some of you may know, i have a sweet spot for farms. when i found juniper moon fiber farm (via gifted magazine) i was immediately drawn in- this is the farm of farms! not only do they have the most adorable animals (am i right?), but they offer so many wonderful opportunities!

you can join their yarn csa, shop their online store, browse all of their adorable knitting patterns, watch their lamb cam (come on, people- so cute!), even vacation there with a good ol’ farm stay. if you’re a fiber lover (and even if you’re not) i think you’ll enjoy perusing the pages of juniper moon farm, you might like it so much that you want to plan a visit!

wrap up: {csa} {farm stay} {fiber} {juniper moon farm} {knitting} {patterns} {yarn}

as my eyes have been opened to the world of surface pattern design, i see beautiful images, patterns and artists everywhere i look. i find them to be an enormous inspiration, and i hope that you will too. :) here you see a few lovely pattern designs from helen dardik. aren’t they fun? for a little added joy, don’t miss her blog, orange you lucky!

wrap up: {color} {design} {fun} {helen dardik} {patterns} {pretty} {surface pattern}

hello lovelies! as promised, today i’m sharing with you a few of the handmade gifts i received over christmas. not to state the obvious, but handmade gifts are my favorite! the time and thought that everyone put into these absolutely blows me away- and i’ve got to admit, i’ve got some pretty talented friends and family!

reversible handmade market bag made by my mom- isn’t it beautiful? i used it just yesterday at our farmer’s market and it was so perfect for the occasion. it’s easy to carry and the little pocket on the front is perfect for quick cash. (find the pattern here!)

i love love love my new crocheted toboggan by my friend lindsay- it’s so soft and cozy. :)

laptop sleeve handmade by my mom! she also bought a matching amy butler laptop skin to match it. brilliant, right? (find the pattern here!)

hand-stamped calendar index cards for the entire year, handmade by my dear friend callie. perfect to jot down daily lists, prayer reminders or to do’s!

another absolutely amazing project by my sweet momma- an ipad case with matching amy butler skin. (find the pattern here!)

all natural handmade soap by my friend, deidre. they smells sooo good!

a rice and lavender neck wrap handmade by friend, amber. pop this in the microwave and your warm and cozy in no time!

thank you everyone for all of your incredibly thoughtful and beautiful gifts!

wrap up: {christmas} {gifts} {handmade} {ideas} {patterns}

today i love: water sounds. visit her website for more pretty patterns and prints.

wrap up: {birds} {cards} {deer} {patterns} {prints} {sarah abbott} {tree} {water sounds}

 
time for an inbox inquiry! this one comes from my good friend, tammie. make sure to share your suggestions in the comments section!

hi tammie! i am so happy to hear you’re getting into sewing! i think you’ll love it. :) i don’t often use traditional ‘patterns’ but i do have several favorite pattern books, here they are!

simple sewing by lotta jansdotter. this was one of my first ever sewing books, and i loved every pattern in it! it holds a collection of 24 of her most popular sewing patterns with each pattern neatly tucked into a folder inside. you can use them over and over!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
weekend sewing by heather ross. creative projects for clothing, accessories, and home items that can be made in a weekend or less. the sewing instructions are beautifully illustrated, and patterns for the projects are included on pullout sheets.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
in stitches by amy butler. my all time favorite designer! in this pattern book amy brings her fresh, modern style to the timeless craft of sewing. she presents more than 25 charming projects ranging from cushy floor cushions to smart aprons to stylish handbags.
 
 
 
 
 
 
bend the rules sewing by amy karol. a great book for novice sewers who are seeking something a little more modern. this book has a clear, down-to-earth sewing guidebook that includes 30 great projects.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
seams to me by anna maria horner. illustrated in glorious color and sprinkled with her vibrant energetic fabric designs, this book explains sewing fundamentals in a refreshing style.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
sew and stow by betty oppenheimer. 30 exciting sewing projects – including grocery totes, lunch bags, aprons, dog beds, laundry bags, and yoga mat totes. these projects will help you get organized and help the planet with a wide assortment of reusable totes, carry-alls, and shopping bags.
 
 
 
 
 
 
readers: do you have any favorite sewing patterns or books? we would love to hear about them!

wrap up: {beginner} {books} {craft} {inbox inquiry} {patterns} {quilt class} {sewing}

lately, it seems that everywhere i look, patterns have begun to catch my eye. i believe that i have become more aware of them, and have also begun to give them much thought. what it took to create them, the color palette used and what the source of inspiration might have been.

hills

love wreath

scandi – colour it yourself

apple blossom meadow

brie harrison

patterns inspire me. from the textured tiles on a sidewalk to how the clouds align above, to the patterned packages along the isles in whole foods. patterns surround me and they nourish my creativity.

dear friends, what nourishes your creativity?

wrap up: {creativity} {inspiration} {nourish} {patterns}

row 1: printable christmas gift bag, holiday deer card kit

row 2: the mibo 2011 printable calendar, printable eat more veg calendar

row 3: reversible tote bag pattern, the wild bunch (printable project)

row 4: 2011 printable calendar, printable colour pages

friends, how are you? how is the christmas season going? are all of the gifts wrapped and under the tree? we finished wrapping the very last one last night, just to find another one that i had forgotten this morning. there’s always one more, isn’t there? we will be driving some 24 hours back to our home state of n.c. tomorrow, and i think we’ll need a christmas miracle just to get all the gifts, our luggage and toaster in the car!

we have a few gifts that will surely not arrive in the mail on time, we’re somewhat worried about the weather for the trip home and are a bit stressed over getting our things together for the trip.

but you know what?

i am intentionally going to love every bit of this holiday season. after all, it is the most wonderful time of the year! i giggle at the bustling malls and laughed as i used newspaper to wrap the last few gifts last night after we ran out of wrapping paper. this season, i will enjoy every bit of christmas and everything that comes along with it. i intend to enjoy the 24 hour car ride home with my mister and soak in every ounce of time i can with our families while we’re home. i will savor every bite of scrumptious food we eat and plan to remember the look on my loved ones faces as they open my gifts for them. though there is much still to do before saturday comes, this is my way of promising myself that i will be present and filled with joy for every moment of it.

what has your week been like? how are you avoiding the natural holiday stresses?

wrap up: {calendar} {christmas} {gifts} {last minute} {patterns} {printables} {project}

i thought today i would share some inspiring spaces with you.  each of them get me itching to redecorate or at least do a project or two!  i love all of the patterns represented here, and i can see some yellow stripes in my near future.  and that feather pillow? i’m in full blown ‘re-create’ mode after seeing it.  i hope you enjoy, get inspired and plan a weekend project (and then share it)!

see this house

converting a closet into an office?

you are my fave, casapinka

cool and creamy

nh farmhouse, killy and oliver’s bathroom

wrap up: {home decor} {inspiration} {patterns} {stripes} {yellow}