Cartwheels In My Mind

Christmas List Check-off Help:: the vintage lover::

Time is ticking... Only a few days left until Christmas {cue the CRAZY, fast pace music!!!} Are you ready? I'M NOT READY EITHER!!!! AAAAAAH! I always imagine that my gifts are wrapped super cute and everyone asks how do I manage to wrap such pretty things... But, reality is at this point I haven't purchased half of the things I need too. And wrapping? Hmm, I  usually find the closest thing to wrapping paper {newspaper pehaps?} and throw some tape on it and call it a day. Just kidding. Kinda.

Today is for those who are like me and have a love for all things modern-but-love-that-vintagey-feel-and-like-telling-people-it's-vintage  Haha, you know what I mean? Or is that just me??? Okay, so for all of you out there who are last minute shoppers and need some help with all of your friends who have a LOVE for things VINTAGE this post may help you. Let's have a gander shall we...

{1}.  Tick tock. I would love to have this beauty perched up on my wall  looking back at me. Check out this forest clock from etsy's Decoylab

 

{2}. How many of you vintage people out there love pretty rings?  What about feather rings? Yeah? Good. If there's one thing I'm obsessed with, it's rings. Sometimes a ring is the only piece of jewelry that you need. These pretties were found on etsy's Brilliance Found.

{3}. Now I know you just came across some of these polaroid necklaces in Cheryl's post a few days ago but i ABSOLUTELY love a good polaroid necklace don't you? These are going to be the next "vintage" thing. Trust me. See more at  Vivi Dot.

 

{4}. Let me see that TOOTSIE ROLL! :) Great song, right? Talk about flash back to my Jock Jams 1995 cd! In other news, this coin/whatever you want it to be bag is the cutest thing ever. Coins are too boring to put in this. I would put only cute things in it.... like candies and little treasures. Check them out at Quixotic

{5}.I'm about to play the "old granny" card but I really enjoy a good shower cap. Haha, I have absolutely no shame and saying that I LOVE SHOWER CAPS! I give you full permission to laugh in my face. I've already embraced my "grannyhood" {literally... hood! get it?} For those of you that don't wash your hair everyday {like me} and want to look stylish in the shower and want to get a good jump start on your day you should check out this handmade shower cap atVango Beauty


 
{6}. Jet setter anyone? Who doesn't love a classic-looking suitcase?!? Especially if it looks like you've just stepped off the set of MadMen {have you seen those women's outfits?!? LOVE.} I think I would have made a lovely 1950's gal... especially if I was flying out to a fabulous destination. You can check out this vintage lovely and others on Etsy's The Vintage Cabin.

{7}. How many of you have little treasures laying around that you wish were safely nestled away in a beautiful tin? This kind of a gift is great for anyone because everyone has little treasures! If your like me then love notes are your treasures. Cards, letters, sticky notes and everything else that has words of encouragement is meant to be saved and re-read on a rainy day. This box from Barking Birds would make such a pretty gift. 

{8}. A vintage calendar!! {and when I say vintage I mean old images on an up-to-date calendar. Just in case you were wondering} :) After the year was over you could cut out the pretty pictures and then frame them. PERFECT GIFT IDEA! This pretty came from etsy's F2 Images

{9}. Vintage quart bottles. Who doesn't love a good glass bottle? I'm a little obsessed. I have a collection and it grows daily. So, if you're like me then this would be the perfect gift to receive.

{10}. Thermos o' coffee {or tea}. When people say the word "thermos" I immediately revert back to my childhood days and envision my dad with a sweater tied around his neck {preppy, right?!?}, thermos in hand while whistling some tune he's made up {so that's where I get my random whistling from...}. That is why I think thermoses shouldn't be modern... it disrupts with my awesome childhood memories.  So, lets keep it vintage, shall we? Modcloth has it right with this thermos. 

I hope these potential gift options have given you some ideas for your vintage friends out there. Happy {last minute} Christmas shopping!  

Christmas List Check-off Help :: The Music Lover.

Who among you has everything all under control as far as the perfect gifts for everyone on your list? No-one? Ok, then that's what I'm here for. I thought it would be fun to share some cool finds over the next few days (so that you have time for everything to ship in time for Christmas) that I discover online for all types of people in your life. 

