Mother's Day Gifts!!!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and don't you agree that a perfect gift would be a little miniature hanging terrarium? I thought so. Thank god I happen to sell those! :) We're setting up a booth at Venice beach this weekend to sell as much inventory as possible, so be quick like a bunny and buy one today! xx

http://www.etsy.com/shop/madamewanderlust

the street is in the house

It's true, my brain is consumed with the idea of the new loft. As a result I'm always on the hunt for unique/interesting ways to repurpose furniture, and today I came across the link for artist Carlo Sampietro while visiting poetic home's website. His pieces are awesomely 'industrial chic'. I can't believe I just used those two descriptive words together, but how else can one adequately describe this furniture?

http://www.poetichome.com/2011/02/06/new-york-city-trash-repurposed-into-industrial-chicness-2/

or for the direct link to the artist's website you can click here....http://www.thestreetisinthehouse.com/



Fabric Backed Business Card Tutorial

Let's be real, friends - if you work in the creative field you need a business card that screams originality. I believe the fabric backed business cards made by candimandi convey that message exceptionally well. The best part is that if you fancy these cards yourself, she's included a tutorial on how to make them! 

Count. Me. In. 

Link to tutorial here

Waiting....is the hardest part

I found the coolest live/work loft Sunday while exploring the city, decided to submit a rental application yesterday, and am now waiting to see if that will be my next Los Angeles home. The wait is killing me! I just want to know so I can start making lists of the awesome ways that I can decorate the place. I swear I'm not an alcoholic, but as this space would be an ideal location for entertaining, I'm already thinking of interesting, repurposed bars that I could make. So far I'm kind of stuck on the idea of a surfboard bar (after all, we ARE in California!).

Surfboard Bar?



Valentine's Day, anyone?

Surpising as it may seem, I'm not really a fan of Valentine's Day. Ever since the days of trading Valentine's Day cards underneath desks and receiving chocolate hearts from my father have passed, Valentine's Day has lost a bit of it's appeal. So in an effort to remind me of those simpler times (And hopefully ignite some of the holiday spirit) I found these adorable Valentine's Day kits available at Paper Source. I'm equally in love with the vintage cards and the scratch and sniff variety.

http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/new/valentines-cards.html

vintage valentines link

sratch and sniff link

And  if you have a little more time on your hands, there are plenty of supplies available at Paper Source to make your very own lovely cards....my favorite is this rose pattern paper.

rose paper link

The goal - new wardrobe. $365.

 Inspired by the movie 'Julie and Julia' the creative mind behind the blog 'New Dress A Day' made it her goal to forgo traditional clothes shopping for an entire year. Instead, she would limit her shopping to thrift stores or rummage sales only, and spend no more than $1 per day on a 'previously loved' item of clothing. New outfit, every day, for an entire year. That's 365 additions to her wardrobe for $365!! Her blog highlights the alterations that were made to each item to transform them into fashion forward treasures. I give this girl major credit...to be able to keep the creative juices flowing for this project even sounds exhausting!

 Check out the blog, http://www.newdressaday.com.

Adding fuel to the fire

As if I needed yet another reason to want to quit my day job.....

Check out Etsy's blog series titled none other than 'quit your day job'. The series features the stories behind successful Etsy artisans who have made the transition into selling on Etsy full-time.

Suzanne, you're with me on this one, right?

http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/title/quit-your-day-job/

Furniture Makeover!

I found a new blog that provides a tremendous source of inspiration when it comes to furntiture related DIY projects. One of the many projects that I fell in love with was this credenza makeover. To read the full tutorial and browse other ideas visit Censational Girl at http://www.centsationalgirl.com/.



project tutorial here



still obsessed....

As soon as I stop moving around so much I swear I'm going to invest in a new aquarium. I love the idea of using an old television set as the aquarium base, but there are so many other pieces of furniture that could just as easily be converted. 

http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-an-Old-TV-Into-a-Fish-Tank

And check out these little repurposed betta fishbowls for sale on Etsy!! 

link to the Etsy store

Repurposed Furniture

Repurposed furniture: Eco-friendly, allows for originality, and can save you lots of money. What's not to like? Check out this easy tutorial for an 'office in a chest'. This is the perfect piece of furniture for folks like me who don't have the luxury (or need?) for a separate office space. 

link to this tutorial and additional repurposed ideas

Office in a Chest

Transform a traditional piece of bedroom furniture into a multitasking mini office, complete with bulletin board and filing cabinet. You'll have easy access to all your essentials -- and be able to tuck them away at a moment's notice. It requires only minimal construction to reconfigure a chest.

To make the bulletin board: Cut a piece of 1/2-inch-thick cork (available at office-supply stores) to fit the underside of the lid; affix it with craft glue.

To make the sliding supply organizer: Cut two strips of molding to fit inside the long sides of the chest; use small nails to attach a strip along each side, several inches below the lip, to support a tray (as pictured).

 To make the tray: Cut a piece of kraft paper the length and width you'd like the tray to be (make sure it will be wide enough to rest on the strips of molding), and mark the depth needed on the template. Bring the paper to a home-supply store that sells wooden drawer organizers, and arrange enough organizers on top of the paper to cover the surface. At home, paint the organizers to match the chest, and let dry. Use wood glue to attach to one another.

To create a filing system: Insert adjustable hanging file-folder frames inside the chest.

