Monday Inspirations..can't go wrong with scandinavian style

Many artists maintain blogs in addition to their shops and websites to help promote their artwork. Usually their blogs go hand in hand with their products. I'm still working on that-lol. Seriously, one of my faves on Etsy is a shop called Handz ReStyle maintained by artist Jan Skacelik from the Czech Republic. His art prints feature mid century modern home design themes with some Scandinavian flare! I've featured his work before, but today I'm talking about his blog- Design Attractor. If you love all things Scandinavian you'll like this too. I found these gorgeous pics there and had to share! Hope your holiday plans are coming together nicely! I'm headed out of town again-this time to lovely Traverse City to finish my Christmas shopping and have a little date night with my husband-yay!

Here's a look at some pretty scandinavian rooms...

Pinterest Interest....

Ahh--there is nothing like a little eye candy over on Pinterest! Literally I'm a junkie over there. I have  a hard time saying good-bye! It seems like a blink and I start thinking "oh man, I've gotta feed the kids!" hahaha!. But seriously, you can really fritter your day away pretty easily looking at all the pins and repins! I went searching for some graphic pieces to go with this weeks motif of Geometric patterns. I found a great blog called Modish and she told me about a great site called Some Prints where I found these bold art prints that I just love!

CONTEST ALERT: I've decided to have a little art print give-away! One lucky reader will win an 8.5 x 11 art print from me that goes along with this weeks geometric theme! Here's what we'll do-starting on Thursday after I post my Art Additions, leave a comment and tell me the art print you like best from the selections I post. I'll do a drawing and announce the winner on MONDAY! Good Luck!!!

Have a look...

WEDNESDAY ETSY ARTIST FINDS...

I must recant:
I called my dear Irish mom to wish her a happy St. Patty's day and she laughed and told me it's tomorrow! hahahaha-seriously I joke around about never knowing what day it is  but apparently it's true! AH well-I can redeem myself by doing some shamrock art for tomorrow's post and I get to leave my rainbow and shamrock window paintings up for another day....Good thing I didn't leave the house in a ridiculous green get-up-my kids are too young to be embarassed too so that's also a plus:)

There is so much cool stuff on ETSY-honestly I have to drag myself away! If you are a creative and in need of some inspiration just head over there-type in some random thing you like in the search box and shebang-a whole bunch of love! I'm mostly inspired by color-I head right for the children's section-:) But-today the inspiration and searching thereafter, came from the love of letters and numbers-Seriously there are people that are just NUTTY about typography. I like it alot-but I'm not a nut. Not about that anyway-maybe trees- a regular Beech nut-OK Enough of being ridiculous. Occasionally on Wednesdays I post about blogs that I love too-and I'm doing that today with Pure + Lovely-she was doing a letter craft DIY yesterday-how perfect!

Here are my ETSY finds for the week of letters and numbers...

VINTAGE IN RETROSPECT: I've always gotta give Detroit a little love-it's my old hometown-so whenever I see cool shops from there I post them! Amanda's art is no exception-and it's green too. She's a dumpster diving diva crafting up some fun, cool, belt buckle bling from recycled license plates-awesome right?! Check it out...



less than 3 belt buckle  $29

ialbert: aka Indira Albert this UK based photographer and graphic designer has some really colorful prints that I just love! What really caught my eye though was her generous spirit-15% of all of her sales until March 17th go toward the Japanese Earthquake Relief effort....you can also follow her blog here and like her on FB here...

Tokyo street names 8x10  $20

HANDZ: Artist Jan Skacelik from the Czech Republic brings some vintage, modern, Scandinavian flare to some old school American classics. I'm talking bout' Star Wars folks! I'm sorry but I grew up with 2 brothers and I just love me some Star Wars-my nephews think I'm so cool! :) I love the work in this shop...have a look...and may the force be with you...

Star Wars print  8.3 X 11.7  $15

Lettershop: This artist from Belgium crafts up some cute jewelry-simple with a modern vintage feel that I really like! She also felts up some stuff at her other ETSY shop-www.karlita.etsy.com.



E ring 13.50

AND NOW FOR TODAY'S SPECIAL:

PURE + LOVELY

The other day I stumbled across this sweet little blog, quite by accident , as it seems to be with all things. Well, I'm so glad I did-because I just love it!

