Garden Inspiration for 2014

Each year as spring gets closer, I get itching to get my hands covered in mud. Dan and I are both big fans of fresh local produce, and what better source than your own backyard? We are currently renting (and looking for a new place to call our own and plant some roots) so we aren't planning on growing a garden this year if we're still in this location. Regardless, when spring seems as though it's just around the corner, I love to daydream about toiling over the soil and reaping the delicious benefits in the fall. 

There are lots of verses and references in the Bible about gardening, growing and various analogies using gardening, showing the importance of gardening through the eyes of God. One of my favourite ones that I've discovered is from James 1:21:

In simple humility, let our gardener God, 

landscape you with the Word, 

making a salvation garden of your life.

I spent two years working in a flower shop and garden centre environment for a talented woman who would put the average gardener to shame. Working in such close proximity to a gardening expert made me feel even more strongly about growing my own food, and/or supporting local growers. The need to keep our produce production close to home is vital for our communities.

When I clicked over to Etsy this evening, I noticed that the treasury that was featured on the front page was gardening-inspired. I guess I'm not the only one that wants to get planting. Take a look!

Etsy "greenhouse" treasury by Diana

The link below the shot (as well as clicking on the photo itself) will take you to the actual treasury, if you are interested in making any Etsy purchases. I love the simple natural palette with pops of fresh greens. Nothing says spring like those fresh doses of green!

I've shared other gardening posts over the past few years. Here's some more green reading for you:

Herbs 101 - Advice about growing and using your own garden fresh herbs

Our very first garden adventure in 2011

My 2011 herb container garden

I created an Etsy treasury in 2012 to inspire me for the upcoming gardening season

Pansy eye-candy photos from my days of working in a garden centre circa 2012

Documenting my 2012 gardening adventures

... and a Margaret Atwood quote in 2013, during my time of gardening indecisiveness.

I hope that this post got your green (or black!) thumb itching to get a'plantin'. With a baby on the way in the prime of gardening prep, I'm unsure as to whether I'll tackle a garden this year. If I don't, thank goodness we have oodles of local farmers' markets and vendors supplying local veggies!

Happy Wednesday!

Etsy Finds : Winter Accessories

Sources:

1 - Crochet Infinity Scarf in Taupe Shine by The House of Hemp

2 - Plum and Charcoal Grey Plaid Snap Scarf by Megan's Menagerie

3 - Unisex Winter Scarf by Sena's Shop

4 - Brown Infinity Scarf by Piyoyo

5 - Big Voile Navy Stripe and Anchor Women's Scarf by Yier

6 - Winter Wonder Scarf by Northernly

I don't know about you, but the minute that the cooler weather hits, my favourite scarves are around my neck. Now that it's extra chilly, you can almost guarantee that I'll be wearing a cozy scarf daily. My scarf collection is shamefully large, but I can't bare to part with any of my favourites. Light-weight, heavy, handmade, purchased, gifted, bright, neutral, wool, cotton: you name it, and if it's comfy and not itchy, I probably have a similar one in my arsenal.  I've been given so many beautiful ones over the years, and those ones hold a special place in my heart. Scarves are the perfect accessory: decorative and functional. They're awesome to wear when you head to the movie theatre, too: they double as a cozy blanket for that unpredictable theatre temperature.

If you're in need of a comfy new neck warmer, check out these beautiful handcrafted ones that I've found via Etsy. The links to each item are all listed above. Be prepared: your wallet may not thank you, but your neck certainly will.

Happy Tuesday!

Etsy Treasury : Paris in Spring

Inspired by Heidi's search for a traveller's look for her new home, I created an Etsy treasury based around Paris home decor. I chose mostly cheery, colourful art and several black and white pieces to neutralize it. The item that caught my eye first, and inspired me to create a treasury was the Ooh La La pillow in grey and gold by Katie Scarlett and Co. The gold and script lettering are so classy! 

Etsy is a wonderful place to find original hand-made art to bring life to your home. Click on the image above to take a look at the treasury for links to each item. Sure, it's easier to buy all of your home decor in big box stores, but a lovely blend of handmade, vintage, thrifted, and original with only a few big box pieces is the key to making your house a home. 

