Multiplying Bunnies

These vintage rabbits did what rabbits are known for.......they multiplied. Photographing them, selling them, and really just seeing them had Sea anxious to make some new ones. The crazy thing was she kept selling them before she could complete them so I kept waiting and she would work on another and then....that one would sell. So after a little over a week, we are finally able to show you these. (Also, there are only a few of the vintage ones left.)

New bunnies available here

Vintage bunnies available here

Update: brown with bouquet and white with carrot sold

scramblin for eggs

We told you these surprize balls were highly adaptable and could be used for many occasions. Now you can see that they are the perfect egg for an Easter basket or a nice find in an egg hunt.
available here

Earth Hour

Today starts spring break in our house and I'm giving into the idea of a break and spending the day.....well...breaking.

Before I go, tomorrow night from 8:30-9:30pm is Earth Hour. Earth hour is a global event created to symbolize that each one of us, working together, can make a positive impact on climate change. At 8:30pm local time wherever you live on the Earth, turn off your lights. Want more...watch this compelling video.



follow fabulous Friday here

minding your peas and q's

Spring is known as a time of growth and renewal. A time for life to be born whether it is plant or animal. Which is why these pea in the pod graphite pencils make a fresh, relevant and unexpected gift this time of year. Yes, that's right......I said pencil.

available here

all your eggs in one basket

A little behind the scenes look at what we used to color eggs to create an image.

These bowls make another easy, but strong looking centerpiece if you need something without height. Just add moss and the colored eggs.

Easter centerpiece

Recently we were asked to come up with centerpieces for a women's luncheon at our church. The challenge was we needed to be able to make 15 while being very cost conscious. We, of course, added obstacles of our own like it needed to have some height so it didn't get lost in the large room and we wanted each of them to be the same, but different. Here is what we did.

We cut dead Magnolia branches in different sizes and tied them into a cross with raffia. Then we wound thin dead oak branches into a circle for the crown of thorns and tied those with raffia. If there were any little branches going off of them we clipped them short so they looked like the thorns. We placed very large palm fronds under each one to fill the round tables. You can't really see it from the photo, but the branches even had lichens on them which greatly added to their visual interest. As you know, I like working with items from nature. It is always cost conscious and has a natural beauty with no product waste when you are done. We gave them away after the luncheon, but I had to keep these three to photograph. When I saw them together like this, I knew I had to post this as an Easter centerpiece. Simple, beautiful, meaningful.....check, check, check.

Gift of Gab....designer maps

Think he had a map? Custom maps for any longitude and latitude found here. Stay tuned...we have been collecting more Easter marvels in our shop that we are anxious to show you.

Hippity Hop...Vintage Bunnies

Who wouldn't be delighted to wake up Easter morning to find one of these adorable vintage bunnies in their basket? Yes, I said vintage....these felt bunnies were handmade by "sea" about 30 years ago. We only have 6 of them so act quickly. No two are exactly alike which only adds to their appeal. Just the size to become a carry along friend and kept for generations.

Excellent vintage condition.

Available here

Update: Only 2 remaining.

It is the year of the octopus*

I could not be more excited. The journals I ordered for the site have arrived and they are even more stunning in person than I imagined they could be. The size of them is so unexpected and original. Today I wish the internet was dimensional or like television even more. If you could see them in person, you would have to have one.....they are that spectuacular!

I'm putting one on my coffee table for the whole family to use together. The idea of everyone having a collaborative journal appeals to me.
available here and here
*the year of the octopus

do i dare?

I have never posted a video before, but this....this is truly amazing. The message, the music, the illustrations....I know you will love it and I know we all feel this way more often than we should. Now go....it's a much watch....and enjoy!



discovered here and please share this inspiring video

Soda Siphons

There is something eternally appealing about the simple things. Aqua colored seltzer bottles have their bases covered. useful....check.....beautiful.....check. Plus these get reused and not added to the recycle bin each week. Make sure they work and include the co2 cartridges.photo credit and available here
or check ebay and craigslist

P.S.
With a last name like Shannon, I figure I should wish you a Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Gift of Gab...trashy gift

Recently the husband found both of these bottles at the beach while picking up trash. Can I admit that this time, I'm kind of glad someone threw their trash in the ocean?

The Human Pinata

I wanted to reshare a fabulous* party idea that I touched on a long time ago. I know it is Friday Favor day, but go with me on this.....this is worth talking about again and it does fall into the party category. When doing this party, the birthday girl wanted a pinata, so we made The Human Pinata. To do this, we took a men's white dress shirt and sewed on A LOT of individually wrapped candies. Then the human pinata ran around while everyone chased him and pulled off the candies. When I tell you this was the highlight of the party, I'm saying the girls chasing him were in hysterics, anyone watching was in hysterics. Even The Human Pinata was....well, in hysterics.

You want to know why it's fabulous? Well, you will have to follow this link to find out.

