Brin & Nohl

i am crazy like that

2011-04-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

a bit from our easter week...

we had a cookie decorating party with our friends... school friends, ballet friends... it was total mayhem, but we loved it.

we made easter bags and treats for the easter party at school

bunny crackers, of course and egg cookies were on the menu

we hunted for eggs... 4 times

i made some decorations

how did i make it?

jelly beans, stick, styrofoam ball, glue gun, 1 hour and a small bucket

hot glue the jelly beans to the ball, stick the stick into the ball and set up in the bucket {i used homemade playdough to stand it up}

i covered the bucket with paper to match

used the same paper to top these mason jars and filled each with candy

{although i should have glued the lids shut... i couldn't keep my hands out of them}

so, i am crazy like that... i glued every little jelly bean onto that ball and invited 13 kids over to frost and decorate cookies... all for the joy of my children and to see them smile so big. it was a fun week.

homemade frozen yogurt

2011-04-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

it is starting to get warm around here, which makes us crave frozen treats.

who doesn't love the local frozen yogurt shop? my budget doesn't. not only is it expensive, but we have a peanut and treenut allergy that tends to make me a little nervous. who can truly enjoy a treat with the kids with one hand on the epi-pen?!
like many of our foods - it's best for us to go homemade...

here is where it doesn't get any easier... 2 ingredients

32oz. plain yogurt {organic fat free is best, greek is even better}

3/4 cup sugar

whisk together and chill before pouring into the ice cream / frozen yogurt maker. we use a simple cuisinart ice cream / yogurt maker. yum.

cake pops

2011-03-29T15:44:00.000-07:00

b was star of the week and responsible for the letter w. we made world cake pops for the class treat.

this is how the world looked in the end. i used colored candy and added yellow to the blue chips to make the green.

this is midway with the chilled balls and sticks ready to dip.

i made sprinkles for n's class treat {so he didn't feel left out} and the world for b's class.

then we gathered all our w items for show and tell.

individually wrapped cake pops.

i have never made these little treats before however i did learn a few things...

chocolate cake would be better {cheesecake would ultimately be the best}
homemade frosting would taste much better, but i was pressed for time

oh modern christmas tree

2010-12-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

so, i have been a little busy lately. sorry.
i was however, inspired by this today...

isn't it beautiful? as we try to make our home more allergy friendly, i think this would do the trick. downside? i would certainly miss the smell of our fresh tree.

coffee sack skirt

2010-06-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

at the request of my coffee sack man... i designed and created this burlap skirt...

it was a gift for a local coffee house owner.

lined in linen. kind of lovely and fun. i hope she likes it.

likes :: bookhou

2010-06-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

a few likes from bookhou. and this is only from their wood collection. wow.

this would be beautiful on any nursery wall.

this would be amazing in an adult version, however i love that the felt is removable.

this reminds me of a sculpture i had growing up.

so simple and packed with style.

we luv u

2010-06-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

i have been out. way out, lately. sorry if you missed me. we have been busy renovating our house and enjoying time with family {which is quite rare for us, so we really enjoyed ourselves while it lasted}.

father's day was a ball. we did the usual bbq thing with our friends, which have become our family.

what's not to love... fabulous friends, fresh summer food, drinks and a dash to the pool.

happy summer.

Folded :: The Origami Collection

2010-06-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

The project Folded :: The Origami Collection with Hijiri from Heart Fish and Jack + Jen is finally seeing some real results.

I am always looking for something new to create and design, this was a fun collaboration across the country. With summer kicking off and so many things on my on-growing to-do list, I decided to keep it simple.

I took this opportunity to create some new images for my baskets. I just love how they turned out. I especially love the crane, which is always close to my heart... it reminds me of my grandmother, who I grew up with and my wedding {we folded 1,001 paper cranes}.

I did tackle some actual origami to get into the spirit of things and it was fun to try some new folds I have never done before. I folded origami growing up, however I had never made something like this. My inspiration post showed a lot of flowers, so I decided to go with it.

I can't wait to make more.

friends and fun

2010-04-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

with a visit from our friends, we visited our local bakery. yum.

what a fun place to gaze...

someday, i would love to learn to make these.

the girls were extra excited about the glitter on these.

i could easily eat about a dozen of these.

and we had a ball watching these...

friendly visits

2010-04-24T20:12:00.000-07:00

my friend from iowa payed me a visit and it was a fabulous time of playing, shopping, and crafting...

baby gifts

lots of baskets

and we even squeaked in a few shirts and dresses for the little ones... i will post more on those later. happy weekend and here's to good friends. cheers.

earth day giveaway

2010-04-23T06:27:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Earth Day's 40th Anniversary this week and the "Green Pop" eco-themed market at Poppytalk Handmade this month, Poppytalk is excited to be offering a giveaway on the blog!

They are offering up a $150 gift certificate at Poppytalk Handmade (from something in the current Green Pop Market) to the lucky winner who comments in the post's comments box (and offering a tip on being good to the Earth and visiting the market indicating your favourite piece). One entry per person, and a bonus entry if you tweet about this giveaway (adding @poppytalk to the tweet, along with a link to the tweet in the comments).

The $150 gift certificate must be used before the end of their current market, May 7th 2010. Choose one thing, or as many as long as it adds up to $150 (total). You can leave a comment at their post anytime from now until next Wednesday (April 28/10) at 12pm noon. They will pick a winner and announce Thursday (April 29th)! Good luck and thanks for visiting all the artists at the eco-themed market.

happy earth day

2010-04-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

why do we make all the efforts to be better people, to be kinder to the earth and others?

for our sweet children.

happy earth day... 40 years. here is to an effort to make each day more like earth day... for these little guys.

paperless

2010-04-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

earth day is april 22nd, commemorating the 40th year. with this in mind, we were on the road to becoming the biggest paper towel offenders on the planet. i came across the perfect solution to our bad habit.

meet our towel house {via made in the red barn }

it happily holds about 18 unpaper towels. i rotate through 36 as i wash.

it arrived looking so nice...

even the unpaper towels were wrapped so nicely.

my bounty never looked this good... this has been a good thing.

handmade inspiration and poppytalk handmade

2010-04-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

i finally updated my shop and was inspired to create a few new things.

handmade inspired by the sea, navy blue jelly fish

handmade inspired by my mom, black ginkgo leaf

all of this was motivated by jan, co-founder of Poppytalk, a design blog and poppytalk handmade, a virtual online arts & crafts market (the original online market of it's kind). she wrote to me and said, "We love your pieces and would love to have you join us! " that was enough for me.

she invited me to participate in their "eco-themed & mother's day market" (an online arts & crafts virtual fair) at poppytalk handmade where they are showcasing all things sustainably handmade or vintage including mother's day gifts, papergoods and anything good to mother earth! also they are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, april 22nd.

she gathered many amazing artist for her showcase.

{via samantha french } this one reminds me of high school, i was a swimmer

{via scabby robot }

{via monkey & squirrel }

{via slow industries }

eye candy, gathered neatly into one market. brilliant. i am thrilled to be a part of it.

cheers and happy monday.

modern toys

2010-04-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

super cute, super modern.

{via house industries}

happy spring

2010-04-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

i just needed to chime in and share a bit of our fantastic weekend.

we were invited to leave the city to hunt eggs and play with chicks at a near by farm.

the highlight was most certainly the chicks. they hatched in bright colors, which i have never seen before.

apparently they will get their normal feathers as they grow.

the kids just loved them, but i think they would have liked them even if they looked like regular chicks, too.
what a fun weekend.

poppy

2010-03-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

we added a little excitement to our house.

please say hello to poppy.

{via handmade green}

she is recycled {or i should say, upcycled}, used, or as everyone else says, rescued.

so far, so sweet. welcome home poppy.

folded :: the origami collection :: inspiration

2010-03-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

life has been a bit out of our control lately and sometimes a little distraction and inspiration is needed.

beginning at twitter since discovering origami jewelry {i love the crane, it reminds me of my wedding and my grandmother. we folded 1,001 paper cranes in honor of my grandma and for good luck}. jack + jenn, hijiri from heart fish and i started a project together.

we all continued in our own discoveries and shared links here and there…it all snowballed from there.

now we are all using this as our platform to design something new through our own medium and at the end of the process we will be exchanging and linking back and forth to each other to share with you.

{via paper unlimited}

Today is the first day, a starting point of sorts, for our “folded :: the origami collection” — today we are simply sharing our inspirations. brilliant for spring {which officially starts this weekend} we are finding inspiration through various flowers.

i simply love cherry blossoms, especially this time of year.

{via the flirty guide}

{via kusudama lovers}

tune in and see what we all come up with. in the mean time, check out jack + jenn's blog and etsy shop, as well as hijiri's blog, heart fish and etsy shop.

baby gift love

2010-03-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

i spent a little time making a care package of baby girl gifts for my aunt.

a handful of urpies and burpies, a wristlet for her keys, a chic nursing cover and a monogramed diaper and wipes basket. my favorite addition to this package was the basket, featuring the new baby's initials on the upcycled coffee sack basket with a soft pink lining.

perfectly sized to fit a handful diapers and a box of wipes.

of course, lots of pink and cute patterns.

grandma and grandpa will go by "weezer and geezer" {you know, from steel magnolias}.
the oilcloth tote will be perfect for trips to their house.

i also included a little keepsake block with all the little one's statistics of her special birthday.

i hope the new mommy loves it all.

commissioned works

2010-02-26T07:15:00.000-08:00

on occasion i have the opportunity to create custom designs. these works give me a chance to keep things interesting and fresh.

i have learned that many people like things B.I.G. these pillow covers are about 24 x 24 inches.

this is a custom laundry basket created for a customer who is now doing her chores in style... that is inspiring, since i have a pile of laundry waiting for me and i need all the motivation i can get.

and this basket was created for a woodland wedding, to hold the bride and groom's cards at the reception. lovely.

industrial inspiration

2010-02-24T07:42:00.000-08:00

we have some works in progress in our garage right now. maybe some of these will give us a little inspiration to finish {or should i say, get started}...

