Happy Valentine's Day - The Upcycled Way

Check out this post on upcycled Valentine's Day gifts from Love2Upcycle, featuring two Purple Clover products. Can you spot them in the collage?

Follow the link above to see where you can score each of these eco-friendly beauties!

Valentine's Day Treats

Now I don't often post about food, but there are so many cute Valentine's Day ideas popping up on pinterest these days, I just couldn't resist. Here's a few of my favorites below...why not make one for your sweetheart today? Enjoy, and Happy Valentine's everyone!

Simple Heart-Shaped Toast via MakesAndTakes.com

Raspberry Meringue Kisses via Bakingdom.com

Heart-Shaped French Toast

Candy-Cane Heart Pops via Pleasant-Home.com

Unique Valentine's Gifts

Personalized Red Wool Heart Sachet by NeedleAndFelt

It's a good bet that your SO has probably never received a Valentine's gift as great as handmade bar of soap that says 'You Smell Nice' or a clothes hanger in the shape of the word 'STUD,' or even a Valentine's card with a friendly troll that says 'Hi Hottie.' And, I'm also guessing your craft-loving BFF has never gotten a better gift than a set of heart-shaped recycled crayons.

I know, your jealous of my fabulous gift-giving ideas. Guess what? I'm happy share! Check out my Unique Valentine's Gift Guide on Pinterest to find out where you can purchase all of the above and more!

From the Studio: I Heart U

Just in time for Valentine's Day, here's a sneak peek at new customizable wall decor available from Purple Clover! Let your SO or friend know you care with this adorable decoration made from a repurposed map of the location of your choice - such as a hometown, memorable vacation spot or favorite city. Check out all the details on Etsy!

Wrapping Paper Crafts

If you're like me, recovering from the holidays usually involves weening yourself off of sugar and picking up lots of wrapping paper from the floor. This year instead of just throwing the paper in the recycling bin (yes - all wrapping paper is recyclable!!) why not work off some of that sugar with a crafting marathon? Here's a few links to fun craft projects with used wrapping paper:

Wrapping Paper Necklace by Design by Night

Six Craft Projects Using Wrapping Paper from Crafting a Green World (I love the wrapping paper thank you card idea!)

Recycled Paper Flowers by Maya*Made

Art for the Season

Artwork wasn't meant to static. Meaning, that painting of a bowl of fruit that's been hanging above your kitchen table for the past six years? Yeah, it's probably time to rotate to that to another space (say, the attic?) and give another piece of artwork some time in spotlight. Why not try a piece of holiday art? Changing art with the seasons gives your space a mini facelift every few months and gives you a new reason to buy something pretty...see everyone wins! 

Check out these fun finds of holiday and winter artwork.  Highlights are below, and don't forget to look at the full list. Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

Catching Snowflakes Original Painting by JamiesArt

Funky Christmas Tree Painting by ADoorArt

Happy Hanukkah Menorah Print by anavicky

Best Cookies Ever

I haven't posted any recipes here in the past, but today I am making an exception to that rule because really, what's the holiday season without an excessive amount of cookies?

Another reason I'm making an exception today is that these brown sugar cookies are in running for the best cookie I've ever eaten. Seriously. They are beyond delicious in my opinion. Here is the original recipe from Real Simple. As one of the reviews suggested, I added two eggs and rolled them out. The result? Amazingness. The second cookie you see in the photo is a basic lemon cake mix cookie (recipe here) - also very good but it definitely takes second place. Enjoy, and happy baking!

Still Shopping?

If you are one of the many procrastinators out there still doing their holiday shopping, might I suggest taking a look at these two treasuries featuring items by yours truly? (if you are ahead of the game - congrats!)

Holiday Decorating Upcycle Style by GreenerRoute

Holiday Present Coasters by Purple Clover

Last Minute & Unique by RibbonsEdge

White Heart Upcycled Coasters by Purple Clover

Peace Is In The Air

Recycled Paper Mosaic, Colors of Peace, by LaurenSnyder

I always love a good piece of peace sign art, or jewelry, or well, basically peace sign anything. I'm proud to say I have a purple glittery peace sign currently sitting atop by Christmas tree. And my sister, very wisely, gave me a peace sign ice cube tray for my birthday last month (best present ever!). Clearly, I'm a bit obsessed. So I love it when this time of year peace sign starts pop up on holiday decorations, Christmas cards and at New Year's Eve celebrations. The peace sign is a constant symbol of hope, strength and possibilities but somehow it seems even more special come the holiday season. To celebrate the international symbol of peace, here is a collection of eco-friendly fun finds for my fellow peace sign-lovers. Enjoy the highlights shown here (plus fun trivia below!) and be sure to check out the full collection!



