the paper pony

paperpony has moved!!

2012-10-31T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have a new blog address! And a new header designed by the ever talented and good friend Jenn Kirk. I'm excited to be blogging more regularly again. It's been too long...

All previous posts were carried over to the new blog and while this URL won't be updated any longer, it will stay online.

If you would like to follow along, you can find me here:

www.paperponyblog.com

Today's post is about the Santa Cruz Flea Market. Nothing beats a small town weekly flea...

A little break

2012-06-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

...or a long one. Posting here has been sparse for awhile - not intentionally, but just by way of life and adding another baby to our family. I do miss it though and am working on a redesign, changing blog platforms and switching things up a bit. Crazy that I've been blogging since 2007. Blogs have changed a lot since then and I don't know if I can keep up...but it's a creative outlet and it's fun so I'm gonna keep doing it - in a slightly different way. Instead of random posts every now & again I'm just going to wait until the new look is ready and everything is switched over. Don't call it a comeback - or do!

Crazy Chair Lady

2012-06-05T23:50:00.003-07:00

Amongst all the things we have going on I am still playing with the house and currently working on the dining area. Before Genevieve was born we converted the dining room into a play room - best decision EVER. The only negative was that our massive dining table didn't fit in the new space. I originally bought this table thinking it would be our "have forever" table...but it just doesn't work here and for the rest of our days in this house, this is where we will be eating. I actually really like dine in kitchens and this is one of my favorite spots in the house. So, the table had to go.

Finally we listed it on Craigslist and said farewell...then with cash in my pocket I started buying up dining chairs like a crazy person as we've never really had nice chairs. These salmon Thonet chairs above were $25 each...each! I also have 4 bentwood chairs en route via ebay. 14 chairs and no table.

I don't really know much about tables, but in researching styles that work well with benches I discovered the x-base/trestle. The mid century ones are my favorite, but they also cost around $4,000. Today I bought a small pedestal table at a junk shop that works and will do for now. But, if you see one of these for not $4,000 send it my way. Salmon chairs await...

Lomography goes to Capri

2012-05-08T01:00:00.001-07:00

No doubt you've seen this camera popping up in your Google Reader...no wonder, is it not the cutest? I will get my hands on it just as soon as I am able. I like a camera I can plan an outfit around.

Photo credits, clockwise from top left: lomo user qbpqdp, lomo user feemail, lomo user sve.

The find: Little Gold Rings

2012-04-30T11:38:00.001-07:00

I don't wear much jewelry, but I do love a little gold ring on my right hand. These are a few of my recent finds - nothing fancy or expensive. It's the new thing I love to hunt for at flea markets, thrift stores, etc...

My collection of perfume bottles like the one above is growing too. What are you collecting lately?

Heidi Merrick Spring Brights

2012-04-25T18:03:00.003-07:00

1. Kissing shirt in Ivy, Driving skirt in Ivy 2. Jeanie pant in Sunset 3. Kevin dress in Sky 4. Morey shirt in Yellow

Late night browsing last night on my favorite designer's site. Heidi's Spring brights - I wanna wear 'em.

Take a peek at Fall 2012 too - inspired in some part by the "gentleman surfer". Do you see it?

Easter Sunday

2012-04-23T22:48:00.000-07:00

Easter was a beautiful day with good friends and lots of color. I wish I could say I decorated that table and made those brownies, but no...I just took the pictures.

And the surprise eggs were a success! If not a messy one, but the kids loved them. I think they will become a yearly tradition.

Card Catalogs from The Days of Yore

2012-04-16T14:54:00.001-07:00

Image sources: Top [decor8], Middle [Emily Henderson], Bottom [Etsy]

Today I have card catalogs on my mind - they are so interesting, so old school. I would love to find a small one to use for a side table in my bedroom, but I would fill the drawers with things Evie could carry around since she steals anything I leave on my current side table. Does she have a little stockpile somewhere of hair ties & pens? Probably.

How to :: Make an Easter Surprise Egg

2012-04-05T00:03:00.000-07:00

I have been at my mom's for a week and it's impossible to spend that much time with her and NOT want to make something. I have been wanting to try making a surprise ball for awhile...they are so delightful and happy-making. For Easter, how fun to make them in an egg shape!

What you need:

- 1-3 rolls of crepe streamer. I used three colors for mine.

- plastic egg

- at least 5 prizes (Stickers, temporary tattoos, balloons, small charms, silly bands, gum...I pulled mine together very quickly, but there are so many options. The flatter the better. )

- something to fill the egg with (a bigger prize, candy)

- confetti (optional)

- washi tape or sticker to seal the top
- scissors

What you do:

1. Prep your streamers

- cut about 15 strips of streamer, each 1 yd. in length

If you are using more than one color cut equal amounts of each. You can always cut more later if you need to. I did this very approximately, no need to pull out the measuring stick unless you really want to.

- Stack 2-3 segments on top of each other and fold in half length-wise once, then in half again, half again and then once more until you have about a 2-in square in your hand (four folds). Cut this in half length-wise so that when you unravel you have long strips about .75 in. wide (see above).

