Inspiration Daily: 11. 24. 08

Alex & Cocco - Commercial Advertising & Fine Art Photographer

(Photo Border by wwitch22)

Creature of Comfort: Marichelle of Heart Handmade

{Marichelle's inspirations} 1. Charlotte Gainsbourg: I love her style.

image source.  2. I just moved into a new house so I'm currently obsessed with anything home related. Our budget for new furniture is non existent so I've been hitting the yard sales on a weekly basis and Knack Studios inspires me to no end! Domino magazine and their latest book are my new best friends. I'm a bit challenged when it comes to decorating, without them I would be lost. 

3. A recent trip to Tuscany inspired me to start making pasta at home. It's really easy, anyone can do it. Here's one of my favorite recipes to make - Handrolled Pici with with Meat Ragù.

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Hello again lovelies!  Today I am so happy to have the chance to share a few of the current inspirations (and a mini interview) of one of the sweetest bloggers around: Marichelle of Heart Handmade.  Marichelle was inspired to start her blog after experiencing frustration with getting her own handmade work recognized within the marketplace.  Instead of making it all about her... she used that initial frustration and turned Heart Handmade into a wonderful haven for hand-crafters and those who love handcrafted wares.  I really admire her positive spirit and tenacity!  Through it all she has created something wonderful and positive in Heart Handmade.  If you haven't already been by for a visit... be sure to do so now.

{Q+A with Marichelle}

-What is one thing that never fails to inspire you?

The amount of time I have to
read my favorite blogs or discover new ones has significantly decreased
this year, but I always make it a point to set a side a couple of hours
a week and take breaks during a busy blogday to catch up w/ my faves
& get inspired.


-How are you currently incorporating your inspirations into your blog/designs/art?
I'm
so happy to have "met" fellow bloggers who have been so supportive of
my journey - I'm sure you guys know who you are.  I'm constantly amazed
by your innovation, passion and the lack of sleep that's apparent in
everything you do!  But most importantly, you've taught me about being
courteous and the true meaning of camaraderie.  Women get such a bad
rap, cat fights, over sensitive, misreading between the lines, but you
are proof of the exact opposite.  You have been so supportive of me and
Heart Handmade from the very beginning.  Whether it's providing answers to my
endless advertising questions, helping me promote a new idea, giving me
harsh but sound advice or simply being there when I have a rant to
share... you ALWAYS take the time out of your busy days to respond. 
Being courteous is something that I constantly strive to be.  I'm not
always perfect at it, but I do try my very very best to extend the same
courtesy to others that you've shown me.


What is your favorite indulgence?
Currently... Savor Soap (thanks to RJ who put me on to it!) + Bacon + fresh flowers.


-What are three creature comforts you can't live without?
My
laptop, dessert - I have such a sweet tooth and must always have
something sweet to top off a meal and my boyfriend's tea. I know it's
just a bag of PG Tips, hot water, milk and sugar but the man's cuppa
can't be rivaled.


-Do you have a personal motto or words that you live by (quotes and song lyrics are fine too)?
It's
not so much a motto or saying but a guideline that I like to live by...
I try to live passionately, meaning everything I do I do wholeheartedly
and if the passion starts to go then I move on to the next thing that I
can pour my heart into. I believe that life is way too short, so why
not make the most out of it!

You can find more from Marichelle:

{Heart Handmade}. {Lifeflix} . {FLICKR}

Thank you for sharing a lovely glimpse of your life with us today Marichelle!  Have a gorgeous weekend everyone!  I'll see you all here on Monday!

Inspiration Daily: 11. 21. 08

Japanese Cranberries by Jenna Coray

(Photo Border by wwitch22)

D.I.Y. Eco-Happy Pom Pom Gift Topper

Last Holiday season I became obsessed with making yarn pom poms.  They are perfect as garlands, ornaments, gift toppers, and more! 
Today I am super excited to share a cool twist on the standard pom pom (I dreamt this up while driving the other day)... plastic grocery bag pom pom gift toppers! 

I know.... it sounds crazy.  But what better way to reuse something as benign as a grocery bag, then to give it new life by turning it into something fabulous for adorning your holiday gifts!

If you are not familiar with the basic steps to creating a pom pom, then first check out this short video I found on YouTube.  Disregard the scruffiness of the end result... and the fact that she is using yarn.  It is only the process that you will need to be familiar with.

Okay... here you go:

You will need: * 1 plastic grocery bag (per pom pom) * pair of sharp scissors * 5-10 minutes of free time *

Step 1. Lay your shopping bag flat and cut both handles off.  Set handles aside for later.  Cut the bottom off of your bag.  Cut just enough so that you are left with a tube of plastic (open at both ends).  Open your bag and cut down both of the side seams (this will create two squares of plastic).

Step 2. Starting at one edge, cut around your plastic square in a continuous line (as shown in the picture).  Don't worry about making it super straight or even.  Repeat with your second plastic square.  You will end up with two long strips of plastic (they will be all crooked... but that's okay).

Step 3.  Starting with one of the strips (I chose the white plastic first so that the red would stand out at the end.  Yours will look differently depending upon what your bag looks like), begin wrapping the plastic around four of your fingers using your thumb to keep it steady as you wrap it around. (see photo).  Repeat with your last plastic strip.

Step 4. Carefully tie one of the handles (that you cut off in step one), around the entire bundle of plastic securing with a double knot.  You may want to knot it more than one time.  The ends of the plastic handle that you used to tie your bundle with will be hanging loose.  Do not cut these.

Step 5.  Take your scissors (the sharper and pointier the better) and cut through the loops that were formed when you wrapped the plastic around your hand.  These might be hard to see and will probably be all bunched together at this point.  (if this step is not making sense, refer to the video I link to above.  It's easier to see with yarn).

Step 6 + 7. Once all the loops have been cut, grasp the two long ends (that you didn't cut because you followed the instruction above) in one of your hands.  Gently shake your pom pom to fluff it up a bit.  You can also use your other hand to re-arrange things to your liking.  You may like the untamed version at this point... which means you can stop now.  Or if you want something a little more groomed, begin cutting around your pom pom with your scissors (give it a haircut)... trimming any pieces that stick out or that make it lopsided.

Step 8. Once you have it trimmed to your liking you are done!  Yay!  You can tie pom poms to your gifts using the two long pieces that you left uncut.  Or trim the long ends and string a bunch of these together for a garland or attach them to a wreath form for some festive decor!

Eco-bonus: Try wrapping smaller gifts in the paper from brown grocery bags!

Coming up next... the first installment of the Creature Comforts' Holiday Gift Guide! xo Ez

Inspiration Daily: 11. 20. 08

10 by Shell Knowles

{ETSY}

(Photo Border by wwitch22)