Tulips and Cherry Blossoms

Everything's finally blossoming around here, couldn't resist posting some tulip and cherry blossom snaps! I hope you enjoy them.

Hope all my fellow mamas out there had a wonderful Mother's Day as well!

DIY Knitted Winter Wreath

I know wreaths are usually associated with Christmas, but I created this knitted winter wreath with an eye towards having one I could display all winter long. It's Christmas-appropriate but also perfect for displaying during the frosty, freezing winter doldrums when all you want to do is huddle under a million blankets and drink your weight in hot chocolate. (New England, I have such a love/hate affair with you!)

I'm going to give you a general outline, so that you can customize this to your taste. I'd advise using what you already have. It's a great scrap yarn project!

I had a thick (either Aran or Bulky weight, I believe) almost curly off-white yarn sitting around. I cast on varying amounts of stitches (I want to say 7 for the smaller one - aka the inner one shown above - and 10 for the larger one) on size 13 needles. Then I knit in i-cord until it was a length I was pleased with.

Now, since I used large needles, my i-cord is a bit hole-y/lace-y. I knew my stuffing would match the yarn pretty closely and only be noticeable close up, so this was intentional. Why cast on more stitches and make a tighter tube if it won't show? (Also known as, I was being lazy. I'm okay with that.)

Here's a close-up of my two i-cord tubes. For the rest of this tutorial, I'll be using the larger one. I decided I liked it better.

I had some polyfill laying around, so I used a long, straight knitting needle to pack it in. I wanted this to not sag when hung up, so I stuffed it pretty tightly. If you don't mind a little drooping, stuff it less. There's no right or wrong way! Then stitch the ends of your tube together. I chose to sort of graft them into one continuous tube, rather than closing both ends and then connecting them. You could do it either way, this one is just a bit faster.

Choose a ribbon, and either use a large needle (like a tapestry one) to pull it under a loop so it's secure when you tie a bow or make a bow and then hot glue it on.

Trim the ends to whatever length you like, and voila! I thought gold and white would be nice winter colors, but use what you have. You could do light blue and white, red and white, gray and white, ice blue and light gray, etc.

Here's my finished wreath! The whole thing took me less than two hours so you could whip one up in a day as well.

DIY Chandelier Crystal, Lapis, and Gold Necklace

Like my DIY bead bar necklaces, this is another super-simple tutorial. Take an octagonal chandelier crystal with holes drilled on opposite sides (you can buy these online, I found mine in the "Supplies" section of Etsy) and then pick out a teardrop shaped bead. I used one that's about an inch long, and made of lapis-colored glass since I really like the combination of white, blue, and gold together. You could also go with a pearl drop, green glass drop, or even a gold one. You could use a round bead as well, but I think the teardrop shape balances out the octagonal crystal better - I think you need something longer than the crystal to give it a lavalier-type look.

My chandelier crystal still had one original hanging wire attached, so I simply slipped a large gold jump ring onto it and then closed the loop. The crystal also had a drilled hole at the bottom, so I simple slipped a large gold jump ring through it, added the lapis, then closed it. I strung this onto gold-plated chain, and instantly had an elegant, vintage-inspired necklace to wear. So easy, right? I think it looks very 1920s England/Downton Abbey-esque. What do you think?

Since you usually have to buy multiple beads at a time, the extras would be great for turning into one-of-a-kind holiday or birthday gifts for friends and family.

Hot Time, Summer in the City

I hope everyone in the U.S. had a lovely Independence Day! It was too hot in Boston - thanks to a string of sweltering 90+ days - to go see the fireworks. I could still hear them from my window, so I guess that's a small consolation.

The city's festivities reminded me of these vintage sparkler boxes that I found in a relative's basement years ago and finally scanned last summer. I love the starburst pattern of the fireworks, the small scattered stars, and the lettering. Simple but interesting! I thought you guys might enjoy it as well.

