crafts: cute.. or not

recycled polka dot tissue paper

Well, they always say there is a first time for everything.

I guess you can say this was my “first.” I recently gave a gift and got a collective “OMG.” It just wasn’t the kind of OMG you want to hear. It was more like “OMG, who the fkk made that?”

Umm, that would be me. Opps!

I gave this gift at a baby shower for my coworker. I’m very fond of the fun house theme. That’s what I call it – Fun House. Apparently the other guests, like my boss, were calling it scary clown and saying things like “Who brings a scary clown to a shower.”

And to think I was brimming with pride when I showed up with my box.

fun house gift wrap...

or is it scary clown gift wrap?

 

I don’t know. I still stand by my piece. I think it’s fun as in FUN HOUSE. But maybe the collective fear in the room explains why this paper was on a deep discount when I bought it. 

I love how the red polka dots on the tissue paper mirror the polka dots on the wrapping paper. I love the red and white stripped twine from Martha Stewart and I love the navy blue against the bright white mixed with the curry yellow.

Tissue paper is recycled from a purchase at Anthro and wrapping paper is from Paper Source.

spring flowers (it is still spring, right?)

Last summer I took a class on floral design and at the time I foolishly thought that it would lead to fresh flowers in my home on a weekly basis. That idea never took off (despite it being a lovely lovely thought). And though it is embarrassing to admit, I’ll say it, I never made an arrangement after that class.

That all changed when a few weeks back I was finally able to put those lessons learned to good use. How quickly everything came back to me.. even the not so great things like how I had forgotten how slow I am at assembly. Or how I always really like my first arrangement and then think “let me try something else” only to never get the flowers as perfectly arranged as I did on the first try. I’ll have to remember these things for the next time. Needless, I’m happy to have gotten the practice.

End results below.

hubba hubba

One of everything, please. The mirror… oh the mirror (!!), the rug, the pillows, that elephant.

Yes, EVERYTHING!!

Lusting over this room, K&Co via Elle Interior Sweden.

eww-eee

I’m exhausted, literally and figuratively. Juggling a few too many balls right now. Proof would be me sitting here on a Saturday night when it’s 7:34pm and the big question that I’m pondering is – should I go to bed now. It’s that bad!

More than anything I want the madness to end but I think it’s all going to stick around for a while longer.

Thursday I attended the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. I had a wonderful time though I spent a bit too long socializing which reverted in me seeing less then half the event. I saw some really great exhibits but I have a feeling I missed some of the best ones. Despite the fact that I have access all weekend I’m buried in work and will have to pass on checking back in. Shall I say, there’s always next year. However, I do want to make some time to get back in here and talk about some of the fun stuff I saw. Until then I’ll simply post this photo I took. I love the space. It’s a bit flashy and over the top in a bubble gum maple syrup sort of way BUT it is a show stopper that catches your eye and makes you stare. For that I say – bravo!

Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2010

Architectural Digest Home Design Show

gifts

Amongst our friends there are lots of little babies about to make their way into the world. As long standing readers know, I have a special love with gift wrapping. I did a bit this weekend. Nothing fancy… no special techniques or tricks. The paper isn’t even new to my blog but I think the gifts are still lovely in a simple way.

we heart boys

gift to celebrate Maggie's arrival

found on flickr

patricia gray via flickr

So much cuteness in one image. The box pleats, the pom-poms, the framed wallpaper. Simple, clean and lovely.

my saturday

yellow balloon

Yesterday I would have to say that motherhood was hard. We’re approaching Graycen’s second birthday and I think he wanted to welcome in his birthday month with a really over the top temper tantrum that lasted ALL DAY. I kept my humor for the most part because when shit hits the fan with a toddler you have to grasp onto the bright side (and there always is one).

Our photo shoot was in the early evening and our photographer Mimi Inglin was phenomenal. She was patient and amazing and really rolled with the punches. Every curve ball my son threw her way she handled with grace. When he threw his big orange lollipop on the ground and smeared it into the grass she kept on going. When he dumped soda all over his outfit she didn’t make a peep. When he ignored all of her directions and insisted on running off she just rolled with it. And when it came time for family photos and my son wanted no part… we did them WITHOUT him.

I love my son and I love Mimi for being so great to work with. I’m certain that we’ll have some spectacular images but I can promise you, they weren’t easy for her to get.

crafts: flowers and gift tags

I feel like my presence in here has been absent. I’ve been busy, busy living life. And well, for that I won’t apologize. Right now life is busy, good, beautiful. I’m fortunate.

