Treasury love!

I finally got a Treasury! For those of you not familiar with Etsy or their Treasury, it is a way to share some of your favorite items on Etsy with its community. The only problem is they only allow you to create a new one when the amount of lists have dropped below 333. People literally calculate the exact moment this will happen and lay in wait to create their own lists. Today I got lucky and happened onto the Treasury just before it opened up and I got my own! I decided to go with Superheroes since I had found so many great products while I was searching for my 5 favorite things recently. So here it is: Superpowers!

5 Things I Love Thursday

Recently I was introduced to the incredible world of Amy Butler (I realize most of the people who read my blog have known about her a lot longer than I have). For those of you who don't know who she is, you are missing out! She has become my very favorite textile designer ever. I really love everything she comes up with and love all the ways the artists on Etsy have come up with to showcase her versatile designs (my sister and I have even been using her paper line to create customized gift boxes that we will be listing on our shop soon!) Here are some of my favorite Amy Butler featured products:

My sister recently purchased a headband made from Amy Butler fabric on Etsy and I love it so much I have contemplated stealing it and telling her I have no idea what happened to it...since I love my sister, I won't do that. I will instead find one I love!

Fuschia and Green Gothic Rose Headband by Precocious

I really think I would carry around a purse the size of a trash bag if it was socially acceptable. The bigger the better I say. This one is big and beautiful.

French Style Purse by thepickledpepper

I love the way this artist uses the textiles to create a whole new image. So cute!

Steggy the Dino T-Shirt by threelittlepeas

I recently featured another apron on my 5 Things I Love Thursdays. I think I love this one even more! I love how vintage it feels while still remaining modern by using the Amy Butler print.

The CHLOE Vintage Inspired AMY BUTLER Blue Wall Flower Full Apron by Boojiboo

I'm currently potty training my two year old so I hope in the near millennium to not need to bring diapers with me anymore. Until that comes to pass, I love this stylish way to carry diapers and wipes around. And, it could totally transform into a cute little purse when the diapers aren't needed anymore (whenever that might be).

Sling Bag/Diaper Buddy by thepickledpepper

Beam off!

I'm totally fascinated by installations and ideas that get the public involved with the art process. Here is one called ACCESS that allows people to use and online interface to follow people with a beam of light and acoustic system in a public place.

You have to wonder what the people who are being followed are thinking. I personally would freak out!

5 Things I Love

This Thursday's 5 Things is all about dads. If you want to order something on Etsy for your dad, now is a good time to do it since you know it will arrive on time.

It may be harder to find good products for men on Etsy but if you take the time, there is a wealth of amazing artistry to be found! Here are some of my picks:

The first is a pocket journal from an amazing leather shop I found. Many of the journals and portfolios in this shop are expensive (but still incredibly beautiful). This pocket version is a great value and a great size!

Pocket Journal by ArtisanGraham

I've heard an argument that cuff-links are becoming obsolete and unnecessary (my husband doesn't own a single pair). I think if cuff links were as interesting and stylish as these men would wear them a lot more.


Steampunk Vintage RUBY Jeweled Watch Movement Cuff Links by edmdesigns

I'm the youngest of two girls so I've always been the "baby" of the family. I could totally see this print representing the bond I have with my dad, especially since it's called "Daddy's Little Girl". Notice that the two trees are holding hands (awww).

"Daddy's Little Girl" Print by jellybeans

Believe it or not, this wallet is made out of tape! You can create a customized wallet using a ton of different tape options and patterns (who knew tape came in so many colors!) The wallets look like they are very roomy and work great.

The Custom Stuffer--7 pocket wallet--you decide what it looks like by tapebubba

I'm forever looking for nice argyle shirts and sweaters for my husband. Loving this one!

The Mechanics Argyle by HagadagaClothing

Waldo? Where??

Here is an interesting way someone is using Google Earth:



Ok, so the whole interview with Waldo thing is a little corny but the project itself is so original! Melanie Cole created this idea for her Graduation Project in college (she got an A!). You can find out more here: Where on Earth is Waldo?

5 Things I Love

It's Thursday (is it seriously Thursday already? What happened to the other four days of the week??) so it's time once again for Things I Love. Last week I showcased some things I would love to buy for my daughter on Etsy. This week, it's only fitting that I do the same for my son! 

My five year old boy is obsessed with superheroes. I'm not talking just likes them and has fun playing with them, I'm talking full on obsession. When a new movie comes out, he is first in line to see it. When a new toy comes out, he is begging us to buy it for him (and usually gets what he wants. Can you say S-P-O-I-L-E-D?). He doesn't have one imaginary friend, he has twenty, a different superhero coming over to play each day. Needless to say, this post is all about the fun superhero handmade items to be found on Etsy. So get out your web shooters and batarangs and enjoy!

P's very favorite superhero is Spiderman. He sometimes favors another over him depending on what movie is coming out (right now it's Iron Man) but he always seems to come back to Spidey in the end. These first two finds are dedicated to that love.

The first is a custom wooden wall hanging that would be perfect for a door or bedroom wall. These are painted by hand and every aspect can be customized, down to the character used.