DIY mini garden

How adorable is this DIY mini garden? I think it would be perfect for an office, or anyplace where you don't have a lot of room and/or natural light. To read the full tutorial (from design sponge), please click on the photo caption. Like any good DIY craft, there is always lots of room to make this idea into your own. Different container? Different flowers? The possibilities are endless! 

full tutorial here

DIY studded clothing

 Ok, the purpose of this picture and link below isn't so much for the tutorial itself, but more for the idea in general. As in 'duh, why didn't I think of that before?'. And yes, there is a fine line between this concept and the tacky connotation of a bedazzler, but I happen to think these pyramid studs are super cool. And as long as you're not adding studs to your favorite item of clothing, what's the harm? I say go for it. I'm going for it.

http://psimadethis.com/post/308063797/im-mad-for-plaid-this-long-time-tartan

Weekend project?

Check out this fun (and simple) weekend project! Pick up some cheap toys/knick knacks at your local thrift store, choose a color that matches/accents your current decor, and start spray painting! The best part of this project is that it's incredibly easy on the wallet, so you won't feel too guilty should you decide to redecorate.



ps I made this (tutorial)





DIY ruffle top

I found this great tutorial on http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/05/how-to_one-shoulder_ruffle_shi.html for a one-shouldered, ruffle blouse. The tutorial seems simple enough to follow, and there is the possibility for endless variations.



http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/05/how-to_one-shoulder_ruffle_shi.html

Materials

 cotton T-shirt
Fabric scissors
Straight pins
Sewing needle
Thread in a color to match the T-shirt

Directions

Step 1: Lay your T-shirt on a flat surface and cut off approximately 3"-4" (depends on how long your shirt is, and how large you want your ruffle to be).

Step 2: Cut a curved asymmetrical line from one shoulder down to the opposite armpit. (Use an erasable marking tool if you need to draw a line to help with the cut.)

Step 3: Cut the bottom piece to create one long strip.

Step 4: Scrunch and pin the fabric strip along the asymmetrical neckline.

Step 5: Sew the ruffle strip using a sewing needle and thread, using small stitches all along the neckline.

Step 6: For a more dramatic ruffle, use a fabric piece from another T-shirt. If you buy a 3-pack, you can make several!

P.S. If your T-shirt is too loose under the arm, sew a few extra stitches to create a fitted bustline.



Constellation Lamp

I love the idea of this lamp.....I would definitely go with something that would look good in the daylight too....maybe a vintage wooden box from the thrift store? Or any number of items from IKEA would work...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Star-and-constellation-night-lamp/

DIY Christmas Wreath

Country Living had some great ideas for DIY Christmas wreaths! Click on the link for more information and images. My two favorites are pictured below....

A wreath that smells like the kitchen!

'Combine sage, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves to create a culinary wreath inspired by savory holiday dishes like this one from Smith and Hawken'

I love the idea of a wreath made of moss. How unconventional!

'Welcome visitors with a handmade evergreen wreath on the front door. This one by Minna Mercke Schmidt is constructed from moss, ivy, and eucalyptus wired into a frame.'

It's such a perfect day.....

I saved this photo on my computer weeks ago and can't find the online source again anywhere! This wall decal/mural is a line from Lou Reed's song, 'Perfect Day'. I loooove the placement and style of his lyrics on this wall. How could you look at that and NOT smile? Impossible!



DIY Christmas gift idea - for the cook!

I'm sure you have at least one person in your family who loves to cook, right? Here are a few suggestions for a customizable DIY gift basket...

- Excellent quality spices (perhaps from Penzeys?)

- A cute OR masculine apron (check out the cupcake apron on wrapables.com!)

- A unique cooking gadget based on what the individual enjoys cooking the most (Sur la Table has THE most unique cooking gadgets - trust me!)

- And finally, for the greatest touch of personalization, include a DIY cookbook. Add recipes you love to make, and/or ask family member(s)/friends for their favorite recipes. Based on how much time you are able/willing to devote to this project you could either print the recipes on 3x5 recipes cards and purchase an inexpensive photo album to keep them neat and tidy, or buy a blank journal/book and hand write them yourself! Maybe even add your own illustrations? Even if you're not exactly an artist, I'm guessing adding your own little doodles would make anyone smile.

DIY Christmas Ornament

Now that my brain is officially in holiday mode I plan to share lots and lots of DIY Christmas links - DIY ornaments, DIY Christmas presents, yummy recipes, etc. Anything that can make your holidays extra special while still being easy on the wallet. I thought I'd help ease you into the holiday spirit with a tutorial for a very simple Christmas ornament. All you need is paper, scissors, a stapler, and glue! Wowza. Even the kiddies can do this one!

Design Sponge's Paper Ball Ornament

(click on the link above to read the tutorial)

hubba, hubba - DIY wall mural

Eeeeee! Who knew that the Hubble Space Telescope website could be so cool! While searching for some ideas on how to spruce up my white apartment walls and I came across Hubblesite. The website features a category titled 'wall murals' - at first glance I assumed it was going to demand an insanely irrational fee to use these photos, but no! It's all FREE (a pretty crucial component to any DIY project). There are three photos to choose from (my favorite is the Carina Nebula, featured below), and the photo is divided into smaller images based on the overall mural size you select. Personally, I'd buy some cheap/simple frames from IKEA and then have these printed on a good quality paper at Kinkos. And away you go!

http://hubblesite.org/gallery/wall_murals/