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

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

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

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.'

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/

DIY indoor/outdoor firepit

Check out this great tutorial that was featured on Design Sponge - it walks you through the steps to make your very own glass fire pit. The lazy girl in me would take this concept, but try to find some piece of 'found art' at the local thrift store as opposed to attempting to glue together my own glass box. But if you have the patience to do this entire project as described, power to you! 

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/09/diy-project-karens-portable-fire-pit.html

Embroidery Hoop Crafts

Do you happen to have some used embroidery hoops laying around? Well then take a gander at these lovely photos and tutorials on how to make good use out of those extra embroidery hoops....
(the caption of the top photo and the bottom photo are links that will take you to the appropriate tutorial)

Fashionable bulletin board

artwork!

laundry bag?

dream catcher! 

DIY Vertical Garden

Have you heard? Vertical gardens are all the rage right now, and luckily as the demand grows, these gardens are becoming more easily attainable and simple to install. Check out this garden 'grid' that you can purchase at flora grubb. For $99 you can be well on your way to having your own green piece of tranquility.

DIY Necklace Organizer

While visiting one of my amazing friends in NYC I took note of her brilliant (yet incredibly simple) method of organizing necklaces/bracelets/other dangly accessories. Upon returning home I immediately ran out to the thrift store, purchased the largest corkboard I could find, and gleefully began pinning each and every one of my necklaces for all to see. Gone are the days of rummaging through overcrowded jewelry boxes and untangling a never-ending clump of necklace strands. Bonus - the possibilities for personalizing your necklace organizer are endless - cover the board in fabric or paper (as illustrated on the blog trinystrinkets), add a super fancy (thrift store) picture frame, or check out your local craft store for unique pushpins.

Embroidered stationary....

I stumbled across this lovely idea on trendhunter.com....embroidered stationary! What a simple yet unique idea to remind someone special that you're thinking of him/her....

Thrift Store Finds - bookshelf

I love, love, love the blog apartment therapy, especially for it's creative DIY posts. Take a look at this thrift store bookshelf that was given a new life by using just a little paint and wallpaper....I think this might by my next weekend project!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/jan-jumpstart-2008-east/east-2-malindas-black-white-bookcase-040952

As adorable as it gets

I am an independent, stubborn, free-thinking sort of gal....I swear I am. I happen to also be as girlie it gets when it comes down to certain things - puppies, rainbows, romantic comedies, daffodils, and of course....tiny versions of larger objects. Miniature versions of anything just make my heart want to explode from cute overload!!! So if you're anything like me, take a gander at this website - I've purchased a few items from this lady (to use for my photography) and her service was superb. And seriously, who doesn't want to receive a package of tiny ballerinas in the mail?!?

Tiny Things Are Cute

Never too old to play in puddles

I came across these adorable little walnut shells that were made into sailboats and was instantly reminded of the pond (er...puddle?) that was usually in our backyard. The things that I made and tried to float across that pond...if only I had walnut shells!!

Add caption

via Made by Joel

INSTRUCTIONS

Just melt some candle wax into a walnut shell.  When the wax gets a little firm, stick a toothpick in it for the mast of the boat.  Let the wax cool. (We stuck ours in the fridge for a couple minutes.) Then attach a paper sail by poking it onto the toothpick.  Ahoy!