So we are blessing Charlie over Labor Day weekend (how appropriate) and I’ve got a serious entertainers itch when it comes to family events and entertaining. Maybe it’s because I live oh, 300 miles away from all of them. Or that the rural-ness that I live in breeds PARTY in me every once in awhile, but I’ve been ah-experimenting. For Charlie’s big day, I’ve been having fun with how I could use some letterpress goods and show you what I was thinking these could be used for when I designed them! (Since every one thinks they are book-marks or something :)

You’re probably asking me “Where did you get that acid-green cocktail?” To be perfectly honest? Mountain Dew tastes a 110% better in a fluted champagne glass than it ever did in a can! And it matched those aspen tags perfectly. Thank heavens my man keeps it regularly stocked in the refrigerator.

Ever wonder what one does when a babysitter is scarce and printing needs to be done? Enter playdough. I’m not a big mess encourager (except for paint) and now I can’t believe I haven’t made playdough before! It is a mindless, hour over hour kid entertainer. No fights ensued today! Lots of printing got done. Totally worth the cleanup involved afterwards. Photos from the press tomorrow and over the next week! 

Recipe: 2C. Water, 2C. salt, 1c. Flour. Add all ingredients into pot on cooktop and stir constantly on low heat until it balls up. Prepare for dead-arm. Keep stirring until its on the drier side. Remove from pot and let cool for a minute of two, add food coloring and knead in. If its still a little sticky, let sit out for about an hour (the kids won’t be happy about this). Keeps 2-3 weeks in ziploc baggies. Or you can let your sculptures air dry. Enjoy!

So I know this isn’t GRAPHIC DESIGN related but I think gardening has it’s own art and design elements in which I love to be a part of. It’s like having babies but not so painful and the rewards are almost as good! This is for my good friend Lexie who asked me where I get my seeds from. 

So without further distractions, here we go!

I get my seeds from Park Seed Company. This will be my first full-blown veggie garden, which I think will be great on the pocket book this year as the economy continues to dip. I attempted a garden last year but there was such a great and long winter that the growing season was cut too short. To help aid in my uneducated seed-starting and to ensure I get something out of the garden this year, I’ve invested in one of these Bio Domes. I’ll keep you updated as to how it’s turning out!

For 2009 I’m sticking to things that are cold-hardy as we get frosts in June and July. Hopefully planning it this way will help guarantee a more concise and no-fail garden (or at least that’s what the alter-ego is thinking). My big chance crop will be corn. I’m not even attempting tomatoes!  Now that I’m looking at the compilation of everything I’m planting I realize I’ve left off carrots! Wish me luck and if any of you have questions as to why I’m this crazy just post them in the comments section!

Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional gardener, have only had a garden since 2004, and learn new things every year. However, I love learning and if you like to garden you can learn along with me as it’s nice to have other creative outlets outside of my computer and printing.

After getting a few hours of sleep last night I thought I’d check out what votives were available on Etsy and here were a few delicious finds…

From PolkaDotCandle there are lots of delicious flavors including Plumeria and Orange Blossom, both of which are bright and fun and I’m sure smell delicious!

With votives though, one always needs a unique holder to display it in, enter ElementClayStudio’s Micro, Urchin clay votive holder. I could use a couple of these in my kids rooms and bathrooms for sure!

My amazing mom was a caterer when I was young and instilled early in me a LOVE for all things dishes. Instead of paying taxes she purchased (legally, mind you) dishes for her business. Among her collection are original Fiesta ware, Villeroy and Boch, Waterford Crystal, Spode, Mikasa, Dansk, and more. I have to say my favorite memories as a child were scouting antique stores for Fiesta ware or the unique little tea cup or tea pot. I remember for one of my birthdays as a young girl wanting an english tea party. I think I was turning 5. We set out round tables in the backyard and everyone wore their fancy garb. One of the gifts my mom gave me was my first teapot, a china blue squarish pot perfect for a small child’s fingers. I haven’t collected much myself since I’ve been married as money is tight, however someday maybe I’ll have a collection as amazing as my mother’s!