Saturday, January 30, 2010

Almost there! Two weeks to go!


I have to get everything packed up and shipped on Monday. I still have little fabric bags to finish and a few surprises for Ms. Claire and Ms. August (the littlest of guests.)
I also have an incredible amount of tissue paper to fluff. I takes forever to fluff, do I ship prefluffed or ready-to-fluff...dilemma.

Here are some of the finished goodies and decor.

signs of lovely...




I love quotes. Love...them...So of course, I love signs. I like that Keep Calm, Carry On but I have seen it way too much to put it up in my own house. There are alot of new renditions of that age old poster, cupcakes perhaps? This one from Jennysbakeshop. It would be perfect in my kitchen, Jenny...cupcakes...do I have a twin???
Now, I would feel cluttered if I had every sign I loved up. Ed even gets worried if I mention putting up one or two. Here are some of my current faves...hmmmm. Maybe I will start a whole series...


These two are from Loveshop, HAVE to HAVE this...its perfect.

And "think happy, be happy" so true and so darn happy...

The next two are from America Retold, via Elizabeth's Embellishments .
I wish I had this one, so obvious, but more polite than reminding everyone when they come over...perfect for over an entryway bench. Oh, and by the way, did I mention these are enamel coated metal? You know me and metal.


This would be perfect for the shower. Unfortunately, Auntie A...I just gathered all the booty for your shower, and you are done darling. But oh man, so cute!!!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

more...lovely vintage without the hunt...metal


I love all things metal...I love vintage metal...I love wire...I LOVE GALVANIZED ANYTHING...

It's pretty hard to find specific things when vintage hunting, I look at etsy daily. Some gorgeous things are never there when you want to go drool at them a second time. Here are some lovelies I found while flitting this week. First, we'll look at Farmhouse Wares (farmhousewares.com.) Above, gorgeous glass rack - perfect for baby bottles, too...Auntie A. Also, a galvanized cake plate which I had to restrain myself from buying with my coupon. If I only had a larger kitchen...

Is this not the cutest memo board?

lovely vintage without the hunt...part deux


Its chilly here, cold actually. The snow finally melted, and then it snowed again, not much where we are luckily. I have been flitting again, I think I do everyday. This time I found a new online store with all sorts of goodies. Origincrafts.com has lots of lovlies that are filling my wishlist. Some things are even handmade. So many pretty glass jars and cloches. Not to mention pretty wire and galvanized items.

handmade lazy suzan - yeah, it spins. This would be perfect for my mini cupcakes at the shower, but alas, at $99 it is out of my price range.

so pretty, so french. fromage sounds so much prettier than cheese. what do the french say when taking a picture? no really, I don't know.


I would love a whole row of these on my kitchen island, if I had one.

It's striped, it's beautifully neutral and btw it's OILCLOTH. Perfect.

lovely cream


Got a sale email from a fab online store called Farmhouse Wares (farmhousewares.com)
Super excited to (finally) have these on the way! Yippee. They will be perfect for the shower - double yay. I got the set of cupcake pedestals (cutest I have found) and the smallest 8" enamel cake stand (yes, metal - yippee!)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

I luv Reno


Its a big change from the big city, and we are a far ways from our family. But Reno has its advantages, besides the gorgeous mountains, the spectacular colors of sagebrush, the hop skip and a jump to Lake Tahoe, a mill end fabric discount store (got Denyse Schmidt Katie Jump Rope for $3.60 a yard, hence all the green and white fabric...)
We get GREAT FABULOUS AMAZING discounts on clearance. Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, JCrew... prove it you say!?!
Ha HA! I will.
Flitting around Williams Sonoma...for the message cookie cutters in the previous post. Saw clearance table. Browsed books on sale. Rachael Ray's Book of 10, $4.99. Her Big Orange Book, $4.99.
Continued browsing...gadgets table...huge fancy pizza cutter, $6.99.
Next table, glasses, plates, apothecary jar - $9.99 (put it back, I have so many most are empty) Oooohhh...khaki plaid tablecloth, machine washable, 100% linen...cute, flip over...$13.97. Oh did I mention it was originally $140? I picked the largest size they had (yardage, lots of yardage, baby) Got it for the shower, make something cool later. Awesome. I love Reno.

it works!!!


