Hey Little Birdie!

I spotted this image of a gorgeous picnic on Pinterest and it got me all dreamy.

Apologizes to those of you who are buried in snow, but here in Phoenix we are enjoying highs in the 60s-70s this time of year. It makes up for our hellish 8 months of summer (kind of). The trees are full of citrus, there is sun but with a cool breeze- it is a wonderful time to be outdoors in the Valley. And what fun would it be to create a picnic in the groves like this inspirational scene?

1. Sandwich Cake! 2. Doilies and string lights 3. Cute Flats for picnicking 4. Lemon bars 5. Vintage covered dishes

My in laws bought my daughter, Estelle, a doll house for Christmas. I wasn’t thrilled about it at first, now I am completely over the top into it. Because it is about me, you know. Anyhow, Jina reminded me of Emily Henderson’s I am a Giant contest and I started looking up ideas. And all I can say is, whoa. Doll house people have their own crazy and decidedly creepy subculture. I guess that is the path I am going down. I don’t think I am going to let my daughters even touch it when I am through “remodeling” the house. Here are few of my favorite ideas I have tracked down.

I love everything about this exterior. Estelle told me it needs a pink door, I think I will make that concession.

How is this for an interior?  I am really making this house about me, you don’t think Estelle will mind do you?

And if the child insists on some color, I found a few vibrant rooms for inspiration as well:

I will post some pictures as the dollhouse progresses!

I’m sure you can tell from the pink and red rainbow that has vomited all over everything from Target to Pinterest that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. You may roll your eyes at the cheesiness, be exhausted from the December rush, or think it is a corporate, meaningless holiday. And to that I say- why do you want to kill love? (Imagine me with a pout and doing the heart sign with my hands.) But truly, I fully embrace the love fest. Pink, hearts, candy, chocolate, and sweetness around every corner! Valentine’s is the Hallmark Movie of holidays and I will always get sucked right in.

I’ve been tossing around the idea of handmaking some little love tokens to send out or give to close friends. And I want it to be something that Claire could help me with too. I need to be more intentional about including her in these things. She may not be able to participate in the traditional sense, but I want her to know and feel that she is a part of these celebrations. Just as I would do if she were a typically functioning child. So that may mean letting her feel the craft supplies, guiding her hand to stick something on a card, having her smell the ingredients of a treat, and showing/explaining what we are making.

Here are a few options I’m thinking through. Maybe you’ll see something that inspires you to share a little love as well!

Felt Fortune Cookies via Martha Stewart

Gumball Valentine Necklace via One Charming Party

Mini Baked Donuts via My Baking Addiction

Eye Love You cards via Kraze4paper

and lastly this cute Cupid Kit can be purchased from Paper and Twine on Etsy.

Hopefully you are done with your holiday shopping and moving onto the task of wrapping up all those lovely packages. (Confession: I’m not there yet.) I truly enjoy wrapping gifts, but I often find I am totally overwhelmed by the number of options and the complicated designs. Kind of like how I feel in the paper aisle at the craft store, it’s all too much! I want the presents I give to be pretty but I don’t want to add too much to my schedule by committing to a huge craft project! So here are a few easy yet beautiful ideas to inspire your (and my) wrap time this year:

1. via Martha 2. via WhipperBerry 3. via How About Orange 4. via Country Living

You know how we all post a buttload of ideas to our boards on Pinterest and never implement them? Well, I am to be the exception to the rule this month. (And apologizes if the word buttload grosses you out. But I grew up with 2 brothers and a really silly dad. Buttload is just a part of my language. Ha!) Anyway, I better get to work. I love crafting, it is very therapeutic for me. But I also love that it saves a mountain of money. Why spend $10 per ornament at Pottery Barn when I can easily make my own for a fraction of the cost? Here are the projects I want to complete before getting out the tree:

No sew ruffle tree skirt. Hot glue, cotton, and ribbon? I can handle this one!

Glitters stars. From cut up toilet paper rolls (or use papertowel rolls)! These will be all over my tree.

Tomato Cage Tree. This idea is genius because these things are so expensive at stores! Grab a planter, stick in a tomato cage, and wrap faux garland and lights around it. Instant beautiful potted tree!

Wreath Trio. My current wreath is old and tattered. I plan on putting up something like this but with a different color ribbon.

I hope you can use some of these ideas in your home this upcoming Holiday too!

It seems more and more frequently I am dazed by people’s ability and desire to band together to change circumstances, to offer support, and to give freely. I think we have a horrible propensity as humans to isolate and manage our lives alone. But I also think that is the opposite of what we are supposed to do. I believe we’ve been created to live alongside people, offering and receiving help whenever and wherever needed. I’ve been convicted lately to purposefully reach through my bubble and to daily choose to be engaged, surrounded, and accepting of the people God has so graciously set around me.

