a lovely little week...

some new photos from this week....
Amy's maternity shoot:
(finally finished editing these!)



my boyfriend, Jeremy, and his adorable niece, Bella....


a few more photos that Will took of me earlier this week...


i am going to my parent's house for the weekend (to house sit while they are out of town...) excited to play with the pugs and play around in my mom's painting studio! :)

i leave you with a few *beautiful* Mark Ryden images...



and a few *beautiful* hand made things i've discovered on flickr.com this week...

so pretty! 

very cute collection!
 
these are rad!

and *this* cracks me up! loooove.
Ok... bedtime!
Lovelove. elsie

p.s. since i turned on "comment moderation" a few months ago i've read every *single* comment that has come through.... it's been really fun and encouraging. i know i don't get to respond to everyone all of the time, but i wanted you to know that your comments really do make my day! Thank You! Reading them has really been a great reminder of all the positive and kind people who read this blog and it has definitely inspired me to post more as of late..... what can i say? you are wonderful!

Comments

[Melina {gingerkitty}]

Good morning,
How are you? I really love the coloring in your photos.

Have a fantastic day.

Namaste

[Relly]

Those maternity photos are yummy.
I really love the processing work you do on your photos too.

It's nice to see you so happy, Elsie.

(oh btw, Toby loves looking though your book and naming the stuff in there because it's so bright and fun - scrapbooking, fun AND educational ;-))

[stella]

have a wonderful weekend linda elsie! enjoy life! :)

[grungedandy.co.uk]

right back at ya you inspire us to do stuff too have a fun time with the pug love seeya hugya *G*

[ana]

*love* the photos of your boyfriend and his neice...he looks very comfortable with little kiddos! you are lucky! Always looking for more baby photo ideas...i enjoyed them!

[sofia]

You are wonderful too! I can't really put into words what an inspiration you have been to me this past year.

[Lan]

You've got an awesome blog Elsie! Love all the pictures and seeing what inspires you. That suitcase photo is awesome. Have a great day!

[Michelle B]

Love your style and all your stuff Elsie! It seems from your posts recently you really are happy and content with your life and that is wonderful my dear! Keep doing what you do - because it is great!

[Shealynn Benner]

Elsie.

The pictures of your honey and his niece are priceless! :) He looks pretty comfortable holding a baby. ;) he he he.

Thanks for the inspo! And I LOVE those little felt cameras!

[Shealynn Benner]

Elsie.

The pictures of your honey and his niece are priceless! :) He looks pretty comfortable holding a baby. ;) he he he.

Thanks for the inspo! And I LOVE those little felt cameras!

[tess1960]

Elsie, I love your blog, I check it every morning. You really start my days off great.
I love these pregnancy pics, so many women are camera shy during this time and do not realize how lovely a belly photo can be. You did a great job. Love the back to back pose too. The Ryden images are so lovely and whimsical. I see how they caught your eye. I can relate with that doll, LOL! Sometimes the silly me and the grumpy me fight for ownership of my brain!!! LOL
Do have a great and wonderful weekend, don't mess up moms painting studio too too much! :-)
Tess

[Michelle Dobbyn]

Wow!! Elsie I lOVE your photos here!! The ones you took, and the ones Will took!!! Beautiful!!! :]

[Amanda]

Hey Elsie -- it always excites me when I see in Google Reader that "A Beautiful Mess" has been updated! I always go straight to it! :D Thanks for posting and sharing some of your inspiration, your work (beautiful maternity pics, btw!!) and your life! We love being a part of it in some small way! :]

[Delilah]

I was wondering what type of camera you used for the pic of Jeremy and bella (the first one) i just love the colors!

[Alycia Hildebrand]

Love the maternity pictures!! YOu're SO talented!! Slightly jealous over here! lol!

[pam]

OMG, that picture of you with the suitcase is one of my all time favorites, soooooo cute! :)

[Mandy]

Your blog is such a wonderful place to visit, I cant imagine logging into my computer and it not being there, thanks for all your wonderful inspiration, mandyxx

[Mandy]

Your blog is such a wonderful place to visit, I cant imagine logging into my computer and it not being there, thanks for all your wonderful inspiration, mandyxx

[tryshia]

Yeah Number Uno!!!!!!!
I love reading your blog. I am a 26 year old graphic designer and I come to your blog for inspiration.

U r awesome!

love and light*

tryshia
Ottawa, Canada

[tryshia]

Yeah Number Uno!!!!!!!
I love reading your blog. I am a 26 year old graphic designer and I come to your blog for inspiration.

