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jonesing for spring

February 16, 2016

close up bird house pleasure in simple things blog

The below zero temperatures here in Connecticut have caused me to have many day dreams about spring!

Terrain pots pleasure in simple things blog

I thought things might start looking a little like spring at Terrain (one of my fave stores) and, on a recent visit, I was not disappointed. The winter displays are starting to be replaced with some touches of the next season. Taking a little time to visit the store with a friend is not only inspiring, but a great way to forget about the winter blahs – if only for a short time!

candle at Terrain pleasure in simple things blog

Here are some favorite things from my visit!  Enjoy!

eggs at terrain pleasure in simple things blog

Terrain bird house pleasure in simple things blog

lanterns at Terrain pleasure

terrain bunny soap pleasure in simple things blog

terrain pleasure in simple things blog

terrain book pleasure in simple things blog

 pleasure in simple things blog

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

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pencil love

February 12, 2016

Nora Ephron quote pleasure in simple things blog

I have a love for pencils. I can’t help it. I prefer old school notebook and pencil over a keyboard any day. And, I certainly wouldn’t give up my beautiful Kate Spade organizer for the electronic phone version! I love the aesthetics and the feel of a good organizer and I would never reduce all my painstakingly made plans to lifeless little boxes on the calendar of my android!

The pencil by Allan Ahlberg

Pencil inspiration for the next generation! The wonderful children’s book by Allan Ahlberg.

For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing a little pencil love!

cool erasers from CW Pencil Enterprise in NYC

Some really cool erasers from CW Pencil Enterprise in New York City. A ‘must visit’ for any pencil lover!

I enjoy both using pencils and giving pencils! Some of my past pencil gifts have included some DIY fringed pencils that are perfect for Valentine’s Day (click here for the link),

fringed pencil diy pleasure in simple things blog

customized ‘beachy’ pencils (click here for diy),

beachy pencil gift pleasure in simple things blog

and personalized pencils for book lovers (click here for diy).

Book pencils pleasure in simple things blog

I love giving pencils with customized printing. They are so fun to create and it is a fun challenge to contain a message to a limited number of letters!

I hope I have inspired a little pencil love today! :)

Dalton Ghetti's pencil sculptures

Check out my Facebook page today to read more about these amazing carved pencil tip sculptures by artist Dalton Ghetti!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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valentine’s day gift diy

February 9, 2016

stamping for Valentines Day pleasure in simple things

A rubber stamp is a great accessory for some Valentine’s Day fun!

A simple tag, brown paper, or muslin bag can transform a little something into a special valentine for someone you care about – all you need is a Valentine’s Day themed rubber stamp.

stamping fun for Valentines Day diy pleasure in simple things blog

If you don’t already own them, pick up a Valentine’s Day rubber stamp and a red ink pad in the dollar section of Target or in a local craft store. Choose a stamp with a simple line design – they work the best for this type of application.

valentine tags pleasure in simple things blog

A stamped muslin bag can be used to tuck some treats into a lunch box or to gift a ‘cup of tea’ (slip in a teabag) to a friend. I often find packages of these muslin bags, priced very inexpensively, at HomeGoods in the home utensil section – they are sold to make herb sachets. They can also be purchased at a craft or paper store.

using a valentine stamp for wrapping pleasure in simple things blog

Many other household materials can be used as Valentine’s Day wrapping. Brown bags are perfect to stamp and can be used as gift bags or wrapping paper. Tissue paper, fabric scraps, and dishtowels also work well.

diy valentine stamping pleasure in simple things blog

Any scrap cardboard can be cut, stamped, and used as a gift tag. I like making tags cut from paint sample swatches to stamp on as well. Wrap up a single cupcake or cookie and add a cute homemade tag!

a xo pleasure in simple things blog

I hope I have inspired you to have a little stamping fun this Valentine’s Day!

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

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love is in the air

February 5, 2016

VDay

I often think of how everything in life comes down to being a great editor. It is the most important skill we possess. Our editing of life’s choices and resources is a reflection of who we are…it creates our image, establishes our integrity (or lack of), and develops our character. With the constant stream of choices that present themselves to us; it is the editing that determines everything in life.

