Nest Cupcakes

Just one more note from Easter. I had to show you these adorable cupcakes I made that actually taste even better than they look! I think I was inpsired by reading about these nest cupcakes and these coconut cupcakes by Tracey at A Cottage Industry, and decided to combine the ideas to make nest cupcakes of my own. I used a shortcut, however: these are just a white cake mix, homemade buttercream frosting, and toasted coconut on top to form the "nest". In a few of them, as an experiment, I actually injected whip cream and made filled cupcakes. That experiment was a success, let me tell you!

I've decided cupcakes are one of my favorite desserts now; the portions are just right, and they're so fun to decorate and look so cute on a buffet table. I didn't use my cupcake stand this time, because it holds 24 and by the time Easter Sunday came around, I only had about 14 (no comment). So I used this antique silver 3-tier stand instead, with pastel jelly beans to fill in, and was very pleased with myself.

The cupcakes were a hit with my daughter, too - pictured here in her Easter finery.

Celebrating Green

So Angela at Cottage Magpie (really fun blog...I recently added her to my favorites!) put forth the challenge: share photos of favorite items from around your house that are green and post them on your blog. I love the idea of celebrating one particular color at a time...especially this one! I love green...in fact, it's only second to blue for me. (I had to laugh - almost every picture of green from my home also has blue in it!) So here goes:

Look closely...in amongst the foliage you can spot the green buds of soon-to-be tulips in my front yard! Yay!!

This glass bowl was a wedding gift, and I've always loved how the blue glass on the top fades down into green glass on the bottom.

I love my method cucumber dish soap and hand soap...perfect candidates because they are green in color and green - as in environmentally friendly.

I know, more green with blue. But check out my cool vintage lamp (that I got for free!) that fades from blue to green. Do I get extra credit for the green wall, too? (That wall will soon be painted a pale aqua, though...shhhh!)

My beautiful little bluebells that bloom right by my front door. Their green stalks are lovely...and, okay...so are their periwinkle blossoms. :-)

...and last, but not least, a little sage green pitcher I picked up on clearance at Target several years ago. It looks vintage to me and of course is very sweet next to my blue vases.

Can I vote for a "blue" challenge next month? >wink<

Friday's Fabulous Finds

Spring: It's. Almost. Here. To celebrate, here are more happy, fabulous finds. I had a hard time editing things down this week, so you'll find a long posting today full of spring-y Easter-y goodness. Enjoy these finds and don't forget to browse the rest of these artists' shops!

brown flowers print

six little birds print

seven print

raincloud print

I just love all these prints from the shop Swallowfield. The talented Jennifer Judd McGee has produced so many great collage prints that I had a hard time choosing which ones to highlight here. Her prices are very reasonable and her artwork is beautiful and fun to look at.

Beatrix Potter tags

A sweet set of 4 Beatrix Potter tags from Miss Ficklemedia...use these for Easter gifts or to make your own cards. They're just too cute!

Tin Cross from vintage ceiling tile

This cross is crafted from a vintage 1880's ceiling tin by Cottage in the Sun. This artist offers a variety of other shapes cut from tin ceilings tiles in this vintage, shabby style. Check them out!

paisley original cut paper collage

feisty rose cut paper collage

pod plant cut paper collage

These fun cut-paper collages are simple, graphic, and charming. I also love that they are from a Portland artist, Stripes & Plaid.

sleepy bunny

For a little one in your life...I fell in love with this sleepy bunny made out of vintage wool by Chet and Dot. Their whole store is full of whimsical creatures and creations like this one...both for the little ones in your life...and for the little one within you! (I'm not much of a stuffed animal person, but this one's so cute I could actually see owning it for the "cuteness factor" alone.)sweet bird Easter card

sweet chicks mini cards (set of 5)

Super-cute cards from Oneripepeach. A really cute store...this artist likes polda-dots and vintage papers...what's not to love?Little Bunny Foo-Foo hat

It looks so soft and sweet...and for the little ones, they still need warm hats this time of year. This little bunny hat is from Sheepyheads (how cute a name is that?). They offer many other soft knit offerings for the little ones as well.