Handpainted Wooden Cut-Out Door/Wall Name Sign by FANTASYCREATIONS

The next find is something that every kid can use. A nightlight (heck, I could use one sometimes!). I have unfortunately passed on my childhood fear of the dark to both of my children. P would never have to worry about it with this cool nightlight in his room. Monsters, beware!

Spider Man Shadow lamp New From Shadowland Night Light Amazing by CreativePal

I'm still trying to decide if P is too old for this next Favorite. He still loves to pretend and dress up, but he's not my little baby anymore :-(. I still think this is cool. These capes are two toned and can be customized with your child's first initial.


Little Heroes Customizable Cape for Boy or Girl by DiscoveryDenim

The end of this summer brings school (and first grade for P) but also the new Batman movie. We are already psyched up for it. This print of Batman is so cool and would fit right in with P's room decor (Spiderman, Transformers, Iron Man...). Love it!


The Bat-Man by TimmyK

The last is probably more for me. I love this shirt! P would probably think it was nice but there isn't any pictures of superheroes on it... In any case, I think this is a great shirt that is original and fun!


ZAP Raglan T-shirt by trustysidekick

Well I'm off to find Rhino and Sandman...again. Have a great night!

Trash as art

Happy Monday, all! I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!

Today I want to share with you the work of Joshua Allen Harris. Joshua creates 'air sculptures' using trash bags and subway vents in New York City (who knew there was that much air coming out of subway vents! Girls in skirts, beware). Check out his awesome work!

Happy Mother's Day!

I'd like to dedicate this next post to one of the most talented women I have ever met...my mom! My momma has been sewing (cross stitch, hardanger, lots of other stitching that I don't know the names of) for longer than I've been alive. She makes the most beautiful samplers and pieces just for the love of doing it. She has been trying in vain to get me interested in stitching for years. Sorry for all of the unfinished projects, mom!

I want to share some of her work with you. This is only a fraction of what she has done (basically what she has had time to photograph and put up on flickr). Enjoy the beauty and Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers! Happy Mother's Day to you, Mom. I love you! (also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEN!!!)

This one is my favorite. It's also mine!! She was working on this when she was pregnant with me. It's currently living with her because I had it at one of our apartments and somehow managed to break the frame off of it. Needless to say, she's taking care of it until I can be a little more responsible.

This one was hanging in my and my sister's room when we were growing up. It's so cute!



I love this sampler! It's hanging in my mom and dad's living room. I love the colors and especially the fact that she chose something other than white to create it on.



This one is also hanging in their living room. You could honestly stare at this piece for hours and not see everything.



This is a piece she did for my mother-in-law when my father-in-law passed away recently. It is sooo beautiful and delicate!



This next set is all one piece and the pictures do not do it justice. This is a nativity scene she did a long time ago. I think my sister and I are already fighting over it!





This only scratches the surface of her huge body of work (she was knitting a blanket last night!). Maybe this will be part 1 :-)

5 Things I Love

Time once again for 5 things I love. Hmm, mothers day is fast approaching. Hubby, take note!!

I love the springy, airy feeling of this print. I'm also a sucker for anything pink!

Little Sparrows (white and magenta edition) by yumiyumi

This little guy is so weird but I just love him! He's made out of polymer clay and is fully posable. I have no idea what I would do with him but I bet I would have a hard time keeping him away from my kids!

Neptune by societysedso

These earrings are sterling silver and are gooorgeous!!  I highly recommend checking out this shop. I had a hard time picking one favorite from here!

Little Sakura Earrings by howlindoggie

Ok, by now we all know i like flowy, comfy tops. This one is no exception. This would be so cute for summer with a pair of leggings and some flats.

Matchmaker Tunic by HagadagaClothing

I just love the idea of upcycling and seem to be finding a lot of it on Etsy lately. This bracelet uses legos (gotta love legos!) and heat to create a funky and fun charm bracelet.

Fade to Grey - Upcycled Lego Charm Bracelet by upcycleme

5 Things I Love

I am definitely spending way too much time on Etsy. It never fails to amaze me how many talented and creative people are in this world. I thought I would start sharing some of the wonderful products I have come across. Now which one to buy first...

I've been looking for something fabulous to put our equally fabulous business cards in once they come. I may have just found it!
Pink Chocolate Petals - Mighty Mini Pouch by Sonya

I've always been a sucker for a cute babydoll T. This one is cute and funky all at the same time!
Skeleton Key Baby Doll Tshirt by Deadworry

I can just imagine this quilt hanging over the side of a white crib in a baby's room. How cute would that be??Sunshine Collection Patchwork Quilt by becauseimme


One of my very first forays into the world of art was my photography class in high school. It has held a special place in my heart ever since. This is one of the most beautiful photographs I have found on Etsy. I strongly urge you to check out the rest of this incredibly talented photographer's shop.
Coping by Robert Socha

I love this necklace! I had a hard time choosing my favorite design from the many in this lovely shop! This one just shouted "spring" to me. Even better, it comes with a matching tin!
Sweetest Green by littleputbooks