For Wreaths.

Thanks to my Instagram feed I have become aware of so many amazing artists and artisans out there in the world. One of which is a floral designer from California, Moon Canyon. I don't know too much about them other than their amazing and beautiful floral arrangements that they post. I was inspired by a wreath that I saw and I knew I had to make my own version.

Materials:

Grapevine Wreath from Michael's

Trimmings from the bottom of our Christmas Tree

Branches from the tree in the backyard, with berries

Thin gauge wire

Wire cutters

I was out in the falling snow cutting down low hanging branches feeling very merry. I was happy to know that other than the wreath, we had all of the required materials in the house.

I swept the Christmas tree branches along the bottom and secured it with the wire. Then wove the berry branches into the wreath and on top of the greenery. I wanted the branches swept to the side and kind of loose and falling to add to the dramatic look. The lion on our front door was happy to have some company and it only took me about twenty minutes total. Did you make a wreath this year? I'd love to see if you did! 

Happy birthday Dad!!

In The House: The Boy's Room.

When we were preparing to move we asked the child what color he wanted his new room to be, "YELLOW!!" he exclaimed, so we set forth with that as the plan. After some extensive online searching and one color swatch later we decided that yellow just wasn't going to work. It was too babyish for him and we just didn't love it. So here's what we did instead.

These are the before shots. The top is from when the house was listed and what it looked like when we first saw it. The minty green wasn't that objectionable but it was old and needed some freshening up, not to mention I immediately slapped up these test swatches so something had to be done.

We went with Mindful Gray. We both agreed that it was a nice cool neutral and I thought that the name was nice too. I had high aspirations of getting a mural wall done too but at this point I need to move on. There just isn't enough time in the day!

One of my favorite things about his room is the art collection. I know I talked of it before but we've added a few new things that I think are so perfect! Plus most of them are local artists, The alphabet by Oddball Press, Numbers by Little Monster Shop, Knitting Bear from Made in the 216 by Kiddo, Isaac & Oliver Go for a Ride (the man on the bike) by Grey Cardigan, The Oldest Olive Tree by Four Fish Ink.

The star pendant light is pretty fun but we've had issues with how it functions. This bulb doesn't send off the prisms that the previous one did but it works all the time. Fair trade off. And what little boys doesn't need a Cerberus toy?! Our guy acts like it's totally normal thanks to his Uncle.

And just in case you were wondering what was happening during this photo shoot... O created a pillow party with the pillows from our room. It was perfect as the runway for his brand new airplane and served a a softer cushion for his jumping practice. Hope you like and hope you have a very Happy Friday!

In the House.

I hope that you are ready for nothing but house updates on here for a little while! We are deep in the thick of things and are finally seeing some results so I don't know if I can hold back! We've mostly been painting and unpacking but this weekend we really got some things settled and it feels good!

This pinkness is now officially gone and I can't wait to share the before and after with you! The new colors is so awesome I can hardly stand it. Oliver's room is almost done so that will be a fun reveal soon too! Like I said I'm ready to bombard you.

Not to worry, we haven't kept the boy cooped up during all of this. We've been out and about checking out the hood, hiking at the lakes, and checking out some fun Cleveland events that I'll share this week too! Have a happy, happy Monday! With an extra special mention to our favorite lady, happy birthday Mama!

Little Light Prints.

I have a known weakness. I'm basically incapable of not buying cute/cool/inspiring prints when I see them. And when I saw these Little Light Prints offered on Brickyard Buffalo last week I knew I had to have them. They are just so cute and I knew they would be perfect in our little man's new room or playroom. 

The excitement and anticipation of moving into our new house is palpable. I think that even O is ready to go! There's endless opportunity to paint, decorate, and remodel. So when I see something that I think will help me get a theme going it's hard to pass up! But I can't get everything there is to get. I have to  be cautious and reasonable with spending. I say that in the most mature voice I have. To curb my spending I pin like crazy and do my best to save up for the perfect thing! Have any great decorating ideas that are budget friendly? Send them my way!

Be About It

Fitness is a commitment that has lately been easily neglected. I'd rather not run when it's 100 degrees outside. I'd rather hang out with my family when my husband comes home. I'd rather not skip dinner to hit the gym. I'd rather sleep in than get up before the sun to make a 6:30 yoga class. Have you heard these reasons before? They are all very valid but they are also just excuses. It's easier to talk about it than be about it sometimes. It feels selfish to carve out personal time away from the family just for myself when there are plenty of other things that "need" to be done. But in order to be that healthy, well-rounded person that I want to be, I have to make a commitment to myself to get back at it. So this week I'm hitting the gym and have returned to the yoga studio a few times. Here's to being your best self! How do you keep active?

