Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! 

I don't know what you're up to today but I've got a special party to host tonight. It involves Cinco de Mayo usuals like chips and dip, margaritas, colorful decorations, but with a bit of twist! I've invited all my gal friends for a fun clothing swap. It's my first ever and I can't wait to give away clothes I don't want and get some new clothes from others.

I'm loving all these decorations above and definitely have my eyes set on the top right for tonight's party. Ole!

*Click here to find out what Cinco de Mayo is all about!

clockwise from top left: mini pinatas, tissue flowers, party garland via Amy, fiesta garland via Jenn, ruffled lamp via Alissa

love love love, I want your love

[maybe I have Lady GaGa stuck in my head right now...]

This is so sweet! AND so easy to make. String+red construction paper+scissors=presto love banner!!

[found here]

most amazing snowflake panel!

really just can't stop thinking how incredible this snowflake panel is!! I've always loved to cut out snowflakes and get really into all the different ways you can make them. This is a great way to turn something so easy into something that looks so genius.

[via d*sponge]

Cut It Out!!! [DIY]

how fun and easy is this DIY from the free people girls??

emmersonmade flowers.

Just saw these amazingly crafted paper flowers from Emmersonmade.

I love how they're perfect for any occasion. Go over to their website and they even show that guys look good wearing them too :)

[via design*sponge]

keeping track of 2010

One of my favorite things to do each Christmas is go to the bookstore and pick out a calendar for the new year. When I was younger I'd choose from Disney princess and some form of baby animal theme. 2009 was a beautiful selection of antique maps. 

I kind of skipped calendar shopping this past Christmas since I got a shiny new iPhone. I've been using it's calendar feature and it's been amaaaazing. But now that we're half way through January, I realize that I miss my paper calendar hanging on the wall where I can see it everyday. 

Here are a few that have caught my eye...

colorful tea towel calendar

letterpress printed calendar

calendar of silly holidays

screenprinted calendar

Free People calendar available to download each month

I really like having just one sheet that displays all of the months. 2010 might be the year I change over to that instead of a regular ol' one that you flip each month!

DIY grocery list

So, if you're anything like me I usually scribble down a grocery list of whatever I can remember, on some scrap sheet of paper. With the new year/new decade I want to create a better budget for myself and I figure food is a good place to start.

I saw this super easy grocery list template and I think it could really help! What's great is you can personalize it however you want. Under "apples", I'd probably add the specific types I usually like to buy like fuji and pink lady. Just make it, print out a dozen and you're set to go shopping.

Etsy Wednesday continued...

birds/necklace/tote/pillow/painting/drawing

thinking of valentines

Last night I was wandering around Target and noticed the complete absence of Christmas. I mean, I know Christmas is over but what happened to the clearance section?! It was gone, just like that, no more. Out with the old holiday and in with the new. All of the valentines cards were out and the beginning of candy hearts and plastic red and pink pails were taking over [along with the first wave of bathing suits which I reluctantly browsed through]. So, in lieu of preparing for the holiday of love, here are some very sweet cards I found...

hmmm, should I go with sweet or silly this year?

[cards via wheelerstudio]

Hand made leather journal

Check out this great tutorial from Cut out and Keep on how to make your own leather journal! 

If you put the time into it you could make some awesome gifts for anyone you know.

new stationary

The latest from Sycamore Press. Gotta love it.

Etsy Wednesday: Chicago style!!

I'm so excited to visit the windy city this weekend. It will be my first time in Chicago and I'm looking forward to seeing and experiencing all of the wonderful things I've only heard about. Below are just a few creations from some Chicago natives...

Obi Sling Bag

Felt Corn on the Cob

Miss You Tons card

Knit Desperado Slippers

Etsy Wednesday

A late Etsy Wednesday is still an Etsy Wednesday to me!!! (especially if the clock says 12.25am  Thursday but I still haven't gone to bed yet so technically it's still Wednesday night for me).

Top faves from the Etsy world this week...

stunning blue Creole top 

Type A letterpress card

El Jefe Stamps set

Gilded Era Necklace

Find your shadow

Check out Color Me Katie's clever new project! She has been tracing herself and her boyfriend onto black paper and placing them out on the street! 

Peter Callesen

I've talked about my respect and admiration for beautiful papercuts before.

I just can't grasp the time, focus, and stillness it takes to create these beautiful works of art.

Peter Callesen is a new favorite. I love how the cut out piece might be different than the shape cut in the paper. I love the subtle humor in some of his pieces. I love how he molds paper into 3-D sculptures. I couldn't pick even just 2 or 3 works to share so I put quite a few. You won't be disappointed in his website which has a plethora of images for your eyes to feast on : )

[via sycamore street press blog]

butterfly mobile

In my spare time this is what I have been creating : ) 

It was for my little sister's 10th birthday and she looovvveeedd it. I originally saw this

 at the pottery barn kids store and thought, psh, I can just make that! So I bought cardstock, a hole puncher (for a tiny hole), fishing wire, and got a few branches from the tree in the backyard. It took some time and man, I learned the hard way that wind+this thing DO NOT mix, but it's beautiful and hanging in her room. I'm pretty happy with it : )

Etsy Wednesday: Home

Citrus Pom Kit-PomLove

Felted Vase-Reyaveltman

Lu the Panda-Daresong

Pillow cover-Stiksel