show + tell international

One of my favorite things about blogging (and there are many), is the game of international show and tell we play. Many of us decor-enthusiasts pack our cameras when we go shopping or document great finds by sharing photos, reviews (er, GASP!s) and links.

Thanks to blogging friends everywhere, my swooning can reach beyond my local Target and HomeGoods to places tucked away in my own country and shops across the sea. Unfortunately some of these places that are far away don't yet ship to the States but their images still inspire!


The Painted Cottage {New Jersey, U.S.A.}


PiP Studio {Amsterdam}



Tilda by Tone Finnanger {Norway}


GreenGate {Denmark}


Pale and Interesting by Atlanta Bartlett {England}


Cabbages & Roses {England}


Cath Kidston {England}

Feel like looking at more places that might be new to you? Visit my favorite links where I try to compile places I like to visit later for ideas.

Any favorites of yours to share? I'm all eyes!

xo
elyse

seeing spots

Once I became a Cath Kidston enthusiast, I suppose it was only a matter of time before polka dots began to spread.



Even though the new Cath Kidston magazine is sprinkled with "dotty" designs (as shown directly above), my recent purchases have been from local spots ...



like this cake stand from HomeGoods, the oven mitts shown at the tippy-top from Target . . .



or this small, ceramic cake pedestal from TJ Maxx.



Polka dots and florals play nicely together, especially when touches of red are their mutual friend. What patterns are you drawn to these days?

{Still way behind on my blog visits; hope to pop over soon!}

xo
elyse

valentine crush crackers

Happy Groundhog Day from snowy-icy-rainy Rhode Island! Sorry to have been absent from blogging -- the past few weeks have been busy and snowy and busy. I hope to make some time for blog visits very soon because I can see from a quick peek at thumbnail pics, that there are many beautiful posts to read and swoon over.

As a little catch-up post, here is something I wrote for Kidoinfo, an online resource for parents. I pitched the idea of coming up with a craft that would make use of leftover holiday wrap and trimming as well as common household items. I came up with Valentine Crush Crackers.



Wondering what to do with leftover scraps of wrap and ribbon? Crackers, which resemble over-sized wrapped candies are part of Christmas celebrations in many parts of the world. I thought, why not make some for Valentine's Day and give them a fun name? Voila! Valentine Crush Crackers. Traditionally, two people pull apart the cracker at once "wishbone style" to cause a spark; this version is low-tech but big on fun and low on cost. Perfect to give to friends (or a special crush).



Materials
Toilet paper rolls or cut tubes from paper towels or wrapping paper
Paper: wrap, construction paper, scrapbooking paper
Scissors, glue, tape
Tissue or wax paper
Ribbon, twine
Scraps of things that look Valentine-like: paper doilies, printed images, old greeting cards, bows, stickers, cupcake liners, buttons
Filler: candy, small toys or party favors, love notes, paper hearts, printed fortunes



How to
Measure and cut enough paper to wrap around and cover your tube
Fasten with glue, tape or a sticker
Fill your tube
Measure and cut enough wax or tissue paper to wrap around and cover your tube leaving about 1.5 inches on each side to pinch and tie closed with ribbon or twine
Decorate your wrapped cracker
Present to a friend or secret crush!

xo
elyse

a banner day

Another snowfall has me craving a bit of bold, cheerful color so I gathered a few trusty supplies:



wallpaper scraps and samples, note cards, twine, scissors and glue.



I made a template from construction paper.



I folded and cut



and glued



and folded again and dabbed off excess glue;




then clamped



and let dry.





Then I admired



and hung



and then headed back outside to shovel.

This project was quick 'n easy to make and the perfect infusion of some British Country flavor into my dining area.

(And much more fun than shoveling snow)

xo
elyse

c&r giveaway winner announced

Thank you to everyone for entering my Cabbages & Roses giveaway. Thanks also to Cabbages & Roses for providing such a lovely giveaway prize.

Using random.org the winning number came up for Diana at Nana Diana Takes a Break! In her entry comment Diane said she plans to use the Elgin blue fabric to make decorative throw pillows. How lovely!

