My husband picked up a pepper mill in a shop the other day, and was making moves toward buying it… and my “somebody in Canada MUST make pepper grinders” antenna went up.
It didn’t take long for me to find the lovely, simple grinders from Mapleseed Gallery:
The Owen Sound couple behind Mapleseed Gallery are a talented pair – Irwin Seidman’s wood turning skills are on display in their Etsy shop, as well as Susan Seidman’s original artwork.
I love the detail on the grinders, which can be used for pepper, sea salt or other spices, but this figured maple bowl is fabulous. Obviously decorative, the grain and knots are featured prominently.
Mapleseed Gallery is Canadian in origin, in materials and in subject. This little 4″ x 4″ Snowplow watercolour by Susan is such a classic scene, especially this winter in Alberta (so much snow. My goodness we are ready for spring!)
To see more of the special work from the duo behind Mapleseed Gallery, check out their shop at Etsy.
Enjoy!
~Sarah
I will admit that I was a bit of a bookish child growing up. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly climbed my share of trees and rode my bike for days on end, but I have always found a good book to be something totally magical. It’s not at all surprising then, that for a good chunk of my life I entertained dreams of being a writer. I outlined plots, sketched characters for my great Canadian novel, and lurked around corners to hone my skills as an investigative reporter. Now I’m all grown up, and even though I may not be a Canadian Lois Lane, a really nice notebook can still make me swoon!
Why would you settle for a plain old boring notebook, when you can have something as fresh and pretty as these?
Original watercolour artwork decorates the cover, and the pages are all reclaimed and recyled paper
New Leaf Handmade Goods is the partnership between sisters Maria and Cecilia. Based out of Swift Current Saskatchewan, they have blended their love of paper and fabric with artistic talent and thrift-store sleuthing to create these beautiful books. The paper inside is all reclaimed, recycled or repurposed, so they are lovely to look at and easy on planet earth!
Perfect for a budding songstress, ready to be filled with poetic lyrics!
Mixed in among the blank pages in each notebook, you can find reclaimed treasures like sheet music, tracing paper, and map pages that give each book some serious personality. Maria and Cecilia even include a few notes about the origins of “your” paper, so you can truly get a feel for where the pages came from. Then it’s up to you to fill each page with whatever your heart desires.
Let your dreams soar...
There are even some childhood favorites that will bring back happy memories. I just read this one to my little girl a few days ago!
Some of the original story pages are mixed in with the blank sheets. So much fun!
Want to see what else the sisters have to offer? Head on over to the Etsy shop where you will find plenty more notebooks to choose from, as well as a whole bunch of great pillow covers like this:
oooooh I love this one so much!
Then, when you are done browsing, stop by their Facebook page or Twitter stream and say Hello, or visit the blog for musings, DIY and even a newsletter. Also, make sure you wish the girls a Happy Birthday because New Leaf turns one year old in just a couple of weeks! Congratulations Ladies, and keep up the great work!
Cheers!
~Jennifer
For folks in some parts of the country, yesterday was Family Day. It’s a holiday where we are encouraged to celebrate our families and those we hold dear. At my house we had a sleepy morning full of toddler belly laughs, then an afternoon of noisy and crafty fun with the in-laws, and a turkey dinner feast to top it all off. It was pretty nice, I must say!
One of the crafty projects that my mother in law had prepared were wooden plaques which we decorated with things like “Home Sweet Home” and our last names. It was a fun project and captured the spirit of the day. While my painting skills left something to be desired (ok, a LOT to be desired), I still think our little name plaque is something special. So of course I came home and went online to see what kind of spin someone with much more talent than myself could put on a similar project. I was not to be disappointed when I immediately found The Snowshoe Loft. These rustic and beautiful wood-burned signs are a lovely way to put your name on any space, be it a cabin, cottage, or even just a favorite room.
It's like a warm welcome home, personalized just for you!
My husband *dreams* of having his own man cave. If/when that happens, it would definitely need one of these!
Coral is a hawaii-born creative type who fell in love with winter and fall when her family moved to Canada. She is currently an urban woman, but dreams of a cabin in the woods, surrounded by nature’s beauty. She burns all her signs by hand, without using any stencils or machines, under the watchful eye of her wiener dog named Walnut.
The cabin and tree image adds an extra special touch
I also really like these pretty little woodland animal blocks. They would be great mixed in among family photos on a mantle or shelf!
They are all lovely, but I think the moose is my favorite.
You may not be encouraged to carve your initials in a tree these days, but Coral’s signs send the same warm and enduring statement of love, and are way more portable than a huge tree! Or they can even be used as directional signs to an intimate outdoor wedding.
LP and SW, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g....
If you want to see more, or to order your very own custom sign, visit The Snowshoe Loft’s Etsy shop. While you are there, make sure you browse around, and see if you can find a picture of the adorable Walnut!
From my family to yours, have a wonderful day!
