A Little Late--- March Sponsor Spotlight {A Sprouting Acorn}

Hello friends! I know this is late...but I wanted to give you a post from last months XL sponsor :) The ladies of A Sprouting Acorn are here to give you TWO fabulous easter egg ideas for your easter sunday evening. :) If you didn't check out A Sprouting Acorn, I REALLY recommend you do. The two ladies running the blog, Michelle and Andrea, are incredibly sweet, fabulous, and creative mamas. Everything on this blog is so bright, cheery, and wonderful. There are so many great craft ideas that will really bring an extra touch of awesome creativeness to your life (if you use pinterest, you'll go on a pinning spree. Seriously--- look how neat this idea is!). And one of the best things is that there is a little bit of everything, so no matter what you are into, you will find something you love. Be sure to stop by A Sprouting Acorn and say hello to these really wonderful women!

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We're Michelle and Andrea, best friends raising our respective boys on opposite coasts. We blog about the things we do, the things we like, the things we eat, and sometimes even the things we make! Come and visit us at a sprouting acorn!

For ohdeardrea, we decided to do a "joint" Easter project. And no, sadly, eggs are totally not vegan, but they are pretty fun for Easter.

From Michelle's home in New York: Thumbprint Easter Eggs!

These thumbprint easter eggs were pretty easy to do. All you need are hard boiled eggs (you can dye them first if you wish; I didn't), an ink pad, an extra fine point Sharpie, and of course, some thumbs! Sounds pretty simple already, right?

Use the ink pads to make thumbprints on the egg. Carefully check that the ink from the ink pad has dried completely before drawing in details with the extra-fine point marker. Your thumbprints can be used as a template for any design your heart desires: Easter bunny, chicks, shameless blog plug... anything!

To Andrea's home in California: Easter Egg Frittata.

If you don't hard boil your eggs, but instead you blow them out (here's a video on how to do it) what are you to do with your left over eggs? You can't possibly waste them, so make a frittata!

I roughly followed this recipe from Alton Brown, but I didn't use ham and I added tomatoes and onions. It's a pretty basic recipe and you can use whatever you've got on hand to make this following his basic steps.

Pop the entire thing in the oven and you'll get a super yummy, super simple frittata!

Have a wonderful Easter all!!


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**And yes, this blog is vegan based.... and this little posty-post is about eggs, which you know... aren't vegan. But I've been asked several times, and I'll say it again, we've got no qualms with eggs... just as long as the chicks are cage-free and well taken care of :) AND I really love the idea of not only decorating the eggs, but then using them to make something extra comforting and yummy for your family. Waste less, make more! :) 


Thanks Andrea and Michelle! <3<3<3

Little Artist Girl

This post thrills me so much. I am so in love with the idea of Marlowe drawing, painting, making, and creating. The other day, while Marlowe was napping, I rolled some kitchen parchment paper onto the coffee table, taped it down, and then oh so patiently waited for her to wake up. I was so incredibly eager to see what would happen when I let her have at it with a brand new box of crayons. Well, she loved it---- really, really loved it. I need to plan to buy some proper drawing paper soon, the parchment paper is a bit waxy for little drawing hands... and maybe, possibly... I should buy her a little easel too :)  I worry for my white walls, but I'm pretty sure any mishaps will be worth it in the end. 

I often wonder if Marlowe is lefty or not. Like me, she seems to be quite ambidextrous. She eats with her right hand, but more often than not, her left hand seems to take over with everything else. I'm not sure at what age or stage I'll really be able to know for sure... maybe soon or maybe in a few years? No idea. One of my furthest memories back is: me sitting with my dad at our kitchen table and him showing me how to draw and write... I must have been 3 or 4 years old or so. It was so long ago and I have no idea if I could really do much of anything (drawing-wise) at that point, but I'm sure both my parents must have known: I was lefty. When will I know about Marlowe? Does it even matter yet if I know? Probably not. Either way, I'm really, really looking forward to even more creative days to come. 

*psst. by the way... since I posted a photo of Eric last week on instagram and twitter I got about 70 (million) comments/tweets saying: "#teameric" and telling me how wonderful Eric is. Well, since I'm certain I'll have a few questions here too, I should mention: we are not together and will not be together ;) Eric is still a great friend to me and beyond wonderful to M. We still hang out from time to time, but thats it. No romance, just friends ;) #teamfriendswithareallyawesomeandcaringguy

**pssst again: Marlowe's adorable rosette c/o: upatreecupatea

EASY Felt Christmas Tree Garland Tutorial

As mentioned, I don't normally decorate for the Holidays....
1. I don't have the money to buy a bunch of decorations.
2. I live in 640 square feet, there is not a lot of room for unnecessary storage.
and
3. I'm a grinch.

Buttttttt.... this year I thought I would try to bring a little Christmas in our home for little M. I've added a few details here and there (this is an extreme overstatement), Alex strung up some lights outside, and I actually put a tiny bit of time into a Christmas project and made a little tree garland! It couldn't have been an easier project... especially for someone with zero to no time, and yes, I do have some crafting abilities, but really, this is a no-skill project.
I hope you enjoy!

step one. draw a christmas tree stencil (as big or as small as you'd like). pin on felt. 

step two. cut. cut as many or as little as you'd like. 

step three. with embroidery needle and floss (or thin yarn, or even sewing thread) sew through the tops of all the trees. 

step four. cut strings, long enough to tie. 

step five. tie to yarn and hang. 

uh yeah, that's it! easy right? Totally a simple, dainty, and pretty way to decorate. 

Of course, you can trim up the ties a bit too... or add other items. I added hearts, cause, you know... they are cute and of course: easy. 

Happy decorating!

edit: This post was written and scheduled last week, we got a tree last night! A HUGE tree. It's friken' christmas! 

The Weekend {Stitch Rock Take Two}

It was another Stitch Rock weekend here in South Florida. I felt like c-r-a-p, but Kristine and I didn't want to miss the fun and decided to head down to the craft fair anyway.

Marlowe got her first taste (actually....many tastes) of a popsicle. Her adorable face was loving the kiwi lime goodness.... and so was: my sling, my dress, my hands and my arms.

It is crazy the difference a year makes. A year ago Marlowe could have cared less if popsicles never existed. This time around she's... well.. you know... full size (ish), a popsicle queen, and you know, umm, HUGE. &I'm not in crippling pain after baby birth! This was us last year at Stitch Rock:

I picked up the most perfect necklace ever from Lemoree. It seemed like it was made for me. I rarely wear jewelry unless it holds a really special value in my life, and this one sure put a smile on my face. I picked up an amazing 5$ skirt from Family Vintage, and with my last dollar I picked up two magnets from the talented, pug loving, Danny Brito. AND Marlowe was given a leggy little monster as a birthday gift from Stitches are Forever.

Sunday there was morning brunch with my brother &sister-in-law. Followed by massive amounts of laying around and trying-to-feel-better time, walks to coffee &Michelle time, &then these beautiful people showed up at my door:

Marlowe in her new itty bitty hair clip c/o Up a Tree Cup a Tea that arrived Saturday!

We went for a walk where little miss Marlowe kept trying to hightail it in the opposite direction. Alex joined us as we then stopped for a day time wine (my friends who know me well are now very confused. I do not in any way have a drink during the day). My beautiful Miami people parted ways and Alex and I were off to dinner with my family. 

It was a great, slightly groggy two days. I hope everyone had a great weekened! 

Guest Post - Up a Tree, Cup a Tea {Finding Vintage Supplies}

Happy Friday everyone! I'm leaving you this friday with one of our lovely sponsors, Johanna! She's from Up a Tree, Cup a Tea... and well... you read the post! She's got some great advice! And a fantastic shop top check out! <3<3<3

Hello! I’m Johanna Jorgensen, owner of the little sewing and vintage resale business Up a Tree, Cup a Tea Co. I’m one of Drea’s Sponsors and volunteered to do a little guest post while she and M are on vacay! (hehe-- I'm running behind! -drea)

I started my little business with an Etsy shop in January 2010 and since then have branched out and now I do craft shows and festivals pretty regularly. I live in Jacksonville, FL and am finishing up my last year of my BA in Education.

The best thing about all my items is that they’re made out of vintage and repurposed materials! I’m all about reusing and my little business brings my love of sewing and recycling together. Everything except the metal alligator clips and pin backings are vintage and repurposed. The thread, felt, buttons fabric, elastic….all of it is repurposed or vintage!

Above: Little Marlowe 2-pack! Made especially for Little M! You can get the same pack of bows on Etsy! I’ll stop listing them when I run out of these fabrics & yarn color.



A question that I get all the time is…”How do you find some many vintage fabrics, buttons, and supplies?!” So that’s what I’m going to write a little about today.


There are three main places that I get my supplies from…

1. Estate Sales – This is honestly where about 60% of my supplies come from. I spend some Saturday and Sunday mornings scouring estate sales. I have purchased more sewing boxes full of thread, elastic, needles, pins, etc. than I can count. I usually find lots of vintage fabric and lace at these sales as well. Some people may think that buying things from estate sales is morbid, but I prefer to think about it in a positive light –you’re helping out a family. To find Estate Sales in your area check out The Estate Sale Network and put in your zip code to find sales in your area. Some companies only list their Estate Sales on their websites or through newsletters. Check the newspaper, Craigslist, or just Google it! I would recommend going on the last day of any estate sale to take advantage of a pretty hefty discount!