Thanks again and congrats to Diana!

xo
elyse

cabbages & roses giveaway!

What would you do with Cabbages & Roses Elgin blue fabric?



In my recent post entitled linen indecision I discuss a lovely piece of fabric from Cabbages & Roses received as a gift from the Fabulous Fifi and my hesitation to use it. I was delighted with everyone's wonderful suggestions and of course noticed how so many of you are also smitten with the English company's pretty fabric. So you know what I did? I contacted Cabbages & Roses and asked to host one of their giveaways. They happily agreed and now you can have the chance to win some beautiful Cabbages & Roses fabric!



How does a meter of Elgin blue fabric sound? It is one of Cabbages & Roses' most recent prints.



To enter please leave a comment on this post describing what you would do with your own meter of Elgin blue fabric.

For additional entries share news of this giveaway on Twitter, your blog, and/or Facebook and leave a separate comment for each, letting me know you have done so.

A winner will be selected at random on January 20, 2011.

Can't get enough Cabbages & Roses? Visit their blog and website.

Good luck!

xo
elyse

"go to the mattresses"?

The Godfather is the I-ching. The Godfather is the sum of all wisdom. The Godfather is the answer to any question.

Joe Fox, You've Got Mail

Well, in my book, You've Got Mail is the sum of all wisdom and I needed some when my heart sank a bit upon seeing a line called Treasures at Michaels, which features a line of floral clothespins. It might sound silly but I felt a bit like the film's The Shop Around the Corner after Fox Books opened its doors.


Their clothespin and my clothespin

Oh, I won't be going "to the mattresses" and as I walked around Michaels, I noticed many new versions of decorated clothespins.



Of course, the Treasures line is lovely and inexpensive. It's Shabby Chic! I did purchase a few things ... for my ... research and analysis.


My hanger and their hanger

My shop Tinkered Treasures is temporarily closed for organizing; it will re-open soon.



I am a lone reed.

Well, probably not.

I'm noticing lots of mass-produced stuff lately that resembles copies of handmade art; I suppose this is nothing new and ... nothing can take away the blissful enjoyment of creating.

xo
elyse

linen indecision

Happy New Year! A project list is beginning to form in my mind and blogging about projects is sometimes a better motivator for me than a Post-it note on the fridge. One project for 2011 is to finally do something with the seriously lovely fabric (pictured above) that I received from fabulous Fifi.


Here is the piece of fabric stretched across my bed

When Fifi was at my home in May (still feels unreal), my enthusiasm over Cabbages & Roses fabric and goods was apparent and generous Fifi offered to send me some fabric leftover from a shoot upon her return home ... and she did ... right away! I have treated this piece of Hatley, cerise like spun gold -- it's been folded, bagged and tucked away lovingly.



But it's time that the fabric gets used for something and appreciated every day. So I am borrowing the beautiful At Home with Country by Cabbages & Roses' Christina Strutt, from my library.



Fifi receives a giant thank you from Christina in the book's Author's Acknowledgements:

The entire idea was the brainchild of my dear friend Francoise O'Neill who, as creator of this project, has also encouraged us along the way, alongside editing magazines, filming television programs, and entertaining a million people on her blog.

Christina's book is filled with page after page of swoon-inducing ideas, most showcasing Cabbages & Roses' fabrics.



Okay, so back to my linen ...


Page 136

Should the fabric stay in the bedroom in the form of pillows or a quilt?


Page 9

Should it be draped over the dining room table (when the boys are not drinking chocolate milk)? Become a runner or lampshade covers? Used somehow in the living room?


Photo source: Fashion-Editor

Transformed into something I can wear or use?

Sure, I'd eventually figure something out myself but since I am fortunate enough to have some of the most creative minds visiting my blog, why not put the question out there? Oh, yeah, and Shellie, if you're reading this (and are willing) ... what do you think, my dear seamstress (treats! treats!)?

xo
elyse

ps



Check out your library system's interlibrary loan program. It rocks!