They are a cute little family-3 kids, a dog, a mortgage, bills-just like the rest of us right?! This blog is about all of it and some fun DIY/home projects and ideas! Their story really spoke to me and I can totally relate to a life just like that!

Had to share because I know you'll like it too!

Yesterday she blogged about how to put your husband to work-oops I mean making big letters out of board in the yard and painting them pretty!

Here's the story...

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS!

WEDNESDAY ETSY ARTIST FINDS AND BLOG LOVE.....

Well I'm posting for the last time from New Orleans this morning and hitting the road for Michigan-complete with two small children, a dirtbike, fifth wheel, and a big winter storm to trudge through-sounds fun right? Thank goodness for DVD players in the truck!!

My pink and lovely Valentine's Day theme continues with my Etsy artist finds. I tried to find functional things that are both pretty and useful-perfect for V-day gifts! Hope you like....

ETSY ARTIST FINDS
Blingtime accessories:  Annelise Brown makes these fun designs and does craft shows all over the country. Her watches are both pretty and reasonably priced.

blingtime accessories watch--$25.00

DREAM LOFT: Printable designer clipart for labels, cupcake toppers, stationary, cards, scrapbooking, commercial use-or whatever you want to do. You chose your fave designs and they send you a digital file with your art that you can download and print straight from your computer! Pretty cool! CUTE designs!

Dream Loft --$4.99

BOUBE-scarf maker from Minneapolis-now with -negative temps going on nearly half the year, you can bet they know a thing or two about scarves up there-scarves make for easy, colorful, affordable gifts too.

GSAKOWSKIDESIGNS: Grace fashions the cutest little knit creations-these scarves are truly unique. Cozy up with one of these...

$45.00

$37.00

Add caption

cowl-$39.00

SPRINGVALE SOAP: This Wisconsin shop features all natural handmade soap that looks good enough to eat! She uses goat's milk as the basis for her products-your skin will love that!

$3.00 per bar

 

 BLOG LOVE...

I also decided to feature at least one blog on Wednesday along with my Etsy artist finds-a little blog love never hurt anyone right? This week I'm talking about Poppytalk. This creative blog is full of inspiration and emerging talent. In fact the primary goal of the husband and wife co-founders is to promote new talent and provide inspiration to everyone who visits the site. With a talented squad behind them writing articles and contributing design ideas, photography and art-this blog has become a favorite to many-more than 7,500 followers at the moment! Check out links for their Indie Shop of the Day, Love Transforms wedding and Valentine's market, their Valentine's Lookbook on ISSUU-which is really neat, and their handmade marketplace POPPYTALK HANDMADE. They have great shops advertising on their site too! It's worth the trip to check out-POPPYTALK

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS..

WEDNESDAY: A LITTLE BLOG LOVE...

There are SO many great blogs out there its almost hard to keep up. If you're anything like me-you'll be visiting one blog and there will be a mention-so click, I start reading someone else's blog and click someone else's and click-click-click!

I love blogs! Mostly I read design blogs but I also find myself liking quite a few that are all about kids and moms! I guess you just gravitate toward what you like and what is happening in your life! Below are a few blogs I've found recently that I really like. Since it's the week of Roo....guess what? They are all about kids. Also, several are up for kids design blog of the year--it's the Homies contest on Apartment Therapy--check it out and VOTE!!

STELLA AND HENRY

Expect to find all things modern for babies, kids, and parents!

Great blog-clean and simple-great finds!



PRUDENT BABY:

Jaime and Jacinda are some crafty friends, turned moms, turned bloggers who do an awesome job with their blog-  PB has tons of tutorials, recipes, craft ideas and more! Check it out for sure!


LIL' MAGOOLIE:
You'll fall in love with this super colorful, fresh, artful blog! Written by Maddie a designer and mum living in New Zealand. It's LOVE!








CHILDHOOD 101:   great blog written by a teacher. Very informative and inspiring-much wisdom. You'll love her New Year's resolutions -she calls it her manifesto for 2011! This blog was also voted best parenting blog of 2009!

LITTLE. LOVELY:  Sweet little lovely blog. great design inspiration, pretty pictures and yes-lovely ideas.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT SOME OF THESE GREAT ONLINE MAGAZINES FOR KIDS:

LMNOP
Mauve
Small
Papier Mache

remember to show a little love to your faves by becoming a follower or add them to your blog or FB likes! Thanks

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS-NURSERY STYLEEE