Notes from A Cottage Industry

Easter touches that are egg-stra special. (and some FREE printables for you!)

Yeah, yeah, it's a pun.

(I couldn't help myself. Eggs..extra...eggstra....well, you get it.)

(heh heh. I crack me up sometimes.)

(Crack....more egg..er...eggshell...humor.)

Aaaaaah. Anyway.

I found this adorable (and so easy!) idea on Pinterest, and it got me thinking that it would make for fabulous invites to our families for Easter. (Did I tell you that we are hosting Easter? We are. In fact, we are hosting two Easter parties. Supper on Saturday for one crowd, and Easter Brunch for another. Sooooo fun!)

I'll be sharing all sorts of Easter decor, and menu ideas this week, and I'd love to read what all of you are doing!

Okay, let's get back to the cutie patootie invites, or Easter greetings if you prefer...(*note* I changed my mind about 16 times on the colors of ribbon and such, so the photos may not seem like they are from the same process, even though they are. I just didn't want to re-take pictures that many times!)

Here's how I did it:
I colored RAW eggs. Using a sewing needle, I then poked a little hole in one end, and a slightly larger hole in the other end.

I blew the egg out, into a bowl and use the eggs for baking later.

I assembled my boxes and filled them with shred. (I ordered my acrylic boxes online, which I usually use for boxing my cupcakes, but craft stores sell all sorts of cute boxes as well.)
You can print a message, an invitation, or whatever, on your computer (or write it by hand.)

I cut the message out, (An invitation, in my case)and rolled it up (I used a toothpick to get it started so it is a nice tight curl.)I inserted the message into the hollow egg.

I printed the two tags and cut them out. I used a tiny hole punch for the smaller tag, and a regular hole punch for the larger tag.
I tied a bow around the eggs with instructions to crack the egg open. Then closed the box and I tied a pretty bow around it with the other tag.
I packaged up the invitations that I needed to mail out of town, and hand delivered the local ones.

Feeling inspired, I made one more sample egg up to share another version of this idea with you. It's more vintage feeling, with a few lil' feathers and mocha shred. (This look is actually more my style, but I saw that bright apple-y green shred one day at WalMart and just decided to go for a more chipper-cheerful-springtime-y look...
I thought I'd share some tags with you here, so you can make some of these sweet lil' eggs up for yourself if you like. Click here to Download Open me and crack me open tags. Click here to Download HAPPY EASTER TAGS to roll up and slide inside your eggs, or to use as gift tags....

(gluing a white pom-pom over the bunny's tail makes a nice addition to this tag!)
I can't wait to share the tablescape for our Easter meals with you, along with the menus later this week!

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A new E-Kit! Sweet vintage style banners...just in time for Easter!

I was looking for a lil' vintage feel for some banners I created for the upcoming Easter holiday, and I realized that what I was looking for was right under my nose the entire time!

Mmmm hmmm.

I ended up using simple manilla folders as my paper choice! The lettering is done in a verigated green-to-Robin's-egg-blue tone from top to bottom, and this adds to the vintage feel. I finished it up with some vintage bunny and nest art. Perfection!

They came out so cute, that I decided to share them with you as my newest e-kits!

I designed my Happy Easter Banners in two sizes...the smaller, triangular shaped banner pieces measure about five and a half feet across when strung. (I hung mine across the kitchen window...so cute!) The size of each triangle is perfect to fit inside of a large Easter card, if you want to send a surprise banner to a friend in a card....how sweet would that be?!
The large Happy Easter Banner has the more rectangular shape to each banner piece.
It makes  a fabulous statement swagged across a big window, or hung in two rows, with "Happy" swagged above the sweet lil' storybook bunnies on either side of the word "Easter".
I added a bit of extra adorment with some  scrunched vintage pink seam binding between the letters. If you'd like to have your own vintage style banner arrive in your computer's in-box, I'm offering these darling banners as e-kits for the low price of $5 each, or both for $7 since we are so close to Easter. You can print and assemble them in no time at all!

All you have to do is open your PDF's, print, cut and string your ribbon through!

sizes

small banner $5.00 USD large banner $5.00 USD Both banners $7.00 USD

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Meet my Dad.

I had every intention to get this post up early.

This morning.

It's 8:35 p.m. now.

Time got away from me and I hadn't gotten to edit and crop my photos....well, better late than never!
That's my Dad, there in the picture above. Today is a special day. It's his big eight-oh....all day. 

(He looks pretty danged great, doesn't he?)

(In his new Ray Ban glasses, looking all GQ.)

(80 is clearly the new 65.)

I have not a clue why, but I didn't get a single picture of us together. Actually, I didn't get any posed shots of anyone at the party.

(Next visit, Dad.)

(Here. In Portland.)

(Soon.)

Anyway...I got to fly to California this past weekend and surprise my Dad for a family dinner in his honor. (and you know how I love surprises!)
While it has been a stretch of time since we were together in person, my Dad and I talk, very nearly every Sunday morning, by telephone, at pretty much exactly 8:30 a.m, (like clock-work, as they say) but....It had been a while...far too long a while, since we had the opportunity to sit in the same room to visit. Schedules, distance..life gets busy, and before you know it, it has been three years.