For those not as familiar with the symbol, or just looking for a fun fact of the day, here is some peace sign trivia to impress your friends with:

1. Though now the international symbol of peace, the peace sign was first created to symbolize just one specific type of peace. It was the logo of the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

2. The peace sign's creation is attributed to Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist, in 1958.

3. The symbol was quickly adopted by other movements of the time, including the U.S. anti-war movement. The first U.S. group to adopt the symbol was the Student Peace Union.

4. The peace sign is a combination of the semaphore (Maritime flag signals) signals for "N" and "D" - representing nuclear disarmament.

Tie-Dye Bottle Cap Necklace by BottleCapBirthdays

Have an Organized Holiday

Let's face it - staying completely organized and sane around the holidays is basically impossible. But we can give it our best shot. Starting off with a good, solid system will give you the best chance for a semi-calm, semi-organized holiday and will greatly reduce the chance that you'll lose Aunt Marge's present in the deep, dark recesses of your hall closet. Below are a few general tips to get you started, for the advanced level of holiday organizing visit my pinterest boards or search the site for "holiday organizing tips" - there are tons of great suggestions and projects!

• Try using a chart to help track the progress of your gift-giving list instead of just committing it to memory. Here's a good one. 

• Keep the holiday cards you receive out on display to show them off and help you remember who else you need mail one to. 

Via marthastewart.com

• Set-up a designated gift wrap station in your house, or use a portable basket or suitcase, to keep all your wrapping supplies in one place. That way whenever you have a few free minutes you can stop by that spot (or pull out the basket) and wrap, rather than waste time hunting down all the supplies. If you have a long list wrapping in shorter bursts, rather than all at once, will make the process much less daunting! 

Via homemadesimple.com

• Think ahead to next year. Come January it's very tempting to just throw your holiday decorations in boxes, seal them with duck tape and pack away until next year. However, spending some time pre-planning your holiday storage will pay off big next time around. Use compartmentalized boxes (think bead craft boxes) for ornaments and small knick-knacks. Wrap lights and garland around extra cardboard or leftover wrapping paper tubes for tangle-free storage. And, if you have a special item that just makes the holiday season for you mark which box it's in. That way you can open it first and get the season off to the perfect start!

Via realsimple.com

Silver and Gold - a classy holiday combination

This time of year red and green, the tried and true colors of the holiday season, are everywhere you go. Green wreaths, red bows - it's everywhere. I've nothing against these colors - it wouldn't be the holiday season if I didn't have red and green spots in my eyes after a trip to the mall - but I also think we shouldn't forget the more sophisticated and somewhat less appreciated colors of the season: silver and gold. They sparkle; they go with just about every other color; they look sophisticated without being stuffy; oh, and did I mention they sparkle?

Whether your shopping for holiday decor or tackling your gift list, make sure to give silver and gold colors their proper due. To get you started, take a look at these Etsy Treasuries who pay homage to these classic colors:

Silver Bells by Principessabows

Glitter by Inessa

Snowflakes and Silver by AprilsViolets

Glimmers of Gold and Green by Briole




P.S. - Apologies to my regular readers for my extended absence from the blogosphere. What can I say? Life happens!

Kick-Back This Black Friday

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday! Now that all that delicious tofurkey (just kidding - tofurkey is actually not the tastiest. I had maple tofu yesterday - yum!) has been digested it's time to turn your attention to more important matters:  Black Friday.

Skip the crowds, put on those sweatpants and kick-back with your laptop for an easy, breezy Black Friday online shopping spree. Be sure to check out the fantastic offerings from DC area handmade artists on Etsy and use the code HOLIDAYCREST for a 15% discount from participating artists. Not sure where to start? May I suggest perusing these treasuries? I'm sure it won't take long for you to find that must-have item!

Occupy Black Friday by EBNArtStudio

CREST Black Friday in Blue by thetwistedcow

Happy Shopping!

Support Local DC Artists this Black Friday

Skip the crowded malls, long lines and early wake-up calls this Black Friday. A collective of DC-area handmade artists (including yours truly) have joined forces to help you get your holiday shopping list taken care of without all of the hassle! Use the code "HOLIDAYCREST" at any of the following Etsy Stores this Friday, Nov. 25 through Monday, Nov. 28 for a 15% discount. Enjoy, and happy (stress-free!) shopping!