Senorita Betty print

Aunt Bunny print

New Mama Notecards (set of 4) Parfait print

What I love about these prints of original watercolor paintings by Amber Alexander is the subtle sense of humor in each one. I like how these bunnies are portrayed so realistically, yet with human qualities at the same time. ("Senorita Betty" and "Aunt Bunny" are my favorites...even love their titles.) They make me smile every time I look at them, so I thought you would too!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Easter/Spring

As promised, here are some more sweet finds for the Easter month, and to celebrate the first official day of spring coming up. Be sure to check out the Etsy shops of each artist I've listed here...they are all worth browsing this week.

felt Easter egg ornament

trio of felt bird ornaments

felt bunny ornament

I think these little felt ornaments by Urban Paisley Handmade are just so sweet. Ideal for your Easter Tree or wherever you want to hang these little guys, they are charming an unique. Urban Paisley Handmade has a wide selection of felt ornaments...add one to a doorknob, an Easter basket, or wherever you feel inspired to add a little Easter cuteness.

This is an original mixed media painting by Jessy Poole. I recently discovered her vivid paintings and think they are quite fantastic. This one, "Bird in Flight", is my favorite, but her entire shop is noteworthy and fun to browse.

Robin's Egg Vase

This is a hand-thrown ceramic vase by Alina Hayes Ceramics. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. This would work in any setting - contemporary, country, modern. I love the color scheme and it definitely reminds me of a robin's egg. Alina Hayes produces many other beautiful ceramic pieces...the teapots are some of my favorites - so be sure to check them out.

"In my Own Backyard III"

"Lost in the Magical Forest"

"Paris 1984"

These are all prints of original mixed media collages done by Jennifer Z. Roszell. Now, I have to admit, I almost went crazy here and reproduced practically her entire Etsy shop, because I am so in love with everything she's done. I had an extremely hard time picking just a few to highlight here. So, needless to say, you have to check out her beautiful prints - which are all at beautiful prices, too, I might add!

Freeform Ocean Jasper Pendant Necklace

Golden Quartz Necklace

These necklaces by BM Jewelry Designs are just stunning. If you know me, you know I like chunky jewelry, and these are chunky while being oh-so-elegant. And, of course, I love that they are one of a kind. I'd take one of everything this artist creates...I'm quite besotted with her jewelry. And, I just found out - she's offering 10% off everything between now and Sunday, March 9!

***edited to add: BM Jewelry Designs is now offering 20% off your purchase through Sunday March 9. Yikes! Better get to shopping!******

There's this week's fabulous finds...have a fabulous weekend...and if you find something fabulous...let me know! I love tips on great shopping, great artists, great stores, great deals, etc.

Easter Grass

I love the idea of using real wheatgrass as part of your Easter decor. It is charming and simple...and the complete antithesis of silk flowers, which I am not fond of. I love the idea of finding a unique vessel to grow the grass in (it would only be in use for a couple of weeks) and then using the grass to display Easter eggs (either real or decorative only). Anyway, check out the idea and tutorial from Design Mom today (photo from flickr, courtesy of DesignMom).

Friday's Fabulous Finds - More Signs of Spring

With all the beautiful signs of spring outside today, and with Easter coming up, I'm having a hard time narrowing down this week's Fabulous Finds to just one theme...so I'll call this "more signs of spring". I'm loving any artwork with trees and birds right now, plus any decor or gifts with an Easter theme, so the next few weeks may just be sprinkled with plenty of both.

Cherry Blossom Triptych - one panel in detail

All three panels of Cherry Blossom Triptych

I fell in love with this Cherry Blossom Triptych before I even realized it was a triptych...three seperate panels that create one large picture. These are limited edition prints by askey illustration. Get this - you get all three for $50 total! They are just beautiful. In addition, askey illustration has many, many other fun and funky prints that I love...with names like "Red Shoes" and "Do you like my shoes?", how could I not? Be sure to check out their full selection.

Easter Chick Tussie Treat Cones

You've got to admit...these Tussie Treat Cones are pretty adorable. Made by Sweet n Shabby Roses, they come in a set of four. I like the idea of these at each place setting for your Easter brunch, or perhaps hanging on strategic doors in your home with treats inside...or maybe a gift for coworkers or child's teachers on Good Friday.

Original Mixed Media Cross - 8x10

It's difficult for me to find images of the cross that I really love - but this is one of them. I really like this original mixed media artwork by doodlingart, complete with a vintage button in the center. I'd be happy to have it hanging on the wall year-round.

