holiday – Elizabeth Smillie

Autumn Leaves Light Catcher

November 7, 2015 Elizabeth Smillie

I love Autumn (and Winter. And Spring. And Summer – okay, I love them all …). I love the crispness, the colors, the baking, the lack of mosquitoes, and the way the light changes. It is not quite Winter blueness, but not quite Summer intensity – kind of warm, makes you feel cozy, like you are being wrapped in a blanket.

Our trees are changing colors so quickly, and then shedding their leaves promptly – changing and moving toward Winter. I was looking out our back window the other evening, watching the light stream through our maple tree. The color was just so glorious. Knowing that the leaves would be gone in just another day or two, I wanted to capture a little bit of that gloriousness for a while longer, to enjoy the light in the leaves for a few weeks more. So – an Autumn Leaves Light Catcher! materials needed:

an assortment of lovely fall leaves (collecting these would be a perfect opportunity for a Nature Walk)
a branch – this can be straight or curvy, your choice!
string (you could also use fishing line/monofilament to achieve a “floating leaves” look)
scissors

step 1:

tie the string to the stem of a lovely little leaf.

step two: cut the string to the desired length and tie it to your branch.

and continue these until you like the way it looks! I like the way staggering the heights of the leaves looked, but there really isn’t any “Wrong” way to do this. Just enjoy the process. :D

Once you have the leaves suspended the way you like, add one more string to hang the mobile with and find a place where the light will stream through. After that, just remember to take a moment or two every day to enjoy the beauty, let the warmth of color and light feed your spirit.

This could be altered in all sorts of ways – add feathers! Use paint pens to decorate the leaves! Or glitter! Really, the only limit is your imagination. :)

If you’re looking for other Autumn Inspiration, I have some lovely Autumn and Thanksgiving things on Pinterest.

our Nordstrom adventure

February 24, 2015 Elizabeth Smillie

I’ve had a bit of a love affair with Nordstrom ever since I was a small girl. My grandma used to take me there for lunch every summer when I visited her, and I have wonderful memories of the man playing the piano on the first floor, the gorgeous displays, and the amazing floor to ceiling mirrors in the ladies room {seriously, I would LOVE to have a dressing room/closet that looks just like it someday!}. These days I limit my love to mostly window shopping, and about once a year hitting Nordstrom Rack for a pair of shoes …. but I still love that store.

So, last summer I received an email from a guy who was setting up a photo shoot, and he needed 40+ of our large Origami Hanging Stars in shades of pink, and he wanted to make sure we’d be able to get them to the shoot location on the specified date, etc. Yep, that was no problem at all, and I went through all the steps of getting his custom listing prepared for him. Then he ordered, and I found out from the address that the stars were for a Nordstrom photo shoot! *squeals*

November catalog, page 24

Once I stopped squealing we got the stars ready, boxed up {18 huge boxes – they filled our family room} and dropped off with FedEx. We heard the stars arrived safely and that they were enjoyed, and then waited. And waited. Months later, we found out our stars were for their winter catalogs and ad campaign{!}, and they were gorgeous and perfect.

November, page 17 (and also in an email!)November, page 9

Now we can add “featured in Nordstrom” to our list of media features – definitely a dream come true for me!

Photos of our stars in this post were taken by Missy Reno and associates for Nordstrom

hello {again}

January 28, 2014 Elizabeth Smillie

It’s been …. awhile. Life just keeps moving, doesn’t it?

We’ve been quite busy around here since the last post {Christmas!} – adding new things, figuring out new direction to take with the shop {and if we are taking a new direction – the answer? “Sort of”}. The littles are growing {Olivia is talking!} like crazy, and I’m trying not to blink and miss this precious time.

Here are some photos of the newest additions to the shop {and some fun custom projects, too!} that I thought you might enjoy :)

new cupcake toppers in the Etsy shop! {inspired by the toppers for the barn wedding} new First Birthday High Chair Garlands in the Etsy shop {and now I’m wondering why I didn’t think to make these for our own little ones’ first birthdays!} a custom version of the New York Subway toppers – too cute with the “All Aboard!” flags a personalized cake garland – such a sweet hybrid of the Name Bunting and the Confetti Garland!

