Textures Handmade Market

Katie Daisy has healthy doses of feel good sentiments and amazing ornament.  She creates a cheerful world of love, grace and generosity.  I enjoy gazing at her prints and watercolors.  Here is a peek.

Having traveled to Athens recently for the Athens Indie Craftstravaganza I befriended Jordan the maker of these cuties.  She has remarkable talent – super cute cuddly’s for your youngin’ or young at heart.  The robots are something special — they have that 50′s feel yet feel spunky and new.  I adored the cacti and had to take one home to sit on my mantle.  Make sure to check out her site to see what she is up to and where she might be – Fattycakes!

We are so fortunate to be frolicking in these glorious days.  I am amazed at how gorgeous it is.  My husband and I have been working on our edible garden, something I have been dreaming about for sometime now.  I am a big fan of Fritz Haeg’s, Edible Estates: Attack of the front Lawn.  This is a great book- It looks back in history at the Victory gardens of the 40′s and what is going on now.  2010 was an explosive year for folks making they own lawn a sustainable veggie wonderland.  We are hoping to follow — we have the beginnings of all sorts of lovelies Rainbow swiss chard, Kale, beets, sugar snap peas.  As I am sure you all are itching to be outside — this is a great book to get those gardening juices flowing.  Enjoy every minute of it.

This is an amazing video that gets you close to the wonders of nature.  It is a collaboration between RISD and Etsy, and it is very lovely.  Here is a peak of the creatures you will see.

******Click here to watch the video —RISD\’s nature center***********

I love fabric and am quite positive many of you all do too.  There are so many lovely prints I adore but lately I’ve been taken with Pennsylvania Dutch.  Here is a composite by True Up- a great blog devoted to you guessed it fabric.  Check back with them on fridays for all the sales on the web.  Such a great resource!

I am a sucker for a cold evening and a fire going in the fireplace.  In fact, I repeatedly ask my hubby if we can make a fire every night.  I have used many a duraflame, but love a real fire – the snap and pop – the smell of wood.  So charming and cozy.  Since most of us here do not have fireplaces, I am a lucky one, we can make our own wonderous logs.  Or even if you do have a lovely fireplace, these would be cute as a stand in when a fire isn’t burning.  I found these on the Design Sponge blog and there is a tutorial for you eager hands.  Have fun and stay warm and snuggly.

I think that many of us get that uncanny itch to get up and go.  It is not always easy or affordable to travel, and I believe my favorite times have been on the open road.  Being able to look around, stop when you want.  Of course it is super fun to have your own camper, and one that you made yourself  – how incredible.  I am someone who wishes all my things that surrounded me were all handmade so this makes a big impact on me.  For a good read hop over to readymade where you will learn about this incredible handmade camper and the creative couple that made this.

For all of you nesting in your cozy homes, here is a yummy muffin for you.  I think of New Years day as a time to do all the things you hope to be doing throughout the year.  And I love to bake.  Whole foods has an excellent Morning Glory muffin that I highly recommend, I have used agave nectar and it worked well.  Enjoy the last days of the year — and I hope you have a wonderful time ushering in the New Year.

As I wrap presents for all my loved ones I think of all the wrapping paper that will be in an unruly pile all over our floor, our great grandma’s floor, probably your floor too.  I wonder what kind of wonderful things I can do with the paper, other than save it.  I sometimes use it in drawings, collages, but these are some fun ideas of using the wrapping paper again in the festive holiday season.  I hope you have a wonderful time this week, enjoy!

If you haven’t already been reading Dottie Angel the blog by Tif, then you are surely missing out on sweetness both in the written from and visual.  Her works are delicate, honest and full of joy – just what we need every day of the year.  So as we try not to overspend and freak out this holiday, try reading her thoughts on family.  I hope your days with family and friends are lovely.