Envelope Wraps

I've been inspired to create envelope wraps with some of my designs. Since I love paper I wanted my designs to emulate some of my favorite japanese washi papers. They work great on A2 envelopes and rsvp (a1) envelopes. I put them on sale on my site as a editable PDF. You print them over and over for only $10

Sweet morsel!

Miette is my favorite word in French. Meaning little crumb or morsel. I have to say I'm savoring and salivating just looking at these delightful little treats from this sweet bakery in San Francisco!
Or perhaps this little treat. Check them out here!

If you have extra cash

Ok, I don't have cash laying about and I can't say I'd do this. But NPR had this quirky article about teddy bear vacations to Lapland. Well Brownie will not have the priviledge of doing this anytime soon. They do seem awfully close to the fire here. Teddy Tours

Macarons

I have heard down the grapevine that macarons are the thing for this year and will oust the humble cupcake sooner or later. I hate to say it but I'd be more likely to make cupcakes than macarons with their fussy requirements and pricey ingredients. But one of these days I'd like to create the chic macaron just to put that ability under my belt. While surfing around I ran into this article about them from former pastry chef of Chez Pannise David Lebovitz I suggest you go over there and try it!

Cute Veggie

I'm starting to love cute bento box meals! I wish I had time to perfect lunch like this. At this point, I'm lucky to get a peanut butter sandwich into my kids hands, as we shuttle off to grandma and I go to work.

Perpetual Calendar

I have to say I appreciate geekery when it's way cool like this..Unfortunately it's sold out! But here's the incredible company that makes this!Dependable Letterpress

Bunk bed palace!

How I wish I were the kids lucky enough to get this! Cedar Works definitely has some posh gear for kids. First seen on At home with Kim Vallee

My sentiments exactly...

I love this poster. Procrastination at its best. Seen on ffffound.com

New Self-inking stamp designs & invitations

I have to say that having an Etsy site has made me more productive than I ever thought I could be. Being in business suits me. (I've always wanted to have a business and this was the safest and easiest way to start) I recently put up some new self-inking stamp designs. The 88 butterfly is a real butterfly from South America and the number 8 is considered auspicious in the Chinese thinking (I think because it sounds like the word for an gold ingot).

IKEA: Sign of the times

We were running by IKEA yesturday when we noticed that the Kid's club is no longer going to offer freebies (ending June 1). Those of you who don't know, IKEA had a club card you scanned at the front entrance and got items like a free toy or free drink from the resturant, and sometimes a free kids meal! While it's not closing it's playroom (thankfully!) I was sad to see it go. I also noticed a lot of prices slashed unbelievably low. I guess even a giant like IKEA is feeling the pinch of this economic crisis.
I have to admit, with our very limited income, we didn't come away with any purchases either. No liquidity of cash, so no spending. We are thinking about going to a thrift store to find the stool we are looking for. At least the Reuse movement has better incentives these days. I have to wonder out there, what's your strategy for saving a dime?