Friday, November 29, 2013

Friday Finds- Thankful for all that surrounds me

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! The theme was “Be Thankful” and the treasury that we picked to share with you is Cinne's, from CinneWorthington.   
Here is one of her beautiful double sided silk scarves:

Her treasury is called: "Thankful for all that surrounds me"


SALE Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Photography, sailboat, California, art print, nature print, California Art, San Francisco Print - semisweetstudios
Celestial Navigation Bandana - natural indigo-dyed screen printed - SquidWhaleDesigns
Print "Jeune fille rural"        29,5 x 41cm - aviewto
Love photograph- whimsical,  polaroid photography, pop, conceptual, blue, sky, fine art photography 5x7 print - dullbluelight
Sterling silver triangle ring. Geometric, minimalist, everyday, eco friendly jewelry - oblissjewellery
SALE Ocean photography - ocean waves photograph aqua blue water decor - seafoam sea Hawaii wall art - surf clouds sun - 8x10 Kai Mana - LupenGrainne
6 blue minimalist handmade fall fabric acorns, forest natural decor, woodland home decoration, office accessories - sakamama
Oversized girl dress, everyday girl  dress grey, children dress - patkas
Circle of Doves - art print from original drawing - stoneandviolet
Give A Little Love Rubber Stamp - Cling Rubber Stamp - creatiate
reserved for ginger - choisette
Nursery Art Block l Arctic Snowflake 5x5 wood block  kid decor baby green redtilestudio - redtilestudio
WELCOME HOME banner - beautiful handmade - ohNOrachio
Polaroid art print of little sea stars in 8x10 inches signed by its author - pocketmemories
Heart jewelry embroidered geometric hot pink blue orange neon green gray and black colorblock - AnAstridEndeavor
shelter dogs no. 34, this dog has given up on you - susansabophotography
Treasury tool by StylishHome.

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. The theme for next week is: "Keepsake and Memory”. If you have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop.
 Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Fabric Patchwork Wall Art West Elm Knock Off

  I hope you had the chance to try Susan’s recipe, and if you didn't, write it down and make it soon. We all like fast but great, tasty recipes! I know I do!

  Moving from one form of art, cooking, to decorative art, I am going to share a  fabric wall art project with you, one that could be done with very little effort. This summer I saved a picture of a patchwork fabric wall art from West Elm, which I thought was a creative way to play with color, while adding texture to a wall art, and have a unique piece in your bedroom or living room.

   Since I love making illustrations and also sewing, I thought that I can “borrow” :) the idea and make one for myself, in colors that would match my room. I had fun picking the shades of greens and golds, and playing with arranging the shapes. It came out great, I think, and I am ready to make a new one, in shades of blue and chocolate to put it in my son’s room.

   If you make one, you’ll also save money, since the burlap fabric was around $1.00 at Michaels and the frame $10.00 at Ikea. The West Elm piece was $49.00 I think. Here is my burlap fabric.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   I played with some fabrics, mixing colors and textures....


 



Being a patternmaker I decided to create a template on a 8.5 x11 paper. By drawing the shapes, you can decide their size and how to position them. Cut the fabric rectangles out of fabric and pin them in place.



You need to sew the first layer of fabric first and then the one on top. Keep in mind that my pictures are not taken on day light, so the fabrics look much better in reality.









Secure the burlap with fabrics in place, place it in the frame, and voila!
 
I hope you like it! Let me know what you think.




Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Free Recipe - Aunt Edna's Homemade Granola

This recipe is my Aunt Edna's.  I'm visiting for the week and I thought this would be a good opportunity to share her delicious homemade granola with you.  Cooking is not something I am fond of although I am fond of eating and this granola is one of my favorites.  Aunt Edna's granola is the best and it's healthy, too!


In a large bowl mix:


4 1/2 cups oats
1 cup raw sliced almonds
1 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup sweetened coconut

In a small bowl mix:


3/4 cup Agave Nector or honey
1/3 cup grapeseed oil
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract

Gradually pour liquid ingredients over dry ingredients until completely coated.



Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Pour mx into a large cooking sheet or baking pan.



Cook for a total of about 9 - 10 minutes checking every few minutes. Stir mixture each time you check it.

When finished, cool.  After mixture is cool, return to large bowl. Add raisins, cranberries, or dried cherries (about two cups total).  Whatever you like.


Store in sealed container until ready to eat!  It makes about 10 cups.  You can eat it for breakfast or as a healthy snack!


It's delicious!!  Thanks for sharing Aunt Edna!

Thanks for stopping by.  Feel free to share your favorite recipe with us.  We'd like to make this a regular feature of our blog so if you have something you want to share, please do.

Until next time...




