HAPPINESS IS...

Four Things 15: Love Struck

Hey love bugs.  Thought I'd get you revved up for Valentine's Day with this month's Four Things.  Fortunately, it lands on a Saturday - date night!  Do you have any special plans?  I'm sure we'll be kicking it at home, playing some classic jazz, cooking something heart-shaped.  And waiting with anticipation for my bestie's first baby to arrive!  Her little boy cherub is due on February 14th - how sweet is that? 

1. Canvas Love Tote
2. Be Still My Heart Dress
3. DIY Heart-Shaped Tea Bags
4. Awkward Dating Card

 

P.S. 18 more ooey gooey Valentine's Day inspiration posts.....

• Flowers For Men?
• Ice Skating
• DIY Felt Fortune Cookies
• A Sweethearts Stop Motion
• Valentines Day Weekend
• Seven Days of Love
• Making Out
• Heart Shaped Lasagna
• V-Day Desktop Wallpaper
• A Little Snow Date
• Heart Art
• A Romantic Weekend
• Bread Hearts
• Love Notes
• 4 Heart Shaped Sweet Treats
• Love Forts
• Geronimo Valentines Balloons
• A Sexy Red Salad

 

DIY - Calligraphy Pumpkin Carving + Free Pattern Download

Halloween is a big deal in my family. Every October, we get together in full costume to eat treats, play games, drink cider, watch spooky movies, and you guessed it - carve pumpkins. This year, instead of some complicated cut out of Walter White's face (which took more time than anyone should ever spend on a pumpkin), I decided to create a simple, classy calligraphy BOO!

And then share the pattern with you!

SUPPLIES:

• Pumpkin
• BOO PATTERN
• Lino cutter
• Masking tape
• Pin hole cutter
• Serrated knife
• Tea light
• Matches

STEPS:

• Download and print the BOO PATTERN. It should fit a medium to large-sized pumpkin. Feel free to scale it down if your pumpkin is small.


• Cut open the top of the pumpkin with a serrated knife. You can find a cheap carving kit here. Scrape out the "guts" with a large metal spoon (I used an ice cream scooper), thinning out the side you'll be carving.


• Attach the pattern to the pumpkin with masking tape.


• Using a pin hole cutter, or a push-pin if you don't have one, poke small holes through the paper, tracing along the lines of the pattern.


• Remove the pattern and carefully scrape along the dotted lines with a linoleum cutter. No need to cut very deep, just remove the skin. This tool is magic. You'll never want to use a plain ol' knife again!


• Place a tea light inside and admire your handiwork!

 

This post is a collaboration with Porch.com, and is featured on their blog today! Hop on over to their site, where I answer a few fun questions!

 

Four Things 11: Shibori Amour

In 5th grade, I was way ahead of the trends. I owned a matching indigo tie-dye shirt and leggings set. Not so cool then (worn together, how I did). Pretty cool now!

Shibori, the ancient Japanese dyeing technique, involves folding, twisting or bunching cloth, binding it, then dyeing it in indigo. A much more calculated art form than your average summer camp rubber band job. Here's a great tutorial if you're feeling crafty.

And four fun shibori items for your walls, tea towels, headboard and toddler! 

1. Shibori Wallpaper
2. DIY Indigo Dye Kit
3. Handmade Chabouki Baby Leggings - Fall shibori line available Sept 15th!
4. Shibori Headboard

 

Four Things 09: Stars & Stripes

For my 'Merican friends, do you have any big plans for the 4th of July? Like last year, we'll be hanging out with my family in Gig Harbor, devouring watermelon and shooting off fireworks over the Puget Sound. Ahh, summer is here.

1. Red White and Blue Ice Cubes
2. Patriotic Shorty Shorts
3. Mini Star Sparklers
4. DIY Fourth of July Matchbox Printables

DIY - 3 Holiday "In-A-Jar" Gifts

You guys, I'm such a sucker for "in-a-jar" gifts. Remember Christmas in a Jar? And Dreams in a Jar? Here are 3 more fun ideas for the holidays that you can make yourself...

• Party in a Jar
• Brownies in a Jar
• Gift Card in a Jar

They're the perfect gift for teachers, neighbors and hostesses, don't you think? Which one is your favorite?


{Images by: 1. 2. Life Made Lovely; 3. 4. Call Me Cupcake; 5. 6. The Creative Mama}

A Color Tipped Scarf

I don't knit, but my sweetheart does. Maybe he'll make me another knit creation for Christmas this year, fingers crossed. But a little less wool this time, love... you know me and my darn sensitive neck skin!

I'm coveting Laura's color block scarf with bold triangle tips. If you already know how to knit, she provides the yarn, needles and instructions so you can make one yourself. The angled design with garter stitch texture is supposed to make the scarf stay secure around your shoulders.

Who here knits?


{Images by The Purl Bee}

DIY - Clay Leaf Bowls

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! What are your plans for the holiday?

If you're hosting, wouldn't these pretties be perfect for the table? Suzonne made the bowls herself by pressing real leaves into air-dry clay. She shares her how-to here.

{Images by Urban Comfort}

DIY - Herb Firestarters

We're planning to build our first fire of the season tomorrow so we can have a warm and inviting home for the neighborhood trick-or-treaters! Although it does little to heat our house, a roaring fire is my favorite kind of ambiance.

I'm thinking about making these herb firestarters with dried orange and apple peels, cloves, cinnamon sticks, rosemary and lavender inside a coffee filter. Stephanie shares the full details on her blog. I bet they smell incredible.


{Images by Henry Happened}

DIY - 3 Things You Can Make With Dried Gourds

Bracelets. Vases. And drums! All from a dried gourd. Mad props to Caitlin, who's brilliant mind came up with these three fun projects for fall. Now I'm wishing I picked up a few extra gourds at the pumpkin patch!


{Images by Merrythought}

DIY - Staggered Hanger

Have you noticed lately how interior designers are using clothing as art when photographing their rooms? They'll hang one statement dress or outfit on the wall to personalize the space. Especially in nurseries. Those miniature sweaters are just so darn cute!

Jennifer came up with a stylish way to recreate this look, using a staggered hanger similar to one designed by Christina Liljenberg Halstrøm for Skagerak. All you need is a dowel, a drill, and some parachute rope.

Not only is this DIY aesthetically pleasing, but it's practical. I remember as a child, my mom telling me to lay out my clothes the day before so I wouldn't be late for school. Do you ever hang up your outfits before you wear them?


{Images by A Merry Mishap}

DIY Limoncello

When life gives you lemons... make limoncello. The tart and tangy flavors brings back wild memories of my semester abroad, speeding through Florence on the back of a Vespa with a boy named Nico.

Thanks Kristin for sharing your recipe! 


{Pre-edited images via Brit+Co}

DIY - Paper Boat Clutch

As you can tell from my wedding invites, vows, and guest book, I have a sweet spot for paper boats. They remind me of innocence.

So naturally, my heart fluttered when I came across Aimee's DIY leather paper boat clutch, inspired by the Moschino Boat Trip Bag worn so well by Alix.

Learn how to make your own here.


{Pre-edited images by Clones n' Clowns}

DIY - Cat Eye Mask

Okay fellow kitty lovers. This one's for you. The crafty miss Cat made herself an eye mask. I've been coveting a similar one for quite some time.

Here's how she did it, using fleece, elastic, and a needle & thread. Her own cat most definitely approves!


{Images via Fox In The Pine}

The Real Easter Bunny

Have a delightful Easter weekend, dear ones. Do you have any holiday plans with family or friends? I came across so many Easter egg crafts this year, my weekend links today are all egg-related... enjoy!

Edible confetti eggs.

Genius tea infuser eggs.

Classy white penned eggs.

Colorful marbleized eggs.

Fancy calligraphy eggs.

Shiny gold leafed eggs.

Party-time sequined eggs.

Fun pinata eggs.

Flashy blinged-out eggs.

Intricate string-wrapped eggs.

Artistic black & white eggs.

Tasty sprinkle eggs.

Quirky photo-print eggs.

Amazing wood-burned eggs.

Pretty crocheted eggs.

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• DIY - An Easter Eggshell Garden
• Sir Hopsalot
• Homemade Cadbury Creme Eggs

{Image by Amanda Keeys}

My Wedding 05: DIY Invitations

Ta da! Our invitations. Lovingly letterpressed and linocut by Hal himself.

One of the few things Hal felt passionate about during wedding planning was making our invites. With the money saved by doing them ourselves, we splurged on an inexpensive at-home letterpress machine. I designed the invitation wording and uploaded it to Lifestyle Crafts for our custom printing plates.

The tree was done as a linocut. Hal has linocut before, but it was his first attempt at letterpress. It took some trial and error, but he quickly got the hang of it. For weeks, he disappeared into his man cave cranking out 100 of them, one by one.

We included a vintage postcard of Gig Harbor, where the wedding would take place. Around 75% of our guests were flying in from California and other parts of the U.S., so I wanted to give them a nostalgic view of the small town they'd be visiting. The original postcard was blank and in order to replicate it en masse, I scanned both sides, added a faux postage stamp in Photoshop, and printed it for cheap on cardstock.

A second set of postcards, with a handwriting font on the back, were sent to guests invited to our rehearsal dinner cruise around Gig Harbor.

Playing off the "green carpet premiere" invitation text, I designed a little wood ticket to announce the wedding website using our H ♥ S logo. The Etsy shop, Bullfrog Graphics, laser engraved them for me and did an excellent job.

During a weekend-long marathon of Say Yes To The Dress, all of the pieces were neatly tied together with baker's twine and placed inside an A9-sized kraft envelope with an origami paper boat (which would later play a role in our wedding).

We were happy with how they turned out. A painstaking process? Yes. Would I purchase invites if I had to do it all over again? Um, quite possibly maybe probably yes. But in my eyes, nothing beats a handmade invitation. And I hope our guests felt the love.

SEE THE REST OF MY WEEKLY WEDDING SERIES HERE.


{Images by Christopher Bachmann}

My Wedding 02: DIY Save-The-Date Paper Dolls

I'm thrilled to share with you our save-the-dates!

To get the guests revved up about the wedding, I wanted to send them something unexpected. Something they could play with. Our theme wasn't yet established, but we knew we would ask our guests to come dressed in their vintage best. Racking my brain, I thought about old toys that conjure up nostalgic memories for all generations. Paper dolls? I bounced the idea off my mom and her eyes lit up. Yes!

I tried to draw the paper dolls myself, but failed miserably. So instead, we Photoshopped our heads onto vintage doll bodies. My mom and I scoured eBay for the perfect bride and groom with acceptable underclothes. I scored the perfect retro set! It came with hilarious outfits and accessories for the big day, the wedding night, and the honeymoon. No black kitties, but I found another hand-drawn cat image for Bailey. She had to be included, of course.

Initially, I planned to print on magnetic paper so guests could hang us on their fridge as a reminder. But I discovered reusable adhesive fabric instead. It's more affordable, lightweight, easy to cut, ink jet printer friendly, and leaves no residue. You simply peel off the backing and stick it to any flat surface.

Do you remember the hand-carved face stamp I had made? It was put to good use on our envelopes! I also got a custom address rubber stamp from NoteTrunk and designed a very simple H ♥ S logo for our postage stamps from Zazzle.

We got great feedback from our guests. Even my grandma loved them, which could have gone either way. A few friends sent us photos of the tux on me, the gown on Hal, and the garter around Bailey's neck!

P.S. For this project, a big thank you goes out to my mom, my brainstorm and research partner, my brother, the Photoshop wizard who made sure our heads looked like they belonged on our bodies, and my husband, who agreed to be seen by the world in shorty shorts and black knee high socks.

SEE THE REST OF MY WEEKLY WEDDING SERIES HERE.


{Images by Christopher Bachmann Photography}

DIY - Mid-Century Holiday Putz Houses

Have you heard of a putz house? They were miniature dime-store cardboard homes from back in the day. They're called "putz" for "puttering" around. Kate's family has a small treasured collection of them passed down from her grandmother, but she wanted to make her own, mid-century style. Aren't they darling?

If you'd like to recreate your own little retro winter village, check out her step-by-step instructions and downloadable house patterns.

They'd also make a groovy gingerbread house, don't you think?


{Pre-edited images via Retro Renovation}

For The Makers

Last night, I went to my friend's house to watch the election. It was the first time I'd seen her new place, which was filled to the brim with things she had made. I tried to convince her, unsuccessfully, to start a blog or open up shop to share her creations with the rest of the world. But she makes things for herself. Simply because she loves it. I think that's awesome.

