I'm thinking of renovating

Wouldn't it be great to have a slide like this in your house! Imagine the fun!

(Thanks for the link Keri! I'm calling the handyman tomorrow!

How do you play with your kids?

I'm not going into my feelings about tv, or how much "tv face" on a child frightens me. BUT, Jake's sudden interest in tv has got me thinking. One of my main concerns about it is that it's passive learning. While watching a "Little Bear" episode the other day, Little Bear made a kite with his father (or grandfather?). So, I decided that we should make our own kites, and he could see how it was done. He had fun "helping," and then we ran around and "flew" them in our backyard. It was very simple and so much fun!

Isn't this print by Julia Pott darling? I've been looking for a print for Jake's/the guest background...something he would think is fun, but wouldn't be too childish. Given the fact that he's still obsessed with Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, I think I may have found a winner!

A less tiny house

OK, so maybe the tiny houses I posted about were a little too tiny for most. I think I made my husband nervous that we might actually be moving into one. BUT, what about this slightly LESS tiny house in southern California which is absolutely adorable, and dreamy to perfection thanks to the design work of Krista Ewart? I first came across in on Cristin's blog, The Simplified Bee, and then had to check out more of the gorgeous photos from House Beautiful where it was originally shown.

This house I could live in. And, because it's smaller, you could choose (like they did), some more costly designer touches (like the Hable Construction fabric used on the couch and pillows, the Whales wallpaper by Walnut Wallpaper used in the child's room, and Jonathan Adler zebra rug). After living in small NYC apartments for over 15 years, I can tell you it's about managing STUFF. You have to really like what you have. I used to judge my purchases less by price and more if they warranted the closet space they were going to take up.

Did I mention we have several dead-ish looking trees surrounding our house? With the weather we had last year and the crazy amount of trees that have fell all over the place (and on people's houses), we're going to have to have them taken down sooner rather than later. I shudder at what this is going to cost. As much as I love our backyard, imagine the savings if it was this size:

Incidentally, in looking over smaller houses and simplified living yesterday, I came across this interesting article about a couple who gave up much of their belongings to live a simple life in a 400 square foot apartment.

Could you live in a tiny house?

On Sunday nights, after cleaning up, paying bills, making sure there are enough clean clothes to get everyone through the week, and trying to organize life SOMEWHAT, I'm sure the thought has occurred to many of you...could you live in a smaller, simpler space? Houses are a LOT to maintain. Some of it's fun (the decorating), and some of it is just not (replacing flooded basements). And, much of it is very expensive and time consuming.

Ten years ago, Jay Shafer, owner of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company decided to take on such simplicity, and built himself a tiny house. His 89-square-foot house helped him to reinvent his lifestyle and career.

After completing his tiny house, he soon began building other tiny houses...his company sells plans for pre-built tiny homes, or pre-constructed homes. His company and lifestyle shifts the perception of simple living.

His houses ARE simple, but they're also really chic, and he spends less than $100 per year on utilities (wouldn't that be great?). His life is the antithesis of excess, and living with less has given him the freedom to pursue his dreams. Look at a recent video of his experience here.

What if you lived IN less, lived WITH less, and SPENT less. What would you get and do in return? With your time? With your extra money? Who would you spend your time with? Where? And how? How would HAVING less, get you MORE?

Tempted? Get a copy of Jay Shafer's book, Tiny Houses and learn how to build your own!

Terrible twos?

In the last month or so, my super sweet little boy, has suddenly turned TWO (despite the fact his birthday was in March). While driving in the car today we discussed why he wasn't going to be able to play with his bubbles for two days.

"Why mom?"
"Well, because you hit Sam with your bubble wand, and that's not nice."
"I only hit him a little bit mom"

And, after visiting friends and intentionally spilling water all over their floor twice, we had the following conversation while taking a time out.

"Jake, we're sitting out here because you spilled water all over the floor and that's not nice."
"I know! My say my sorry!"
"That's right, you will say you're sorry. That was a very naughty thing you did."
"It not naughty! It bad!"

Oh my! I think he's actually enjoying his little "time outs", so I'm not sure what my next tactic will be!

T-shirt design by Summergirl 80. Buy one for your two year old today!

Let's play this weekend!

No matter how old I am (let's not discuss, ok?), I still like the idea of playing with paper dolls and setting up little scenes with them. I came across these free downloadable paper dolls and scenes from the darling blog, Made by Joel.

Artist/illustrator Joel Henriques also has other amazing (and free) ideas for fun things to do with kids on his blog. I love the idea of Toddler Stilts and the Wall Hanging Box Aquarium. See his blog for some fun ideas!

Now that Jake is napping, I'm going to print these out and play with them by myself!

Have a good weekend everyone, and have fun!

Dis or Dat?

As many of you know, I've been on an endless quest for an office rug.

I've had lovely, but too small:

And, kind of cool, but knit like a sweater:

So, I finally found this cute rug (in blue):

While waiting for this rug to arrive, I put down a rug that was in my former apartment in NYC. Here's a photo of it then:

It's really soft and I've gotten used to it...so perhaps I had the rug all along and didn't realize it! It's decision time...I must stop the madness and move on! Which do you prefer?

New rug in office space:

Old rug in office space:

I've got to get some window treatments up so perhaps the decision will come down to what type of wonderful fabric I can come up with after a quick trip to Calico Corners. More to come, but I think it may actually come together soon!

