Fun Finds: Back to School Bags

I'm in the market for a new messenger bag. In my search for the perfect one, I came across lots of great options on Etsy. Here's a few of my favorite back to school bags for your viewing (and shopping) pleasure. Highlights are below, and be sure to check out the full collection. Enjoy!

Elessa Bag by milloo

Gray Messenger Bag by ZeroBags

Purple Messenger Bag by sineminugur

Fun Finds: A Retro Summer Picnic

There are still a few days of summer left,  so enjoy them by picnicking in style with goodies from this collection of handmade and vintage picnic gear. Highlights are below, and be sure to check out the full collection on Etsy. Enjoy!

Vintage Picnic Plates by krankyk

Antique Picnic Basket by DACAIS

Picnic Blanket in Chevron by LemonSqeezies

Celebrating the Seahorse

Tale of Love Print by kellybermudez

Seahorses are one of the quirkier creatures created by mother nature. Among their interesting traits there are a few worth mentioning: seahorses are lousy swimmers, their eyes move independently of each other and when mating they are known to change color and swim with their curly tails intertwined. Not to mention the fact that they are only one of two species where the males birth the young. Their uniqueness has made the seahorse a darling of the ocean, so let's celebrate the quirky seahorse with these beautiful artworks! 

Seahorse Painting by WhitSpeaks

Seahorse Print by GreenGirlCanvas

Seahorse Print by DianaMartinStudio

Seahorse Watercolor Painting by anitarogulj

Fun Finds: Simple Summer Accessories

Summer is a great time to play with your accessories, when they won't be over powered by sweaters, coats or other bulky winter gear. Here's a few of my current favorites from Lilyshop. Highlights are below, and be sure to check out the full collection here. Enjoy! 

Bird Cage Necklace by Nell'amore Jewelry

Linen Cluth by BlackGipsy

Shabby Chic Bracelet by Wilwarin Designs

Fun with Stamps

One of the favorite crafts my sister and I would do with our mom when we were young was stamping. On the outside it doesn't sound so exciting...you press a block into a color then press it onto the paper (not so thrilling, huh?)...but for whatever reason stamping was utterly cool. And, add a little glitter or embossing into the mix and stamping was downright amazing.

So it makes me happy to see that stamping has once again achieved a cool factor. The reason? These ultra quirky, adorable handmade stamps. The ones pictured here are available on Etsy and were recently featured in a stamp-filled post from DesignSponge. 

Fun Finds: National Ice Cream Day!

Tomorrow, July 15, is National Ice Cream Day in the United States. There really is only one way to celebrate this national holiday - kick back with a cone (or cup, if you prefer as I do) and enjoy this tasty summer treat! But before the official celebration begins, take a look at these ice cream fun finds and facts. Highlights are below, the full collection can be found on Etsy. And, I won't tell if you sneak an early treat :)

Thank You Notes by paperinkandearth

FUN FACT #1-- National Ice Cream Day was established in 1984 by Ronald Reagan, as the third Sunday of July, also designated as National Ice Cream Month.

Print by ZUUCAZU

FUN FACT #2 -- About 9 percent of all dairy milk produced in the U.S. goes towards ice cream production (but don't forget about the yummy soy and other non-dairy varieties out there!)

Felt Kawaii Ice Cream by MySweetieBean

FUN FACT #3 -- The ice cream cone, as we know it today, gained popularity during the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. The legend is that an ice cream vendor ran out of cardboard dishes, so he asked a neighboring waffle vendor, who had low sales due to high temperatures, to create dishes out of his unsold waffles.

Sewing Envy on Lilyshop

Sewing Machine Cross-stitch by PickleLadyFarm

I am not great at sewing, which is why I am generally envious of people who are (my mom being on this list). When I came across these beautiful pieces on Lilyshop, I naturally drooled a little, and then decided the best way to get over my envy would be to share them with the world. (I can't be the only sewing wanna-be out there, right?) Enjoy!

Spring Owl Felt Magnets by asianinvasionsaloon

Purple and Green Quilt by patchworkmtn

Flower Girl Embroidery Pattern by sewjenaissance

Happy Memorial Weekend!

Patriotic Buttons, cira 1970s, by ButtonOdyessy

It's Memorial Weekend here in the United States. Before you hit the beaches, or while your soaking up some sun, take a minute to enjoy these vintage patriotic fun finds. Enjoy!

