{Election! Election!}

Today is US Election Day! I am trusting all of you to exercise your right to choose who YOU think will best lead your country. VOTE! I voted by mail earlier this week (I am a little bitter I didn't get an 'I voted' sticker) and am anxious to see who comes out ahead. In California we have a few very controversial propositions that have been getting the best of some people (we've had 2 political signs stolen from our yard from non-supporters). Sheesh! People are really passionate about this years election. Let's pop the popcorn and sit back, it's gonna be a long night watching the election unfold. 

Graphic courtesy: Inside A Black Apple

{Baked Goodies}

It's pumpkin season so I decided to use this autumn item in some different recipes. This one for Spiced Pumpkin Bread turns out so so tasty. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you take this out of the oven. It's a dense, moist, flavorful bread that is slightly sweet with a hint of ginger, cinnamon and pumpkin. The glaze is optional (but my sweet tooth insisted on it). 

Pumpkin Bread

12 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light-brown sugar

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree

3 large eggs

Sugar Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons water

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter/flour two loaf pans, set aside. Whisk flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and salt. In separate bowl mix pumpkin, sugar, butter and eggs. Add flour mixture until just combined. Divide batter between pans. Bake for approx. 50 min or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before icing. 

{Skeleton Garland}

Oh, Halloween is fast approaching and I am well under way making things to spook stuff up a little. This skeleton garland is adapted from this invitation project and I must say I like it better this way. This small army of dancing bones hanging from a bookshelf or doorway will most certainly add charm to your days leading up to October 31st. 

The printout is glued to black card stock then cut out with detailed precision. Small brads affix the arms and legs to the body, but allow for movement of the skeletons. I finished by threading them through some brown and white spun bakers twine. You can make as many as you see fit for your garland. 

{October, October!}

Its October! Finally we are coming into my favorite time of the year, fall. And though it's still in the 90's here in California, I am hopeful that the cool weather, sweaters, and hot chocolate are soon on their way. 

I started decorating for the impending holiday, Halloween that is! Over the next few weeks I'll share the other crafts I've been working on. These may look familiar (they were a BIG DEAL last season) but I had to make a few to start the month off. 

Mini pumpkins, craft glue, glitter, and a little black paint for the stems. That's about all there is to this one. I'll let you guess how to put them together. 

Fall, {sigh...} my favorite time of the year. 

{Who Who}

Keep an eye out for this little guy up in your address bar, he's our new favicon and proudly representing Abstract Grace. When you see him up there you know you've found us! 

{Ruby}

A good friend of mine and his adorable wife are about to have their first baby! They decided on Ruby as the name, and as a gift I made them a custom set of baby blocks. 

After they were done, I packaged them with pink paper flowers, striped string, and cloud tissue paper over laid with wax paper. They turned out adorable and I can't wait for little Ruby to see them!

{Little Birdy}

Hand drawn, and quickly scanned. Just because. 

{New Endeavors]

So...my husband runs a record label called Ethos Records, which I help with from time to time, and here's the newest graphic for the company. I can't wait to cozy up with a pullover come fall that has this rad image on the front. You can learn more about Ethos Records, and all the artists we work with, or order a t-shirt or hoodie for yourself  by clicking here. 

{Folded Over}

Lately I've been into the Japanese art of Furoshiki. We're all trying to go a little greener, right? What a better way to save a tree than wrapping gifts in pretty fabric? I'm not sure if I can give up my love of paper wrapping (there's just something about a beautiful paper wrapped present) but I'm definitely going to try this next time a birthday comes around. 

{Knobs and Pulls}

I happened upon this sweet little drawing in my in box from Anthropologie. How cute are these little depictions of some of their drawer pulls and knobs. Darling.

{Coming Soon!}

I'll be making the most of a lazy sunny California day getting this endeavor up and running. My creative side is bursting with ideas for posts, layouts and exquisite little jewels,  so check back soon to see the beginning of this project unfold!