Is that Wallpaper?

Brilliant. Check out the Before and After of this desk at Design Sponge

The Weekend Report

• I began knitting something cute and fun, which cannot be revealed at the moment.
  
• Went estate/Yard sale hunting on Saturday. I found this adorable vintage enamel pot for $3. In good condition too. I will post it up later so you can all see! Then a long nap followed by knitting and a movie.


• We also took a little road trip to Park City, UT. Beautiful! It is this little city burrowed inbetween a hilly landscape. There are so many cute little shops and scenic ski-lift rides! Not that we did any of that, but I plan to in the future.

An Invite

Brilliant. That's all I have to say.

via:: here

I am gonna have to try this

Seriously, I am loving the needlepoint idea with sketches.

VIA:: THE SELBY

The Friday Give-Away ~ Vintage Gardens

www.vintagegardens.etsy.com

I am in love with Rebecca's jewelry designs. The perfect name for her shop too! Her designs are stylish and trendy with serious vintage flair to them! Here are some of my favorites:

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I work full time as a sales assistant at a local TV station here in Jacksonville, FL. I also have another shop, The Artful Garden , that I maintian and create new pieces for. Other than that, I spend my time with my wonderful boyfriend, Gene, and our 2 puppies, Angus and Frodo.
2. What inspires you the most?

Antique stores, magazines, the internet, and sellers of Etsy.com are just a few of the places where I get my inspiration for creating a new piece. I search for a centerpiece that catches my eye and then create around it.

3. What is your most memorable creation, or one that you are most proud of?

I would have to say my art nouveau necklaces that show the works of Alphonse Mucha. The centerpiece is made of polymer clay showing some of Mucha's beautiful women in his art, and the necklace is created around it sticking with the vintage look and feel.

4. How did you find Etsy and what made you decide to sell on Etsy?

My cousin actually stumbled upon Etsy and told me about this awesome new site she had found. It took no time at all for me to start creating and listing jewelry. It was such a cool feeling getting to be crafty doing what I love and then share your art with others who sometimes even buy it! I was hooked.

5. How long have you been creating?

I've loved crafting and creating things all my life, but I've only been creating jewelry for a couple years now. Before that I was very passionate about photography, mosiacs, and I did a few paintings over the years too.

AND NOW THE GIVE-AWAY:

These adorable earrings! Love the green!

Just post a comment to win. Tell Rebecca what you love about her shop. Also, leave and email or a way I can reach you if you are the winner. Contest will close Thursday and noon mountain time. Winner will be announced that afternoon. If you would like to receive an email reminder once a month of the prizes to be given away, make mention and leave your email!

Will be back tomorrow

Today is a state holiday, Pioneer Day, which means I do not have work today (the benefit of living in Utah, be happy for me!)

Basically, we commemorate the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for fleeing persecution in the east and traveling by hand-cart on foot to the Salt Lake Valley. There was a lot of death and suffering during their travels. They left the east because their homes were being burned, husbands being tarred and feathered and mobs killing there families, all because of disagreance of religious beliefs. It became to dangerous to live there.

You can read about the devotion the pioneers had and the extreme trials they went through here and here.

LOVE this!

Please take a trip over to Treats and Treasures!! Here is the blog profile:

Treats & Treasures is the journal - playground - laboratory - portfolio of Marieke Berghuis Leewens (28). I live in Amsterdam, Netherlands where I fill most all of my days drawing and designing - if I am not attending graphic design classes in art school that is. On this website you will find pages of my (paper) journal, notes & doodles, designs I made and references to merely anything that I find too interesting not to pay attention to...

It makes me want to have one of my own!! I used to actually...not sure why I don't anymore.

See the List

I have added a lot more fantastic links to my list (lower left). Do check them out, they are worth your time!

Frugal Find

I was walking through Urban Outfitters the other day and ran into these recycled letters (they are metal). So cool. And only $8.00 each, not bad in my book. If only I had a place to hang them...

No Give-Away this week

Sorry guys!! Due to a miscommunication there won't be one this week...but we will have one scheduled for this Friday, so keep coming back!!

3 is a magic number

I borrowed this from Design Crush and want everyone else to join in too!

1. What are the last 3 things you purchased?
• Computer services from the Geek Squad
• Pizza
• I think maybe Taco Bell...I am poor, so I don't spend that often.

2. What are the last 3 songs you downloaded?
• Ingrid Michaelson's album, which covers the last 3 songs.

3. Where were the last 3 places you visited?
• Mesa, AZ (oh...how I miss you)
• Las Vegas, NV
• San Diego, CA

4. What are your 3 favorite movies?
• Pride and Prejudice (Kiera Knightly version)
• Just Friends
• The Burbs

5. What are your 3 favorite possessions?
• my husband :)
• my red and gold chair that sits in my family room
• the scriptures I used from age 8-20.

6. What 3 things can you not live without?
• my husband
• my family
• my religion (boring answers, I know, but they are true)

7. What would be your 3 wishes?
• for my friends and family to all live in the same state as me!
• to have Tyler be magically done with school so we can experience financial freedom
• to have my loved ones and myself be free from any illnesses

8. What are 3 things you have not done yet?
• had a child
• learned how to crochet
• become an official calligrapher

9. What are your 3 favorite dishes?
• Tagliarini Picchi Pacchiu from Carrabba's
• my Granny's Turkey Gumbo
• Macaroni and cheese (not Kraft, we're talkin' the good stuff)

10. What 3 celebrities would you want to hang out with the most?
This is hard because I don't get into celebrities like most people do.
• David Spade--down to earth and funny.
• Tom Petty--he seems cool.
• Steve Carrell --for obvious reasons

11. Name 3 things that freak you out.
• the idea of being kidnapped
• whoopie pies (I was sick when I ate one last, now the thought of them makes me want to throw-up)
• Blood and guts--I can't watch.

12. If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?
• caring
• independent (not in a feminist way...)
• creative

13. Name 3 unusual things you are good at.
• decorating
• bookkeeping
• cooking

14. What are 3 things you are currently coveting?
• this swimsuit
• a house (in 10 years)
• long hair

15. What 3 bloggers would you like tag?
EVERYONE! Put this on your blog, then leave a comment with a link so we can all learn about you too!

So sorry

I would like to apologize for the lameness of my blog as of late. I have had family in town three weekends in a row and now my home computer is in repair. My intentions are to regroup and have an awesome blog again by next week.

My apologies.

And the WINNER is:

Alyse with 'The Hills"

Winner was chosen through Random.org

Thanks for playing and check back tomorrow for another give-away!

The Friday Give-Away ~ The Cozy Sister

www.cozysister.etsy.com

http://www.cozysister.com/blog

I am intrigued with Lynde and her skills with beading and wire. I really don't think I could ever be good at wire wrapping, mainly because I don't have the patience. But Lynde, you rock at it! I love how her shop has a recognizable style. All of her pieces compliment each other. Here are my top 3 pics in her shop:

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in Southeastern Michigan, studied political science in college, then moved to New York to be with my husband. Now I live in Brooklyn where I love the walking, the window shopping, and the food! I adore the opportunity to work from home making my jewelry while taking care of my little daughter. I also enjoy knitting, listening to NPR, and religious studies.

2. What inspires you the most?

I've always been inspired by the materials themselves, such as a particular bead or combination of colors that speaks to me. I've also been very influenced by the work of jewelry artists like Eni Oken, Connie Fox, and Stacie Florer.

3. What is your most memorable creation, or the one you are most proud of?

I am very proud of this labradorite and smoky quartz necklace.

4. How did you find Etsy and what made you decide to sell there?

Etsy was recommended to me as a place to find great gifts. I love the handmade ethics and the strong community vibe of Etsy, and that for the most part it consists of high quality art and crafts with more of a modern style, or traditional crafts with a modern twist.

5. Where did you learn your creating skills?

I learned jewelry making entirely from tutorials that are available online. There are many free tutorials available for the basics, and I learned to make my pendants from the inexpensive tutorials available on www.enioken.com

AND NOW, THE GIVE-AWAY:

A $25.00 GIFT CARD TO ANYTHING AT Cozy Sister!!!

Just post a comment telling Lynde what you like about her shop. The winner will be announced on Thursday afternoon, which means contest ends Thursday at noon Mountain time. Please leave a way I can contact you if you win.

Thanks for viewing, and email me or make mention in your comment if you would like to be on the mailing list. I send one email out monthly and it will give you a sneak peak of the give-aways for that month!

And the winner is...

Meg with BODE 22

Winner chosen through random.org

Congratulations! And stay tuned, as tomorrow will be another chance to win.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list (sent out ONCE a month and no spaming!), just leave your email, or email me, and I will let you know what will be given away each month!

My dream

Alright. I am coming out with it. My dream is to be a Calligraphist.

It started in 6th grade with the wonderful Ms. Booth. She was a school teacher and a talented calligraphist on the side. She said people used to pay her to make Valentines in college. All of the names on our awards were done in perfect calligraphy and we would all gather around her desk and watch in amazement. Being the great teacher she is (and knowing that calligraphy improves penmenship by leaps and bounds), she offered us lessons during lunch recess. And being the nerd that I am, I jumped on that opportunity. What 12 year old would rather play than practice handwriting? Come on!

