Everyday Beauty

Guest Curator on CRESCENDoh

 

Guess what? This week I'm the Guest Curator over at CRESCENDoh.com!

You can read my "Art Saves " story by clicking here. It's the story of the creative journey that led me to this point in my life, making jewelry and having a little shop....feeling blessed and grateful.

Also, every day this week there will be 2 featured blog posts that I hand-picked. These are other artists' blog posts from the past that have inspired me and stand out as some of my personal favorites.

I hope you'll take a peek. There are many inspiring Art Saves stories on CRESCENDoh, and it's such a honor to be a part of it!

Creatively Made Home

Well hello there! I think you will be glad you stopped by today. I know I am glad you stopped by today!

Have you heard about Jeanne Oliver's newest e-course, Creatively Made Home?

Well, you are in for a treat. Jeanne is offering this e-course, starting October 22nd, and it is jam packed with inspiring ideas, photos, videos and so much more.

It is a 5 week course all about creating a beautiful home that is not about perfection. It's about making your home a reflection of your heart. Don't you love that?

There are 5 creative women behind the course, and they will each be sharing pictures of their homes, tips, recipes, videos, printable pdf's and more. I can't wait to see it all!

Jeanne has also asked several other women to share a short video as part of the e-course, speaking about what is most important for them to have in their homes.

 I was honored when she asked me to be one of those women.

Because she's such a sweetheart (if you have ever met her you know how very true it is)......she would like to give 3 of my blog readers free registration to the course!

You will need to leave a comment though, otherwise how will I know you're interested?

Simply leave your name and email address
and I'll put you in the drawing. Easy as pie.

You can read ALL about it HERE on Jeanne's blog.

Here are a few teaser photos of the 5 inspiring women who are hosting the e-course, and the beautiful heartfelt homes they have created.

Jeanne Oliver

 

Tracey Leber

Sara Duckett

Kimberly Taylor

Jennifer Rizzo

Looks like a little slice of heaven, I think! So, leave a comment. I will draw 3 winners on Friday. I hope you win!

xo andrea

Marshmallow Madness

I will not order this book.

I will not order this book.

I will not order this book.

 

That's what I keep reminding myself every time I stop by Amazon, and Marshmallow Madness, reappears as a recommendation. See, the people at Amazon know me, and they know I buy ridiculous amounts of cookbooks, and books on confections and the like. They know this book is right up my alley, and it will be hard to resist. And, oh, those pastel puffs on the cover are just so pretty!

However, my husband says I tend to romanticize every single situation in life, including toilet scrubbing.

So, my version of marshmallow making goes something like this: I picture myself in the (clean) kitchen, with a beautiful, figure-flattering apron tied around my waist, hair tied up like Sofia Loren, effortlessly whipping up every flavor and shape of pillowy pastel marshmallow known to man, delivering boxes of my homemade confections to friends and family, perhaps a box to the school. Oh how lovely it would be!

But I'm afraid the reality would probably look more like this: I am in the (messy) kitchen, sticky gooey fluff stuck on every surface, spoon, bowl, pan and of course on me, fingertips to elbows, hair twisted like a rat's nest, cursing under my breath at the mess I've created, wishing the marshmallows would have actually turned out like the ones in the picture. Realizing they look like lumps of rubber and deciding that I love my family and friends far too much to deliver them such ugly treats. Since I can't give them away, I am standing there in my bare feet, eating more than my fair share and telling the kids their teeth will fall out so, no, honey, you cannot eat 15 marshmallows in 30 seconds like Mama just did. Do as I say, not as I do, right?

But, honestly, I do NOT need a book about marshmallows. Or do I? This is the dilemma I face every time the sugary-sweet cover image appears on my screen.

I will not order this book.
I will not order this book.
I will not....

P.S. If you have this book, let me know how it is, won't you?

P.P.S. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes!

Country Living

 
I picked up the May issue of Country Living at the store today, as I was eager to read it and decided I just couldn't wait for my subscription issue to arrive. Why the excitement?
Well, my velvet bookmarks are featured in the Idea Notebook!

The Crafts Editor, Jourdan Crouch, contacted me last fall, interested in featuring the bookmarks, so I whipped up a fresh batch and mailed them off right away. It was great fun working with her, and I'm tickled pink with the whole feature and such a pretty photograph of the bookmarks.

If you look closely you will see that it lists www.andreasingarella.com as my website. I have been keeping it under wraps until I knew when the site would go live, but now I know. My new website will open on Tuesday evening (April 19), and I'm so excited to share it with you, my blog friends and faithful readers. This website is something I've wanted to do for quite a while now. Having had that domain reserved for 3 years, the time was finally right!