- You will need about 6 strips for each layer and I did about 6 layers, so roughly 36 strips total.

- Lay the strips out on the table or drape on the back of a chair (this is what I did).

2. Fill your plastic egg and snap closed. I found these rad gold ones at a party store in Santa Cruz.

3. Take one strip and start winding around the egg. I found it easier to wrap the first one around the widest part of the egg and then cris-cross covering more of the egg as you go. When this strip is wound around grab another of the same color and wind again until the egg is completely covered. If you pull just a bit you will get a smoother look and the prizes will stay put better.

You could also place a pinch of confetti in here somewhere if you want.

4. Place one of your flattest prizes on the egg and start covering with another streamer strip (in an new color if you like). At this point I started winding the strips lengthwise (top to bottom) to retain the egg shape as much as possible. Wrap about 5-6 strips before adding a new prize. When I tested this with B it seemed like that was a good amount - less than that and the prizes will be uncovered too quickly.

When done with these strips, place another of the flattest prizes and start wrapping again with 5-6 strips (start another color here too if you want). I tried to alternate where I placed the prizes to keep the shape.

More confetti every now and then, just for fun.

6. After the first two layers I started adding my less-flat prizes and found that placing them at the top or bottom of the egg worked better to keep the shape. If you feel like it's getting wonky you could also cut a square of tissue paper big enough to wrap around the whole egg and scrunch that around in between layers to get the shape back.

7. Keep wrapping until all your prizes are hidden. For the final outside layer, try to wrap as neatly as possible and keep wrapping until you have a smooth surface and it looks the way you want it to. Cris-crossing and working around the egg gradually worked well for me. End the last strip at the top (cut if you need to) and seal with washi tape or a sticker.

I can't wait to watch the kids open these on Easter. They didn't take too long and the options are endless. I want to make some for my girl friends with grown up treats, like these...

Evie is One

2012-03-20T22:55:00.000-07:00

We brought cupcakes to the park for a little friend birthday celebration. I made funfetti cupcakes from scratch with light pink butter cream frosting. Super easy! Just make your favorite vanilla cupcake recipe and mix in about 1/3 cup (or more) flat confetti sprinkles (sometimes they are called quins).

The girl loves a cupcake. She also loves to push her baby doll around in a stroller, cuddle with Maisy, play outside, climb on everything, and make us laugh. She has a few words and my favorite thing she says is "yeah" when I ask her if she wants something. Allow me to gush for one second about how adorable that is to me.

Happy birthday Genevieve Lisette. Can't believe you are ONE already. Stay this cuddly and sweet forever, k?

How to :: Make a Glitter Heart Cake Topper

2012-03-19T23:47:00.000-07:00

For Evie's 1st birthday we had a little family party with Forest's side and I made these glitter hearts to top the cake. My first attempt at frosting ruffles wasn't so successful (cream cheese icing doesn't hold up like butter cream), but the top was pretty.

What you need:

- construction paper in a neutral color
- scissors
- glue
- coarse glitter.
- skewers
- heart template. Draw your own or download mine right here. The perfect heart shape is hard to find, so I made my own in Photoshop. There are 8 sizes on the sheet and I used 2, 3 and 4.
- pencil

What to do:

1. Trace with a pencil and cut out 2 hearts for each topper you want to make.

2. With the pencil side up place the flat end of a skewer on one heart and spread glue all around. Place second heart pencil-side down on top and gently seal the edges of the heart. Try to keep the middle of the heart as flat as possible so you don't get a crease around the skewer.

3. Set aside to dry and make another. Repeat until all your hearts are glued to skewers.

4. When hearts are dry, spread an even coating of glue on one side of each heart and cover completely with a generous dusting of glitter. Make sure you have enough glue so that the glitter will stick, but not too much otherwise it will drip off the side while drying.

5. Shake off excess glitter and set aside to dry. Move on to the next until you have glitter-fied one side of each heart.

6. When all are dry, turn over and glitter the other sides. Set aside to dry.

7. Trim skewers to your desired length as you're arranging the hearts. I used kitchen scissors and they worked fine, but watch out as the ends do tend to go flying.

8. Smile at your pretty, sparkly cake.

You could use the smallest heart on the template for cupcake toppers with toothpicks instead of skewers. Or just do one large heart instead of a group. Anything your *heart* desires.

Happy Weekend

2012-03-02T16:28:00.003-08:00

Weekend plans?
I'm going to; straighten up our messy house, attend a magazine launch party in Santa Barbara with some good friends, go to a kid's birthday party, hopefully work on some projects and shoot a wedding.

I always think we will slow down someday, but we never do.

Happy weekend xoxo

Baker's Birthday Fiesta

2012-02-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we celebrated Baker's fourth birthday with a Fiesta (ahem, Diego) party. Diego was on the bounce house, so he did show up and Baker was stoked.