Image source: Wild Spine via Pinterest

Well Crafted: An Interview with Eileen Aber

Do you know how to do appliqué? I thought that I did until I received a gift of this shirt from EA Appliqué for my little fella. I mean Eileen's work is perfectly perfect and so very cute! She uses the coolest fabrics to make these personalized shirts! I'd love to look through her fabric collection.

While I love the few shirts that I've made myself, this one is indeed my favorite one!

Eileen was kind enough to have a little question and answer session with me about her shop and how she got started.

How did you get started making children's clothes?
I have two daughters, Charlotte (3) and Grace (1.5). I stay home full-time with them, which is awesomely fun but incredibly hard at the same time. After Grace was born I felt an incredible need to be productive in a non-child rearing way. Sewing is something I've always been comfortable dabbling in, so I started playing around with some small projects, mainly appliques. I made Charlotte a shirt with a grid of hearts on it and her initial, and the first time she wore it I had people asking me where I got it. I started making shirts as birthday gifts and word spread quickly among friends and family. It sort of snow balled from there. I always knew I'd love to have a small business, and when this opportunity presented itself I just decided to run with it. So far so good!

What inspires you to make these adorable shirts?
My oldest, Charlotte, is a spunky kid. She likes a lot of traditionally "boy" things like trains, cars and dinosaurs. Her style often drives me to mix and match fabrics in more playful ways. The frayed edges of my appliques were a result of wanting to create something that fit with my kids personalities, which are far from "perfect". I also have a lot of parents tell me that the shirts I made for their kids are what their kids always want to wear. They feel special in them, which means the world to me! That definitely keeps me inspired to keep creating.



 
















Where do you find your awesome fabrics?
Sewn Studio, an awesome fabric store here in Cincinnati, just being there makes you want to run home and make something. And when I feel up to the drive, I head to Fabric Shack in Waynesville, OH. It's got everything!

Who taught you to sew?
My mother :) Her main craft has always been quilting, but she's got a million skills when it comes to sewing. I've been around sewing my entire life, so it's something I've always been comfortable playing around with. For me, there's nothing quite like finishing a project and knowing you made it from scratch. It's addicting!

Do you have friends/family that you are crafty with?
My mom and my sister-in-law are both into sewing, but they don't live locally, so we don't share many projects together. I'm a sucker for a good DIY house project, and my local friends are more in to those than actually crafting. I'm happy doing anything hands on and creative.

How do you manage your time with two little girls running around?
It's tricky. Depending on the workload, I try to sew during nap time and then after bedtime. My older daughter doesn't nap, though, so she'll often sit at my sewing table and "organize" my fabrics for me while I sew. Remember, she's 3, so there's not a whole lot of organizing that happens...but it makes her feel a part of things, which I like.





















I love house renovation projects too! What are you working on now?
I love a good house renovation project...particularly finding new uses for old things. We're refinishing our sun room now and I'm planning to make a wall mounted book rack for the girls books out of scrap wood that we previously took out of the room. And I've got my hopes set on making a new quilt for my bed. That's such a big project, though, that I find myself crippled with indecision when it comes down to picking a quilt pattern!




Your branding and tags are really nicely designed. Did you do that yourself?
Well, thanks! My husband actually hired a graphic designer friend of mine to design the logo as a birthday gift for me last year. I love how they turned out! I order the hang tags from Moo.com. Their cards are such a nice weight, and the mini cards are a perfect size to use as shopping tags. The fabric tags are from a shop I found on Etsy (Miss Label).

How do you like using Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?
So far, Etsy has been good. It is flooded with products, but they have advertising options which have been nice and increase visibility for my shop. I don't currently sell in any brick and mortar retail shops, though I would like to explore that option.

Any advice for someone thinking of starting a creative business?
Branding has proven very valuable for me. People are always excited to get their order and see how it's presented. And with so many handmade goods out in the marketplace, branding your products is incredibly important if you want people to remember where they got your item...and how to reach you to order more ;) Also, make sure you stay true to the vision you have for your products. I polled a lot of friends for input early on, and I definitely put their feedback to use, but had to balance it with staying true to what I knew I wanted for my business.

