....

So shopping for a new tea kettle last week, Nick and I discovered that apparently we are total kettle snobs. Anyway, one long winding drive around town later, we scooped up this lovely Le Creuset and have been drinking tea like crazy, trying to pretend that it is actually below 70 degrees out during the day. (It's sadly not.)
I know it is totally dorky to blog about tea kettles and tea, but while we're on the subject I had to blather on about my favorite tea in the world for just one minute. I first had this tea that summer I spent in Austria, and it is just the best ever. Ever. It was sold at this shop down the street from where I was staying, but happily I discovered that I could buy it online when I got back home! It's the simple pleasures in life that make it sweet, yes?
I've also been wearing these cheery new slippers to try to coax the Tucson weather to turn chilly. No luck yet. Still watering the garden in a tank top. Any other Tucsonans inpatient for cozy weather?!

Holiday goodies

Shanna and I are launching our small holiday collection this morning! Take a peek!

Hello Handmade!

I am thrilled to announce the grand opening of Hello Handmade, the new online shop that I am opening today with the wonderful Shanna Murray. Shanna and I have never met in person, but have become fast friends despite the many miles between us, and I treasure her so much. She is incredibly talented, not to mention the kindest person ever, and we have so many exciting projects swimming around in our heads, that we can't wait to see to completion. We have been lovingly working on these current projects for such a while now, and are excited to finally have them out there for all to see! Feel free to stop by and check it out! Available starting today are a 2009 calendar and a Christmas print, and later in the week some holiday cards and gift tags will be joining the spread. Thanks so much, all!

{Hello Handmade = Betsy Dunlap + Shanna Murray}

UPDATE!
P.s. Check out all these amazing posts about us below- we are so blown away! Thank you so much everyone!
Design Sponge
Frolic
Creature Comforts
Decor 8
Oh Joy!
Poppytalk