The main problem with the Fourth of July is that it's the last summer holiday. No more long weekends until Labor Day! July is the epitome of summer to me, but in a way the 4th also means that fall is on its way. I'm definitely looking forward to cooler days and nights. I just wilt in the heat!

What do you think - is there still plenty of summer left, or are you thinking of autumn already too?

Happy Fourth of July!

Here's wishing a Happy Fourth of July to all of you in America! I hope you have a day/weekend filled with red white and blue, fireworks, barbecues, rocket popsicles, and parades.

I'll confess: I don't really decorate for Independence Day. It's one of my favorite holidays, but I always want to do something different than little flags and bunting everywhere. I love both of those things, but I'm always looking for something that's more classic Americana and that could be displayed year-round.

Some of these items might just do the trick! I like the vintage charm and classic look of these wooden pallet star signs by RusticDesigns1. They'd look great on top of a mantel, over a couch, or even hanging on a porch by the door. I just can't decide if I'd want one color, or all three. Tough decision! You could easily DIY your own version as well. Just take a square or rectangle piece of wood (or strips of wood nailed together), varnish or stain it with your choice of color, then stencil a star in the middle with red, blue, or white acrylic paint. Let dry, and hang!

I've been obsessed with barn stars like these vintage iron ones by Becaruns for ages. If you walk around the older parts of Boston, you can see original ones from the colonial days still attached to the sides of old brick buildings in the city. They remind me of our patriotic and historic past.

July 4th wouldn't be complete without some stars and stripes! This flag by PassedBy is a vintage one, featuring only 48 stars (from before Alaska and Hawaii joined the union). It's discolored a bit with age, but I think that only adds to its loveliness.

I'd like to take a minute to thank all those who have served in the military, risking their lives to protect our country, and to remember family members and ancestors who have served but who are no longer with us.

Again, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! 

DIY Sugared Violets for Cake, Cookie, and Cupcake Decorating

I haven't done a DIY/tutorial in ages, so I finally have one again for you today! (I'll be adding some jewelry ones over the next month as well.) Today's DIY will show you how to make your own sugared violets for decorating cupcakes, cakes, and cookies. Who needs fancy and expensive fondant flowers when you can just sugar edible flowers yourself?

I used a mix of purple violets and white violets. I think the white ones are my favorites - I love the purple veins in the middle! Double-check/Google that you have the right variety and species before you pick your own and make sure they haven't been sprayed with pesticides or animal urine/waste! If you can't find any in your area that are safe to pick, try ordering them from a local florist. Sidenote: roses, pansies, and nasturtiums are also edible! (But, again, double-check that you have the right kinds, parts, and are not pregnant.) 101 Cookbooks recently posted a great and much more extensive piece on edible flowers, you can read it here!

Carefully wash your flowers and let them air dry. You could wash them the day before and then sugar them the next. The sugaring part takes less than an hour to do, not counting drying time after.

Crack an egg into a bowl or cup, separate out the white, and lightly beat it with a little bit of water. I don't have an approximate amount, I think I added roughly "a splash". First, I tried just dunking the violets. This was a mess. The petals bent back on each other and stuck to each other. So I tried a new method. Take your violet, and flatten one petal against a sheet of wax paper as if you were getting the bloom ready for a flower press (don't unattach it from the rest of the flower). Then take a soft brush, dab off the excess against the rim of the bowl/cup, and "paint" the petal as if you were painting a fingernail. You only need a fairly thin coat, so don't put it on too thickly. Do the next petal, until you've done all five. Don't do the backs just yet, just the face of the violet! Because of the egg white involved, don't eat these if you have a compromised immune system in any way (are young, old, sick, etc.).

Spread sugar on a plate or in a bowl. I used maybe a cup, but had plenty leftover. I used regular sugar, but superfine sugar would work even better! Use a spoon or your fingers to gently sprinkle an even layer of sugar onto the violet. Don't layer on too much, you don't want the petals to bend too much or break off under the weight of too much sugar. Sugar all five petals, then lift up your flower and let the excess fall back onto the plate/bowl. You can give it a very gentle shake to help this happen.

