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!