2. Thrift Stores – This is where around 20% of my items come from. Some thrift stores have a really great craft section. One that I frequent in the Jacksonville area is The Jax Humane Society Thrift Store. Many thrift stores have craft and sewing supplies you may just have to hunt for it! I use many curtains and flat sheets that are in good shape as fabric as well.

3. Flea Markets – The last 20% of my supplies come from local Flea Markets. Sometimes people rent out booths to get rid of things and you can get some great deals. But just like thrift stores, you’re going to have to hunt!



I really enjoy searching for fabrics and truly having a “green” business. Oh and just FYI all my fabrics, lace, etc are washed before I make anything out of them!

I love that my creations are one of a kind and use vintage materials. I also really enjoy doing custom orders.



Check out my shop, Tumblr, and Facebook Page for more info and updates!

Oh and follow me on Twitter! @upatreecupatea

Happy Friday!

A Play Tent For Marlowe, For Me.

Remember that play area project for Marlowe that I mentioned on Friday? Well it's completed and perfect.  I am so incredibly pleased with the results. I would love to say: it's done, homemade with love, by Eric and I, for Marlowe, and she loves it. But of course, she doesn't. She couldn't care less about the tent. Who am I kidding, the project was for me. This would have been my dream as a child: a bright colorful tent to play, read, and dream in. I made forts constantly; indoors, outdoors, at friends, in my room, under tables, in between trees, wherever I could. To have a tent like this, would have brought me so much joy. Marlowe is only nine (and a half) months old. Who knows what her dreams are and will be... the kid can't even speak one word yet, but when she does, and she has simple, but brilliant ideas (like colorful play tents in the middle of her room), I will make those dreams and ideas come true. Well, as many as them as I can. &That's not to say I will give her all the toys in the world, or a pony, or a trampoline on command, but there are things (like play tents) that I can make with little to no money that can bring a child a lot of joy (at least I hope and think simple pleasures still exists in kids). Thats what a mother (and father) does. All those childhood dreams we wished for ourselves, we fulfill for our children. The life my mother wanted she gives to me. The life my father wanted, he gives to me. Now I am giving that life to Marlowe the very best I can, just like my parents do for me. For now, this is my little joyful tent, for Marlowe, for me. Hopefully soon she will realize how sweet this little tent is and how many imaginative adventures one can have hidden underneath a flower-filled tent. I have confidence she will love it, just as I do.

It was incredibly simple. We used this for the basic idea:

source

I'm not sure if that tent was more for show or for more careful children, but there was no way that would be sturdy enough for a quick and clumsy nine month old to be crawling around near. Instead of one dowel down the top and center, we used three. Two across each side for an extra support. We also used another piece of wood for a back support. and instead of screws and nails, added more holes and placed it on the inside of the structure--- without this piece the tent legs would have been constantly falling and moving out of place-- no matter how tight the dowels were in place. We also added two screws (the only screws we used for this project) at the very top (in front) and wrapped thin rope to hold the front legs in place, to keep them from sliding. For the tent cover: I used a vintage table cloth that I found while pregnant at a consignment store down the street. I had been (impatiently) waiting for the perfect project to use it in my home. Instead of elastic to hold the cover in place, I opted to sew fabric ties to hold the tent in place, which gave me a nice opportunity to hide the extra dowels :) Simple enough: a really brilliant idea, tweaked and turned into a 100% more sturdy, beautiful structure.

By the way, when I say "we" I mean: "Eric". He did the measuring and hole drilling. I did the ocd picking and choosing and fabric cover. BUT, if I had the wood tools he has, I totally could have done this myself. But its a ton better with both of us working on it, dontcha think? :)

string to hold the front legs from sliding

a little sewing mishap

an extra back beam

extra dowels along the side, for extra support. nicely hidden away. 

I love it.

It was definitely a good weekend. I'm also incredibly pleased to say I  was also able to finish some other small handmade gifts and items, along with this bigger project. There was lots of yummy (not so healthy) food and finally some sunny weather. I hope you all also had a wonderful weekend :)

♥

Pictures Of Recently Enjoyed Things

Okay, so.. maybe all of these aren't that recent... but whatever, they were enjoyed :)

a quick spanish meal made by my momma.

oops. HA.

mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy, marinated tempeh, maple roasted carrots.

baby bangs.

&it's contents! a very lovely surprise package from my friend Katie in Massachusetts! mama &baby tea, salve, mushroom shoes, planner, awesome notebook, bedknobs and broomsticks record (awesome movie) and a record bowl! sooooo sweet.  I miss you lady! See you in June :)

coffee cake made by Heidi-- I never thought I liked coffee cake, but this was deliciousss.

Pizzeria

mobile :)

ocean mobile.

Marlowe takes a seat... a squishy seat. 

Not so enjoyable?

The amount of dog hair flying around this ocd mamas house.