I will be busy putting the finishing touches on it over the next couple of days, and hope you will stop by on Tuesday to take a peek!

xo andrea

Shabby's in the House

Literally!

Rachel Ashwell's new book just arrived at my doorstep today. And all I can say is it's WONDERFUL!!!

I remember when I was in college and discovered Rachel's first book at Barnes & Noble in NYC. I had always loved vintage style, pastels, cotton, frills, flowers, patina and creamy paint. So it was an incredible feeling to find the book..... to discover that someone had given a name to the style I loved. She made it real and made it OK to want to paint our furniture and hang dresses on the wall. To this day, Rachel Ashwell's books are my absolute favorites and I look through them often, never tiring of the images and stories.

She is so talented and has such a great eye, always authentic and always true to her style. The words Shabby Chic have been used (and abused) and have become household names in the decorating world. All because of one woman. Do you think she has any idea how many people she continues to inspire every day? I sure hope she does.

Now, go order the book if you haven't already. It is a visual feast and delight!

Blogging for Bliss

In case you haven't heard......Tara Frey has a new book called Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal.  Tara invited 50 creative bloggers to contribute to the book, by sharing their blogging experiences, tips and feelings on what it means to them to "blog for bliss". I'm thrilled to be among them! The book also contains loads of resources for new bloggers as well as helpful ideas for established bloggers and those looking to take their blogs to the next level.

To help celebrate, Kari {Artsy Mama} is hosting a Blogging for Bliss book release party today, and she's posted a long list of bloggers who have joined the party. Click over to Kari's blog and check out the right sidebar for the complete list.

So, why do I blog?

To keep a journal of these days that pass by so quickly.

To capture moments and images that reveal beauty.

To keep in touch with friends & family.

To share with others who find joy in the same simple things as me.

To connect with amazing, creative women all over the world.

If you've been on the fence about starting a blog of your own, this book might be just the push you needed to take the plunge!

Congratulations to Tara for fulfilling a dream!

T-Shirt Pom Poms

  

Well, I guess I spoke too soon. The sun was shining like crazy yesterday. So, I snapped some pictures for the next several posts, just in case it decides to hide again.

I made these pom pom flowers out of some old t-shirts. It's the coolest thing. You just cut 'em all up and stitch 'em back together in a new way. I used a couple of George's old undershirts and a few of my old maternity t-shirts. I love the idea of recycling them into something fresh and new. {I mean, how many dust cloths do I need, right?}

The idea and instructions came out of the wonderful Alabama Stitch Book. I love it! It's full of ideas, inspiration and plenty of sewing instruction. The book's focus is on transforming cotton jersey t-shirts into all sorts of other apparel and decorative projects including a good deal of applique and reverse applique.

   

I've long been intrigued and fascinated with the culture of the Deep South, and bought this book not only for the sewing aspect but because I had heard that, throughout the book, Natalie Chanin shares tales and stories of her life in the South and the generations of stitchers she comes from.

  

So, anyway, the pom poms were the first thing I made. When I saw the photos in the book I gasped. And I even used a mason jar to hold the flowers, just as they do in the book. Love the simplicity of that. I filled my jar with baby Lima beans to support the flowers because these are some heavy pom poms!

I took a trip to the grocery store with the sole mission of finding something off-white to fill the jar. At only $1 a bag, the beans are an inexpensive and pretty option. I look at beans a whole new way now! The color, the textures, the possibilities...

The brown stems are bark-covered wire from the floral department of Michael's. You can buy them as long straight stems or as a coiled spool of wire.

I still have to add some felt or jersey leaves (completely forgot!) to each stem, but that should be quick. You know I would normally share a little tutorial with you, but since this project and instructions are published, it's not right (or legal) to post it on the Internet. So, if you like to sew, go grab a copy of the book from the library or hop over to Amazon. So many great projects inside!

Catching Up

Lots to catch up on, it seems. I've been meaning/wanting to blog about so many fun things, and I thought I'd wrap a few of them together in one big fat post.

If you read this magazine:

Then maybe you saw this ad:

Last week, I received my subscription issue in the mail, and was thumbing through it casually, completely forgetting that I had an ad in there. {don't ask me how that is possible, but it's true.} Then I came to the back of the magazine and saw my ad and was totally caught off guard! It was a funny moment to say the least. I'm so happy to be advertising in this wonderful publication. I've been a faithful subscriber since the premiere issue launched back in 1997, and I love it so!