Dusk-lit Gathering limited edition print

Morning Song limited edition print

I had the hardest time choosing which prints by OlaDesign to feature today, because I find all of her work to be quite beautiful. These are limited edition prints of her original artwork. They are only $20 each but if you buy two you get the third one free! So I would probably choose this one:

Spring Signals limited edition print by OlaDesigns

Antique Brass & Rhinestone Cross Necklace

Some of you may have noticed by now that I seem drawn towards jewelry that is vintage or made with vintage elements. I actually love trendy jewelry too, but jewelry on Etsy is special because not only is it handmade, but many of the pieces are one-of-a-kind...and as much as I love my Nordstrom Rack, you can't find these pieces there. Take this gorgeous piece by Angel Hearts, for example. I love the antique look of the cross, and of course the sparkly crystal. (You had me at "Rhinestone".) Browse through the rest of the vintage jewelry by Angel Hearts...lots of fun stuff.

"Early One Morning" original 5x7 collage

"Here I Am" original 5x7 collage

Aren't these original collages by littlestflower just so sweet? They have a really charming and vintage feel to them...but manage to feel fresh too. They come framed for...um...$8.

There it is for this week, folks. I had such a hard time narrowing it down to only six vendors this week, because there are just so many talented vendors on Etsy. (Oh, and I love to shop!) Some of you have wondered if I sell on Etsy. I don't - I just love to promote those who do. I really love promoting art that is original, beautiful, and affordable. If you are curious about other items I love from Etsy, I've got an extensive "favorites" collection that is ever-changing and expanding. You can check it out by clicking on "nourts" in the right sidebar under "Today's Etsy Favorites". And no, I don't get any credit if you purchase any of the items listed there...I just pick what I like and list it there in case you want to browse. I've often dreamed of owning my own retail store where I could sell beautiful things like this...but for now...I'm mommy...wife...redesigner...and couch-shopper. So enjoy the efforts of my virtual shopping!

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Signs of Spring

This week, you can tell I have two things on the brain: the coming of spring, and the color aqua. So, in celebration of both, I bring you this collection from Etsy. Grab a cup of tea, and possibly your credit card, because these delightful finds just might call your name. As always, I only list artists whom I feel have entire shops worth of fabulous finds, so be sure to browse through everything else these artists sell. (And a warm welcome to Claudia's readers from The Paris Apartment!) Enjoy, everyone, and happy Friday!

"Seeds of Freedom" print by vol.25

"Proud" original illustration by vol.25

I love this "Seeds of Freedom" print by vol.25. This shop has been in my favorites for quite some time, so I'm happy to get to feautre them now! I typically try to feature artwork that is not only pleasing to the eye, but quite affordable as well. That being said, if you would like to splurge a little, I included this original illustration by vol.25 entitled "Proud" because it's breathtaking and I just couldn't resist. "Glowing Pod" vintage fabric pillow cover


I really like all the fun vintage pillow covers that Absoluut makes, and am especially drawn to this one for its color palette. What better way to "go green" and also have a one-of-a-kind accessory than to use a throw pillow handmade with vintage fabric? If you need more than one or a custom size, just inquire and they'll be able to work with you.

"Invocations of Spring" fine art photographic print by Irene Suchoki

"Spring Magnolia" fine art photographic print by Irene Suchoki

I fell in love with Irene Suchoki's work almost immediately upon discovering Etsy, and am excited to feature her now. Her exquisite photographic prints appear more like paintings, and they are just so artistic and dreamy. (Read her story of her work appearing on Extreme Home Makeover: Home Addition recently, too - it's fascinating!)

"Joy" dragonfly necklace by Glittery Blue

"Framework" earrings by Glittery Blue

I just discovered the shop of Glittery Blue, where vintage jewelry and objects are transformed into jewelry for today. Most of them are one-of-a-kind, and while the prices are extremely reasonable, the workmanship is beautiful. Can you believe this dragonfly necklace? (And the framework earrings don't exactly fit my "aqua" color scheme, but I just had to show them to you anyway!)

"Honeydew" print by Yellena

This dreamy print by Yellena is almost fantasy-like. It's just a celebration of color and form, and it reminds me of spring. I really haven't seen anything else like this artist's work and I like how unique and complex it is. (This would make a really fabulous textile, by the way.)

So that's it...have a fabulous weekend, friends. I'm home sick, so get out and do a little shopping or go to a movie for me, and I'll live vicariously through you! :-)