Four Favorite Blogs

When I read that decor8 was hosting a hashtag party to celebrate those we appreciate in the blog world, I knew right away which bloggers I wanted to 'hug.'  These four blogs are all ones I started reading last year, and they quickly became my favorite to visit.  Reading them has become a part of my daily routine, and I can always look forward to the insight, inspiration, and cheer they provide.  So here is a big #bloghug, high-five, and hooray to the four of you!

Hello Sandwich
Being the washi tape addict that I am, it didn't take but one glance for me to fall in love with this blog.  Some of my favorite posts are of the amazing mt factory and school.  If you're ever feeling at a loss for craft inspiration, this is the place to visit.  With all the pages of vibrant paper projects, it's no wonder Hello Sandwich has authored several craft books.  She also shares many beautiful photos of Tokyo. 

b for bonnie
 I found my way to Bonnie Tsang's blog after seeing her lovely photography portfolio.  Aside from sharing beautiful photos with readers, you will also find plenty of posts on fashion and design.  One of my guilty pleasures is food photography, and I always look forward to new photos from restaurants.

This past December I was deeply moved by the post 9 years on the ever of her birthday.  It was so inspirational and heartwarming, and just what I needed to read at the time.  There was so much that resonated with me and I'm very thankful to her for sharing her experiences with us.

send more mail
If you're a fan of ephemera and snail mail, you will be in heaven on this blog, scrolling through endless pictures of written correspondence.  I'm an avid collector of stamps and postcards and love looking at through this blog as much as I love sorting through my own albums.  Have you sent any snail mail lately?

fabrickaz+idees
Love zakka and textiles?  You need this  blog in your life.  It's completely dedicated to sewing housewares and sweet soft objects.  I really admire the non-stop freedom to created this blog promotes.  Besides seeing completed projects, you get a step by step look at the creative process, from the uncut vintage fabric to the potholders waiting to be sewn shut.  You will definitely be moved to want to make something.



[images are from their corresponding blogs: hello sandwich, b for bonnie, send more mail, and fabrickaz+idees]

DIY // Elementary Kid Inspired Valentines

Today it finally snowed!  I was beginning to worry that we wouldn’t get any snow here at all this winter, but I woke up this morning to a cold room filled with soft light from the window.  My inner-kid immediately recognized the signs of snow and I pulled back the curtain for a quick glance at the white covered back yard before going back to sleep.

It’s funny how that child-like wonder of snow has stuck with me, even as an adult.  Winter was always an exciting time of year filled with holiday parties in class and hopes of school cancellations.  The feeling stayed with me throughout the day and got me thinking about another favorite thing about winter that’s coming up: Valentine’s Day.

Do you remember the little valentines you have to fold in half that come in the cardboard boxes?  I loved those things when I was little.  They always come in designs of cute cartoons.  In school we would make little ‘mail boxes’ from paper bags to tape to our desks.  Did anyone else do that?  On Valentine’s Day we would have a small party where everyone would deliver cards into the mail boxes.  At the end of the day they would be filled with lots of little cardboard valentines.

 Feeling nostalgic, I decided to make some of my own.  All you need are index cards and whatever supplies you would like for decorating.  Fold the index cards in half, then have fun decorating them inside and out.  This is a great project to do with kids, or you can make them for your friends and family to smile back on those childhood days.

Recommended Supplies:

3” x 5” assorted color index cards

deco and washi tapes

die cut hearts

glue stick

bone folder (for scoring the folded card)

rubber stamps

scrap papers and magazines

kid safe scissors

assorted stickers

Mini Calendars for the New Year

I kicked 2013 off with sending out some snail mail.  After recuperating from some post holiday sickness I made these little mini January calendars to send to friends.  It was fun to do a little collage work, and I got to use the new slim pastel washi tapes I got for Christmas.  The little floral bits were cut out from the inside of a shopping bag pattern.  I had been hanging on to them all last year, but I never got around to using them.  Still, each time I went to de-stash some of my materials I was never able to throw them away.  You know how it is when you’re waiting for the perfect project to come around?  Most of the time I end up holding on to things forever, but in this case I found the perfect use for them.

 

This year I will need to let go of lot of little bits like those flowers since my sister and I are re-designing our room.  I was hoping to be able to move my workspace into the basement, but that project may have to hold off for a while.  Now I’m left with the task of trying to balance having my room double as my studio.  I really hope I can be more organized this year and get better at separating work things from the rest of my things.  If anyone has any design tips for having a workspace in your bedroom, please share!

Happy New Year

DIY // Eraser Stamped Gift Tags

I had to do a double take when I looked at today's date.  Not only did December sneak up on me, it's flying by.  Yesterday my family and I got our tree.  The cats are having a blast with it, as always.  It's hard to believe the holiday is right around the corner and I haven't wrapped a single gift.

I did find time to make some gift tags over the weekend.  The idea came from Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts, which I checked out from the library.  It's a wonderful and inspriing book.  Projects and tutoriols are so accessible on the internet now that I don't look at craft books much, but it was very refreshing to flip through page after page of beautiful craft work.

Anyway, there was stamping project using the erasers on the ends of No. 2. pencils to create little flower patterns.  I went simpler and took the polka dot route, decorating a few shipping tags.  After that I made a few of my own tags from card stock.  A brand new pencil eraser will give you a perfectly round stamped circle, but for some fun I did a bit of stamping with worn erases, too.  The end of a glue stick provided a nice circle stamp as well, and I enjoyed making patterns with it.

Hopefully I can get some presents wrapped this week and put these tags to use.

Happy Holidays everyone!