Choosing advertising partners can be tricky, and you never really know if it's the right decision until you start tracking sales and feedback. I'm optimistic that this is a good fit for One Hundred Wishes! Lots of crafty & creative readers turn those pages every month. Let's hope!

Switching gears {I'm not even trying to create a graceful transition here}.....

I decided to join in the Pre-Silver Bella swap with 12 other bloggers who are attending the event. You may have seen some of their posts about this swap and their pictures of the goodies we all shared with each other. I so enjoyed being a part of this creative group of women! Not to mention, I'm looking forward to meeting them all at Silver Bella. I really enjoyed seeing the unique creative style of each participant. These are some of the swap gifts I received. The pretties pictured above are from Heather. The ones right below are from Holly, Cheryl, and Cheryl.

These treats are from Jennifer and Jessi. {by the way, girls, thank you for the candy. It was all gone before I could even snap the picture. It's been a while since I've poured a Pixie Stick down my throat!}

 

Some gifties from Karla {the hostess!} and Analise.

And finally, the goodies sent by Carol, Kim, Tiffany and Natasha. Thanks girls, for a fun exchange of creativity!

 

Speaking of Natasha.....she sent a beautiful package across the ocean not too long ago. All of these goodies are from her shop. She draws, she paints, she sews, she makes faux desserts, she seems to have endless, boundless energy that makes me feel like a slacker! She's always up to something creative. She painted these beautiful vintage prom dresses, which I love. I've told you before that I cannot paint, so I think I appreciate painted pieces all the more.

She also sent some of her sweet faux cupcakes. Looking very cute on a shelf in my kitchen, I might add.

And she made these lavender-filled velvet strawberries {yay!}. They are wonderfully fragrant sachets, and I have one tucked into each drawer of my unmentionables....

She also sent some her beautiful original designs on greeting cards and postcards. Prom dresses, a cupcake and roses...all things Natasha is known for. I'm always looking for special cards and have already used a couple of these. Why is it always so hard to part with pretty cards?

She spoiled me with all of this and even more! There were vintage trims and rhinestone charms {which I put in my jewelry box and forgot to photograph} and even a SO thoughtful gift for Mario. She sent balloons of Australian animals and also some Cadbury chocolate bars. I told Mario that my friend sent these gifts for him, and that she lives far away where The Wiggles live. His eyes grew as big as quarters!

Thank you again Natasha, for so many thoughtful and beautiful gifts.

Whew! Now you're all caught up. Well almost...

Halloween goodies coming next week, my little witches! {I mean that in the nicest possible way} 

Spring Treat Baskets

Last fall, the the folks at Stampington contacted me wanting to feature my Bon Bon Cups in the Spring '08 issue of Somerset Life magazine. I was due to give birth to Sam in a week, but happily waddled into my studio and produced a dozen little baskets to submit for publication.

Well, the Spring issue comes out April 1st and it's a beauty! It is chalk full of wonderful articles by Rebecca Sower, Corey Amaro, Kaari Meng, Delila Jemaiel, Jenny Holiday and many other creative and talented women.

I made my first Bon Bon Cups after seeing a vintage one that inspired me a couple of years ago. (I can't believe it's been that long!) Who would've guessed that these little ditties would make their way into a magazine? You just never know who's watching and what may come to be. If you have an original, creative idea, consider submitting it to one of Stampington's wonderful publications. You never know until you try, and they are always seeking fresh and creative artwork for upcoming issues.

This is the second page of the article, featuring Cari Kraft's abundant creativity. She took an ordinary  peat pot and made it extraordinary. Aren't these baskets precious?

Speaking of Springs treats, now that the kiddies are sleeping, it's time to get back to filling more plastic eggs for the big hunt this weekend........I'll be back on Sunday with Easter wishes!

Twirling Cheesecake Pops

What is it about treats on a stick? They're just fun to eat, don't you think? Maybe a little messy but well worth it. I got the recipe for these delicious Cheesecake Pops from the book Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O'Connor. If you enjoy baking, I'd say this book is a must-have. It's full of mouth-watering color photographs that will inspire you to get the measuring cups out and tie on your apron!

There are baskets full of ballerinas in my studio waiting for opening day. The one pictured here is 5 inches tall. Among other things, I've added a ton of cupcake trinkets like these to the shop. There are hearts, cameos, scripty words and much more. You can see them all on Monday.

Now, I think I'd better stop baking and start working 'cause Monday is right around the corner!