You’ll Remember These Dates

It’s already April, and my hopes for a bustling year-long Holiday Craftspectacular have sort of fizzled. I’m not giving up, but you know how it is – it will be December before we know it, and I won’t have gotten anything done (at all, not to mention early). Well, here is something that would totally work now, this time of year, for next year… SeptemberHouse’s 2011 DIY Calendar Panels! I ordered a 2010 one as a Christmas present last December for my mom. Wow. I thought it was cute, would be a nice crafty gift, but WOW! You have to see these. She finished the back and top in patchwork. She embroidered/circled a few special dates and hung it with a dowel.

They come with all the months/dates printed, on 100% cotton, ready to DIY. You’ve got the top, sides, bottom and back to do whatever you what. The possibilities are just so endless, it’s almost hard to describe. Am I rambling? You really need to see these. Corinne has more finishing ideas here.

Just got next year’s for a Mother’s Day gift this year. This will be a work of art by 2011! And they come impeccably packaged, ready to gift.

My words don’t do these justice. She  has other great items in her shop, and has a cool blog. Support this great ETSY seller!

Put a Penny in Your Loafer and Make a Wish…

Back in 1980, a little book called “The Preppy Handbook” came out. I was 9, and somehow convinced my parents to fork over the $3.95 cover price for a copy. Something made me think it was a necessary read. As I just am flipping through it now, all bent and dog-eared, it’s all coming back to me. It seemed the ideal lifestyle to aspire to. Apparently, I thought I was going to come into some money at some point. Age unappropriateness aside, I think what dazzled me were the fashions –  different enough from our good, old St. John’s navy blue parochial school uniforms; but tame enough to skip out of the house in to have a good time. Put pink and green together (cha cha!) and there’s bound to be some trouble! Well, now there’s a sequel coming out. Really, how have we gone without one? Perhaps that will be what I need to ease into 40 with grace and style…

(Thanks, Daily Beast!)

1. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44046723
2. www.theblackdog.com/product.php?productid=16615&cat=307&page=3
3. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43138815
4. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_13&listing_id=40175760&ga_search_query=plaid&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_7428838
5. www.freshdeal.com/deal/2072/sporto-original-duck-boot-10-off.html
6. www.vineyardvines.com/product__79254_____14680_13051

St. Patrick’s Week!

With this Wednesday being St. Patrick’s Day, I thought an interesting post would be to focus on some cool Irish blogs. (Hopefully that doesn’t translate into a cheesey American thing to do.) Here are a few that I’ve found. Maybe they will pass on their homegrown favorites in the days to come…

Ireland is well represented on Etsy. Just visit Etsy Ireland and see!

Making Time makes well of her time. Great felted pieces!

Irish with French flair – Dandelion Daydreamer – very cool – you need to check this one out!

I already LustCovetEnvy a lot on here!

i like local* – we all should. the world would be a better place.

And, on an unrelated note, if you’ve never heard of Unhappy Hipsters, go there. Now.

Sunday Stuff

One of the many reasons I started this blog was to substitute this for the many, many emails I send out with the subject: “look at this link!”. I automatically still go to send an email or Facebook post much of the time. Here’s one that I caught in time and thought somebody else might dig it, too. More to come!

Spoonflower.com is having a textile design contest, and for this week, it’s a science or math theme. The entries are all cool and I’m sure my cousin *am* could explain their scientific meanings. If you’ve never checked out Spoonflower, you should!

Go stag, why don’t you?

Oh, deer. While looking for my beloved faux deer that I finally just found, thanks to Cody Foster and The Well Dressed Home (see previous post), I have accumulated a bunch of notes and bookmarks and scribbles on deer stuff. Here is just a few of them. I would take them all, really!

Pay close attention to #7 and check out that link. Ponoko – looks like a whole new world there. Haven’t got my head around it all entirely yet. More to come.

1. www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/stag-heads—red-2661-p.asp
2. www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/stag-head-wall-clock-3016-p.asp
3. www.dutchbydesign.com/products-Rack-Oh-Deer-Coat-Hook_390-400-010.htm
4. www.snow-home.co.uk/store/itemDetails.asp?search=true&id=55-0-2489#2489
5. www.madewithlovebyhannah.com/deerbrooch.html
6. www.tinythingsarecute.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_18&products_id=677
7. www.ponoko.com/showroom/freestylen/brooch-tape-with-little-deer-3523
8. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16208020
9. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39720983
10. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33881293
11. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37974206

Grey IS the new blonde…

Ok, here’s a trend most of us are destined for. Some will fight it; others will take it as it comes. Kate Moss knows where it’s at.

Go Kate!

DeNardi Creative Design on Etsy

I first came across DeNardi Creative Design when I discovered her Mini Babushka Doll Brooches. They made me want to see more, and it turns out I share Karen’s love of  European folk art (check out her Dala horse brooch!). Graphic designer by day, violinist by night, Karen knows the importance and fun of detail. This is obvious in her all creations. Started in August 2008, DeNardi Creative Design has sold all over the world as well as in shops in her Australian homeland. To celebrate all things turquoise, DeNardi is offering FREE shipping on turquoise items in store (see her shop for details)!

Big in 2010 – Ping Pong

I went back and forth on whether or not to do this. Should I, or shouldn’t I? Good idea, bad idea? You get it.

1. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20974606
2. www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/item/Dining-Table-Ping-Pong/3301.010/439834.html
3. http://tobiasfraenzel.com/
4. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36578762
5. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36867738
6. www.nytimes.com/2009/12/30/sports/30pingpong.html
7. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37566790
8. www.rockstargames.com/tabletennis/
9. partnersandspade.com/
10. cargocollective.com/iveland#194648/Bolda-Display
11. x.couver.us/urban-style-dancers-wrist-bands-73/urban-style-skaters-wrist-bands-53/
12.www.paddlepalace.com/Table-Tennis-License-Plate/productinfo/MPL/
13. www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39089456
14. www.spinyc.com/

and www.thedailybeast.com/beast-board/item/1271/laura-lane/place/?cid=hp:buzzboardpick2

SureAsBlue on ETSY

Next time you’re on ETSY, check out SureAsBlue. Ange got things going back in 2007, and hasn’t stopped! Her attention to detail is amazing, and her work ethic would make the most conscientious person feel like a slacker. Her images will bring a smile to your face! I am a little biased – I know her and consider her a good friend, but you won’t go wrong with SureAsBlue – who doesn’t need a calendar or a print or Jello Stapler Card?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SureAsBlue

Big in 2010 – Dala Horses

There is something about each of these dala horses, and every other one that I see – a mystery, a world of possibilities and yet a rich history, all at the same time. Their old-time craftsman ship seems fresh and their symbolism strong. A red one would be perfect next to my computer…

1. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37564241
2. http://www.lefsetime.com/store/template/product_detail.php?IID=258
3. http://www.swedishdesignhouse.com/
4. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20876201
5. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20976430
6. http://www.ingebretsens.com/details.php?prodID=2661
7. http://www.scandinavian-south.com/dalacarve.htm
8. http://www.scandinavian-south.com/dalasign.htm
9. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37384556

Next Big in 2010 Turquoise!