Hopefully I’ll be able to get you caught up to speed soon {with lots of photos!}, but in the meantime,how are you? I’ve missed chatting here with you. Did you have a lovely holiday season? Make New Year’s resolutions? Are you snowed in {or experiencing 80 degree weather?}?

merry christmas

December 24, 2013 Elizabeth Smillie

May your Christmas celebration be filled with true and lasting peace and joy. May you take time from the bustle to savor the treasure of this moment {that will not come again}. And may you celebrate Emmanuel truly this year.

Eph. 3:14-21

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you <3

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders.
And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9: 6

a last-minute Christmas Gift DIY roundup

December 23, 2013 Elizabeth Smillie

Well, hello again! This past {almost} month since I posted last has really flown by! You all have blown me away with your support of our shop {from the bottom of our hearts, thank you, to each and every one of you} and you’ve also been keeping me busier than ever before. :)

If you’re like me, chances are very good that you’re looking for a few quick, cheap *eh hem* inexpensive Christmas gifts that you can whip up before Christmas morning {tell me I’m not the only one!}. Today I’m rounding up a few of my favorite tutorials I’ve posted here over the years – most of them can be made from materials {or ingredients!} you already have, and all of them are quick, simple, and sure to be loved by your nearest and dearest. :D

These fabric posy pins are quick to whip up, and are a huge hit as stocking stuffers {or could double as package toppers!}!

Or how about some handmade tea-towels {always a lovely gift, and endlessly customizable to suit any personality and home!}

Or perhaps an cute ironing board cover for the newly-weds in your life {or maybe your mom who has had hers for 20+ years}?

Or maybe you need a special something for the foodie in your life? In that case, homemade Lemon Curd is delightful!

For the newest additions to the family circle, these embellished onesies here

and here are beyond adorable,

and cute-ified burp cloths are always appreciated!

Up-cycled crayons are perfect for your junior artist,

and if you have more than one little girl in your life, little matching skirts are quick, adorable, and might even start a tradition!

As I said, these are just a few of my favorites from the peat few years – have you made any of them? Or do you have a favorite {or two!} of your own to share?

Hugs to you all <3

a little sneak peek – fall is in the air!

September 5, 2013 Elizabeth Smillie

I’ve been a bit absent around here, but there’s a good reason – we’ve been hard at work! The shop has been thriving {which is wonderful! but it also means that I’m quite busy} and there are some pretty festive new things coming to the shop. The seasons are changing and fall is in the air! Stay tuned for more …. :)

a Labor Day sale!

August 30, 2013 Elizabeth Smillie

Happy Labor Day! I’ve been planning on sharing our summer decor for … all summer {best intentions, eh?} and realized that if I was ever going to, now was the time! After Ian’s Car themed birthday, I was loving the “Americana” feel of all the party decorations, and decided to go with it as a summer theme. :) After I took down the cars and birthday banner, I added a few more things from years past and from the shop, moving them around a bit over the course of the summer. The Large Book Star Garland is surprisingly durable! I’ve had it draped on our shelf for 3 months now, and there’s only been one incident with a tear {and that one was my fault – not the kids ;)}. It eases nicely into Autumn, too! And the Red, White and Blue Star Cake Garland has been a fun pop of color in my little pot of dried boxwood, and looked sweet with the patriotic colored candles.
I made the embellished lanterns from a Martha Stewart tutorial a few years ago, and was happy to see that they had survived the time in storage {a.k.a. a file box in the closet that I had forgotten about}. To finish off our “dining room” area, I draped a Red, White and Blue Large Star Garland over the top of our curtains and hung a large Navy Star on either end.Star dessert toppers aren’t just for desserts! They add such a fun touch to just about anything, and I’ve really been enjoying having a cluster of red, white and blue stars in a pewter vase on the shelf by our front door. {“love” print from Recipe For Crazy}

Do you have any plans for the long weekend? My husband actually gets Labor Day off this year {perhaps the first time since we’ve been married – yay!} and we’re hoping to get a few house projects done. Growing up, my dad used to remind us that one of the best ways to celebrate the American worker was to be an American worker – and then tell us what the project for the day was! :) It didn’t used to be too much fun {except we always had a wonderful barbecue at then end of the day – mmm!}, but now that there’s the possibility that I could have a freshly painted bedroom? It sounds great!

