Local Charm

As a tiny business owner and crafter making an effort to get the word out about what I do and what I love, I'm always more than happy to show support for others who are trotting along on a similar path. One such person is an adorable, whimsical artist name Lizzie. She is truly one of the most sweet and lovely people I've met since living here and I've met her only a few times. She is an illustrator and painter among many other creative mediums and tonight she had a series of tender and cheerful pieces on display at a neighborhood flower shop inspired by love of all kinds.

The piece below is called "Letting Go" and my friend Kara was lucky enough to scoop up this little gem before anyone else did.

Aren't those little houses sweet? And that whale??

Treat Yourself!

That's right. It's a boutique at my place! Whether you love or loathe Valentine's Day, please join us! Those of you in the "loathe" category - come eat yummy treats and buy yourself something pretty! And if it makes you feel any better, there won't be copious amounts of red roses and babies breath (none actually) or any Kenny G playing in the background.

For details and directions, just leave a comment and I'll be glad to give you the scoop. Hope to see you!

Monday's Project

Over the weekend I received an order on Etsy (hooray!) for a Valentine wreath. Each one is based on the one I created for the giveaway I hosted a couple of weeks ago but since I can't duplicated them exactly due to the vintage paper and beads that I employ, each one turns out a little different than before. Here's the completed order that will be one it's way to Maryland this afternoon.

The old 1960's magazine's I have are chocked full of sassy adds for lipstick and nail polish - perfect for punching out and using on a wreath like this one.

I particularly love the little pink plastic fairy charm right above the pink lipstick. My late uncle who was an avid collector or beads and bobbles had that little piece in a giant bag of goodies that I am now grateful to have.
p.s. I'm offering free shipping on this wreath all week, so if you'd like you're own custom creation in time for Valentine's Day, just hop on over to my site.

Featured Headband: Velvetine

Hello there! I'm pleased to feature another handmade headband to start off the week. The Velvetine headband would be the perfect accessory to wear out to a special Valentine's dinner. No plans to go out on Valentine's evening? I can't say I blame you. Wear it with a little black dress and make pasta at home or forget Valentine's Day altogether and wear it whenever you like! Click here to take advantage of the free shipping on this festive piece and happy Monday!

Here comes the sun

The sun finally broke through the clouds this morning after days of gray!

Plus, it's Friday.

Let's all have a cookie.

Thanks Jonathan Adler

Last night I was paging through one of my favorite coffee table books: My Presription for Anti-Depressive Living by the wacky and glamorous potter - turned interior designer Jonathan Adler. With the on-set of winter and many gray days in my neck of the woods, I could use a dose or two of what Jonathan is serving up. The bright retro pallette he employs along with witty instructions on how to up the pizazz quotient in your living spaces and life gave me a much needed kick in the pants. So take a gander! Enjoy the photos and Jonathan's fabulous and funny advice:

"Make stuff. Learn to blow glass, needlepoint a belt for your husband, make a macrame owl. It's more more exciting to make something than to buy something. You could even take a pottery class - just don't put me out of business."

"Name your house aftern an English country estate - Balmoral Arms, Sandringham, Blenheim - and have the name imprinted on matchbooks, napkins, and stationery. This is an especially good idea if you live in a studio apartment or a suburb of Buffalo. Tongue-in-cheek grandiosity is good for the soul."

"When in doubt add mirrors for extra glamour. Put a piece of mirror on top of a cabinet to make it sparkle or in a niche to create the illusion of depth. Mirrors are magic."

"Try rearranging your furniture ... A new arrangement can be an instant facelift for your house and everything seems fresh. Plus, it burns lots of calories."

Paper Love

Ever since I discovered the fabulous coffee filter garlands on artist Pam Garrison's blog, I've been a bit obsessed wth making things from tissue paper, coffee filters, paper doilies and whatever else I can get for a buck or two at Dollar Tree. (I know, not a local, mysterious or romantic source for crafting goods, but have you ever poked around in there? It's astonishing what nifty things reside on the messy shelves of Dollar Tree.) A mish mash of garlands, wreaths, vintage paper collages and even a baby mobile have come from this paper phase of mine.

Last week, I made 15 flower poms of various shapes and sizes for the launch party of a jewelry line. I'm sure you've seen something similar to these via Martha Stewart Magazine or online somewhere, so I'm going to boast in my ability to create something never before seen, but let me tell ya, they are easy to make and redicuously afforadable for the visual impact they provide.

