Etspiration Wednesday: Damask-us Two!

Have I ever told you about our ladybug problem?

A couple preliminary things I should mention. 

1. We live in a mint green house (so relatively light colored).  
2. Our winters can get coldish. (20s at worst.  I know Midwest, don't judge me).  
3.  Our master bedroom has what's called shiplap.  It's tongue and groove solid wood paneling.  No plaster or anything.  So as you might imagine, the wall of our master bedroom that faces out has simply the wooden siding, wood frame, and shiplap interior paneling.  

I'm not sure if this is a Pacific Northwest phenomenon, but when the weather starts to turn, we start sharing the house with WAY more occupants.  Namely, ladybugs.  They are attracted to light colored houses and scoot their way into the house from our garden and we've never figured out where exactly they get in, but they like to party in our master bedroom.

So we'll be turning in for the night, the overhead lamp will have just switched off in the way that the light slowly fades and all of a sudden we'll hear the "plink...plink....plink" of the world's cutest bug infestation banging themselves against the lamp.

Seriously?  What do you do?  We cannot in good conscious fumigate against ladybugs.  I think there's a special circle of hell reserved for people who do that. 

But this year things are going to change.  My husband put up drywall on the exterior wall over the summer in an attempt to keep them out.  It's a little too early to see if the preventative measures will help, but I'm going to dress up the wall this weekend.  It's been a completely flat cobalt blue all summer and fall and I decided I'm going to use one of our damask stencils and do an all over pattern.

I've been looking at Etsy for color inspiration and I know we've covered damask before, but I just wanted to share some of these great items I found.

1A:  Damask Vinyl Decal for Mixer Image Courtesy LilPunkinCreations
1B:  Mahogany Finished Bergere Chair Image Courtesy LaVintageFurnishings
1C:  Damask M 12x12 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

2A:  Vintage Damask Pill Box Image Courtesy RosePetalResources
2B:  Damask Ironing Board Cover Image Courtesy PomegranatePlace
2C:  Damask G 12x18 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
2D:  Damask Birds Painting Image Courtesy LoriaMcKee

3A:  Gray And Yellow Table Image Courtesy UniqueNotions
3B:  Damask O 12x12 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3C:  Damask Vegan Suede Journal Image Courtesy OxtonBooks

4A:  Damask Lace Cupcake Wrappers Image Courtesy SundayRabbit
4B:  Brown And Teal Damask Recipe Box Image Courtesy TheAdornedAbode
4C:  Personalized Wedding Cake Topper Image Courtesy ScissorMill

Thanks to the Etsy sellers, back on Friday for a sweet feature!

Etspiration Wednesday: Coffee!

I love coffee.  Cafe au lait the color of caramel.  Turkish coffee so thick a spoon could stand in it.  Fru fru lattes for when I need a sugar and caffeine pick me up.  I don't discriminate.  I think there's a time and place for coffee any way you brew it.  My mom and my sister both make a killer cup of coffee.  I think there's something about having someone else make you a cup of coffee that makes it more special.  Just like when I'm visiting home and my mom makes me a sandwich.  It's always better, you know?  Even if it's the same exact tuna fish I'd make at home. 

We found out we're going to have another little one, so my nose has been turning up at the smell of coffee these past few months.  It's very sad because I still love the idea of coffee, but my stomach wants nothing to do with it. 

So today I cruised around Etsy just thinking about coffee while I ate raisins.  It's all that sounds good lately, lol.  And pickles.  I'm such a cliche.

1A:  Bee Queen Coffee Mug Image Courtesy mudstuffing
1B:  Woodland Bird Coffee Sack Basket Image Courtesy BrinandNohl
1C:  Dutch Enamel Coffee Pot Image Courtesy NorthSeaVintage
1D:  Coffee Subway Art Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

 I am blown away by how cool mudstuffing's ceramics are.  You absolutely have to check out the Etsy shop.  Great stuff!

