Theme Thursday: Chocolate + Plum

Plum Truffle Vintage Button Brooch by Callooh Callay

Labor Day has come and gone, so I guess Fall is officially here.  Well, technically not for a couple more weeks, but it always feels like Autumn after Labor Day to me.  One of my favorite color combinations for Fall this year is chocolate brown and plum.  So rich and decadent, and simply gorgeous together!  So this week's Thursday Theme is "Chocolate Covered Plum".  Enjoy!

Theme Thursday: Stormy Weather

Seems like we've been getting a lot of thunderstorms here in Maine lately.  Depending on the severity of the storm, they can either be soothing (a gentle rain with low, rumbling thunder) or intense (pouring rain with loud crashes of thunder and splashes of lightning).  Looks like the latter is in our forecast for the weekend as we have a hurricane on the way.  Yikes!

So I made this treasury, inspired by our Stormy Weather:



Stay safe this weekend, everyone!

Theme Thursday: Welcoming in Spring

with the Helping the Hectic Team!

I recently joined a new Etsy Team for those of us who work and/or go to school in addition to running our Etsy shops. So far, I'm loving it! It's kind of refreshing to be part of a network of individuals who are leading as crazy and hectic of a life as me. Being that we're all in the same, or similar, situations, it's a wonderful place to get support. So I thought I'd show my support to the team by curating a treasury of my teammates from Helping the Hectic:



Such a talented group of artists/crafters! Not to mention the talent of balancing their art/craft with a busy schedule! Way to go, everyone!

Theme Thursday: Magenta + Marigold

One of my favorite color combinations right now is magenta and marigold. This striking contrast of two very bold colors reminds me of a warm glowing sunset. As a flower lover, this exquisite photograph of magenta phalaenopsis orchids and orange tulips by Judy Stalus really caught my eye. You can find this and many other beautiful floral photographs in her Etsy shop.

For more magenta and marigold finds from other talented Etsians, check out my treasury below!

click on the image below to view the treasury:

Theme Thursday: Asters

It's been awhile since I did a birth flower post, hasn't it? Let's get back to it with September's birth flower, the Aster. This classic Autumn flower got its name from the Greek word for "star", referring to the shape of the flower head. In ancient times, it was believed that the burning of aster leaves would drive away evil snakes. However, in floriography, the aster is a symbol of love, or daintiness. Here's a collection of dainty asters I know you will love!

click on the image below to view the treasury:

Theme Thursday: Last Splash of Summer

Usually this time of year in Maine it starts getting cooler, and begins to feel like fall. Not this year! This week has been one of the hottest of the summer, with temperatures in the 90's. To say that I don't particularly like the heat is an understatement - I loathe it. After all, I wouldn't live in Maine if I didn't prefer cold weather to hot. Nevertheless, there are some things about summer I do enjoy. The bright and colorful flowers blooming, the butterflies and bees, the fresh locally grown produce...these are the things I love about summer. So this week, I thought I would share some of the things I do like about the warmer months of the year, with one last splash of summer.

click on the image below to view the treasury:

Theme Thursday: Earthy

I love making treasuries. So when a fellow Etsy Maine Team member, Ida of Adroit Jewelers, started organizing weekly treasury partners groups, I was happy to jump on board. Each week we make 2 or more treasuries featuring items from the other people in our group. Super fun!

Now that I'm back in the swing of creating treasuries, I thought I would bring back my Theme Thursday and share a fresh new treasury that I've made each week. Prepare to be inspired by the amazing work of many talented Etsians!

This week's theme is earthy. Enjoy!

click on the image below to view the treasury on Etsy:

Theme Thursday: Exquisite Iris

February is almost over, but there's still time to celebrate the birth flower for this month, the Iris. People have valued the Iris throughout history, with appearances in art as far back as ancient Egyptian times. With its showy flowers in a wide variety of colors, it's certainly fitting that "Iris" is the Greek word for "rainbow". The blues and purples are the most popular, and rightfully so with their striking color. In floriography, the Iris is said to mean faith, hope, wisdom, and valor. Here are some modern day interpretations of this exquisite flower:

A Pansy Purple Iris - Original Oil Painting on Wood by Maria Burd

Iris No. 1 by Art Photos Diana

Purple Popcicle Iris Watercolor by CheyAnne Sexton

Iris Luxury Hand Painted Silk Crepe Scarf by Morgan Silk

Purple Irises fine art reproduction by Leslie Macon

Pink Iris Dichroic Glass Pendant by My Fused Glass

I just snagged a treasury featuring these irises and more! Click here to view it. Expires Saturday at 2:00pm!

