iCANDY - 47th edition

I just can't ever seem to get enough fuchsia, pink and orange together. I found most of these recently making their debut on Etsy's front page and with good reason. Hope you enjoy! Have a great weekend.

1. Pomegranate Atmosphere Lamp Shade - Yoola, Israel $90.00

2. Paper Flower Kit - Paper Platypus, FL $24.00

3. Fuchsia Honeycomb Handbag - Itty Bitty Bag, CT $28.00

4. Ruby Satin Lady Necklace - Fleur Fatale, Belgium $29.00

5. Strawberry Giardinetto Ring - Frucci Design, NY $55.00

6. Little Spring Garden Print - Yumi Yumi, OH $20.00

Foodie ALERT!

This past weekend we made our first trip to Serenbe, just about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta. Serenbe is a community where they are selling a "sustainable" lifestyle. Everything is farm related and their restaurants offer "farm to table" freshness. There is a charming Inn located within the community, which is an old, historic farmhouse. High Class Farm is what I call this place, which reeks of style and substance everywhere you look. You can live here if you'd like too!

We pondered over to the shops and I instantly fell in love with Harris & Clark. Anissa Harris, offers fresh produce, eggs and fruits when available, but I was most impressed with her assortment of hand crafted honey and jams. I've been eating her Peach Preserves on everything since I bought a jar {yum}. They also have classes on everything from cooking to eating healthy.

The best part of meeting Anissa, was that she introduced me to a whole new Etsy-like world of food! Etsy has an ever growing food segment, but imagine my surprise to learn there were already 2 websites out there offering specialty foods from small purveyors? Foodoro and Foodzie. I was instantly in heaven and once I logged on, I'm the newest convert! Here is just a sampling of some interesting items I found...

Handmade Southern Honey Assortment from Harris & Clark

Cognac Truffles from Coco Delice

Apple Walnut Smoked Promontory Cheddar from Beehive Cheese Co.

Beet and Saffron Whitefish Roe from Tsar Nicoulai Caviar

Chai Spiced Blonde Blondies from Sugardaddy's

Stickyfingers

It's Sunday! Happy Sunday everyone and get ready for this week's edition of Stickyfingers, brought to you by The Spotter and InkSpot Workshop. Here are some of my favorites for this week and it's pretty obvious I've got SUMMER on my MIND! Enjoy and I hope you get inspired to go out and MAKE SOMETHING:)

Enjoy strawberries all year long by making some "Hot Damn, This Is Good Jam" compliments of Intimate Weddings. For full tutorial, click HERE.

What to do with all those shells you've been collecting? How about making some fun beachy candles? Great for your next party or just jazzin' up your home. Goddess Martha Stewart shows how right HERE.

Better hurry on this one since the leaves will be on the ground before you know it. Actually, I'll bet these silhouettes would look gorgeous in Fall colors. How about making some of your own Leaf Silhouette Portraits? Photojojo shows you how right HERE.

iCANDY - 46th edition

Welcome to this week's melamine edition of iCANDY, brought to you by InkSpot Workshop. Ever since I saw Orla Kiely's line of melamine at Target (most items are already sold out!) I have yet a new obsession and ideas for my shop. Bright, colorful melamine designs are everywhere these days and these are just the tip of the melamine iceberg. Enjoy!

1. Zak Kingswell Collection, Walt Disney Signature Collection, Zak

2. Design Your Own Plate, Freddy & Ma $15.00

3. Bicycle Plate, Little Korboose, Cleveland $15.00

4. Illustrated, MillaMella, Los Angeles $15.00

5. Sky Abicus Flower Collection, Orla Kiely for Target

6. Mosaic Plate, French Bull $44 for set of 4

Picture Perfect Weekend

Amazingly low temperatures and humidity this past weekend in Atlanta, meant lots of quality family time enjoying the outdoors. Nothing like little Critter's first ride in Daddy's first born. He thinks it's Blue Lightning McQueen, Dinoco.

Holding on tightly to the "real" Lightning McQueen

Pitt stop at our favorite local ice cream shop. How cute is the Frosty Caboose? Located right on the train tracks, every little boy's dream come true.


Precious!

Too much excitement, or gas fumes:)

Stickyfingers

Welcome to this week's edition of Stickyfingers, lovingly brought to you by InkSpot Workshop's The Spotter. Go ahead and sharpen up those scissors and get yourself into the creative zone because these 3 DIY projects are sure to bring a smile. Have fun and most importantly, go make something!

Looking for a special way to show off those fancy cupcakes you just made? Simply follow these steps, add a few of your personal touches and voila! an adorable cupcake stand is born. Thank you Jannypie Crafts for this visual.

I just can't wait for the next time I need a baby gift. How cute are these easy Iron-On Onesies? A perfect step-by-step tutorial is waiting for you over at Cookie Magazine's blog called NESTING.

How about these fabulously adorable Paper Cutout Nightlights? Perfected by my favorite Twitter friend and local Martha Stewart celebrity, Rachel Weber of Fog and Thistle? To learn how, watch this video.

Reader update!! Remember this fun paper pinwheel tutorial from a past Stickyfingers? I love it when you all send pictures of your projects and this one is special since it's from my mom's next door neighbor Melanie. Didn't they turn out cute? Thanks Mel for sharing.

iCANDY - 45th edition

I don't know about you ...but summer conjures up all kinds of images in my head of how I'd really like to be spending the time, as well as where. I like to pretend I could live in the Country Time Lemonade commercial. I'd like to move to a quaint, small town somewhere in Mid-America where I can sit on my front porch, sip Lemonade (or wine), wave and have idle chit-chat with my neighbors. Of course there would be NO mosquitoes is my fantasy place.