industrial mine cart table {via interieurs }

vintage industrial moldmakers table {via brandmojointeriors}

refurbished industrial coffee table {via coleblk}

vintage industrial end table {via urbanaccenthome}

cart on wheels {via interieurs }

shop update

2010-02-24T07:09:00.000-08:00

sick kids have kept me busy this week as well as a few orders here and there in between. i am working on another baby gift for a family member. i will show you how it turns out once it is ready.

in the meantime, i was able to update my little shop with a few items. i added a new item. a vintage wool swiss military basket.

i had this in an art gallery in ohio and thought i would see how it does in the shop.

i also listed a vintage wool swiss cross pillow. this is a frequently requested item, so we will see how long it lasts.

and i added the popular extra large coffee sack basket.

happy wednesday. it is super cold here {for us}, but the sun is shining. hello sun, it's been a while!

hoop inspiration board

2010-02-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

i made a little inspiration board for my mom.

her birthday was last week and a long with a few other items i sent it away to celebrate... wish i could have fit in the package, too.

what you need:

embroidery hoop
fabric
cork tile {you can find them anywhere, usually in the office section}
marker
knife
scissors
hot glue gun

what you do:

1. place the hoop over the cork tile, trace a line on the inside circle of the hoop, and cut along the line.

2. glue the cork inside the circle with the hot glue

3. place the fabric over the inside circle and stretch over the cork circle, secure with the outside hoop.

4. cut excess fabric around the edges and glue down to the back of the cork

5. mount on a wall with a nail and hang or prop against the wall

where do you collect all the things that inspire you, such as notes, cards, photographs? i think i will make a few more of these for my creative space. happy monday.

room change up

2010-02-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

n has been in his big bed since november. back when he was much littler, i thought i would go with the sports motif, what many little guys like. well, of course, n is not as into sports as he is into animals. he is the biggest animal lover {right now anyway}. yesterday he said, "mommy, i really care for all animals," in his little two-year old voice. so i needed to come up with a different game plan for the change over from his nursery to his 'good boy' room {as he calls it}. out with the sports and in with the animals. i like to keep things simple and inexpensive.

i decided to go with simple animal images using stencils.

materials used:

stencil paper
sharp detailing knife
acrylic paint
foam pouncing brush
stretched canvas
artist paper

i used various animal silhouettes and cut out each on the stencil paper.

instead of buying more, i decided to use the existing hooks and just cover them with the new pictures.

just pounce over the stencil. you can leave some brush strokes or lay it on thick, what ever your style. you could also use multiple colors and layer, but i wanted simple lines and images.

there is still room to add a few things on his wall, but for now he loves it.

i also painted a large letter n on a larger canvas for another space in his room in his favorite color. we placed it by the chair i refinished for his future desk area.

adding a few new and old items to his shelves makes a cute area for storage.

the letter n again along with a few other keepsakes.

n loves his 'good boy' room, complete with his big bed and all his animals. there is lots of room to grow around here.

it is my turn

2010-02-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

blog it forward. a hip circle of bloggers, passing it back and passing it on, a blog olympics of sorts. three hundred bloggers were on board to talk, link, show, and open up about all things inspiring. this mash up was organized by the brave sfgirlbybay, aka victoria smith. she is based out of one of my most inspiring cities by the bay, san francisco. blogging it back in my wave, you will find bricolage and butter, a team of sisters who blog together about blog finds, quilts, fabric, etc.

so what inspires me? that is a loaded question. i am always coming across things that i find inspiring.
words. typography. art, of all kinds, however if i filled my house with all the letterpress art i like, it would be like living in the self-help section at the tattered cover.

{via hijirik}

{via b dunlap and a cup of jo}

etsy . there is such a variety of people and talents, artist and designers. independent artists, true independent artists {the ones who do everything, even without the use of an assistant}. those who take their work further {i.e., using organic materials, upcycling, recycling, redefining}. sellers of vintage finds.

{via reiter8 }

{via whimsy&spice }

{via mwnaturesantiquities }

{via highstreetmarket}

twitter. i am new, but i have found quick links to serious design inspiration and have met some brilliant people along the way. i happened upon greedy girl, design crushing, and green couch design, all who are just around the corner.

{via greencouchdesign}

the web. where do i start? i have come across loads of inspiration... women who are real, talk about it, and make me think about it.

{via modish }

vintage, mid century modern design, diy home improvements and those who blog about it.

{via doorsixteen}

{via hindsvikvintage}

i must also add the fact that i am inspired by the simple things in life...

coffee.

{via heartfish}

running.
food.
my to do lists.
but most importantly...
over 20 years of friendship.

and the deepest source of my inspiration... my family. past and present.

this post really got me thinking. if i had to pick one thing, it would certainly be my family.

they keep me going.

what inspires you?

now to keep this 'blog it forward' mash up going, i must pass the torch onto BROOKLYNrehab, aka alyssa zygmunt. she is keeping it real from her fashion design to her cool finds made better via her craft.

check out her blog and her etsy shop and maybe you will find your own inspiration, too. cheers.

marinated chicken

2010-02-16T05:11:00.000-08:00

you really cannot go wrong with this marinated chicken {or what ever meat you like}. there isn't a recipe {that's how i roll}, but go forward with confidence and know that this will be fabulous.

i have listed the ingredients from most to least in terms of quantity needed. just make sure you cover the meat.