One of the biggest editing assignments we can take on is the one of choosing a spouse -– the ultimate test of editing skill! I have been thinking a lot about this in the past week because one of my children is now engaged! With the news of the engagement, I started thinking about this ultimate test of editing and how the editing of past generations led our family to what it is today.

VDay

A romantic moment shared by our ancestors – 2 generations ago.

So, for today’s Friday field trip, I just wanted to share those few thoughts as I celebrate a very special engagement and the start of another generation of romantic moments.

Thanks for stopping by.

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

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olive you valentine

February 2, 2016

olive you valentine with martini glass pleasure in simple things blog

Aaah, yes. I still have a little more ‘pun’ up my sleeve for Valentine’s Day! Today, a valentine that appeals to the over 21 crowd!

My idea for ‘olive you’ was to incorporate a martini – seems logical when talking olives, right? I knew I wanted almonds coated in white chocolate, tinted green, with a red accent for the ‘pimento.’ I actually pitched the idea to a small, local candy store and they created some at my suggestion! So perfect for my valentine idea!

olive you candy valentine pleasure in simple things blog

Next, I created a topper with a martini glass and the ‘olive you.’ I love it!

olive you valentine packet gift pleasure in  simple things blog

There are certainly more ways to incorporate the martini theme using this idea. The completed candy almond packet could be tied onto a miniature (‘nip’) bottle of vodka! Or, the almonds could be wrapped in a martini glass with an ‘olive you’ card tied to the stem!

I hope you are inspired to use the ‘olive you’ theme for your valentine!

olive you martini glass valentine pleasure in simple things blog

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

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free candy valentine printables

January 26, 2016

valentine candy toppers pleasure in simple things blog

I promised some free valentine printables and I always follow through on my promises! Today, I am sharing two cute toppers I created for Valentine’s Day treats.

Printed on card stock, they can be cut out (four to a page), folded, and stapled to a cellophane bag filled with Valentine’s Day candy for a fun surprise gift!

free valentine printables pleasure in simple things blog

I created two designs. Both of my designs were inspired by the candy bar at Ikea! Have you seen the candy by the pound at your local store? I fell in love with the look (and taste) of the licorice candies that looked exactly like a piece of chalk – to me anyway! How perfect for a cute pun! So, I came up with these chalkboard looking toppers…

valentine candy packs with printables pleasure in simple things blog

Aren’t they perfect?  Click here to download the printable.

My second design inspiration came from the gummy lips at the Ikea candy bar. Of course, candy gummy lips just scream Valentine’s Day! For these, I used a “kisses” topper. With this topper, if you can’t find gummy lips, you can always use candy kisses.  Click here to download the printable. (As I often do, ir you prefer, you can substitute the staples for two punched holes and ribbon.)

candy lips printable pleasure in simple things blog

On both designs, I left room on the back to write a “to” and “from.”

front and back of lips print valentine pleasure in simple things blogI plan on creating one more design for a candy topper that is a little more “adult” ;) in theme – I will share that one next Tuesday.

I hope I have inspired you to create some candy Valentine’s Day gifts!

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

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love you to pieces

January 19, 2016

diy valentine gift canvas pleasure in simple things blog

So far, the valentine ideas I have shared involved puns and treats. But, it is possible to be ‘punny’ with other types of gifts as well. Today, I am sharing a gift of a painted canvas.

I have made this gift for a new baby, but it can easily be made as a Valentine’s Day gift. It can be done with traditional Valentine’s Day colors of pink or red or with a color to match a specific décor.

In my case, I wanted to use lavender and gray to match the room of the gift recipient. I also decided to personalize the gift by adding the baby’s name.

painted a valentine canvas pleasure in simple things blog

I started with an 8” square canvas. I used acrylic paint in lavender and gray to paint the entire surface. After that was dry, I used a pencil – with a very light hand – to draw a heart and the writing I intended to add to use as a guide.