I cannot tell you just how special my visit was with my Dad, because I cannot find big enough words.

The words that tell precisely how it feels when you see complete,total astonishment, and surprise, and joy, and love, on the face of someone you have loved your whole entire 55 years of life...and to realize that you alone made that look appear upon their face, just by you being there. There was not a dry eye in the house.

Happy, happy, happy, Birthday, Dad. I love you.

 

One, two, three, four..five and six!

Grandbabies, that is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've had a lil' secret brewing...er...maybe I should say growing... not one, but two more Grand babes are on their way! Both of my daughter's are expecting!They both announced it on their own blogs yesterday, so it's finally safe for me to share our happy news at last as well! (It's been killing me to not be able to share this happiest news item for all these past weeks!!!)

Grandbaby number five (Carter and Coen's new baby brother or sister!) will be arriving some time around Labor Day, and the sixth lil' peanut should make a grand entrance at Mr. and Mrs. big Dog's home in mid October.

Now, how's that for exciting news?!

And on another note...out of the mouths of babes....I must share a teeny-tiny-oh-so-precious story about Carter, and the pure and perfect thought process children have....my girls were discussing the new babies in front of Carter, and he informed his Auntie that he knew where babies came from.

"Really? Where do they come from?" his Auntie asked.

"From Ghana!" he replied matter of fact-ly.

(Apparently since his little brother Coen arrived via airplane, he thinks we all pick up our babies at the airport!)

 

What it takes to find REAL happiness and contentment.

I think sometimes we make finding happiness and contentment too difficult. It's easy to get caught up in thinking we need nicer things, or higher paying jobs, or...well, you fill in the blank...whatever...to be complete and happy. I call it the "If only" syndrome. You know, if only I had this, or if only we could do that, or even worse, if only I hadn't...

Anyway.

I found this quote one day on Pinterest and it made me smile. With all of the many stresses in life these days, this is a good thought to ponder. (and to personalize with our own words)

Mine would read, "like, I just wanna bake cupcakes, sit by the fire, and have someone who likes to kiss my face." The bottom line is, it really doesn't take all that much to be happy. Seriously, we all need to remember that.

What would your version of this quote say?

Show me the bunny.

Easter's just around the corner, (April 8th...just two and a half weeks away!) so I'm bringing out the calorie free chocolate bunnies again. I got them all a few years back, some from HomeGoods, and a few from Marshalls. I think they're just so sweet. Not literally, but....oh, you know what I mean. Anyway, I think I will never tire of them, and each year I seem to find something new to do with them. This year I think I am going to try mixing in a few real chocolate bunnies with my collection, as I haven't seen the faux ones anywhere this year. (Have you seen them around anywhere this year????)

The bunnies, along with an Easter Banner are pretty much the extent of my Easter home decore repetiore. How about you? Do you go all out, or just add a few Easter touches?

 

The Livingroom.

This room is really still a work in progress; a labor of love. It's evolving with every new little touch we add. Previously there were cut outs within the wall between the living and dining rooms, which we opted to wall in for a more separate room effect for the living room and the dining room. Here is the room at the beginning of the whirlwind rennovation... ...and a little way into the project.... ...and now...
The shutters added a nice rich look with the wood tone. (I am still dying to add some sort of drapery panels on either side with a brushed nickel curtain rod at some point to add more texture and interest....and I think I just found the perfect panels! More to come...) We're still searching for the perfect piece to house (and hide) all of our DVD's (over to the right of the window...) Also,I didn't get a good picture of it, but I think the brushed nickel ceiling fan really makes the room, and really pushes the heat down when we have our nightly fires in the wood burning stove...

You remember my hutch don't you? It's been re-purposed so many times! Purchased at a yard sale one summer long, long ago, it was a bright blue when I dragged it home for the first time, and I immediately painted it black and weathered it with sandpaper.

I originally had this fabulous hutch in the dining room at the big house, then, on to the living room on Norman Drive, to the dining room at my first place in Camas, to the living room at my last eensy-weensy place in Vancouver, and now, in the living room here. I'd have to say it is my all time personal best for purchases made at yard sales over the past 15 years.

I am pretty perplexed as to exactly what I can do with the huge wall flanking the wood burning stove...any ideas????
I'd love to hear your ideas for us!!!

 

A peek at the Laundry Room, and those oh-SO-beautiful wood floors.

I know, I have already bragged shamelessly about the amazing hardwood flooring we put in the house, but in all seriousness, they truly are the biggest "wow" factor in our whirlwind-remodel. (It is Chilean Cherry Engineered Hardwood. Talk about instant gratification!)

