Another Mermaid Make : Bella Luna Shawl

I'm patiently waiting on the full moon rise tonight...

...So, I thought it would be the perfect time to share my latest crochet "make"!!...

It's the Bella Luna Shawl by Nicky Epstein for Lion Brand!!

Stitched up from about 7 skeins of Vanna's Choice yarn in linen, 

it's the largest project I've tackled to date...

I'd describe the end result as an avant garde, soft 'n squishy, warm 'n cozy, blanket scarf....delight!! 

Read all about this crochet adventure (and others!) on my Ravelry page.

...Now I'm off to the beach, with camera in hand...

to quite literally, "shoot the moon"!!

Have a spectacular Full Moon, summer evening!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Beaches, and Rainbows, and Sunsets! Oh, My!

Yesterday ( #SundayFunday ),

was one of those awesome, once in a lifetime sort of days...

that we seem to be having every week lately!!

The early morning started with dazzling, 

twinkling light and lots of summer bird songs,

followed by time spent splashing in the wild and wonderful high tide surf!!

I washed that experience down with a joyful ride on the carousel (always a treat)

and still the best $2 you can spend on the Westside (in my opinion)!!

...And then wow!!

  The day ended with a spectacular rainbow 

that preceded a brilliant purple and pink sunset,

full of surprise and delight!!

I hope today is filled with 

memories of wonderful weekend things for you as well!!...

Happy♥Monday!!

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Friday Flower Pick : Pearlescent Hibiscus

Pearlescent hibiscus flowers, pink ombré bougainvillea, 

and sweet smelling honeysuckle...

...They're the things that June daydreams are made of!!

...And they're also today's Friday Flower Pick!!

...brought to you just in time...

at the dawning of what's sure to be another fabulous summer weekend!!

I'm looking forward to splashing in the surf, some recreational sewing, 

dining al fresco, and Santa Monica's (early) fireworks celebration!!

...Wishing you a weekend full of summer fun too!!

Happy♥Friday!!
Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

New Summer Caftans

So.

Many.

New.

Caftans.

I'm having a blast getting summer photo shooting started!!

The studio is set up with

the ocean breeze fluttering through my curtains 'n sparkle streamers,

some dazzling sunshine is lighting up the scene,

...and The Very Best of Enya is floating out of the speakers!!

The end result?! 

There's a splash of new summer caftans landing in my shop this week!!

Here are a few of my recent favorites:

Looking for the links?!:

Lavender Mini Ruffle Caftan.

White Lace Mini Caftan.

Coral Cotton Lace Caftan.

Teal Jersey Knit Mini Caftan.

Hydrangea and Orchid Print Mini Muumuu.

Red Maxi Ruffle Caftan.

White Maxi Ruffle Caftan.

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Cruising the Venice Canals

...Just a couple of sunny snapshots from my afternoon
cruise around the canals!!

The light there is pure magic...
so many flower gardens are bursting into bloom...
and there is no place else I'd rather be!!

...Except back at the mermaid workshop, sewing=)...
...with a charming little mockingbird (singing his heart out) to keep me company!!

Have♥A♥Nice♥Day.

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Words of Wisdom : Summer Reading

“Oh! I am delighted with the book! 

I should like to spend my whole life in reading it.” 

-Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

Currently, I'm reading (and absolutely loving) 

My Year with Eleanor by Noelle Hancock...

And that quote from my favorite Jane Austen novel,

expresses my sentiments exactly!!

Exciting, funny, inspiring and totally charming,  

My Year with Eleanor is a perfect summer read...

...that I'd like to spend my whole life reading!!

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Summer Solstice Style

Mother Nature did not disappoint on the first day of summer!!

...She ushered in the new season with sparkling sunshine
and a fresh, salty breeze...

It was a perfect day to wade out at low tide, splashing in the surf...

and celebrate summer, mermaid style!!

 ...Speaking of mermaid style...

How about winning a dash of your own?!

Aquariann and Mademoiselle Mermaid invite you to enter our giveaway, 

featuring a fabulous red, white, 'n blue mermaid pendant!!

4th of July mermaid fantasy art by Aquariann. 
Pendant necklace by Mademoiselle Mermaid.

Enter now for a chance to win!!

Happy♥Summer!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Friday Flower Pick : Purple Gladiolus

A spray of amethyst-hued, delicately translucent gladiolus 

stretches toward the tree tops from a sturdy green stalk...

...Brightening up an otherwise (still) pretty grey, June-gloomy sky.

I made a beeline for them (like I do)...

with camera in hand, 

to capture the simple loveliness of the moment.

Happy♥Friday!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

It's Bloomsday : Words of Wisdom

"I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. 

I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day."

-James Joyce

Every day is a sort of bloomsday at Mademoiselle Mermaid...

But today, June 16th, is the official Bloomsday...

...a celebration and reenactment of James Joyce's Ulysses in Dublin and beyond. I'm marking the occassion with June blooms and an inspirational quote from the much loved author and poet!!

Happy♥Bloomsday!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Mermaid Makes : Lion Brand Floral Collar

It's Sunday Funday...and still very June-gloomy out there!!

...So, after my long walk in the light rain these past two days, I've settled in to finish some fun personal projects that have been on the hooks recently!!

First up?! 

...It's this stunning floral collar stitched with the Lion Brand pastel bonbons and courtesy of their fabulous 'n free pattern online!!

Read all about my crochet adventures on Ravelry, and find the pattern right here.

....and stay tuned for more mermaid makes if this drizzly, cloudy weather keeps up=)!

...(For the record, I don't mind a bit!!)

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Friday Flower Pick : Fairy Guerilla Gardening

Don't follow too close behind me on my beach cruiser...

because I'm always braking for flowers...

...particularly for those of the pinkish/purplish, bell-shaped variety!!

I was cruising down the hills of Ocean Park Boulevard the other morning, 

at some time very near the crack of dawn...

when I spied these unidentified beauties, 

surprisingly nestled beside an ordinary curb.

...I've never seen such beautiful ombré flowers before...

so naturally, I have to assume this impromptu planting 

must be the work of a mysterious 

fairy guerilla gardener=)!!

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid