Archive | February, 2010

New Designs at DHD

by Melissa on 25. Feb, 2010 in design

Here’s another shameless plug for all of the design work I’ve been doing.

The last few weeks I’ve been focusing a lot on hand-lettering. I named the collection Thesaurus, because each kit has eight different ways to say one thing. Here are a few of my favorites.

{oh, hello! kit: $1.99}

{so pretty! kit: $1.99}

{play with me! kit: $1.99}

{oh, baby! kit: $1.99}

{gee, thanks! kit: $1.99}

{oh, sweet! kit: $1.99}

Can you tell that I’m obsessed with cursive & calligraphy? Today is “release day” for this kit, so you can buy the entire collection here at 30% off ($6.99) for the next 24 hours.

I don’t design with an eye so much toward scrapbooking as toward general print applications.  This word art and the rest of my Digital Design House work is meant to be versatile enough to use on web pages, personal cards, silkscreens, iron-ons or anything decorative. I get a lot of inspiration from seeing my artwork in action, so let me know what you do with these kits! I’m a sucker for uploads to the flickr group and/or comments.

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This book could be yours. . .

by Melissa on 24. Feb, 2010 in giveaways & reviews

Last week, I wrote about hosting a little friendly contest over at IS•LY’s flickr group, and I’m totally serious about it. Seriously, serious.

Here’s the deal. . . I really want you to post your handmade projects (whatever they may be) in the flickr pool. Seriously, I just get so excited to see what other people are making, and how creative you guys are! Please show me! So if you show me something you’ve made, and I’m just in love with it, I’ll send you this hand-bound book and some hand-drawn/designed stickers. Sounds like fun, right? So this month, only one winner will be chosen, and I will announce that winner next Wednesday, March 3rd.

Here are the contest details:

  • Items must be made and photographed by you (unless you’re the one modeling the handmade item – but please, don’t hire a professional).
  • Photos must be uploaded and added to the flickr group by Sunday February 28, 2010 at 11:59pm MST.
  • Judging is subjective and as non-biased as possible. Entries will be judges by yours truly & Susan Petersen.
  • (1) Winner will be announced March 3, 2010.
  • International entries are allowed.
  • Multiple entries are encouraged.
  • Comments on this post are NOT entries.
  • To enter, join IS•LY’s flickr group (click here) and add your photos to the pool.

Bonnes Chance, everybody.

Next month’s prize is going to be even awesomer, by the way. ;)

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T&C: Antiques and Ogden

by Melissa on 22. Feb, 2010 in thrifty & chic

I’m really excited about Thrifty & Chic! Last week I was just thrilled to read all about your thrifty adventures. Thank you so much for sharing them with me. Seriously, keep it up. I love a good thrift story.

This last weekend my friend, Susan, was so kind to let me tag along with her and Caitlin (super cute interior decorator with tons of great ideas) on an awesome thrifting/antiquing adventure. We headed up to the antique show up in Ogden and just ooh-ed and ahh-ed over nearly every single piece on display. There were some stunning pieces of furniture that would’ve looked so charming in my multi-million dollar dream home. You know, the one? The one that’s in the Presidio in SF.

I think my favorite part of the whole excursion was discovering vaseline glass. It’s made out of uranium and glows neon green under black lights. SO rad. I feel a little lame I didn’t take my cool camera with me, but I did manage to snap a few pics of some things I thought were awesome. If you’d like to see it, check out my whrrl story about it.

Although the prices weren’t bargain basement awesome, Susan and I still walked away victorious. See, I’ve been just dying for a felt cloche. I’ve wanted one since I discovered the handmade cloche hats of Behida Dolic. OH. MY. GOODNESS. They’re stunning. If I were a million times richer, I would buy every single hat in her shop. I’m sure you’ll agree with me. Since I can’t justify the $300+ price tag, I’ve been searching high and low for one that’s just right. I snatched up my little hat for $17. Not bad, right? I’m not usually one to spend over $6 on any item of clothing, but I was surely willing to make an exception for this beauty.

After antiquing we did some more thrifting. This was where we found the bulk of our goodies. Luck was surely in our favor. Or mine. Susan found the most awesome moccasins, but they were my size, not hers. I’m sure she was re-evaluating our friendship at that point, but lucky for me she’s a forgiving soul. I’m just gushing about my new moccasins. Who $6 could be this hip?

I went a little crazy with the melamine plates. There are many things that make my heart all gushy, and one of them is good old melamine. There’s something about the bright colors and smooth finish that I just LOVE. I think I’m going to plan Penelope’s second birthday around these colors. The lady at the checkout stand was really, really nice to me and gave them to me for 33¢ a piece rather than the usual 50¢. Sweet.

Did you find any good deals over the weekend? Please share in the comments, or email me! I’d love to hear!

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Rosebud Headband

by Melissa on 19. Feb, 2010 in crafts

I’m pretty sure the Purl Bee’s free rose barrette pattern has taken the crafting scene by storm. I first saw it here (how cute, right?) and in the week since, I’ve seen little rosebuds popping up all over the place. I’ve made a few since seeing the tutorial, and last night I thought I would change things up a bit by attaching 3 of the rose buds to a headband. So easy.

I used darker felt and enlarged the pattern for the one in the middle, for contrast. I really like my new headband! I may just wear it through the whole weekend.

Like my new ‘do? My sister cut and colored my hair on Monday. I’m loving it! She always does such a great job! Well. . .  there was that one time when I was 12 and she was 16 . . . she gave me a mullet. But, that may have been intentional because I was an annoying 12 year old.

I hope you have a crafty weekend. If you make something, be sure to post it to the flickr group! You might win something if you do!

Cheers.

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Napkins are easy. Obvi.

by Melissa on 17. Feb, 2010 in sewing

Chris and I use the term obvi all the time. We’re much too lazy to pronounce the extra two syllables to say “obviously“. We’re hip like that.

Last night I made napkins for the first time ever. They’re so easy, why haven’t I made them before?!? I had a bunch of coarse linen floating around, I thought why not? I looked like I had enough fabric for six napkins, but turns out I was about 2 inches shy of getting my set. Guess I’m going back to the fabric store for more! At least I was able to make four of them so I could take some pretty pictures.

They’re much better than my dark charcoal napkins. I feel like they’re not as starchy and stiff.

Funny, I dress up my table more for photos than I do for company. Sad, right? Well, since I have the table all set up, I may as well surprise Chris and make dinner a little fancier than usual. Maybe tonight’s dinner will make up for my lack of plans on Valentines. I was SO pathetic on Sunday, we ate tuna sandwiches and crackers. I didn’t even really make him a valentine. Not really. I’ve still got to finish it and share it with you first.

I was really pleased how the natural fabric goes with the orange thread I used. They’re a little on the plain side right now, but I’ll be silkscreening them soon. Really soon. I just have to nail down the design first. I’ll keep you posted.

Do you like the skinny napkin rings? I found a set of 10 of them at a thrift store for 25¢ total. Awesome, hu? I like the natural wood color, but there will always be a part of me that wants to spray paint them a crazy color. Like teal.

{P.S. Don’t mind that there are only three glasses in the last photo. I broke the fourth glass while taming the twigs. I’m clumsy.}

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