Valerie Lloyd
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Copyright Valerie Lloyd 2012
Smile Mercantile
Unique Vintage and Handmade Goods.
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Reboot
Posted by Valerie on January 3, 2012
Having a cup of tea, polishing off an ENORMOUS tin of Christmas cookies, and thinking about stuff I'd like to do in the coming year. I'm not big on resolutions, but I am a planner, and I like to use the turning of the years to gain perspective and direction. We have so little time that I really want to make it count - if you know what I mean.
The Smile Mercantile has made me so incredibly happy in the last year, and it brings me such satisfaction to do what I love. It also has enabled me to devote real energy to my artistic pursuits which I feel brings me closer to my true purpose. Basically I guess what I'm saying is that I'm grateful, optimistic, and SO excited to see what the new year will bring. So here's to endless possibilities!
A Black & White Day
Posted by Valerie on January 15, 2012
It's snowing! It snows so rarely in Seattle that when it happens I get REALLY excited. I've been glued to the window for hours happily tracking the flakes as they fall. Everything is so bright and lovely. So here's an ode to a beautiful day with some of my favorite monochromatic items from the shop.
It's all about LOVE
Posted by Valerie on February 15, 2012
So Khris and I have been on a bit of a diet for the last 4 or 5 weeks. We've basically stopped cooking with oils, and eliminated most meats and dairy, including cheese and butter. (Except I have thus far refused to give up my tablespoon of coffee creamer in the morning!!!) Most of our meals have been essentially vegan, and, for the most part, we've both found it surprisingly easy to do. We've both slimmed down some already, and I have to say the most noticeable change is in how I feel. Far less tired, my skin looks better, and I have this sense that my body is working more efficiently.
With Valentine's Day happening I wanted to indulge, but I didn't want to upend all of our efforts. So I ended up making a BIG vegan brownie for my honey bunny that tasted absolutely amazing. Instead of butter and eggs I used two pears blended in the food processor until it was a moist sauce. You couldn't taste the pear flavor at all, and you'd never guess that there were no eggs, butters, or oils. And Khris, of course, was thrilled to see this treat displayed on our wedding china!
For the Love of Fabric
Posted by Valerie on February 23, 2012
My grandmother's sewing room was a small light-filled space just off of the kitchen in the house that my grandfather had built. She had an old style washing machine there, a work table, and a bank of shelves built up to the ceiling. The shelves held box after box of meticulously organized fabrics, ribbons, and trims. I would marvel at all of the beautiful vintage prints, exotic brocades, and her incredible collection of embroidered linens. As a dealer now, I know this stuff was the best of the best. A carefully curated collection amassed over a lifetime. She packaged and sorted each piece, and boxed it according to type. Impeccable. As a young girl, to open one of those boxes with her was always a treat - to see her prized finds laid out like candy.
It was from her that I gained my appreciation of fabric, and making things by hand. The time, the effort, and the proof of humans' capacity for creativity. She and the sewing room are both gone, but I like to think that her passion has been passed along to me, where it is deeply cherished.
I received my recent fabric order today - a selection of my favorite mouth-watering cottons, and I wish Gramma was still here to appreciate it with me. I know she would totally get it. Unwrapping this glorious stack of yardage makes me so impossibly giddy! I'm excited to spend some time with it, and get right down to joyfully making things.
Spring Colors
Posted by Valerie on April 4, 2012
Easter is almost here, and it's starting to feel like spring! It's warmer, NOT dark outside at 5pm, and there are flowers everywhere I look. YES! Oh yay.
I've also been going crazy for anything pastel. A pastel addict. Like the Easter Bunny! Though that might just be his required work uniform.
Things have been super busy for me, which is great and I LOVE it. Not a lot of downtime though. I'm thinking I might take it easy for Easter and cook something simple. Perhaps not my usual giant ham drenched in butter and beer...though that does sound awfully tempting!!!
Easter
Posted by Valerie on April 8, 2012
Making the day special with simple delights. For dinner I decided to make pasta with asparagus and portabellos rather than a labor intensive meat dish. So that freed me up to make some other fun things to enjoy.
I made a celebration loaf embellished with dyed hard-boiled eggs. For the bread I used a very basic pain de campagne dough, shaped into a beautiful design. Once you get the bread making process down, it's a really great go-to dough for any holiday. It has a rustic texture and flavor and goes with everything.
I also found a new use for my Swedish tartlet tins. Egg stands! Cute decoration, and sooo simple.
Picking Flowers from my Paper Garden
Posted by Valerie on May 7, 2012
Been doing LOTS of wedding flowers lately! It's really one of my most favorite things to do, and such an honor to contribute to my brides' special days. Working with book paper to make my blooms is really exciting for a vintage addict like me. I'm always on the hunt for amazing old books and sheet music. Every now and then I show up to an estate sale that turns out to be a real gem for ephemera and literature - and that's when I go into crazy squirrel mode and whip out my shopping bags. Then it comes down to choosing which papers would make the most beautiful flowers, (and to check to make sure I'm not going to cut up a rare first edition or something!!) Usually I can find books that have bindings in poor condition but beautiful interiors - that's the best score.