~Jennifer
Here at my house we are in the midst of a not-so-fun baby milestone. My little girl is getting her first molar(s) and it is turning out to be a pretty difficult experience for all involved. The poor kiddo is either whimpering in her sleep, sobbing in pain, or clinging on for soothing snuggles and cuddles. We are doing our best using all the standard teething tips and tricks, and hopefully soon those sneaky teeth will come through and all will be well again. In the meantime, anything that offers comfort to my little girl is golden in my books! I think these adorable hug-able fleece pillow monsters from LemonPie are just the ticket.
Toothy the Hippo would be a perfectly squishy friend to help sooth a teething baby
Lobby the Lobster has cozy claws!
Chimpi is a great monkey friend, perfect for bedtime cuddles.
These pillow pals would be perfect for a kids bedroom, or playroom, or the living room for a fun-loving family! I believe that every day should have smiles and snuggles, and these LemonPie monster creations supply plenty of both. The pillows come in regular size (about 7″ x 7″) or large (about 9″ x 9″) if you want more squeezable fun. Visit the Cargoh store or the Etsy shop to meet the rest of the LemonPie monster family. Head to the blog , facebook, or twitter, and get to know Klaudea and Lawrence (aka: the LemonPie team). There is even a giggle-worthy Monster’s Day Out video on YouTube!
Because everyone deserves the comfort of a warm, friendly hug… even if you aren’t busy growing molars!
~Jennifer
I am always intrigued by miniatures. Anything at all can be cute and adorable if you shrink it down into a teeny tiny version of itself! Case in point: these itty bitty tombstones from The Little Red Door:
See what I mean? Cute!
You can add a little bit of dark humour to your fishtank, especially if you have goldfish. (They do have a notoriously short life span after all, especially if you have a cat!). These ceramic miniatures are so much fun that I am tempted to get some fish, just so I can tuck them into the tank! I especially love this little igloo:
It is winter after all, why should your fish or plants be left out of the snowy fun?
Even the tiniest critters need a proper home, and you can choose custom colours.
Even a fish tank can be home sweet home.
Or, spell out the name of a child, pet, or your family’s last name as a mantle decoration!
Mix and match colours, or keep one pallet to match your decor
The little houses would be cute wedding favours, or fun decor for a baby shower. They could serve as a little reminder that home is where your heart is. If you want to see more, you can find The Little Red Door in their Etsy shop or on Twitter! Check it out!
Thanks for letting me share a little bit of cheery fun on a snowy Wednesday…
Stay safe and warm!
~Jennifer
About 7 years ago, while planning my wedding to my wonderful husband, I wanted to get a little crafty (of course). Not quite as crafty as my mom however, who crocheted her entire wedding dress herself (wow!), but crafty none-the-less. So I decorated my white sandals to make them fabulous, spray painted candle holders, and we did our own invitations, etc… etc… My favorite handmade part of our wedding though, was the stones we made for our centerpieces. My dear little brother helped me paint several hundred smooth stones, and ended up with some lovely blue fingers to show for his hard work. Then I spent countless hours painstakingly writing our names and wedding date on one side, and a word that is meaningful to us on the other. Words like “family”, “laugh”, “celebrate”, “together”, and “love” were scattered across every table to remind us all to put the most important things first in our lives.
Why am I telling you all this? (besides being a little extra emotional today as baby is at daycare for the very first time… sniff!). Because I am wishing that I knew about Monkeys Jewels back in 2004, as it would have saved me sooo much time, and kept my brothers’ fingers their natural colour! Based in British Columbia, Monkeys Jewels does custom stone engraving, giving you a meaningful and beautiful keepsake.
It's a love nest!
Timeless inspiration, a perfect reminder for someone in need of a little boost.
Now these would have been a way easier option for those centerpieces! You pick the words, and Monkey Jewels will sandblast them into the stones for you!
I love the smooth weight of the stone, and the emotion and significance behind the word.
But I also really love this:
Seriously, why didn't I know about you in 2004?!?!?!
So many people are struggling every day with health issues, sometimes a little reminder to hold on and keep fighting can mean the world.
A reminder to hold on tight to Courage, Hope, and Strength...
You can also find engraved stone pendants, and medical alert bracelets that are enduring and gorgeous! All the stones are naturally polished by the ocean before being engraved. Visit the Monkeys Jewels Etsy shop to see the endless possibilities.
Counting my blessings and feeling a little bit sentimental,
~Jennifer
A dear friend of mine is expecting her first baby in just a few weeks. Everyone is understandably very, very excited, and hotly anticipating the big arrival. But there is one problem: they don’t really know what to do with the nursery. You see, baby’s gender is remaining a mystery, and Mommy and Daddy-to-be prefer a modern style. Cheesy over-the-top teddy bears or overtly “babyish” cartoony animals just won’t cut it. So, being the good friend that I am, I have used my “expert googling internet-thingy” skills to hunt up some pretty, gender neutral, and 100% cheese-free wall decor that would be perfect for any nursery.
Leo Little Lion is based in Montreal, and they create unique, original wall decals and work with you to make sure that your decal is exactly the way you envisioned it. To top it all off, every purchase you make from Leo Little Lion is a purchase that makes a difference. A percentage of all Etsy sales is constantly reinvested at Kiva.org to support micro-loans that change lives all around the world. That’s something that can make you feel as good as your newly decorated walls look!
