Halloween Party Invitations

A ridiculous amount of time has been spent rounding up the best invites from around the internet. Of course Martha reigns supreme in this crafty department, but a good graphic and a printer are all you really need to get a sophisticated invite out the door. If you haven't sent yours out yet though, you'd best get on it!

Awesome wood grain paper sets a great foundation for this simple but effective card invite.

These invites use stamping and collage for a more time consuming, but not that expensive invite that will blow the pants off the competition... because, let's face it, you will have to step it up these days on the holiday that comes in second only to Christmas, as far as how much effort goes into celebrations. I sit firmly in the more time, less cash category, and fully believe in the principle of going for a walk and collecting your materials vs. purchasing fancy papers, cardstock and ornamentation at expensive craft stores. Not that I don't have a ridiculous amount of scrapbook paper simply because I am a pretty things addict. I know that with some black paper, some kraft paper or something similar... some teabags and such... you could do some very similar things to these!

The use of props might indeed up the expense factor, but it also ups the drama! If you are planning a fairly small soiree, this might be the way to go! You will definitely get people's attention!

This one kind of takes the cake in the WOW factor department. I can't imagine having the time to gather and create these... but in case the day arrives that I do have that kind of time and resources... this one is going in the permanent inspiration file! Can I get another WOW?

Simple Thanksgiving Decor Idea: Paper Flowers

Loving the simplicity of kraft paper this season. I am putting a few of these into a garland for above the window in the dining room this weekend for our family dinner (Thanksgiving is this weekend in Canada). Some burlap or linen, tiny white pumpkins and mercury glass is it for me this year. I am generally not too fussy with my table decor for holidays, and this year, the look that has been around for awhile now in interiors and weddings, rustic glam or what-have-you... it seems to fit well with me. So a few examples and tutorial links for those who don't just wing it till ya get it like I do (smart people, in other words). Click on the photo and it will take you to that pictorial. Ahhhh... the wonders of modern technology...

Turning Bits Of Paper... The Art Of Quilling

Quilling has been a fascination of mine  since I was a girl. I can't remember where I first saw it. I associate it with my grandmother, who taught me quite a few nifty things so perhaps it was through her. I pretty much love anything that uses paper as a medium. Martha Stewart always has some sweet quilling examples (above) and her site is where I usually turn for inspiration first because the projects found there are not too easy, but achievable.

I have recently though, stumbled upon the most brilliant quilling artist! Russian born, London based Yulia Brodskaya has been quilling for a little over three years, but her projects are so stunning, she has garnered the attention of many profitable entities and she truly has taken it to a new level. I thought you might like to see some of her work.

She has created pieces for the covers of books you will recognize, and as well, some very fun invites.

Who knew that the art of rolling and shaping tiny strips of paper and gluing them to a background could be so lucrative? Or really, so innovative! What makes your jaw drop and shatter into smithareens though, is the piece below. I have never seen something like this, and imagine the possibilities...

If you visit her site you can see various stages as well as angles of this piece, titled "Babushka", which she explains in depth. Every angle captures a different quality of light and emotion. She really is an inspiration, not only due to her incredible talent, but also through how she describes her process and insights into the medium itself. I just love how she has taken such a simple craft and created something so unique for reasons completely removed from where the craft originates. Just stunning.

1000 Paper Cranes

Thousand Origami Cranes (千羽鶴, Senbazuru) is a group of one thousand origami paper cranes held together by strings. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years. In Japan, it is commonly said that folding 1000 paper origami cranes makes a person's wish come true.

 A thousand paper cranes are traditionally given as a wedding gift by the folder, who is wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. They can also be gifted to a new baby for long life and good luck. Hanging a Senbazuru in one's home is thought to be a powerfully lucky and benevolent charm. They are also used as a matchmaking charm for a Japanese girl when she turns 16 years old. She would make 1000 paper cranes and give them to an admired boy.

The Thousand Origami Cranes has also become a symbol of world peace through the story of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who tried to stave off her death from leukemia as a result of radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II by making one thousand origami cranes, having folded only 644 before her death, and that her friends completed and buried them all with her. (This is only one version of the story. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum states that she did, in fact, complete the 1,000 cranes.) My son's book club finished reading this a couple of months ago and this was the catalyst for his friend Aidan to suggest the idea of making 1000 paper cranes in support of Japan's current crisis situation.

If you are local to Nelson, there are crane folding groups happening until 3:00 today at City Hall, as well as this weekend at the Community Complex, 9-12 Saturday and 10-12 noon Sunday. It would be great if you could bring paper, and if you wish, you can print instructions off on your computer or just show up and help out with what is already going on, I am sure there will be enough to go around! The cranes will be distributed around town for the next while and tiny ones are being made into pins to raise funding for Japan.

We are on our way down now... hope to see you there!

(Much of this post is taken from Wikipedia due to me running out the door! I wanted to make sure the word got out first :) )

Photo credits: Please click on the image to take you to the seller's etsy shop. The others are from the Wikipedia page!

Aesthetic Dominion: Cartolina's Latest

I have been a fan of Cartolina for years. I am a bit of a stalker on Fiona's site, I visit hers probably more than any other blog on the net and never EVER find it to be dull. Always inspiring, sometimes to the point of ridiculousness... ever to the point of distraction. I actually live in the same town as she does, which is the sweetest little arts town in North America, so I feel very lucky to have her as a neighbour! Such talent we have here in the Koots :)


Fiona has been a busy little bee the past year... well, truth be told, I don't think she ever rests. She and her husband were the ones who opened my favourite place to have chai and a muffin, The Dominion Cafe, and although they haven't owned it for a few years it is almost the same today as it was then, which shows you that she has a good eye, excellent taste, and knows what she is doing in business. These days she is putting all of that talent into evolving her "pretty things" business, Cartolina. And by "evolve" I pretty much mean world domination.



