Wit & Wistle DIY: Hand Painted Mug

Amanda at Wit & Whistle came up with this creative hand painted porcelain coffee mug. I love this idea, and love the design she went with. It would make a cute gift either full of coffee beans, cocoa, or cacao(organic, direct trade, shade grown-of course).

Supplies are two things: Cute mug, and Porcelain paint(links).

Check out her link here for the complete tutorial.

I Have Been Bird Watching!

Sorry for not making any posts recently. I havn't been too into anything in the blogosphere lately. For the most part I have just been finding things I can document on my own. I started some screen printing- I will be posting photos up real soon. We have also been spending alot of time with Wayne's mama- such a sweet lady(Hi Patti). She has the most precious birds in the area she lives in. So much diversity. I try to bring a camera when ever possible when we go to visit. So if you guys are interested I'd like to share a few breeds of birds I have captured. The fun part about bird watching with a bird feeder to draw them in- They wait their turn! Most same breeds will eat together. The only rude guy around seems to be the Steller's Jay. They kick everyone out thinking they own the place, but I think the Northern Flicker is much bigger. If the Steller's Jay were a human they would probably drive a "tricked out" truck and tailgate poor old ladies..hehe

Happy Learning.

Today's Inspiration is from bookhouathome's Etsy Shop

Today's Inspiration is from bookhouathome's Etsy shop. The creative artist's names are John and Arounna. A couple based out of Toronto, Canada. They emphasize on natural handmade materials and small production pieces.
John Booth received his education from Queens University and his architecture degree from the University of Toronto.  He is currently working with form and structure in both painting and furniture.

Arounna Khounnoraj received her education from the Ontario College of Art, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and  a MFA from the University of Waterloo.  She is currently exploring pattern and image in her textiles and sculptures.

Check out their website, and Arounna has her own Blog.

2012 Calender 18x20- $20, Tote Bag  18Wx12Hx5D- $80, Spring Linen Wall Art 18x20- $24, Day Bag 14Wx10H- $56, Bucket Tote 14.5Wx12H x7.5D- $46,  Small Tote Bag  12Wx13Hx2.5D- $60

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Tutorial: How to Carve Your Own Stamps!

Today I decided to carve my own stamp so I could show you just how easy it really is. I purchased all of my supplies back in February at Hyatt's -All Things Creative. I bought all Speedball supplies because I didn't know a thing about what I was doing, and it is a leading company for screen printing.. So I figured it was good.
My supplies include:
Speedball Linoleum Cutter Set
7 Different Speedball Colors- Oil based- I wouldn't recommend them. Just use a normal raised(<--very important) water based ink pad.
Speedball Speedycut Blocks- I bought 2 different sizes. Large is 6.75x11. The one I used today was 4x5.5.
A Pencil
Exacto Knife
Protractor
Plain Piece of Paper

First kids, I put my Speedycut Block on my piece of paper and outlined it so I knew how big my drawing could be. I then took my protractor and made a evenly curved line across the usable space. I wasn't feeling confident in my ability to make even lines so I cut out a triangle with thick paper to trace for my bunting. Once completed I filled it in so it will show up when I transfer it to my Speedycut Block. The transfer is easy, place the drawing face down on the block. Hold it in place, and on the back side of the paper with your pencil draw only where your drawing is. When you take the paper away the drawing is transfered perfectly, and now the carving begins. The Linoleum Cutter Set comes with 5 different sizes of cutting tools. Start with the smallest one in the shape of a V. That is the tool you use to outline the drawing, and get all of those details in. Next you move to the largest tool in the shape of a U. This tool is to carve away the rest of the unwanted space. Since I used oil based paint I had to dab and spread the paint on with a foam brush, then push it down on my subject. I just used a recycled scrapbook sheet. If I were to do it again. I would do this for wrapping paper or a gift bag with an ink pad.

Let me know if you have any questions!