U r awesome!

love and light*

tryshia
Ottawa, Canada

[Beck]

Glad that they do Elsie! We love reading your blog. Thanks for all the great inspiration.
love Beck in Australia

[tryshia]

yeah NUMBER Uno!!!

I love reading your blog. I am a 26 year old graphic designer from Ottawa, Canada! I check your blog daily for inspiration, I just love it. Your style is so unique and heart warming.

Keep on rockin' in a free world!

love, peace and light*

tryshia

(heart)

[Jill]

beautiful new photos elsie! They are all so heartwarming. :) Love the art inspo pics you put up too, you always find the best and most creative artists to share! im glad that everyone's comments make your day, i looove reading your blog!! :)

[.Ka B*.]

Love you and you life style ...
Hope that ..............

[Andi Sexton (rrlscrapgal)]

Oh I love the photos of your bf with his niece! They are so loving...
And the one with you and the cute dress and suitcase is great!

Looks like so much fun in Elsie land...

[Krista]

I really love all the inspirational photos you have posted today. Have a wonderful weekend painting. You have inspired me to get creative too.

[Nichole]

Mark Ryden's tree show was one of my favorite collections of his. So enchanting!

The camera cases are super sweet...I considered buying one before I realized my camera wouldn't fit in one.

Have you seen these yet?: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9303176

have a great weekend!

[Charin Reed]

Love those pictures! :) Jeremy's niece is beautiful. :) And I love the shot of you out in the woods with a suitcase, cute!

[Holly Neufeld]

Great photos Elsie! I can tell your bf really loves his niece, and she's so precious!! I just *love* the pics that Will took... they are so beautiful. The one with the suitcase is my favorite, it's almost mysterious... Can't help but wonder where you're going with it.
I love reading your blog, it reeeeally inspires my creative side, and I'm so thankful.
xoxo, holly
ps.... have fun housesitting!

[Megan]

i just wanted to say that i LOVE looking at all of the eye candy that you post. it's so inspiring! i'm completing my degree in art education right now, and our teachers tell us that we're going to have to stay motivated and inspired throughout our career. right now, i've been seeing so much through your blog (it's making me procrastinate on my papers!! :\),so thank you for that! :)

[shaina]

its been said, so i'm glad i'm not the only one! i check your blog every day. have been for a couple years now...i started back on the old blog. it was you who inspired me to start my own blog and you continue to inspire me to try new things with my art, scrapbooking, and photography. thank you for being you!
-shaina

[jennifer]

The Mark Ryden image was cool. The one with the 4 little girls. I looked at it and immediately tried to figure out the who,why, whatever on each girl. Why the dress color choice, why the specific animal, why the symbol on their dress? Why 3 babies in a basket? Which girl didn't have or want one? It made me think.Thanks.

[Bele]

You are wonderful ... fantastic.
Loooveeeeee.

[Alicia King]

love those images...very cool! always love your pictures and the neato buildings you have in your area!

[Danielle]

Thanks for sharing the great photos! Have a great weekend!!

Danielle

[Nora Anne]

Elsie, I am a huge fan! I just got your 52 challenges book and haven't been able to put it down for 2 weeks straight, thanks for the inspiration and all of the funky fun!!! Your blog is awesome too!

[amberskolnick]

elsie, i never knew a suitcase could look so sexy. keep it up.

[Megan]

I already bought the Recipe Cards and am loving the inspiration I am getting off them!! You are too damn fabulous for your own good. I love reading your blog! Your style is unique and it's always something I have admired about you. Keep up the excellent work and enjoy life!

[mAdi]

AW! YAY! I love how in the picture of the girls having tea, they each have characteristics that favor the animal on their head. :]

ok, are the felt cameras just dedor or are they wallets?

And Bella is so GORGEOUS with her skin tone and dark hair!! and those big chunky legs and cheeks!! HOW ADORABLE!!

:] OK, cant wait to get the book!! Luvs ya!!

mAdi

[Ali]

Elsie I LOVE the little hadmade cameras!

xoxo,
Ali

[Ali]

What woonderful photos! I was just looking for insperation for a mothers day card at your blog and found the perfect idea from those pictures!! Thank YOU!

[Mim]

Love the photos you shared. Your bf and his niece are both adorable. I LOVE Mark Ryden and would die to have a real piece of his art.

Have a super week.

[Sasha Libby]

Love the vintage suitcase you're carrying! Cute shots.