Monday, November 25, 2013

Monday Etsy Artist Spotlight-Aura from Adorablewares

We would love to make every Monday an exciting one and we think that our weekly “Artist Spotlight” could brighten your day. This week’s featured Etsy artist is Aura from Adorablewares.  Aura is an avid knitter and she makes home dĆ©cor items, especially knit pillow covers.
Here is one of her beautiful pieces, a white pillow cushion:




Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business:
One of my sisters knit throughout her college and later I found out that was a great stress release technique.  My mom loved to crochet instead.  I knew how to knit, but did not think of turning my skill into a business until another sister, familiar with Etsy, said that I have talent and imagination,  and I should open a shop.  I have a very stressful job, as a nurse for mentally ill patients and now I get to relax after a tough day at work, while using my skill to build a business.




How did you get your start?
I started very timid last year, with fun crochet items for the house, including small stuffed animals called amigurumi.  I wanted to do something different, pretty, and useful at the same time.  Later, I added knitted items like scarves and accessories.  I went from enthusiasm to disappointment and then enthusiasm again after I found my “niche” which is knitted pillows. I will always create some more home dĆ©cor items, since handmade pieces can add a special touch to any room.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I am always looking at all my friend’s pullovers, hats and scarves.  I found myself staring at people on the street now, and then going home and challenging myself to figure out how to get a special stitch done.  My mom, as a crochet expert is also a great inspiration, and when I go visit her, we both share ideas and we knit like two grandmas hurrying to make something for a fast growing niece or nephew…
 Internet is useful as well, but I am not able to understand  knitting pattern instructions, so I just look at pictures for inspiration.



What has been your biggest successful moment so far?
My first sale was a crochet pendant, but the successful moment was when I sold five knit pillow cases to one customer!  I knew at that moment that I am making designs that customers like. I started to get compliments and pictures back from customers, showing me how the pillows looked in their house.



What challenges do you face selling online?
I don’t really like to take pictures and I found out how important they are for selling online.  In time, I got better on using the day light and taking better close ups.
Another challenge is selling overseas.  I am in Europe and sometimes I answer to a conversation later than I wish, since there are seven hours deference between me and US.  When most customers are shopping, I am sleeping… The shipping is also inconsistent; sometimes items get to the customer in ten days, sometimes in three weeks.



What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?
I would say that you need to start by knowing what you are good at.  Start building an identity and do not make everything that comes in your mind.  It is also helpful to get used with the website fast,  learn how it works, and how to effectively list an item.




This is it for this week’s Artist Spotlight.  Remember if you would like to be featured, just drop me a note via Etsy Convo.  We are always looking for talented artists.

Thanks for stopping by!


Friday, November 22, 2013

Be Merry - Friday Finds

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! The theme was “Be Merry” and the treasury that we picked to share with you is Sylwia’s, from SylwiaGlassArt. It's full of beautiful items in shades of red from the talented creators at Etsy.
                                                Here is an item from Sylwia’s shop:




Christmas Decoration - Embroidery Wall Art - Be Merry Hoop Art - Holiday Decor - Red and green - Cute Festive Rustic - 5 Inch Hoop - IslaysTerrace
asymetric rod earrings, orange and raspberry, minimal post earrings - StudioMETHODE
Needle Felted Owl, tan orange rust home whimsical decor play ecofriendly - feltjar
Fingerless gloves, Fingerless mittens, Orange Crochet fingerless glove,   long fingerless glove, arm warmers - JPwithLove
60s Octagon Sunglasses, Mod Tortoise Shell 1960s Jackie O Sunglasses, Amber Frame Round Glasses - sunnyspex
46% Off Sale Dark Rust Chalcedony Briolette Gemstone Faceted Heart Top Drilled 11mm 1/2 Strand Wholesale - somsstudiosupplies
Autumn Leaf and Quote Watercolor Painting - Art Print, Autumn Leaves, Fall Foliage, Albert Camus, Hand Lettering, Leaf Painting, Leaf Print - trowelandpaintbrush
Vintage 70s Blood Orange Velvet Blazer Jacket - SHOPAT851
Vintage Asian bowl / Japanese country garden scene / cottage chic home decor / purple wisteria / gold / orange / pink lotus / hand painted - WhiteDogVintage
15% OFF Linen Wedding Clutch Bridesmaid Gift Idea Clutch Purse Bag Bridal Pleated Clutch in Terracotta Orange Rose - lolos
Red Beaded Dangle Earrings  / Orange Modern Dangle Earrings / Tomato / Garden Inspired / Harvest - cooljewelrydesign
Rust felted bowl / Two nesting bowls in fall rust orange / Cozy gift Air plant holder / home decor - theYarnKitchen
vintage SIENNA ORANGE velvet blazer jacket  /  1970s velvetine sport coat - vintagemarmalade
Copper Polish Star Ornament, Dark Metallic Orange Paper Christmas Holiday Decoration - Copper,  3 inch - kissadesign
Rust Vintage Books- Back to school-Collection-Library- Six Books- Antique Hardback books- Red Orange Autumn display - cabinwindows
Pumpkin orange silk chiffon scarf in an abstract circle print with red trim. - byCinneWorthington


We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. The theme for next week is: "Be Thankful”. If you have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by!