flax & twine

Head Over Heels . . . Natural Bags

2013-05-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

I adore natural woven bags - they can be crocheted, knit, woven, you name it. I always get an urge to whip one up myself. I love the textural quality of the fabric. Yellow's been popping up everywhere as a fun sunny accent, too. Oh my! I'd take any of these, but the number 01 clutch I love most of all. These are perfect for every summer outfit in my book.

1) Raffia Clutch With Ball Clasp (Sold Out)
2) Kaylan Clutch
3) Sun Phase Raffia Clutch
4) Ombre Woven Clutch
5) Mar Y Sol Havana Tote
6) Raffia Bag from Style Shop
7) Jada Large Tote
8) Collection of Straw Bags

Didn't get enough? Here are more that I love:

Mid Make: Crochet Edged Pillowcases

2013-05-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

I've been working all hours of the night on these puppies. Handmade pillowcases with a hand crocheted edging–perfection in my book. I created these for a class I'll be teaching this fall (keep your eyes open!), but the tute and pattern will be coming too, so never you fear!

I adore the delicate nature of the crochet. Better watch out, though, I've got my hook and crochet thread ready to attack all sorts of things. Yes, the list of projects may be growing!

Kathreen Ricketson - A Tragic Loss

2013-05-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

I am in shock about the tragic news I just heard about Kathreen Ricketson and her husband Rob Shugg, who both died in a swimming accident off the coast of Australia last week. If any of you had the pleasure of working with Kathreen, you know what a wonderful, positive, talented and supportive person she was. From the beginning of this blog, she has been a cheerleader and friend, encouraging me every step of the way. I loved contributing to her craft magazine and blog and adored her to no end. The energy she put out in this world was huge. An enormous void in my heart cries out. The crafting community will miss her more dearly than I could ever put into words.

These behind-the-scene-photos of her last book crush my heart as I think about her two darling children, Otilija and Orlando. What amazing people they must be. I know that Kathreen and Rob have given them the strength, the character and the long-lasting love to make it through this tragic event. I cannot imagine it. I hold my three so close today as I think of the journey these two must travel. A trust fund for their future has been set up by friends. You can read more abut it here, or you can contribute to the fund via paypal to this address: otilijaandorlando@gmail.com. Other ways to support Kathreen include purchasing her magazines or books, which are amazing and inspiring in so many ways.

Thank you, Kathreen, for your love, your passion and your spirit. I will miss you dearly.

Reverse Embroidery Hoop Monogram DIY–a finish fifty project

2013-05-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to do this project for a while. I was inspired to create this embroidered monogram for Allie after seeing this pin, this post and finding this shop - you know how these things work, jumping from one thing to the next in a long hunt to find the original. Anyway, I never did track down a how-to, so I wanted to take a little twist on it and do a photo tutorial for my own version of this reverse embroidery.

The monogram is nestled in a display of embroidery hoops festooned in some great prints to make a big wall of fun in my daughter's room for her room redo (more on that later).

Don't let the complex look of this project fool you–truly, it is super simple. You need to know the back stitch for the letter outline, and really, that's it. The rest of it is just random stitches. I think this project would make a great kids' craft as it doesn't really matter how the rest of the stitches are done. In some ways, the messier the stitches, the better.

A HUGE thanks to Lizzy House, whose beautiful fabric adorns almost every single hoop. These fabrics cover three or four of her collections, too. She's so good at making it all work together! Can you tell the new colors in Allie's room? bye-bye, pink--*sniff*

I will show you the before and after of her room soon. So excited to tell you that it is a feature in the upcoming Discovery Girls magazine. If you want to see it sooner, go get the June/July issue in stores any day now!

Oh, and you know this project coming off of that finish fifty list, big time!

Here are the DIY instructions for the Reverse Embroidery Hoop Monogram:

Materials:
Embroidery hoop(s) (I used an 8" one for the last name initial and 6" hoops for the first and middle initial)
Embroidery floss (in desired color, I used 8 or so skeins for the three letters!)
Embroidery needle
Scissors
Craft glue
Computer/Printer
Water soluble marking pen (or chalk pen)

Print out desired initial such that it will fit on hoop with 1/2 an inch to spare around all lines. Tape monogram onto bright window, with fabric on top. Transfer initial to fabric with a air-soluble fabric marker.