So after being terribly disappointed in my brownie molds, I got these cookie cutters from Williams Sonoma. You can make them say anything you want, are cute shapes even without words, and I figured they would have a firm cookie dough recipe - if it works for words...it's gotta work for button holes, right?
So, I tried and MINE WORKED TOO!!! Just like the box, albeit not as pretty but I didn't decorate, the lighting was bad...this was a test, just a test. I also tested my button shapes, and THEY WORKED TOO! (but I burnt the edges so no pictures, will try again later.)

button up


Previously I mentioned these fabric covered buttons are easy, did I mention how incredibly satisfying and relaxing they are to make? I am terribly impatient, and I get easily frustrated, on occasion, okay alot, when making stuff. This is not so good when it comes to crafting, and when it comes to baking...well, lets just say difficult. These make me happy. Here we go...

First things first...get a button making kit from your fave fabric shop. $2-$3, super cheap, right? I used Dritz brand. Break out some fabric you like. Cut out the round template on the back of the box. Cut out a fabric square. Trim to the template. I also made a lining by using a regular white quilting cotton, it helps keep from seeing the shiny button underneath.
Take the circles of fabric and lay them face down on the table, lining on top.

Center the top button piece on top and place all three in the white mold. (You might notice I take out the wire piece on the button top - easy to do, because I want my button to be flat so I can glue a magnet on back later)

Push down, making sure to keep the fabric smooth.


Push all the fabric ends in, they will be covered by the button bottom.


Put the bottom on top,


put the blue pusher on top of that and push until it pops or clicks into place.


Pop out the button.


Voila! Instant button. How easy was that?

Next post, add flower backing.

thank you, darling...



Thank you cards...check.
Yay, printed these, trimmed them to size and voila! Auntie A is set for post shower wrap-ups. Just have to label the kraft paper envelopes I got for them. One down, so much more to go!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Button Flowers



While flitting around, well okay...chasing the boys around, my favorite fabric store, I found button making kits. Yeah, make your own fabric covered buttons. Such a good idea, perfect for Auntie A's shower.

I can make all kinds of things with these guys... magnets... necklaces... earrings...yay! Out of any fabric I choose! Double YAY!

I gathered some strips of fabric and hotglued them to the back of the buttons - ta-da, instant flowers. I got so excited about it, I forgot to take pictures to show you how easy it is. So easy, so cute. Will do a tutorial this weekend.

pretty food

I have never had a white chocolate pretzel. Maybe the yogurt kind, but I don't remember. Divine. A perfect food, sweet and salty, smooth and crunchy. Satisfying. Did I mention pretty? How lovely will these look on the buffet in a pretty glass?


Here is my first attempt at Martha's button cookies. I used Pillsbury Sugar Cookie dough in a tube, and cut out the cookie with a round cutter, imprinted the inner ring with the next size down, and made the button holes with a sippy cup straw (they are fatter than the average bendy straw.) When I baked them, they puffed up alot and closed the holes. I mended this by cooling for two minutes and then recutting the holes with the sippy straw. I need to find a firmer cookie dough, I think. Or maybe chilling the dough right before putting in the oven will work.
Oh - did you notice my giant green button? Woo Hoo - was at a different fabric shop from my usual, a quarter each - I got eight. It is huge- those are regular sized cookies!

I have made two attempts at pretty brownie pops. My new mold (thank heavens I just paid $5 for it) doesn't like me. Or actually doesn't like my brownies, or liked them so much it didn't want to let them go. Messy, messy, messy. No photo of that catastrophe, its depressing...

the BEST chocolate chip cookies ever - classic style


These cookies are not helping my new years resolutions. But the boys love making them, and I love eating them. They turn out perfect every time, use salted butter (always have in the fridge), and are always soft and chewy (quite a feat considering I am cooking them, and in the desert.) Here's the recipe - you have to try it out. Its from Mrs.Fields Cookie Book, by yes, that Mrs. Fields.


Blue-Ribbon Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup salted butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 ups (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate)


Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
In medium bowl combine flour, soda and salt. Mix well with wire whisk. Set aside.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer blend sugars at medium speed. Add butter and mix to form a grainy paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix at medium speed until just blended. Do not overmix.
Add the flour mixture and chocolate chips, and blend at lo sped until fully combined. Do not overmix.
Drop by rounded tablespoons (I use a small cookie scoop) onto an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer cookies immediately to a cool surface with a spatula.
YUM!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

its all in the details...


Every beautiful photo spread of a luscious party by Martha Stewart or on Style Me Pretty has a cohesiveness about the decor. The large things always match, yes, that's a given. But the little things, the napkins, strings tying favors and others have to blend also. No avocado green in a sea of blue and white. If there is a contrast color, it is on purpose, not mishmash just because you couldn't find anything or forgot. Like birthday plates in a floral pink and yellow for a two year old's primary colored balloon wonderland, right? My point - I just got more glee at finding GREEN mini pencils so I don't have to paint the regular yellow kind. Yippee. Auntie A is one lucky girl, I have NEVER had so much luck finding "perfect" things. Yes, "perfect" is my current fave word, so what? ;P so is fave...and love...oh well...

