novica giveaway

Recently I was approached by NOVICA to see if I would consider trying them out, writing a review and then hosting a giveaway. I was ready to politely decline but then visited their site and was so impressed.



NOVICA is one of the leading fair trade artisan websites. They work with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. NOVICA has thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts and home decor items on their website.


fyi: (l) Rose quartz dangle earrings "love fest" (r) Pearl and rose quartz flower earrings "honey peach"

I am easily overwhelmed by a large range of choices so I focused on earrings and picked two. In the product descriptions there is information about the artist and their materials.



When my order arrived, each set of earrings came in its own box along with a small booklet and artisan story card with a handwritten note from the artist. The care and service reminds me very much of ordering from Etsy, where most sellers add a personal touch to each prized sale.



NOVICA gave me $75 to spend and $75 to share (making sure to factor in shipping and handling in the total cost). So, here's the fun part: Please leave a comment on this post to be eligible to win $75 to spend at NOVICA. A winner will be selected on Monday, April 18, 2011 at random.

Coming up:



Tuesday (April 19) I will be posting a book review and interview with designer, author and mom Annette Tatum and hosting a giveaway of her beautiful book, The Well-Dressed Home.
- On the same day, I will have a guest post at Annette's blog where I search my own closet to see if my personal style is truly in sync with my home's decor.

xo
elyse

making your mark

With so many beautiful books available, why not have pretty bookmarks, too?



These bookmarks are so simple to make.



- Bring pieces of your favorite fabrics to a copy center and ask for color copies on white cardstock
- Cut the printed cardstock into strips
- Trim the top and bottom with a pattern-edge scissors (optional)
- Punch a hole close to the top
- Loop a short piece of embroidery floss through the hole



Easy with minimal cost and a sweet idea when giving a book as a gift, too.



Thank you so so much to everyone for your happy comments on my contributing writer = me post. Your cheers mean the world to me!

xo
elyse

contributing writer = me!

I'm probably too excited to contain my enthusiasm and concentrate to write a blog post but I can't help myself, I have news to share with my blogging friends and I'm no good at waiting 'til morning! The summer issue of Romantic Country just hit newsstands and it includes my first full article, titled Tiffany Blue.


Many, many heartfelt thanks and hugs (x 1000) to Fifi O'Neill for providing me with the opportunity to write about Marie and Chris Vera's beautiful bungalow.


Photos by Mark Lohman

I had the best time writing along with providing catchy titles for paragraphs and photos, like this one which I titled Shady Character. Homeowner Marie was so sweet to interview and she has a wonderful blog called Marie's Maison. Romantic Country always has beautiful layouts but I am really swooning over how my piece looks on printed pages with the pretty combination of fonts and colors and photographs.



I am thrilled to be listed as a Contributing Writer.
(Click to enlarge)



And Fifi, my very own fairy-rockstar also included Tinkered Treasures in the Sweet Shopping section.

To new blogging friends and those who have been with me since being published was a someday-wish, thank you for always cheering me on, encouraging me, and filling my heart with your always-appreciated warm comments.

Think I might need to buy some celebratory cupcakes!

xo
elyse



On newsstands now!

ps
{Please excuse any me-me-me! tone. Excited = me!}

berry cheep project

Happy Spring! Or as we say in New England, "Did you check the forecast?" Popsicles outside one day, hot cocoa indoors the next. Never mind the weather, I'm ready to make some sunny treasures.



Never one to discount the possibilities held in a container, I saved a few plastic berry bins from last year.



I gathered a bunch of supplies like decals, ribbon, and flowers and started tinkering . . .





Vents throughout the bins lend themselves to weaving ribbon in and out.



Guess where this sweet oilcloth-type material in polka dots and gingham comes from? (Betty knows!)



A reusable shopping bag from TJ Maxx! The water-resistant fabric is especially useful if you plan to line your berry bins and use them to present foodie gifts.



Sweet mini holders for all kinds of spring treats and occasions.



Best of all, this project is very cheep!

xo
elyse

faux sew sewing jar

As a non-sewer borrowing Sew Sunny Homestyle from my library, I knew immediately upon swooning over Tone Finnanger's sewing jar project that I needed to put the idea through the tinker-translator which means glue over needles and guesstimating over precision.



First I painted the metal rings of two-piece lidded canning jars and placed them over fabric until I found a combination that I liked best to use for my project.



Because tinkering is also about gathering, I was determined to find something from around the house to use as pin cushion filler and found my solution in pulled-apart cotton balls.



I placed the tuft of cotton over the round inner lid, covered it with fabric, inserted it into the ring and pushed it through; then pulled at the sides until the top was as smooth as I wanted it to be.



I trimmed the excess fabric and secured it with tape.





To conceal the tape, I traced the lid's inner disc and cut a piece of sturdy cardstock to fit. I used swirls of school/craft glue to affix the cardstock, pushing it down into place and holding it for a few minutes to set.



Once the project was topped-off, I filled the jar with spools of thread.



So, why does a non-sewer need another pin cushion? Hmm. Because learning to sew is still somewhere on my to-do list.

xo
elyse

make it!

I am very excited to have another tutorial in Romantic Homes magazine.



A few weeks ago I was asked to write a how-to for April's The French Issue, and decided to feature a jar decorated with a printed and glittered French label (source: The Graphics Fairy; jar: Smucker's).



It's always fun to stage mini photo shoots and then write the corresponding text. I often use puns and am not sure if anyone "gets" my little jokes but me (words like: relishing -- as in a jar of relish; the title: French Dressing -- as in a bottle of salad dressing. Silly, I know).

Our blogs are like our own magazines, don't you think? A very heartfelt thank you to Romantic Homes for providing another opportunity for me to share in print.

xo
elyse

spring morn

It's no wonder that the things I tinker blend so well with my home decor: I use leftover interior paint as the base for most projects.



Recently while trolling through the basement, I discovered a bit of Spring Morn that was used to paint the dining room/kitchen.



I gathered some random items just ready to be painted, including this small $1. birdhouse, and gave each treasure-to-be a quick coat or two.



Snipped at some paper while supervising homework . . .



did a little decoupage . . .



even sprinkled some glitter.

The moral of this tale: A little leftover paint can go a long way!

xo
elyse

ps
Tinkered Treasures now has a Facebook page where I share peeks at projects, pretty images and other things you might Like!

cupcake day

I adore the stop-and-smell-the-roses nature of blogging.



Today I made my first visit to The Bakery Boutique, an adorable Rhode Island bakery I had somehow previously overlooked. I was happy to have my camera along while I stopped to admire the cupcakes; the cashier was so accommodating and even pulled this tray from the display case so that I could take photographs.



I purchased a sampling of cupcakes: Wedding Cake, chocolate, and Pink Champagne.



I believe these are the most delicious cupcakes ever! EVER! The prettiest, too.



Cupcakes just might be the perfect way to turn a plain old afternoon into a little celebration.

xo
elyse