Calling All Birdies

...a new home for rent...

...cozy interior, solidly built (by hub), & even has a one-shingle roof...
...great location near pretty pussy willow trees......see how pretty they are as they start to open?...

See?

a lucky girl {on turning 30}

{Warning: This is a long one with rambling thoughts. But you only turn 30 once, right?}

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I woke up in a frenzied state, somehow aware that I shouldn’t still be asleep. I looked at the clock to confirm this.

7:45 AM! Oh no! Hub, we overslept! Get up!

Oh did we?, he says calmly. Well then I guess it’s a good thing I took the day off of work for your birthday. (He smirks.)

Wow. Wow. Not expecting that. I start to relax again and let it sink in what a wonderful, loving, caring husband I have. To honor my 30th birthday in such a way. To create a light-hearted day full of special memories and laughter and just being together. It was amazing. So I’m feeling like one very lucky girl. Very blessed. I have the best hubby in the whole wide world. Sorry folks. But I just do.

He first took me to Caribou for coffee. Where I got my free birthday drink from them…a LARGE skim mocha. (It was free so I had to go all out, you know?) Yum. I hardly ever get these anymore. I used to get mochas all the time when I worked in the “corporate world” and there was a Caribou in the skyway level of my office building. I have this very distinct memory of one day when I was working there, fresh out of college, about 22 or 23. I was in the elevator with a co-worker as we were both heading out to take our lunch breaks. She had her workout bag slung over her shoulder with a tightly rolled up Yoga mat sticking out and she said to me “Once you hit 30, everything changes!” I don’t know why she said this? I don’t recall soliciting this warning. But I guess she was talking about how much harder you need to work at keeping in shape? I clearly remember thinking then as we parted ways, “Well thank goodness 30 is sooo far off. It will be a long, long, long time before I need to worry about any of that!” And off I headed to pick up my rich, chocolate-y mocha without another thought. Yet for some reason her comment and that seemingly mundane moment from my past stuck with me, hanging in the recesses of my brain. Why can’t I remember important things? And why does it seem like that was only yesterday and now 30 is here?

But I really loved turning 30. It was quite possibly one of my best birthdays to date, only closely rivaling that of the one spent in Kauai when I turned 27...see?{Kauai ~ 2006}

After we got our coffees, we came home and Hub brought out a BIG blue plastic storage bin. He gave me a sweet card that said something about how for my 30th birthday he got me 30 presents…some little, some silly, some as reminders of our fun times together.
What?! 30 presents!?!, I questioned him.
He confessed it was a little difficult getting to 30 and that he was going to add a kiss as one of the presents but that he did get to 30. So I still took the kiss for good measure.

{my very own hot pink, sparkly-tailed fishing lure}

His way of distributing the gifts was quite clever too. He had typed up all sorts of riddles corresponding to each gift. I had to draw a riddle out of an envelope and then he would give me the correct gift. I tried to guess what the gift could be from the riddle but most had me confused. This is my favorite riddle, which I just so happened to draw last:{Light bulbs...the clue: Every morning when I wake up you just ---- up my day instantly.}

And this one was a sweet idea too:

{A garden journal...the clue: I love watching things grow with you. But, what did we plant in that pot two summers ago?}

After all the "present" fun, we had a great rest of the day together. Enjoying the sunny weather. Walking to the creek. Going as far as the water-drenched land would allow us. Making it to the little wooden bridge and sitting there a bit. Listening to the ripple of flowing water and letting the sun soak into us, warming our bodies and lifting our spirits even further.

{The creek ~ last summer}

We had some absolutely fabulous food out too and he even took me (as one of my 30 gifts) to buy THE perfect stool for my drawing table. I finally came upon the one last week and so we went to look at it together and he loved it too. (A photo to come once we reupholster the seat!)

With everything Hub did, it reminds me how marriage (and relationships in general) take effort. These things, not so much the gifts although those are WONDERFUL, but more so all the thought and effort he put into the day, were like adding vital nutrients to soil of our marriage. (Sorry, but I’ve got a landscaping/gardening project on the brain.) And in difficult times or even just the dull, routine times, it’s so important to have these amazing memories to think back on, a rich source for our marriage, adding to the foundation and helping to nourish it.

See, I do have the best hubby, don’t I? ;)

(By the way, now he’s really set the bar high for his birthday.)
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P.S. Thank you, family & friends, for all the lovely cards, flowers, and birthday song serenades on the voicemail. Loved hearing your sweet voices. Loved seeing your cards, especially the drawings from my little nieces...they so warmed my heart. You guys are pretty wonderful too! :)

Springtime Lunch {Swedish-Inspired}

It all started with a pretty Swedish tablecloth my Grandma gave to me at my wedding shower. This became the backdrop to my modern, yet lady-like, woodland flora-imbued Spring birthday lunch…to celebrate a few very special April birthdays.

I had prayed, pleaded really, for a warm and sunny Thursday as I was so hoping we could dine outdoors. Knowing full well the fickle Spring weather of this region and the dour forecast, I was happily surprised and blessed beyond my expectations with gorgeous warm sunshine, clear skies, and just a gentle breeze now and then.

Color & Shadows: Shades of springlike greens, cheery yellows, vibrant pinks, and a hint of blue were the order of the day. The abundance of shadows on all of my photos tell the tale of the sunshiny day.