Next, I used an oil paint marker to add “love you to pieces” and the personalization I wanted, writing over the pencil marks.

diy valentine canvas pleasure in simple things blog

I used Mod Podge with a matte finish to add the “pieces.” I painted the penciled heart shape, and the places below the heart that I wanted the glitter to attach, with the Mod Podge. Then, I sprinkled gold glitter onto the painted areas. The main part of the heart got a thick coat of glitter while the bottom section was sprinkled lightly.

painted a valentine gift canvas pleasure in simple things blog

That’s it! Doesn’t it make an adorable little Valentine’s Day gift for someone special? I hope I have inspired you to make one!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

2 comments

valentine pillow box diy

January 12, 2016

You rock valentine diy candy box

Yes, I am still making ‘punny’ valentines!  Today, I want to show you how easily you can make a pillow box to use for some Valentine’s Day treat boxes.  All you need is a cardboard tube and a paper cocktail napkin!  For my treat box, I am using napkins that have a graphic of river rocks that is very appropriate considering what I plan to put into the container – candy rocks!

napkin for gift box diy pleasure in simple things blog

If you don’t have a napkin with a pattern you like, you can use any wrapping paper or decorative paper you choose. By using a cardboard tube and a paper napkin I already had, I am creating my pillow box at no cost.

The first step is to cut a piece of napkin that will cover the tube.  Use spray adhesive to spray the wrong side of the napkin.  Roll the tube over the paper napkin to cover.  Once the cardboard is covered, flatten the tube.  At one end of the tube, push each side into the middle of the tube, one side at a time. (See photo below – bottom right.)  Fill the tube with your desired treats.  Fold the open end of the tube in the same manner you did for the closed end.  Simple, right?

pillow box diy pleasure in simple things blog

Such a fast and easy way to create a Valentine treat container!  You can decorate your container like I did with a chalkboard sticker and ribbon, or in any way you choose.  Now, you just need to come up with the corny pun to go with your treat! :)

pillow box with bow pleasure in simple things blog
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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january book giveaway!

January 1, 2016

jan giveaway pleasure in simple things blog

Happy New Year, my friends! Not only is it the end of 2015, but it is also the end of the month and time for a new giveaway. Since it is the start of a new year, I have something different planned for this month. Instead of a book title, I am gifting a set of journals and some pretty new pencils!

giving away journals for jan 2016 pleasure in simple things blog

The idea is to start 2016 with plenty of new ideas and documented dreams right from the start! I am hoping to inspire your creative spirit and to encourage you to write about your dreams and goals instead of deciding to give up something or to come up with a resolution from the typical list of 10 or 12 everyone you know seems to also come up with.

journal giveaway for jan pleasure in simple things blog

Leave me a comment and you will be entered to win the journals and pencils. Good luck!

journal giveaway pleasure in simple things

The winner of last month’s giveaway, Birds of a Feather coloring book by Vicki Sawyer, is Mari. Mari’s name was chosen randomly from the comments I received.  Congratulations and thank you to everyone that left a comment to enter the giveaway! Send me an email Mari and let me know where to send the coloring book and coloring pencils! Enjoy!

For those with Instagram, this month’s challenge is to share a photo that gives a glimpse of your goals and dreams for 2016…use your imagination to share your dreams using hashtag #pleasuregram!  Can’t wait to see what you share!

January 2016 Instagram challenge pleasure in simple things blog

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Wishing you many new dreams for 2016!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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a little place on the water

December 29, 2015

exterior house pleasure in simple things blog

Okay, I didn’t get this past weekend off and I am working three jobs this week, but I did get to spend Christmas Day with the people that matter the most to me and it was pretty darn special. I hope your day was as wonderful as mine!

inside the beach house pleasure in simple things blog

sitting out with a waterview pleasure in simple things blog

Because Friday will be the month’s book giveaway, I am sharing a quick field trip today…a few photos I took of a little getaway by the water I was lucky enough to visit…this is a detached family room that is pure heaven! Yes, please. I’ll take one! This is the type of place my dreams are made of!

room with a view pleasure in simple things blog

Enjoy the photos and enjoy the end of 2015 and ushering in 2016!

waterview in CT pleasure in simple things blog

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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