Bette's Bags - One-of-a-kind handmade bags, purses, totes, etc.

  Earthen Knit - Sustainable Scarves, Hats, Washcloths, & Fiber Jewelry

EBN Art Studio - Contemporary Painting, Prints, & more!

Handmade Habitat - upcycled clothes, handmade journals, functional bags, lovely toys for your cats, and more!

JenniferLynn Productions - Photography and Cards

Julie Rebecca Designs - Beaded Jewelry & Accessories

Maggie Sue Designs - Accessories for Fun & Function 

Peace, Baby! Batiks - Batik Clothing for Babies and Toddlers

Purple Clover - Eco-friendly Home Decor

RAM Jewelry Designs - Handcrafted, Beaded Jewelry

Smoking Haute - Modern Knitted Accessories

Taila Custom Designs - Handmade with Love Using Yarn, Fabric, & Ribbons

(check out fellow CRESTer EBNArtStudio's blog for the most up-to-date list of participating vendors)

The Art of Thankfulness

This time of year lots of people are sharing via facebook, twitter or blogs what they are thankful for. Now, I'm as tech-obsessed as the rest of us, but don't you miss the good ole' days when you had a construction paper turkey (a.k.a a cutout of your hand) and had to write something your thankful for on each feather (a.k.a finger)? There's just something about physically picking up the pen and paper that I think gives a little more weight to those positive thoughts (not that I'm digging on the virtual-postive thoughts either!!). Why not consider one of these fun grown-up versions of that very fancy turkey this Thanksgiving? But whichever way you choose to share, I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!

I love this idea for a big Thanksgiving party! Via PoodlePoddles

Thankful Tree via HoneyWereHome

Gratitude Journal via iloveitallwithmonicawright

Fancy (and easy!) Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Each year on Thanksgiving I have two jobs: 1) Get the cranberry sauce out of the jar (it seems I'm the only one who knows how to get it out in one piece!) and 2) decorate the table. Clearly, the latter is my favorite. My mom always has flowers ready, and I add to it with whatever other items we have on hand that happen to strike my fancy that day - ribbon, garland, votives, vases, etc. One year I even used coffee mugs in the design. It's always a spur of the moment design, and I love that no two years ever turn out the same. However, if you're someone who prefers to have plan, I suggest following some of the fun and easy DIY Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas from Pintrest. A few of my favorites are below. Enjoy, and happy creating!

Centerpiece via HoneyBeeintheCity

Centerpiece via Better Homes and Garden

Centerpiece via OurSouthernTable

Buying Handmade for the Holidays

The holiday season starts at a different time for everyone. According to some retail giants it now starts in September. Then there are some die-hards that refuse to put up a holiday decoration until December 1st or 10th or 20th (really?). But for me, each year the holiday season starts right about now. The week before Thanksgiving fits for me because it's far enough past my birthday that all those celebrations have passed and it's usually about the time I get an email from my mom asking what I want this year (yep, we still do that!). So, in honor of my start to the holiday season here is my first post on the holidays...

I know you’ve heard or seen promotions for ‘Buy Handmade This Holiday!’ You probably have good intentions, “Yes, I will buy handmade this year! Yes, I will support the little guy! I will visit every craft show, every Saturday until I find all the perfect gifts and I will not step foot in a mall.” Fast forward to early December, when you realize there are still dozens of people on your list. And what could you really find for your great-uncle Roland at a craft fair? And your mother-in-law is really picky about quality, she would never appreciate anything ‘crafty.’ As these thoughts start going through you head (right along side the lyrics to Jingle Bell Rock and White Christmas), panic mode sets in. And with a small amount of easily overcome guilt you get in the car and head straight for the closet mall. 

Do not panic. This scenario can be avoided, I promise! Here’s a few reasons why buying handmade can and should be your holiday plan:

• The wealth of sites online that cater to handmade buyers makes holiday shopping as easy as a click.

• The handmade industry is a long way from the days of popsicle sticks and glue - lots of high quality goods are available that will please even the pickiest of people.

• Everyone loves to have something unique. Buying handmade lets you give your loved ones the gift of never bumping into someone else wearing their same upcycled orange and purple plaid beanie.

• Handmade gifts are as wide ranging as the people who make them - meaning your bound to find someone creating items with a personality as quirky as your cigar-smoking, marathon-running great-uncle. 

• And, of course you brag to everyone that you helped out the little guy...all without having to occupy wall street for weeks on end.