2A:  Coffee Handmade Wooden Sign Image Courtesy ShopHomegrown
2B:  Espresso Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
2C:  French Peugeot Coffee Mill Image Courtesy ShopYU
2D:  Burlap Coffee Sack Africa Pillow Image Courtesy TheWatsonShop

 This Peugeot coffee mill is just off the rails.  I love the color, love the emblem. 

3A:  Cappuccino Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3B:  Recycled Burlap Coffee Tote Image Courtesy TheGreenBeanBag
3C:  Syracuse Railroad China Demi Tasse Cups Image Courtesy Diantiques

 I don't think anything really needs to be said about how gorgeous the print on this recycled coffee sack tote is in 3B.  Wow! 

4A:  3 Red Enamel Canisters Image Courtesy BrimfieldFinds
4B:  Coffee Items Red Tea Towel Image Courtesy tlane
4C:  Mrs Claus Coffee Shop Holiday Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
4D:  Cafe Au Lait and Beignets Print Image Courtesy NolaTawk

I dig this red tea towel in 4B, which has sort of a 2D poppy Jim Flora feel.  Would look great in a bungalow kitchen.

That's all I have for today.  Got a snazzy feature for you on deck for Friday.

Etspiration Wednesday: Something to Crow About!

Hiya everyone!

Back in Oregon after back to back trips to Arizona and California.  I missed my pine trees.  I missed feeling cold!  I got back yesterday and there were crows perched on every roof and high wire.  I don't know a surer sign of Fall in the Northwest than that.

Crows are such a mainstay in Primitive art.  We don't do as much with them as our designs have more of a French feel, but we do have quite a few holiday listings with crows in them.  Etsy, as you might imagine, is chalk full o' crows.  I did some browsing today to see what crow treasures I could find. 

Here's some great stuff!

1A:  Halloween Crow Pillow Image Courtesy 112FarmhouseLayne
1B:  Paper Mache Old Crow Box Image Courtesy HanwayMillHouse
1C:  Crows Gather Here Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

2A:  Three Crow Brand Allspice Tin Image Courtesy DownEastCollectibles
2B:  Primitive Halloween Burlap Bunting Image Courtesy SweetMeas
2C:  1851 Hand Colored Bird Plates Image Courtesy LandofNodStudios
2D:  Roland Bauer Feedsack Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

3A:  Primitive Crow Candle Holder Image Courtesy HitOrMissTreasures
3B:  Blank Crow Note Cards Image Courtesy NatureGoods
3C:  Potting Shed Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

4A:  Farm Fresh Pumpkins Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
4B:  Halloween Silhouette Pillow Covers Image Courtesy TheBobbinsNest
4C:  Crow Handpainted Ceramic Mug Image Courtesy OtisRein
4D:  Hitchcock The Birds Sign Image Courtesy ZietlowsCustomSigns

See you on Friday for a wonderful feature!

Etspiration Wednesday: Alphabets

I love letters.  I am a font junkie, can't get enough letterpress blocks.  I obsess over old broadsides and vintage Victorian ads, and all for the letters.  Half of the fun of designing a stencil is finding that perfect letter style to compliment the idea of what we're going for.  We've got a number of complete alphabet sets in our Alphabet category now.   We also have quite a few selections for big 12x12 individual letters in the Alphabet category as well.  We also do some custom monogram stencils!  But as you well know, found letters are also amazing.  Here's a look from Etsy at some amazing alphabets and individual letters that tie in famously with our alphabets!

1A:  Custom Framed Cursive Alphabet Card Image Courtesy Oliverpoodle
1B:  Custom Spencerian Letter Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
1C:  French Decor Alphabet Book Coasters Image Courtesy CheltenhamRoad

 Love this Alphabet card in 1A, takes me right back to grammar school.  Fun fact:  My mom's handwriting actually looks like this.  Mine is basically illegible chicken scratch. 