Happy Wednesday!

Yay!

... and it's not hard to tell by the looks of my most recent Etsy favourites:

I'm seriously crushing on some yellow and mint. What else is new? 

I hope that the sun is shining where you are on this glorious first day of spring!

Garden Dreamin'

With the beginning of March comes thoughts of warmer weather. Dan and I have been trying to decide if we are going to plant a garden again this year. It's a lot of work and takes a lot of commitment. We just need to decide if the benefits outweigh the negatives. I will definitely be planting herbs again - they're too easy and yummy to resist! There are several local farmers' markets that we buy most of our fresh produce from in the summer months, so that's a help as well.

I created an Etsy treasury to get some creative outdoor juices flowing. There are so many beautiful handmade items available! Check out the treasury for a little eye candy, and the links to each great item.

Happy Friday!

Me Wanty

Katie Daisy has a brand-new print in her Etsy shop, The Wheatfield. 

Let's just say that I want it a little more than I should. Eek!

Should I/will I cave? Only time will tell! :)

She's so great... her art makes me happy and giddy inside.

xo

Countdown to Christmas: Etsy Treasury

Are you wondering what to bring as a gift to your favourite house maker? Got a baker or chef in the family? Is there anyone that's a foodie? I've created an Etsy treasury of gifts that would be perfect to bring as a hostess gift, or to give to your favourite kitchen-ista. Every item, as with all items on Etsy, is either handmade or vintage. I've chosen items that have a nice natural feel to them as well. 


Take a look:

To view my Etsy treasury, just click here. From there you can check out the items more closely, as well as purchase. Have fun looking!

Happy Friday!

My Faves

I haven't share my Etsy favourites with you lately! I haven't done much Etsy shopping in the past few month, but with the cool weather moving in and Christmas right around the corner, it's time to get some shopping done! I always seem to gravitate towards the same colours in little spurts - it looks like I'm currently (as always!) loving mustard and aqua. 

Here's a peek at what I've been eyeballing:

Cool Beans!

Image is via Etsy - click the photo to follow the link!

I just took a little peek at Etsy. On Etsy's Featured Seller today, it's DrikaB. 

I have one of her cute little bags! 

You will never guess where I bought it, but you can read the story here...

A Teensy Bit of Cute

I was stuck, stuck, stuck when it came to blog post ideas for tonight. Ever hit one of those ruts? I wanted to make this week special here on the blog, but not being home during the day to work on projects and photograph them leaves my posts a little dry. I brainstormed photo ideas, recipes, decor tips, the works. Nothing. I was cruising around on Etsy, trying to create a treasury to post about, but nothing was flowing. I decided not to force it any just looked through the site for fun... isn't that when inspiration is supposed to hit?! When you aren't looking for it? That's what I thought, anyway.

I ended up coming across this adorable print on Etsy tonight and thought of my gal-pal, Heidi. Isn't the little turtle the cutest thing you've ever seen?!

Happy Tuesday!

Etsy Lovin'

 I bought this necklace a little while back... and I've been lovin' it ever since. I don't think that I've gotten to share it on here with you yet, so I though that tonight would be the night. Don't be jealous of my pretty jewellry, though - there's lots of beautiful items in Iluxo's shop!

I wanted a nice, clean, simple necklace that screamed summer - something shorter, that would help me not to feel so bare in summer dresses. You know the feeling? The transition from cardigans and scarves to sundresses and t-shirts always leave me feeling a little naked. I could blame it on pale winter skin, I guess, but that doesn't really change much throughout the year :) I'm used to living the paste-y life. Anyway, this necklace looked perfect. I'm so glad that I purchased it - it's exactly what I wanted and needed. I can see this being a summer staple for sure. Yay for warmer weather!

Happy Thursday!

Etsy Treasury

I took some time to create an fun Etsy treasury tonight: Granny Chic. 

