Toy Boats For Heart Melting

April 22, 2010
Early Elementary, Everyday Crafts, Grown-Up, Older Elementary, Tween to Teen, Upcycled

The cute factor here is very high! These sweet boats are perfect for the bathtub, swimming pool, or a sidewalk puddle.

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These walnut boats by Made by Joel are ridiculous. I swear I’ve never seen anything so cute!

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I’ve loved these juice box boats by Inchmark since they were in last August’s issue of Parents magazine.

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The Crafty Crow is doing a great series of green craft round-ups (Happy Earth Day!). I heart these simple wine cork boats! Made by Together.


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A Portfolio: Christien Meindertsma

April 21, 2010
Decor, DIY Home, Everyday Crafts, Grown-Up

A new “column” for The Violet Hours. Occasionally I will feature one artist/maker/crafter/inventor…someone whose creations are comprehensively worth inspecting.

This is the work of Christien Meindertsma, from Utrecht, Netherlands. Her work mainly involves wool that she felts to make chunky, gorgeous, pillow-like yarn. She works the origin of the material into her pieces, which is very much a part of her concept. Unlike most “fine art” she wants her pieces used; it is a larger compliment to her when her work is purchased and put to work in a space. You can hear her thoughts on this here.

Her website doesn’t offer much explanation, but it’s quite jaw-dropping. Here are a few highlights…

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Project: Idaho. A project for the Nature Conservancy made with wool from an organic flock of Panama sheep from Lava lake Ranch, Idaho.

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Project: One Sheep Cardigan. These sweaters were made from one animal, and were designed based on the size of the sheep.

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Project: Aran Rug. This piece is made from the wool of 18 merino sheep.

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Project: Texel Ottoman. These stools are essentially over-sized yarn skeins.

Found via The Jealous Curator.

 


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Whimsical Family Portraits

April 20, 2010
Decor, DIY Home, Everyday Crafts, Gifts, Grown-Up

There is nothing wrong with a framed photo on the wall…nothing at all! But check out these creative ways to display your family portrait.

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With the K Studios family series pillow, you choose your pillow size, color, family members and pets, and the design is embroidered on. Love!

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Cozy Blue will make your family tree, with the parents on the inside and the kids on the leaves around. Such a cool, graphic idea! Found via Wise Craft.

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I’m a huge lover of silhouettes…make a silhouette family equation (mom plus dad equals kids). Via Lil Sugar.

 


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Unglazed Porcelain

April 19, 2010
Decor, DIY Home, Food, Gifts, Grown-Up, Nature

When you hear porcelain, you may imagine a high-gloss statuette of a girl walking a dog, glazed in pastels and perched on a pedestal with a tiny brass placard. And it would obviously be living in your grandmother’s curio cabinet. A new porcelain craze has been born…

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Berry baskets found via Oh Joy!

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I see these porcelain nuts at the Brooklyn Flea every weekend. By KG + AB.

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There is something sort of ironic about a delicate key. From The Curiosity Shoppe.

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Unglazed porcelain pendant lamps. Gorgeous! Via Apartment Therapy.

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Delicate + delicate = porcelain feathers. Available at Fawbush & Shulz.

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Sea urchins by Lisa Stevens. Found via Elaine Bradley.

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I want one of everything made by Pigeon Toe Ceramics.


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Picnic Time!

April 16, 2010
Food, Grown-Up, Nature

I hope the weather is lovely where you are this weekend! Looks like rain in New York, but I’m dreaming of a picnic…

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Ditch the Ziplocs and invest in these reusable snack bags. By Abeego.

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How cool are these sandwich boxes that unfold into a plate? Found via Blog Deco Design; Designed by Emma Smart.

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And if your weather does not cooperate, perhaps you need to make this portable picnic. Found on Sharon Loves This.


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