Jessica of Allora Handmade has a lifelong friend, Sharlie, who is battling Cystic Fibroris. And as you can guess, in her fight she has accumulated a daunting amount of medical bills (read more of the story here). Out of a deep love and concern for her friend, Jessica and her sister Mique have rallied the creative masses to open Shop for Sharlie. It has tutorials, printables, and advertising opportunities for you to purchase at nominal rates. All the proceeds go to Sharlie’s Angels. Go, buy something, and in the process help Sharlie as she waits for a double lung and heart transplant.

If you want to donate directly, go here.

Oh my, October is right around the corner! It may not seem like it in my oppressively hot neck of the desert, but regardless I am excited. I adore the explosion of creative pumpkin decor in the last few years beyond the classic carved jack o’lantern. One of the things that is so depressing about carving a pumpkin is how quickly it withers away, right? With all the crafty pumpkin crafts out there now, it makes my heart happy to be able to display these pretty gourds for more than just a few days. Here’s a roundup of pumpkin ideas for you! And remember you can even use on of those 50% off craft store coupons and complete any of these projects with a faux pumpkin. That way you can bring it out year after year! (Tip: saw off the fake stem of the faux one and hot glue a real pumpkin stem to the top to make it look more realistic.)

Monograms using thumbtacks and a pretty metallic paint. via

Candy corn pumpkins! via

Rhinestones in a web design. via

Gilded paint patterns. via

Lace stocking covered. via

Glittered section and leaves. via

Ric rac ribbon! via

All that’s left is to get started! One of these days we’ll have to have an HLB pumpkin decorating party.

I love a good homemade gift. There is just nothing like giving or receiving something that requires time, thought, and heart behind it. Some of the most treasured possessions I have are homemade- a painted rock from my grandma, a baby bracelet made out of silver spoons from a great uncle, and a blanket my mom stitched while pregnant with me. For the last few years, my family has even brought this concept into our holiday gift giving. We draw names and stick to a $20 budget, which creates a great opportunity to make things by hand. I even taught my hubby how to DIY a pretty patterned tray for my mom one year! Since the season of gifts is fast approaching and I have quite a few upcoming birthdays and events, I thought I’d share a few ideas that were catching my eye lately.

Fort Kit- Customize a cotton pouch and include a sheet, flashlight, rope, clamps and glow sticks! So cute and clever. I just may do this for my nephew.

Salted Caramel Sauce and Cookie Dough- Edible items always make lovely housewarming gifts. The first is a simple but delicious caramel and the second idea is to pre-make your favorite cookie dough and wrap it up in paper printed with the recipe. Fun!

Cork Letters- these would be a easy and beautiful gift for a friend, mom, or teacher! Just buy a cardboard or thin wood letter from the craft store, arrange and cut wine corks to fit (I have a ton of these saved for a rainy day), and hot glue. You can attach a bracket to the back for display, tie a ribbon to hang, etc. A ton of ways to customize this one!

Readers- do you have any favorite homemade gift ideas?

There is so much Ikea goodness going on! A new catalog (whyyyyy have I not received my yet), new products, a new blog, new hacks. My affection for this store doesn’t need much fuel but when there is new fodder I fall even more in love. I don’t care that the dresser is going to fall apart the first time it gets moved. I don’t mind that they trap me in their labyrinth of memorizing vignettes until I have suddenly wasted three hours wandering and find my self wishing I lived in a 300 sq apartment. I can even tolerate their wildly unforgiving assembly process. I just can’t help my Ikea infatuation. Join me and let’s all crush a little on some new Ikea treasures.

This hack is a little old but new to me and I adore it.  Julie Khuu from Haute Khuuture Blog glammed up a couple of Kulla Pendant Lamps with gold leaf.

Then there is Ikea’s new website IKEA Share Space where you can upload shots of your space and share it with other Ikea fans and browse through others’ ideas.  There is a blog that accompanies it and features the best of the week along with various Ikea tidbits.

Possably my new favorite product is the ISALA line. Designer Hanna Brogård created the ISALA line of tables. I love them, they are just fussy enough for me and come in lilac and grey.

And last up are the crazy fabulous O’verlays. I know they are all over blogland but it is because they are AWESOME.  They are the brainchild of Cheryle Rhuda and Danika Herrick. They are fretwork overlays that are compatible with many Ikea products like RAST and MALM.

I am fixated on the idea of one day having a charming nook in my kitchen. I sadly don’t think it is architecturally possible in the house I currently live in. But since we don’t plan on staying in this home forever, my dreams are filled with kitchen banquettes. Here are some beautiful options:

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Aren’t they lovely? To me, banquettes create such a sense of community around the table. I can’t resist them! When it comes time to bring one into my space, I may use this clever Ikea hack as a starting place.

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