easter

Happy Easter! Oscar, 2 months shy of his 3rd birthday, totally got the Easter egg hunt this morning. It was ridiculously cute and it brought back a lot of childhood memories. I hope you all have a lovely Easter. xo Linds

Ps., I think the Easter bunny found the Frog & Bunny eggs from the newly opened Target in our neighbourhood. The set also came with a fox and a chick.

Spring One of a Kind Show

My Mom and I went to the late night shopping event at the One of a Kind show last evening. So much fun. I found that there was a lot of reasonably priced art and sweet little items. I appreciate not everyone that reads my blog is from Toronto (or can make it to the show) but every vendor I asked has a website and ships, so I thought you'd like to see some new artisans that I enjoyed. But if you ARE close to Toronto, I highly recommend visiting. It's a super fun show. :)

The top photo is of one of the items that came home with me from Graham Blair Woodcuts.

Here are my picks from the show - in most cases the links are to the One of a Kind Show so you can find the vendors booth number, but from that page you can visit their website.

1. Ele Willoughby, Minouette on Etsy  - Graphic punchy art that would be awesome for a kids room.
2. Cashmere booties by Boogaloo Bubby Wear almost came home with me and I don't even little feet to dress. That's how cute they are.
3. Felted animals by Carolyn Misener caught my eye and at $35 they were amazingly priced. Mom bought a little Beaver for Oscars room. It's soooooo cute.
4. Tissage Magély Weaving - The most gorgeous blankets - this king blanket my Mom purchased.
5. Graham Blair Woodcuts - The first aisle and, my first purchase. His work is gorgeous and amazingly priced. I ended up picking up the top piece of art called "The Three Bears".
6. Heyday Design - Needs no introduction on my blog, love her stuff. And I met her and she's ridiculously sweet.
7. I'm still obsessed with mason jars + candles so I picked up some tealight holders for my mason jars from Pietersma Tinworks
8. Tissage Magély Weaving - Same as photo #4 but you can see some more of their blanket styles
9. Morico (Etsy Shop) - This little circus elephant caught my eye - I think it was around $70 and the only one they had made, and were making because it was so labourous to make. If I were designing a nursery I'd grab that one.

Ice Cream Can Birdhouse

 

 

 

I found this old ice cream maker last month.  My husband is making me a birdhouse out of it (I will post about it soon!) 

 

 So this is what we started with. 

Inside of it, was this rusty metal cylinder. A perfect shape for another birdhouse!

 

He made this cedar roof.

 

And cut off the top.

 

 

 

 

 

I found this metal bird at Hobby Lobby. A little bit of surgery to it and it became the finial.

 

 

 

 

 I used my trusty apple cider vinegar and steel wool process to age it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I then sent it off to my dear friend Heather for her birthday!

 

 

 

Thanks for your visit!

 

Pam


I am linking to the following parties:

 

One of a Kind Show, Easter Table Design

The One of a Kind Show starts today, and I was honoured to have been one of two people asked to design an Easter tablescape that was on display at the show. The task was to design an Easter themed table setting the incorporated 3 items from artisans that are exhibiting at the show. More after the jump!
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bunny place card holders

I decided to make some seating cards for the Easter table. Originally I was going to use just some sculpey and make a circle to hold a card - but then at the last minute I added ears and I think they are super cute. Here's how I did it. 

Step 1: Roll a circle out of Sculpey + take your seating card (or something of the same thickness) and create a slit in the centre. Next, create some ears out of Sculpey. To attach the ears, with your fingers wedge open the slit you created with the seating card, and gently attach the ears to the front half of the bunny head.

Step 2: Take your seating card and put it back in the slit and mould the head again around the card so the card fits snugly, but you know it will be able to act as a card holder. You do this step because after fiddling around with attaching the ears, your bunny head likely got slightly distorted.

Step 3: Follow the instructsion on the packaging and bake. (Mine took 15 minutes)

Step 4: Mix some light pink paint and paint the inside of the bunny ears.