I made a bunch of paper flowers (there's a good tutorial here) and hung paper Mexican flags I found at the Ventura Flea. The big project was the mini pinatas that we gave as favors. Those took a bit of time, but they were pretty fun to make. Thank you Martha Stewart for making fringe scissors. Each family got one with surprises inside for the kids. Almost everything in the pinata and favors came from Dollar Tree. Fun stuff that kids love on the cheap.

Baker asked for a cake and I said, um okay! My favorite chocolate cake comes from The Bride & Groom First and Forever Cookbook - it's amazing. Seriously.

A good old backyard party with friends! And, Evie turns One in two weeks - where has the time gone?

Maybe this is a style post

2012-02-27T14:42:00.001-08:00

My friend Jenn (whose blog you should follow if you aren't, because she is insanely crafty and stylish) asked me when I am going to start doing style posts. Hm....I'm afraid of style posts.

I do love clothes though and figuring out what looks stylish, but also is practical for where we live and my day to day Mom life. I don't have a very big clothing budget either, so mixing high/low and finding pieces that look nice but don't cost too much is my favorite.

This here photo was from last Saturday - a very fun girls day in Los Olivos to celebrate my friend Katie's birthday. This is the type of outfit that makes me feel put together, but is also super comfortable. Faux leather jacket & maxi skirt from H&M with a really old LV Speedy bag that I can't seem to get the "old lady perfume and cigarettes" smell out of. You know that one...

So maybe I'll start doing some style posts with photos that aren't taken in front of a dusty junk shop mirror. It's just for fun right?

Saturday with Diana+

2012-02-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

Anne + Matthew at More Mesa, Santa Barbara.

An Adoption Shower

2012-02-24T11:36:00.000-08:00

Our friends are adopting from Africa and a group of us planned a family shower for them a few weeks ago. We made all the flowers out of paper, washi tape + skewer drink flags, had families bring their favorite cookies for the dessert bar and covered bubbles and Trader Joe's chocolate bars in kraft paper for favors. I also made these streamers, inexpensive and surprisingly easy.

The "seven" tags (seven people in the family) were for the guests to write down their favorite local activity for the Hocks to keep as ideas for the weekend.

The Oh Happy Day photo booth props are a little time intensive, but they were so much fun. We're so excited for the Hocks and can't wait to meet the "bigs".

Saturday with Diana+

2012-02-22T13:53:00.000-08:00

I have missed my Diana! Since I've been shooting film I've started using it again more and it's been so good to go back to such a simple camera. Way long ago I posted a few tips for shooting with the Diana+ - see them here.

Baby Shoe Love

2012-02-17T01:12:00.000-08:00

Evie is walking! I'm freaking out a little bit about her not being a baby for that much longer. But I'm also having fun looking at shoes. She's really going for it and is gonna need some legit footwear soon. Here are six adorable pairs I want to put on those pudgy feet of hers.

1. Saltwater Sandals 2. Elephantito metallic Mary Janes 3. Bloch metallic baby ballet flats (I mean...) 4. Trumpette metallic moccasins 5. Cole Haan T-strap sandals 6. Trumpette baby boat shoes

Paper Hearts

2012-02-14T12:49:00.000-08:00

I, like always, was pulling something together last minute for Valentine's Day and in a pinch as I had no cute bags for the little gits I was giving. Old W magazines & origami saved the day. I chose the most colorful fashion spreads, cut the pages to 10 in. square and folded these up. They are about 6 in. and the gifts fit perfectly in the envelope.

Finally, justification for magazine hoarding.

Check out my Instagram to see what we are doing today and have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Dance it Out

2012-02-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

Love these! Your favorite film/television dances. Illustrations by Neiges Borges - see more on Dancing Plague of 1518 and buy prints here.

[ via iwatchstuff and my bff Faith's cool husband Ryan ]

Personal Pinatas

2012-02-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

I've not been blogging, but I have been working and making lots of things. We have two big parties coming up this weekend - B's 4th birthday and a shower for friends adopting from Africa. These little pinatas-in-the-making are favors for Baker's party. I really wanted to do these, but cutting out approx. 25 and taping them all together seemed crazy. While papier mache is totally sane...

They will look like this when they're done with a little treat inside. No matter how busy, I will always make time for this kind of thing. Paper crafts, Forest helping, glass of wine, Downton Abbey. Relax!

Frye Family :: Oxnard Beach Park

2012-01-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

The Hock Family :: Carpinteria Bluffs

2011-12-22T09:53:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite families...and next time we do photos there will be seven of them! Sarah & Davis are in Ethiopia right now meeting the three new additions, or the "bigs" as they are called. It's a beautiful story of faith & love, so appropriate for this season.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays xoxo

The cutest flash drives you ever did see

2011-11-09T23:25:00.000-08:00

Annie did it, and I thought it was brilliant. So now I have these cute little flash drives to deliver image files on instead of DVDs. It is almost 2012, after all!

They're like digital petit fours. I think Marie Antoinette would eat them up.

Happy Weekend + I love Instagram

2011-10-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

Do you Instagram? Find me @ rayacarlisle and I'd love to follow you!

Happy Weekend! xoxo