book giveaway for april!

April 1, 2014

Congratulations to Jenna, the winner of the March book giveaway Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist! I hope this book provides you with some inspiration to celebrate the extraordinary nature of everyday life!

It’s April 1st and I have a special “how to” book to announce for the April giveaway selection! Ecobeauty by Lauren & Janice (photo above) Cox is a great DIY book with a hundred different projects that are easy and economical to create. It even includes instructions on creating henna tattoos! This mother and daughter team have created some really easy recipes to make beauty products at home as a great way to save money and help the environment.

Included are some wonderful photographs of ways to package the products and also hints for shopping for natural ingredients. With the help of this wonderful book, you too can create products that will rival the products sold at the natural beauty product chain at your local mall!

The book offers some great gift ideas and will be the perfect inspiration to create some wonderful beauty products for your own use or as really thoughtful and beautiful Mother’s Day gifts!

Leave a comment on this post, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter during the month of April as a ‘chance’ to be entered to win! Good luck!

Thank you for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Instagram users, please read on! For the monthly pleasure in simple things Instagram challenge, use hashtag #pleasuregram to share egg photos throughout the month! Share your decorated eggs, eggs that inspire you, or any cool egg finds during the month! Have fun with it!

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top 5 from philly flower show 2014

March 14, 2014

The Philadelphia Flower Show had an amazing theme this year…ARTiculture!

I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the longest-running and largest indoor flower show!

With so much to see, the show was overwhelming. What makes the show special is in the way each attendee has a unique visit – each person sees the show from their own perspective…in this way, the show is a very personal experience.

As a way to share this personal experience with you on Friday field trip this week, I am sharing my personal top 5 from the Philadelphia Flower Show 2014.

THEME. I loved the art theme this year! ARTiculture! Working in collaboration with Philadelphia museums and the local art world made the Flower Show theme the best in years! The art influences were everywhere…but this display, in my estimation, integrated the theme perfectly!

Even food was treated as art in this amazing display:

DEMONSTRATION. The lectures and demonstrations offered at the Flower Show are always a high point for me…learning anything new is always fun and I enjoy watching the variety of demonstrations offered on the show schedule.

This year, while attending an evening sponsored by Philadelphia Magazine, I met the talented artist Denise Fike. Denise provided guests with their own fashion portraits…what a fun demonstration and a cool way to incorporate the theme of the show!

FRIENDS. One great aspect of an annual show is to visit people you have met year after year. I had three in particular that I really enjoyed catching up with in the retail section of the show.

One was Michelle Masters…she creates this

beautiful topiary art…

I was happy to have the opportunity to stock up on my notecards and to purchase a few great gifts. ;)

I also had the chance to spend some time with Jill Schwartz. As owner of Elements, she creates some really awesome jewelry…you may have seen some of her unique pieces in Anthropologie.

If you are a flower lover and have not seen the products from Chive you are definitely missing something great! It is so inspiring to see all their products ‘up close and personal’ at the flower show each year and to say ‘hi’ to the friendly staff. I love using their products for big events and small parties…they have wonderful pieces to use as favors and as centerpieces.

SCULPTURE. Each year, I am intrigued by some type of sculpture at the show. Of course, everyone attending was mesmerized by the entrance of the show, where masses of flowers were put together and displayed in a ‘frame.’ I found a couple more I enjoyed.

The paper flower sculptures in the hallways leading to the main rooms were awesome and gave any of us dappling in paper flower construction a whole new level of inspiration!

As a typography lover, I enjoyed this sculpture in the Convention Center hallway.

GARDEN INSPIRATION. Admittedly, much of my day was spent oohing and aahing the amazing varieties of flowers on display. It’s great to be inspired to find something to incorporate into my own garden. This year, that inspiration was the witch hazel. As a winter bloomer, I know it would be a lovely way to add some color to the snow next year! My own state (Connecticut) is the witch hazel capital and was the first to harvest and market it for its medicinal purposes…surprisingly, I have not already included it in my garden! This is how it looks in bloom.

That is my little glimpse into the 2014 Philadelphia Flower Show. Hope you enjoyed this week’s Friday field trip!