I am not one who would jump at the first chance to marry art with something high tech, because, well I am not high tech and really don't understand any of it. I don't have a cell phone... yeeesssss... that's right, I don't own one. I had one years ago, I have gone through two actually. I never used them. I either can't keep the bloody thing charged or I have forgotten to get more time for it (the first one I got a three year plan and used it maybe ten times) and it is generally taking up space in my bag for literally no reason. If I DID have a cell phone, I would be grabbing that app I mentioned on Valentine's day. I love the idea of sending something so gorgeous in such a simple way. I love that Cartolina has taken these images that are inspired so obviously by vintage artwork and created something so modern, not only in an aesthetic sense, but also in the way they are used.


I purchased my first Cartolina card eons ago in a Nelson boutique. I didn't realize they were a local company and felt that I needed to buy it in case I couldn't find them again. I bought it solely to frame. I am delighted that she has recently made framable prints for sale in a Cartolina etsy shop. Her first etsy store! They would make gorgeous housewarming or wedding gifts.


Most recently, she teamed up with Lief, Leuk & Eigen to create the most adorable Baby Collection of announcements. They are customizable with regards to names and dates etc., and most importantly, are not the typical cutesy thing that most baby products have going on.


I adore these! They are available online at Leif, Leuk & Eigen's site.

Of course around here it goes without saying that my favourite part of the Cartolina way of doing things is making something so beautiful without losing touch with the importance of our planet. Cartolina cards are printed on recycled paper that comes with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. The FSC represents products produced from well-managed forests, controlled sources and recycled wood. The cards are printed with vegetable based inks and their printer was named Most Environmentally Progresive Printer in Canada for the last 5 years at the Environmental Printing Awards. Brilliant all around.

Love and Affection: DIY Valentine's Day Ideas

Tom Banwell mask

OK! It's Valentine's month, and although for years and years I went around all self-righteously and pledged non-allegiance to the fact that North Americans had set aside only one day to spread the love, I am now a convert. Well, I still believe that we should spend much more time telling people how much we like each other, how much we appreciate the things others do for us, and do things for others as well... but MOST OF ALL... I am a huge fan of leaving little tokens of affection randomly for the people in our lives to find, if only so that it brightens their day.

the French Mouse

I also love a good excuse to pull out all the crafting supplies in the house and set to work. Having kids gave me call to raise the bar for valentines givers everywhere. I spend days waiting for inspiration to hit right about the beginning of February and usually by the time the big day rolls around we have an army of crazy creations to hand out to all our friends. This year's batch includes individualized patches off the embroidery machine...


One year I bought a bunch of black heavy paper and a silver pen, expropriated a baggie of little rubber lizards from a previous birthday party, and glue-gunned a lizard to the top of each card with my son who put lizard tracks across the front and spelled IGUANA Be Your Valentine inside with a piece of candy taped to it. I don't know how many kids at his school even got it, but we had so much fun making them that I kept going and made one for all my friends as well. The very first black valentines I have come across :)

Does this not say LOVE to you?

Last year, the valentines we gave out were red felt hearts that Rowan sewed pockets into on the sewing machine (supervised) with a simple zig zag stitch, and we put a lollipop or chocolate in each. We used sparkle glue to write the person's name across the front. Not my favourite aesthetically, but he absolutely LOVED making them, and they were adorable when he was done. I have let go of a lot of my Martha tendencies for perfection having two young boys in my life :) It has been very good for my stress level. Sort of balances out the stress that comes from, say, stepping on LEGO pieces, or cleaning toothpaste off every bathroom surface possible.

This is very similar to the idea we used last year... the tutorial for this bag can be found on Momtastic here.

I have found a few really nifty ideas from around webville with Valentine's in mind and thought I'd share...

Of course my first visit for a project is always to How About Orange...

This is an awesome idea from Bloesem Kids, which I admittedly have not tried yet, but if perfected could become a household staple for invites etc. I LOVE this!

Design*Sponge has some pretty darn sweet ideas!




And of course there was a visit to Martha, but I was quite surprised that it was hard to find a new idea. I think Martha's crew must be the best recyclers (of ideas) in the craft world... and there is a place there for you to upload your own cards so they are probably fishing... :)
HOWEVER, I adore quilling, and this reminds me that it has been awhile... and the seed packets are always one of my favourites, as it is a nice reminder that spring is just around the corner AND the more flowers growing in this world, the better. Look for locally grown organic seeds for best results. And switch up the packaging, I don't know why seed packets have become so darn ugly, but it is worth making up some pretty little envelopes and transferring the seeds. Also, if you visit a nursery, you can get a sweet discount on buying the seeds in a bulk size package and dividing them up yourself!


Whichever you choose, be sure you love sending the love!

Handmade Wilderness

Unique is difficult to find these days. When they came up with the notion that great minds think alike, they weren't planning on billions of people taking over the planet and consequently ideas happening at an exponential rate, good or bad or neither. It always pleases me to find something that everyone else is doing but taken to another level. So I was most pleased to come across the sculptures in Jennifer Khoshbin's 'Handmade Wilderness' series a little while ago, done with paper mache over resin.

The carved trophy head is a wonderful alternative to putting a dead animal on your wall, but this funky idea brings a whole new and light-hearted twist to the idea that I just love. She has a special gift I think. My favorite is the deer done in flocked paper and I also love her wolf head and her rhino that you an see on her website here.

Her other projects done with paper cutting are also delightful! This is a talented woman.