Lay your sugar-faced violets face down on a sheet of waxed paper. Then brush the backs with the egg white mixture, and sugar the backs in the same way. Transfer to a clean sheet of waxed paper to dry. I dried mine face down, but you could do the opposite if you prefer. Depending on humidity levels, it may take them as little as a day or as much as several days. The sugar takes on more of a white, almost rock candy-esque look when they've dried and they will feel crusty to the touch. Let them dry for at least a day before checking, though, so you don't wipe off sugar by accident if you touch them to check. Whichever way you lay them down on the paper, turn them over at least once to the opposite face during this time to help both sides dry evenly.

You might be thinking you could just sugar one side, since the back won't show. I tried this the first time I did these, and it just didn't end well. Because the fronts of the petals were so much heavier than the backs, when I picked them up to move them, petals broke off. They were just too delicate with only one side done. So do both! After they've dried, transfer them to a waxed paper lined airtight container and keep them at room temp. They'll last for about a week.

Here's a close-up of one of the purple violets, laying on a violet leaf.

Here's the white violet version. Though they're edible (and again, make sure you have the right kind, that they haven't been sprayed, and that you don't have a compromised immune system because of the raw egg white, etc.), I think they're too pretty to eat! The sugar turns the bright purple to a pastel lavender, and it makes them sparkle. They'd look lovely perched on top of a cupcake, frosted sugar cookie, or ringing the base or top of a cake. They'd look lovely ringed around the bottom of each tier of wedding cake at a reception as well, with more arranged in the center of the top tier. If you had enough violets, you could completely cover the sides of a cake with them. Wouldn't that be stunning?

British Beef Print by Paul Bommer

I'm currently captivated by this "British Beef...For Strength" print by  Paul Bommer. It's a little Guinness advertisement-y and a lot vintage-y with John Bull standing in front of his prize steer, yet also totally modern. I can hear strains of "in England's green and pleasant land" in my head as I look at the lovely little details in the background of a cozy country church, a little cottage, and haystacks in a field. This would be a great accent for a kitchen or breakfast nook, don't you think?

Spring Etsy Finds

I just thought I'd share some of the spring Etsy finds I've been loving lately! 

I've become a little obsessed with Marimo moss. The balls are bright green and velvety! The moss is actually an algae that likes to live in water and is easy to grow. You can buy this premade Japanese Marimo moss ball terrarium by Pink Serissa for instant greenery and detail in your home, or you could purchase a moss ball and some pebbles and make your own.

Spring seems to call for simple jewelry to match with flowing, colorful dresses, and these sterling silver teardrop dangle earrings by Popsicle Drum are the perfect accent. The hammered surface adds subtle detail, and the size is just right. I also like that they're dangly, so they'll move with you or in the breeze like a tiny windchime.

This beach limpet shell pendant necklace by Rock Rose Jewellery is another great simple piece. Limpets are one of my favorite shells to collect, so this lovely silver pendant also reminds me of happy childhood summer days at the beach!

To go along with the simple jewelry theme, here's a delicate gold bar nameplate necklace by Momentus NY. I like the classic look - it's not something that will go out of style. The nameplate bar is also different than the usual round or oval name pendants that you see.

I've always been fascinated by cuckoo clocks, but I've never seen them given a modern twist before! These neon pink and gold cuckoo clocks by Gallivanting Girls are classic cuckoo clocks from Germany that have been painted in hot pink, gold, and white. I think they'd be perfect in a modern white living room or hallway. I wonder if the bird inside has been painted, too!

What Etsy finds are you loving so far this spring?

