Inspired Handmade Gifts and Packages

Hostess Gift Set (you choose patterns) by CityChicCountryMouse

I don't know if you realize this, but Christmas is coming. In fact, it's right around the corner and will be upon us before we know it. A friend posted on Facebook today that her kids all want Christmas to hurry up and get here, but she needs it to slow down because she feels the impending "deadline" of making it all happen. I can relate! That's why, instead of actually making it happen right now, I'm feeling a bit worn out and rebellious and am blogging instead. There's still plenty of time to choose unique, handmade gifts and wrap them beautifully.

Here's the thing that always gets me. Our family does a gift exchange and there are mostly men in the family. Which means that every year, instead of getting to purchase some of these lovely handmade things, I instead have to go buy tools, dress shirts, or Home Depot gift cards. A girl can only buy so many boy things before she goes crazy. So this is my reprieve!

Need help getting those gifts to look even half as good as the ones you see on Pinterest? I found this sweet Etsy shop called Kawaii Goodies that has everything from baker's twine (an extra-chunky version I've not seen before) to rhinestone ribbon (YES PLEASE!!!) to washi tape to cute "handmade with love" stickers. For my own "DIY" version, I have some of those little doilies which I will be using in combination with baker's twine and various ribbons for wrapping some of my gifts. I also have some tulle ribbon in pale pink that I purchased years ago for one of my daughter's birthday party decor, but it has come in so handy as ribbon on wrapped packages. It's different and makes the gift seem extra special.

Gypsya is a shop that is new to me, although judging from all their positive press from other high-profile blogs and shops (anthropolgie sound familiar, anyone?) it's been around a while. I stumbled onto this shop while searching for organic bedding on Etsy. I've absolutely fallen in love with her textiles. If I could, I would re-do my girls' bedroom in white and use her blankets (#2 and #8) for a big pop of color. Then, I would get her animals duvet cover (#4 or #6) for my sons bedroom. At the risk of seeming creepy, I'd go even further and would wear her scarves (#3 and #5) while carrying her purse (#7) while creating a masterpiece using her homemade watercolor paints, made from flowers! (#1).

This is the part where I have to sheepishly admit I just purchased two of her lovely pillow covers (#9)  when she had a Facebook sale. They have arrived and are lovely and happy and are just waiting for pillow inserts. Where have you been all my life, Gypsya?

Friday's Fab Finds

It's late in the day...and I'm a little pooped from a (fun) redesign this morning...but I figure better to post late than never! I'll share the redesign pics with you next week, and for now...here are a few things I'm loving on Etsy recently:





Seedheads silk-lined clutch bag by redrubyrose






animal damask coasters by theseawithin








nettle pillow by enhabiten








custom cupcake toppers by maryhadalittleparty







Venice Light by KACompson





Alexander's Delightful Day (original painting) by paigetwelve


Enjoy these finds, and support these artists by checking out their super-cool shops this weekend. See you back here on Monday!

NEW Giveaway Winner!!!

set of 12 custom notecards designed by Nesting Instincts

Well, I tried and tried to get in contact with "becky up the hill". She was randomly selected as my giveaway winner, but after giving her about three weeks to get in touch with me, I'm forced to select another winner. I just want to give a gift, here, people - is that so wrong (said in a loud, melodramatic whine)??

So, I randomly selected another name from amongst those who left comments on this post within the required time frame, and voila! The new winner is: Alesha, who said:

"Just a few ideas:"Paper, Quill & Ink""Quill to Paper""Paper Aviary""Paper Nest""Inking Nest""Paper Quillery":-)Alesha"



So, Alesha, I've left a comment on your blog (which appears to be brand new). Please email me to claim your prize!

Friday's Fab Finds...Cuteness for Little Boys

very scary lion by wildthingsofnoosa

So...Father's Day is coming up...and I don't have a list of gift ideas for Fathers today. (That would make sense if I did, wouldn't it?) But this fun collection does have something to do with dads...or parenthood, anyway. My sister-in-law and two of my best friends are all expecting baby boys this summer, so in honor of them, I thought I'd dive into the world of cute stuff for baby boys on Etsy. (I wish I could buy every single one of these things for my nephew on the way! It's the thought that counts, right, Tarah? Ah, to be independently wealthy.) Also, today's my sweet husband's birthday...and he was a baby boy once...so I guess this in honor of him too! Here are some of my favorite things:

funky penguin

tropical panda

It's killin' me...these are so cute...I want one just for me! (And I'm not usually a stuffed-animal sorta girl.) Australian artist's shop wildthingsofnoosa is filled with handmade goodness for both girls and boys...plenty of cute little creatures and adorable apparel.

H is for Handsome print

S is for Sharp print

This is part of a vintage alphabet series. They've made me smile since I first set eyes on them. Wouldn't the little man's nursery be so very sharp and handsome with the addition of these prints? By Portland-based Etsy shop Swellkid.

Hi I'm new here onesie

Ha ha! This is funny. I like it. Sweet embroidered onesie by Etsy shop 4myangels.

woodgrain owl

Just look at that face! Just look at that wing, casually resting on that soft pillow. Look at those eyes! Is it just me, or can you actually hear this guy saying, "Please take me home"?! By talented Etsy artist iheartnorwegianwood.

G is for Giraffe block printed print

I actually featured this artist's cupcake in last week's Friday's Fab Finds post about cupcakes...but the other thing that immediately caught my eye in her shop was her alphabet series (by sheridesthelion) and I just had to post them as part of today's collection. They are so graphic and yet sort of retro looking, they would be perfect for any little man's stylin' pad.

