Gilded Acorns

With the holidays looming right around the corner I've been trying to figure out some simple inexpensive decorating ideas I can use to xmas up the house without breaking the bank. Design sponge's gilded acorns fit that bill really well and would be perfect as little ornaments on the tree:


Just a little stain, some gold leaf and wooden acorns and poof! Instant amazing decoration! It does leave me wondering:

1. where do you find those wood acorns??
2. does micheals carry gold leaf and how much would it cost with a 40% off coupon?
3. how the heck will I ever find time to get the supplies and execute this project?
and also
4. why are there no cute little fake xmas trees in kamloops or if there are why can't I find them?

*Sigh* Quite a few hurdles before finishing this project - but maybe you will be able to finish them before me! In the meantime, any progress on answering my list of wondering questions would be appreciated...

Kelowna Sales Update

It is so exciting for me to know that things I've lovingly handcrafted are for sale in the real world. Sure etsy sales still light up my life with emails that feel like virtual high fives of awesomeness (since people like my goods enough to shell out hard earned money for them), but stepping into the world of consignment is also quite thrilling. It sort of adds an element of mystery to selling since I don't actually know what is selling or to whom! Then at the end of the month I get a wonderful cheque in the mail tallying up the sales with very little effort on my part (after all, I just dropped stuff off!) What fun! It also allows me to have lovely moments with complete strangers I see wearing my stuff (which has happened to me now at work, at the post office, and downtown!) Woo!

It is also pretty awesome to see my items displayed in super cool shop and my trip to kelowna a while back gave me the opportunity to document it! Check out my table of goodies at the super rad shop "funktional":


Heck! Those bags, brooches, and earrings look quite at home in the back of chantel's shop! Oh! And I love the three tiered plate display thing. Such a good idea and a great opportunity to add some height and interest into their set up (I totally want to keep my eyes peeled for one for my next craft show)! And since they've been selling to well I ended up paying for my funktional xmas shopping with my revenues! Awesome!

And while I was in town I got to drop off another item I've been crafting away on all of last month - felt mustaches:


Yup! They were a huge hit at the fabulous finds craft show and kaela was dying to have them in her awesome shop over the holidays. They ended up taking me a little longer than I had hoped (mostly because I really wanted to make a ton of them so she'd have stock for a while) but I did it and my mustaches on sticks are now available at the super rad boutique "frock":


And hey! It's conveniently located right around the corner from funktional so next time you're in for some kate goods without the added shipping/waiting ordeal just pop on by! Kaela has informed me that they are selling like hotcakes too! Sweet! And if I wasn't sold on consigning to frock before, I certainly was after seeing all the doilies in her front window:


Perfect! It also really makes me want to open my own store in town here since kamloops is sorely lacking in the "completely awesome shop" front. *Sigh* maybe one day...for now I'll just focus on crafting...

Giant Granny Square

I came across this gorgeous giant granny square throw over on purl bee's crocheted gifts for the holiday's post. It may be a little late for me to whip up one of these (unless time magically stops for a few weeks) but I just love the colour combination:


And since I already know how to make granny squares this would be a sinch! I don't exactly have a strong history of being able to finish large crochet projects (like that rag rug I've been working on since august...) but this one could be different! Plus it is just one big piece making it much easier than the granny square blanket I attempted back in 2005. Now to keep my eyes peeled for warm muted rainbow yarn (preferably on sale) and get hooking! Any other takers?