1940's Style Hair Bow Fascinator DIY Tutorial

This easy 1940's-style hair bow fascinator tutorial was inspired by 1940's cloche hats that I've seen with bows curving around the front. I really love 40's clothing - it's one of my favorite styles!

Here's the finished bow, with the pieces that you'll need displayed underneath. I used white felt, but feel free to choose whatever color you like. I then made a template using paper - one middle piece, one "loop", and one "notched ribbon". Use whatever ratios/sizes you like. You will want the middle piece to overlap when wrapped over your bow pieces at the back. That's why my middle piece is so much longer than the inner ends of the bow loops.

 I cut out the pieces of the stencil, and then cut one middle piece, two loops, and two ribbons out of white eco felt. I decided later it would have been better to do one long ribbon piece instead with notched ends running under the bow, so you might want to switch to this as well (otherwise, the outlines of combs and headbands can show under the thin felt).

For the "loops" of the bow, I decided to go with an asymmetrical shape so I made one end longer. I cut two pieces of this shape, shown next to each other here. To give the bow more of a 1940's curvy look, however, I flipped one piece over. You can see this in the finished bow above the pieces. If the two sides of your felt aren't the same, remember to flip over the template before you cut the second piece.

On the straight end of each loop piece, I did a running stitch with doubled cotton thread. Don't knot the end and cut it yet!

 Before knotting and tying off my thread, I pulled it tight to "cinch" the ends. This gives the bow more dimension by making it pop up a bit. Then I stitched it to hold the cinch and knotted it.

I did this to both loops, and then lined them up next to each other. You can see how I flipped them to make them asymmetrical.

I used a slip-stitch (again, with doubled thread for strength) to sew the two pieces together. Bring the needle up through one piece, over to the other side, and then up again through the other side.

Here's a close-up of the slip-stitch. I left it loose here to show the stitches, but it's better to make the stitches tighter as you go (don't cinch them, though).

Continue slip-stitching as you go,. Leave a much shorter tail than shown here when you're done, though! Whoops.

Wrap your middle piece around the joined loops. Bring your needle up through both pieces, and stitch a few times to hold.

As you stitch, try to catch some of the slip-stitches from below if you can, for a firmer hold and to keep the bow flatter on the bottom.

It should look like this when you flip it over. You can play with it a bit - move the middle piece around a bit (it's not stitched around the top, so it will wiggle a bit) or pop out the loops a bit more with your fingers. Just play with it until you're happy with it! Then trim any long thread ends so they're hidden.

I didn't want visible stitches, so I used fabric glue to attach the notched ribbons. Like I said earlier, since felt can be thin, I think using one piece that goes all the way across would be better. It wouldn't show the outlines of a hair comb or headband like my original bow did. The end of the ribbon also may show through the felt if your fabric is thin.

Here's the finished bow! I flipped the notched ribbon pieces like I did with the loops. I made a slightly longer triangle on one end as well, just for some added interest and detail.

Here's the finished bow attached to a plastic hair comb. Again, I didn't want visible stitches, so I used strong glue made for plastic and fabric (just check the back of the bottle to make sure your glue is compatible). You could also glue it to a headband, as shown in the first picture of this tutorial. For placement on the band, put on the headband and then move the bow along it while looking in a mirror. I lined mine up so that it would end right before my ear, but you could place it higher if you wanted. Mark with chalk or something else, or just pinch it at the end spot with your fingers and take it off your head to mark.

Make your bow as big or as small as you like! I used a larger one for the headband, and a smaller one for this comb. You could also use fabrics other than felt, but you would have to hem the edges of each piece first. Just something to keep in mind, as it adds an extra step. A ditzy floral pink in pink and purple or a gingham check bow would be lovely for spring, though!

New Audrey Hepburn Quote Print in the Shop

Just wanted to let you guys know about a brand-new Audrey Hepburn quote print in my shop. It's called "I Love To Laugh", and features the lovely words by Audrey, "I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person." It's in the same shades of raspberry and blush pink as my other Audrey quote prints, such as "You Are Never Alone" and "I Believe in Pink", so it pairs perfectly with them on a wall or as part of a gift set for a friend or family member.