And today, for my first gift idea session, I thought I'd go with a music-lover's theme...specifically items made to look like or made with actual cassette tapes.  (Just a note: I'm going to be trying to share lots of handmade options, but some will just be novelty or unresistantly made by the little Chinese elfs working in sweatshops for the sake of a better American Christmas for all of us.)

First up, this super cool Cassette Tape iPhone Cover at fredflare.com. I'm not going to lie, though...I really actually want this for myself so if I ordered it for someone I'd probably not be able to resist keeping it and just quickly wrapping something out of my emergency gift stash on Christmas morning: 

 And how fun is this Listen To The Retro Music necklace from ninexmuse's etsy shop?

And this set of earrings from lesadraws on etsy.

 

How about these Handmade Recycled Cassette Tape Wallets from TreeHugger.com (they're environmentally friendly!!)

Or this little coin purse from Crafty Crafty.

And then there's this Cassette Pillow from MyMimi on Etsy:

And finally, here's an Mp3 Cassette player and a Wooden Cassette box, also from Fred Flare:

All right, that's one person off your list...who should we shop for tomorrow? 

I'm thinking the artsy/photographer friend...:)

Guest Artist Tutorial :: Katie, Punk Projects .

Hey you guys! I'm Katie, you can find me over on my blog  Punk Projects it's my place to post crafts and inspiration, and give you a peek into my artsy life. I also post lots of pretty tutorials, Like this one:

Tools & Supplies: Fabric (I actually used some flannel pajamas, so that my gloves would be soft & warm), felt (optional) Sewing Machine, or Needle and Thread.

1. Print & cut out my pattern (get it here!) and cut out 4 glove shapes!

2. Stack 2 of your glove shapes ontop of eachother, (right sides together!) Sew up the sides, and between the thumb & the finger.

3. Flip rightside out and embellish as desired!! I cut out some little felt hearts and attached to the top of my gloves!

What do you think? I think these would make great Christmas gifts! I would LOVE to see your version of these gloves!!

Thanks for letting me guestblog! Come check out my blog-Punk Projects, follow me on Twitter, or check out my photos on flickr!

and, for fun, a random fact about me: I used to be a gymnast, so I did alot of cartwheels. :)

xo, Katie

Guest Artist Tutorial :: Jody, Smilin' Moon.

ello!  I'm Jody...I live in Iowa with my husband, four kids & two golden retreivers.

   
I create mixed media, folk art-inspired paintings, and often incorporate vintage pieces or elements into my art.  I especially love to create pieces that inspire and uplift...and that connect soulfully with others.  You can find me at my blog, smilin' moon!  You can also find my art in my smilin' moon etsy shop.  I recently had my blog re-designed.  It was a big decision and I did a lot of searching to find someone who's style really spoke to me, and who had great communication skills.  I am thrilled that I found Cheryl Manz-Ametewee!  I absolutely love what she's done, and although it still needs tweaked a bit, it's almost there.  Please stop by and admire Cheryl's magic!

Since I like to re-use and recycle in my art (and when creating with my children), I've chosen a little holiday decoration project that will help your home sparkle by starting simply with cardboard, cardstock or thicker-weighted paper left over from craft packaging.  If you have little ones (and don't mind a little glitter and chaos flying about!), this is a fun craft to let your kids help with.

1.  Find recylcled cardstock, cardboard, etc.  and cover it in a layer of white gesso.  Or, skip this step if you have white cardstock or cardboard.

2.  Find a simple star template online or use a star cookie cutter to trace lots of little stars on the dried cardstock.

3.  Cut out the stars and spray with glue adhesive or cover with matte gel medium.

4.  Immediately cover with glass giltter and shake around to cover entire star.

5.  When dry, repeat glue and glitter on other side of stars.

6.  Punch little hole in each star and attach clear string through hole.

7.  Hange from ceiling, or where ever you like!  I used glue dots to hang mine, but there are many creative ways to hang these stars.

Now, about the glass glitter...I wasn't familiar with it until last year when I found some at a local vintage shop.  I stocked up on this German glass glitter and have found that a little goes a long way.  It becomes more beautiful over time and takes on almost an aged, patina look.  I found this adorable esty shop that sells German glass glitter in many colors...These stars would be fantastic in festive colors as well! 

