12 Days of Christmas - Day 3 - Heirlooms

Photo Credit: The Land of Nod

Welcome to InkSpot Workshop's 12 Days of Christmas. Today I am pleased to bring you my hand selected picks for day 3, where it's all about Heirloom quality gifts.

Click here to view 12 Days of Christmas - Day 1 - Flower Lovers
Click here to view 12 days of Christmas - Day 2 - A Christmas Story

Who wouldn't love this elegant silhouette ring?
Something to hand down from generation to generation.
Le Papier Studio has a full line of silhouette jewelry
almost every piece is priced under $50.00

The Nikolas Ring
Le Papier Studio
$30.00

I'm taken with the unique, sentimental jewelry line found at Posh Mommy Personalized Jewelry They offer heirloom quality pieces for moms, dads, children, even the family dog! This Wee Loop necklace is my favorite for little girls. Personalized with your child's name and birthstone, for her cherish forever.

WEE Loop
Posh Mommy Kids Jewelry
$60.00

This is the ULTIMATE in Heirloom gifts, especially if you come from a family who l♥ves to cook and bake together! The stylish, heirloom quality aprons from Ice Milk Aprons are available in an Heirloom Kit.

Each kit contains: apron, heritage tag (where you actually sew your own initials onto the fabric tag, grandma too, and attach to the inside of your apron for generations to enjoy) plus blank recipe cards to pass down all your favorites. All packaged in an antique looking mason style jar.

Click here to see my tutorial, where I share my very own longtime family recipe for my great grandmother's sour cream apple pie. She would have loved this gift!

Heirloom Kit
Ice Milk Aprons
$100.00

Book Review - Silhouette Art by Vana Chupp

As I hang my hand painted silhouette ornament received last year from Le Papier Studio, forever preserving my little guy at age three, I can't help but think of the woman/mommy behind this heirloom. The patient and talented hands that painted this ornament belong to none other than Vana Chupp, of Le Papier Studio.

Photo Credit: Kasey Buick
Vana at Chicago's Renegade Fair

Vana, is among the handful of friends I made in my early "online" days that I formed a true friendship with, just over 2 years ago. She's also one of my few cyber friends that actually has a place in my phone, to call whenever I need advice or just want to say hello! She is gracious enough to always answer the phone {fully knowing what a Chatty Cathy I am} and give me her full attention, even with the busy schedule she keeps.

Her schedule is especially hectic these days since Vana now has the title "author" on her list of credits. Vana's first book titled Silhouette Art, published by Chronicle Books, launched in the Fall of 2010. I was pretty flattered when I received a message from her publicist wanting to send me an advanced copy to review and here it is...

Photo Credit: Kasey Buick

Silhouette Art is more than a book, it's literally a silhouette workbook. It's filled with step-by-step instructions for making silhouettes, patterns and many different projects to do with your silhouettes. The book also includes pages of the most exquisite patterned papers I've seen. She gives wonderful photo tips for taking pictures to make into silhouettes, plus includes stylish silhouettes of chairs, bassinets, etc... to easily compliment your personal silhouettes.

Photo Credits: Edyta Szyszlo

Click to see video of Vana in silhouette action!

I am so proud of Vana for all of her efforts and continued success with Silhouette Art. This book makes the perfect gift for anyone looking to make heirloom silhouettes of their family members, or just looking to make some elegant wall hangings for their house. Click here to buy Silhouette Art, or purchase it from your favorite bookstore.

Also stop by and read Le Papier Studio's Blog, it's full of inspiration!

Le Papier Studio Interview

I'm so flattered to have been asked by Vana, at Le Papier Studio to be part of her Featured Artists series. This week was about Yours Truly! Click here to read.

iCANDY - Mother's Day Edition

Directions: For optimum viewing pleasure click on collage

This week's iCANDY is brought to you a few days early in order to show you some last minute Mother's Day ideas. These are my favorites!

1. Memento Jewelry - Jeanne Flint, Atlanta, GA $125.00

2. I {heart} U Mug - Vessels and Wares, Atlanta, GA $20.00

3. Mommy Tee - Fire Daughter Clothing, Scottsdale, AZ $26.00

4. Luxury Gift Set - Sweet Petula, Seattle, WA $42.00

5. Custom Silhouette Pillow - Le Papier Studio, Chicago, IL $24.00

6. Custom Mommy Calling Cards - Sarah and Abraham, Chicago, IL $14.00

ENJOY!