As you can see from my previous post I’ve been busy writing notes to friends and family. As much as I enjoy sending snail mail I don’t do it nearly enough. And well, I like to savor my stationary in the way I like to savor my wrapping paper. As much delight as I receive from sending off a lovely note card I take just as much joy and pleasure in keeping my stash plentiful; hidden in boxes at the bottom of my closet.

And my weekends are also filled with Graycen. At present, we’ve been scouring the city for the best playgrounds. To see the smile on his face when we first arrive to a new spot brings me more joy then I ever knew existed. When I’m not busy with my little guy I am off, enjoying my time with good friends. I’ve been doing a lot of that as well. Hanging out, laughing, having a drink (or two).

May is quickly filling up with appointments that include more of the same – love notes, hunts for the perfect playground and time with good friends. Yes, I’m fortunate.

A few weeks back my lovely friend hosted a baby shower. She asked me to bring a floral arrangement and sadly the shower was the morning of my first floral class so I wasn’t able to utilize any special skills that I might have went on to learn. In fact, I made a big mistake with my arrangement that I solved in my class later that evening.

The only guidance my friend provided me with was that the color scheme was bright turquoise, espresso and yellow. How gorgeous is that? In fact, I think I will tuck these colors away for a later appearance but I digress. Instantly I knew I would need yellow flowers and picked up some lovely tulips at the market. I assembled my arrangement that evening and the morning of the shower I woke up to tulips that were big and wide. They had completely opened up. The perfect dome I had formed the flowers into had shifted and everything was off. The flowers were big and beautiful but I hadn’t wanted them to open up that big. I was disappointed and dumbfounded as to what went wrong. Well I figured it out at my floral class that evening. My house was too warm and the heat caused my flowers to bloom. For your viewing pleasure:

yellow tulips

Lesson learned: If you need to open your flowers quickly, use warm water in your arrangement. Or, put them in a warm place. If you want your flowers to stay a bit more closed, keep them cool. This may be obvious to others but it wasn’t to me.

I also made tags to hang from the favors that were being given out. The theme was travel and when I found a clip art image of vintage luggage I was in love. Would you not agree? (image below)

I doubt I need to say this but it’s always fun to have an excuse to whip out my crafting supplies.

gift label

home decor and cupcakes

Look, my home.. (or, potential home).  Color wise that is.

via 100 Layer Cake, Photographer Miles Aldridge for Vogue Italia

 

I came across this image last night when I was checking out 100 Layer Cake. First off, I’m really enjoying this new blog. It has a lovely layout, lots of pretty photos and the most adorably calligraphered logo of a cake. And to boot, the name is just swimmingly cute. I highly recommend checking them out if you still like to peek at wedding related things.

Back to the strikingly beautiful image from Miles Aldridge. I’ve been second guessing if I should paint my closet pink (of course I am!). I’ve also been second guessing yellow as my choice of “pop” (no surprise there). This image makes me think I should go for it. Lets examine, there’s lots of blue with a perfect balance of grey yet the pale pink and burst of yellow seem to fit in perfectly. And that’s my home… lots of blue, a perfectly balanced dash of grey and now the potential to add a smidgen of pink and yellow. Beautiful, no?

I’m almost committed. Perhaps someone can give me a nudge. So tell me, what do you think?

And while I am posting about pretty things I find on other blogs I have to share this lovely I just spotted via Oh Joy! I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I want to bake. I’m a bit obsessed with cake and all things cake, like cupcakes. So when I saw these adorable paper liners I knew I had to have them.. and perhaps, maybe you need them as well.

via Oh Joy!, Cupcake Kit by Elinor Klivans

 

home decor: closet paint

Happy Presidents Day to those who celebrate!

My husband and I just finished having cocktails in the kitchen, which is much needed when listening to CD’s of children’s music and rhymes. Why are the songs always so dreadful? Not that it matters since the cocktails managed to make it all bearable and amusing. I am now “paying bills” which translates to popping into my blog. Please don’t tell my husband about this fib. Though I must run soon as we are headed out to a local lounge for more drinks while socializing with our neighbors. Votes for the co-op board are coming up so there is much to discuss.

I wanted to mention that I did some painting this weekend that didn’t come out too well. Today I repainted with much better results. Also, colors for my closet have weighed heavily on my mind this weekend. Don’t shoot me but I’m thinking pink. My friend Parker suggested red and when I think cherry red I’m completely intrigued but on the other hand I don’t want a dark color. I’d love to do a plum but again, too dark. So I’m thinking the palest of pinks. I even tested a swatch this weekend but I’m not sold. I need to think about this one a bit more though I’d like to start on the project mid March.

I found this lovely image while searching pink over the weekend. The fact that there is yellow in the room has me smitten.

via Domino Magazine