  

 

 

Last step:  Admire your work.  Dim the lights.  Bring the kids in to take in the sparkly, holiday magic you've created.  Save your stars!  They'll be good to go next year as well!  Happy holidays from me and mine!  Thank you, Cartwheels! 

xxoo

jody

 

25 Days of Christmas: Katie Company Inc.

Hi there! I am Katie McAllister, a 26 year old, living, working and playing in the Deep South. I am not sure what word best describes me, but I’d say enthusiastic would probably be best suiting. I get my love for art from my mother, who too had such enthusiasm for all things crafty. I dabble in everything, from screen-printing to sewing. Having a graphic design background you can pretty much bet that I love fonts, great packaging and of course, the color wheel.

 Welcome to the wonderful world of Katie Company! I started Katie Company in 2009 to spread the love of creating pretty things. This one-woman show is run by yours truly with occasional help from my lil’ sister, Mary Keeley, who moonlights as a photographer.

 Katie Company is made up of a few of smaller “enterprises” as I like to call them:

 There are the Etsy Shops:

Katie Company Inc (www.etsy.com/shop/katiecompanyinc)  - a collection of handmade jewelry and accessories

Katie Company Prints (www.etsy.com/shop/katiecompanyprints) – graphic and modern prints with a slight vintage flare for your home

 Then there is the blog (www.katiecompanyinc.blogspot.com) where I spill my guts about trying to live a creative life. It also documents things that inspire my creativity and me as well as letting me showcase some of my creations.

 Come over and see me!

 I am excited to introduce my new collection of mixed media cross-stitch jewelry! I have been working on these for about a month now and am finally ready for them to go out into the world!

  With Christmas around the corner and cross-stitch on my mind I whipped up some pretty little gift tags for you to print off ( for free, yes, free!) and use for your very own!!!! Bring a little handmade to you Christmas packages this year!

 Fun Fact: Mexican food is my best friend. We talk about everything and it doesn’t judge me or tell me to get over myself. Seriously, we are BFFs. Katie + Mexican food = 4 EVA

 

Thanks Katie for your fun interview and AMAZING freebie gift tags! You're welcome back anytime! 

25 Days of Christmas :: Guest Artist Tutorial :: The Tinted Mint.

Hello! This is Patty of Tinted Mint and I am super excited to share easy holiday DIY ideas with you. Tinted Mint my online shop featuring fabulous Japanese masking tape (washi tape), hand-selected Japanese paper goods, and my own line of handmade wares. 

Random fact: I will travel for food. :)

 

Recently I picked up laser cutting and find it a fun way to experiment with new products. One of my new handmade goods for the holidays are sets of laser-cut snowflakes in different prints. I designed these to be versatile embellishments that can be layered. I am all about customization. As a Product Designer, I love thinking in terms of components, easy ways for the consumer to put together elements themselves for a unique product. 

Since winter holidays are here, I would like to show some very simple ways to add a touch of your warmth and heart into gift presentation. First, let's see how we can use the laser-cut snowflakes.

SNOWFLAKE HOLIDAY CARD

This is so simple that the images are self-explanatory. However, you can make this card as fancy as you like by lining the inside with colored paper or blowing a bit of glitter onto the surface.

 

 

SNOWFLAKE GIFT BOX

It's okay, you don't have to cover each gift with wrapping paper. If you have the gift in a nice box already, all you need is a bit of extra embellishment.

 

 

THE IMPERFECT

Here is an untraditional approach to gift wrapping. Let's work with papers we already have, even though it may not be the perfect size for our product. Here's an example of using leftover scrap piece of wrapping paper. To start, it may look like a bad idea, but the end result is lovely. Spontaneity in this case is good.

 

 

 

 

FUNCTIONAL GIFT WRAP

Not often would we think to intentionally expose the gift itself. But in this example, it makes perfect sense. The gift: 2 note pads and 2 metal book markers. This is a great way to use the book markers as embellishments.

Some people think I'm crafty, but really I am not. I am the type that finds it difficult to follow recipes exactly, always skipping an ingredient or two or looking for some short cut. I love DIY and making things myself. I hope I inspired you to do some easy DIY also!

My laser-cut snowflakes and metal bookmarks will launch online next Monday 11/29. Stay tuned for awesome Thanksgiving deals this weekend at www.thetintedmint.com.

-Patty