12.25.2011
12.24.2011
A Handmade Christmas - One
The final selection for this year's handmade Christmas is near to my heart. There would be no Christmas were it not for the birth of Jesus. Read the beautiful Christmas story here.
I love the different textures and the red tones that artist Kelly Lish combines in the print below. She captures the warmth of the birth of the Savior and a piece of the genuine love that filled that Holy night.
Red Nativity Print, Kelly Lish, $32
12.23.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Two
My husband's grandmother taught me to crochet a few years ago. I love all things crochet. Okay, most all things. Okay, a lot of things (after all, the internet is full of Crochet-Don'ts that are sadly unlovable). I could easily spend a day on pinterest pinning crocheted stuff to my board. So, naturally I love crocheted ornaments. There is nothing about the circles featured below from the peaqo shop that I don't love. I love the circles, the colors and I even love the way they are hanging on this branch.
Three Crocheted Granny Circle Christmas Decorations, Lesley Ann Gifford, $24
12.22.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Three
The first step my grandmother took in decorating her house for Christmas was to add the Christmas pillow to the sofa in her living room. Also, she could always keeps poinsettias living longer than anyone else I knew. This pillow by bedbuggs reminds me of her. (Also see the Christmas Ruby Red Rose pillow, which could really be used year-round.)
Cranberry Poinsettia Pillow, bedbuggs, $26
12.21.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Four
Gift presentation is important (to adults). Taking the time to wrap the gift precisely and with a touch of creativity is a lovely gesture. Hand made wrapping paper adds that little extra touch to brighten someone's day.
Hand Painted Christmas Wrapping Paper (25" x 30"), oscarandollie, $8.50
12.20.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Five
Yarn crafts! Heartfelt Yarn Wreathes creates beautiful wreathes for Christmas or any other time of year. I loved the yarn Christmas trees below. They make excellent center pieces for homes with young children (meaning they can be safely knocked over!). While visiting the shop, be sure to look at the rest of the wreathes and felt flowers.
Christmas Yarn Trees (Set of 3), Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths, $25
12.19.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Six
Pearle Northrop loves transforming objects into art pieces. Her Etsy shop contains a wide variety of items from jewelry to home decor. I love the dotted glass ornaments shown below. Also, be sure to see the Green and White Painted Ornament here and more lovely dots here.
Christmas Glass Ornaments, Pearle's Pretty Pieces, $75.50 (Set of 3)
12.18.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Seven
It is very easy to get wrapped up in the chaos that holiday seasons bring. This print is a simple reminder to stop, take a deep breath and remember the sentiment of the holidays.
Be Merry-Golden Frankencense, Announced Design, $7
12.17.2011
John Krasinski Visits Sesame Street
John Krasinski visits Sesame Street to explain the word "Soggy":
A Handmade Christmas - Eight
As the mother of a little girl, I can attest that ruffles are everywhere. Tree skirts are no exception. There are several great tutorials out there (this one is my favorite). Or, you can turn to Etsy. I selected the skirt below to feature because I love the effect the burlap fabric has on wooden flooring like mine. Also, my tree is a mix of our favorite ornaments collected over the years - both modern and traditional. The burlap is a nice representation of both. The price is a little steep, but hopefully it will last many seasons.
Christmas Tree Skirt (53" diameter), The Walnut Street House, $120
12.16.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Nine
Bookity makes lovely ornaments for tree or garland out of recycled book paper. The ornaments below are my favorite, but also check out the Vintage Book Paper Hearts.
Paper Christmas Decorations, Bookity, $25 (set of 5)
12.15.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Ten
Lisa Leonard creates beautiful metal stamped art. The Heart Ornament below is only one small example. While visiting her site, be sure to look at the rest of her decor and jewelry items.
Customized Molded Heart Decoration, Lisa Leonard, $32
12.14.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Eleven
Beginning as a lesson in geometry, the Moravian Star now hangs as a beautiful symbol of the Advent season. I love the traditional white version, but this lovely patterned decoupaged paper mache version caught my eye.
Extra Large Moravian Star Decoration, KarenWatson19, $35
12.13.2011
A Handmade Christmas - Twelve
Christmas is my favorite time of year. Each Christmas season, I begin with the intentions of making decorations and gifts. This year, Pinterest has filled me with ideas. If only I had the time to execute each one!
In the spirit of crafting, this year for my annual Twelve series I decided to feature a handmade Christmas decoration for each day. These talented artists sell their beautiful creations so that you can enjoy a little something handmade during this blessed season, even if you do not have time to do it yourself!
Let's begin.
Winter Christmas Wreath / Candle Ring / Centerpiece, kaleda, $30
12.09.2011
Inspiration: 2012 - The Year of Tangerine
Pantone announced yesterday that Tangerine Tango(17-1463) will be the color of the year for 2012:
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Pantone describes Tangerine Tango as "a spirited reddish orange", and that it "continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward."
Flickr Roundup:
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Pantone describes Tangerine Tango as "a spirited reddish orange", and that it "continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward."