And, not to leave you without a special sale for the Labor Day weekend {maybe a perfect time to stock up on decor and dessert toppers for fall celebrations?}, I have a coupon code for you! Use code LABORDAY20 for 20% off of any order in between now and midnight Monday!

I hope you all have a blessed, relaxing weekend <3

how Tuesday: DIY Balloon Garland Tutorial!

June 25, 2013 Elizabeth Smillie

as promised, today for how Tuesday I have a tutorial for the DIY Balloon Garland!

It makes a big impact for an incredibly small investment, and can be customized in an almost endless array of colors! Want a rainbow? No problem. Monochromatic more your style? Again, no problem. Seriously, you can use this for any of life’s celebrations from baby showers, birthdays, graduations (school colors!}, bridal showers, casual receptions, housewarmings … even retirement parties!

materials: balloons in your preferred color{s}, a needle with a large eye {hole for the twine}, twine {or narrow ribbon}, scissors, and thumbtacks {if you’re planning on hanging it outside, you might prefer to tie the garland up and not need the tacks} step 1: measure the length you’d like your garland to be and choose your pattern – I decided to use red, white and two shades of blue for Ian’s party – {You might like a monochrome look, a random look, or some other variation!} and inflate your balloons. Having an assistant for this step can be very helpful! step 2: thread your needle with the twine – I chose to use twine for this due to it’s strength {thread just wasn’t going to be strong enough!}, but you could also choose to use a narrow ribbon or some other narrow type of cording. step 3: begin sewing the garland – poke the needle through the “tag” of the balloon, not too close to the end or it might rip out, just somewhere in the middle ……pull the needle and cording through, and continue with the rest of your balloons.

step 4: tie a loop in the end of your cord to prepare for hanging. If you’re hanging the balloon garland outside, you might choose to skip the loop and leave a long tail {to use for tying} instead. step 5: put a tack through afore mentioned loop and stick ‘er up there!

step 6: string out the garland across your desired distance and repeat step 5 …

…while taking a moment to admire how pretty it looks hanging across your room. :)

And that’s it! You can make several strands and hang them together, leave it to stand alone or, as you can see from the first photo, combine it with crepe streamers! Each option looks great – with a project like this, it’s hard to go wrong :)

If you haven’t taken a moment to enter the giveaway, you might want to click over and do that – it’s super easy to enter, and you might win a set of the newest red, white and blue star garland and matching cupcake toppers!

sharing this on Sew Can Do and C.R.A.F.T.

Chair Garland Decor Ideas {a continuing series}

June 20, 2013 Elizabeth Smillie

Have you heard? The chair garlands in the shop aren’t just for decorating chairs!
When it comes to using these petite garlands, there are so many options that chairs are only the the start! This is a continuing series {see more posts here} where I’ll share some of my ideas with you {and, if you’d like to share some of yours, I’ll post them as well!}

For the Summer holidays – Memorial Day, Ian’s birthday, Flag Day, the 4th of July, etc. – I am decorating with lots of red, white and blue. {those balloon in the reflection? they’re left over from Ian’s party :)}

This vintage mirror lightens a corner in our dining area downstairs, and as I was decorating for our little guy’s birthday I decided to see if one of the Red, White and Blue Chair Banners would fit across it to add an additional pop of color – and look at that, it fit perfectly!

How about you? Have you tried using one of these sweet, short lengths of garland in an unexpected spot? Share your ideas in the comments!

May Day

May 1, 2013 Elizabeth Smillie

Happy May Day!

Aren’t these kiddos just the cutest you’ve ever seen? ;) Of course, I might be just a little bit biased!

May Day is quite close to the end of our semester of Bible study, and I had the bright idea of combining a May Day goody with a teacher appreciation gift {two in one! score!} Yesterday the little ones made up some jumbo rice crispy treats {such a simple recipe that allowed them to “help”} to give to their teachers this morning, and then this morning I helped them package them up in some sweet little bags and sign their name to a note that I had written. As a finishing springy touch, I tucked a Butterfly Cupcake Pick in each and it was just the extra bit of color and “special-ness” that the gifts needed.

The goody bags were a hit! Of course, it would be a bit hard not to be thrilled with anything these cuties handed you {try not melting at those smiles, I dare you!} :)

Do you celebrate May Day? I’d love to teach our children about May-poles and posies next year – do you have any traditions or memories that you’d like to share?

Elizabeth Smillie

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