what you need:

wine or beer or coke
soy sauce
orange juice
honey or brown sugar
worcestershire sauce
ketchup
mustard
onion powder
garlic cloves or garlic powder
salt and pepper

what you do:

salt and pepper each side of the chicken
add a diced clove or two of garlic or a few shakes of powder
sprinkle one side of the chicken with the onion powder
squirt mustard and ketchup over the chicken {about the amount you would put on a burger per chicken breast}
add a couple tablespoons of worcestershire sauce
poor a bit of honey or brown sugar over each breast
poor on some orange juice {maybe a half cup}
drench the chicken in soy sauce and wine {or beer or even coke}

it will look like this. cover and keep in your fridge at least a couple of hours or over night.

i use this for grilled, baked, kabobs, or stir fry chicken. it is always a hit. depending on your taste, you can make it more asian or more bbq'ish.

have fun!

happy day

2010-02-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

happy valentine's day...

made for their daddy.

dress the part

2010-02-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

what will you wear this valentines?

a little red... {via nadinoo }

a little chocolate... {via econica}

a little vintage... {via svintage }

or just a little something... {via missfarfalla }

happy valentine's weekend. cheers.

sweet valentines

2010-02-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

we have been busy making fun valentines.

we had the preschool party today. our little gal gave her friends cupcakes, candy bottles, and cards.

we gave the teacher the glass bottled candy and the kids the little plastic bottled candy.

to create these cute little guys...

you need:

little plastic bottles and lids
cute paper
labels
lots of candy
self restraint {so not to eat all the candy}

what you do:

cut the paper to fit around the bottles.
glue or tape the paper around the bottles
print and stick the labels onto each bottle, over the pretty paper
fill each bottle with candies and close each with the lid

happy day... smiles for everyone.

simple valentines

2010-02-10T06:23:00.000-08:00

we made these simple valentines for the preschool party.

what you need:

paper tags
letter stamps
stamping pad
buttons
glue
ribbon

what you do:

stamp each letter
glue a button over the letter o.
add a ribbon through the hole
write a nice note to your valentine on the back and sign your name.

sweet and simple. simple today, sweet tomorrow... tune in then; we are making bottles of candy and cupcakes. yum. happy crafting. what valentines will you make?

proposal dish towel

2010-02-09T05:49:00.000-08:00

valentines day is just around the corner. this is so sweet and perfect. i think it would be brilliant framed.

{ via brookish an 1800s and jane austen inspired shop }

ready for spring

2010-02-09T05:38:00.000-08:00

i am ready for spring and despite the snow we were in yesterday, i have bikes on the brain.

this one is sleek.

{ via peter dudas designs }

a sweet gift

2010-02-08T07:22:00.000-08:00

for your honey ...

via bee raw honey

and the winner is...

2010-02-07T17:42:00.000-08:00

mrs. olson... she said, {YAY!! I'm so excited!!!...}

her profile picture is discretely awesome. my kind of gal.

if we lived anywhere near each other, i know we would get along famously.

thanks to everyone who entered, your odds of winning were brilliant. {wink}

xo giveaway

2010-02-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

this is a very unplanned, out of the blue, lat minute, fly by the seat of my pants kind of giveaway. everyone who follows my blog or on twitter has been so kind and inspiring. i just thought i would have a little giveaway for valentine's day. enter to win a small brin & nohl xo coffee sack basket. even though i am in my thirties, i still receive valentines. this is a fun gathering basket for the occasion.

if you would like to enter, please leave a comment below by 8pm CST (make sure you leave your email address so i can contact the winner). i will pick the winner this evening and have it to the post office tomorrow, just in time for valentine's day. xo.

a first

2010-02-04T19:27:00.000-08:00

i have been a little busy, but tune in tomorrow for my very first giveaway! it is time to show some love...

i hope you have a lovely evening. xo.

shop update

2010-02-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

so yes, I updated my little shop just a bit. it needed an update on photographs and i added a couple of items to the inventory.

now back to work.

guacamole

2010-02-03T07:48:00.000-08:00

thought i would share the easiest recipe i know. i will try my best to estimate the measurements, but truth be told, i have never measured on this one. once you try it you will understand why. it is so easy and delicious, you really can't go wrong. this is the one that ignites many requests...

what you need:

1 avacado

3 tablespoons salsa

1 tablespoon sour cream

1/2 teaspoon onion powder or 2 tablespoons diced fresh onion

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

mash it all together with a fork. we enjoy this as an appetizer, with our tacos or fajitas, on grilled chicken or burgers. get creative.

happy wednesday.

frozen

2010-02-01T07:23:00.000-08:00

we have been under a bit of ice lately, but we took advantage of the calmness and adventured out to play.

i think the sun is starting to peak out.

happy monday.

green humidifier

2010-02-01T06:23:00.000-08:00

the winter season makes my whole family feel parched for water. not pretty, but this mast humidifier by shin okada is art in itself. without the use of electricity - water is diffused from the thin hinoki {japanese cypress}. it is quiet, smells lovely, and therefore green. love it.

