Sarah Nussbaumer

One Thing Leads to Another

2012-01-27T04:44:00.000-08:00

Cascade of of multi-colored carrots inspired by a recent offering in Cook's Garden catalog combined with a continuing exploration of ideas from my Market Fresh 2012 calendar. Today it is winter again and with the weekend approaching I'll be getting some garden planning help from my son, the organic farmer.

Culling the Herd

2012-01-18T04:25:00.000-08:00

Ten mugs less in the cupboard. It is the beginning of my new year's resolution which is to go through all of the things that have accumulated. The goal is to have a leaner more meaningful home and life. It is hard though. The mug without the handle was a gift from my daughter when she went to camp in fourth grade. The red mug was part of a valentines gift. The dotted one is the last remaining item from one of my favorite wedding gifts, a set of four dotted breakfast plates and mugs.The blue and white one is from the grocery store, but I really like the pattern. The rest are easy, they all came on their own as giveaways, promotional gifts, or advertising.

It is Done

2012-01-17T04:24:00.000-08:00

It is done! Finally finished the recipe drawing for Nate and Salli's website They Draw and Cook. To see my recipe full size look here. It is so much fun participating and following what others are submitting. There are so many delicious recipes to try. Use the Dial-a-Dinner feature to breakout of the dinner dulls.

Swatch Collection

2012-01-12T08:41:00.000-08:00

The swatches of my collection Block Print Daisy arrived recently. It is really helpful to see how a design prints on fabric. Spoonflower does a great job of printing. I'm brainstorming on how to combine the different patterns and what to make with them. I'll be pouring over sewing patterns. If you have favorite projects or other suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Left Hand Page--They Draw and Cook

2012-01-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

This is the left hand side of the recipe for They Draw and Cook. It is almost done. I hope to post it to the site soon.

Right Hand Page--They Darw and Cook

2012-01-06T04:11:00.000-08:00

The image above is the beginning of a new recipe illustration for They Draw and Cook. The holidays was a fun time for us in the kitchen. Everyone pitched in with great ideas for meals. As a conclusion to the feasting, my daughter and I plan to make this intriguing citrus salad over the weekend.

Swatches

2012-01-04T04:42:00.000-08:00

Individual swatches of the designs for the coordinate collection.

Coordinates Fabric

2012-01-02T18:03:00.000-08:00

Details of patterns for the Spoonflower fabric of the week contest. My complete collection is here. Looking forward to getting the swatches for the collection soon. I thought the combination of the four patterns would make charming aprons. If you have other ideas let me know.

2012 Calendar Giveaway

2011-12-16T05:14:00.000-08:00

Thursday I picked up the calendar posters I had printed of my 2012 Market Fresh calendar. The calendar was inspired by my son, our own organic farmer. I'll have a garden for the whole year on my wall.

Let me know which on is your favorite. Leave a comment below with your choice. The drawing will be announced on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.

The 2012 year-at-a-glance calendar is printed on a high quality digital press on satin finish heavy poster paper and measures 12x18.

The calendars are up in my Etsy shop now.

Signal Return Letterpress Workshop

2011-12-12T04:43:00.000-08:00

AIGA Detroit arranged a great workshop this past weekend at Signal Return. It is a nonprofit studio dedicated to advancing the art of letterpress printing. The shop plans to offer an ongoing schedule of workshops, present exhibits and offer items for sale.

Season's Change

2011-12-01T04:16:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was a telecommute day because of the snow and rain this area experienced. The drive home Tuesday evening while slow and intense, had its moments of beauty as the snow swirled wildly. The real reward was waking up to a frosted wonderland. The first sticking snow of the season. A lunchtime walk along country roads was a delight.

Detail-French Songbook

2011-11-28T02:55:00.001-08:00

Some details from the back of an old French songbook. I found this when cleaning out a closet at my mom's. She had it saved at the bottom of a stack of towels. I love the style and the old four color printing. The bottom detail shows how the background was made. It looks like a jumping off point for personal explorations.