These puppies are my entire collection so far : ) They aren't anything amazing... Just something that is relaxing to do. Give it a try! Happy Carving Friends!

Bash, Please & Design*Sponge Collaboration for a Backyard Movie Screening!

Here is a little inspiration for a summer backyard movie party! Since all of the drive-in's have been run out of town by big corporations like Wal-Mart turning it into a parking lot for their Super Wal-Mart expansions. Just an FYI that happned in my home town (Rest in peace Mel's Drive In). Most people have turned to creating their own pop up movie theaters like they do all over Portland Parks in the summer time. It is great to lay out blankets, and there are venders that serve hot dogs, popcorn, and ice cream. Such a brilliant and fun idea. But you can do it yourself. DIY! Turn a backyard movie screening into a donation party, fundraiser for someone you love, birthday party, the evening of a wedding for the kids to wind down to. So many ideas for events to be had over one simple idea- A movie outdoors.

This event was created by Bash, Please & the great Design*Sponge. Check out both of their links for more photos.

photos by Brandon Kidd

Design. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.. Jam Jar

The blog Design. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.. Created this printable jam jar label. It is funny because she used cupcake wrappers instead of fabric swatches! A very clever idea, and then wrapped them in bakers twine to match. Aren't they lovely? They would make for a great holiday gift! Ideas are a' lurking.. (Some day I will have a fruit tree : )
Click here for the post to download.

DIY Bat Banner and Halloween Bunting.

My mother e-mailed me asking for a Halloween Banner. She said she would pay me.. But what kind of child accepts money from their mama when they do things with love. It's a festive gift. I downloaded the font from fontsy called "Blood of Dracula". Fontsy has thousands of free fonts to download. Maybe I will share the best of sometime? Where was I? Oh.. So I hand drew all of the letters, cut them to size. Cut the scrapbook paper into four pieces, and cut the bunting triangles out evenly. I grabbed some orange construction paper and outlined each letter, and glued them together. Then grabbed some of my burlap, again cut out around the letters. Layed out the bunting, and put them in order to be sewn. I sewed the letters to the burlap to the bunting paper. Once still in order to be sewn, I grabbed my black fabric ribbon and made a bow then started sewing the bunting pieces to the ribbon.
As far as the bats go. I cut a piece of construction paper, folded it in half so the bat would be even on both sides. I started with cutting out the head, cut an ear, made the shoulders, then straight out to the tip of the wing, made three curves on the bottom side of the wing to the center of the paper. Open- and tada! A bat. I folded the wings on both sides so when shipping to my mama they will lay flat. I did this till I was out of paper, then sewed them together with my stitch width and length as high as it will go. That makes the tension less so you can space the bats apart, Otherwise the machine will automatically cinch them close together. You must also pull the bats through when spacing them.

Deliciously Organic Quick Skillet Whole Wheat Pizza Recipe

Carrie Vitt at Deliciously Organic created this Organic Quick Skillet Whole Wheat Pizza recipe. I want to tell you before you move on with your day why she switched to eating only organic. It was headaches! She was getting serious migraines 4 or more times a week. She went to a neurologist, and they added more and more prescriptions to her daily regiment to manage the pain to get through the day. After two years she knew there had to be another way. She was taking care of two little girls both under 2 years of age, and didn't have time for migraines. Once home from her neurologist, a news letter in the mail caught her eye about the benefits of eating organics. She knew migraines could be related to diet. At the end of the rope, and willing to try anything Carrie bought organic lettuce. A start. Instantly she felt a difference... The frequency of her migraines decreased. At that point she didn't need any more encouragement. She switched first just the produce with the intent to decrease pesticide intake. As she dug deeper she continued to make changes to her pantry, and refrigerator. Over the next year and a half she converted her families diet to whole, unprocessed, organic ingredients. She began an interactive blog to share her story, dispense advice, and share recipes on a wider scale. Two years after starting her blog, her book Deliciously Organic is released January of 2011.

See the recipe here.

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