The $2 Gift

Up until now, Dr. Seuss sums up how I feel on the subject of the economy..."I wouldn't touch you with a 39 and a half foot pole". Recently though, I've noticed a new wave of feel good stories and I hope that means the media is getting the message about the negativity they so easily spread. I am getting to a point here. Did you see this story? This man has a true gift of giving and it is people like this that should be all over the news. I just love what he did and that his comment was, "It's not a huge amount of money." Yes it is....to all those local businesses....yes it is. The whole thing also makes me think of this, "I want my $2"....which makes me smile even more.

That's it....I'm done....no more economy talk here. Since we all can't give like that, I just wanted to share the fact that one man who could...did.

Peacocks and Parties

Today is my friend's birthday, so I made this arrangement for her. I have known her for almost 10 years and that entire time she has had a deep rooted passion for peacocks and religious symbols. For that reason, I worked with the colors of the peacock feathers and included a cross that was made out of sticks (more to come on that later). For now, I'm off to have a little party with my friend.

Baby Shower Favor

Some party favors done recently for a baby shower. The bee's knees bar is a very smart idea for new moms. With the constant need to wash their hands, it will keep them from drying out. This size is perfect to throw in a purse or diaper bag.

Gift of Gab and Birthdays

Saturday was "Sea's" birthday. This is what we did for her. While she was celebrating at lunch with friends, we snuck over and put it in place. So that she would see it, we bought a bunch of balloons and tied little notes to each one. They said things like this way, keep coming, a little farther, almost there and we placed them in a trail that led her to her gift.

The funniest part was the little cards Lily made for her. On one she drew an owl and wrote, "You're the best hoot in the family." On another she drew a horse and wrote, "Neigh, you're a pretty one." The one that made me laugh the most was a swan that said, "You're the wan said the swan." Maybe I should put her in charge of quirky....actually, that should be.....very quirky sayings?

photo credit

Other People's Party

Need a reason to have a party? Didn't think so, but this strikes me as funny, anyway. This site puts together their extra napkins from orders into color coordinated groups. Clever and genius. No waste and a sense of humor. Okay, here's my thought.....have an other people's party. Use the same colors in the napkin group you select and keep those colors coherent throughout.


Cocktails in only those colors, flowers and decor in only those colors, etc. It is almost like organized chaos. Since it is Friday and that means Friday favors, here is the kicker. Put together favors for each napkin theme.


If it is so and so's wedding, put some favors together that would be given out at a wedding. If it says cocktails, put some favors together that would be given out at a cocktail party. If it says some one's birthday, put a favor together that would be appropriate for a birthday party.


Be sure to put a tag on each that says thanks for coming to (fill in the blank's)wedding or (fill in the blank's) birthday. Have toasts throughout the party for each napkin's honoree. Thanks to For Your Party, celebrating for strangers, just might become a new reason to get together.

Peonies found here
orange flowers found here
succulents found here

more multiple uses...

I haven't posted an interior photo that inspires a gift lately, but when I saw this console table image, I knew it had to be shown as a gift. I spotted this over at The City Sage, but the ironic thing is I gave a friend who loves Moroccan food a tagine. We already know I appreciate an item that has multiple uses and this is a very creative way to hold those lose items that have a way of just looking like clutter.

& for the tag....from cooking arsenal to clutter tent

photo credit: Johnny Miller Photography
tagine available here

Word Games take 2

This is one from the archives. I originally posted this when my blog was very new. Since I had about 3 readers at the time, I decided it is okay to feature again. What would you write?

Many times people spend so much time on the gift, but they don't think about the presentation of it or the gift tag. A gift tag is like frosting on a cake. It's okay without it, but so much better with it. Today, I played with some words on a scrabble board to make gift tags. Just photograph the words, print them on hard paper, punch a hole, and tie on a ribbon. Starting top left and moving clockwise: Attach this to a pocket size calendar and send to a friend you haven't had time to catch up with lately. Have you been trying to land a meeting with a particular client? Tear out a page from a calendar, wrap it in a small box and attach the "let's take time to meet" tag. Do you need to make amends with someone? Tie the "meet me today" tag to some flowers. Looking for a fun way to propose? Hide the ring inside the letter bag and wrap up the scrabble game with this tag.

Have fun with this....there are all kinds of things you could say. Need a housewarming gift? Wrap up a stack of games and make a tag that says "family fun". The extra time you spend on this, means a lot to someone else.

Green Eggs and Ham....use number très

A nod to one of my all time favorite authors, Theodore Geisel....or as we know and love him Dr. Seuss. To celebrate Dr. Seuss week, I made green eggs and ham and what better to serve it on than the egg shell tray for use number three. Find use one here and two here.


Strong influence for the green eggs and ham recipe came from here.

blue egg shell tray available here.

Gift of Gab...how to be happy forever

I like the idea of putting a window box on the inside. Fill it with herbs or little plants to spread some forever happiness. By now you know the drill.....put the quote on the gift tag.

window boxes available here

I don't know where I first saw this amazing kitchen. I would like to give credit where credit is due, so if it was you or if you know where this image came from, do tell.