{via masuza}

stash and hang

2010-01-29T08:12:00.000-08:00

after reading another post by anna at door sixteen i was on the hunt to find a hook box by Luca Nichetto.

i can usually hunt anything down, given a free moment, however this thing is not an easy find in the states and i am certain i became distracted along the way. in my quest, i arrived at this wall pocket option, which is simply down the road...

via cale and meg at green couch design .

in the breeze

2010-01-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

we are on the eve of a big winter storm, but i just love this vintage number.

{via my world of wonder }

measures of fun

2010-01-26T06:26:00.000-08:00

how very cute is this tape measure mat {via viva terra $49}...

for the seamstress in all of us.

loves

2010-01-25T06:22:00.000-08:00

a while back i commissioned a mexico city artist to recreate my past...

there once was a time when there were just two {and a puppy named lucy}... simple.

what a fabulous valentine maybe? via rosiemusic

crayon hearts

2010-01-20T08:17:00.000-08:00

this is nothing new in the crafting world, as a matter of fact, i was doing this the very day my then boyfriend, now husband was preparing my apartment to propose 9 years ago this month. just remembering that day made me think how much 1 and 2 would like this craft.

what you need:

crumbled or shaved crayons
waxed paper
warm iron
scissors
string or thread

what you do:

crumble and shave broken crayons {i say broken crayons because we have lots that nobody wants to use, so we use them for crafts like this}
sprinkle onto waxed paper, either a sheet or a cut shape
place another sheet of waxed paper over to create a sandwich
iron on the lowest setting over the waxed paper sandwich
cut into shapes
hang by threading the shapes on string or thread using a needle
enjoy the love

what valentine crafts will you create?

happy wednesday.

likes

2010-01-19T12:11:00.000-08:00

i do not buy many purses or totes, so it is a big deal {to me} when i do... i love everything about this linen blend tote. our household is officially a diaper free zone, however this thing could hold anything. i am still known to bring along a few wipes and extras so this has been fabulous.

via gap .

gifts for you gifts for me

2010-01-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

now that the holidays are over, i can finally share a handful the gifts i gave this year. it was most certainly a handmade holiday at our house this year. i was so excited to give these gifts.

this stave stemware holder is hand-crafted from retired wine barrels and made to hold wineglasses on either side and a wine bottle. the curve of the stave is so beautiful and balances the wine glasses perfectly. we just fell in love with the concept of upcycling into this utilitarian design via Stave Creations .

and of course, i made a few pillows...

my mom picked out the fabric of the two gathered pillows and i threw in the accent.

the in-laws have an amazing living room with a rustic wood stove, leather furniture and red accents.
we thought our vintage wool pillows would make a great addition.

baskets were also given. it was fun giving handmades this season. it will be a tradition worth continuing.
what handmades did you give?

smores

2010-01-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

grandma and grandpa payed us a visit for the new year.

we decided to make smores.

yum.

jar

2010-01-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

i am like the rest of the world, itching to organize my life and all the things in it, following the drop of the ball each new year. the thing i can never find, even though i have many, are my scissors.

here is a quick and easy project to jump start your goals to be more neat and orderly.

what you need:

jar {glass, aluminum or whatever you have in your recycling bin should work}.
sticky back foam sheets
fabric {optional, if using a glass jar}
scissors
washi tape or ribbon {optional}

what you do:

trace the bottom of the jar to cut two circles of foam and one circle of fabric
stick the foam to the bottom of the jar, stick the other foam circle to the fabric circle and place in the inside bottom of the jar {this keeps it from sliding all around and protects your scissors or other things you toss in}
embellish the rim

happy weekend.

bottled candy

2009-12-28T06:54:00.000-08:00

gearing up for a new year's party? these are super cute for kids of all ages...

what you need:

lots of candy
clear bottles and caps
paper - scrap book paper or wrapping paper or newsprint, whatever you have {you know the drill}
mod podge {of course, this is one of my favorite craft tools}

course of action:

clean and dry all the bottles of their labels and contents {yum}
mod podge a label to each bottle {for a christmas party our label read, wishing you the sweetest christmas}
cut paper to fit the bottle case and mod podge in place, trim
cap each bottle
party

how much fun is this?! we are doing this for our valentines this year, so tune in then, too!

peppermint

2009-12-24T06:01:00.000-08:00

my grandpa would have been proud...

mint chocolate chip ice cream, milk, peppermint sticks... blend, yum

oh christmas tree

2009-12-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

or should i say, oh my, christmas tree?!

i let 1 and 2 decorate the cookies any way they wanted...

fun times... more is better, right?

deck the halls

2009-12-23T19:15:00.000-08:00

we usually toss our holiday cards and photos into a basket or display a few on the fridge. this year we are using our art-display in our little hall to display our cards. i have never been known to leave well-enough alone, so i dressed up the clothes pins.

what you need:

mod podge
clothes pins
paper - scrapbooking paper, news print, photos, whatever you have

cut the paper to size and glue it on - that is all. i also added a magnet the the back of a few to use on our fridge. simple and easy - just my style.

what do you do with all the holiday cards arriving at your house this season?

same concept, but this time with letters... p e a c e

i roughed up the edges with sand paper and painted a bit of white to distress, then mod podged over the top.

just a reminder to myself during the crazy holiday season... p e a c e. maybe it should say b r e a t h e?

more pine cones

2009-12-22T18:47:00.000-08:00

i keep referring to this box of pine cones we collected while on holiday in wyoming... it is never ending, so we decided to glitter a few up and hang them on our tree.

what you need...

pine cones (duh)
glitter
mod podge (we like the one with glitter already in it, so it won't get in little ones' eyes by chance)
ornament hangers
hot glue gun

paint, paint, paint, each pine cone and let them dry (we dried our cones on waxed paper)
glue a hanger onto the pine cone
hang it on the tree

tah-dah! that's all folks.

mint chocolate covered pretzels

2009-12-21T07:58:00.000-08:00

need a last minute gift for the neighbors, your mail carrier, or something yummy for a holiday party?

these are super easy, quick, oh so yummy, and kind of cute

mint chocolate covered pretzels
what you need:

1 bag large pretzel sticks
1 bag of andes crème de menthe baking chips
1 bag of andes peppermint crunch baking chips
waxed paper on a cookie sheet
cellophane wrap and washi tape

melt the crème de menthe chips either on the stove or carefully in the microwave
sprinkle some peppermint chips on the waxed paper
dip the pretzel or drizzle the chocolate to cover the bottom 3/4 of the large pretzel stick
place on the covered pretzel on the sprinkled peppermint chips and sprinkle more peppermint chips over the pretzel

i am not so patient, so I stick them in the freezer for a couple of minutes so I can wrap them and clean up

better taste one before they all go away... yum

i have had a lot...

2009-12-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

...on my plate. now it is time to play and get into the holiday spirit.

likes

2009-12-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

i am half japanese and keeping with my culture, for our wedding we folded 1,001 origami cranes... a labor of love {a tribute mostly to my late grandmother}. so, i can only imagine origami for etsy, but these are beautiful.

via Rigmarole

pinecone wreath

2009-12-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

we collected a box full of pine cones this summer during our trip out west, so i made this wreath this holiday season.

here is an easy tutorial to follow if you have desires to make your own, via V & Co .

what a hoot... more likes

2009-12-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

these all would be such friendly gifts... who wouldn't smile?

earth-friendly, too - made from recycled sweaters.

these could happily fly in a little ones room...

via friends of socktopus handmade eco friendly by blackbirdfashion

who knew a sweater could be so cute. made from repurposed materials...

via buttercupbloom

and this flock is just cute as can be...

via hilary cosgrove

i wish i had more than 24 hours in a day

2009-12-03T18:48:00.000-08:00

i was just thinking this today...

via WilliamDohman
(made from recycled wood)

likes

2009-12-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

gorgeous... said best by the artist, luxurious and elegant. made with pure organic cotton.

can anyone teach me to knit as beautifully?

via Tickled Pink Knits

likes

2009-12-02T12:41:00.000-08:00

need a little extra glow this winter? this is beautiful. crafted from retired oak wine barrels... what a fantastic design and concept. oh - and check out their stemware holders.

makes me want to fly over to napa for the weekend.

by Stave Creations

likes

2009-12-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

holiday parties, hosting, gathering... this would be beautiful on any table.

via gleena{shop} on etsy

thanksgiving

2009-11-30T07:17:00.000-08:00

we had a lovely thanksgiving holiday with family...

the season is upon us

2009-11-20T04:59:00.000-08:00

just a quick note.... i am swamped. family arrives tomorrow {yipee, we cannot wait}, i have orders to get in the mail {thank you to my lovelies}, and i really want to clean {did i just say that?!}... i went a little haywire with a few new seasonal designs for my shop. i was trying to stay up on a little extra stock for holiday shopping, but people keep buying it {thank you, thank you} and i guess that was the point, right? here is a glimpse.

happy weekend.

ps - i love you etsy.

simple holidays

2009-11-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

i love to craft during the holidays. here are a few ideas...

all you need is a can {let us try to recycle}, scrap booking paper or other repurposed papers, glue, a ribbon, and a button or other embellishments.

measure the paper just slightly taller and longer
glue the can and the paper
smooth the paper to the can and make sure there are no bubbles
fold the top of the paper over the top lip of the can for a more finished look
glue a ribbon and button around the can to embellish
toss in a handful of treats and give it away

here are a few ornaments we made with the same concept.

kraft paper ornaments or an old ugly ornament you would rather cover
scrap book paper, cut to fit
glued and sanded around the edges to give it a more worn or vintage look
then glitter mod podged to seal

next, i am on to fabric.

what will you create this season?

bowl or basket... a question

2009-11-19T05:15:00.000-08:00

this little guy is so cozy... i have new designs i will share along the way, too.

pillows...

2009-11-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

♻ wool eco-chic pillow covers -handmade by me... i {heart} them. ♻

these ultra-cozy, wool pillow covers are made from an upcycled, repurposed vintage 1940's to 1960's military issue swiss blanket and a vintage 1950's italian military issue blanket.

love the eco-chic, green living, earth friendly nature. straight up cozy.

happy 11.11

2009-11-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

this recipe seriously takes a total of about 11 minutes... enjoy.

this is the easy, low-fat version... just my style.

chicken cobbler

1 1/2 cups heart smart bisquick

1/2 cup skim milk

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon onion powder

mix together, kneed a few times, roll to 1/2" thickness and cut with round cutter.

2 cans of homemade-style chicken noodle soup

1/2 cup skim milk

2 tablespoons flour, mixed in with the milk

combine soup, milk and flour. bring to a boil then divide into large / individually sized ramekin bowls. top each with the round biscuit. cook in 450 oven for about 10 minutes, until biscuit is golden brown.

kids diy

2009-11-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

i am really not sure what i think about this centerpiece, but it was easy and the kids did it all themselves.

we had a few small pumpkins sadly lying about from halloween and the leaves are falling like crazy.

we also have a box full of pine cones from wyoming.

add it all together and we have an autumn container.

what fall projects are keeping little hands busy at your house? happy monday...

likes

2009-11-06T06:44:00.000-08:00

these marshmallows are so pretty. can you imagine this little goodie arriving as a holiday gift? light and fluffy, ready for a cold night, snuggled by the fire. perfectly priced, too... i don't even have the urge to try this at home.

likes

2009-11-05T04:48:00.000-08:00

i wish i had a wood shop...
instead, i will settle for this beautiful piece from Firewood Furniture.

likes

2009-11-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

i am not a good houseplant keeper, but i might give it another try... this looks so simple and pretty.

this puts me in the mood for a little sushi and miso soup.

both likes by Pigeon Toe Ceramics.

likes

2009-11-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

kind of love this look lately... this one by J. Crew

this one by Lirola.

happy 100...

2009-11-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

what a better way to celebrate my 100th post than to show you a few customer appreciation photos. just in time, i got both of these today...

the black swiss cross coffee sack pillow cover looks like it is right at home. what a fabulous space.

this is a custom coffee sack basket with my customer's name for her halloween party favors.

seeing my work at their final destinations was great.

making my customers happy = happy me. thanks guys!

elements of my desk

2009-10-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

my supplies; embosser, business cards, envelopes, washi tapes , a little writing paper, and a beautiful fossil paper weight. i am loving the new winter oak design... just as the leaves are falling all around us.

happy weekend.

so divine...

2009-10-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

i was feature on Found It. Loved It - DivineCaroline by Jacinta O'Halloran - Shopaholic. i look to this for my daily dose of humor and inspiration... guess who was there?!

her write-up is hilarious and just my style. so sarcastic and lovely.

Case of Vino

2009-10-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

This one goes in the shop tomorrow...

New to the shop

2009-10-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Vino Case.

Tote your favorite bottled beverage to the holiday party. Bring the hostess a nice wine for dinner. Give your girlfriends a bit of bubbly.

Fun times.

art display

2009-10-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

Now that B is in Preschool, she brings home lots of artwork and schoolwork. Our refrigerator was beginning to become quite cluttered. Solution...

I know this is not at all original, however I thought you would like to see my inexpensive take on this great idea.

What do you need?

2 nails and a hammer, hammer in the nails the desired distance
2 decorations to cover the nail head
glue (I used a hot glue gun), glue your embellishments to cover the nail heads
ribbon or string, tie each end onto each nail
clothes pins, to hang your art
fabulous art, to display proudly

Happy Crafting.

bed head

2009-10-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

sugar cookies

2009-10-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

The kids are quietly settled in with a few crafts... ahh, the sounds of imaginations and sibling sharing.

Here is the yummy sugar cookie recipe I promised. It is the family favorite. You must try it. My 1 and 2 love rolling the dough and cutting the shapes.

Good Sugar Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened

8 ounces light cream cheese

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup skim milk

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 1/2 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

4 teaspoons baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prep your cookie sheets, I use parchment paper on my cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese with the sugar. Add the eggs, milk, almond and vanilla extracts and mix until smooth.
In a medium bowl, sift flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add dry ingredients to the above mixture.
Chill for at least 1 hour.
Roll out dough very thin and cut out shapes. You may need to chill and roll out a few times to get through all the dough.
Bake in preheated oven for 7-10 minutes.

Fabulous Frosting

A ton of powdered sugar

3 tablespoons hot skim milk

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1/2 tablespoon meringue powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Combine sugar and milk then add the butter. Mix until smooth.
Mix in meringue powder.
Add vanilla and almond extracts until all is smooth and well mixed.

You can add more or less milk to get the desired consistency. Martha tends to go more runny for a smooth look and the grocery store tends to go thicker for a spreadable frosting. I went more thin in the photo above, I dipped the cookies in the frosting and sprinkled with sparkly sugar.

These cookies are just perfect. Lofty and light tasting. Super delicious.

swiss cross

2009-10-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

These are ace.

Cozying up for the winter, we will store a throw blanket and my favorite woolies in these baskets.

Adds a little warm texture to our space. Simple. Bold. I added them to the shop this morning, too.

We will see how they do...

happy 4th birthday, b

2009-10-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

It is my B's birthday today. She is four. She is my lovely little lady.

B wanted a three layer chocolate cake. Very sophisticated for a four year old, but very much B.
I like her taste.

So small. So sweet. Our first lesson on the miracle of babies.

Now she doesn't even need us to push her on the swings... she is only four, still so sweet.

She celebrated her birthday at her preschool, too. Requesting pink sparkly, star cookies. I will post the recipe this week. Yummy.

Likes

2009-10-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

My new favorite things... Japanese Washi Tapes, more specifically, mt masking tape. So simple, easy, lovely.

I originally planned to use them to package my orders but now I think I will use them for many other things as well.

First plan, some fun crafting with my little ones. They are fantastic for all types of craft projects: card making, scrapbooking, decorating walls/doors, books, for letters, postcards, memos, wrapping presents.... the list is endless.

You can write on this tape, stick it onto containers, plastic bags, paper or boxes. Wrapping, interior and collage projects will keep you busy with this fun tape. It can be torn, so the kids won't ask for the scissors. It does not stain after peeling off, the colors are so cute and there is a perfect degree of transparency from the rice paper. The mt site says it best, these tapes have both sweetness and functionality.

I love them.

Here are a few resources. You know, I love Etsy , so I ordered my tapes from Origamisan. The arrived directly from Japan, quite quickly. Fantastic customer service. I have since found another economical resource as well, Ginko Papers. I just love the name and the owner, manager, buyer, etc. is a woman and mother in California. She has fantastic prices and a beautiful website.

What will you craft or beautify with these fun Japanese tapes?

before and after

2009-10-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

I got a great deal on some old chairs I thought I would use for the kids' desks when they get older. They needed a little love. B and N picked their own colors. B picked bubble gum pink, of course. Here's a look... Before

After... what might you upcycle today?

falling leaf

2009-10-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

I designed a new basket for Autumn... It features a a striking silh sweetgum leaf.

I can just see it on a desk in an office, as the seasonal catchall on the counter, or even on the dining room table at your Harvest feast.

Simple. Elegant. Utilitarian indie design.

little bird

2009-10-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

how sweet... a little bird is watching.

featured on designs by vanessa.

sign of the times

2009-10-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

My front door needed to get with the season, too. We usually have a wreath, but it needed to be simplified. less is more?

I took a sign I already had and flipped it over, painted it black, and stenciled in white.

Happy Crafting. Happy Monday.

baskets, pillows, and typography

2009-10-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

I have been a little overwhelmed with life lately, but it has been good.

My Etsy shop is keeping me busy and I am thrilled with the response to my new designs.

The basket above was a special request from a customer who wanted to use it to gather cards at her wedding... how lovely!

This was a harvest orange lined basket, the customer requested the matching orange typography for a halloween party.

The custom typography is fun and refreshing.

I just got a bundle of orders gathered and ready to ship.

I hope your week is busy, too. Happy Monday!

featured

2009-10-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

today my lovely little basket was featured on scoutiegirl.com

happy weekend.

got stock?

2009-09-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

slowly stocking the shelves...

did you realize *the holidays* are just around the corner?

am I ready, you ask? nope. but I have a few things up my sleeve.

merchandising for the season

2009-09-28T04:57:00.000-07:00

The merchandiser in me said I needed to get spooky with my Etsy shop...

I have always loved orange, so Halloween and Autumn are easy seasons to Fall into.

toot my horn

2009-09-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

I was checking in on my shop and happily admiring my new post on Etsy (you know the Halloween basket) when I suddenly noticed how many hits my little basket already had in one day! Usually one new item will see a dozen hits on a good day, but it jumped from ten to over 200 in a matter of a few minutes! I thought something must be up...

It must be featured somewhere! I checked it out and there it was, on the front page.

Here she is in her 15 minutes of fame...

it's the one next to the barbed wire necklace {wink}

Happy Fall

2009-09-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Like I have said, this is my favorite season...

Even my baskets are dressing up for Halloween.

It was time to get in the spirit of things.

aloha

2009-09-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

I had a special request to work on. Now they are on their way to Hawaii...

do you think I can fit in the mail with them, too?

It has been a while since I made a large basket and I was reminded how much I love this size.

I think I will make more for the shop and for home.

Happy Monday.

kitchen look

2009-09-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

View from my kitchen...

I have not always been one for display, however one of my bachelor's is in merchandising,

so I think it is a habit or some subconscious thing.

Not sure if I'm feelin' it, but I like the "things" above my refrigerator. The rooster was my Nanny's and the lemons remind me of both my Nanny and Grandma. The bottles of wine in the basket remind me of... ah'hem, my mom and my hubby's mom. And the big poppy is just so bright and fun, I couldn't resist.

flower pillows, ruffle pillows

2009-09-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

Some of my new favorite things...

I have been busy making a few interior changes here and there. Behind the new linen ruffle is the new cover. It's a fresh change.

I loved my new linen ruffle pillow covers so much, I just had to share. We will see how they will do in my Etsy shop. Wish them luck!

creative space

2009-09-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

I have a little creative studio space to do my thing... everyone needs a little inspiration. I wanted this crate because of the charm of vintage, but mostly because of the symbol on the side. It is very similar to my family crest (on my dad's side).

I use it for my fabric stash.

I also have a bowling pin. It reminds me of my grandfather who was a fantastic bowler.

Next to the pin is my Nanny's Kewpie doll. Isn't she cute?!

Happy Monday.

ikea

2009-09-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

I love Ikea... we took a detour on our road trip for a little shopping.

Now I just need to figure out how to make their apple cake. Yum.