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie

Sharing at Mona’s Picturesque, Crafts a la Mode, and The Tablescaper.

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diy snowman gift bag

February 25, 2014

Today, I am creating an easy hand painted snowman gift bag. I know snowmen are usually associated with Christmas decor, but based on the frequency of snowfall here in Connecticut this winter, a snowman certainly seems an appropriate motif for any project…so, it is with tongue in cheek that I use a snowman design for my gift bag.

If a snowman is strictly holiday for you, make up a batch of these gift bags to store away with your holiday wrappings for next Christmas…a fun activity to do with the children on the next snow day. ;)

With just a few craft supplies, it is an easy item to create using a brown paper handled bag. These bags are very inexpensive at the dollar store or paper supply store.

I like to use puff paint in squeeze bottles for the details on the snowman because it creates some dimension. You can just as easily use paint and a paint brush. If you don’t have a sponge shaped like a snowman, just cut your own from a household sponge…I happen to have a snowman shaped sponge, but I very often cut my own shapes from a sponge for my gift wrap designs.

This project is super easy…it just requires some drying time in between steps.

First, dip your sponge into some white paint, adding a thin coat on the entire sponge surface, and press onto the bag to add your snowmen. Then, using a cotton swab, add the ‘snow.’ A cotton swab is the perfect tool for creating a snow storm! (Opening the bag and standing it up will enable you to add additional ‘snow’ to the two sides of the bag.)

When this is dry, use the puff paint to add a scarf, buttons, eyes, mouth, and – of course – an orange carrot nose! If preferred, paint and a brush or markers can be substituted for the puff paint to add the details to the snowmen.

When all the paint is dry, add an outline to the snowmen with a thin marker.

Repeat the same design on the other side of the bag, or, if preferred – just add ‘snow’ to the back of the bag.

And, that’s it! Just add tissue paper and raffia to complete the look. In addition, (for a little snow overkill) I plan to cut a snowflake from white felt to tie onto my package!

Hope you enjoyed this easy tutorial for making a snowman gift bag…a fun hand painted bag to add to your gift giving!

Here in Connecticut, we may just have to consider adding a snowman to our state flag!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy dishtowel pillow

February 11, 2014

I am not much of a seamstress. My only formal training was in 8^th grade home economics class where I attempted to make a purple skirt. The school colors were purple and gold and I wanted to make something worthy I could wear on purple and gold day…Go Hawks!…Sadly, I don’t think it was ever even worn.

I do know the basics of using a sewing machine and I can sew a (pretty close to) straight line. As far as following a pattern – that is not something I picked up in 8^th grade. But, when I am determined to make something, it does get made.

So when I saw the cutest bicycle dishtowel in Anthropologie and decided it needed to be a pillow, I knew it would become a pillow…

I was determined to keep the integrity of the towel – without cutting or damaging it in any way. By simply using folds and straight sewing, I was able to create the pillow I wanted. Admittedly, the hardest part was pinning the trim into place!

1. “Pedal power” dishtowel from Anthropologie 2. I added material to the length of the towel to use as part of the back when it was folded (I used four of the bicycle photos on the front of my pillow and two on the back). 3.& 4. I positioned and pinned trim on the left and right sides of the pillow between the front and back. 5. View of the back. 6. After the sides were sewed with the trim, I turned the pillow inside out. Then, I sewed the bottom edge, leaving some room to add polyfill. (I added almost an entire 12 oz. bag.) I completed the pillow by turning it right side out and stitching the opening closed by hand.

I am enjoying it so much more as a pillow than I ever would as a dishtowel! A fun addition to a spare bedroom!

Wouldn’t this pillow make a great Valentine gift? If you don’t want to take the time to make a pillow, just wrap up the towel with a homemade card that reads: my heart races for you! :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. If you are a bicycle lover, you may also enjoy this bicycle post. :)

Sharing at Shabby Nest, Craftberry Bush, and Coastal Charm.

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care in a package

February 4, 2014

Do you remember the best Valentine gift you ever got? Mine was from the first man I ever loved – my Dad.