2A:  French Animal Alphabet Print Image Courtesy ChildsTouch
2B:  Alphabet Softcover Notebook Journal Image Courtesy momentinthesun
2C:  Deco Style Winged Wooden Letter Image Courtesy EdiesLab
2D:  Serif Style 3x3 Alphabet Stencils Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

I dig these winged letters that EdiesLab does.  They can do a whole alphabet that way and I want to buy every single thing in their shop!!

3A:  Deco Red Alphabet Tape Image Courtesy KaynisKreations
3B:  Alphabet With Bird Letterpress Broadside Image Courtesy BigWheelPress
3C:  Ornate Western 4x4 Alphabet Stencils Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3D:  Handmade Embossed Card Set Image Courtesy MichelleMach

 That alphabet tape is Washi tape, which is some of the coolest stuff around.  I'm not much of a scrapbooker, which is one of the primary applications I've seen for Washi tape, but the possibilities are endless! 

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4A:  Custom Gothic Letter Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
4B:  Sign Language Custom Tote Bag Image Courtesy lilimandrill
4C:  Vintage German Wax Mold Hornbook Image Courtesy catsandthecradlesoap
4D:  Plastic Acrylic Sign Board Letters Image Courtesy willworkfordecor

This hornbook in 4C is pretty amazing.  This item was my requisite "I learned something" in the making of this blogpost.  So hornbooks were these handheld primers that small children used to learn their letters or religious passages, so called because they were protected with a thin layer of horn or mica.  (mica is a transparent-y sort of mineral).  Now most hornbooks were kept for quite some time, passed down, and are collectible today.  But this particular listing is for a horn book mold, which cake batter was poured into.  So you could have your cake and learn something too!

Thanks as always to the Etsy sellers for use of their images.

We've got a lovely feature coming up on Friday, stay tuned!

Etspiration Wednesday: Numbers

Another Wednesday upon us!

We've been adding some new stencil designs to the website, some of which are new number sets.  We get emails everyday from people asking us if we make this and that, and one of our most popular requests are for number sets.  It's literally been on our to do list forever.  So we put up a serif, san serif, and Western style number set, in addition to our very popular Old World Style number sets.  You can check them out in our Alphabet and Number category.  We also want to do a REALLY  big Ornate Western number set to compliment our REALLY big Ornate Western alphabet.  I have to show you the sign Laura made with that alphabet.  She took an entire butcherblock countertop and stenciled on it.  It's awesome.

Numbers are such a versatile addition to any craft.  They instantly lend age, suggest your item was repurposed.  They make items feel authentic.

Etsy is full of amazing numbers.  House numbers, bingo markers, I just couldn't get enough of them.  Take a look at what I found.

1A:  Antique French Wooden Lottery Numbers Image Courtesy CabArtVintage
1B:  Vintage Enamel House Number Image Courtesy ArtisanetVintage
1C:  Serif Number Set Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
1D:  Vintage French Embroidered Number Trim Ribbon Image Courtesy petitbonheur

Okay the Number trim ribbon in 1D sold in the 24 hour time span between researching and writing this post, so clearly I have good taste.  The good news is petitbonheur has more of it in stock.  Check out that shop, it's fab.

2A:  San Serif Number Set Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

2B:  Vintage French House Number Image Courtesy onemansjunque

2C:  Vintage Cash Register Flags Image Courtesy TheOldTimeJunkShop

2D:  Vintage Hotel Number Tag Image Courtesy kijsa

I think the possibilities for these cash register flags are ENDLESS.  And they're really affordable.  So if I don't go buy them all out, you go buy them and show me what awesome things you can come up with. 

3A:  Antique Letterpress Number Blocks Image Courtesy PreserveCottage

3B:  Vintage Copper or Brass 1/2 House Number Image Courtesy MiTipo

3C:  Laurel Wreath With Crown No 7 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisodestencils

I had to include my letterpress love for these awesome numbers.  PreserveCottage has some really good blocks in their store.  Also, check out MiTipo because all they do are alphabet and number listings.  Great stuff!! 

4A:  Western Number Set Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

4B:  French Enamel Flea Market Sign Image Courtesy RuffbyMargo

4C:  Giant Ceramic Number 4 Sign Image Courtesy EuropeanModern

I really love this 4 in 4C.  Do you remember that Sesame Street bit that the Pointer Sisters did about numbers?  You know, 12345, 678910, 11-12, doo doodee doo dooo?  Okay maybe it's just me that remembers it.  Anyway, I think this 4 was plucked right out of it.  It is so completely cool.

This Etspiration has been brought to you by the number 4 and the letter L.  Stay tuned, great feature for you on Friday!

Etspiration Wednesday: Bees Bees Bees

Around the corner from my house, we have this old church with a steeple that was converted to a residence at one point.  It's on our walk route we take the little one on, so we walk by it most every day.  We started noticing around a month ago that there's a hole in the siding with bees flying out of it.

The first time we saw it, we were thinking, "Huh, I bet they're bummed.  They've got bees in their house."  Then, being the worry wart that I am, we started monitoring the progress of the bees.  Then we realized, the bee house church was vacant.

What to do?  Let the bees exist there?  Inform no one?  Was it really even our business?  Bees need a home too, and bees are not really thriving the way they used to.

In the end, I called the police department because I couldn't really think of a better place to warn about bees.  We don't have a bee hotline here.  When I called, they literally said, "You've got bees?  Oh yah, here's two numbers."  So I guess this was not nearly as random a question as I thought.

I ended up talking to a really nice beekeeper who removes and rehomes bees for free. 

I've always liked bees.  They pollinate flowering plants.  They give us honey.  They're pretty much terrific.  And while these bees were all cozy up in their church house, they needed a new hive.

After the bee saga, I took to etsy to see what buzzworthy listings I could find.  Here's what I came up with!

1A:  Leather Journal featuring Vintage Bee Image Courtesy inblue
1B:  Vintage Guerlain Eau Imperiale Bottle Image Courtesy Villavillacolle
1C:  Beautiful Honey Bee Hive 12x18 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
1D:  Antique Printers Block with Bees Image Courtesy Reclaimability


This bottle in 1B...wow!  It is gorgeous.  You've got to check it out.  And you know I had to throw in a printers block.  From what Reclaimability states, that printers block was from a high school.  What a cool school crest!

2A:  Bee Love Paris Pillow Cover Image Courtesy TheWatsonShop
2B:  Vintage French Honey Carton Image Courtesy candly
2C:  Bee Crown Laurel Wreath 12x12 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
2D:  Recycled Vintage Mug with Honey Bee Image Courtesy ReCycleCeramics

ReCycleCeramics takes old mugs and china cups and sand carves small graphics on them.  The results are very clean and sweet.  Love this bee mug.  They also have really cute mugs with trees and bikes on them.

3A:  Bee Lady Letterpress Card Image Courtesy FerdinandHome
3B:  Honey of Brittany Bee Crest 12x12 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3C:  Blue Bees on White Fat Quarter Image Courtesy MakingStuffUp
3D:  Wooden Box for "Mad Bees" Image Courtesy BlueberryBeastie

I think that every home needs a wooden box for containing mad bees.  You never know when you'll need to threaten mad bees, and who would believe you unless you had a tasteful wooden box dedicated to such a purpose!

4A:  Pair of Bee and Skep Candles Image Courtesy SweetBeeHoney
4B:  Vintage Bon Bon Label with Bee Image Courtesy StellaTheresa
4C:  Queen Bee 12x12 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
4D:  Natural Raw Honey from Columbia Gorge Image Courtesy Vyne

This bon bon label is stunning!  I love the art nouveau motif!  Love the color, love the gold leaf.  Perfection! 

We'll be back with a bee-autiful feature on Friday!  Stay tuned!

Etspiration Wednesday: The Equestrian Style

Bonjour!

We're having a mini celebration this week for two reasons.

1:  We've discounted all our Keep Calm and British stencils in the store.   Everything in those 2 categories is 20% off in celebration of the close of the Olympic Games!  I watched a lot of the coverage and I have to say, I'm so not athletic.  LOL!  I tip my hat to those Olympic hopefuls who trained for years to get where they are.  I have just enough athletic wherewithal to walk my child on the river for half an hour a day.  In any case, celebrate the spirit of London with our Olympics sale.  They sure did a great job beautifying the East End.

2:  We've launched a new category.  It's small at the moment, but we're proud to present, Equestrian Stencils.  We're shooting for the category to be a meld of American country and French equestrian tradition.  I did some designing these past few weeks for the category and when I was done, I scoped out Etsy to see what wares I could find there that were horse related and I was pleasantly surprised.  There are so many great items, particularly lithograph tins for soaps and such.  I wanted to buy each and every one them.

 Check it out!

 

1A:  Vintage Fairmount Park Horse Racing Booklets Image Courtesy TotallyVintage

1B:  French Alphabet Le Cheval Print Image Courtesy barkdecor

1C:  French Horse Racing Program Image Courtesy wilshepherd

1D:  French Vintage Welcome Sign Image Courtesy lapomme

You simply must check out barkdecor.  Really amazing prints.   Love her color choices!

 

2A:  Horse Trader 12x18 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

2B:  Pony Express Pillow Image Courtesy StacieAnn

2C:  Monogrammed French Horse Notecards Image Courtesy No9DowningStreet

2D:  Ethiopian Repurposed Burlap Bench Image Courtesy bDagitzFurniture

I want to mention here that StacieAnn (feat. in 2B) has awesome pillows.  My personal favorite was, "I like big books and I cannot lie."  As a former librarian, I can attest to the truth of that statement.  Someday I'll do a books Etspiration and throw that pillow in!

 

3A:  Antique Horse Remedy Tin Image Courtesy bellusvanitas
3B:  BF Equestrian Bucket Image Courtesy Bravura
3C:  Propert's Saddle Soap Tin Image Courtesy TroutsJunkShop
3D:  Hippodrome De Longchamp Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

 You've got to look at the Horse Remedy Tin (3A) close up.  The type is fantastic and that horse is skeletal and so macabre!  I love that there's a line on there that says, "Death to heaves."  Prescription bottles nowadays are so sterile and boring.  Death to hypertension!  Death to arthritis! 

4A:  Dala Horse Red Swedish Pillow Image Courtesy LilleputStudio
4B:  Scandinavian Dala Horse Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
4C:  Vintage Hippodrome Circus Poster Image Courtesy KingPaper

I adore this Dala Horse pillow in 4A.  It's so cheerful and it's even got little rams on it.  Too cute! 

Etspiration Wednesday: Halloween In August?

It's totally a thing right?  Well, if Halloween in August isn't a tradition just yet, I'm making it so.  We just started feeling so sorry for Halloween after all this focus on Christmas the past few weeks.  It really is one of our favorite holidays. 

Around these parts, kids don't trick or treat to houses.  (Our neighborhoods are very, very hilly).  They go trick or treat in our downtown area and all the shops decorate and pass out candy.  It's quite fun. 


It's a great tradition, but a little of the emphasis on sprucing up the home for Halloween is lost here because no one is coming around to see it.  This year, I'm just going to decorate anyway.  :)  I'm sure my toddler and two lovely cats won't do anything to disturb the decorations.

In any case, Etsy is a goldmine for Halloween.  Whether you're looking to tap into the primitive tradition or Victorian style Halloween art, there are tricks and treats for everyone.  Check it out!

1A:  Candy Corn Halloween Tote Image Courtesy CreativeJenV
1B:  Boo Halloween Cupcake Toppers Image Courtesy SongbirdGreetings
1C:  Black Hat Society Witch Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
1D:  Spiderweb Pillow Cover Image Courtesy BubbleGumDish

This spiderweb pillow cover is just the coolest.  I've developed a different relationship with spiders since moving to Oregon.  I don't love them, but I don't flee in terror anymore when I see them.  (Though my husband may disagree).  The fall brings them out in droves, it's bananas.  You'll drive down the street and there will be webs spun between power lines like fine netting.  That's a little much, I don't need my house enveloped in spiderweb, I think this fabulous pillow is just enough!

2A:  Victorian Inspired Haunted Banner Image Courtesy FavorMeDesigns
2B:  Vintage Samantha Good Luck Kitchen Witch Image Courtesy Bittersweets13
2C:  Grey Ghost Cushion Image Courtesy Needleandi
2D:  Le Chat Noir 5.5x11.5 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

You've got to take a look at Samantha, the Kitchen Witch in 2B.  I learn something every week when I compile these Etspirations.  This week it was the felicitous kitchen witch who caught my eye.  They are a sort of good luck figure for your kitchen, to ward off bad spirits and the like.  She also doubles as a utensil holder!  Hooray for multitasking.

3A:  Vintage Halloween Cooky Cutters Image Courtesy LexisMonkey
3B:  Vintage Halloween Sign with Black Cat Image Courtesy SweetMeas
3C:  Matroyshka Nesting Doll Pumpkin Tote Image Courtesy dozydoatstotes
3D:  Autumn Blessings 5.5x11.5 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

Okay you may be thinking that strictly speaking, the matroyshka tote is not Halloween related, but it came up in an Etsy search for pumpkin.  I happen to absolutely love it, so I'm including it! 

4A:  Chat Noir Ceramic Pendant Image Courtesy JasminBlancBoutique
4B:  Boo Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
4C:  Primitive Witch Ouija Board Image Courtesy TheHomespunRaven
4D:  Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Cards Image Courtesy BonneyhillShop

This little ceramic chat noir is just darling.  JasminBlancBoutique has it in several different color options, but I like black the best. 

Thanks to all our spooky Etsy sellers for letting us feature their images.  We'll be back on Friday!

Etspiration Wednesday: Grains and Mills

First things first:  We had a little flub with our coupon promo code, but it's fixed now.  Use code july2012 on our website for 20% off your purchase, now through July 30th!


Our friend the mill.  Without mills, we wouldn't have grain.  Well we would, we'd just get it much, much slower.  Without grain, we wouldn't have grainsacks.  And where oh where would we be design-wise without grainsacks??   I can't bear to even think about it.

Compiling an estpiration based around anything to do with mills or grains is treacherous because the market is so, so saturated now.  Also, typing in moulin (that's French for mill, dontcha know) automatically gives you a bunch of results for Moulin Rouge and while I love the cabaret as much as the next person, that's not what we're aiming for here.  So I did a bit of creative etsy crawling to get some interesting stuff here.  Getting back to the heart of mills and grainsacks and I found some great stuff.  Check it out!

1A:  Authentic Windmill Vane Image Courtesy DancingBumblebeeCottage
1B:  Moulins De Provence Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
1C:  Rooster Windmill Weight Image Courtesy AtHomeInNapa

So that is a real Windmill Vane.  89 inches long!!  Complete with bullet holes! (hopefully a result of target practice.)  I absolutely love the faded type.  Just perfect.

2A:  Antique Green And Red Hemp Grainsack Image Courtesy AVintageObsession
2B:  French Grain Feedsack 12x24 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
2C:  Elton's Stone Ground Tin Image Courtesy BluefieldVintage
2D:  Windmill Red And White Woven Ribbon Image Courtesy MarieLampette

I think this windmill ribbon is just darling.  MarieLampette has tons of great ribbon in her shop, including this adorable woodland ribbon I have to scoop up for my son's nursery.  You did see the growth chart Laura and I made for the nursery, right?

3A:  Ochre And White Grainsack Fabric Image Courtesy AlorasAdorables
3B:  Moulins De Bouvet Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3C:  Primitive Wood and Galvanized Grain Scoop Image Courtesy PoppyHillFarm
3D:  Antique French Farm Printers Blocks Image Courtesy PushingButtons1

I have a printers block obsession.  One day I will have a letterpress.  I hope.  If my husband gives in.  But until then, I can dream and comb etsy for these amazing treasures.

4A:  Vintage French Farine Box Image Courtesy CatsInTheCradleSoap
4B:  Ets. C Bailly 2 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
4C:  Bull Windmill Weight Image Courtesy KansasWheatField
4D:  Vintage French Mangle Cloth Image Courtesy AniseSprout

You absolutely need to check out a larger view of the flour box in 4A.  The type is just stellar!

Thanks to all our etsy sellers for use of their images.
We've got a great feature for you this Friday.

Don't forget about Etsy Craft Party 2012!  Astoria's is going to be amazing.  We've got a glassblower, a blacksmith, fiber arts, papercraft, kid crafts.  We're pretty much the least interesting thing there and we're fabulous!  So that's telling you something.

Etspiration Wednesday: Christmas In July

Christmas comes early for crafters.  And if you're in the business of supplying crafters, like we are, we have to be even more prepared.  Well we're totally not, we're one half crazed artist and one half type A lady with a baby split apart by 1,000 miles.

But we're in the progress of growing and getting more organized and historically, one of our busiest holidays is Christmas.  So I sat down the other day and designed some new stencils for the most wonderful time of the year.  I took a spin around Etsy and I literally had 12 amazing products inside of 10 minutes.  Not surprising, eh?  And I could have done 10 each of every type of thing I selected, but I tried to vary it.

So here's a look at some Christmas in July items on Etsy.  Enjoy and Joyeux Noel!

1A:  Silver Believe Banner Image Courtesy AnyOccasionBanners
1B:  Christmas Subway Art Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
1C:  Le Pere Noel Ornament Image Courtesy ALaceAffair

I just love this Le Pere Noel Ornament in 1C.  Vintage newspaper lends such a great, antiqued look to anything, even something we typically associate with glass or ceramic, like ornaments.

2A:  Toys Wooden Christmas Sign Image Courtesy TheSquareNail
2B:  Joyeux Noel With Scrolls Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
2C:  White And Red Wooden Heart Scandinavian Decoration Image Courtesy ArtAngel

I had to include this Scandinavian decoration in 2C because it speaks to my heritage.   Christmas culture is so wonderful in Scandinavia.  From St. Lucia in Sweden to Finland's claim as Santa's home, it's really unique and very different from the sort of Coca-Cola Santa traditions we have here in the US.

3A:  Handpainted Christmas Wrapping Paper Image Courtesy OscarAndOllie
3B:  Elf Christmas Stocking Image Courtesy habitationBoheme
3C:  French Christmas Subway Art Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3D:  Christmas Card Retro Bicycle Image Courtesy anistaDesigns

These Elf Christmas Stockings in 3B are too cool.  The coffee and tea shop around the corner from me gives away their burlap bags and I am always tempted to take them, but I am painfully ashamed to admit I can't sew.  So props to habitationBoheme, these are super neat.

4A:  Wintry White Pinecone Wreath Image Courtesy EcoChicNYC
4B:  Partridge In A Pear Tree Pillow Image Courtesy ElsaBeta
4C:  Joyeux Noel No 25 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

I love this Partridge pillow!  I want a whole set of the 12 Days of Christmas pillows strewn about my living room for Christmas this year!

5A:  French Christmas Santa Gift Tags Image Courtesy TheNestinSLT
5B:  Red Reindeer Christmas Pillow Image Courtesy TheStudio202
5C:  Pere Noel Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

Love love love this Reindeer Christmas pillow.  I cannot get enough of red and white as a color combo.  It's so crisp and graphic.  I also think this is such a fun pattern.

As always, we've got a snazzy feature lined up for Friday.  Until then, Merry Julymas!

Etspiration Wednesday: All We Do Is Wine!

Bonjour!

Well things have been very busy around the Maison de Stencils shops lately.  We're in the midst of moving, designing, crafting, you name it.  This past week I worked on a few new stencils for our Subway Art section, including two new wine stencils.  I've been having a lot of fun learning about wine regions in the process.  It's totally fascinating for a wine novice like myself.  I'm more of a beer snob, so maybe one day I'll do a German beer region stencil.  Or a Portland Beer Stencil!  We're beer crazy around these parts.  I digress.  All this talk of wine got me thinking:  Let's do a tour of Etsy's wine related stuff!  I was pleasantly surprised!

1A:  Vintage French Alchoholimeter Sign Image Courtesy VintageDetailz
1B:  French Wine Region Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
1C:  Cotton Wine Bottle Tea Towel Image Courtesy OpenEyesPress
1D:  Wine Inspired Lavender Sachets Image Courtesy MilkAndHoneyLuxuries

I love the Alchoholimeter sign!  Really anything with weird and funky looking machinery, I like.  This almost has a vintage steampunky look to it. 

2A:  Hemingway Wine Tea Towel Image Courtesy Beagletique
2B:  French Vintage Tastevin Image Courtesy LeMoulinBleu
2C:  Italian Wine and Cheese Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
2D:  Horizontal Walnut Riddling Rack Image Courtesy RChristopherDesigns

Another thing I learned about this week are tastevins.  Tastevins are these special little bowls that wine afficionados spit their extra wine out when sampling.  Isn't that fancy?  A little wasteful, but fancy!  When actors have to eat on set for a take, they just spit their extra food into a bucket.  Wine tasters get extra beautiful silver dishware.  I ate my lunch today on melmac.  (hardboiled eggs and a Baby Bel) Classiness level: Alf.

3A:  Chianti Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3B:  Recycled Pallet Wine Rack Image Courtesy PalletCreations
3C:  Rustic Italian Coasters Image Courtesy CoastersDiFresco

I am pallet obsessed.  I literally have a pinboard on Pinterest named Pallet Obsessed.  If I can get my act together, I have a pallet feature for the blog in a few weeks.  So check out 3B, a wine rack made out of pallets.  I am such a fan of reusing pallets because it saves a tree, which is a cause near and dear to my heart.

4A:  Vintage Italian Red Wine Sign Image Courtesy LaSartoria
4B:  French Wine Crate Bike Basket Image Courtesy cadeauxcatherine
4C:  Italian Wine Region Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
4D:  Vintage French Enamel Wine Sign Image MaisondelaRue

You should really check out LaSartoria.  She has the most beautiful vintage Italian stuff in her shop.  It reminds me of my Grandma Anne.  My sister and I had two grandmothers.  (I know, that's how it usually works.)  Grandma Mae was my Mom's Mom and she was the typical homemaker grandma.  She baked cakes, let us brush her hair, played checkers with us.  Grandma Anne was my Dad's Mom and she was the kind of Grandma where her house looked like a museum and you knew you could not touch anything.  Know what I mean?  She passed away when I was quite young and I didn't really ever get to know her, but she had the most amazing taste.  I have quite a few of her art books now and on the main floor of our home, I think every piece of art came from her house.  She traveled through Europe and brought so many things back home with her.  Every time I pass by those paintings, I think of her, carrying these paintings through Italy and Croatia.  I wish I could talk to her now that I'm an adult.  And have a glass of wine!

We've got a lovely feature for Friday from across the pond!  Until then, Cheerio!