If you're a DIYer, have you seen For The Makers? Sign up and Janet and Katie will send you a monthly box of craft supplies and instructions for 4 different projects. To make anything from rubber stamps to jewelry to home decor. Such a great idea.


{Images by Janet Crowther and Katie Covington of For The Makers}

Wedding DIY Projects

On Wednesday, we hit the 30-day mark! Yikes. With less than a month away from the big day, I made a list of wedding projects that still need to get done. A bit overwhelming, I must admit. Starting tomorrow, I plan to ignore the sunshine and lock myself in the house to get cracking on DIY favors, programs, escort cards and seating arrangements. And trying to remember that this should be fun!  :)

Have a productive weekend, my friends. Here are your links...

A little free library.

Corn on the cob: 3 ways.

Turn hand-written recipes into tea towels.

600 shoes tied up with string.

The meals that Olympians eat.

Grilled peaches for dessert.

Magical branch sculptures.

A heart-pattern friendship bracelet tutorial.

52 things I love about you.

Summer camps for grown-ups.

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• Beegee's Hair
• A Balloon Lamp
• Flutter In Pinhole

{Image via Style Me Pretty by Sasha Gulish}

DIY - Pop Up Cards

Did you ever make pop-up books in grade school? These little cards are crafted the exact same way. Just download the typewriter, computer and camera template, cut them out, and glue them to cardstock with two slits on the fold. The Polaroid was created with the ShakeItPhoto app. Aren't they the cutest?


{Images via Brit by Misty Spinney}

DIY - An Easter Eggshell Garden

Easter always sneaks up on me. It's just around the corner! Wouldn't Megan's eggshell garden make the sweetest centerpiece for Easter brunch? Here's how she made it...


{Images via Le Robin's Nest by Easy Dreamer Photography}

DIY - Pink Lip Balm

One thing I'd never to think to DIY? Make-up. But that's why the Interweb is so grand. Somebody is always making their own something. And Delia makes pink-tinted lip balm with grated beeswax, coconut and sweet almond oil, a chunk of red lipstick and shimmery eye-shadow. See how she does it here.


{Images via Oh The Lovely Things by Delia Creates}

DIY - Flying People Balloon Weights

Hilarious! Balloons are fun, but balloons with cut-outs of yourself dangling from them, even better. Brittany made these for a wedding and it looks so simple to replicate for any party or special occasion. Check out the full tutorial here.


{Images via Brooklyn Bride by Hilda Grahnat}

DIY - Paper Clip Letters & Shapes

Man, I really want to make these paper clips, aka "shaper clips", for our DIY wedding invitations, but alas, we are inviting more than 10 guests. I can't possibly imagine whipping them out in large quantities... unless I had an assembly line of little elves.

But wouldn't they be perfect for smaller projects? All you need is jewelry wire and a pair of needle nose craft pliers. Check out Chelsea's full tutorial.


{Images via The Sweetest Occasion by Lovely Indeed}

DIY - Teeny Tiny House Plants

Ever since getting a few small tillandsias, I've noticed that taking care of small plants is much easier than keeping large ones alive. And I'm a sucker for anything miniaturized.

Alicia, Katie and Margaret, authors of the book, Microcrafts, show us how to grow teeny tiny house plants in little terra cotta pots, teacups, shot glasses, and thimbles. And how cute are their itty bitty hanging macrame hangers?


{Images via Etsy by Steve Belkowitz}

DIY - Chalkboard Cheese Platters

While in San Fran, my girl Robin put out the best smörgåsbord of cheese. We're talking cheese with truffles and rosemary and all that fancy stuff. She knows me so well.

I've always fawned over chalkboard platters where you can write down the type of cheese right next to it. Never realized how easy it is to make your own with a porcelain tray and special chalkboard paint! Lookie here...


{Images via Wit & Whistle}

DIY - Christmas In A Jar

Remember Danyelle's adorable Spring In A Can? She has invented another sweet project to make yourself and give away as gifts. Just place her special potpourri inside a glass jar, cover it with a coffee filter and tie it up with string. Use her downloadable labels, and you have Christmas In A Jar.


{Images by Dandee Designs}

DIY - Globe Snowmen

Emily made a snowman family with vintage globes. Super cute, right? Here's how she did it. 


{Images via Craftzine by Emily Henderson}

DIY - Vintage Industrial Shelves

Stacey made the sweetest little wall shelves out of vintage soda crates & baskets... and you can too!


{Images via A Sort of Fairytale}

DIY - Chocolate Cups

Unless you want a melty mess, you can't sip hot cocoa out of these cups. But you can still serve "hot chocolate" by adding cayenne pepper to chilled mousse. This is such a fun project because the little mugs are made with balloons! Hop on over to Jane's blog for the DIY instructions.


{Image via Brunch At Saks by Jane Ko}

Leaves In The Mail

I just sent off an email to my Cali girls who are meeting me in Vancouver tomorrow to get ready for some serious autumn color! The oranges and reds in the Pacific Northwest right now are unreal. Watching the seasons change was one thing I really missed while in LA.

If they weren't coming to experience it for themselves, I would mail them these DIY Fall envelopes filled with colorful leaves. You can download the template here. Aren't they fun?


{Images by Amanda Jane Jones}

DIY - Crocheted Envelopes

I do not know how to crochet, but Meredith says her envelope pattern is easy enough for beginners. She stores all her handwritten pen pal letters in hers. Wouldn't it also make a delightful little mixtape CD case? Here are her step-by-step instructions. 


{Images via Violet Bella by One Sheepish Girl}

DIY - Wire Flowers

Such darling wire flowers. They seem so simple to recreate. One piece of wire. One set of pliers. One really cool 3-dimensional wall art. Learn how to make them here.


{Images by Fine and Feathered}

DIY - Bouquets of Autumn Leaves

Well, I can't believe it, but it's the first day of Fall. So in honor of, I'd love to share with you Danny's tutorial on how to turn autumn leaves into a bouquet of roses. The best part? Only two supplies needed. Maple leaves and twine. You simply roll them up like tortillas.

There aren't many leaves on the ground just yet, but we'll be buried in them before we know it. Don't they make a cheerful arrangement?


{Images by Krokotak}

DIY - Lavender & Grass Paper

I'm pretty sure I made paper in junior high, but nothing as pretty as this. The full tutorial is on Kiss The Groom. Adding lavender and grass is such a nice touch. I love the woodsy scent of regular paper, so just imagine how lovely this paper smells. Have you ever made paper before?


{Images via by Elizabeth Messina}

DIY - Hanging Notepads

I think I'd be more willing to complete my to-do lists if they were written on these pretty hanging notepads. Stephanie from SCRAP came up with this sweet little project using receipt paper ends and flooring samples. See how she makes them here.


{Images via White Tapestry by Kim Maruska}

DIY - Lawn Furniture

SO tempted to try this DIY Sprout A Couch. I'd love to have a lawn lounge. But I must say, it looks pretty labor intensive. And how does one mow a sofa?


{Image by ReadyMade}

DIY - Terrarium Magnets

Such a clever re-purposing idea. With a few air plants, white spray paint, gravel, and a little moss, inexpensive refrigerator spice magnets become mini modern terrariums. Learn how to make them. I'd like to coat an entire wall with magnetic paint for a full on vertical garden. Cool, yes?


{Images via Ruffled}

DIY - A Side French Braid Bun

French braiding my own hair is usually disastrous. My arms start to ache and I lose patience fast. But Maegan's tutorial might be the solution. She shows us with a video exactly how to recreate her loose side french braid updo. Not the easiest hair style, I'm afraid. But oh so gorgeous!


{Images by Love Maegan}

DIY - Ceiling Lamp Flower Pots

Materials: A used ceiling lamp. Instructions: Flip it over. Plant flowers.

Possibly the easiest DIY project ever in life. And how cool is it? Heloisa found her ceiling lamp in the as-is section of IKEA. It makes a perfect modern planter since it already has a hole for water drainage.


{Image via IKEA Hackers}

DIY - Scandinavian Accessory Stand

Swoon alert. Annaleena of Sweden shows us how to make this gorgeous rustic modern accessory stand out of three wood poles, some metal hooks, and leather thread. I can do!


