Presenting… Zoe!

Hey folks, this is Nicole's husband Jason. Nicole is recovering right now from an unexpected c-section delivery. She's doing well and would like me to present Zoe Gwendolyn Lecht! Since she underwent surgery, Nicole won't be able to post for the next week or so while recouperating, but she will be back up-and-running as soon as she can. Stay tuned for pictures to follow of our new addition to the family!

patternscape coushins

today is super sunny out here in buffalo, something we rarely get in the springtime. i thought it was only necessary to post something bright and colorful to celebrate such a beautiful day. introducing a range of cushions and fabrics, with 3 designs available, each derived from the gorgeous patternscapes and digitally printed on a high-quality 100% cotton drill from Wish you were here art and design.  The superb cushions are each hand-made to impeccably high-standards by one of the UK's best independent seamstresses with many professional sewing years under her very stylish belt. This is only the beginning for WYWH, for they are vigorously experimenting with other home design products to represent their fun and whimsical patterns so stay tuned.

lisa congdon :: birch trees

I received a lovely email from the candy store collective and these gorgeous birch tree paintings on wood canvas by lisa congdon were calling to me. The bright colors capture such a great aliveness (is that a word?) and makes it so refreshing to see nature depicted in a happy, cheery way....seen as it's EARTH DAY!

Go do something outside today, plant a tree, flower, walk your dog and enjoy what mother nature has given to us...we should do this everyday but as most of us know, time doesn't permit most of us to do so but today is special so try and celebrate the day!

Sewing Green :: WINNER!

It was a very tuff call on who we thought had the most creative recycling project but in the end Julie Green from the blog each penny pretty had some pretty unique home design ideas for shelving. here is the winning idea from Julie:

"i've been searching for clever shelving ideas from repurposed items... my favorite ideas so far are taking all of the drawers out of a dresser and stacking them as a modular bookshelf and things like old wooden-framed windows (with the glass still in them) or old wooden skis to make unique shelves."

We want to thank everyone for sending us your creative ideas and hope you are still practicing ways to creatively improve our living environment! Congrats Julie!!

sponsor spotlight :: fresh nest

Fb would like to welcome our newest sponsor, Fresh Nest Design. They recently launched their site and it's full of great design tips.  The site focuses on giving readers the tools to create their own "Fresh Nest" with tutorials, ideas and guest designers.  Every Monday, they feature a redesign of a reader's space.  They take photos the reader provides and transform it into a new space with the readers input.  The ideas they have are affordable, yet beautiful!  The site just announced its first Design Challenge open to anyone and everyone.  All you have to do is transform a space using the items you already have.  The winner of this challenge receives a Kelli Kit valued at over $125!  For more information, go here.

Book Review & Giveaway!

Good day friends,
we have a special post today which includes a lovely giveaway which you rarely see on this blog. I was especially enticed by this one because it revolves around living greenly in a creative way. Introducing SEWING GREEN by the very talented crafter Betz White is a fascinating book about taking materials or old clothes that you  don't use anymore and re purposing them into better and brighter useful things. for instance my personal favorite in the book on page 44, the woodland draft buster made from an old suit and stuffed with plastic grocery bags. love it! This book is packed with 25 great projects with simple how to instructions and patterns so anyone can do it. learn how to make things such as wallets, aprons from old mens work shirts, pillows and hats from old sweaters and much much more.


Okay now to explain the giveaway part, it's pretty easy, all you have to do is leave a comment of one recycling, reuse, or re purposing crafting idea and we will pick the cleverest idea and post the winner this FRIDAY. Your prize will be a copy of this very BOOK!  so you have a couple days to get your brain in gear and throw us an original idea.

here are some great links to follow for more of betz's work and where to get a copy of this book (unless you can win it of course!!!)
Betz's Etsy shop
sewing green
melanie falick books blog

made by mosey

I just adore these super cute handmade mobiles by Madeleine Sargent of Made by Mosey. When i was debating whether or not i wanted a mobile for the baby's room i saw all these sensory overloaded ones in the stores that were just too much...this is all i would of wanted, something calming and delicate, the way it should be when your a baby lying in your crib.

Catalina Estrada Pillows

I woke up this morning to a bright sunshining day and to make it even better there were these bright sun shining pillows in my inbox to drool over! One of my favorite illustraors, catalina estrada has launched a fabulous limited edition pillow collection which you can find here. The pillows are constructed of super soft faux suede – printed one side – with a plain back of either black or white dependent on design. Each has a feather filled inner. LOOOVVEEE THEMMM!

I wish...

I wish for a few things right now, the main thing being that my ankles and feet weren't the size of ham hocks! It's week 35 and my body is starting to feel the baby weight. I normally don't include my personal woes when blogging but i am in so much discomfort that i may not be blogging as much as the norm. Lets just say this is just in case you randomly don't hear from me for a few days, it probably means that i am lying down with my feet up higher then my head!






I thought it's would only be appropriate to show these wonderfully clever cards along with my "woe is me" post....give the card to someone special and then tear it down the center to keep your lucky half! These are hand silkscreened by the Threefold Collective. check out their etsy shop.

new paper goodness

Foxy & Winston just announced some beautiful new hand silkscreened note sets and single cards in their etsy shop. i just adore these tea cups! Jane you are sooooo very talented!








Also debuting their new online ordering system, is the wonderful and talented crew at Delphine papergoods, their site is so beautifully set up and to top it of erika has restructured her blog and filled it with tons of amazing inspiration and business advice!

springtime coziness

The sun is shining and the birds are singing....gets me in the mood for something bright and cozy like these awesome felt appliqué pillows by Alexandra Ferguson. These designs are so reminiscent of my favorite era, art nouveau with the way she uses chunky organic shapes and bold colors. check out more greatness at her etsy shop.