New Aprons by SpiceRak Designs

"New Aprons by SpiceRak Designs"

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The Apron Avenger!

So...this is why it's best to leave the tough jobs to the mannequin! :)
This is our IceCream Social Hostess Apron in Juicy Lemons Print by Alexander Henry. Enjoy!

"The Apron Avenger!"

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EXTRA! EXTRA! Look What's New at SpiceRak!

Here's a peek at some of the great new designs we've cooked up at SpiceRak! We have new apron designs and so many fresh prints we couldn't picture them all! There's also unique, one-of-a-kind housewares with original printed designs by SpiceRak! And these adorable cotton print gift bags make our new packaging even more eco-friendly! Keep an eye out for more SpiceRak news...we've been busy creating!

"New from SpiceRak Designs!"

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Great Repurposing Ideas from Crafty Nest!

Just in time for those spring projects, here are a few great ideas for repurposing and reusing items from around the house, second hand stores, or salvage. Some of my favorites I found at Crafty Nest.com, which is a goldmine of inspiration for us Do-It-Yourself folks, complete with awesome tutorials! Above are a few examples, but be sure to check it out for yourself!

*Salvaged Drawers=Modular Bookcase: http://www.craftynest.com/2008/12/salvaged-drawers-modular-bookcase/
*Hanging Jar Lanterns: http://www.craftynest.com/2008/10/hanging-jar-lanterns/
*Salvaged Cupboard Door=Serving Tray: http://www.craftynest.com/2008/12/salvaged-cupboard-door-serving-tray/

Feathered Friend

My incredibly talented husband is a photographer as a hobbie. He prefers nature photography, but is great no matter what the subject is. (It's true, even if I am biased...) He totally underestimates his own talent, which I am constantly bringing to his attention. Recently he had to take a day trip to Newport for work, and brought his camera along just in case. Among the many awesome photos he came back with, these really stood out for me. (the cropping is my fault, not his) This feathered fellow makes me think of a proud old man, wary and wise, surveying his domain. I love these photos so much, I had to share...enjoy!

Sweet Tweet Treats

The crafting community is so immense, it's easy to feel disconnected at times. Thankfully, crafters are also a friendly bunch! Sometimes a fellow crafter or artisan will just reach out and make your day. Lucky for me, Lonna of Rose Cottage Boutique is just such an individual!

A fellow seller on Etsy.com, she creates cottage-style accessories that are beautiful and charming! My favorite is this pretty decorative set of 3 Little Red Birds. They have that vintage style that I love!

You can check them out for yourself at Lonna's shop on Etsy at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/rosecottageboutique2

Get Crafty for Valentine's Day!!!

Cool Crafty Projects! Perfect for Valentine's Day, for those of us who love to create something unexpected from everyday materials! 1. White Paper Flowers Bouquet, 2. Heart Pop-Out Card, 3. Duct Tape Roses, 4. Love Beads, 5. Heart Book Pendant

Here's where you can find instructions or tutorials for these beautiful projects:
1. http://www.craftstylish.com/item/7515/how-to-make-simple-white-paper-flowers
2. http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/valentines-day-2010/heart-pop-up-card-841601/
3. http://www.duckbrand.com/Duck%20Tape%20Club/ducktivities/crafts/How%20to%20Make%20a%20Duck%20Tape%20Rose.aspx
4. http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/love-beads-665995/
5. http://www.bhg.com/holidays/valentines-day/crafts/heart-book-pendant/

Have a Happy *DIY* Valentine's Day!

Oooh Pretty

Toadstool Cottage and Mushroom House: free pattern and tutorial
By Calypso


Toadstool Cottage (left) and Mushroom House (right)

Just because crafting can get messy, and we all know it can be a bit chaotic, doesn't mean we can't craft in style! By the same token, keeping a home doesn't have to be a chore, if you have the right materials. I've embarked on a quest to find useful handmade crafting and household items or tools, that are useful and appealing to the eye. These items should serve a purpose in the home, studio or workshop, as well as nurturing that part of us that craves color, beauty and art.

Here is my first find! Aren't these little Toadstool Pincushions adorable? I found these on "the little house by the sea" blog, complete with instructions and patterns! Thanks so much for sharing! Here's the link to her original article: http://thelittlehousebythesea.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/toadstool-cottage-and-mushroom-house-%E2%80%93-free-pattern-and-tutorial/

Romance and Whimsy

This beautiful bower is handmade 'Under the Apple Tree Canopy Bed" by the incredibly talented AttilaDesign. How amazing would it be to fall into this gorgeous bed every night, like sleeping in a faerie tale...

You can find this beautiful creation at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18999276

Change is in the air...

They say that change is a gateway to adventure...if that is true, we may be in for a very big adventure, indeed! My hubbie has been offered a position in Wisconsin, and if we accept, we will be living there in little over a month! Since we now reside in the very warm climate of Las Vegas, Nevada...where it is currently a toasty 60 degreees outside...the idea of so much change at once is a little daunting. We both grew up in New Mexico, which is also a warm climate, so the cold weather is sure to be a new experience. We've been here in Vegas for about seven years, and I think we're all ready for a change of scenery. Our 12 year old son has rarely seen snow, and is so excited! If we do move, it will be like ripping off a bandaid..quick and painful. :) Relocating is complicated, and moving my little business will take some work, as well. However, all things considered, I'm excited, too. Bring on the packing tape!

"GingerBread Houses from Holidays Past"

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GingerBread Gallery

Each year, I make at least one Gingerbread House for a friend, if not several. It's a ton of work, but it's definitely worth it! Our friends Garth and Judy are yearly recipients of our gingerbread workshop, and just seeing their faces when we bring the house over makes all the long hours worth every minute. Here is a slideshow of a few of our gingerbread houses from past holidays. This years house will be next!

New Look

How do you like the new look? I'll admit, keeping a blog is no piece of cake! I'm trying to learn the ropes, but it's tricky. Thankfully my husband is very patient, and has been learning himself, while trying to teach me. I wish my good friend Pam still lived closeby, she's a blogging wizard! But, alas, she now resides in the frozen north. :( Miss ya, Pam!

So, while I am slowly working out the blog-kinks, I am keeping very busy with SpiceRak! This month has been a whirl-wind of activity for me, at home and with the shop. Soon we will be taking a few days of much needed vacation to go back home and visit family for the holidays. I can't wait!

I'm also planning to introduce a new line of aprons and housewares in January. I'm working on new apron styles for every aspect of home life, in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some additions will be perfect for gardening, crafts, and even bake sales! We are also developing some innovative and eco-friendly housewares to add to the shop. It's going to be exciting!

In the meantime, I am working like crazy to squeeze as many new items into my shop as I can before we go, while simultaneously doing all the holiday baking, decorating, and gift-wrapping. Oh...and laundry... I am now convinced that the dirty clothes must actually multiply while in the hamper...there should be a scientific study somewhere, right?

Okay, back to work!

Holiday Shopping, thrift store style!

I can't help it...I love to shop thrift stores! There are so many treasures to be found. I love "old" things...vintage, antique, long forgotten...you name it. So, I'm always on the look out for unique gifts for family and friends while I'm treasure hunting. (My peeps are so understanding...they all love to thrift-shop too!) Here is a very cool pair of ceramic clogs I found for my little sis. This is the second pair of clogs I've discovered for her, and I know she's going to love them! Best of all, I can be fairly sure she's not going to see them on every store shelf this season. :)

New Full Aprons from SpiceRak Designs!

Here are a few of our new Full Aprons. Four different styles...which is your favorite?

Clockwise from top left: 1) SUNDAY BRUNCH in Estee print by Alexander Henry, 2) Double MIDNIGHT SNACK in Juicy print by Alexander Henry, 3) MIDNIGHT SNACK in Birds and Flowers print, 4) TEA TIME in "I promise to keep the trees healthy and beautiful" print by Heidi Grace.

This is the bounty we brought home from the "Pick-Your-Own-Veggies farm here in Vegas...apparently someone is capable of growing healthy veggies in this climate...maybe I just need more practice.

This is the LONE little Beef Steak Tomato we have harvested from our kinda sad little
"urban" vegetable garden...hoping for a surprise late harvest once the temperatures are lower around here. Las Vegas is not known for it's tomato gardens, ya know...but we try anyway.

We are now on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Las-Vegas-NV/SpiceRak-Designs/159209953809?ref=share


My husband just set up a fan page on Facebook for SpiceRak Designs.. Come check us out..

Family Fun

It's always a challenge to find family oriented activities here in Las Vegas, but we do try to get out and do something together, just for fun, every weekend. Here is our son, after enjoying a very exciting tour and ride on the historic train in Boulder City. It really was a blast! I think the best part was listening to the volunteers tell stories of the "good old days" when the most common mode of transportation was train...their eyes would just light up with the memories. Our son was totally in awe! Of coures, he did have to ask if the train was haunted...such are the matters that weigh on the mind of a twelve year old boy... :)

The Best Medicine

There are times when the only thing left to do is have some chocolate. There are days when even chocolate can't solve things, but I'm always willing to give it a try anyway!

All joking aside, I absolutely love to work with chocolate. Everything from making truffles and gourmet cupcakes or dipping fruit to creating entire centerpieces out of chocolate. I have found that a box of handmade chocolates makes a great gift for many occasions, and I do so love to give gifts! Since we live in a very warm climate, (Nevada), I patiently wait for the weather to cool down enough in the fall to work chocolate...and it's almost time! To celebrate the approach of chocolate-weather, here's a slide show of some of my adventures in chocolate last fall.