Simple and beautiful prints from Fine Day Press on Etsy.

The Whale Story from Tess Martin on Vimeo.

My friend Tess is an incredible animator. She made this movie. She animated it on a huge wall in Seattle's Capital Hill neighborhood. It's a temporary wall, part of a huge construction project that is putting underground light-rail in Seattle (aside: about time!). Tess and her co-animators in the Seattle Experimental Animation Team are taking turns animating stories on these temporary walls. Another animator in Tess's circle, Drew Christie, does great work and has a snazzy new website. Trust me you'll love it.

Some happy plants despite the wintery weather.

My 2012 calendar is on sale for $12. There are just 2 or 3 left so act now if you happen to need an adorable addition to your wall.

Birthday

I'm 28 now. I had a wonderful birthday. Probably the best since I entered my 20's. The biggest gift I gave myself was to not throw myself a party. Instead I got to go shopping and have margaritas at noon with my sister. What could be better than that? I also got some lovely lovely presents from friends, and a boyfriend, who know me well. Quinoa in a Weck jar? Heck yeah that's my idea of an awesome birthday gift.

I took these pictures Christmas weekend on the hills behind Michael's parents' house.

Happy New Year and farewell to 2011.
Ups and downs this past year, but mostly ups. I'm grateful.
More of my own photo posts soon on this blog, promise.

Mason Jar by Pigeon Toe Ceramics

I hope you dear reader had a warm and safe holiday. Love, Britt

Hands by Karolin Schnoor.

Remembering Summer

Even though I can't complain about our December. It's a no-socks-required most days December in Seattle. Happy Monday y'all.

Charting Days

Buying a calendar, or two, every December is one of my favorite things about this month. With the explosion of Etsy fully upon us, the number of creative handmade calendars can be happily overwhelming. Above are just a few of my favorites. I took a stab at this project myself which you can see here. I encourage buying of any and all handmade calendars, but if you're partial to mine, you can use the code '2012Calendar' to get free shipping on my calendar and anything else that strikes you in my shop. Have a happy weekend~

Above: marukiku, lepapierstudio, debbiecarlos, and KisforCalligraphy.

SHOP

Please take a look

Animating a whale

Some moments from a fun day this summer. Whale animated by my good friend Tess and a host of helpers.

urban adventure

sabbatical

I'm having a hard time keeping my life in order these days. I left my job of which I was very tired for a new exciting job (and two other smaller jobs, one new - one old,  on the side). In this time of no jobs, believe me when I say, no pun intended that I am jazzed about this new project, and grateful.

But I'm taking a closer look at my priorities lately and at the top of the list are: stay employed (I didn't say this wasn't going to be obvious!) and my friends and family. Couple this with the fact that I'm just not that inspired to create lately and well, what I'm trying to say is that I think this blog and I are going to take a sabbatical. To the end of the calendar year to be precise. And then I may have a new blog scheme cooked up. Or not. But I'm leaving any and all possibilities open. Maybe a group blog. Is that even a thing? Anyone interested in a design-y group blog? Hmmmm. Alright now I'm just thinking out loud.

So I will say thanks muchisimo for your presence in my life. It means a lot to me. If you're on my email list I'll send one out in the new year with the new Raccoon Rain (or whatever this little space becomes). I will be leaving my shop on Etsy open in case a bolt of energy strikes me but in general anything of note I'll put in an email straight to your mailbox.

Love,
Britt

and it comes to a slow end

Enjoying the last lazy bits of summer. And really the only such time I've had this season. But that makes it sweeter.