I loved it. I even got a nice little set for Christmas. Lately, I have been thinking about it a lot. I think the idea of addressing envelopes for extra cash is so ideal for me. I would love it.

And in my glory days of junior high, friends used to beg me to write notes for them to people because they loved my handwriting (not to toot my own horn or anything). And I was really into lettering and bought all those scrapbook lettering books. I got really good... Are these credentials?

Problem is, I have a lot of hobbies. Knitting has been the one that has stuck with me the most so far, and I am hoping calligraphy would to. Also, I have looked for calligrahy classes that are local in my area and no such luck. I can teach myself, but I think taking a class would keep me disciplined about it. I am a little rusty.

So blogging world, please lend me your support! I really want to do this and have researched it even. I may or may not have picked a title for my "calligraphy business".

I think I need someone to pester me about it so I can get 'er done. Any volunteers?:)

Books

Here's how it works:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Big Read says that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed.

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read

2) Italicize those you intend to read.

3) Underline the books you love, and strikeout the books you read but didn't like.

4) Reprint this list so we can try and track down these people who've read only 6 or less and make them read.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now..... THE BIG READ TOP 100

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien

3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

4. The Harry Potter Series JK Rowling

5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

6. The Bible

7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell

9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott

12. Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

14. Complete Works of Shakespeare

15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien

17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks

18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger

19. The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

20. Middlemarch - George Eliot

21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell

22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald

23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens

24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

25. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh .

27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis

34. Emma - Jane Austen .

35. Persuasion - Jane Austen

36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis

37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38. Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne

41. Animal Farm - George Orwell

42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving

45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery

47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

48. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding

50. Atonement - Ian McEwan .

51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel

52. Dune - Frank Herbert

53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons

54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen

55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth

56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov Nabokov

63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt

64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas (In progress)

66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac

67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

68. Bridget Jones' Diary - Helen Fielding

69. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie

70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville

71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

72. Dracula - Bram Stoker

73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson

75. Ulysses - James Joyce

76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78. Germinal - Emile Zola

79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80. Possession - AS Byatt

81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker

84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry .

87. Charlotte's Web - EB White

88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

94. Watership Down - Richard Adams

95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare

99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl

100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

WOW! I am above average. Who knew?

Funny

It's a funny show. My husband stumbled upon it on youtube out of boredom. We have watched one episode on line and it pleased us. You can listen to one of their little ditties here. However, I must inform you that I have only had a little taste of these guys, so if you happen upon something inappropriate, I didn't know about it. Research them at your own risk. But the link is clean for sure!

I miss them

I made these delicious cakes for the 4th, except I used raspberries and blueberries. It's a fantastic Martha recipe that I have had for a few years and my favorite thing about them is they make extra. I love getting up in the morning and having one of these sweet biscuits. I ate them all. I miss them.

I also sprinkle that chunky (trubanido??) sugar on top of each buscuit before baking. It makes a world of difference. And I don't actually use a real vanilla bean. Extract is fine.

But do make these little treasures, even if you just make the biscuits. You will not regret it!

The Friday Give-Away ~ My Lavaliere

http://www.mylavaliere.etsy.com/

Can I just say this woman is a jewelry genious! I absolutely LOVE her style. She is amazing here are a few things I love in the shop:

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am currently studying fine arts. I love collecting old things. I find it incredibly satisfying to breathe new life into old objects that would otherwise be considered "junk". I am a huge supporter or upcycling and being a conscience consumer.

2. What inspires you the most?

Nature and history inspire me the most. I love watching or reading about different periods in time and imagining every aspect of what life was like. Natyre is a common theme in my work. I think living in the Chicago area and coping with the winter gives me a greater appreciation for flora and fauna.

3. What is you most memorable creation, or the one you are most proud of?

My Chloe headband would have to be my favorite creation! It was made with 2 silver headbands and a broken vintage brooch. It is all soldered and very strong! It is the first piece I have been able to solder that didn't fall apart!

4. How did you find Etsy and what made you decide to sell on Etsy?

My friend Michelle the metal smith introduced me to Etsy. I have been addicted ever since!

5. How long have you been creating?

My whole life! I remember having a problem with hot gluing acrylic rhinestones to just about everything when I was 5 or 6!

AND NOW THE GIVE-AWAY!

a to-die-for Pink Filigree Necklace

Just post a comment to win. Tell My Lavaliere what you love about the shop and what your favorite item might be. Contest ends Thursday at noon Mountain Time. Winner will be emailed and announced that afternoon, so please leave a way I can contact you in case you win.

Also, if you would like a monthly newsletter sent to you informing you of the month's give-aways, either email me or mention it in your comment(but make sure and leave your email if you do it that way).