Here are some things I have found that might help me get closer to my dream summer place!

1. Old Time Fan - Bitter Sweet Design $98.00

2. Summer Porch Print - Dayben, ME $5.00

3. Old Fashioned Flag Holder - Pinehaven2, PA $14.99

4. Soft Pink Pitcher + Glasses - Vintage Judy, $48.00

5. Wind Chime - Sydg $45.00

6. Vintage Cushion - Enhabiten, NH $27.20

New in Shop!

I'm thrilled to show you my new illustration choices, now up in my shop, for the ever popular Notes For Baby-To-Be. It's getting down to "crunch time" as I hope to launch my new website on August 1st. I'm feverishly updating and adding new items to my site, but just couldn't keep these under wraps any longer:)

Stickyfingers

Sorry for being a day late with this week's issue of Stickyfingers. Arrived home yesterday exhausted and brain dead from an incredibly fun weekend with my gal pals. As a result, I'm going to also give you a little break... the 3 DIY projects I'm offering up this week do not require any tools. All you will need is a printer and some paper and you will be on your way. Figured we are all in the throws of summer activities and simple printables may be a better option for us right now. Having said that... get out there and MAKE SOMETHING!

While browsing Big Blue Eyes Press, I spotted something that not only appealed to my creative side, but my heartstrings. It appears there is a little 6 month old named Cab, who is in the process of getting a heart transplant and we all know how much that can cost. Carrie is kind enough to offer this adorable Owl Invitation Set in her Etsy shop and although this is not a free download, each and every cent is going to be donated to the efforts helping Cab. To read more please click here. This set includes a cute downloadable envelope, stickers, matching Thank Yous and more. Good Luck!

How cute are these? Deliciously illustrated free downloadable bookplates, compliments of mommy and illustrator Helen Dardik, of Orange You Lucky. Thank you Helen!

Is your summer choc-full of parties? How about using these gorgeous, sherbet colored Summer Tags with little bees, from Erin Vale of Vale Design? Yes, they are FREE too! Thank you Erin!

Winner!

WINNER!

CHARLIE P of The Pigeon Loft

has won InkSpot Workshop's giveaway from last week.

Congratulations!

Please email me your information

Cow Appreciation Day

Who knew Cow Appreciation Day at Chic-fil-A would be on my Birthday? Perhaps they are trying to tell me something? All you need to do is dress like a cow, pop on over to your local Chic-il-A restaurant and you will receive a free meal! Click here to learn more. Now that's a MOO-licous deal!

iCANDY - 44th edition

Ahoy everyone! I'm feeling especially naughtycal today because I'm gearing up for a weekend here, with my gal pals. Anchors aweigh...

1. Sailor Tote - Bayan Hippo, Bursa $27.00
2. Seahorse Kitchen Towels - Humble Collection, CA $36.00
3. Sailboat Map Silk Tie - Rabbit Shop, CA $17.50
4. Mini Painting - Paper Bullet, San Francisco $20.00
5. Vinyl Wall Decal - Household Words, OH $44.00
6. Wooden Sailboat - Willow Baus, OR $16.00

Got A Dream?

Listening to my favorite political talk show host this morning has inspired me for today's giveaway from InkSpot Workshop.

All you need to do is answer this question by posting a reply right here and I will choose a winner on Sunday July 12th at 9:00 pm, EST. Up for grabs is a $25.00 InkSpot Workshop gift certificate. I am looking forward to discovering your dreams or possibly awakening them from within. What is my answer you ask? I'm DOING IT!

Stickyfingers

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July and got lots of rest and relaxation over the long weekend. I don't know about you but I'm feeling energized and super creative and can't wait to share my favorite DIY finds with you. Hope you enjoy these clever projects and most importantly, go get some Stickyfiners and make something!


I just can't get enough of these adorable tissue paper pom pom flowers sprouting up everywhere. The Queen (Martha Stewart) has an easy tutorial so you can make your own bouquet, plus a step-by-step on how to turn them into these beautiful napkin rings.


Got extra paint chips? How about turning them into this colorful and playful fish mobile? The super talented Amy of The B-Line (not exactly a stranger to Stickyfingers) shows you how right here.

Tis the season to show off your blooms! How about making these gorgeous paper flower cones for a display to be proud of? iDIY will show you how, simply click here.

iCANDY - July 4th edition

It just wouldn't be American if I didn't shed a little patriotic light on this week's iCANDY. I was surprised at just how many fun items there are out in Etsyland inspired by the red, white and blue! I hope you and your family have a wonderful 4th of July celebration. See you next week.

1. 4th of July Soapsicles - Anniepoo, Texas $4.00

2. Sam's Your Uncle Print - Bomobob, Montreal $30.00

3. American Beanie - Nini's Handmades, Vermont $19.00

4. Patriotic Stacking Link Rings - Jeraly, CA $29.00

5. Hula Hoop Necklace - Aysetugrul, Turkey $66.00

6. July 4th Printable Tablescape - Paper and Cake, $8.00

Grandparent's LOVE

Grandma & Grandpa, you are special

Your love knows no bounds

A room takes on a special warmth

whenever you're around

You think I'm cute and talented

and maybe, even wise

But I know that's because all grandparents

see through loving eyes

Every day with you is precious

I'm so grateful for the time

Of all the grandparents in the world

I'm thankful that you're mine.