Get yourself some tissue paper, twine and a good mini series from Masterpiece Theater ( I watched Wives & Daughters ) and follow these directions. Make them for a party or just hang them in droves over your bed or a single pom from a chandelier for a bright pop of lovliness.

Today's Special: The Lizzy with a dollop of sass

In addition to my other new years resolutions, I shall make an effort to carry my blog to new heights.  For me, this will mean blogging MORE. A very lofty goal, no? Ok, so it's not that lofty. But one thing I will be doing (and am starting today) is to feature a headband every week for your viewing (and purchasing??) pleasure.

Last week during the Valentine giveaway I co-hosted with Kara Rosenberry Co., I had several kind comments on the Lizzy headband. So here she is today - a big bunchy handmade rose with a dash of fushia velvet and a tarnished vintage button. Purchase Lizzy here and receive free shipping when you do!

And the winner is....

... Alex Keller! Hooray Alex!

Thanks to all of the lovely people who entered! We're already brainstorming about another fabulous giveaway, so stop on by from time to time!

For all of those who didn't win, Kara Rosenberry Co. is offering free shipping on all Valentines items, (which are also all on sale so get 'em before they're gone!) and Fern & Flora is offering free shipping on all the items you picked as your favorites during the giveaway! 

Happy Monday to all!

Valentine Giveaway!!

Welcome to our V-Day Giveaway! It’s one month exactly from Valentine’s Day and our give away will have you ready for the festivities faster than you can say 'be mine'! This lovely collection of goodies includes packages of note cards, postcards, stickers and gift tags. These clever cards and whatnots were created by Kara Rosenberry just for Valentine’s Day! The winner will also receive the one-of-a-kind handmade Darling Dear headband and a little wreath made from vintage paper, beads, and buttons by Fern & Flora Designs. Please be our Valentine and enter your name into the drawing by doing any of the following listed below. Earn an entry for each option. The more you do, the more times your name is entered.

1. Visit Kara and Emily’s Etsy shops and then come back to either blog and comment on a favorite item from each shop.

2. Become a follower of Kara and Emily's blogs and leave a comment if you follow our blogs already.

3. Re blog, tweet or post on facebook about this give away. Leave a comment with the link from your blog, tweet or facebook on either of our blogs

4. Purchase an item from Kara or Emily's Etsy shops and leave a comment on either of our blogs. Every item purchased equals an additional 3 entries!

p.s. If you enter but don’t have a blog, please leave your email address along with your comment, so we can contact you if you’re the lucky winner!

The winner will be announced on Monday, January 18. Don’t forget to leave a comment for every entry you make. Best of luck!

Hoorah! Hooray! A Giveaway!

In honor of Valentine's Day, I am pleased to announce that the brilliant Kara of Kara Rosenberry Co. and I will be hosting a giveaway this Thursday, January 14! It's a fabulous Valentines package filled with assorted goodies from our respective workshops, so zip on by Thursday to see the treats we have in store and drop your name into the drawing!!

A little spring in winter

I stashed a few left over blooms in a jar from an arrangement I made last April and snapped a picture of it not knowing then how it would make me happy on this bitter January night. It's snowing here and about 3 degrees or some such rediculous temperature. Perhaps it's warmer where you are - like 35 or dare I say 50? Apparently, most of North America is in a deep freeze at the moment. No matter. Anyone can get a lift from a little draping lilac and fragrant hyacinth regardless the temperature outside.

New Year Musings

Greetings and New Year Salutations. Lickity-spilt the year is over and a new one begins. I find myself being pulled in a variety of directions when January rolls around. I just want to laze about and watch movies and recouperate from all the down time I had at Christmas, rediculous, I know. Then there's the part of me that wants to make lists and charts and clean my house from top to bottom. Make meal plans, set goals, get involved in good causes. Then there's the part of me that doesn't want to set any resolutions - lofty or not for fear that I will only be dissapointed when I realize how little I've accomplished. Despite all that, I've managed to make a small list - nothing massive, just a tidy one of things I think should be more important in my life than they were last year. It's better to try, don't you think? If I can do some small, good thing every day, maybe I will surprise myself in a years time or a month for that matter. What's on your new year's to-do list?

(photo credit here)