Arts and Crafts Day.

I'm taking the day off to complete some projects that I've been putting off for a couple weeks. I'm looking forward to playing around in some paint.

Paint palettes are so beautiful to me.

{madeline marie}

Personal Favorites: Baker's Twine.

There's just something about classic baker's twine. Makes me want to bake a bunch of cookies and package them up for friends.

{prettywithribbons}

{lavendersbluedesign}

{ohhellofriend}

{MoaMaria}

Annika Huett.

I love these illustrations by Annika Huett. She's a freelance illustrator and artist from Stockholm. The colors and fun use of hand-drawn type makes me look through her portfolio again and again.

Lazy Summer Day.

I am, unfortunately, looking for work. I have a few freelance design projects here and there, but I really wish I had a stable job. Anything with a paycheck would do. But in the downtime here at my home, I find myself sitting on the porch, drinking lemonade, and hanging out with my dog. It's not such a bad life. :)

I made this pot in ceramics a couple years ago. It sits waiting for some lovely wildflowers that I have yet to plant. Every time I sit on my porch, it reminds me. Soon, little pot.

Canning Essentials!

As I said in my last post, homemade jam is delicious, but unless you want to be cursing the canning gods, you're going to need some stuff. Terrain has some outstanding (and cute!) items to get your canning career going. That vintage canning set is only $18! And it's RED!! Yes please.

Clockwise from top: Retro Canning Set, $18; Canning for a New Generation, $24.95; Large Soup Ladle, $16; Red Canvas Apron, $26.95; Weck Jar, set of 4, $18; Canning Recipe Cards, $6; Fabric Jar Covers, set of 4, $8; Printed Jam Jar, $7; Bonnie's Black & Blue Jam, $10; Ball Jar Gift Tags, $4; Dried Lavender Bunch for aromatics :) $10

Jamming!

A couple of weeks ago, I decided on a whim that it would be cool to make some jam. I just happened to have a bunch of blueberries, so I thought, why not? It's easy, right? I could not have been more wrong. I didn't have ANY of the necessary canning equipment, which is greatly needed if you want to do this efficiently. For the next hour, I burned myself multiple times, hot jam boiled over into my stove, and I don't think I've ever seen my husband more frustrated. By the end of it my kitchen looked like a blueberry bomb had gone off, but I had 8 perfect jars of blueberry jam, sealed and cooling on a kitchen towel.

I wouldn't recommend being as unprepared as I was, but all things considered I think it turned out pretty dang good.

Tiny Rings.

I am loving these dainty rings. wouldn't they be adorable alternative wedding rings?

Top row: Knotted Up in You, $14

Bottom row: Organic Pebble Stacking, $52