Using back stitch, trace the outline of the letter. Then, use random stitches for about 1/2" outside the outline of the letter to create a border of stitches.

Layer and overlap the random stitches as you go. Add outlier stitches further spaced out towards the outside edges of the border.

Pull the fabric in the hoop especially taut. Tighten the hoop. Trim the fabric around the hoop leaving about 1/2" all the way around. With craft glue, secure the fabric to the back of the hoop.

You're ready to hang! Repeat for all desired letters. To make a whole display, simply use other coordinated fabrics in hoops of various sizes. I have a post for you with hints on how to hang the collection. Coming right up!

Happy stitching! xo, anne

Head over Heels . . .

2013-05-14T09:19:00.001-07:00

These beauties all crossed my path in the last week or so. I love the coral, oranges and pinks, but it struck me how well these colors look with either white or black. Though I tend towards light and white, for sure, I must say that I am enamored of the dark side here. Hmmm. What do you think?
1) Paper Punch Flowers by Damask Love
2) Alex Perry Dress as seen on Pony Ryder
3) Indonesian Print Image from Dreamstime
4) Flower Still Life as seen on Small Stump and Studio Choo
5) Aula Aila Panel Flower Maxi
6) Painting by Yolanda Sanchez

Eager for some more? Try these:

Dark Side:
Lisa Congdon Wedding Invite
Floral Chalkboard Tags from Terrain
Fall In Love Art Print by the First Snow

Light Side:
Rifle Floral iPhone Case
Kids White Crochet Sweater over Coral Tank
Kids Coral Scalloped Maryjanes

I've been nutty working on some deadlines, but I have some beautiful things to show you coming up ;). I have a new tutorial for you, too. Get your needle and thread out, it's a humdinger!
xo anne

Make a Mother Happy Any Day!

2013-05-06T12:34:00.004-07:00

1) Floral Wood Bangle by Dessy Stoeva ($19)
2) Locally Picked Bouquet as photographed by Sarah Beauregard Kittens & Pitbulls (Free)
3) Summer Quilt by Camille Roskelley, Simplify ($8.95)
4) Free Printable Mother's Day Stationary by The Alison Show (Free)

So many sweet Mama gifts are popping up all over, aren't they? It's hard not to get caught up in them. But, actually, specially designed "Hallmark" holidays always baffle me a little. I don't like the forced nature of them. Yes, it is nice to be appreciated, but do we really have to wait until one special day to appreciate those that we love? Truly, any of these little gifts would make a Mama happy (especially this ol' Mama). But then, think how appreciated we Mamas would feel if one of these gifts popped up on any ol' day when we least expected it?

Of course, there's no better way of showing love than a handmade gift. Here are some of my flax & twine favorites from the past. Simple, hand crafted ways to show your Mama lots of love, any day:
Gold Ring Necklace
Crochet Covered Stone
Hand Embroidered Note Card
Embroidery Thread Wrapped Hoops
Fabric Flower Bouquet
World's Best Potholder

Guess What Time It Is?

2013-05-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

Santa Cruz Kitchen as seen on Houzz

It's gonna be bright, it's gonna be new and it's gonna be mine! It's kitchen time! You all agree that the kitchen is pretty much the most important room in the house, right? I'm so excited. See if you can guess what all these beauties above and below have in common. Then, tell me if you think I'm crazy about the plan for our new kitchen.

clockwise: Country Kitchen as seen on Houzz, Country Living, Wettling Architects, Linda McDougald Designs

If you said windows, windows, windows and NO upper cabinets, you win the prize! Am I totally nuts? Will I broil and melt away or will I bask in the sunlight? Will I be cursing the sun or doing a dancy jig all the time because it's just so bright and cheery. Will I curse the lack of storage space, or not care because I'm surrounded by trees and a sweet breeze??

Here's where I'm cooking now. The counter is pulling away from the wall–flaking grout everywhere. The fire alarm goes of with frustrating regularity, and I don't even want to count the bruises from knocking my shin into that darn dishwasher front. At least, there are gas burners.

So, it would seem to me that just about anything and anywhere we move the kitchen to could be a MASSIVE improvement, don't you think? Here is the space we're looking at taking over. It's right off the family room, and it boasts a sunny southern exposure. Here's the view to the west.

Here's the view to the east. The porch is 20 ' x 12 ' in size.

This is the view of our family room and table just inside the door from the porch. We haven't touched this room since we moved in other than to add our existing furniture. In this view, the porch is to the right.

Here is the opening to the porch, which we would enlarge to be about 3 feet wider on either side. The entire opening would be approximately 10 feet across.

Here is the view into the house from the porch. You can see that once the door is more open, there will be a great connection with the family room and wonderful sight lines from the work space to the hang space. One slightly strange thing is that you will be able to see the front door from the kitchen and kitchen table. I'm trying to get over that. It's not ideal, but the other options seem to be much more expensive. I'm hoping that from the front door, all you will see is that gorgeous view out to the trees. Converting this porch to kitchen manages to keep most existing spaces in the house intact. It avoids moving stairs and bathrooms and the like, which is what the other options we were considering entailed.

In addition to the front door issue, I'm trying to get comfortable with windows all the way around and no upper cabinets. I think it will be beautiful, but I am afraid it may drive me bonkers. Once we open the porch all the way up, there won't be much wall space left for refrigerators or stove hoods or the like.

Union Studio Architects

Well, I can't go through this and not show you more eye candy and inspiration I had picked out when I started this kitchen scouting adventure. You can see more of my kitchen love over on Pinterest. There is lots of it there. Below, I picked some highlights, with an emphasis on the color, feel and the kind of finishes that I like. I love the top photo. I would take a new kitchen just like that in a heart beat. I adore it. I love the color, the light fixtures, and the farm table in the next photo down. In the photo to the right of that, the hardware is exactly what I would pick out for myself. I love the white marble and sunk-in sink of the bottom left photo. While the glass storage uppers and underlit counters are stunning in the photo at the bottom right. Ahhh–so much to dream of right now.

Clockwise from top: McGill Design Group from Desire To Inspire, glass front cabinets,
Detail from Pinney Designs, marble sink detail from Planete-Deco, and coastal classic kitchen from Better Home and Gardens

Well, what do you think? I'm sure you all have strong opinions about kitchens. My dear hubby wants to turn the family room as you see it now into the kitchen and put a sectional couch and eat in table out on the porch. It's a thought. The benefit to that is that I could get a gorgeous wall of kitchen like the top one from McGill Design Group. But, losing the gorgeous family room has me cringing. Hmm, the time is coming to decide soon. Okay, let the comments fly!

Head Over Heels . . . Turquoise, Mint & Teal

2013-04-30T09:06:00.001-07:00

1) Sombrero Sheets
2) Stripe Girls' Criss Cross Tank
3) Stripe Scarf
4) Stone Necklace
5) Mini Chiffon Dress
6) Tassel Earrings
7) Faceted stone Ring
8) Striped Straws

Yeah, yeah, you see mint everywhere these days, but I love it as it leans into turquoise and is paired with teal and blue, too. It feels cooling and fresh to me. All these pieces are just lovely. I especially love the Sombrero Sheets from Anthropologie and the Turquoise Necklace from Terrain. Which is your favorite?

Mid-Make: Something New

2013-04-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

I went to the store yesterday to get yarn for some finger-knitting kits and I came out with new yarn and fabric. Bought stuff for a new project? Really? Yes, yes I did. Look how nice this knit and fabric look together, though. Can you blame me? I won't guarantee you that I'll wrap this project up any time soon. Yes, this means another project has been added to the stack of finish fifty projects. I'm letting go of the guilt, though. I figure if I take 9 steps forward and one or two back, I'm still making forward progress. Onward!

Caught My Eye 04.19.13

2013-04-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

Clockwise:
Poppies as posted by Pretty Stuff
Peaches & Popsicles as seen on Julie Leah (does anyone know the true source?)
Taiwan Cherry Tree by Su-Li Hung
Floral Scarf from Sole Society

Coming Up Roses Free Knit Pattern - a finish fifty project

2013-04-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

Things are Coming Up Roses over here. Truly! I am astounded by all the flowering trees here in Baltimore this Spring. So, finally coming out with this little rose pattern seemed even more apropos. Yes, the pattern has been done since September, but I wanted it edited and checked for you all.Make these roses in a jiffy. They are simply perfect for a bright, sunny Mother's Day gift. Add them to place cards or a parting gift to liven up a May Day party. Attach them to a bobby pin or barrette to adorn your braids. Or yes, add them to these to make your flats say Hello! Do you all remember this shoe makeover I did for Allie?

I often see crochet rose patterns, but not as many knit ones. Well, problem solved! You can download the pattern here on Ravelry or see it in a google pdf viewer here . And, YAY!, another project knocked off the finish fifty list.

Happy Spring Flowers! Here are a few I've caught from my neck of the woods.

Hunting for Bedroom Inspiration

2013-04-17T08:05:00.001-07:00

01// Paradise of Secrets found on Wedding Bells & Love Spells
02//Michelle Armas "That Bowtie That I Like"
03// Bouquet from Decor8

Well, project making home continues. Next up, our bedroom. Right now, our bedroom consists of two dark wood nightstands, a dark wood platform bed and guess what?–piles of boxes! I will be working on the boxes, but in the mean time, I'm trying to get some inspiration for how I want to finish the room. In the Boulder house, we had two HUGE floor to ceiling painted panels in the bedroom, which pretty much took care of any decorating required. Those panels got upgraded to the living room in this house (I'll show you those, later). Now, other than a blue coverlet and aforementioned furniture, I'm starting from scratch.

I won't be able to fix it up all at once, but I want a vision so that I have some direction. I think the blue has to go. I'm wanting warm, lovely, dreamy, cozy. This post is my initial take on the range of color palettes I am considering. I adore ranges of white to warm white, especially with wood accents. White bedrooms, if they are done with the right amount of warmth, are so lovely. The peach color, as you know by now, is one of my favorites. There's something about the softness of the color that is just so soothing to me. But, I also love it as peach rounds the corner into a pinky coral, pow! After selecting the inspirational images above, I went on a hunt for some bedrooms that implemented beautiful design, including the colors I love. Here are a few:

01// Peach dresser in nursery photographed by Laure Joliet
02// White and gold bedroom photographed by Simon Bevan
03// Island bedroom by Phoebe Howard

After browsing through pinterest for ideal bedrooms, you have to get realistic. We can't all afford to have Phoebe Howard come design our bedroom, can we? I am a newbie to all this, trying to design a space on my own in a cohesive way. I pretty much used to use what was handed down to me or something that I found on sale at Target. I realize now, that it is easy to find an accessory or piece of furniture here or there that I love, but the tricky part selecting things I love that can all live in one room harmoniously. How to make sure the colors, tones and patterns of things I love will work together seems the trickiest part. But, I have to start somewhere. I started a hunt for reasonably priced accents and additions to complement my existing furniture in some of the color tones I like. Here are some of my initial findings.

01//Caitlin Wilson Hong Kong Fabric
02//Dot & Bo Awakening Dahlia Pillow Cover
03//West Elm Mongolion Lamb Pillow Cover
04//West Elm Elton Setee in Lotus Pink Linen
05//Urban Outfitters Gold Side Table
06//Serena and Lily Coral Herringbone Throw

Doing this post, made me realize that I have some more work to do to narrow down what I want. I've got some more hunting and researching ahead of me. In the meantime, I am seriously getting a hankering to make something. So keep an eye out for a project soon!

Anne

Caught My Eye 04.12.13

2013-04-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

1) Benjamin Moore Colored Books as featured by Olga Adler Interiors
2) Citrus Saturated Playscape from Playscapes
3) Yello Ranunculus from Constantly Evolving
4) Vintage Scissors by Plumo as featured by Home Shopping Spy

Six Steps to a Powder Room Makeover–a finish fifty project

2013-04-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

Well, after my mom got me on a roll getting my house more livable I figured I better not stop. Since she left, I have continued to work on the house, "making" our home. For the last two weeks now, I have completely halted all hand work, craft, knitting and the like. I'm getting a smidge grumpy about it. I don't even want to talk about the untouched piles of to-do stuff at my desk. But, you know, sometimes priorities have to shift on the fly.

Even Sandy, my dear hubby, said to me yesterday, "You know, I feel more at home now than I have since we moved. The effort you've put into the house stuff has been worth it. Thank you." Awww. Just when I'm ready to kick him to the curb for working all the time, he goes and says something super sweet.

Now, let me show you the embarrassing truth. I kid you not, that we have been living in the powder room like this for 7 months. What??? I'm busy! Yes, it's about time I put down my DIYs to pay a little attention to our dear home.

So! I've officially decided to add areas of my house to my finish fifty list. I think this is only fair. It may not fit in a bin, but it's still a project, that's for sure! Are you willing to bear with me if there's a little less handmade and a little more before and after happening here? There will be some interior design inspiration and some low-cost solutions to big-house problems, too. Our house needs significant renovation to the kitchen so I don't want to actually buy a lot until we know what we're doing, so things are mainly going to be make-do, instead of buy-new.

On to the project at hand. The powder room is located under our stairway, through that door on the left. The powder room has a low ceiling and is small with a depressing paint job. I would repaint, but there's a possibility that the bathroom might move in the renovation, so I'm keeping change to a minimum.

Six Steps to a Powder Room Makeover:

1) Touch up the paint.

The walls were a disaster. I cleaned them with a paper towel and water. When that dried, I used putty to fill in the holes, using a putty knife to smooth it out. I used more paper towel to clean the putty from around the holes and scrapes - lots of picture hook holes. I did take photos of that process, (and this shows how nutty I've been), but I took all the photos with out the CF card in -hrmph. Anyway, while the putty dried, I took off the light plate cover. See photo below - it comes off easily by undoing the two screws on the plate. I brought it to the paint store and they matched the paint color for me in a jiffy. I came home, grabbed one of the kids paint brushes, opened the can, dab, dab, dab, feather the edges, and I was done.

2) Hang a interesting mirror over the sink.

This mirror is an antique I found in Boulder at a thrift store a number of years ago. I loved the color and its chipped paint. It has panels that swing forward which always made it tricky to hang. It hung for years in the basement bathroom in Boulder with the panels swung forward (my procrastination on the home front is not new!) This time, I bought some Scotch All-Weather Fasteners with adhesive and cut a little square for each side, so the mirror is now velcro-ed to the wall (thanks for the idea, mom!)

3) Maintain privacy.

I added a really sweet, but inexpensive, lace cafe curtain to the window for privacy that I found at Bed Bath & Beyond. You know I had all sorts of mad plans to hand crochet an edging on some beautiful white fabric I had in my stash. But, it's time for discipline people. If I wait to do that (still somewhere on some list), I'll never get the bathroom to good working condition. Time to get 'er done.

4) Hang artwork.

I hung art work on the wall opposite the mirror. Something to look at while you dry your hands.

Over the toilet, I hung these antique book pages, which Sandy and I purchased in India when we traveled there over 13 years ago. The illustrations are amazing!

5) Make functional.

This bathroom really needed a shelf. The sink top is at an angle. If you put anything larger than a quarter down, it simply slides into the sink. The toilet top is tippy, too, and you don't want to know what I lost down there. So, I actually hung a shelf! What is shocking about this is that I bought it one day and I installed it the next! I actually went down to the tool table and got the drill. Yowsers! I'm on fire. (Read: typically would sit on floor of powder room for another 6 months).

6) Make pretty.

I festooned the shelf with a fun lantern that holds an electric candle ($9.99) from Bed, Bath and Beyond, pretty hand soap and lotion ($14.99) from target, and a few fresh flowers. Easy!

Don't forget some snazzy hand towels. I bought these towels at a local flower shop in Roland Park that I love, Crimson & Clover. They are handmade (natch!)

Voila, six steps to a powder room update. You have no idea how happy it makes me that this powder room is complete. Well, it has a fluorescent light fixture that has only 4" of room to hang. That one will take some effort to track down a replacement and a professional to install, but that's all!

Head Over Heels . . . Blue & White

2013-04-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

1) Citta Baby Sweatpants by J Crew
2) Frost Garden on My Window by Anna Emilia.
3) Blue Cupcakes from Crumbs & Doilies
4) Cobalt Moon Baby Bedding from New Arrivals
5) Swedish Dream Sea Salt Soap from West Elm
6)Peyton Poppy Navy Scarf from Fab
7) Woman in Blue Tulle from Life is Beautiful

I've been seeing blue and white everywhere I look. So crisp, bright and cheery, it makes me happy just looking at this collection. What about you? Happy to see it or do you find the nautical nauseating?

Want more? Here are more lovelies that I found on my hunt:

Caught My Eye 04.05.13

2013-04-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

1) Antique Bottles No. 3 from Leaping Gazelle Studios
2) Peach Flower from Janine Joles and Jardino Collection
3) Cinita Dicker from The Missing
4) Red and White Champagne Currants from Cannelle et Vanille

Mid Make: Our Home

2013-04-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

After the frustrating depression I had over my reality at the end of last week, I feel so lucky to have had a visit from my mom to jolt me out of my funk. First, it was heavenly to just get away from it all. I did leave the computer at home! The eastern shore was beautiful and the kids had a fabulous time–boats, chicks, an awesome cousin, a hot tub, sand, shells, a bonfire and skipping rocks. We couldn't have asked for more.

But, the party was over when we got back after Easter. As only a mother can, she said, "Anne, enough is enough, it's time to unpack!" See, I typically freeze because I am a can't-move-until-I-can-make-everything-perfect sort of person. My Mom's more of a get-it-as-good-as-you-can-with-what-you-have sort of person. She got me rolling on fixing up a lot of the spaces in our house before she left Monday afternoon. It is true that you can think better without a bunch of stuff mucking up your space. I took the entire day yesterday to keep progressing, much to the chagrin of other deadlines. But, I think it was worth it.

Here is the before of my second floor hall:

Here is the after. I didn't buy anything new. I didn't get it perfect. Turns out the unpacked boxes had some things I could use to decorate in them. This wouldn't be what I would buy today to fix it all up, but it sure looks better than the before.

This is the other pile that has been there for months, ack! I'm not kidding, that pile of boxes and baskets has been there for months.

This is facing the other way, but you get the idea. The pile is gone!

See my love pillow? Make one for your home with this tutorial here.

I also finally hung things all through the house. Can you my mom saying, "Anne, just get a hammer and some hooks!" Okay, okay! the front hall was especially thankful. Here is the only before I have of it:

Here is the after:

Emptying all the book boxes and art boxes finally allowed me to get this room into shape, as well. Before:

After:

Just to give you a little more flavor of the house. Below is the room right to your left as you enter the house. It's waiting for me to pick out some perfect furniture (or, in truth, get some handed down to me) before I furnish it.

Whew! Okay, now I've got to get back to work. More progress to be made. I'll be sure to keep you up to date!

Caught My Eye 03.29.13

2013-03-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

1) Peas by Jeroen Van der Speck as seen on Stillstars

2) Lily of the Valley via Meara Demko

3) Mona Johannesson by Jesse Shadoan

I adore this trio. I love the vibrancy of the peas against the wood–so verdant. I can smell these lilies of the valley as if they were next to me, delicate and delightful. Mona Johannesson is just gorgeous photographed against the leaves–so dreamy. love, love, love.

My Reality

2013-03-28T07:58:00.001-07:00

This is my avoidance doodle. I like to doodle when I become overwhelmed by my reality.

I had great plans for this week that rapidly fell apart with the unexpected snow day on Monday. This week, I felt lots of pressure to do more, have more done, to be more. I started panicking about what project I was going to knock off the Finish Fifty list this week. Then, I began looking around at my still towers of boxes from the move, the dirty kitchen, the piles of laundry (at least it's clean), the stacks of paperwork and thinking I'll never catch up. I can't actually imagine ever feeling put together, organized and on top of things. Sometimes, people ask me how I hold down a part time job, parent three kids and write the blog. This is your answer. This is my reality most of the time. Don't be surprised if I delete this post at some later date . . .oh my, embarrassing.

I actually had the thought yesterday that I just don't want to make anything this week. That's when I know I'm really overwhelmed. Do you ever feel like you just need to slow down, pull yourself out of the flow of things and think for just a second? I thought that might just be okay. Maybe, I could get a box unpacked while I was at it. Well, I didn't unpack a box, I doodled instead, but it still felt good.

And, I still have corners of my space that look like this . . .

Or this. It's all about what you see, right?

My mother comes for a visit this weekend and we're going to bring the kids to the eastern shore for four days. I've decided to forget the piles, leave my computer at home, and not bring 5 projects–just breathe and relax. Good idea? I think so. I'm pretty sure I'll want to make stuff again when I get back. Happy Easter!

Head Over Heels . . . Black & White Kiddo

2013-03-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

1) Black & White Nursery from Ollie & Seb's Haus
2) Black Rubber Boots as seen on Varpunen
3) Black & White Birthday Bash (do you know the source?)
4) Acorn Onesie from Schoolyard Studio
5) Dolly Baby Moccasins from Le Petit Tom
6) Girl in Black & White Scarf found on Life is Beautiful
7) Chalkboard Paint Eggs by Liebesbotschaft
8) Tritty Leggings by Wunway

On the flip side of the Romantic Child, there lies the Black & White Kiddo, mod and hip, clean and fresh. What do you think? Are black and white too old for young faces, or just right for a change of pace?

