Candle Giveaway Winner...

I put all the names in a hat, and last night my three-year-old picked one. (She had no idea what she was doing but was pretty cute doing it anyway.) And so, drumroll, please...and the winner is...

LAUREE, who had this comment: "My favorite candles are from the "Old Virginia Candle" company. They are made from soy wax (so they burn a lot cleaner) and come in these darling primitive looking jars. They burn cleanly and evenly and smell wonderful! They are a bit pricey purchased online, but I have recently found some for about half-price at HOME GOODS."

I may post a photo later of the cute little gift bag I put together with the candle in it. And, by the way, I discovered to my dismay that instead of it being a 26 oz. candle, it was only a 16 oz. candle!! Yikes! So I immediately threw in a second smaller Salt City jar candle ("Cappacino Brulee" flavor...yum) in addition to the Apricot Basil one to try to make it equal to what I originally posted. I can't believe I did that...I'll be more careful next time. Want to keep up the good rep. and all!

Thanks for playing, my friends, and I daresay I'll do this again in the near future...so keep reading...keep commenting...keep in touch!

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Valentine's Day (Part II)

It's Week 2 of my Valentine's Day finds from Etsy. As always, I tried to select pieces that are not only great on their own, but which represent an entire shop worth of wonderful goodness. So be sure to browse each artist's store...I love them all!


"I Fancy You" set of ten cards with kraft envelopes, made by Michelle Brusgaard...they are both whimsical and elegant. I think they'd work just as well to give to a friend as to a significant other.

It's not strictly a "Valentine" gift...but who doesn't adore red cherries? And red cherries on jewelry with Swarovski crystals is even better. I fell in love with this bracelet and just had to post it. Seller Moppet's Closets also offers custom name-stamped jewelry that is unique and affordable...I'm thinking they'd make great Mother's Day gfits. Be sure to browse...

This is a sweet and simple letterpress card with the words "I Love You" spelled out in sign language. I am really loving anything letterpressed right now, and also any Valentine's Day cards that are not your typical Hallmark card. This one by Letterary Press is both.

Vintage heart-shaped salad molds & cookie cutters lot from Estate Sale Treasures. Some of you out there like to collect these little salad molds...for others it's a good way to organize little things on your desktop. Personally, I think this would be a cute way to package a little Valentine's Day gift of candy, a cupcake, or - my favorite - jewelry. Put the gift inside and just tie it all up with red or pink ribbon and voila! A cute gift for V. Day.

"I Heart You" set of four cards and envelopes by Enfin, La Voila!. This is also not the "typical" Valentine's card...but there's just something about this whole line of fabulous cards based on antique and baroque designs that really appeal to me. They are old-fashioned but somehow quirky, fresh and modern at the same time. Be sure to look at the rest of the shop!

I find this "Pocket Full of Love" print by Studio Mela to be really charming! I've always played a game with my daughter about having "something in my pocket. what is it? it's a BIG HUG for you!" so this reminds me a little of that. I just think it's really cute and could work in any kind of setting.

Have a great weekend...and be sure to check out everything else these fabulous artists have in their shops! Tomorrow morning I'll post the winner of the Salt City Candle giveaway. (We haven't done the drawing yet or I'd post it now...patience, Grasshopper!)

One Day Left to win a Salt City Candle!

The Salt City Candle Giveaway is just one day away! Tomorrow I'll put everyone's names in a hat and let my three-year-old daughter draw one. (So if you don't win, you can take it up with her!) If you'd still like to enter, go to this post and add a comment, telling me what your favorite kind of candle is, and why. I'll announce the winner on Saturday morning. (Or late in the day Friday, if I just can't help myself.)

Also, coming this month...an interview with Portland artist Nancy Kremiller. I introduced her in the February issue of my E-zine, Feather Your Nest, as the Artist of the Month. Nancy will be giving us a glimpse into who she is, what inspires her to create, and what it's like to be an artist in Portland. She is already showing a generous spirit by sending me some of her handmade magnets as a "thank you" for featuring her in the E-zine. I am trying to act nonchalant about this, but really I am so excited to see them! Thank you, Nancy! (I'll post pics when they arrive.)

Okay that's all for now...until Friday's Fabulous Finds! See you tomorrow!

Contain the clutter...postscript...