I'd love to have each one of these precious pieces! The soft pastel colours and simple styles are so adorable. The treasury is also a nice mixture of handmade and vintage items. That dainty rocking chair necklace?! Be still, my heart. It would be perfect with a little spring dress. The cotton doily coasters would make a lovely housewarming present, as would one of the pillows. It's so hard to resist these items!

Check it out! You just may need to do some shopping...

Etsy Treasury: Hoop Love

I'm not sure about you, but I love embroidery hoops. The creative possibilities are endless! When we were in our previous apartment, I collected tonnes of empty hoops in hopes of doing a whole wall. I found them the other day and now I'm itching to create! There are oodles and oodles of cool ways to use them - fill them with simple pieces of pretty fabric, mixed media, or the original purpose: embroidery!

I created an Etsy treasury of a whole bunch of my current favourite embroidered hoops. 

Some of these sellers are absolutely amazing...

Check it out - you just may be tempted to buy!

Bright, Sunshine-y Day

I was craving a little yellow in my life... 

so I created an Etsy treasury. 

Here's the link, in case you would like to 

take a closer peek at some of the items. 

I know that I'm tempted to do a little sunshine shopping - 

but I gave in to an Etsy temptation last week and ordered 

some pretty cushion covers for our living room. 

I can't wait until they arrive... 

but for now, this treasury will be my dose of yellow. 

 Enjoy!

Etsy Faves

Do you want to take a peek at my current Etsy faves? 

... I knew you did. 

Here, take a look! Don't blame me if you end up shopping a little :)

Vintage Laundry

I created an Etsy Treasury last week in an attempt to get my laundry room inspiration all gathered together. I just took a screen shot of the treasury, but here's the link if you would like to get a closer look at the items.

Our laundry room renovation is finally complete. Right now, it's a blank slate: white walls, white shelves, and a fairly dark floor. Since we are only here temporarily, of course it isn't my dream room, but we're thankful for having our own laundry facilities - and I'm so happy we went with white!

I would love to have a vintage-rustic-industrial chic look for this room. That was how I envisioned it from the very beginning. Old crates and metal bins holding all of the necessities - how classy would that look? I love the idea of simple artwork: the feather photo is dreamy, and the set of skeleton keys would look terrific mounted on a burlap-covered canvas.

Have you be brainstorming any decor ideas for around your home lately?

Commission.

Isn't it wonderful how things fall into place?

After posting last week about the series of paintings that I'm selling, my friend contacted me and wanted a commissioned piece. She loved the "love" painting, but need it in different colours. I tackled it last night, and I'm pleased with the results:

... and a closer shot:

I hope that she loves it! 

Let me know if there is anything that you are interested in - I'll try to make it happen! I can't wait to get my shop opened again!

Get 'Em While They're Hot

Every time I show something that I've created, I always feel a little twinge of nervousness. I feel as though I'm putting myself out there, and it's a little scary. What if someone thinks that my craft or creation is silly? Childish? Amateur? I know that those people don't matter, and usually won't comment, but it's a fear that I have, regardless.

Here we go - no turning back now!

I made a series of three paintings last year, and Daniel and several others have been encouraging me to sell them online. I think I'm ready to part with them - I'm ready to sell. The paintings have a cute, casual, fun and shabby-chic vibe:

Each one is a 16" by 25" stretched canvas. They can be sold separately, or as a set. They would be terrific in a child's nursery, in a craft room, a bedroom, or a funky living or dining room. The cheerful colours would work in a neutral, or a colour-friendly space.

Before I put the paintings in my Etsy shop, I thought that I would offer them here as a special offer to my Maritime readers (or someone with connections within the Maritimes). If you live within the local provinces, and are interested in one painting or the set, I would love to give you a special reader deal. That way, we also wouldn't have to worry about crazy Canada Post shipping charges. You know how nuts that can be!

If you are even a little interested, e-mail me at littleohmehotmailcom
We can talk more through personal e-mails. I'd love to give these guys a loving home!

Happy Thursday!

Big News!

Oh, Etsy

If Etsy was free...

this is what would be on my walls.

(Click on the photos for their links)

 

 Oh, if only.

:)