It was a heart-shaped sugar cookie frosted in red. I can’t remember what the white icing on top spelled out, but I do remember that my mom thought the message made the gift totally inappropriate for a dad to give his daughter.

Maybe it said “lover” or something similar…but it didn’t matter…any sense of inappropriateness went over his head – and mine. I was just thrilled to get a Valentine…and, I was thrilled my Dad thought to give me one.

Even now, with my Dad gone over twenty five years, his cookie Valentine to me remains my favorite Valentine’s Day gift of all time.

Maybe it is because of the significance of that gift from my Dad that I always show my kids some love on Valentine’s Day. It isn’t ever anything grand – a card…a favorite treat…something to show I am thinking of them with love – like my Dad did for me so long ago.

For a daughter in college, this is always a care package to arrive on the 14^th.

As I assemble my daughter’s Valentine, I am sharing three easy ways to give your care packages some special ‘care’ this Valentine’s Day…and help create a lasting memory.

Think personal, not expensive. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to send some great gifts.

Any favorite baked items that can survive the trip serve as great gifts! Whether you are sending a package to your child in college or to a special someone – you know which items you bake that the recipient likes best – make their favorite! Maybe there is a specific food item in your area that is not available in the area the recipient lives – a perfect item to include!

If your package is going to a college student, there are some things every college student appreciates. Socks or underwear help delay the dreaded laundry run and are always appreciated – fun patterns for Valentine’s Day are available in all the stores. Find a pattern that relates to the recipient of the gift. Coffee or k-cups are always welcome for the apartment coffee maker and are sure to be available in the gift recipient’s favorite blend. (I found that Target sells a two-pack so it is not necessary to buy a large box.) Flash drives are used by all students and can be found shaped as items to reflect the recipient’s personality – I have found ones shaped as surf boards and sushi! Fun!

Add humor. Adding humor is always required when creating a care package. Find something fun to tuck into the package. After a long, hard day of studying (or work), anything that can bring on a little smile is a great addition. For my package, I found some chip clips in the dollar store that were shaped like lips – so fun, so perfect for Valentine’s Day, and so practical!

Chip clips shaped like lips, found in the dollar store, add some humor to a Valentine’s Day care package.

Create some packaging flair. Decorating your package – both inside and out – makes it special for the recipient.

For my package, I painted a 69 cent unassembled brown box with messy pink stripes. Then I found a decorative packing tape – packaging tape now comes in many different colors and patterns and adds so much more flair than using something traditional! For a sports fan, this can be school colors or colors of a favorite team…be creative…the large selection at the hardware or craft store is sure to spark your imagination. I chose a pink polka dot packaging tape to seal my daughter’s care package.

Messages can be written on both the inside and/or outside of the box to make it personal. When my son was in college, it became a tradition that I would always write the address for a cool new website on the inside flap of his care packages. If the gift is for one of your children, write a favorite saying or song lyrics from a song you both enjoy…or write something you always say before bedtime. :)

My daughter is a nursing student and I once decorated the outside of a care package, to arrive before a big anatomy test, with body part stickers. Hey, it must keep the delivery person amused!

Create flair with your packaging material as well. For my Valentine’s Day care package, I purchased some inexpensive neon pink tissue paper and put it through my home shredder…so easy and inexpensive. Try using old book pages, newspapers, sports or fashion magazines, etc. There are so many options…and, so many ways to make the gift personal…the stock pages from the Wall Street Journal for a finance major recipient, for example.

Add flair to a care package by using a home shredder to create packing material. Use tissue paper, newspaper, old book pages, fashion or sports magazine pages, etc. to personalize the gift.

I won’t show you the gifts I included in the care package I created, since I don’t want to spoil the surprises! ;) Just remember that the gifts you select should be unique to your recipient…a sure way to make the package personal and memorable. My kids have exceptional senses of humor, so anything related to an inside joke is always a perfect choice!

Have fun with it! I would love to hear some ideas inspired by this post and also some memories about your favorite Valentine’s Day gift!