I found these from the Etsy shop of one of my favorite blogs, Twig & Thistle, (twigandthistlestore.etsy.com) LOVE!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

GORGEOUS GREENWARE!


I am in love with the color of linen and chipboard. That lovely light beige color is so calming and natural and NEUTRAL. Whilst cruising the aisles at Target (another favorite pastime, don't judge me, I live outside Reno...way outside) I saw these new plates from SOLO. They are perfect! So pretty, so strong and so good for the environment! LOVE! Definately using these for the shower!

Button Coasters


I found these on Etsy while looking for letterpress thank you cards. I had originally ordered some cute white eyelet cards on ebay (from Martha Stewart Crafts about a year ago) but they got damaged in shipping. So while browsing for "button letterpress" I saw these and gasped. I have sent Sarah (parrot design studio) a request to see if she will pretty please make them in green for or shower. So cute! You can find them here (sarahparrott825.etsy.com)

Monday, January 11, 2010

A Blog Adventure

Every now and again I start to flitter around my favorite blogs, and start to visit some of the links they have. Sometimes its a new shop or two, and sometimes its one of their favorite blogs. This time it was a post on The Party Dress (thepartydress.net) (fabulous party ideas/ inspirations, def. one of my faves) for her interview on Pepper Design blog (pepperdesignblog.com). Here it was - another fabulous party site! Love. Then later...after poking around, I kept going. I figure, if I love what they post...I will probably love what they like, right? And YES! I do! I went to one of their blogroll, Lollipop Design and Events (ilovelolliblog.com) DOUBLE LOVE. The girls behind all three sites are stunning! Fabulously creative and fabulously gorgeous! Pretty girls, making pretty things...its uncanny! So not fair. ;)
This is the only way I can successfully flit around to find new blogs. Search engines truly hate me. In fact, most days the internet hates me, but I think its the dial-up talking.
Yes, I will fix my links soon. I am just too lazy today! :)

Cowboys & Elephants



This is the theme I picked for the boys. So far I have gathered random things but have found the perfect bedding. These mini wool blankets from Pendelton (pendelton-usa.com) are so perfect.


I am loving the stripe the best, its simpler and if ever they don't like cowboys (not likely) or just want a plainer room, it will still work.




I found a pattern in Amy Butler's Stitches for Little Ones for crib sheets (great for toddler beds) and want to get this fabric for the boys. Blue for Henry, of course, and red for Hunter. So cute, so vintage, and it would be handmade and extra special!



Sunday, January 10, 2010

New Years Resolutions


I made my resolutions and have been meaning to put them up on the site.

Here we go:

Learn French.
Eat healthier, unprocessed foods. NO fast food.
Excersize 3-5 times a week.
Learn to crochet doilies.
Pamper myself. (no all day pjs, the laundry can wait, pretty up mama! it'll make you feel better)
Learn Photoshop & Illustrator.
Make do.
Need less.
Take better photos.
Make a real blog (I am trying).
Try one new thing EVERYDAY.
Sell one yard of my own fabric.
Learn to cook.


Now the sugary parts...

Be gracious. Be grateful. Forgive. Use beautiful things daily.

Speak sweetly. Never settle.


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Lovely Vintage without the Hunt

I must admit, I scour Etsy everyday for vintage metal organizers and milk glass. EVERYDAY, sometimes twice. Recently I found this lovely, who will work as my kitchen clipboard for doctors appts, and my calendar (or a letterpress one because who knows when I will finish my design.)




I am also one of those people who sign up for every catalog she can. Pottery Barn arrived yesterday and I am drooling. All the lovelies I have been searching for, ready to come to my house. Some are even reasonably priced (3 baskets for $24! perfect!)

Some will live in my dreams with my french flea market loves from Restoration Hardware...roulette anyone? (I live in Reno so it does a kitchy chic thing for me)

and some will visit there temporarily until they go on sale.


I love all things metal that are (or look) old.


I love the idea of a chalkboard painted platter- the possibilties are endless. I think I want to paint the center of one of my browned and well loved aluminum cookie sheets. There are so many color options for chalkboard paint too, visit Hudson Paint (hudsonpaint.com) but I favor traditional black, but am very tempted at dark grey. It would look great above my stove, which is just the right size for a medium sheet.
Here are two more lovelies! Love!





1. Vintage wire noteboard (via oldcrowfarm.etsy.com)
2. - everything else via pottterybarn.com