flittering butterflies.

Right now, Caleb and I live in an apartment. Because it is a short-term living solution, we've decided not to paint the walls. Fortunately, the main room came painted in this lovely robins egg blue that works really well with our white couches and wooden furniture. Unfortunately, the bedroom was left this awful apartment white colour, not quite white, but not quite anything else either. As much as I love the furniture in our bedroom, the feel of the bedroom is basically really boring. Then I saw the above picture at Style Me Pretty as part of a wedding photo shoot designed by Viola at Chewing the Cud and thought, that could be a great wall decoration - especially in the springtime. Don't you think?

This looks simple enough to make at home. I'll have to make a butterfly template, and then similar to the flag banner, pick paper that I like, fold it in half, and get right to it. I also will have to figure out an adhesive that can keep the butterflies on the wall, but also let them come off easily when it's time to move.

Anyway, just wanted to share with you this gorgeous photo and what it brought to my mind. I'll keep you updated if this project comes to fruition.

chewing the cud.

Caleb and I are trying to reduce our 'eco footprint' and I find that one of the hardest ways to do that is when it comes to gifts. At Christmas we used old newspapers to wrap our gifts, but I am in love with these fabric wraps from Chewing the Cud Weddings. Printed on organic cotton with soy-based inks these fabric gift wraps are printed with sweet sayings: Give Love, Give Joy, Give Luck, and Give Cheer. They sell for $12. These fabric wraps are a great way to reduce the amount of paper that is thrown out come gift time - whether for a wedding or baby shower, a birthday, or holiday.

Of course, you can also use any scrap fabrics around your house. Or, go out to your local flea market and find vintage fabric, scarves, or handkerchiefs. The point is to use things that can be used again and again and again, then you can feel good about gifting without extra waste.

flag banner.

Today I want to share with you this picture of the flag banner that I made for Caleb's birthday back in February. My inspiration was this post from last spring.

Making a flag banner is really easy and although you can probably figure it out based on the picture above, instructions are below.

What you'll need.

Scissors for cutting paper.

Cardstock or light paper in the colour or pattern of your choice.

Double-sided tape (or your favourite craft adhesive).

Butcher's twine.

Fold the paper horizontally approximately the size of triangles you want to make. Cut folded paper into triangles, with the base of the triangle at the folded edge. Once you've cut out the desired number of triangles in the size you want, take butcher's twine and adhere the triangles to it using double sided tape. I usually put some tape at the base of the triangles where they touch the string, and then in the centre, so they hold together. (Note. Double-sided tape is the quickest way to make this banner but regular white craft glue or Mod Podge help the banner to last longer so you can use it over and over again.)

It is a really simple and easy craft to do while watching a movie, and the impact it makes hanging across your ceiling is spectacular. This flag banner really screams party (and is a nice alternative to crepe paper streamers). I've also made a flag banner using a pink and brown colour scheme to be used a friends' wedding showers. Have fun letting your creativity flow!

Maybe try cutting out different shapes - just make sure that they can be folded together over top of the string so they don't fall off!

children and planes.

Today is one of the first days where it really feels like springtime. The sun is out, the wind is cool but not cold, and there are people everywhere with big smiles on their faces. Literally, people everywhere. When I was driving home from Micah House this afternoon in downtown Hamilton there were at least a thousand people milling about Jackson Square and the park across from it. I couldn't believe my eyes.

And so in honour of the lovely weather, I want to share with you the picture above titled "Deaf Children Dancing to the Sound of Planes" by artist and printmaker Sanya Glisic in Chigaco. I found it on her Etsy shop Horse Drawn Carriage. I really like this print because of its whimsy, colour choices, and the silly name. It might just be the influential weather, but this print just makes me smile! Also, be sure to check out Sanya's other works at her Etsy shop, they are just as creative and inspiring - if not more so.