Flickr Roundup:
12.08.2011
12.02.2011
12.01.2011
Book Releases: December 2011
Releasing this month:
- Cannell, Stephen J - Vigilante (Shane Scully). (12/6)
- Clancy, Tom - Locked On (Jack Ryan). (12/13)
- Connelly, Michael - The Drop (Harry Bosch). (12/6)
- Cook, Robin - Death Benefit. (12/27)
- Cornwell, Patricia - Red Mist (Scarpetta). (12/6)
- Griffin, WEB - Covert Warriors (Presidential Agent, Book 7). (12/27)
- Hoag, Tami - Down the Darkest Road. (12/27)
- Hunter, Stephen - Soft Target (Ray Cruz). (12/6)
- James, P.D. - Death Comes to Pemberley. (12/6)
- Khoury, Raymond - The Devil's Elixir. (12/27)
- Koontz, Dean - 77 Shadow Street. (12/27)
- Nesbo, Jo - The Leopard. (12/13)
- Patterson, James - The Fire (Witch & Wizard, Book 3). (12/5)
- Shepherd, Sara - Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars, Book 10). (12/6)
- Smith, Alexander McCall - The Forgotten Affairs of Youth (Isabel Dalhousie, Book 8). (12/6)
- Woods, Stuart - D.C. Dead (Stone Barrington, Book 22). (12/22)
11.30.2011
11.25.2011
Friday Find: Black Filigree Party Placemats
Black Filigree Party Placemats, Plasticland, $23 for set of 12
Another animal bonus...
White Elephant Ceramic Creamer, Plasticland $9
11.22.2011
Artist Spotlight: Jon Gomm
Virtuoso performer Jon Gomm's unique guitar technique includes utilizing his acoustic guitar to play the melody, bass and even the drum lines all together. Jon has released two albums, "Hypertension" and "Don't Panic". Both are available from his website. Here are some highlights of his performances.
Cover of "Message in a Bottle":
"Passionflower":
"Topeka":
Cover of "Message in a Bottle":
"Passionflower":
"Topeka":
11.21.2011
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Pretty incredible guitar solo by Prince on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" from the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony:
Other performers: Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne - lead vocals; George Harrison's son Dhani - rhythm guitar
Other performers: Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne - lead vocals; George Harrison's son Dhani - rhythm guitar
11.18.2011
Friday Find: Tattered Lace Dinnerware
Tattered Lace Dinnerware, Anthropologie, $10-$18
(11" dinner plate shown is $18)
And a bonus...
I have featured so many owl items that I did not want to make this adorable Snow Owlet Shaker set by Jonathan Adler a stand-alone feature, but I still wanted to share it with you!
Snow Owlet Shaker Set by Jonathan Adler, Anthropologie, $48
11.11.2011
Friday Find: Lotus Grey Curtain Panel
Lotus Grey Curtain Panel, Crate & Barrel, $59.95 (each) SALE
Available in 50"x84", 50"x96", 50"x108"
Formerly $129-$149
11.09.2011
Father/Daughter Duets
Jorge & Alexa Narvaez perform a super-cute duet of "Home" (Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros):
Here is their rendition of "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele:
Here is their rendition of "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele:
11.06.2011
11.03.2011
Artist Spotlight: Diego Stocco
Sound Designer Diego Stocco can create music from anything. Literally!
Music from a Dry Cleaner:
Music from a Tree:
Music from Sand:
Experibass:
Bassoforte:
Music from a Dry Cleaner:
Music from a Tree:
Music from Sand:
Experibass:
Bassoforte:
11.01.2011
Book Releases: November 2011
Releasing this month:
- Bradley, Alan - I am Half-Sick of Shadows (Flavia de Luce). (11/1)
- Connelly, Michael - The Drop (Harry Bosch, Book 17). (11/28)
- Crichton, Michael - Micro. (11/22)
- Cussler, Clive & Graham Brown - The Devil's Gate (NUMA Files). (11/14)
- Doss, James D - Coffin Man (Charlie Moon). (11/8)
- Eco, Umberto - The Prague Cemetery. (11/8)
- Evanovich, Janet - Explosive 18 (Stephanie Plum, Book 18). (11/22)
- Evans, Richard Paul - Lost December. (11/1)
- Fisher, Carrie - Shockaholic (Biography). (11/1)
- Flynn, Vince - Kill Shot (American Assassin). (11/1)
- Grafton, Sue - V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone, Book 22). (11/14)
- Hill, Susan - A Betrayal of Trust (Simon Serrailler, Book 6). (11/1)
- Kaling, Mindy - Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (Biography). (11/1)
- King, Steven - 11/22/63. (11/8)
- Kinney, Jeff - Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 6, Children). (11/15)
- Maguire, Gregory - Out of Oz (Wicked, Book 4). (11/1)
- Maron, Margaret - Three-Day Town. (11/21)
- Paolini, Christopher- Inheritance (Inheritance Cycle, Book 4). (11/8)
- Patterson, James - Kill Alex Cross (Alex Cross, Book 18). (11/14)
- Roberts, Nora - The Next Always (The BoonsBoro Trilogy, Book 1). (11/1)
10.28.2011
10.24.2011
Inspiration: Yarn Bombing
10.22.2011
10.21.2011
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