I really want to thank Eileen for taking the time for this interview! I really hope all of you check out her Etsy shop EA Appliqué for gifts for your little one or someone else special!

Well Crafted: Crochet Cluster Necklace

My little man and I took a trip to a craft store the other day looking for a chain to repair an old necklace that I broke long ago. While there I got inspired by all the crafting supplies and did my best to only spend $13. It takes practice and serious restraint. The last time I went without a plan I ended up with a ton of fabric that I'm still looking to use... Anyhow this time I picked up just a few things and made a pretty fun necklace that seems perfect for spring. I'm all about appropriate short cuts so finding these crochet embellishments felt pretty good. But if you can make them, then more power to you!

Materials

Crochet embellishments

14" of chain

Needle & thread

Clasp 

4 jump rings

Jewelry pliers, preferably with metal cutter

Scissors

Measuring tape

Sew the crochet flowers together in an overlapping cluster. I played around with it a bit until I got them just right. Using the pliers (or scissors) cut the chain in two pieces measuring 7" each. Attach a jump ring to each side of the crochet cluster and loop the chain through. Attach the clasp and wear it, sister.

I'd also like to give a shout out to Natalie for the new braided bang hair do!

Stocking Up

I've been falling in love with some pretty amazing packaging and supplies lately. This little collection highlights some things that I think would really add something special to my collection of crafting goodness. I didn't even know I needed these things until now. It's a daydreamy kind of morning over here. Have a great weekend and a very happy Friday!


Image and Product Source: divine twine, knot and bow-hearts, knot and bow-tags, pretty tape-washi stack, pretty tape-animal stamps, pretty tape-chevron bags, happy tape, fringe scissors

A Study in Yellow

The sun has been shining in Cleveland lately and we have been busy walking the neighborhood. The bright yellow flowers (yes even the dandelions) have got me smiling. We chased a big yellow ball, counted flowers, and got inspired for some new DIY projects.

We've got some tasty recipes coming up and hopefully a new project or two brought to you by these fabulous shades of yellow. What's your favorite color this spring?

Chasing Sunset

Last night I was driving home at sunset with the sun in my eyes. It was kind of blinding but completely beautiful and it felt poetic. Almost as if I could just keep driving and chase it. I wanted to grab my boys and drive to the water and watch it set. And for a minute, I was able to pretend that I was driving to this beautiful place. I went on home instead, but it was a nice thought.

The Flowers are Free

Monday turned out to be a gorgeous day in Cleveland. So what better do to than stroll through the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse with my mom and my babe. The tulips were all blooming and there is nothing quite like the site of thousands of blooming tulips.

The ferns were unfurling and I was quite taken by their beauty.

And Little Man got see how his very favorite food grows.

Then we traveled to the desert. The cactus garden was filled with amazing prickly plants. This one reminded me of gathered fabric and flowers.

There is an entire wall of potted orchids accented by amazing origami butterflies that hang from fishing line. My next project just might teach me how to make them!

A chartreuse fern in the making.

Doesn't it look like someone painted the middle of this plant?

This giant tree in the entryway had fruit hanging way at the top.

Here we are enjoying a chance to walk around in the grass of the statue garden. And the best part of this whole trip is that the gardens are completely free! If you've never been, I would definitely recommend a visit. Enjoy your day friends!

Where the Heart Is

We are worker bees in this house. My husband, the planner and expert. Me, the spontaneous creative. Not to say he isn't creative, because he certainly is. We put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into our home over the last 6 years. Gallons of paint, sheets of drywall, shingles, cement, mulch, spackle, and love. And for the first time, it's starting to feel small. I knew this was not going to be our home forever but the thought of moving seems incredibly difficult but ultimately it's what will happen. It will be with a heavy heart that we put a for sale sign in our yard. Luckily we are in no rush at all, it's just something we are talking about and it's been fun to see the homes that are out there right now. 

Starting fresh with a brand new to-do list sounds amazingly fun to my husband. And a little bit to me too. That's as far as we've really come at this point. I've been scanning around looking for inspiration at Dwell and finding amazing homes. It's definitely something to aspire to. 

Later this week I'll share some before and afters of our place. Happy Monday!

Image Source: http://www.dwell.com/articles/l-is-for-longevity.html, http://www.dwell.com/slideshows/plays-the-thing.html?slide=3&c=y&paused=true, http://www.dwell.com/slideshows/singapore-fling.html, http://www.dwell.com/slideshows/spirit-of-the-south.html?slide=3&c=y&paused=true