Mint Melange

Sketch Challenge: Spring

This is my contribution to the March challenge of Scrap 365 Magazine. The layout is based on this sketch by Kim Woods:

I used a variety of patterned paper on a plain white background, as well as washi tape ( solid yellow, mint stripes and yellow chevron), dotted fabric, paper flowers, flatback pearls and cut-outs from one of my favorite designers, Heidi Grace.
The yellow morrocan-style background is a basic shape that is included in the Silhouette Cameo software.

Wordless Wednesday: Snow

Pinned and Purchased: Z Lamp

This pin:

And my new lamp:

"Z" lamp by Leitmotiv, on sale in white for 19€ instead of 35€, and free shipping- a great deal!

Happy Sunday

I just got home from work and my brain is already in couch mode, but i'll try my best to come up with seven positive things.

1. This tuesday i finally had the opportunity to go to the farmer's market and buy some eggs and a cucumber- a completely new experience, on a very warm and sunny day
2. I am still super happy about the frames i found at TKMaxx on Monday
3. We booked our flights to Marseille
4. This live webcam of a hummingbird's nest is absolutely wonderful!

5. My new table lamp arrived. I will share a photo tomorrow.
6. On Saturday we got hit by a snow attack- look at this beautiful winter wonderland:

And our little bird house:

7. The perfect meal on a cold and snowy day: a hot soup

A postcard to Vermont

Last month i stumbled upon this article:
http://janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-post-office.html

When i read that blog post I was immediately reminded of a TV show about a tiny post office in the US we watched some time ago. Not sure if it was actually the same little white hut, but at least it looked identically.

There was no doubt i would send a handmade postcard to Rupert, Vermont, in order to help save the post office.

I am not an artist and my postcard is definitely not a masterpiece- creating it was a challenge, but also tons of fun.
I used a simple junk mail postcard and painted it with acrylic paint in two shades of turquoise, purple, orange and pink, and golden laquer.

And a sketch of the little post office:

Wordless Wednesday: Self Portrait

Happy Sunday

1. I found a lucky penny.
2. My Etsy sales have been extremely slow the past few weeks, but today i already sold two items, yay!
3. Is it ok to be utterly in love with my own packaging?? Hope my customer loves it, too.

4. I received tulips and a box of chocolates from a co-worker in honor of his country's national Women's Day- such a sweet gesture!

5. This fun flamingo cheers me up every time i sit at my desk. I originally created the flamingoes as cake toppers, but once they were finished i got the idea of using them as plant sticks. Flamingoes are fabulous!

6. I purchased a draft snake and lavender sachets on Etsy- can't wait to receive them.
7. It's sunday and i got to spend the day with me Sweeto. We went duck feeding and had coffee and a slice of cheesecake afterwards. I can't remember the last time we went out for coffee- it must have been at least a year or so ago.

So, how could i not be happy today?!

Happy Sunday to you, too!

DIY Lace Napkin Rings

Have i already mentioned that i am was recently accepted as a DIY contributor for Polka Dot Bride, a wonderful australian wedding blog?

My latest contribution, DIY Lace Napking Rings, was published this week. Those napkin rings can not only be used for weddings, but also any other event or at home, so i thought it would make sense to share it here on Ann-Kay Home as well.

It's a super easy and fast DIY, and you can find the full tutorial here at Polka Dot Made, the handmade section of Polka Dot Bride.

Wordless Wednesday: Birds

Happy Sunday

Finding seven positive things is extremely difficult this week. But this is exactly the reason i brought back Happy Sunday: as a challenge to myself, so that i acually sit down and force myself to ignore the negative aspects and concentrate on some good ones instead.

Ok, i'll try:

1. You can find me on Instagram now! Still trying to figure out how it works- a nightmare for people of my age, lol.

2. I finally, finally, finally have a cake stand- thank you so much MisterT!

Photo by Tchibo

3. MisterT finished reading the book i gave him on christmas, and decided to grow a new kind of mustache

4. Cutting one's finger is not a bad thing if you have a fancy funky clown band-aid

5. I started decluttering. It's a long and seemingly neverending process, but i already managed to throw out ~~tons of~~ some empty boxes and unused glassware.
6. We have 10€ left to buy groceries for the rest of this month- but that's ok, we can make it...
7. ...with a fridge full of pudding, thanks to The Coupon King ( aka my husband)

Wordless Wednesday: Come fly with me #1

Happy Sunday

What happened this week?

1. I love reading magazines but rarely buy them. Seriously, i am sure their prices have almost tripled within the past few years. So i was thrilled when i saw a commercial for a new cake decorating magazine for only 1,50€, including a pretty cardboard cupcake stand, two butterfly cookie cutters and edible glitter. Steal!

2. The ultimate book of books has arrived: Preston Bailey's "Dear Preston: Doing Business withOur Hearts. A Practical and Friendly Guide to Running Your Own Creative Service Business"
So excited to read it and see how i can grow my little business!!

3. MisterT brought home a stash of fun socks for me. Love them!

4. We finally found a grocery store that sells the new Häagen Dazs Mint Leaves & Chocolate. We're huge fans of Häagen Dazs; their ice cream is out of this world, and yet this one simply ( and sadly) cannot beat the Publix Premium Peppermint Chocolate ice cream.

5. My husband's Valentine's gift to me: pink heart-shaped Esprit earrings to match the necklace he gave me eight years ago as one of his first gifts ever

6. Two new Amaryllis blossoms are growing rapidly, and i bought a new bouquet of gorgeous purple tulips

7. We did it again. We went to Ikea on a Saturday afternoon, when everyone else shops at this place. It's hell! Why do we always make that same stupid mistake??

Anyway, they have a cute new Flamingo collection ( SPRINGKORN) and i could not resist purchasing one of those adorable pillow covers. Too cute!
The main reason we went was to look at and possibly buy the lovely rollable side table VETTRE that is supposed to become my new moveable craft table.
I bought it and hopefully this will finally keep me from constantly cluttering up our dinner table with paper, fabric, glue, twine, clay, etc...