(no before) and after magazine holder

 I have been on the hunt for some pieces that I can use to hold and display prints for my upcoming show. I was so lucky to stumble upon this adorable magazine holder in a local antique shop. It was a dark brown wood before with a worn finish (why didn't I take a before picture?).

I painted it with Valspar Caribbean Spray Paint and voila! Now I have a cute little holder for 8x10 prints, plus I can use it in my home, as I am trying to infuse more blue in my decor!

Oh, and I made some cute price stickers for my shop. They have cute scalloped edges!

How has your weekend been so far? Tomorrow I am thrilled to feature an interview with an AMAZING illustrator named Laura George. You can check out here etsy shop here. Be prepared for some awesomeness!

-Stacie

dairy free apple cake

I've been missing in action for the past few days! Honestly, I have been feeling quite inspired creatively and have been spending all of my free time making things! Yet on Tuesday, I had to take a break from all of the creativity because Violet had a request... or rather a demand: cake. Literally, she woke up and started screaming "Cake! Cake! Cake!"

So, I found a lovely dairy free apple cake recipe. I did not take pictures, but that's okay! It was actually quite tasty! It did taste healthy, but healthy is good!

 source image

Here's the yummy recipe! Violet loved it and was so sad by the end of the week when the cake was gone! I did make a few modifications, like using whole wheat flower and olive oil (I was out of vegetable oil). 

recipe from food.com

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 apples - peeled, cored and sliced
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 5 teaspoons white sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 10 inch tube pan. Combine the ground cinnamon and 5 teaspoons of the sugar together and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and 2 cups of the sugar. Stir in the vegetable oil, beaten eggs, orange juice and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Pour 1/2 of the batter into the prepared pan. Top with 1/2 of the sliced apples and sprinkle with 1/2 of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Pour the remaining batter over the top and layer the remaining sliced apples and cinnamon sugar.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 70 to 90 minutes. 

madame monkey pants

Good evening. I would like to introduce you to Madame Monkey Pants... also known as my daughter, Violet. Yes, Monkey Pants is our affectionate nickname for our little girl. I know it sounds silly, but she does not refer to herself as "Violet", but rather "Monkey". It is actually quite cute! We ask her where the monkey is, and she points to herself. Violet is giving her best monkey face in these pictures.

Life has been incredibly busy the past few days. I am printing like a madwoman, and trying to stay focused, as I have little time every night to work after Madame Monkey Pants hits the hay.

Oh, and thanks so much for the advice yesterday on the dress! I went with the yellow dress. Ordered it today and am hoping it actually fits! I am always nervous if I should order a Medium or a Large. However, the size chart implied to order the Medium! Isn't it amazing how a wearing a size Medium instead of Large can make you feel soo much better about yourself?

Uh Oh... Monkey Pants is stirring in her sleep..... gotta go!

-Stacie

wanted: new dress for show

I am selling some of my Gingiber Products at a craft show. It is my first show and I am a bit nervous, but firmly believe that a new dress will ease my nerves.

Now, I am a curvy lady, so inexpensive options from ModCloth or LuLu's are out of the question (whimper.... so much cuteness in such small sizes..)

But, I am hopeful that I can find something gorgeous at the Shabby Apple. I recently heard of this shop. Here are my 3 favorites:

The Madison Avenue Dress

I adore how classy this dress is. I love the trench coat feel to it. But, is it too formal for a show?

Upper East Side Dress

The color is killer. I think that the skirt and blouse area could accommodate my figure. But, it looks like they are out of my size!!!

Cider Dress

I like the color of this dress quite a bit. I can imagine dressing it up with heals, or making it more casual with my flat brown boots and a nice chunky cartigan.

So what do you think?

-Stacie

lifestylebazaar: wishlist

Recently I was on the LivingEtc website when I noticed a little news blurb about a store called LifestyleBazaar. The name was quite intriguing, so I immediately began browsing their selection of unique housewares.

Here are some of my favorites!

1. Desk Tidy by Black + Blume

2. Mr. Impossible Chair

3. Pantone A6 Notebook

4. Labware Table/Floor Lamp by Benjamin Hubert for Authentics

5. Inside Out Bathroom Cabinet by Marcus Beck

6. Blaue Blume Large Cake Plate

I always enjoy discovering new and fun places to window shop. I think my hubby would love the Labware lighting fixtures..... alas, my taste always exceeds my checkbook!


-Stacie

home ec with rachel, leigh-ann, and courtney

Home Ec with Rachel, Leigh-Ann, and Courtney

Guess who just signed up for her first Home EC Class? Me! My sweet husband knew that I wanted to take the class and gave me his blessing today!

I am so excited. Most of you who read this blog have probably heard of the class already, but just in case you don't know about it:

"If you've always wanted to learn how to use that sewing machine you found at a garage sale or could use a few tips on how to get your button holes to turn out like they should, you should join us for Home Ec, an online class designed to teach you how to enter the land of back stitching and squaring up with confidence. You'll get the skills you've always wanted and resources to become quite the innovative crafter/homemaker/business person/best Christmas present maker ever." - Rachel from Smile and Wave

I cannot wait to brush up on my skills. I have always sewn curtains, reupholstered furniture, made stuffed toys, etc. But I have always been self taught and would really like to add some craftsmanship to my work. Plus, I really am pumped about meeting so many awesome people who are taking this class. I cannot imagine a more friendly, energetic, and positive place to learn and get to know people better!

Huzaah!

-Stacie

mind your music: the black keys

It's finally here! i am ditching my sad little office job and road tripping 8 whole hours to the gorgeous city of Chicago .... and going see a few bands of course! And one of the best is definitely going to be The Black Keys 

Tighten Up

Who Are They: The band is made up of two skinny white guys that somehow manage to raise up Son House and Leadbelly from the grave (or at least give a 21st century reincarnation). The Ohio natives give the blues rock infusion a tangible oh-so-fabulous bite that is soulful and catchy.

 

Favorite Songs: A lot of their albums were recorded in basements and the raw quality definitely makes every song that much better. i love the new album (Brothers) for its' perfection; i love the old albums for the pure grit.

Howlin' For You

 

Great Men Who Take Photos: Thomas Vanderzaag and Tony Katai i'm sure to share photos from Lollapalooza when i get back. It's a great way to end the summer. - Jenna