These adorable koala's look downright huggable!
This "tweet tree" evokes spring, a time of rebirth... fitting, no?
A little bit abstract, this one is inspired by the way our dreams seem to slip away from us as we wake. I think it's beautiful.
There are also decals that can go anywhere in your home, so baby doesn’t get to have all the fun. I particularly like this bouquet of tall roses:
Ideal for an entryway or powder room, and so easy to apply!
You can find Leo Little Lion on their website, the Etsy shop, Cargoh shop, Facebook, and Twitter. What a fun and easy way to add some style to any room, and simple to change whenever the mood strikes!
~Jennifer
In less than two weeks my baby girl will be celebrating her first birthday. In the midst of all those “how did my baby grow up so fast?” moments, I am planning a small but joyful little celebration fit for an energetic, cuddly, and all around amazing little girl. Yes, I am admittedly biased, but I think that is my prerogative as her mother! I have a plan for a couple of gifts (handmade, of course!), and intend to bake a delicious cake that I will hopefully manage to transform into a monkey. But, as this is my first attempt at planning a birthday party for my very. own. child (eek!) there are many details that I haven’t ironed out quite yet. One of those would be a topper for my hopefully magnificent monkey cake. So off to the internet I went, and boy, did I hit the jackpot! Lesley Wellington Cake Toppers (aka: The Cat’s Pajamas), are unique, fun, and super-cute. Just right for any happy celebration you can possibly imagine.
When you find that perfect person, it's like a puzzle piece just fits!
How perfect to top off a delectable valentines day dessert!
Monkeys. Need I say more?
Lesley also has fabulous ornaments that will capture your heart and personality. I know it’s a little early for holiday shopping (ok, a LOT early – our 2010 tree is still in our living room), but why not do it now while the holidays are fresh on your mind, and the storage boxes are still easy to reach!
This penguin is so cute, and you can customize it however you like!
Lesley sculpts her little creations from polymer clay at her home in Hamilton, Ontario. She also welcomes custom work, just let her know what you are looking for, and she can make it happen!
You can learn more about Lesley on her website (it includes fun pictures and a blog), on facebook, or visit the Cat’s Pajamas Etsy shop to see the whole selection of toppers and ornaments.
Here’s to celebrations all year round!
~Jennifer
I love our Christmas tree. I love that the ornaments are all different, and have been collected over the years. Sometimes I admire those colour co-ordinated, perfectly put together “decorator” trees, but in the end they always leave me feeling a little cold. For me, I think the heart and warmth of the tree comes from the tradition and stories behind all the decorations. The other day I found these cute little felt penny rug ornaments from Folky Dolky, and I think I may have to stock up for next year!
Felted from upcycled wool clothing, they are an earth-friendly choice too!
Or get them with a monogram!
Then, after I had already fallen for Julie’s ornaments, I saw something else that caught my eye (and my breath!). These pretty little felt brooches would add a stylish touch to almost any outfit. They would also be a great stocking stuffer or gift exchange idea for the fashionista on your list.
These soft neutrals compliment almost anything, and the layers of petals give it added dimension!
This cream one is my favorite! The middle showcases a vintage reclaimed button.
Julie gets plenty of inspiration from living in Newfoundland, and loves the added touch of history that comes with using upcycled materials. I have to agree, and I think her pieces would fit right in on my tree… and in my wardrobe!
See it all in the Folky Dolky Etsy shop, and put a little bit of “the rock” on your tree.
~Jennifer
A few weeks ago, I sent my brother and his fiance on a mission. There was a craft show in another town that I wanted to attend, (but couldn’t) and they were conveniently going to be in that very town, on that very day. So they happily became our C+H street team and off they went with instructions to “gather information on anything that you think is cool”. They had a great time, and soon reported back that they had found some really neat stuff. One of their favorites were these beautiful pieces from Sculpted Light. When I went online to see what they were talking about, I was pretty impressed too!
Joanne begins by making her own tissue-thin paper using unique fibers from plants like forsythia and hollyhocks. This gives her paper beautiful texture and depth. Then she shapes them into stunning free-form sculptures using reeds, and finishes them off by attaching a light inside. The result: gorgeous sculptural pieces that glow warmly from the inside out.
Is it ambient lighting? is it art? It's both!
A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, Joanne uses organic materials and found objects like leaves and feathers in her work. My favorite piece (called “Orchestra”) looks like this when sitting on a table or shelf:
Simply gorgeous!
Or it can be mounted on the wall and look a little something like this:
Elegant, romantic, and lovely...
Awesome, right? And if you are looking for something to make your holiday greetings stand out from the crowd, look no further! Sculpted Light has these fantastic holiday lantern cards that will definitely *not* end up in the recycling on boxing day:
Just roll the card into a cylinder and slide it over a votive candle, the glow shines through your holiday message for everyone to enjoy
These pieces combine the best of art and functionality, and give a warm, earthy glow that is truly unique.
You can see more from Sculpted Light on Joanne’s Cargoh store, her Etsy shop, Facebook, Twitter, or the Sculpted Light website.
Let there be light!
~Jennifer