And ta-da! A simple seating card holder for Easter. I purposefully decided not to put a face on the bunny to save it from going too cutesy. 

Materials Used: Clay; Sculpey. Seating Card; Cloud Mini Card via The Penny Paper Co. 

Ps., Sorry for hitting you with so many posts in a short amount of time. Typically I space out posts but because this project is related to a holiday that is right around the corner, and this project was 100% last minute, I figured I should publish it now. 

gold scissors, take two

As much as I liked (and still use) my DIY gold scissors I continued to lust after the "real" thing even after my spray paint project. That's the thing about DIY's - Sometimes a DIY will hold you off from spending big bucks money. Like our Rast side tables. (They are still going strong, still love them and haven't had the urge to replace them ever.)  But the scissors, oh, my scissors. I blame Steph who told me via the comments that West Elm had a pair. Granted, they cost me under $30 so really aren't that expensive.  They make me smile whenever I see them on my work table in my studio.

easter goodies

So just a few Easter things going on over here. First, it's worth re posting this project that will occupy your time with the littles this week. Simple DIY painted rocks that look like Easter Eggs will give you hours of fun and not to mention some pretty cool decorations for the house. I'll probably be heading to the beach to collect new rocks with Oscar to do this all over again. Here is a link to the original post.  See more of our decorating around the house after the jump.

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Easter Nests

 

I love making these nests for Easter. Everyone looks forward to them and they are so easy to make!

2 cups Mini Marshmallows

1/4 cup Butter

4 cups of Chow Mein Noodles

Jelly Beans, M&M's or Robin's Eggs to fill

--This recipe makes about 12 nests. If you want to make more, buy two bags of Chow Mein Noodles. You'll have plenty of Marshmallows with one bag.

In 2 quart saucepan, melt the butter and marshmallows. Stir until smooth. Take off of heat and immediately add chow mein noodles. Stir until coated with marshmallow/butter mixture.

Use a very clean 12 count cupcake pan. Rub butter in all cups.

Put butter on your hands. Spoon the coated chow mein noodles in each cup, then use your hands to form it into little nests.



Put the cupcake pan in freezer for an hour or so (or even overnight). To pop each nest out, I usually use a butter knife to gently pry it out. I use parchment paper or wax paper between the plate and the nests so they don't stick. Fill with candy and enjoy!



Sometimes I find the candies on the plate and the nests have all been eaten! They are delicious.

 

 

Thanks for coming by.  HAPPY EASTER!

 

Pam  

 

 

I am linking to the following parties:

 

 

An Old Washboard for the Laundry Room

I love old washboards and was so happy to find one on our local Craigslist last week.

 

 

This one has great graphics and the glass is in perfect condition.  What better place for it than the laundry room.

 

 

I made these "Mod podged with Graphics Fairy labels" laundry detergent bottles a couple of years ago  HERE.

 

I collect scales and was going to redo the one on the end, then decided I kind of like it in here, especially with the rusty pointer.

 

 

  I filled some blue canning jars with old clothespins, clips and spools of thread.  The chicken wire basket holds dusting and mopping cloths.

 

 

 

Last summer I found this copper washtub.  We use it in here for dirty towels. 

 

 

Thank goodness I have a modern washer and dryer.  I can't imagine the work that was involved in  doing laundry back in the day!

 

Thanks for coming by! 

 

Pam

 

 

I am linking to the following parties: 

 

 



bits + pieces

Another "iphone" post for my blog. Again, this is howI feel my week has been - random. I feel like we're all over the place trying to fit everything in that we need to do. Anyhow, here are some things worth sharing to end the week. xo

