The Left Side of the Brain

I am lovin' these creative, quirky cool notebooks from My Sweet Loveable Goods based in Alberta: Lefty Sketchy and Get your Brain in Gear coil bound books

No-Peep Birds for Your Nest

Oona the Owl, Owl Always Love You
Leona, Vintage Bald Eagle
Blue Jean Diane
Pink Debbie
Amanda Jean is a whirlwind of craft talent who lives in a cozy little nook here in Victoria. I adore these whimsical pillow creations, and I love how each of the pillows has a description laden with off-the-wall humour... "Debbie has a pet turtle and collects stamps..."
Sort of like receiving a Cabbage Patch Kid all over again!

The Many Marvels of MimiBe

MimiBe is locally famous for mastering the unique and ancient craft of "Art Nouveau" enameling. Her stunning designs are inspired by the natural surroundings of Victoria, vintage wallpaper and fabric samples, mid-century interiors, and everyday objects. Her copper enamel housewares are just gorgeous, and the selection of handcrafted contemporary jewellery is simply heavenly... I must admit I am totally enamoured with the I Love Seahorses pendant!

To Serve and Protect

The evenings are still a tad chilly in these parts. Protect those that are important to you... your tender young seedlings and, of course, your precious cuppa seeped tea!

Cool ideas from Style at Home: the houseplant sweater and beverage warmer

Magnet Divinity

Expressions et Inspirations... chic, distressed magnetic metal frames (5"x7") created by Blue Ruby in Nanaimo, BC

Cats are Angels with Whiskers

The cat has nine lives:

Three for playing, Three for straying, Three for staying
The Nine Lives magnet set designed by fellow cat-lover and artist Cathy Peng in Toronto, inspired by her two darling feline friends Suki and Dex...
Stalking, rolling, looking, sniffing, bad, resting, moping, staring, and looking pretty... too cute!
Her pet portraits are also amazing...

Things You Should Do More

The Mores designed by Becky Johnson of The Sweetie Pie Press in Toronto... things you should do more

Big Genes & Tiny Sprout

Cutesy and creepy all at the same time!
The Genetically Modified Friends collection:
Potato heads (and eyes!), jumbotron Asparaguses, supersized Strawberries, and Pea pals in a pod
Fruit and veggies never looked so... um, cuddlesome and troublesome
Hand modified, er, made by Katy at tiny sprout in Toronto

A Victorian Message

Hmmm...
Saw this as I was perusing the Delias site and I think it's a fab project idea... a Victorian Message Board with a soft cotton covered panel and vintage style wood frame. Very chic!

Canada Loves ♥

A Canadian Love~In...

Puffy Love Card from Editions based in Hamilton, Ontario

Embroidered Hug pillow cover from Angela at Pillowhead in Ottawa

Lovebirds Magnet Set designed by Cathy Peng in Toronto

Hope Card at Flaunt in Vancouver

Which means... love yourself! Hand embroidered Love Fat patch by Jenny at Paper and Glue based in Winnipeg

Button Heart Cards handmade by Rachel at RubyFaz in Montreal

Gorgeous three strand pink shell bracelet handcrafted by Canadian artist Andrea Trail for Gone Shopping

The Pretty in Pink Cute Bag handmade by Vanessa at This Little Bird in Waterloo, Ontario

Les Plantes de Chalk

"Never yet was a springtime when the buds forgot to bloom"

~ Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

Soon to be that time of year again! Oh, the greenhouse will be full of flourishing foliage and blooming buds... and my greenthumb will be satiated.
Fab idea to apply chalk paint on the rim of plant pots to label, identify, and keep track of your beloved greens... also a great place to write a message when giving a gift that grows (I will take a living plant over cut flowers any day!)
Chalky craft from Damian O'Sullivan

North Thread Vintage

For the love of all things vintage, elegant and shabby chic...
J'adore this beautiful vintage apron collection from fellow BCer Angela at Norththreads in Prince George
She has a stunning selection of aprons in all sorts of patterns, fabrics and colours... cross stitched, hand stitched, embellished, ric rac trimmed... oh, true love!
Angela is also a very talented crafter.... be sure to check out her blog to see her latest creative endeavour


"A Pattern in Friendship"... cards handcrafted by Angela
Set of 8 quaint cards ink-stamped in pretty Aqua and Red Vintage Dress Pattern design. Perfect vintage goodness for Valentines...

MWAH! Goodness

A cornucopia of goodness from the wonderfully delightful duo Babs and Tanis of MWAH! creations, based in the UK and Vancouver

Pocket Pins... great little stash pocket to pin here or there to carry anything itty bitty (like yer IPod), composed of recycled and distressed denim

Jumbo Juicy Stash Box - Craft Kit, full of found objects, special treasures, reclaimed, resourced, recycled and revived... all awaiting a spell of creativity

2-pack Card Set adorned with original art by Tanis Alexis. The card is handmade paper from junk mail and other assorted post consumer goods

Handcrafted Charm

Add finesse, flavour, and flair to your bedroom with these DIY headboard ideas from BHG...

Create this dramatic headboard by stacking three hollow-core doors, painted in matte black paint, horizontally on the wall. The chandelier in black adds a charming touch, as well as the punchy accents of red throughout the space
A grouping of black-and-white photos makes a chic and cherished headboard. Use coloured art paper in the frame to add interest to the wall
Place a bookcase or painted shelves on the wall over the bed to create a unique and functional headboard. Adds display space and the additional flanked pair of columns adds architectural interest
Striking but simple square wall art as headboard. Plywood squares upholstered in stapled batting and linen fill a tall space in contemporary style

Twiggle Twiggle Little Lamp

Add a slight but appreciable touch of the outdoors into your home with this Twiggy Lamp idea...

Collect some long bare sticks around the neighbourhood, and then bundle around a lamp rod. Attach with rubber bands, and hide with glued twine or string. Adds cool rustic flair to any space!

Collage of Memories

Collage of treasured memorabilia matted and framed... a cherished collection for all to see.

Images from BHG

New Year's Reso... Be Organiso!

This time of year I yearn for organization...
Here is an easy DIY organizer board to create some order to your post-holiday chaos... like keeping your bills, bills, bills in top form. Ugh.

All you need for this simple craft is galvanized metal from a home-supply store with holes punched in two corners, foam core of the same dimensions, felt, felt letters, lightweight fabric, paper, craft glue, spray adhesive, magnetic clips, and packing tape

See here for complete instuctions.

No more excuses *not* to be organized... now that's a good (and bad) thing. (;

Cool and Creative Wrist Candy

Cool and unique bracelets from PinkBird Creation ... inspiring DIY creations!

Bartender's Bracelet consists of 5 microbrew beer bottle caps from various microbrews... the caps have been used and most even have the marks and dents from a bottle opener.

45 RPM Record Insert Bracelet... made from plastic yellow inserts for 45 RPM records.

A E I O U and some times Y Bracelet.... made from actual Scrabble game pieces.