I've always loved the idea of using vintage suitcases for storage. Thriftstores and garage sales are often a great resource for these, although they're becoming more popular to collect and are starting to become harder to find. If you can't find a used version - or just want a smaller version that doesn't smell musty - check out these pretty paper suitcases from stationery company Pink Loves Brown. What a super-cute, very affordable way to contain the clutter on your desk, nightstand, crafting space, or elsewhere. They have a great vintage look, and come in two different sizes and three different colors - green, pink, or blue. (By the way, Pink Loves Brown owner Nicole Balch also writes one of my new favorite blogs, Making It Lovely).

My $20 Quest for a Fabulous Valentine's Day Table

Day 1: I started at Goodwill, where I was hoping for some pretty china or glassware. I didn't find either, but I did find this LARGE piece of pink & white fabric - tablecloth size - for $3.99. It's vintage, I'm guessing from the 1960's - I can picture the late Queen Mother wearing a suit & matching hat out of this fabric. (And of course, pearls and gloves...but I digress.)

Day 2: I happened upon these plates at Target in their dollar section, of all places. The dinner plates were $2.50 each, and the two appetizer plates were $2.50 for the set. And they are actually ceramic, not plastic! However, I have to admit I was hoping for pink dishes, so I'll keep my eyes peeled. I'm not afraid to return these if I find something better.

Total Spent So Far: $8.99

Amount left to spend: $11.01

Check back for updates!

Contain the Clutter

Anyone who's seen my home office knows that I am not exactly an expert when it comes to organizing! (Watch the blog for my upcoming home office re-do...I'm saving up...and soon it will be a beautiful before-and-after story!) But, anytime I can contain clutter and make it "pretty" at the same time, it makes me happy. Have you ever found there are just certain things that pile up in certain areas of the home? Remote controls, magazines, and coasters in the living room. Napkins, sugar & creamer, salt & pepper in the kitchen...toiletries, wash cloths, perfumes in the bathroom. First, group like items together and see what you've got that needs to be contained. Next, find around the house - or go shopping! :-) - one of the following two items:



#1: A beautiful tray. This can be wooden, metal, rattan...whatever fits your style. It's my favorite way to corral all the little things and make them look like part of one larger unit of items. Pictured here is the tray I have on my coffee table, holding a few current magazines and some coasters. (By the way, my current coffee table is actually made up of two end tables placed right next to each other...so the photo below is of the other "half" of the coffee table).





#2: Baskets. Since they come in just about every shape, size, and color...not to mention, with lids or without, with handles or without, etc....they are a great solution for containing and hiding clutter. Pictured here is the cracker basket by Longaberger, which is perfect for holding my family's FOUR remote controls (perhaps one day we'll take the plunge and actually invest in a universal remote control!).

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Valentine's Day

This week, it's all mushy and pink and hearts and girly. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but there's still time to order some handmade decor, cards, or gifts for the big day. Here are some of my favorites from Etsy for "heart" day:

This table runner by Annie K Designs is both chic and cute. We're usually pretty focused on the color red on February 14, so it's fun to have something in a couple of shades pink instead.

I love the simplicity of this "Happy Valentine's Day" banner by Paper Farrago. And for my scrapbooking friends, check out the wealth of other paper goods they offer! It's pretty amazing.

Check out this cute gift set of four felt cupcakes, made by Robin's Egg Pink. Why felt cupcakes, you ask? Because they're just so flippin' cute, I answer! Be sure to also look at this gift set which includes the cupcakes pictured above, plus a child's apron! It is adorable.

Why order roses when you could have this adorable button bouquet by butterfly mosaics? I love flowers, but I've always been equally in love with the idea of bouquets made out of unconventional items. It's quirky and fun.

This is a charming set of vintage-reproduction stickers from candyconnection22...you get four each of the designs pictured. Attach them to gifts, use them to make cards, or add them to your scrapbook pages. Super cute. My scrapbooking friends definitely need to browse through all the other scrapbooking supplies they offer, too!

"Key to my heart" gift tags, made by kibbles. Just look at 'em! A cute and simple tag. Great for gifts, or use them as cards. Kibbles has a whole variety of fun tags to look at.

Funny Valentine card and Love Bug card, both by Squeedles. These make me smile!