• My friend Jenny has a super cute Easter post on her blog. She just has an all around sweet blog.
• Saw this on my friend Steph's wall. Are you a social farter? 
• Thinking about balance bikes for Oscar. How cool is this one? 
• You have a chance to win a custom stamp over on Shannon's blog!
• Aubrey and I went to a birthday party for friends at Big House Pizza on the Danforth and I had a bite of the "Sir John A. MacDonald" pizza and it tastes like a Big Mac. They deliver. Order. I assure you it's good. 
• We're thinking of going with a pre made vanity for our washroom reno and hacking it so Aub and I browsed vanities at Lowes. More on that later. Can you tell I'm dragging my feet with this reno?
• The photo in the bottom right just makes me smile. Oscar and I went for a date - we went swimming at the sports club and shared an ice cream in the restaurant. Actually, he ate the ice cream and occasionally offered me a bite. And we played cars. :)

That's it! I'm off for an afternoon tea (not high tea as some refer to it) at the Windsor Arms hotel with some lovely ladies on Saturday to celebrate my sister's birthday. Have you been for an afternoon tea before? If not, I highly recommend endulging one day. ;) Anyhow, I hope you have a nice weekend. xo

my life via my phone....

It's one of those weeks where I feel the above best describes what is going on over here. A mishmash of everything. Anyways, here is what I captured on my phone over the last 7 days. Ps., a little one, who will go un-named dropped my iphone and the back of it smashed. So I *may* be getting a iPhone 5 that I've been itching for. I find it hard to upgrade phones when my current one still works - So the phone smashing was perhaps a blessing in disguise. ;)

[1] I launched a new collection in my shop of products with clouds that feels very pretty spring like. This was a shot of me bringing my Mom samples - she's my product tester. (She also got a note pad that is super cute)

[2] I have embraced the wall of cork board in my office that I had previously debated taking down and it's actually proving to be helpful as I tack up inspiration for my Summer collection as well as bathroom reno inspiration pictures.

[3] I'm trying to get back into sketching. Oscar usually makes an appearance in sketches.

[4] I'm in love with the used bookstore in our neighbourhood. Although I order a lot from online I'm trying to  remind myself to go into our local store to browse. It's pretty special. Anyhow, our store was having a 50% off kids book sale so I stocked up on books for the cottage.

[5] Blinds from Tonic are up, reveal coming soon!

[6] Oscar has dropped his nap but occasionally he'll pass out in my bed.

[7] My family's sense of humour. (Ps., his name is Andrew.)

[8] Still loving these blocks (and be sure to enter for your own).

Best ABC Blocks + Giveaway

While at the New York Gift Show in January I happened across the booth of Uncle Goose Toys - the people behind some of what I consider the coolest and best designed kids blocks on the market. I was familiar with the brand, having spotted Uncle Goose online over the years (specifically via Anthropologie) but as like with many online products - without touching and feeling something you don't fully appreciate how well made and worthy of ownership something is. From a graphic design perspective I had loved their blocks because of the attention to detail like typography and colour. My "spidey senses" went off when I saw their collaboration with House Industries - a type foundry that I had always associated with high quality fonts. (If you don't know already, I'm a huge font nerd) This was a product that I thought was ridiculously gorgeous for a design obsessed Mom over here. ;)

I'm a fan of classic toys - especially as gifts, so I think that these would make the sweetest gift for a new little one. As a baby these blocks could sit out in the nursery as display but as the child gets older, they would play with them (as Oscar is doing with his) and as the child matures, the blocks are gorgeous enough to go back on display or, handed down to other kids.

As you can see in the photo above, Oscar was a lucky recipient of a set (the lowercase collection) which was a really sweet gift from Uncle Goose Toys. The awesome people behind these awesome blogs not only sent a set to Oscar, but would love for one of you as well! Wheee! So if you have a baby, a toddler, or maybe know someone that has a wee one - this giveaway is for you.

Uncle Goose Toys would like to give away a set of the Classic ABC Blocks* or any of the language sets to one lucky reader. To enter, comment below and let Uncle Goose Toys know which one you'd likely pick if you were to win. That's it! As a bonus, if you head over to Uncle Goose Toys on Facebook and like them, be sure to come back here and comment a second time and tell me!

Open to Canadian and USA readers. Winner will be drawn at random. Contest ends this Friday at midnight. Winner will be notified by having their comment replied to, so come back and check to see if your comment won. Winner will have 7 days to e-mail, after which a new winner will be drawn. 

