Here Comes the Sun

Monday greetings to you. Just had to share this most cheerful treasury from Etsy today. It's always a little bit of a treat to be featured in a treasury and even more fun if it's well crafted. I'm digging the bright yellows and greens today. Aren't you? Let's hear it for an early spring!

Friday Finds: Needing Some Advice

A while back, I picked up this lamp base at a thrift store for $8 bucks or something. I liked the shape and the brassy gold accents with the soft olive green color. Now I need some help/advice on what sort of shade I should purchase...

I tried a drum shade earlier this week from Target but it was two small for one and the drum shape just didn't work. I think I need something that angles out....

And what about shade color? Black? Beige? Ivory? Something with a print? Do you have a favorite lamp source online? Thoughts and insights welcome.

Happy weekend dearies. Spring is just around the corner! Only 23 days until it's arrival...



Etsy Love: Little Dog Vintage

I'm loving pretty much every item in the well photographed and excellently edited Etsy shop Little Dog Vintage. I do declare, this shop owner has a wicked good eye and the prices are very reasonable as well.

Take a look...

Paris Je T'aime

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

So I'm apparently on a video posting kick here on the 'ol blog. I couldn't help myself though when I saw this fabulous little bit on Paris. It's been almost 5 years since I was there and this video makes me wanna go back this very day. If it doesn't do the same for you - well you then you're crazy.

Happy President's Day

Greetings! Hope your long weekend (if you are fortunate enough to have a job that gives you one) has been pleasant. The mister and I spent part of the weekend in the mountains with family. Got some quality time with this little cherub:

My two little nephews, little P above and little B (his older brother) are the sweetest, smartest, cutest creatures I've ever known. We played and played and played some more. Loved every minute.

Etsy Love: Dottie Angel's Once Upon A Time

I want to crawl into this Etsy crafter's world. From the silver trailer in the back yard to the dog lounging in a suitcase, this lady is adorable and so is her lovely little life. I particulrly enjoy her closing statement: "Most days they can be found treading the righteous and goodly path of crafting, rambling and thrifting."

Fern & Flora Wednesday

Fresh from the studio, new pieces from yours truly that you can wear as a headband OR a clip.

Perfect to clip to a scarf, purse, jacket, etc! Options! Variety! This is what women love, no?

Hop over to my shop to see more images and check out the other newbies listed!

You are loved

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I hope you're feeling loved today (because you are).

Cheesy but true.

Just Another Jack Pot Friday (Oh-ooo-Oh)

I'm still giddy about these lamps I scored last weekend while hitting up the Good Will with the mister.

The silver bases with the gold stars and sun faces are funky and retro. I would have paid more, but thank you thrifting gods - these beauties were $8 for the pair. Hot dog! Granted I have to find shades for them (hello, Target) and the one on the right had to be dismantled because of an electrical issue. Thankfully, the man of the house is confidant that one trip to the hardware store and a few bucks is all he needs to get it back in working order.

Check out these fun playing cards I found at this morning's estate sale. If you've ever wanted to know how to say "where is the nearest travel agent" in Portuguese, these are for you. They came in a mod little orange and gold box and I couldn't pass 'em up for .50. I also snagged some jewelry and a vintage clutch. I had to drive virtually into the mountains to get to the sale this morning, but the house was packed with really good stuff - cute dishes, vintage aprons, clothes, shoes and Christmas ornaments, tons of old books and photos... I could have spent all day there.

What about you? Have you found any gems buried in thrift stores or yard sales? Do tell and happy weekend!

Sending Love to Those in Need

Last weekend a bunch of women from the local task force for Love146 joined crafty forces to make candy necklaces, girly headbands and valentine's to mail to 15 girls recovering from trafficking in a safe house over seas. If anyone needs to feel loved, it's these girls. Some of them, as little as 4 or 5, are forced into sex trafficking and are held against their will with no hope in sight. It's a truly evil industry with devastating repercussions for the victims. Thanks to Love146 and other organizations, there is great work being done to combat human trafficking. Love146 puts a large emphasis on hope, healing, restoration and empowerment for those who are recovering from their experiences.

Each girl received a handmade headband...

... and a bubble gum necklace along with a valentine.

No valentine party would be complete without cupcakes.

Thanks to Rachelle who hosted and all the women who came to share some love with those young women in need of hope and encouragement.

Please visit Love146 for information on how to get involved and work towards justice and restoration.

It's also not too late to send a valentine to survivors! Click here to find out how!

Flowers for my friends

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Sending bunches of sunny flowers (if only through my blog) to:

Darby, whose baby is teething today

Kara, who has an icky cold

Sarah, who had her wisdom teeth removed

Kelly, who is looking for a job

Ali, who is writing her dissertation

and anyone else who has the winter blues.

xo

Friday Finds - By Yours Truly

This post could be called "how Fern & Flora got their groove back." I've been grasping to find my groove and feel happy cutting and gluing and making things again. All of January, I was sort of in a funk with it - feeling uninspired. I'm not sure what happened, but I'm ready to saddle up Bullet (my crafting pony) and ride off into a landscape of cotton, beads and vintage baubles.

Anyway, so here are a few pieces fresh off the hand made band wagon. I have a few orders to fill from local boutiques (hooray!) and then I must take some time and refresh my wimpy looking Etsy shop. Sheesh. This is getting down right embarrassing.

Oh and before I forget - if you have a wedding or special event this spring and need a little something sassy for your tresses, I would be thrilled to a make a pretty little piece just for you - and don't you forget it.

Happy weekend.

Etsy Love: Mushrooms

I've had an increasing fondness for mushrooms as of late. I'm cooking with them more and keep coming across interesting and lovely mushroom goods via Etsy like the above print from Groundwork.

I love the texture and colors of the fungi in this particular piece...

I'm crazy over this glossy jade plate from Laurel Begley

Groovy vintage napkin holder from Estate Ecelctic

This whimsical clown pig ring from Bird Song Ring Co. just kills me.

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My cute and ever vintage-clad friend Alicia could totally rock this wicker and lucite purse

Have a Cookie

Here. I made some cookies for us to share. It's -7 degrees at my house so what else can a girl do but stay in and bake cookies?

I've cut back on traditional baking as of late in an effort to 1, lower my sugar consumption and 2, stay away from gluten. (I could make gluten-free cookies, but one just never knows if they'll really turn out and the ingredients are far more expensive.) But today, it's bitterly cold here and the husband is working from home, so why the heck not? These little beauties are chewy oatmeal cookies with cranberries and milk chocolate almond toffee chunks. Heaven help me.

Wanna bundle up and come on over? I will share.