Category Archives: Shop

Library Card Birth Announcement

21 Tuesday Aug 2012

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We had these library card announcements custom made by Ilfant Press for Josie’s birth. Lisa Hasegawa at Ilfant worked with us to design the layout and then letterpressed the library cards by hand. I love letterpress! Josie (and Ada) were born at home so the library home address made us happy. We used photo corners to attach Josie’s picture and tied them with a bit of baker’s twine.

Vintage Hand Towel

17 Friday Aug 2012

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Handmade lace edging on a vintage hand towel. I love using these in the bathrooms at our house. Linen and cotton hand towels are abundant and cheap at thrift stores. Linen lasts forever and just looks better with age. Be sure to check towels for signs of wear and stains.  This cotton hand towel was $6 and makes me happy. Here are some Etsy finds.

Shell Boxes

15 Wednesday Aug 2012

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Shell boxes that were Ada’s great-grandmother’s. We gave them to Ada for her birthday. She has filled them up with her own treasures. Similar boxes can be found here. Or, you could make some of your own with lots of tiny shells and patience.

Color Gift and Colorblock Wrapping Paper

03 Friday Aug 2012

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Art supplies and books are my favorite gifts for kids. We decided to organize this birthday gift around a color theme, and then continue the theme onto the wrapping paper.  (Check out the You Are My Fave blog’s ‘in the box’ section for beautiful themed gift inspiration).  Our color gift includes Seasons by Blexbolex and Pantone Colors – both beautiful, color-centric books.  (I selfishly buy books I love for kids).  We also used the Todd Oldham for Target Kid Made Modern watercolor set so our birthday girl could create her own color masterpieces.  To make your own colorblock wrapping paper you will need:

*Brightly Colored Tissue Paper

*Double-stick Tape

*Scissors

1. Fold tissue paper in half.  Place a strip of double-stick tape along the folded seam.

2. Place a folded, contrasting color of tissue paper along the tape and press to stick.

3. Cut tissue to fit gift.

4. Wrap each gift with different color combinations, put a strip of tape between each and stack.  Tie with a ribbon.  We added some star-filled bouncy balls from Target.  Enjoy!

Ronnybrook Farm

02 Thursday Aug 2012

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I love Ronnybrook Farm.  Their milk and cream is the best for making ice cream and I lived on their yogurt drinks when I was pregnant.  They sell large bottles at our farmer’s market in returnable glass bottles, which look like the milk man brought them to your fridge.  Ronnybrook uses Holstein cows – those sweet black and white spotted ladies.  We had Holsteins on our farm growing up and they hold a special place in my heart.  (I remember watching my sisters in white uniforms leading their Holstein calves around the 4H ring).  Farmers who put thought and care into their production make better tasting food.

Juice Glass Love

01 Wednesday Aug 2012

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I love vintage glasses.  We have a large collection in daily rotation, and they brighten up even the most boring beverage.  I especially love these tiny juice glasses (the stars, tulips and gingham in the photo), called Swanky Swigs.  The small Swigs from the 1930s and 40s make cheery little wine glasses.  I had a collection of them long before the kids, but they turned out to be the perfect size for little hands.  We have dropped our fair share, and it always brings a little pang when a favorite hits the tile floor…but I generally won’t pay more than $4 per glass, and a space on the shelf is a reason to go explore an antique shop.  We are planning the future kitchen shelves around the collection.  Etsy has a sweet collection of vintage glasses here.  Cheers!

Pop-Up Sponges

31 Tuesday Jul 2012

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I love Trader Joe’s pop-up sponges.  They are completely flat and compact until you add water (Ada’s favorite job).  I like to use a new sponge every few weeks and these are made of plant material, so the old sponge can go right into the compost bin.

Lanterns

26 Thursday Jul 2012

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Metallic silver paper lanterns in the dining room for Ada’s birthday week.  We got them at the Tail of the Yak.  They have a little metal holder for a candle inside, but I am not quite brave enough for that in this old house.

Birthday Stencil

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

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I can hardly believe that four years ago at this time we had just said goodbye to our midwife, ordered Indian food and sat staring at our brand new sleeping baby girl.  We were ecstatic and exhausted and in love.   The house was quiet and felt magical and full and we were suddenly no longer just a couple, but a family.   That Indian food was the best meal I have ever eaten.

I found this Indian chalk stencil (Chalk na dabba) at Tail of the Yak a few months ago.  I remember these stencils on doorsteps when I visited India.  They are usually amazing floral designs stamped out with colored chalk (chuna).  The stencils are punched out by hand on recycled tin.  I love the magic made from the most humble materials.  We filled ours with baking powder this morning and stamped along our front steps while Ada was out with Daddy.  She was quite pleased to find the little trail of birthday wishes up the steps and insisted on sitting out there in her birthday dress to let the neighbors know who owned the day.

Summer Bubblesuit and Pinafore

19 Thursday Jul 2012

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This easy project is from a vintage Simplicity Pattern, #9395.  The fabric is from Ebay, and I suspect was once a curtain.  (Who remembers that scene from The Sound of Music?  I loved that movie when I was little).  This pattern for toddlers is great because it can be worn three ways and is nice and airy for summer weather.  And, when else can you make your child wear a curtain?