shop sale!

wreaths and branches are ON SALE in the shop. the studio renovation means that it needs to be completely cleared, and there's no better way to clear it out than to sell it all!

wreaths and branches are ON SALE in the shop. the studio renovation means that it needs to be completely cleared, and there's no better way to clear it out than to sell it all!

progress while paused ... custom branch

the studio is still "paused" for renovations - the old floor came up (icky industrial gray carpet) and new hardwood (maple) went down today. it is going to look absolutely fabulous when it's done, but in the meantime, it smells bad and our house is a dusty disaster of disarray. {sigh} however, i was able to make some progress during the down time - i created/installed a custom branch hanging for a local customer's daughter's room. let me know what you think about skye's lambie fantasy! please email me for custom order information.

30-inch weathered branch - wall hung

 branch with single globe terrarium

lamb figurine globe terrarium with pink moss, billy balls, lavender, and air plant branch

branch decoration detail

the studio is still "paused" for renovations - the old floor came up (icky industrial gray carpet) and new hardwood (maple) went down today. it is going to look absolutely fabulous when it's done, but in the meantime, it smells bad and our house is a dusty disaster of disarray. {sigh} however, i was able to make some progress during the down time - i created/installed a custom branch hanging for a local customer's daughter's room. let me know what you think about skye's lambie fantasy! please email me for custom order information.

30-inch weathered branch - wall hung

 branch with single globe terrarium

lamb figurine globe terrarium with pink moss, billy balls, lavender, and air plant branch

branch decoration detail

on pause

new crafts in the shop are on a little hiatus since i had to dismantle things in the studio for the installation of our new windows, and even more so next week when we get new floors. and again once it's finished with a snazzy new coat of paint (in a yet-to-be-determined color. ideas?!).

so i instead turned my maker's energy into homemade strawberry-rhubarb and apricot-blackberry galettes, on what turned out to be a 100-degree day. oy!

more pics to come as the studio re-do continues ...

new crafts in the shop are on a little hiatus since i had to dismantle things in the studio for the installation of our new windows, and even more so next week when we get new floors. and again once it's finished with a snazzy new coat of paint (in a yet-to-be-determined color. ideas?!).

so i instead turned my maker's energy into homemade strawberry-rhubarb and apricot-blackberry galettes, on what turned out to be a 100-degree day. oy!

more pics to come as the studio re-do continues ...

mission accomplished!

the "simple spring wreath" custom (re)creation is on its way to its new home! the 32x30x6-inch box i made to ship it was a hot mess - lots of tape and cardboard, but the brown kraft paper wrapping should fool any peekers ;)

the "simple spring wreath" custom (re)creation is on its way to its new home! the 32x30x6-inch box i made to ship it was a hot mess - lots of tape and cardboard, but the brown kraft paper wrapping should fool any peekers ;)

i {heart} custom orders

i love custom orders - they are fun little challenges!

a customer has asked for a recreation of the simple spring wreath on a 30-inch grapevine wreath. i have never made a wreath quite this big, and have never ever shipped a wreath this large, either. let's collectively cross our fingers and hope for the best! i'll update you when it's successfully accomplished :)

i love custom orders - they are fun little challenges!

a customer has asked for a recreation of the simple spring wreath on a 30-inch grapevine wreath. i have never made a wreath quite this big, and have never ever shipped a wreath this large, either. let's collectively cross our fingers and hope for the best! i'll update you when it's successfully accomplished :)

new goodies

two new items up for sale in the shop, including a totally new endeavor: a straw swag!

Asymmetrical Artichoke Wreath, $36

Straw Swag, $22

two new items up for sale in the shop, including a totally new endeavor: a straw swag!

Asymmetrical Artichoke Wreath, $36

Straw Swag, $22

big love for the chartreuse yarn-branch

the decorated yarn branch that's for sale in the etsy shop has gotten some MAJOR love. it's been featured in a number of treasury lists, but on Friday, April 27, it made the front page of etsy! and all of this wonderful, free publicity drove the shop stats through the roof - 1,712 views in total.

(click to enlarge)

see it in all nine of it's etsy treasury features here:

• natural party at home
• napping in the afternoon
• fabulous and fresh
• a field guide for the natural mom
• what she likes
• trees & shrubs
• sprout!
• spring at your doorstep
• spring colours ....

while my husband "doesn't get it," people out there do! so, come and get it while it's hot and still available!

the decorated yarn branch that's for sale in the etsy shop has gotten some MAJOR love. it's been featured in a number of treasury lists, but on Friday, April 27, it made the front page of etsy! and all of this wonderful, free publicity drove the shop stats through the roof - 1,712 views in total.

(click to enlarge)

see it in all nine of it's etsy treasury features here:

• natural party at home
• napping in the afternoon
• fabulous and fresh
• a field guide for the natural mom
• what she likes
• trees & shrubs
• sprout!
• spring at your doorstep
• spring colours ....

while my husband "doesn't get it," people out there do! so, come and get it while it's hot and still available!

shameless plug

our little backyard deck and garden is included in the Whole Living & Apartment Therapy Inspired Outdoor Spaces Contest on Facebook. please take a peek and "like" my photo to help us win! thanks!

our little backyard deck and garden is included in the Whole Living & Apartment Therapy Inspired Outdoor Spaces Contest on Facebook. please take a peek and "like" my photo to help us win! thanks!

tangerine-poppyseed olive oil cake

you guys - i made THE BEST cake ever yesterday. i had been wanting to make an olive oil cake for what seemed like years and finally did. it was so easy, moist, and delicious. because we have cabinets full of liquid ingredients to choose from, i gave it a few upgrades (see below) but have no doubt that the more basic version would be equally delicious. see below for the recipe.

tangerine-poppyseed olive oil cake

2 cups all purpose flour
1.25 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, beaten
1.5 cups whole milk
1/2 cup Pasolivo Tangerine Olive Oil
grated zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or, if you're fancy like me, use 1 tsp fiori di sicilia, instead
1+ tablespoon poppyseeds

preheat oven to 350 degrees. sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and whisk in the eggs, milk, olive oil, zest*, and vanilla/fiori di sicilia. stir in the poppyseeds with a wooden spoon or spatula.

pour the batter into a greased bundt cake pan and bake for 45–60 minutes, until the cake is golden on top. invert on a plate and dust with confectioners sugar or top with powdered sugar glaze**.

* i zested the orange right onto the dry ingredients.
** i made my powdered sugar glaze with Faretti Biscotti liqueur and a splash of water, then sprinkled a few more poppyseeds on top for good measure.

you guys - i made THE BEST cake ever yesterday. i had been wanting to make an olive oil cake for what seemed like years and finally did. it was so easy, moist, and delicious. because we have cabinets full of liquid ingredients to choose from, i gave it a few upgrades (see below) but have no doubt that the more basic version would be equally delicious. see below for the recipe.

tangerine-poppyseed olive oil cake

2 cups all purpose flour
1.25 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, beaten
1.5 cups whole milk
1/2 cup Pasolivo Tangerine Olive Oil
grated zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or, if you're fancy like me, use 1 tsp fiori di sicilia, instead
1+ tablespoon poppyseeds

preheat oven to 350 degrees. sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and whisk in the eggs, milk, olive oil, zest*, and vanilla/fiori di sicilia. stir in the poppyseeds with a wooden spoon or spatula.

pour the batter into a greased bundt cake pan and bake for 45–60 minutes, until the cake is golden on top. invert on a plate and dust with confectioners sugar or top with powdered sugar glaze**.

* i zested the orange right onto the dry ingredients.
** i made my powdered sugar glaze with Faretti Biscotti liqueur and a splash of water, then sprinkled a few more poppyseeds on top for good measure.

more crafts

other than the wreaths, photos, plant "perversions," and sticks that you see in the shop, i'm always making or planning to make something -- typically food or some other type of craft project.

on a recent visit to my mom's for her birthday, i unearthed the little pocket that i used to stash my teeth in for the tooth fairy. i have always been attached to this little felt envelope so i decided that we should be reunited! here's how he ended up - cute, eh?

other than the wreaths, photos, plant "perversions," and sticks that you see in the shop, i'm always making or planning to make something -- typically food or some other type of craft project.

on a recent visit to my mom's for her birthday, i unearthed the little pocket that i used to stash my teeth in for the tooth fairy. i have always been attached to this little felt envelope so i decided that we should be reunited! here's how he ended up - cute, eh?