Shopping around...

With all of my Christmas shopping done (yay!) I have been "shopping" around online looking for inspiration for handmade gifts for family, friends and teachers. I am always floored by the unique ideas tumbling around in the blog-o-sphere. After seeing this on Cari's blog and then Heather's rendition, I thought it would be a fun simple gift for a group of friends. I shopped my own etsy shop (hehe!) and use the flowers from a vintage hat I had for sale. I also used vintage music sheets, thick grey velvet ribbon and some glittery paper I had recieved from Lilli. They're pretty and cozy, like little winter puffs. Perfect for our sub-zero temperatures that we're having.
They also look great nestled around a fun, happy hat I found at an estate sale this weekend.
For some time, I had been on the lookout for faux bois gift wrap. It's so trendy right now, I thought I may find some. Since I didn't, I decided to use the woodgrain shelf paper I had and wrap it around the gift. I shopped my own shop again (!) and used some of the burlap ribbon that I had. When I found the free printable tags on Vanessa's site, I knew that was the perfect touch for a quirky retro looking gift. Heather has been posting some amazing ideas for using vintage supplies to wrap gifts. She is incredible.
Hope you're enjoying your holiday preparations.

Wheeeeee!

Like the new banner? The wonderful Hope Wallace of Paper Relics made it for me. The wreath is hanging in our living room. I was totally inspired by Andrea's post to use what you have and see what you can make of it. I had these amazing vintage ornaments and bells that Fiona gifted to me when she visited last summer. Love how it all came together, so I thought I'd ask Hope to help me out with a festive banner. Of course she came through for me...she always does! Thanks, Hope.We went sledding for the first time this winter. As you can see, we don't have a whole lot of snow yet, but the kids loved it!

Their smiling faces reminded me of this fun vintage wrapping paper.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

From my neck of the woods..

In an effort to keep everyone healthy and happy in the cold, grey north this time of year, things are pretty festive around here. How are you all doing? I thought I'd share some pages from my holiday journal. My decor this year is kind-of a retro woodland mix. Nothing fancy, just fun and whimsical for the kids...and adults:)

Finally went and got some perler beads after seeing all the fun things that Elsie has made with them in her holiday class. I made a cover for my New York album.

Hope all is well.

NY Anthro and winners....

The winner's from my blog birthday giveaway are...

CraftyDiane

Shell

Priscila

Congratulations and thank you all for the wonderful sentiments about my blog. It is such a wonderful feeling to know there are so many people that enjoy it. It's truly from the heart.

I thought I'd share the New York City Anthropologie window display photos that I had promised. This is the Anthropologie in Rockefeller Center. A heavenly store! I'll let the pictures do the talking. Enjoy...

ArtsyMama is 3 years old!

Well friends, another year has come and gone in Artsymama-land. I actually missed the exact date (Nov. 29th) for my 3 year blog birthday. I even posted on that day, it just slipped my mind. I didn't want to completely pass up this milestone, so I figured better late than never. First off, I wanted to thank all of you, my fabulous blog readers. Your support and inspiration over the last three years truly fuels my creative life. You are all so greatly appreciated and are such gifts on this journey. All the photos in this post are from my go-to inspiration store here in the twin cities called Nature's Harvest. It cannot be beat!

So let's take a look at some of the highlights of the past year here in my blog home. For a look at my first year of blogging, check this out and my second year is celebrated here.

I published my interview with Tara Frey and I'm over-the-moon excited to share that ArtsyMama blog will be featured in her new book coming out next fall. I'm so honored to be a part of this!

Last year my holiday home looked like this.

Many of you have been asking about my inspiration journal that I post pictures of periodically. This post shows the cover of the notebook, which is actually now the wallpaper background for this blog. It is a large blank notebook originally purchased at Anthropologie.

I interviewed the fabulously talented Katie Runnels here.

I wrote a book!!! ArtsyMama: The Seasonal Guide to the Creative Life. Went to California to visit my sister and her family and taught a class at Sweetpeas and Snapshots. Found and sold THE dress to Natasha. Shipped it to her all the way in Australia and then she packed it and brought it all the way back to the US to wear at the vintage prom at Silver Bella. Fun story!

Participated in the Mad Hatter Tea Party.

I hosted the Vintage Party, Valentine box supply swap, and the Sweet and Sinister swap.

Went to Junk Market and met Matthew Mead.

Got a peek inside Jennifer Murphy's amazing studio and sparked up a friendship.

Attended Art in Ashland with some of my favorite art pals.

Turned 33 and compiled a list, which I've only crossed off four things.

Hosted the Autumn Gathering home party.

Chloe turned three and Lowell turned five.

Joe and I celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary in

New York City.

If you've made it this far down the post, for a little icing on the cake, I'm going to give away three prizes for my third blog birthday. This fabulous pink and black vintage hat, a vintage stocking and some crepe paper in a holiday bundle to my lucky blog readers.

Just leave a comment to be entered!

Wewh, what a year!! Thanks for coming along for the ride:)

We've got the spirit, yes we do....

December has begun and therefore the holiday crafting is in full force here. I think I filled the well, so to speak, in New York and now it's like a floodgate. All the online holiday eye candy certainly doesn't hurt either. I signed up for Kerry's fun holiday blog. Love her style and all the great kits that she sells. This is the first project on her blog. I "altered" it a bit and came up with this fun and retro wreath!

I'm also doing Shimelle's Journal your Christmas class again. I have done this the last few years and really enjoy looking through the album after the holiday season or while preparing the next year for the holiday's. It's a great way to take a few moments each day to reflect, create a page and think about this special time of the year. Elsie's got a super fun holiday class going on as well. Here is my cover (above) and statement of intention (below) for my holiday journal. So much holiday spirit, so little time!

Before I began all this crazy craftiness I did a few pages in my inspiration book. I cut and pasted pictures that spoke to me in some way, the colors, textures, themes, styles, you name it! I think this is what really got the ball rolling for me. Such eye candy and inspiration.

Hope you're all feeling the holiday mojo too!