*The only exlusion from the Classic ABC blocks is the exclusion of the Classic Blocks with pull wagon

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CONTEST IS CLOSED! Comment #159 was drawn, Asheligh! Ashleigh, e-mail us with your address & I'll connect you with Uncle Goose Toys. 7 days to claim & then I re-draw.
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Simple Spring Table

I am so excited for nice weather to arrive!  It's been beautiful here for the past few days, but snow is forecast again next week, so we're not quite there yet. 

 

In the meantime, I can make my dining room feel like spring.

 

 

 

 

I started with white dinner plates and added these yellow salad plates from Pier 1.  I found the plaid napkins at HomeGoods.  The napkin rings were an eBay purchase a few years ago. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tulips and daffodils are looking so pretty.  I'm excited that this picture shows the sky at "Blue Hour".  I learned about that from  Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch.

 

Our dining room is the first room you see when you walk in.  It's so fun to see the spring colors in here! 

 

Thank you for your visit!  Happy Spring!!

 

Pam

 

 

I am linking to the following parties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

you are loved

Aubrey is at work all this week, which is unusual for us - typically he has three weekdays at home and works weekends. It sounds unusual, and may be weird for most households but totally works for us. Anyways, this week has thrown me for a little bit of a loop and my time in the studio is irregular and my blogging is kind of taking a back seat. I'll be back on Monday with a giveaway that I think anyone with a baby on the way, or little ones will really, really love.

Ps., Kristen e-mailed me the photo from her son's nursery - she picked up one of my 'You are Loved' in blue from HomeSense in Ottawa. I seriously love how it looks. I don`t have this print available in my shop yet - it`s only found in retail stores but it will be added to my shop along with others soon. Also - I was so excited to see that Sarah Gunn featured my favourite print on CityLine on Monday (the video doesn`t seem to be working right now). I snapped some pictures of it on TV and I`ll post those later on. But you can also see her roundup of great kids art here.

Toddler Book Recommendations by Oscar

I noticed last week that Oscar asks Aubrey to read him a few books over, and over, and over again. I thought I'd share what his favourites are these days.  The three most hilarious books are Don't let the pigeon drive the bus, I Want My Hat Back, and Caps for Sale. They are short books but packed with sayings that your littles will repeat over and over. "I want my hat back" is especially hilarious for this....

The other books that Oscar loves is Tikki Tikki Tembo and Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo by the amazing Mercer Meyer- these two, along with Caps for Sale are books that my parents read to me as a child. Professor Wormbog is packed full of crazy illustrations that will captivate a toddler. Little details that really make it a fun book.

Any book recommendations that I should pick up for Oscar? He's totally drawn to the funny books....

Birthday Fun at an Antique Show

This weekend, my husband surprised me by asking to go with me to an antique show so we could spend the day together for my birthday. What a fun day, especially since I had someone to carry all of my treasures!



 

A couple of weeks ago, Jill from forever*cottage was selling a bowling pin.  I bought it from her and started looking around for more.  They go for quite a bit on eBay and you have to pay for shipping, so it adds up. I was thrilled to find this one and take it with me.

 

 

 

 



I love this old rusty can. 

 

I am planning to use this big metal milk crate to hold blankets in the game room.



 

I am a sucker for blue canning jars and love the rustiness of the metal around it.

 

This fan actually works!  I like that it is blue too!

I also found a neat little cigar box.   We were standing and talking and a lady walked up and asked WHERE I had found it?  She was so excited about it.  When I told her where the booth was, but that it was the only one, she was so bummed!  It had CORINA printed nicely on it.  And you guessed it, her name is Corina.  I told her what I'd paid for it and if she wanted it, it was hers.  OMG, she was so happy, which in turn, made me happy.  My husband was just dumbfounded about the whole conversation.  haha. 

 

 

 

Thanks for your visit!

 

Pam

I am linking to the following parties: