February 16, 2010

i am tired of sick days

Okay, this has gotten downright silly. My sweet daughter has had at least 10 ear infections since starting daycare in August. Today she was incredibly sick. So even though she was at the doctor’s office on Friday, we went back today, only to find out that Miss Violet has a perforated eardrum!!!!!
Gasp!
She is such a trooper, but she has been lying in her crib just staring at the ceiling. She is in so much pain.
The only plus side to this is that we get lots of cuddle time.
It is an early bedtime for us tonight. Nathan Violet, and the dogs are already tucked in.
Night Night!

February 15, 2010

layered pillow tutorial

So I really like this cardigan by J CREW (I first saw it in Lucky Magazine). 

 I bottled up that inspiration and made this pillow. It is less ruffly, but gets that same layered effect that is cute and feminine! This is how I did it.
Instructions
1. I used a 14 inch pillow. Cut two 18 inch squares of fabric and set aside(one piece for the back of the pillow, and one piece for the front where the layers of fabric will be attached). 

2. Next, I cut several strips of 4 inch wide fabric of varying lengths. I used about 24 strips of fabric.

 
3. Next, I folded the fabric in half and ironed it so that the folded edge was nice and crisp

4. I took the front square of fabric that I previously cut and began laying my folded fabric strips on the diagonal of the fabric, sewing each strip onto the fabric with my sewing machine. By starting on one corner and layering until I was all the way across the pillow I got this really great pleated effect (this required much more fabric than if I had laid it straight across the pillow, but I really like the look).

5. Now grab the other square of fabric that has not been used yet (this will be the back of your pillow). Take both squares and pin them together so that the outside of the pillow faces inward. Now use your sewing machine to sew around the squares (be sure to only sew 3 of the four sides).

6. Turn the squares right side out so that everything is facing as is should be. Now take your pillow and stuff it through the open end of the pillowcase. Once the pillow is in place, sew it closed by hand.
7. Finished! I hope that you like it. 


February 14, 2010

love and a bit of loss

First, sorry for my absence the past few days. Not only did I have a super duper time in Springfield with my dear friend, Jenna, but I have been busy with a few craft projects… one of which I want to share with you later today!
However, on this Valentine’s Day, my heart is heavy. Two people in my life died this week. I guess both were sudden. Death is like having someone remove a little piece of your soul, because after someone dies, you feel a bit emptier than you did before, right?  I have not really had that many people I know die. And, I really do not wish to make this a sympathy post. However, I cannot emphasize enough how fragile life is. I want to live fully. I want to embrace the challenges that I face, because they will shape me and surely make me stronger and wiser. 
Wow, what a downer of a post for Valentine’s Day. I will be back later today with a pretty fun little pillow tutorial!
Thanks for reading,

Stacie

(image source “weheartit”)

February 12, 2010

tomorrow is gonna be super!

I am so excited for Friday……. Why?
Because I am gonna spend the day with my bestest gal pal Jenna! 
I get to go to my favorite coffee shop (Mud House) and eat some yummy food (I hope at Tea Bar and Bites).
 
Oh, and I am going to post some pretty pictures from British Elle Home Decor and Living Etc. just because I am always on the look for inspiring images!
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
I hope that your day will be as awesome as mine!
-Stacie

February 10, 2010

a new print

I have been working on this for a little while. It is a print of a crow. I really am digging the color combo. I was going for that feeling of a yellow sky before a tornado hits… slightly ominous with a splash of whimsy!

What do you all think? Please, let me know. It is really encouraging to know that everyday I have readers who take the time to be a part of my little world. It is so fun searching for inspiring artists and designers to share with you all.

the new print can be found here on my GingiberSnap Etsy

Thanks for the support.

-Stacie

i gave up sugar…….

Ever since I had my daughter, I have struggled with keeping off the last 10 pounds or so…. My brilliant idea? Give up sugar, of course! Big mistake.
I am not going to lie. I have cheated like twice since starting this sugar fast 2 weeks ago. I figured that by cutting out the sweets, the weight would fall off. I suppose my body has a mind of its own.
Today, I am tempted to fall off of the wagon again. Why? Because there is a little bakery really close to my work that sells Cake In A Cup”. I know it sounds kinda strange, but the cup is filled with layer upon layer of moist chocolate cake and rich butter cream frosting….. nummnumnum…..
I have cake on the brain. It is permeating my every thought. I dreamed about cake last night.
And, since misery loves company, here are some delicious pictures of cake.

 Go ahead, you know you want some cake too…….

(image source “weheartit”)

February 9, 2010

my diy on apartment therapy

Check it out here:

I am pretty excited to be on this amazing blog! Even though I left off the apostrophes in the song lyric (I could not find an apostrophe vinyl…. guess I should have made one…)
No Worries! This is a great day! I will post more later!
-Stacie

February 8, 2010

my super cool new wall art

So, I love Apartment Therapy! They recently featured a post about a woman from Ohio who made some really cheap and really cool large wall art using vinyl letters, spray paint, and a favorite lyric. Check it out here.
Well, here’s my take on this little project. I used a lyric to one of my favorite songs by the Band “Stars”.
I am quite happy! The two panels frame my bed nicely!
I hope to get some better shots of them tomorrow with better light. What do you think?

February 6, 2010

doorknobs and twitter

 I have a secret crush…. on doorknobs….

 
  
  
  
 
My favorites are from anthropologie. I really haven’t been all that lucky with thrifting them… Any suggestions as to who else has really awesome doorknobs? 

Oh, and I now have a twitter.….purely for professional reasons…… yesssss…………

(image sources from anthropologie, flickr, and weheartit)

Bye!

February 4, 2010

ditto on the love

New Set of Prints. “Ditto On The Love”. Available at my Gingiber Etsy Shop tonight!

Have a Sweet Day!