handmade bag.

i was so inspired by christine's holiday buckets, i decided that one of my new year's goals would be to sew a bag for my knitting needles and yarn.

i fell in love with this fabric at ikea almost five years ago, but had previously never figured out what to do with it. so, i got to work, and i am so pleased with the way it turned out.

i followed this simple tutorial, (although i made it a little bigger) and then just added the handles and two buttons for decoration. (the buttons aren't easy to see in these photos, but they are at the base of each handle).

the only thing i would do differently next time is to use some interfacing. i didn't have any, so the bag flops a little bit. but i love it anyway!

p.s. thank you to a special family member who provided indispensable moral support during the making of this bag.

baking and making.

good morning, my friends! happy 1/11/11. :)

did you know, we're expecting a huge snow storm in boston tomorrow? my plan is to sit on my couch and eat sea salt brownies all day. (in fact, they're so good, i had one for breakfast with my coffee. shhh.)

yesterday, this idea came to me in the middle of making dinner. so, naturally, i stopped chopping vegetables and just made these little bunting cards instead. the vegetables waited patiently.

last night, i also made this birthday banner for a very special sister. please ignore the fact that the colors look like i'm throwing a baby shower. oops.

finally, i have a question for all of you: what are your favorite slow-cooker recipes? we got one for our wedding, and i am so excited to play around with this genius contraption. thank you. happy tuesday! xo.

pretty things.

etsy will be the death of me. in the last month alone, i bought a fun ball garland, a set of brass swans (aren't they romantic?) and a vintage brass sail boat.

and i still can't help but browse etsy every day. is there a support group for this? :)

p.s. as you can tell, brass is the new black. :)
p.p.s. these photos were taken with my new camera! i'm in love.

crocheted flower coasters.

ever since i stumbled on these coasters, i can't stop thinking about them. they are whimsical, sweet and simply perfect for my cup of tea or coffee.

and so it's official: i absolutely have to learn how to crochet. do any of you crochet and if so, how did you learn? any tips?

(photo credit: chizuru-bis)

cutest ornaments you've ever seen.

these felt hand sewn ornaments are just so sweet, don't you think?

tell me, do you make your own ornaments? simon's family has a tradition of making ornaments every year, and i love it. maybe i can convince them to make these next year. that camera is awesome.



(credit: lupin shop)

oh etsy.

confession: i literally spend hours on etsy every week. can we pretend discovering gorgeous handmade and vintage finds is a legitimate hobby? :)

(credits: adorable vintage tea cup from here. button pins from here. blue garden scarf from here. graphic roses clutch from here. vintage milk glass jar candle from here. wooden side table from here.)

adorable escort card idea.

as you all know, corsage flower brooches have been all the rage this year, so why not add them to your escort cards? if we didn't already have a plan, i'd totally be stealing this idea... too cute.

(via elizabeth anne designs, credit: rachel grace)

speaking of wine...

simon and i feel incredibly lucky to have found and be working with our wedding photographer, meredith of andunlimited photography, so we brought her a little thank you gift on saturday.
i didn't have a wine tote or anything else snazzy to decorate it in, so i just used some things i had around the house (kraft paper, ribbon, baker's twine and other miscellaneous things in my craft closet).

when she got home, she photographed it. i just love her style and the way she captures details, don't you? (click on image to see it larger.)

thanks again, meredith!

p.s. engagement pictures coming to the blog very soon!

catching up on z's.

oh my goodness, these pillow letters made by hilary cosgave are amazing. they are made from... wait for it... recycled suit jackets!

pure and utter genius.