Mid-Make: Snow Day 03.25.13

2013-03-25T10:12:00.002-07:00

Well, all I'm making around here today is a lot of fun for an unexpected snow day.

Though my first reaction to a snow day is always a groan–so much for my to-do list. In reality, it is a good reminder to throw your hands up in the air, put it all aside, get rosy cheeked and enjoy every wet and cold moment of it. We're making laughs.

We're making hearts.

And, we're making sympathetic sighs over the poor little daffodils.

What I love though, is how a snow day simply makes more time together.

And, the day is only half done, maybe we still have time to make some Snow-Day Chocolate Muffins. I hope you may be home enjoying a snow day!

Caught My Eye 03.22.13

2013-03-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

1) Happy Pink Scarf from Mickeys Girl
2) Painted Easter Eggs by A Creative Mint
3) Pink Ranunculas from Decor8
4) Pink Pleated Dress from BCBG Max Azria

Lovely pinks . . . I love them. The sun is beginning to shine brighter, I can feel it. Happy weekend to you all.

Easy Accordion Book - A Finish Fifty Project

2013-03-21T05:34:00.001-07:00

I've wanted to make an accordion book like this for over two years. The book definitely had a prime spot on my Finish Fifty list. I fell in love with the art of book-making after winning a gorgeous Japanese book on A Little Hut (Thanks Patricia!). Well, add book-making to the list of skills I'd like to build upon. I wish I could tell you the title, but the book is somewhere deep in some pile of moving boxes in the basement. This book is not technical in any way, no bone folder, or stitching - just basic stuff.

When I began brainstorming for my column in the spring issue of Discovery Girls Magazine, a great tween girls' mag, I thought this accordion book would fit the bill for a Mother's Day gift your tween girl could make herself. The step-by-step tutorial can be found in the latest issue, which is on stands now.

The book is made of regular 8 1/2 x 11 paper, a cereal box, fabric scraps and ribbon. The lovely fabric is by Lizzy House for Andover Fabric. My beautiful models are a college friend, Nina, and her daughter, Brittany.

Fill this book with ticket stubs, photos of friends, poems, doodles and more!

Make one for Mom. Make one for a kiddo. Make one for your hubby. Spread the love in a cute little bundle ;)

By the way, Baillie, my 9 year old, noted today, that I'm on pace to finish only 24 projects this year, not fifty. Hrrr!

From Sad to Happy

2013-03-20T07:13:00.002-07:00

I woke up sad this morning–low on energy, a tad overwhelmed. Ugh, was thinking it was going to be a long day . . .

Then, I took a spin through some of the blogs I follow and found such lovely, happy thoughts. Literally, I visited these four in a row. They brightened my day and energy, I thought they might just brighten yours, too.

I found a friend
:: celebrating a happy, found thrift store piano
:: relishing doing small things with great love
:: excited to explore a new city and share great blog news
:: reveling in happy stitching

Follow that with these lovely daffodils I spotted on my morning dog walk. I was thinking about the theory that we can make ourselves happy just by the way we think. I thought I just might turn it around today. The sun is shining, the air is fresh, I have many lovely things on which to work. Plus, it's the first day of spring–so many reasons to be happy.

Head Over Heels . . . the Romantic Child

2013-03-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

1) Tutu du Monde Peek-a-Boo Cape from Thumbeline
2) i like you via from Kristina Miletieva. Illustration by Katie Daisy
3) Floral Dress via from Ainara Perez-Solero
4) Girls Camel Coat as photographed by Maruska
5) Felt Stuffed Mouse from Atelier Pompadour
6) Shoes via Chloe Ward from Tumblr (argh - anyone know the real source?)
7) Miller's Marigold Dress from Elias & Grace

I've been so taken with the sweet, romantic baby girl lovelies that have been floating past me lately. They beckon a day long since past, yet bring that peaceful, sun-filled-meadow feeling right into the here and now. These are the things that made me long for a baby girl. Who, in the end, isn't all that peaceful–more feisty, firey and fierce, which is fabulous in itself. I can still revel in these sweet pieces and do every chance I get, even without another baby. Which is your favorite?