{Images via Emma's Designblogg}

DIY - Clever Upside Down Racks

I'm having a serious "why didn't I think of that" moment. Sometimes it's as simple as turning every day items upside down.

Learn how to make the chair rack here and the hanger rack here.


{Images via Better Homes and Gardens}

DIY - Corkboard Map

To keep track of travel dreams, here's a fantastic DIY that doubles as an interactive art piece. Learn how to craft a corkboard map with instructions and templates here.

When my great American road trip adventure day comes, I'll have to make this!


{Images via Oh, Mishka by Halligan Norris}

DIY - Sputnik Mobile

The house I rented for my birthday bash in Palm Springs had a sputnik chandelier, and I've been craving all things sputnik ever since. Dabito figured out how to make one out of an inexpensive satellite hanging photo clip. Just afix mini ball ornaments and boom. Instant mid-century goodness right there.

P.S. He also made a Polaroid sputnik mobile!


{Images by Old Brand New}

DIY - Pine Cone Fire Starters

According to Seattle weatherpersons, "no accumulation" actually means "6 inch accumulation"! Thankfully, my wood-burning fireplace kept us toasty and warm last night. It took awhile for our fire to catch on, so I'm thinking of making these DIY pine cone fire starters.

Cue Prodigy..."I'm a fire starter!" Couldn't help myself :)

Aren't they pretty? You can make them with essential oils, like eucalyptus, pine, or cinnamon. Learn how here. Or non-crafters can always buy them at Hem & Hammock.


{Images via Design*Sponge}

DIY - Paper Pumpkins

Wow, Thanksgiving is almost upon us. Wouldn't Emily's DIY pumpkins look great on your dinner table?

They're made out of paper, although you'd never know it. Looks like fabric, right?  All you need are strips of scrapbook paper in coordinating colors and patterns, Mod Podge, a hot glue gun and floral wire. The full tutorial is here.


{Images via WhipperBerry}

DIY - A Bowl of Wool

I've always loved the look of yarn balls on display. But since I'm not a knitter, I would feel like a poser. So I found another cozy way to warm up the home for winter. A bowl of wool! The instructions are simple:

1. Find scraps of wool fabric in a mix of patterns and colors;
2. Cut wool yardage into 1 inch wide strips;
3. Wrap strips around craft balls (styrofoam or wood);
4. Glue ends to secure.

 

{Image by DIY Ideas}

DIY - Scavenger Hunts

During my mom's annual Halloween party last year, we had an epic scavenger hunt. She sent us out around our neighborhood to pick up pine cones, maple leaves, scotchbroom, chestnuts, seashells, bugs, dog poo, and about 100 other things. A very serious event. Hours later, I was was so proud to have found everyting on the list! As we gathered round to announce our treasures, I realized I was neck in neck with my brother...grrr.

It got down to the dog poo. He showed his, I showed mine. Yet I made the mistake of announcing where I found it. Apparently, the location of my dog poo was the infamous raccoon poo spot! Everyone seemed to know this, but me. I was defeated. And after that traumatic episode, scavenger hunts have left a foul taste in my mouth, or shall I say, a foul stink in my nose.

This story has a point, I promise! I recently discovered that an old friend from high school, Emily, has a crafty little blog with some great DIY ideas. She made these scavenger hunt cards and treasure bags to go along. Aren't they adorable? See her tutorial here. Now I'm almost inspired to try another scavenger hunt again this year. Minus the dog poo!  ;)


{Images by Saltwater Kids}

DIY - Personal Fire Pits

This DIY project tickles my fancy. I like fire. In any form. Candles, fireplaces, camp fires, you name it. They just ooze coziness. And I've been wanting to put a little fire pit of sorts on my deck for the crisper evenings coming on. Thank you Karen for show us how to make our own modern personal fire pit for $25. Full instructions here.


{Images by The Art of Doing Stuff}

DIY - Hand Held Cheese Palettes

The crafty ladies of Ritzy Bee have created the cutest homemade hand held cheese palettes that we can recreate ourselves. Just print out their palette template on Vellum or any other opalescent paper, afix it to chipboard with double-sided tape, then cut out the thumb hole.

Don't forget to invite me to your fromage party! I will lick your cheese palettes clean  :)


{Images by Kate Headley}