in the breeze

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

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

for the seamstress in all of us.

loves

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

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:

1. 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}
2. sprinkle onto waxed paper, either a sheet or a cut shape
3. place another sheet of waxed paper over to create a sandwich
4. iron on the lowest setting over the waxed paper sandwich
5. cut into shapes
6. hang by threading the shapes on string or thread using a needle
7. enjoy the love

what valentine crafts will you create?

happy wednesday.

likes

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

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

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

we decided to make smores.

yum.

jar

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:

1. trace the bottom of the jar to cut two circles of foam and one circle of fabric
2. 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}
3. embellish the rim 

happy weekend.

bottled candy

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:

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

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

peppermint

my grandpa would have been proud...

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

oh christmas tree

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

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

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 

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

tah-dah!  that's all folks.

mint chocolate covered pretzels

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...

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

likes

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

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

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

i was just thinking this today...

via WilliamDohman
(made from recycled wood)

likes

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

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

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

via gleena{shop} on etsy