Day 1: A is for Adorable

As promised, I am kicking off our series of alphabetic inspiration starting with the letter A.

A is for Alice:

Most good adventures begin with Once Upon A Time, so it seems only fitting to start with our good friend Alice.

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” – The White Queen, Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

Hedge mazes, white rabbits, shiny pocket watches, lush scenery and talking flowers, roses you can paint – really, there is enough here for me to spend the whole day staring out the window in a daydream.

A is for Aronzi Aronzo

Perhaps you know my next favorite “A” – Aronzi Aronzo.  I’ve had a crush on this Japanese company since before their books started being translated into English and popping up in Barnes & Noble.

There is something special about the juxtaposition of cute stuffed animals and felt sewing projects with stories like this:

(Image reads: “I felt like being alone, so, with no destination in mind, I got on a train.”)

As happy as I am to see some of these books showing up in English, I will always have a soft spot for the books I have in Japanese.  I enjoy the challenge (and sometimes, the comedy) of pouring over instructions in a language I can’t read – especially when they are presented in cute little cartoons.

Their web-site is the most entertaining shopping experience you can find and absolutely worth a visit – even if you aren’t in the market for any Aronzi Aronzo merchandise.

Lastly, A is for Acorn

(Image: An acorn pin from my Grandmother’s treasure box.)

I know acorns are more of a fall motif, but I think about them year round.  They remind me of my childhood when we would search through the leaf piles for little acorn caps to wear on our fingers or balance on our heads.

If you also love acorns and acorn projects, then you should check out this post about acorns.  It’s from 2006, but it is an excellent round-up of acorn sources.

More acorn love:

• Felt acorns from Betz White
• Jennifer Murphy’s Acorns
• Acorn Ornaments via Creature Comforts
• Velvet Acorns in Fourteen Easy Steps

And lastly, for more eye candy – my 2nd favorite Japanese web-shop (2nd only because you can’t actually order from the U.S.), Acorn-Style:

Well, that just about wraps up A.

A few parting thoughts -

• Positive qualities beginning with the word A: adventurous, admirable

• Excellent words beginning with A: Adversarial, Adam (I might go so far as to say, I’ve never met an Adam I didn’t like), armadillo, apple picking,  abscond(is there a better word?!), acquiesce

• And lastly, some fantastic and famous bloggers whose names begin with the letter A: Angry Chicken, Anna Maria Horner, Alica Paulson

See you next week for B, C, D, E, and F!