WWII Patriotic Stationary by MissiveMaven

Patriotic Cookie Cutters by carmenandginger

WWII Patriotic Song Book by BackwoodsTreasure

Lucky Penny Day

Penny Keychain by AlwaysAMemory

Shine up those pennies in your spare change jar because tomorrow is Lucky Penny Day! Stop by a fountain to make a special wish and keep your eyes glued to the sidewalk for a heads up penny to take advantage of this extra lucky day! (As someone who's childhood nickname was Jenny Penny, I'm hoping for even an extra dose of luck.) While you're waiting for the lucky day to roll around, enjoy these penny-themed fun finds!

Penny Ring by NinaGibsonDesigns

Lucky Us Keychain by KeeferStyleCreations

Fun Finds: Baseball Style

In case you haven't tuned in, baseball season is underway! Even casual fans (like me), have to appreciate a fun afternoon sitting in the sun with a cool drink, cheering on your local team. I was lucky enough to do that exact thing just the other day, which inspired this edition of baseball fun finds. Highlights are below, and be sure to check out the full collection!

Used Baseball Ring by thebigcitybumpkin

Washington Nationals Wood Sign by ZekesAntiqueSigns

Baseball Piggy Bank by ThePigPen

Fun Finds: PB&J

I know National PB&J day was yesterday, but seeing as how this delicious sandwich was my main source of sustenance from ages 5 to 15 I just couldn't let the occasion go unmarked. Here is a collection of fun finds celebrating everybody's favorite - peanut butter and jelly. Highlights are below and check out the full collection. Enjoy!

You Complete Me PB&J Card by ColettePaperie

Mug Cozy by knotworkshop

Stitched Peanut Butter and Jelly Cards by polkadotshop

Fun Finds: Clock Love

Since tomorrow marks the start of Daylight Savings Time (for those counties who observe it), I thought we'd take this opportunity to showcase some fun and funky timepieces...aka clocks. All pieces featured are vintage or upcycled. Highlights are below, and be sure to check out the full collection. Enjoy, and don't forget to move your clock, whatever it may look like, forward tomorrow!

Movie Reel Clock by Iahaine

Vintage Mechanical Alarm Clock by ClockWorkUniverse

Queen Anne's Lace Clock from Upcycled Vinyl Record by JessilynJoy

Fun Finds: Cherry Pie!

Cherry Pie Cross-Stich by thegreatnorthern

The natural thing to post about today would, of course, be Fat Tuesday. However, my boyfriend was very upset when he discovered that yesterday was National Cherry Pie day and, given my affinity for wacky holidays, I failed to acknowledge it on my blog. Now cherry pie is not my favorite of pies but it's still an American tradition (almost as much as good ole' apple pie) and deserves it's due. So to make up for this grievous oversight (sorry honey!), today's post is all in celebration of the cherry pie!

Thankfully, it seems I was the only one who forgot the holiday, because there are tons of wonderful treasuries themed on that tasty red fruit. Here are a few of my favorites for your viewing pleasure:

Sweet as Cherry Pie by auntysams

Sneak Peek:

Cherry Pie Felt Hair Clip by lulusnest

Love You Like Cherry Pie by maclancy

Sneak Peek:

Crochet Cherry Pie by NadiasPlace

Sweet as Cherry Pie by QuiltinCats

Sneak Peek:

Cherry Felt Toys by PipandOliver

Celebrating Grandma's

This weekend I headed north to celebrate my Grandma's 97th birthday. Yep, you read that correctly...97! So, in honor of my fabulous Grandma I wanted to share with you a few Grandma-themed goodies. Enjoy! 

And, maybe call your Grandma after you finish perusing....

Sea Glass Grandma Pendant

Notes From Grandma by Squeedles

Sterling Silver Hand-Stamped Grandma Pendent by SimplyJoJewelry

Going to Grandma's Vintage Suitcase by GlossyStones

Grab Your Umbrella

...because tomorrow is Umbrella Day! February is chock-full of fun holidays like Thank a Mailman Day (Feb. 4), Kite Flying Day (Feb. 8), International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day (Feb. 20) and Tell a Fairy Tale Day (Feb. 28), just to name a few. Seriously - I'm not making this stuff up. Of these fantastic, wacky February holidays we'll be honoring two on my blog (no, the second one is not listed above - it's a surprise!). Right now, it's all about the umbrella. Impress your friends with these umbrella facts and enjoy these beautiful umbrella works of art!

Yellow Umbrella Illustration by osioandalfred

Umbrella Fun Facts

1. Other names include parasol, brolly, parapluie, rainshade, sunshade, gamp and bumbershoot (clearly, the last is my favorite).

2. Nearly all ancient cultures - including the Aztecs, Greeks and Egyptians - have records of umbrellas being used in some form.

3. Pocket umbrellas first appeared in 1928.

4. The modern folding umbrella was patented in 1969.

Umbrella Paper Wall Decor by goshandgolly

Original Crayon and Aryclic Painting by alyxscalf