Theme Thursday: EtsyKids Spring Shopping Guide Picks

Wow, what a busy week!  I finally feel like I had a chance to catch my breath (and catch up on my sleep!), so now I'm ready toget back into the swing of things. One of the things that has been keeping me extra busy the past couple of weeks is the Spring Shopping Guide for the EtsyKids website.  I'm happy to say that I finished it up this week, and in the process, found some great new spring items for kids!  Here's a few of my personal favorites from our Spring Shopping Guide:

Pure Wool Beanie with Vintage Button Embellishment by Sheeps Clothing

Pink Flowers with Butterflies Nursery Wall Art by Baby Chick Designs

Apples and Pears Oh My Chenille Bib by Little Butterbeans

Olivia the Pig Twirl Skirt by Noah and Lilah

Boy's Best Friend Creativity Wallet by Ducks in a Row Boutique

Dainty Blooms Headband by Zuzu Girl Handmade

Crochet Octopus Plushy by Meg's Couture

 

Toddler Overall in Red Apple Dot by Overall Baby

Aqua Flower Minky Blanket by Booger and Tash

Theme Thursday: Crocus

It seems that around this time every year I start to get spring fever.  As my eagerness for the fresh blossoms and bright colors of spring grows, I keep peering at my snow covered garden in hopes of catching a glimpse of new buds poking their way through.  Crocus are the first thing to pop up in my garden, and are a delightful first sign of spring.  I hope I see them soon!  Until I can enjoy the real deal, at least I can sit back in my warm cozy house and enjoy looking at these beautiful crocus inspired items:

Harbinger of Spring Print by Artful Magpie

Crocus Flower Fairy by blumenkind 

Crocus Business Card Holder Case by Suteki da ne 

Crocus Necklace by Something Blue 

Hocus Crocus Frit Blend by Frit N Chips

Spring Softly Print by Maleah Matthews

Theme Thursday: Sharing the Love

As we are wrapping up the spring issue of Modern Handmade Child, I thought I'd take a moment to give a little shout out to some of the gals that have contributed to the issue. We come from different parts of the world and different backgrounds, but the one thing we all have in common is our love of the handmade lifestyle. These talented ladies have been generous to share this love by writing articles for the mag, so for this week's theme, I wanted give back and share the love with you. It's all about the love, baby!

Heart Breaker Bloomers by Rae Gun

Red Handkerchief Bolster Pillows by Studio Rouge

Pretty Girl Clips by Flirty Bird

Baby's 1st Prima Tutu by Tutu Cute and Moore

Sweetheart Toppers by Mary Had a Little Party

Frieda Felt Flower Hair Clip by Linda Dearie

Thanks, ladies!!

Theme Thursday: Snow, Sweet Snow

 We've been getting a lot of snow up here in Maine, and when I look out the window, everything I see is covered in white.  It really is quite beautiful.  There's something about a fresh layer of snow that makes everything seem so calm and peaceful.  Here's some sweet snowy items from my fellow Crafting in Color Teammates:

 

Polar Bear in a Winter Wonderland by  Dina Fragola

 

Snow Day Adjustable Ring by Polka Dot Pancake

 

White Blossom Necklace by Embellish Yourself

 

Little Owl on a Branch Necklace by Glamasaurus  

 

Let it Snow Vial Necklace by  Crafty Chick 101

Theme Thursday: Hearts of Maine

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, hearts are popping up everywhere! From soft wool hearts, to dainty metal hearts, and everything in between, there's surely a handmade heart out there for everyone! Here's some of my favorite hearts from the Etsy Maine Team:

Tiny Needle Felted Wool Hearts by Moon Dog Farm

Valentine's Day Vintage Style Wall Decor No. 2 by P's and Q's

Hammered Heart Earrings by Loving Anvil

Labor of Love Vessel by Kreatus


Brooch with Vintage Button and Heart by Quench Metal Works

Click here to see more beautiful hearts from the Etsy Maine Team!

Theme Thursday: Carnations

January is here, and it's time to showcase the birth flower for this month, the Carnation. Carnations have been cultivated for over 2,000 years, and have a history rich in symbolism and mythology. Each color has a different meaning, red being admiration, white being innocence, and yellow being rejection, to name a few. Pink carnations are perhaps the most significant in that it is believed that they first sprouted up where the Virgin Mary had shed tears as Jesus carried his cross, and they are hold the meaning "I will never forget you" as well as a mother's unending love.

Carnation Organic Flower Ring by Royal Princess

Red and Pink Carnation Toddler Dress by De-De and Delores


Pink Carnation Baby Headband by Pois Doux


Hot Pink Carnations by Dumaop Shop

Flowers are Blooming Headband by Clementine's


Sweetness and Light Fine Art Print by Alice B. Gardens


PS: I know it's not quite Thursday yet, but I just snagged a treasury to featuring these carnations and more! Click here to view it. Expires Friday at 11:00am!