Send me an email if you need some help with ideas for your personalized care package.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy menu board

January 14, 2014

Do you have a favorite plate that is chipped or cracked and yet you just can’t seem to throw it out…even though it isn’t used? A great way to repurpose an imperfect piece is to create a menu board…giving the piece a new life without serving food on it!

The only supply required is Con-Tact brand adhesive chalkboard paper! Creating a beautiful new menu board is as easy as cutting an appropriate sized piece of Con-Tact paper! Since I wanted my creation to take on a nautical flare, I added some shells and twine to my supply list to add as embellishments.

Because china has a slick surface, using Con-Tact paper works much quicker and easier than paint (eliminating the need for a primer). Plus, the Con-Tact can be removed after use, if desired.

For my nautical menu board, I cut a piece of chalkboard Con-Tact paper to fit the inside section of the chosen plate. After attaching it, I adding some twine and shell embellishments using a glue gun. Viola! How cute is that?

Using a plate stand is a nice way to display the menu board…or even, hanging the menu board on the dining room or kitchen wall. Such a great way to repurpose an old plate!

Maybe create one for a special Valentine’s Day meal? :) Have fun with it!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Remember to find pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with French Country Cottage, City Farmhouse and Coastal Charm.

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cute as a button

January 7, 2014

Do you save all the extra buttons you get when you buy new clothes? I do. I sometimes even take buttons I like off a piece of worn clothing before I toss it.

I have accumulated quite a collection of buttons that I can’t seem to part with and I have created many craft projects over the years to accommodate my growing collection. (Christmas ornaments, jewelry, etc.) Since organization is always a priority at this time of year, I am sharing an easy DIY that not only repurposes extra buttons, but also helps make bulletin boards look ‘cute as a button’ as they get reorganized in the new year.

Simply use a glue gun to add a bead of glue to the head of a plastic push pin and attach a button! Cute, right? I bet you have quite a few buttons that are not being used…

I often attach small shells to my push pins since I favor a beach theme, but buttons can easily adapt to any decor or color scheme.

Lining a bulletin board in pretty fabric and making some button push pins to coordinate makes a thoughtful and pretty gift…maybe as a Valentine? Add some to a Valentine’s Day care package headed to a dorm room.

They can be packaged in a small tin or on a piece of decorated corrugated cardboard – cover the cardboard in fabric or scraps of wallpaper for a pretty presentation.

Decorated push pins also make a great teacher’s gift or a great gift for anyone that appreciates pretty details.

There are so many possibilities of color and style combinations…I hope I inspired you to try some!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing at Common Ground Crafts a la mode and Coastal Charm.

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appreciating vanilla

November 22, 2013

Have you ever thought about the flavor differences in types of vanilla extract? With Thanksgiving so close (…think fresh vanilla whipped cream on those pies!…) I thought it would be perfect timing to share a Friday field trip to explore these differences.

To do so, I attended a vanilla ‘class’ at Williams-Sonoma – great preparation for holiday baking! I am sharing a little of what I learned and I am also including a simple recipe for holiday gift giving – vanilla sugar. (Wondering how I am tying vanilla sugar into my woodland holiday theme? Isn’t tasty vanilla sugar needed for sprinkling on berries? What better to add to a tray of fruits, nuts & berries? Or, to give in a pretty jar accompanied with fresh berries? Yum! )

In simple terms, vanilla extract is made by chopping vanilla beans, soaking them in a mixture of alcohol and water, and then aging the solution.

Taste testing three vanillas in milk at Williams-Sonoma. I also had the opportunity to taste vanilla in homemade vanilla ice-cream and to taste vanilla in pumpkin bread served with vanilla whipped cream.

The differences in taste occur based on where the vanilla originates. At Williams-Sonoma, I had the opportunity to taste test the three most common kinds – Tahitian, Mexican and Madagascar Bourbon – the Mexican and Madagascar Bourbon beans are more strongly scented, while Tahitian are more delicate. Mexican beans are in short supply, however, while Madagascar Bourbon beans make up about three-fourths of the total supply.