Punk rock red baby onesie gift set

Punk rock white baby onesie gift set

Rock on! Oh...my...goodness...first I saw the white one, but then I saw the red one...if I had a baby boy he would so be in that red outfit ASAP! The perfect gift for a baby boy...especially if his mom or dad was an aspiring rock star... or even just a wannabe. :-) By cool Etsy shop lowleepop.

That's it for today, folks. Thanks for sticking with me while I took a blogging break for a couple of days! It was just the right amount of breathing space to get caught up on a few things. I hope you have a fabulous weekend, and don't forget to enter my giveaway before midnight on Saturday, June 7. I'll be back Monday to announce the winner!

*********** need some weekend reading? ***********

* If this is your first time to my blog, you may want to read up on past Fabulous Finds...

* ...or you could catch up on some of my before-and-after pics of interior redesigns...

* ...or check out my guest blogging all this week at Peppers & Pollywogs, a children's party planning website.

*********** Happy Weekend! **************

The Easiest Desserts Ever

So last night, I was having a craving. You know the one...where you begin searching the cupboards desperately for any sign of chocolate. You consider opening some chocolate chips and digging in, but can't find any...you find a few stale leftover red and green M&M's from Christmas in the back of the cupboard, and that helps for a few minutes...but only for a few minutes. Then, it gets worse. Next thing you know you are pulling out your cookbooks, looking for any recipes made with cocoa powder...maybe that will do the trick? When, at last, you remember, you have the two things necessary for the perfect fix: a cake mix, and the book 101 Things To Do With a Cake Mix. You sigh in relief as you turn on the oven to 350 degrees, and get to mixin'. Within 20 minutes you are pulling White Chocolate Chip Fudge Bars out of your oven, and the house is filled with a scrumptious aroma that only comes from chocolate baking. (Are you drooling yet?)

This is all theoretical, of course. Had this really happened to me, I would be able to tell you how delectable these little morsels were and how absolutely quick and easy they were and how they would be perfect if you had last-minute guests coming over, or just needed a simple dessert for an after-school snack. Of course, I am the picture of self-control. If I had lost control, however, I would be really glad that I had 101 Things To Do With a Cake Mix.

I LOVE this little cookbook! Let's just say that for someone who doesn't have a lot of time to bake fabulous homemade goodies, this book makes me look good. Each recipe is so quick and simple and yet the desserts often seem really special. So I checked on Amazon just now, and lo and behold! there is a second one in the series....101 More Things to Do With a Cake Mix. I added it to my Wishlist immediately. And for $9.95 each, these little cookbooks don't break the bank. (By the way, there are even more in the series...check them out on amazon.com...like 101 Things to Do With a Slow Cooker.)

When I entertain or throw a party, I want to be able to spend more time on creating the atmosphere (i.e. decorating) and socializing with my guests then I do cooking. (That's just me...I know so many of you out there are fabulous cooks!) So any little cooking aids like this that I can get to simplify the kitchen end of things are much appreciated.

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! :-)

Merci!!!

We have been "under siege" in our household this past weekend...held captive by a sick baby and her sick mommy...but I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and after a little antibiotics, the baby at least is beginning to turn the corner! So I finally have a moment to sit down and post a whole bunch of "thank-you's", which I've been dying to do for quite some time and finally have the opportunity.

First, merci to Claudia of The Paris Apartment! She writes a beautiful blog which I read regularly, but in addition to that, she's owned a well-renowned shop in New York City since 1993 and has written a book called The Paris Apartment. She's an expert at decorating in fabulous French style, using flea market finds and refurbished furniture. Both her shop and her designs have been published in numerous publications. She also...wait for it...takes people with her on guided shopping trips at the Paris flea markets several times a year. Um, hello...that's pretty much my dream vacation. (In fact, I've said as much to my husband in the past. A week of shopping at the Paris flea markets, then a week in a villa in the South of France to recover from my shopping excursions!) When I grow up, I'm going with Claudia to Paris, it's as simple as that. Anyway...drumroll please...Claudia stumbled onto my blog recently and posted about it here, sending all of her fabulous readers to my site! (Can you hear the music swelling as you read this?) How flattered am I??? Merci, Claudia!!! I would be more eloquent but that's about all the French I know!!!

Second, merci to to my new friend Nancy Kremiller. You may remember she's my artist of the month for February, and I posted my interview with her last week. She sent me these charming magnets, featuring her original designs, as a thank-you gift. So it's my turn to say "merci" to Nancy. These are by far the cutest magnets on my fridge!! (Sorry about the photo quality here.)

Then, I thought you might like to see a few of the birthday gifts I received last week...

...this purse (by Etsy seller revolutionoftheheart) from my mother-in-law. Well, she was really sneaky (in the best way) and purchased it for my birthday after reading about it in my Friday's Fabulous Finds - Black & White post. woohoo!! I knew there was a reason I wrote a blog. :-)

...this mug from my friend Beth...she knows me too well!! Beth knows that if my whole house was clean, it would definitely be a dream. It made me laugh.

...and this is the cover of a recipe book that my friend Tae-Ja made for me. Every page is different. I'm trying to convince her to sell her recipe books and handmade cards on Etsy...don't you think she should??

...more pages from the recipe book...

and last, just for fun...the gift bag that my Candle Giveaway winner received...

...I had fun playing with packaging that would convey the "nesting instincts" theme...so, one feather stamp and blue/tan ribbon later...a gift from Nesting Instincts. As much as I love to receive gifts, I might even love giving them more. Thanks again to all my friends who entered the giveaway. I'll do more again in the future, I promise!

Merci to all my wonderful friends, both new and old - ones I mentioned here and more that I didn't. They all made my birthday special and blessed my week in their own ways.