Year: 2016

backyard boutique.

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My friend invited me to Archangel Boutique, a shopping event to benefit Child Advocates of Silicon Valley. The boutique raised funds to support local foster children and aimed to spread awareness of the need for more volunteer mentors. This was a shopping event with heart. The event was held in someone’s backyard! What a fun venue. I arrived with just ten minutes to shop but it was plenty of time to make some purchases. Here’s a quick look around: This holiday season, let us be thoughtful about our purchases and let us give back to our communities.

shop feature: pippa & co.

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This is what craft heaven looks like. You walk into the store and you think you’ve crashed the most epically cute party ever. :::Trumpet noise::: Pippa & co! The store is filled with color and sparkle. Everywhere you look there’s something that makes you go “I should throw a party so I can buy this.” I could easily spend a few hours looking at each item in the shop and imagining all the fun events I could decorate. They’ve the best collection of honeycomb decor I’ve seen. And if you love pastels and shimmer, they’ve got all the things for you. The balloon bar is pretty exciting, too. Regular sized balloons, giant round balloons, balloon phrases…Pippa & co has you covered. More pretties for your parties: Bonus, they’ve got a sweet staff to match! I can’t wait to visit again! 🙂

thankful.

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Hi! I’ve been on a posting hiatus because I’m having too much fun with crafties. I wanted to take a minute to share my Thanksgiving holiday though because I’m super thankful for these special moments in life when we can enjoy the company of loved ones in lovely environments. This year was the first year my husband’s family came to celebrate in my hometown. It was also the first year I got to be fully in charge of the tablescape and the first year we set up Thanksgiving lunch in the backyard! As usual my Dad cooked all the things — pancit, pasta, scalloped potatoes, fried chicken, Spanish rice, corn, lemon shrimp, pork and gravy. Is your mouth salivating yet? The in-laws brought pork buns and desserts, and my niece and nephews made pie! And if that wasn’t enough food, we picked some treats from the tree — pomelo, my fave! My Mom and I decorated the tables with freshly cut bay leaf twigs and grapefruit (from the garden!), and a few decorative pumpkins. The …

shop feature: ana apple.

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Yay for me! I attended a conference near Old Sacramento so I got to pop into the Ana Apple shop afterwards. I met Samantha. She’s in charge of the awesome events and works the shop, too. Oh what fun! We posed for some snaps with Janie XY toys in tow. I got a special tour, too! The front space is the main shop, the back has the Greenhouse studio and maker space, and the back-back is the Apple Core, where all the Ana Apple products are made. So many cute things here: Baby and toddler gear for your super hip babe, plus plush toys, crocheted rattles, teething jewelry, teepees, and totes. I didn’t want to leave! See you again soon, Ana Apple!

shop feature: scribble me happy.

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Come peek inside Scribble Me Happy – the most colorfully cute shop and studio space in San Mateo. And maybe I’m a little biased because I have some Feed the Fish co products in store and also teach a workshop here on occasion, but you can’t deny it – it’s totally fun inside! Feed the Fish co pennants! There’s something for small and big kids alike. They carry locally made handcrafted goods in their shop and the owners Brenda and Stacie make a line of Scribble Me Happy goods, too. The giant feather is quite the show stopper! In the back, they hold events – like pop-up shops, workshops, art camps, and private parties. Who wouldn’t want to have an event here! There’s always a fun backdrop for picture taking, too. On my last visit — this sparkly aqua number. Where do you like to find handmade goodies? Share below!

new kid on the block.

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Handcraft Studio School moved to my ‘hood! Owner Marie is the sweetest and she invited the whole community to fill the space with laughter, friendship, and tacos (which is pretty much the best combination of things you can bring together 😉 ) for opening night. The space fills with light and there are many spaces for creating. There’s a kitchen, a backyard area, and a walk-in food fridge turned office space for Marie. Come and check it out for yourself! Many blessings and fun times in El Cerrito, Handcraft Studio School!

re:make 2016 / the makers.

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I met so many fabulous makers at re:make this year. I was super impressed and inspired by all the talent and creativity housed under one roof. I wanted to take all the things home with me. Here’s a little peek into all the handmade awesomeness. Commence fangirling! Can’t wait until next year’s festival! For more on my re:make experience check out the decor and the company. And check out these lovely makers: the Loome / Dear Indigo / I Loot Paperie / Haejco / Shades of Sugar Bakeshop / Concrete Geometric  / Lady Alamo / Spunky Punker  / Marlie & Alfie / An Astrid Endeavor / Oh Happy Day / The Great Lakes Goods

sticker pumpkins!

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Decorating pumpkins with stickers is a less mess, more color, less spooky, more cute kind of Halloween craft. All you need are stickers and pumpkins. Select pumpkins in any shape and size but note that pumpkins with some flat surfaces may work better with stickers. I love using these enamel dot and rhinestone stickers. The enamel dots come in an assortment of colors, often already in a fun color palette! Place stickers however you like! Make patterns or make it random. Mix and match and spread the mini pumpkins all over! Pumpkin decorating versus pumpkin carving. What’s your preference? Share below! 

re:make 2016 / the company.

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These ladies. We were so glad we paid for all day parking because we ended up staying the entire seven hours of Re:Make. I know; I couldn’t believe it either. We were exhausted by the end of it. Here’s a recap of went went down. A day at Re:Make. Let’s go! 10:15am: We arrive and it’s straight to flower crowns + vinyl iron-on tote bags. There were more fun hands-on activities throughout the venue, including leather stamping and card writing. 11:30am ish: Remeber that epic wall entrance from a previous post? We had our share of wall photos as we made our temporary exit to the food trucks. Johnny doughnuts + cold brew + potential craft celebrity sightings were upon us. 12:15pm: We made it through vendor aisle one of three and got in on all the photobooth action. Can you believe there was no line for this booth? Everyone was busy crafting! 2pm: Brit sighting and mini concert! 3pm: We made it though the remaining vendor aisles and decided it was time for a late …

tricks and treats! 

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I found these cute paper treat cups at Target. They are great on their own, but I decided to give them a Halloween make over. For this craft I picked out orange and green felt and cut out pumpkin shapes to fit one side of the treat cups. Attach the stems onto the back side of the pumpkin with hot glue. Apply hot glue to the back of the pumpkin and attach to the treat cup. Tahdah! You can also try candy shapes, ghosts, bats, … or add some jack-o-lantern qualities to your pumpkins. Don’t forget to add your favorite tricks or treats, too! The countdown to Halloween has begun! What other tricks do you have up your sleeves? Share below!