I couldn’t help but notice some goodies over at the market that are just fit for a celebration! Impromptu party, anyone?
Chocolate. Need I say more? – Nicole’s Homemade Treats
Mama said always bring something to the party. – REDSTAR ink
Who can resist these pretty little details? Certainly not me! – Go Against the Grain
Cute cupcakes and a bistro table. {swoon} – Paper Lovely Letterpress
Got a bunch of fabric scraps (I do, I do!) and need a few quick sewing projects for the summer to use them up? Sally Southern’s Fast Fabric Gifts (David & Charles, April 2010) is full of fun ideas. Cute pouches, jewelry, home decor and more. One of my favorites is the treasure chest (shown above, bottom right corner). So simple but very cute!
If you crochet, you have to have to have to check out Edie Eckman’s Around the Corner Crochet Borders (Storey Publishing, May 2010). 150 crochet borders with complete instructions, detailed photography and the cleanest layout I’ve seen in a book in forever. Amazingly easy to flip through and follow.
I’ve been tempted by so much I’m seeing at the summer market right now, have you? Other than browsing all the great stuff, one of my favorite things is finding a little “incentive” (a.k.a. sale/discount) to buy. (As if I really need an incentive to be convinced!) Here’s a little sampling of some of the good deals to be had:
Aqua Sakura Flower Ring, Adorn Me Jewelry – 20% off
Penguin and Giant Panda t-shirts, Crywolf Clothing – 10% off
Daisy Vintage Pearl bracelet, Daughters Vintage – 10% off
Distressed letters, End of the Day Crafting – buy 5 items, get 1 free
Pink Monogrammed note cards, Eve & Andy – 10% off
Paisley bathing suit coverup, Katie Kansas’ Closet – 20% off
Monogrammed Porcelain teapot and teacup, Miss Malaprop – 10% off
List notebook, REDSTAR ink – 10% off
Binary I love you heart on vintage paper, Wall Envy Art – 10% off
Hey Cupcake fine art print, While Wandering – buy one 5×7 get one free
Here’s a fun little DIY tutorial for Independence Day — or any festive holiday when you change out the colors: easy origami placeholder hats. Download the complete tutorial from Country Living right here, or check out more pics here. And by all means, get the kids to help out on this one!
I love adding little graphic punches to the home and office, like the birds on a wire clock and business card holders shown above from Artis and found in the summer I Heart Handmade market. The business card holders would be perfect for those participating in indie arts & crafts shows this summer…
The June mood board challenge was so much fun! Let’s do it again for July. This time, the theme is animal kingdom. Here’s how it works if you’re unfamiliar:
Each month, a new theme is posted for the next mood board. For example, it could be “hearts” or “love letters” or anything else. If you’ve got a shop or handmade item that’s a good fit for the theme, submit it to me using this contact form. If it’s a good fit, then it will show up in the monthly mood board post. Pretty simple, right?
Here’s what you need to know about July’s submissions:
And if you don’t have something to fit the bill this month, spread the word among your friends!
I Heart… hand-dyed linen
I absolutely couldn’t resist showing this to you: hand-dyed linen from laundrymonster. Olive green, indigo blue, deep purple, silver… oh the color choices! See them all in laundrymonster’s shop.