creative family

My sister's blog... functional, fun and fantastic!

Have I mentioned that I come from a long line of thrifty, creative, do-it-yourselfer ladies? Yeah, I guess I have. Anyway, this post is just to add a little solid proof to that claim! 

Check out my older sister's blog, Cookie Cutter House. She and her husband and oldest daughter had to move out of a charming little bungalow just outside Chicago when Baby #2 was on the way. It was a great reason to move, but the new house pales in comparison to their swanky old bungalow. That doesn't stop my artistic sister from transforming her "Cookie Cutter House" into a chic, unique home! 

Follow her and her husband on their many DIY projects, ranging from laying tile to re-purposing plates. It's a fun, fresh look at how to make the most out of what you've got.

Oh, and did I mention they're doing a giveaway? No? Well, they are! Just check out her blog and comment on the article "A Fun Little Giveaway" and you could be randomly selected to win three really nifty plate hangers to get you started on your way to making your home as unique as you are!  

pillow

Having a little fun combining two things I love: printing and sewing!

I've been working on my curtains for a while now... and they're still not nearly done. In fact, to the untrained eye, they may look like a pile of fabric. Okay, they are a pile of fabric right now... because I've been working on designing and carving the print to make my curtains unique. Haven't quite gotten to the actual "curtain" part, per se, but the print is almost complete... and I have the callouses on my hands to prove it!

All that to say, I needed a quick little project to tide me over while I wait for this time-consuming one to materialize. (Hey! A pun!) So... I whipped up this little pillow that I printed with my tiny blueberry design. Simple, quick and cute. I'll need to remember those three words next time I decide to design, print and sew my own curtains. Though I suppose it could be worse - I could be weaving my own fabric!

Now, to find a loom... just kidding!

candlelight

Another one of my favorite things...

Life is full of simple pleasures. The trick is to find pleasure in the simple things. One of my favorite simple pleasures is candlelight. Every night I light candles, even if it's just a few by my bed while I read. But normally, I'll light candles all over my little studio apartment and see it come to life in the warm, flickering glow of candles.

My oldest sister, Emily, once said, "Candles are a warm presence when there's no one else around." That's how I feel; they add a bit of life to a still night, a bit of warmth to a chilly room and a bit of happiness into my quiet life.

spicy

Spices add a little zing to everything!

Living in a tiny space requires a lot more creativity than I first imagined. I have to literally use every nook and cranny to store, hide or display necessary household items without it being cluttered, inconvenient or messy. It's quite a job, but I really enjoy doing it.

To save some of my very limited cabinet space, I picked up some magnetic spice jars to stick on the side of my fridge. Using some white labels and my typewriter, I added a little vintage-inspired charm to these otherwise bland jars.

Not only are they useful and easily at hand when I need them, they look really cool on the side of my fridge!