Deep Cove

Oh the way home from my last trip to vancouver I had the great pleasure of stopping by the most wondrous little nook in north vancouver called deep cove. It was like walking into a tiny village tucked away from all the hustle and bustle with a charming park, some quaint homes, and a harbor. Even if it was rainy out it was still lovely, take a peek:


Deep cove also boasts an exclusive yacht club and some super ritzy shacks, but it is also the home of the most fantastic shop - room 6! I've come across room 6's awesome website before (hence the detour to deep cove) and it certainly didn't disapoint! In fact, I loved pretty much everything about room 6 and would be content just moving in and sleeping under the counter! Check out their entrance:


Oh my it was awesome! If I were ever to open a shop I would certainly want it to live up to room 6's standards! It was tempting to buy out the entire shop but a tight budget lingering over me that wasn't about to happen. I did manage to pick up a select few things which I am very content with. My favourite purchase is now hanging above my kitchen sink:


Isn't he cute? His name is earl the squirrel and he is made of felt! I bought a few felt acorns to hang out with him since he is a squirrel after all (and earl likes acorns). They had a whole bunch of the acorns hanging in the window display at the shop and I just had to give in! Plus I figure earl can help me do the dishes too! Here is a close up of him:


Oh earl! He is also really enjoying the white xmas lights I put up a few days ago too and I love how friendly he makes the kitchen of our place! What fun! It does sort of make me feel like I am becoming the most peculiar interior decorator (who decorates with hanging squirrels?) but that's ok. I love him! Maybe wool felted kitchen ornaments will be the new crafty trend of 2011? What do you think?

Friday Find: Ready Go

Because everyone needs more cake topper decorations - this week's find is etsy's ready go. Perfect for those of us who lack skill with icing yet still want to create some masterfully appealing deserts! Just check out a few of ready go's paper toppers:


What a great idea! And if cakes aren't your thing they've got a whole variety of beautifully designed paper products to chose from! Still not tickling your fancy? Why not check out ready go's sister shop oh hello there that sells rad embroidered goodies described as "friendly wares for your home"! Yet another etsy seller oozing with talent and amazingly droolworthy graphics! Just check out those shop banners! Ooo the colours are to die for! What's your favourite product?

Pom Pom Place holders

The other day I was catching up with some of my fellow etsy sellers in the etsy chat room and came across a most wonderful product from one of the chatters, imeondesign. It's not surprising that is caught my attention, after all they are pom poms:

What a neat idea! Pom place holders! Perfect for all of you hosting holiday dinner parties and craving a little more pom pom in your decor! The super bright crisp pictures really sell me on them I mean look at one of them in white:


Lovely! And since I'm becoming quite the master of pom pom making these days I may actually be able to pull some of these off...except that I have no plans of any parties requiring place holders....minor details...what do you think of them?

Merry Ol' December!

Oh my! December! End of 2010? Where did you sneak up from? Not to worry - I'm happy to see you! I'm ready for a month of holiday celebration, crafting up a storm (a common goal I seem to have each month), and the last installment of my kittens inspired by kittens inspired calendar:


Quinn! What am I going to do kitten-less in january? Oh dear! Good thing we've got a whole month to prepare! In the meantime I hope to get the most out of the month by soaking up all the holiday wonderfulness I can! Starting off with something I am extremely excited about using:


Mmmm! Nothing like the sweet spicy smell of pine trees and xmas to get you in the holiday spirit! And it's even locally made by a lady in white lake! Even better! As for other xmas preparations, I'm still working on my pom-tastic decorating scheme but I did manage to get some lights up in the front window:


Not exactly the most impressive of holiday lighting but the house is sorely lacking an outdoor outlet and I think these simple indoor white lights do the trick! Plus I wasn't up for investing too much into them since we're just renting. We even put up a few around the kitchen window to continue the spread of cheer inside the house too! What fun!

To top it all off I've somehow managed to get about 80% of my xmas shopping done! Hooray for preparation! Now I just need to get a jump start on those xmas cards (oh dear). I'm actually planning on taking it pretty easy this month with no wild new years party plans for once. I think a nice relaxing december is in order after an exhausting crafting year! I'm also looking forward to my final month of 2010 and daily blog updates. Don't get me wrong - I do love blogging (especially when all you wonderful people actually read my ramblings) but it is a lot more work than I thought it would be and less stress and healthier (physically and mentally) are my big goals for 2011! Oh. And banjo...can't forget that one...What about you? What are you looking forward to in december?