Cute Boston Terriers? Frayed Sew!

This crazy cute little shop, Frayed Sew, in Helena, Montana (Is that not the best name ever for a handmade shop?) is celebrating two years in business this February. I worked up this ad for them yesterday to announce their anniversary sale and really wanted to share it with you, cuz, I have to say, I'm pleased as punch with it. It was inspired by some of the outtakes from the beagle project  I finished recently, with a little help from my love bird pals. Owner Becky Schreiner is a dream to work with and happens to have a little pooch or two like these Boston terriers. Aren't they sweet? 

Happy Friday and have a great, great weekend!

White Nights exhibition

There is a small gallery show at the University of Michigan's Institute for Humanities. It's called White Nights and according to the brochure is the collaborative work of Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz who created it after moving from Brooklyn to a rural area of Pennsylvania. The work makes me picture them huddled together on their couch within a big farmhouse at night, large pieces of furniture shoved up against the windows and doors, lights ablaze. That said, it is a wonderfully, beautiful show. A collection of large snow globes is at the center playing out quietly alarming narratives. These are surrounded by large photographs of similar landscapes, with equally stark, lush and startling stories to tell. 

The show runs through March 16th, culminating with a reading that night by Jonathan Lethem of his story "The Traveler Home," inspired by this work. I would encourage you to drop in and have a look. You can also see more of the work of Martin and Muñoz on their web site here.

Smoked paprika parsnip chips

I've been trying to expand the old vegetable roster around here and last week ran into some gorgeous, gorgeous photos of wide slivers of parsnips roasted to a toasty finish. Where, you might ask. Gosh, darn it if I know. No clue. I've wasted countless hours scouring the interwebs in search… to no avail. Perhaps I only dreamed of such beauty. During said scouring, however, this rendition of parsnip chips caught my eye. 

Now mind you, I don't like BBQ potato chips one bit. I always think I will and if someone has a bag, it seems predetermined that I snag a handful just to be sure I haven't change my mind. I haven't. But if they tasted anything like these babies, I would in a heartbeat. Smoky, sassy, parsnip-ity, perfect.   

Smoked Paprika Parsnip Chips

Adapted from babble.com
 

2 large parsnips
1-2 Tbsp olive oil, depending on size of parsnips
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Sea salt, to taste

Preheat oven to 350ºF. 

Scrub parsnips clean and trim both ends. (Nope, didn't even peel 'em.) Thinly slice into rounds. (A mandolin would probably make this a breeze, but the old knife did a fine job.)

Toss sliced parsnips with olive oil, vinegar and paprika. Spread in as close to a single layer as you can on a large rimmed baking sheet (Don't worry about a little overlap — these puppies shrink). 

Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are browned and curling and chips are crispy. Sprinkle with sea salt to taste.

Even better dipped in my new favorite dressing that I've been slathering on everything: salads, chips, finger.

More logo love: Deid Goods

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and were snuggled away against the cold like me  — or out lounging in the sun if you are somewhere warmer than Michigan! January has been a busy time for logos. Here's a look at one I finished recently for Deid Goods. I was introduced to Deb Eyde's beautifully constructed handbags at Blue House and was really excited to work on this project with her. She has such a wonderful eye for color and texture that is translated into an elegant yet whimsical line of  hand-sewn felted wool hand bags, pillows and accessories. Gorgeous!