Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Handmade Holidays

Rustic Birch Tags from Twigs and Blossoms - $20.00

So, you've committed to a handmade holiday and have vowed to give as many handcrafted items this holiday season as possible. That's great!

But don't forget to include yourself in that pledge!

Every Thanksgiving, my immediate and extended family asks for my Christmas list. I've already been scouring my favorite sites that sell handmade pieces and am compiling my list. I'm including all those really neat things in my favorites lists that are things I might not normally buy for myself but that I really would love to own and use everyday.

It's just a quick reminder that taking a handmade pledge doesn't necessarily have to be just for your purchases for others but can also be for your own wish list!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Design Sponge event @ Terrain

What a fun way to spend a warm fall afternoon! I spent the day at Terrain in Concordville, PA with about 24 other diy-ers and Grace Bonney from Design Sponge. We shared cocktails and crafts and some great conversation!

Afterward, Grace gave a presentation about her upcoming book, which she calls a "design bible." We got sneak peeks at some of the artwork, some of the sections, the layout of the book and learned a lot about the process of how the book was "born." It was really interesting to hear about the journey she's taken to create such a comprehensive and lovely book.


It was a pleasure to meet fellow Team HiP member Stephanie Corfee in person and to catch up again with Tara from Scoutie Girl and Megan from Craft MBA and Cozy Cuff. And, of course, it was great making new friends and learning about other artists, crafters and designers out there in the real world, making beautiful things happen.

One of the joys of attending this event was that it happened under the auspices of Terrain, an incredibly beautiful and hip nursery, home and garden "experience." To call it a shop just doesn't seem to cover it. Terrain has taken a nursery to an entirely new level. Every turn holds a beautifully designed display and the main shopping building holds everything from plants and planters, greeting cards, a vast selection of gorgeous books, thoughtfully designed kitchen and cooking gear, lovely homegoods and an extensive line of bath and body products that tempt the senses.

What a lovely way to gift a bulb for the holidays! Perfect for the garden and vintage lover!



Every little corner of Terrain holds inspiration. These robins' egg blue rooms were just perfection... rustic burlap upholstered chairs paired with rusted metal framed lanterns? Heaven.


Pretty wrapped soaps from Fringe in a holiday display. Love those candles!

And the day was topped off with a raffle of some fabulous pieces from shops and artists featured in Grace's new book. I walked away with these exquisite fabric flowers from Emerson Made. So pretty!

A vibrant sunset of oranges, golden yellows and bold reds on the drive home ended the day perfectly. Thanks to Grace from Design Sponge and the staff and employees of Terrain for a terrific event... inspiring, festive and perfect in every way! Thank you!!