DIY - book lamp

Did you have a good weekend? Do anything crafty or DIY? I'm a bit picky about DIYs - they can't look too make shift. I like this lamp a lot because it's unique and rustic and it looks so simple to make - courtesy of HGTV. All the directions are on their site - good luck - and if you make one - send me a picture!

Card spinner lampshade

Look closely at these lampshades and see if you recognize their construction. If you're in the same biz as we are you will immediately see that they are inspired by wire greeting card spinners. Each card slot is fitted with a piece of birch plywood. Quite effective really! Saw these at Salt House in SF.

DIY - upcycled book project

Here's my favourite DIY tutorial from the last couple of weeks. A pretty little vintage 'rolodex' from Andrea Rodgers. This is so clever and really so practical - I love it. If you collect paper ephemera what a fun way to display it. Great job Andrea!

Need a gift idea?

I miss magazines - don't you? I really notice it at this time of the year. I used to be so excited to get my Martha Stewart holiday mag every year and I have kept them all (as I'm sure many of you have.) We need to support print media. We all love the blogs but we need to make sure that no more of them fold. We need to keep our favourite publications alive by ordering subscriptions just like we used to before we all got obsessed by blogs. A magazine's bloodline is their advertising - and these days there is less and less advertising dollars - that's why some of the holiday magazines seem so thin this year. One of my new years resolutions is to support print media like I used to. We've all gotten very excited by some of the fabulous online magazines that have popped up in the last year - but let's not forget where it all started! Renew your subscriptions and give subscriptions for holiday gifts. It's great value and there's nothing like seeing all those mags in the mailbox every month.

Here are some of my fave holiday crafts from Martha Stewart - enjoy!

I saw this yesterday - I think it might be from last year - even though it said Oct 5th I think they meant last Oct 5th. Anyway, I was drawn in by the lovely photography and the vintage hues, of course. A fab tutorial on how to line your envelopes in old wallpaper - what more do you need, really?

Inspiration - sewing project

How cute are these? This is a great diy project - I love that the process includes tracing around a pair of shorts that you all ready have to make the pattern - I've made lots of garments this way and it works perfectly. The styling and the bright coloured fabric are fab, aren't they? - that's why they made it here this morning - of course!