So in Love

What is it about women and our adoration for all things miniature? It seems as if any ordinary object can be made absolutely adorable by shrinking it in size. Ever notice when you're in line at the checkout that all those little doo-dads by the register are tiny? Tiny containers of breath mints, tiny notebooks for your key chain, mini erasers shaped like a house. If they were normal size half of us wouldn't even look, but somehow tiny almost always equals cute.

Maybe its a maternal thing. Babies, kids, puppies, kittens - all tiny. All cute. But whatever the reason I honestly don't mind because I'm too busy being smitten with those tiny cute things.

above: Small Scalloped Tags

With Gratitude

I'm feeling the Etsy love right about now. Especially since my Woodland Gift Tag Set was featured in yesterday's Etsy Finds email geared towards a DIY Holiday wrapping experience. Which, you all know I love.

Crazily enough though, I almost missed the inclusion all together. I spent the night at my sister's house, which I looove doing. I'm sure for her it gets tiring, but for me I just love waking up to her busy house with kids running about, eating breakfast, and getting ready for school. But, with all that activity I chose to rather quickly scan my morning emails and I almost missed that one of my handmade goodies was featured in the Etsy Finds email. Needless to say its been a very happy day with much to be grateful for. And with tomorrow being our American Thanksgiving gratitude sounds just about right.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love most.

til next time,
-Kate ♥

Bad Days Don't Last Forever

Yesterday was a no good lousy terrible horrible rotten bad day. I woke up tired and stayed that way all day. So, when I pulled my car into the driveway in the evening and backed into the garage frame smashing up a section of my little car I shouldn't have been too surprised, but I was. I even had a good feel-sorry-for-myself cry while I took off my coat and boots in the back hall.

But, the nice thing about bad days is that they don't last forever - just 24 hours to be exact. And they are often cured by a late night cup of hot cocoa and an extra two hours of sleep the next day. These two things will prove to be a sad girl's life saver. Well, that and extra marshmallows.

Brown Paper Packages

It snowed here the other day. It melted when it hit the ground, but still...it snowed. I love the snow. I can't imagine having winter without it; the two are synonymous. For me they have to be, because if winter's not cold then what would happen to all those cozy indoor holiday traditions? Would they loose their magic? Because they do have have it. There is a tiny bit of magic woven into the fabric of our holiday traditions.Holidays can bring about a lot of pressure. Scheduling in your family time with your spouse's family time, digging out all the decorations that don't seem to be in the same spot you put them last year, frantically trying to finish up all those handknit scarves you're giving to all the women in your family, mall parking - 'nuff said. But the thing about all of those stressors is that, when you live in the moment, you'll find they're really part of the joy of the season. We can't manufacture time, but we can make something out of it.One of my favorite things to do is to weave some of that magic into each and every gift I give. I may not make all of my gifts by hand, but it doesn't mean I won't spend hours dressing them up and grooming them just so. Most people see gift wrapping as a tedious chore that's rushed through the night before, but not me. I cherish that time spent wrapping. I see it as a luxury; a chance to sit and immerse myself in the moment. I get to re-look at my purchases and envision how their intended recipient will use it, wear it, love it. I get to surround myself with my favorite things - scissors, paper, glue - and turn a white shirt box into a masterpiece. And that smile that lights up someone's face before they've even unwrapped their package - well, that's just plain old magical.

For more handmade holiday traditions, including cute printables and yummy recipes galore, take a wander through some of my EtsyGreetings team member's blogs by clicking either arrow above.

til next time,
-Kate ♥

Pink Confetti and Elephant Dreams

Things are busy busy here in my workshop. I've been filling one custom order after the next and, seeing how winter wedding season is almost upon us, many have been of the snowflake variety.

Last night I worked in to the wee hours of the night getting this fun confetti order ready to ship out in the post today. Don't you just love those sweet colors?! And, so focused on my snowflake crafting task was I, that when I finally drifted off to sleep I dreamed of cutting happy little pink snowflakes to throw up in the air at an elephant parade. Sort of like this one, and this one, oh and this one too only brighter and in the daytime ♥

Wonder what dreams may come tonight...
elephant dream by ybryksenkova

Alone Doesn't Mean Lonely

I love this video. Actually, I adore it. Her words rang so true to me. The whole time I was watching this I felt my chest grow warmer and larger. My love for humanity just filled it up.

It is a precious and beautiful thing to be a part of this world - and there truly are so many different ways to be a part of it. Thank you to my sister for showing me this little gem ♥

DIY, Your Own Way

Why should you buy everything already made in someone else's vision? Why not have a little fun and make it yourself? As a paper crafter and artist I sometimes take for granted that not everyone has the means - or quite frankly, the time - to make their mailing tags by hand, but that doesn't mean that they don't want to embellish and decorate a set of those tags 'til their hearts content.

So, with that thought in mind I lovingly handcrafted and pieced together some basic kits for the shop. I like to think of them as a do-it-yourself for paper enthusiasts. Use each kit to decorate gifts and enclosure cards oh so stylishly, write fun little lunchbox notes, make quirky to-do-lists, embellish journals and scrapbooks...whatever you create just be sure to have fun with it and, most importantly, let your creativity guide you.

Until next time, be sure to share your love.
- Kate