P.S. Due to my not-so-great photography skills, I'm afraid the lighting doesn't do the old rug justice here!

Hugs

This adorable hug bear card designed by Kathryn Hunter of Blackbird Letterpress won the "best new product" award at the Stationery Show this year. It pays homage to the grizzly bears of Yellowstone Park. Slip a photo, note, or cash into the bear's hug, and send to a friend! Isn't this the sweetest?

Don't you wish you could do this?

Isn't this photo terrific? It's of me, on a recent trip to Spain.
Just kidding.
This photo came across my inbox the other day as a promotion for photographer Eric Almas. What a great photo! It made me immediately jump to his portfolio. If you'd like to see more photos too, click here.

I must go to Needham NOW!

I came across a mention of the new Treat Cupcake Bar in Needham Center, MA on Daily Candy. What a great idea! With the cupcake trend here to stay, I think this is a fabulous idea...they've taken the "mix-in" concept of ice cream parlors, and combined it with cupcakes. They have at least four cupcake "flavors" everyday. You choose your frosting, and your toppings, and design your own!

Does anyone want to go to Needham with me?

In stiches

I love these great journals and kits from AMH Designs. Albums, journals, keychains, and iphone cases that you needlepoint! The projects are small and manageable...perfect to fullfill a crafty need for those with not so much time on their hands! The kits come with all the material you need with instructions for completing each project. I don't have an iphone, but seeing these cases makes me want one!

Brown Bear "Puppets"

At the daycare Jake goes to he is completely smitten with the brown bear "puppets" which are actually little stuffed animals that adhere to a felt board. And, apparently, there's a glove involved somehow, but I haven't quite figured out what he's talking about.

Anyway...if the brown bear "puppets" are not available when he gets dropped off, life is not happy. So, I decided to make a set for home, and an additional set for his class at daycare. I surprised it with him last week, and he was just overcome with glee. He insisted on taking the "puppets" to bed. When I checked in on him before I went to bed, he had fallen asleep surrounded by his new friends, with the light on.

This is what I found:

Here's how I made it...
1.) I used a bulletin board from Target, and cut blue felt to size. I glued down the felt thoroughly (this is important because the "puppets" are adhered to the felt board using velcro which is a little rough on the felt)

2.) I glued the "children" fabric along the bottom.

3.) I then glued the grosgrain ribbon (purchased at Michael's) along the edges.

4.) I cut out the animal shapes out of this fabric, and used this fabric as a backing. I sewed the front to the back, leaving a little opening so I could insert the stuffing.

5.) I then stuffed the little critters, and hand sewed the remaining edges together (not my neatest work, but this project was bigger than I thought, and I figured the audience wasn't picky!)

6.) Last step, glue little pieces of velco on the back, let dry and voila!

P.S. Wouldn't you just be mortified if someone took a photo of you sleeping and posted it on a blog? I probably shouldn't do this, but he's just so darn cute!

Do you ever have a really great day?

One that you just KNOW that is the stuff that memories are built on? One that you hope that lasts forever and everyone you know is around and healthy and having fun, and you just feel GREAT. Even if the day isn't totally perfect, you just know it's special for any little reason, and that you can do anything.

This song, Never End by the kids band Milkshake says it all. It's also a CD that adults won't mind listening too. When I played this song for my husband last week, he didn't even realize it was a "kids" song (until I told him!). I actually think it would make a great wedding song, wouldn't it?

Underneath the morning sun, all the birds sing as one 
Anything is possible today.
I can climb the highest tree, see the world that waits for me
Anything is possible today.
I wish this day would Never End 
I wish this day would Never End. 
A rabbit scoots across the yard, jumping high and going far
Anything is possible today
Daffodils are in full bloom, say goodbye to winter’s gloom
Anything is possible today.
I wish this day would Never End
I wish this day would Never End
There is nothing that we can’t do-
There is nothing we can’t get through-
On a day like this I feel invincible.

Words: Lisa Mathews & Mikel Gehl 
Music: Mikel Gehl 
© 2002 Deck Party Music

Hope you have an invincible weekend!

What an honor!

I was so proud to learn yesterday that some of the journals I've designed were highlighted on Print + Pattern...one of the first blogs I started reading. The post was about Jane Mosse, one of my favorite artist reps. Jane and her team are pattern designers based in Hampshire, England. They license their artwork to be used in any number of products ranging from stationery to home furnishings. I became acquainted with Jane several years ago at the Surtex Show (which is a showcase of some of the best surface and textile designers). I loved her work, and each year when I attend to show, I head straight to her booth, first thing. A...because I like her and B...because I know that she'll have many designs that I can use to turn into great journals, notecards, and other stationery products.

Here are just a few of the many patterns we've bought over the years...

These adorable owls (one of the favorite designs I've chosen from her):

Became this:

And this:

These cute birds and birdhouses:

Later became this:

And this:

And one of the best selling designs we've selected:

Became all this:

And all-over jungle pattern became this cute growth chart:

I always thought this pattern would make terrific bedding fabric.

We used it for journals, gift bags, a pen, address book (to name a few). The rights might still be available for fabric...(if someone buys it and makes fabric...let me know!)

Whenever I'm at Jane's booth, I take a peek the badges of the other attendees who are looking through her art. I like to try to see where her patterns will end up...bedding? Dishes? Other journals? Who knows, but there is just so much potential there...it's often hard to know which ones to choose!