See it here, and more Audrey Hepburn quote prints here!

DIY Glittered Birds from the Dollar Store

Here's another quick and easy DIY project for the holidays: festive birds using inexpensive birds from the dollar store and colored glitter!

I bought a couple doves and cardinals from the local dollar store. They looked okay, but the feathers were a bit thin in places and they looked, well, cheap up-close. So I decided to fancy them up!

I brushed on Mod Podge with a small brush, doing small areas at a time. I put a piece of paper underneath the birds to catch glue drips and spills, and then carefully shook glitter over the glue-painted parts.

For the dove, I decided to do the wings first. Then I did the tail. Finally, I did the beak and feet. I used silver glitter (also from the dollar store, although more expensive German glass glitter would look even better!). I liked the way it contrasted with the white - it seems very Winter Wonderland-y to me!

I used red for the cardinal and covered everything except the black face mask and eyes. However, I only painted one area at a time so that the glue would not dry in places before I'd applied the glitter.

Voila! Here's what they look like from above. Try not to touch them too much after you sprinkle on the glitter. Give them an initial tap or two to get off the excess (and pour it back into the container so as not to waste it), but then let them dry thoroughly. After they've dried, if some areas need more glitter, carefully dab on more glue and shake on glitter again. Repeat until you get the desired effect.

At this point, you have two options. You can leave them as is and when you go to use them, you might get glitter on nearby surroundings as tiny pieces come loose. Or, you can seal the glitter. I recommend the latter! (Side note: also great for DIY glittered heels, gift tags, ribbons, fascinators, etc.)

You have quite a few choices: pastel or charcoal fixatives, acrylic spray sealants, Mod Podge (might take off glitter when you brush it on, though), or other glue-type sprays. I'm going to try an Elmer's version. I'll report back and let you know how it works once I've applied it. Whatever you use, make sure you follow the directions on the can/container!

These have wired feet, so you can turn them into ornaments for the tree after they've dried. They'd also look great tucked into Advent wreaths, Christmas wreaths, garlands, or on top of presents (for very lucky recipients!).

I still have a few of these birds leftover. I might make the dove light pink or yellow for Easter, and do the cardinal in blue (so it looks like a Blue Jay) or another bright color for the summer. Just change your glitter color to match the season!

What would you use these for? Any other ideas?

Animal Prints by James Brown

These limited-edition animal prints by James Brown are so colorful and charming. I love the bold shades and simple, clean lines. They'd be perfect in a nursery or play room!

Read more about them here.

DIY Heart Doily Door and Table Decor Project

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd post a project to help use up all those extra holiday supplies. This simple-yet-lovely wreath is great for hanging on a door or using to decorate a table. It makes a great placemat for placing under your teapot, or under a tray of cakes and sweets at a tea party.


If you're anything like me, you have lots of these heart-shaped doilies sitting around after Valentine's Day. They get tucked away in a box, never to see the light of day until the next February 15th. Or you forget you have them and buy more (I have never done this...).



Using a glue stick or a bottle of glue, take two doilies and line them up. I lined up the bottom at the 5th scallop from the bottom, and the top at where the scallops just touched the outside border of the heart. Make sure the doily on the right is on top of the doily on the left.

Add another doily, placing it on top of the second doily, and lining it up in the same. If you line the doilies up at the same spots, they will naturally form a circle! Go around like this until the circle is complete.


Take a red (or other-colored) heart doily, and glue it in the center just at the points where it overlaps the circle.


There you have it! Let the glue dry, and then hang on a door or use as a festive, love-themed placemat.

This would also be a lovely way to decorate your wedding reception space. You could make a few circles and then lay them on every table, or group them together on a wall with marriage-themed words and phrases written on the center heart.