5 Things I Love

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Wednesday, November 30

1. I love these vintage Mucha prints from the 1920's sold at Free People
2. I've been totally into Pendleton wool lately. They're such beautiful textiles in such lovely patterns. And sooo warm in the winter! I found this throw blanket one on Etsy.

3. This vintage needlework from Etsy. So pretty.
4. How adorable is this vintage royal blue coat from Etsy. I love the rabbit fur collar.
5. Yummy candy spoons. I would LOVE to use these to stir my coffee. What a cute gift idea too! You can find the recipe here.

Arts & Crafts: Felt Bird Ornament

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Tuesday, November 29

I've been working on some handmade gifts for my friends & family this year for Christmas. I was inspired by the the Matroshyka ornament that I posted about here.  Thanks to my wonderful mom,  I came upon a BUNCH of felt in all sorts of colors. SO, I started out making some felt ornaments of different themes, using beads and sparkly embroidery thread. But then I got caught up making these little bird ornaments because they just turned out so lovely!


 I've made about a dozen so far, so I wanted to share with you how to make these adorable little chickadees!


1) Cut two identical bird shapes, and two teardrop shapes, one large from cotton, and one small from felt. 
2) Embroidery a beak, using a basic stitch. 
3) I used a backstitch to attach the large wing as well as the parts in steps 4 and 5. But you could also use a split stitch. 
6) For the eye, I attached a bead, but you could also use a french knot. 
7) Use the vanishing marker to write a word or name on the back piece, embroider and erase your marks. Attach a ribbon using a little tacky glue and  a cute button.
8) I used a blanket stitch to sew the two bird pieces together. Leave an opening some wear, staff the little guy, and continue your blanket stitch to close it up.

P.S. You can teach or remind yourself how to do all of these stitches and more over at Stitch School.

Heirlooms

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Monday, November 28

I was so excited I had to share this with you! Look at this adorable vintage planter I inherited from my great Aunt. She's missing her right earring and needs some cleaning up, but I just think she is so lovely.

Give Thanks!

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Thursday, November 24

NFL Sunday Recipe

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Sunday, November 20

This year, I joined a fantasy football league with my boyfriend and some other friends. I don't know a lot about football, but it sure is fun watching your score. Another great thing about spending sundays watching  football, is it gives me an excuse to make delicious, fatty, pub grub. I thought this sunday, why not make some potato skins?


Potato Skins

2 Russet potatoes
Butter melted
Cheddar cheese
Bacon crumbled
Sour cream
Chives or green onion chopped
Salt and pepper

Bake the potatoes until they are almost done, (the ones that were more undercooked worked best because they didn't fall apart like the others. Remove from the oven and let them cool. Use a spoon to carve out the pulp (I left about a half inch of pulp because I love taters). Brush with butter, salt and pepper. PLace on the grill, and cook until crispy. During the last few minutes of grilling, top the skins with cheese. Remove from grill and top with sour crew, bacon, and chives.

Pair with a yummy beer and enjoy watching some football!

Things That Make Me Smile Thursday

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Thursday, November 17

I just love this card. Etsy shop owner Julie Ann Art sells quirky hand illustrated greeting cards. Check out her shop, she has some really cute Christmas cards! My dad's birthday is coming up at the end of the month, I was thinking this might make him smile too.
Julie Ann Art


Random bits + Pieces: Practice Place

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Wednesday, November 16

I went to band practice with my boyfriend tonight. I thought it would be nice to work on some computer stuff while listening to them practice the set they're playing on Friday.

Food Rules

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Tuesday, November 15


My boyfriend recently starting reading Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, by Michael Pollan. I've read through some of it, it's a feel-good guide to healthy and fulfilling eating.

But what really got my attention was the gorgeous illustrations by artist Maira Pollan. Her images are rich and she works paint so beautifully. THe first of these are from pages of the book, and the rest are her own works. I love the Frida piece!




Halloween

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Monday, November 14

Here's a Picture of Chris and I in our costumes on Halloween. I was Roller Girl from Boogie Nights, and Chris was a Boogie Nights, Tom Selleck-esque character.

I loved this costume and I was able to wear the skates all night thanks to Chris' engineering. He put washers on the bearings so they wouldn't spin, so they were more like rocking platforms!

Happy Sunday Funday!!!

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Sunday, November 13

Hope your enjoying your weekend. I've spent most of the day watching football and tracking my fantasy score with my boyfriend. I found this and it made me smile, I love Ellen Page...Personally, I always wanted to be Ariel. Who did you used to want to be when you were a kid?

TGIF

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Friday, November 11

Role Model: Linda McCartney

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Thursday, November 10

I love Paul McCartney. I seriously believe he is one of the best songwriters of all time. But one of the reasons why I love him so much is his love story with the lovely, lovely Linda. She was a rock & roll music photographer and talented in her own right, AND she was an awesome addition to Paul's solo project(s). Not only that, she had a cool, easy-going, 70's style that I just adore.

Here's some examples:





She is just too cool.

DIY Ideas for Holiday gifts

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Wednesday, November 9

Every holiday season I tell myself that I am going to make handmade holiday gifts for my friends and family. But procrastination sometimes gets the best of me, and I get swept up and ultimately side-tracked into some other unrelated project... But this year is different! I'm so motivated as I have been collecting so many awesome craft ideas from other blogs, written by incredibly creative ladies!

One project that I cant wait to try is this Matryoshka Doll Ornament Tutorial that I found over at My Sparkle.  I think this is just so adorable, I have a small collection of Matryoshka nesting dolls that my mom started for me when I was little, but I think it looks so cute in felt! My Sparkle provides very detailed instructions, some step by step photos, and even a pattern!  

Photo: My Sparkle

Themes

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Tuesday, November 8

I've been really into deer themed things lately. And right now it's a total trend. I found these awesome pieces on Etsy and I wanted to share them. I'm sure I will have a part two soon. I'm absolutely in love with that vintage granny sweater!






To Do List: Easy Tote Bag

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Monday, November 7

I reallllllly want to make something like this! 
I’ve wanted to make some tote bags because they are just so darn useful! I love the lightweight canvas design because they are convenient to bring to the grocery store. I found these two on Etsy.

Left: depeapa, right: fieldguided

In the next few weeks I am planning to make some tote bags to for merchandise to help promote my boyfriend's folk band. 


Check them out at blackwoodharvest.com

Obsessed: Vintage Needlepoint

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Thursday, November 3

I've been keeping my eye out for needlework lately...These are some of my vintage favorites on Etsy...


I love the old-fashioned motifs. I'm also in love with this textile artist who works a lot with embroidery, Mary's Grandaughter. These are on her etsy shop...Beautiful.


These are some needlepoint pieces I've thrifted recently. I was so thrilled to find the bird one, I love the mustard matting!

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