Tahitian Vanilla is grown on the island of Tahiti; this distinct member of the vanilla family is prized for its aromatic, fruity, cherry-like flavor. A favorite of French pastry chefs, Tahitian vanilla performs best when used in low or no-heat applications, as its delicate flavor can become weakened in the presence of high heat. Enjoy Tahitian pure vanilla extract in refrigerated and frozen treats, fruit pies and sauces, cream fillings, smoothies and shakes. This vanilla is ideal for a vanilla ice cream that is to be served with fresh fruits or fruit desserts.

Vanilla, one of the most popular flavors in the world, originated in Mexico. Mexican vanilla is known for its creamy, spicy flavor that has a special affinity for dishes that contain chocolate, cinnamon and other warm spices. When properly processed, Mexican vanilla is of exceptionally high quality and flavor. Enjoy Mexican pure vanilla extract in cookies and cakes, chocolate drinks, confections and frozen treas. Also try it in spicy savory dishes, such as chili, tomato sauces and barbecue sauces.

Made from beans from on the island of Madagascar, Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is the king of vanillas. It takes the name “Bourbon” not from Kentucky whiskey, but from the French Bourbon court that ruled Madagascar in the 1800’s. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is considered to be the highest-quality pure vanilla available, described as having a creamy, sweet, smooth, mellow flavor that blends beautifully with a variety of foods. It is especially suited to rich foods such as ice cream and butter cream as well as cookies, cakes and confections.

I think this is a great guide for those of us that haven’t attended pastry school! Thank you Williams-Sonoma! I also learned that when adding vanilla extract to hot food, to first let the food cool for a few minutes. When the extract is added to hot food, the alcohol evaporates, taking with it some of the vanilla flavor!

I hope you enjoyed today’s Friday field trip exploring the differences in vanilla extract!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy wire gift tags

November 19, 2013

I adore holiday decorating and baking. Gift wrapping, in particular, is a passion of mine and I always start thinking about design details for my packages as soon as I establish a holiday theme – months before the holiday season approaches.

I assembled some of the materials I knew I would need for my woodland gift wrapping ideas quite some time ago…hoping to squeeze in some of my planned projects in free moments.

Working 15 hour days isn’t particularly conducive to fitting in creative activities, but I did use a couple of late night hours recently to work on some gift tags I had envisioned a while back.

Using wire from the craft store, I very simply bent the wire to form words to use as gift tags on my gifts…choosing fun holiday words or the name of the gift recipient. I chose an antique bronze colored wire and picked the strongest gauge that I could still shape using my hands. (Pliers are an option if you would rather use a tool or don’t have significant hand strength.) I formed a loop on either end of the word shape to use as a ribbon loop and cut the end of the wire with pliers being sure to check for sharp edges and using a file or sandpaper to smooth any rough spots…

I shaped the words freehand, but you can certainly use a handwritten word on paper or print out a word from your computer to use as a pattern.

These packages will coordinate nicely with the others I have planned for my woodland theme. ;) Wire is available in a wide choice of colors in the craft store, so you can choose one to match your own holiday theme.

These word creations have so many uses – they can be used as ornaments, to identify a Christmas stocking, or as a wine bottle gift tag. It is an especially great idea to use one on a gift for someone that can never find anything printed with their unique name!

I hope you will try your hand at some of these fun wire word gift tags for holiday packages and create some to coordinate with your own holiday decorating.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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monthly book giveaway for november!

November 1, 2013

Yikes! November already?! That month sure went fast! The October giveaway selection of Backyard Foraging signed by author Ellen Zachos goes to Jennifer! Congratulations!

This month’s giveaway is a picture book that tells a special story of friendship…

a perfect gift for any little one on your holiday gift giving list.

One of my friends introduced me to Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon and I just fell in love with the book!

In keeping with my woodland holiday theme this season, the story is set in the forest and offers some great tie-in gift options…

I can’t wait to show you the gifts I am creating to give with the book! Be sure to check in to see my ideas for gifts to use with this charming storybook!

Leave me a comment here or on twitter, facebook, or instagram to be entered to win this lovely storybook!

Have a great start to the month! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie Instagram users, read on…

For November’s Instagram challenge use hashtag #pleasuregram to share your woodland inspired photos!

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monthly book giveaway for november!