We put the gorgeous hardwood in the entry...here is a photo of one side of the double front doors, from inside the entry...
...and a shot from the living room looking down the entry hall to the elbow in the hallway....
...and we carried it throughout the long "L" shaped hallway. (Please forgive the lighting in these photos. The walls are a creamy soft off white, not yellow. I think the problem was the overhead lights...)
..oh, and here is a shot looking back down the entry hall toward the front doors and living room...
I'm not sure how I missed taking "Before" pictures of the Laundry Room, other than the fact that all we really changed in here was a fresh coat of creamy off white paint (The room has no window, and we wanted to keep it light) and the flooring. The old flooring was the original 80's vinyl, which was pretty neutral, but it had done it's time, and since we had the left over wood, we decided to go ahead and do this room. (And I am so glad we did! It warmed things up, added character, and flows so prettily from the hallway.) I am still adding my lil' accesories to the Laundry Room. (I collect washboards, and I have a couple of other ideas up my sleeve, which I will be sure to share with you!)
Anyway,I think the results are pretty spectacular. And, I think that when you want to make a really strong statement in a room, starting with the floor is a great way to go, don't you?

Goodie two shoes.

"Since all great journeys start with a single step, you should probably have a cute pair of shoes."       Curly Girl Cards

I heart me some new shoes and I just had to share.('coz they are that stinkin' cute.) I think they are gonna be just fabulous with my white pencil skirt suit for work this spring.(Can't you just picture that?)

You could say that I'm putting my best foot forward, fashion wise.(har,har,har.) 

For me, happiness often comes in a size 8, (sometimes a 7.5 depending on the brand) thankyouverymuch, and I know I am not alone when I say I've never met a pair of peep-toe pumps I didn't like.

(Or closed toe pumps.)

(Or sling back pumps.)

Right?

I said..right?

In all seriousness, I'm afraid that I may be one step away from needing a twelve step program....and I am blaming it all on Pinterest.

How about you? Do you have a thing for shoes? (Or handbags? Or watches? Or something else?) Tell me about it!

Spring fever hits the office, and our front porch.

We really can't complain about the rain and the cold this year out here in the Pacific Northwest. It's been mild and dry for the most part, according to the weather guys on television, but we've had a few snow flurries on and off here the past week or so, and are expecting more rain this weekend.That being said, yesterday was a beautiful sun-shiny day and today is looking to be a fabulous repeat.

This weather inspires me, (along with daylight-savings time coming to an end this weekend)and I am oh-so-ready for spring! To plant flowers in pots, and pull out my springtime decorations. Even with rain in the forcast for this weekend, I decided that I'd go ahead and start with some faux spring touches at work, in the main foyer...

as well as the front porch at home. (Actually, it's not so much a true porch as it is a front door area.)I replaced the evergreen boughs with poppies, asperagus fern and some lavender...

...and added a couple of springtime wreaths to both front doors.
It absolutely boggles my mind at just how real the faux flowers look these days. Seriously, look at my first photo up there and tell me that those little lavender sprigs in the pot don't look real enough that you'd like to put your nose to them for a lil' whiff of lavender. Aaaah-mazing. Truly.

When do you begin decorating for spring? Do you wait until Easter, or have you already got me beat by a couple of weeks? How much "Spring" decorating do you do outside, and inside, of your home? I'd love to hear what all you do!

 

B L O O M.

At the beginning of January I hosted a word of the year banner giveaway, and the banner I made for the winner was the word "Bloom".

After designing the banner, I printed one for myself, and decided it was just too perfect for springtime, to not share. (After all, "Bloom" is such a positive word, and one that I have used for myself very nearly as often as I use "Bliss" I think.)

I looked bloom up in the dictionary, and here is what I found:

bloom/blo͞om/

verb.  blossom - flower - flourish - fluoresce - thrive

Mmmm hmm. I am thinking this is the perfect time of year, with things beginning to bud, and blossom, and flourish, to have this sweet word hanging in my home.

I printed mine on old dictionary pages, which you know is my signature look, and matted the pages against pink paper for a little spring pop of color, but the letters and vintage flowers would print just as nicely on plain card-stock. The completed banner measures about five and a half feet wide, with each letter panel being aporximately 6 inches wide and 7 inches tall, so it makes a really great statement in any room.

If you'd like to make one for yourself, my e-kit is available in my etsy shop for $10. The kit arrives right in your in-box, with directions, letters and flower pages to create as many banners as you like!

Cozy (and yummy) dinner for two...in no time at all.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have been experiencing some rather unpredictable weather, with sunshine and low 50's one day, followed by blustery winds, rain, hail, and even snow flurries the next. (The news guy actually referred to it as "Winter-Spring" last night on the news.)

Yesterday was one of the closer-to-winter-than-spring days, so I wanted to make something hot and hearty for dinner, but without a whole lot of work involved.(Monday's seem so extra long after a leisurley Sunday for some reason)

Anyway.

I headed to the deli counter at the grocery store and got some Baked Potato Chowder and a bag of round loaves of Sourdough bread (The bag called them Cannon Balls.) I rubbed butter on the tops of the bread loaves and popped them in the oven on allow shelf with the oven set to Broil, and heated the soup at the same time.

When the bread was hot and slightly crisp looking I pulled it out of the oven, hollowed out our soup bowls, ladled in the hearty chowder, and sprinkled the tops with sharp cheddar cheese.

Mmmmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm.Ya baby, that's what I'm talkin' about.

Ready in no time at all (with hardly any clean up!) and for under eight bucks, to boot.

Oh. My.

Comfort food to the highest degree.