Almost Ready

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is almost ready. I've been working on final adjustments to my 2012 Tea Towel calendar. View the Spoonflower top ten winners for the 2012 calendar contest. I hope to have mine posted at Spoonflower soon and in my shop at Etsy as well.

Marsh with Winter Berries

2011-11-19T11:22:00.001-08:00

Continuing exploration with massing of texture areas.

French Lesson

2011-11-17T04:52:00.001-08:00

From a Heath's Petit Larousse Illustre, 1924

Autumn Thoughts

2011-11-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

On my commute in the mornings the light and the trees are so beautiful. Today was especially lovely. The vegetation was drenched in moisture from last night's rain. All of the colors were the wonderful jewel tones of autumn. I am working on a way to capture some of the texture, shape and color mixing. Above is my first attempt.

Yesterday's Walk

2011-10-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the air was cool and crisp. The sun came out after the midday sleet. It was a perfect afternoon for a woodland walk.

The End

2011-10-27T19:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the weather was glorious. It was also the weekend to put our 10'x10' garden to bed for the winter. Even though the wheelbarrow was full of exhausted plants. we took home a large bag of end of the season spinach, lettuce, dill and carrots.

Root Vegetables--One Thing Leads to Another

2011-10-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was the deadline at Spoonflower to submit a design for the root vegetables contest. I just squeaked in my submission. The jist of the entry pleased me but I felt a little more exploration would help. Maybe or maybe there are other ways to go. The photo shows thumbnails of 16 possibilities. Where to go next is the big question. Take a look and vote for the many interesting designs in this weeks contest. So many great patterns to choose.

2011-10-03T03:25:00.000-07:00

Autumn leaves napkin. Soon to be in my shop.

Really Red

2011-09-26T02:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday in our area the day was glorious. Just the type of weather you hope to wake up to if you are going to a football game. Didn't go to a football game but basked in the warming sun and noticed all the new colors on the trees. Every autumn I'm struck by the intensity and variety of colors. Many new ideas percolating for designs. Detail of a hickory leaf.

Salt of the Earth

2011-09-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

WW Cinnamon Raisin bread from Salt of the Earth Bakery and Restaurant is a most delicious treat.I had grand plans for it, luscious overnight custardy French Toast in thick slices. The loaf was so good that we just ate it toasted with fresh butter. We had it for breakfast and desert for lunch and desert for dinner. You get the idea, it was just irresistible. Overnight FrenchToast or Custard French Toast come closest to how my mom made french toast.

Josephine's recipe

3 eggs, beaten yellow and frothy
1 tsp. sugar for each egg used

1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. milk

4 slices sweet or sour dough French bread, 1 inch thick
2-3 tbsp. butter

It is important to let the bread soak up all of the mixture. If the bread seems to be dry in the middle add another egg and a 1/4c milk and sugar. Once the bread is fully saturated carefully transport to a heated skillet with melted butter. Adjust the heat so that the bread toasts but doesn't burn. Serve with more butter and dust with powdered sugar to finish. The best weekend breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on your mood.

2011-09-23T04:46:00.000-07:00

These are some of the wonderful fabrics that were designed for the recent Spoonflower Autumn three color contest. Above are some of my favorites. I'm hoping to have something ready for the Ditsy Print contest. Check back for a sneak peak. Check out the upcoming topic list for the weekly contests and join in the fun.

Nature's Pace Organic

2011-09-19T03:41:00.000-07:00

New to the Clarkston market this year is Nature's Pace Organics an organic farm owned and operated by Katie and Jacob. Their delightful blog charts the enthusiasm and commitment they bring to whole living. For great variety and wonderful quality produce their booth is always worth a visit. The head of lettuce was the centerpiece of a very tasty recent summer salad.

New Discoveries

2011-09-14T04:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I noticed at Spoonflower there is a place to post your own custom banner. So while developing the banner in Illustrator I discovered the Symbol Sprayer Tool. It is my new favorite.

For a quick impromptu design it sort of works. More soon as I develop this idea a bit.