The Menu: Ham & Broccoli Quiche, North Shore Wild Rice Salad, Fresh Fruit, and Rosemary Crackers with French Honey drizzled upon them. Bright lemon slices and S. Pellegrino sparkling mineral water imparted a little more European flair while poured into tree-trimmed glasses, perfectly fitting for my modern flora Swedish theme.

Ball of garden twine: I tied twine around each end of the table to hold the tablecloth in place...a good solution to a breezy day.

Rosemary crackers corralled in a vintage egg cup. Recognize those fluttery coasters? They were given to my guests as a little party favor. (Although I think it’s fair to say they were just as enthused about keeping their Pelligrino bottles to repurpose later as flower vases.) Dessert: Decadent Almond Bars topped with vintage cupcake toppers, each one was a different kind of whimsical-looking bird…another tiny take-home favor for my guests.Centerpiece: I combined pretty pink Hyacinths......with spiky, elongated mystery flora.

From the heart gift-giving: A beautifully hand-painted sign on an old piece of wood, a truly sweet piece of artwork......and aprons made from the fabric of vintage dresses...so, so clever & cute. What talented gals, don't you think? :)

Oh and yes, one of the birthdays was mine…I’ll be turning 30 next week. There. I said it. I really can’t believe it. But I also can't think of a better way to usher in my upcoming birthday. It was an absolutely lovely day.

discoveries

I can’t help but notice the budding pussy willows everywhere around our house this time of year. And it reminds me of last Spring, when I was thinking of buying a bundle of them (for quite a pretty penny) from an upscale market while I was down in the Cities. Mum said to me at the time, “look around and I’ll bet you’ll see some up in your neck of the woods growing right before your eyes.”
And see some I definitely did. Not a day or two after this conversation, Hub was looking out the little windows above our kitchen sink (fully aware of my desire for pussy willows) when he noticed tiny white puffs of cottony-goodness speckling a whole bunch of trees just outside these windows.
I remember my astonishment at this discovery and immediately spurred Hub into action, shoeing him out the door with me. There was still a good foot of snow covering the ground. I held the ladder stable as he climbed upon it and cut clippings of pussy willow branches, handing them down to me. I remember thinking our new neighbors would surely wonder about us…who are these strange former city folk, climbing on ladders in the snow?

Of course we performed this same "ladder-climbing-in-the-snow" ritual again this Spring, just a couple weeks ago, so I could fill up a vase and set it upon the mantle. We laugh now when we think about the bounty of them growing right on our property, every which way we look.

I remember my astonishment at many other discoveries in our new home last Spring too…our first Spring here. That time was sort of like discovering a new little world for us. Each day brought us new delights as different things would appear, sprouting and unearthing themselves. One of my favorite discoveries is still to come. But now that I know it is there, I’ve already begun looking for it, anticipating its special appearance. I’ll let you know once it arrives. Don’t get too excited though... It seems it’s always the small things that excite me most.

Pretty Things {Windows, Signs, & Sidewalk Decor...}

My eyes were thirsty for pretty, inspiring, tangible things…the warmer climate in the Cities (no snow on the ground anywhere!) plus the plentiful shops and such provided just what this girl needed. Only problem is there’s always too little time to take it all in. Hub and I went down to visit family, celebrate Easter with them, and try to squeeze in a few other enjoyable things as well…things like shopping and eating at an old favorite restaurant. I’m so blessed to have my Hub who doesn’t mind shopping with me one bit at all. Nor does he mind (very much) running me back out across town on Easter Sunday to return a skirt I bought in the wrong size the day before. I know that sounds just wrong all around but we were only there for a short time so it had to be done! Yet he never complains…even if it isn’t what he really prefers to do…he just lovingly helps me along in life…I’m so thankful and could really take a lesson (or two or three) from him in this. I think that’s what makes our marriage work so well though…putting each other first, being more selfless rather than submitting to our natural selfish inclinations, and ultimately learning that it brings more joy to be this way than the other.
But without any further ado (or rambling thoughts on marriage), a few more photos from our busy Easter weekend…

{Anthro: I'm loving their "honey bee" theme for the month of April. I'm a lover of the month of April in general though too, being that it's the month of my birthday and I had received a bday card from them for 15% off my entire purchase!}
{Rick Rack: Rick Rack is pretty, no? I adore the tiny vintage kind and I hit the jackpot at a neat, new-to-me antique shop.} {Muffuletta: Hawaiian Blue Marlin & Homemade Ravioli, pretty food perfection...no food photos to show though, just the restaurant's cute sign.} {Vintage Deer + chocolate eggs: Better than an Easter basket. Mum found this cutie and knowing my fondness for deer, left it as a surprise for us on the guest bedroom nightstand. I just love those exaggerated ears!}
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P.S. I made some pretty tasty Pecan Bars to share for Easter and they were quite a hit. A few people have asked for the recipe so I thought I'd link to it here. They're quite easy to make...just don't mind all the butter...butter is better! ;)

All Aflutter {Felt Flutter Rounds}

{Felt Flutter Rounds: A cozy place to set your teacup}

Spring is on its way with warmer weather yet still chilly nights...and just in time, I devised these "felt flutter rounds" for a cozy place to put your cup all the while reminding you of nature's pretty critters, soon to be seen in your own backyard. Perfect for a Spring tea party or Mother's Day...which is also just around the corner!

{Gather}
~3 different colors of wool felt~

(I used a sage green, rosy pink, and off-white.)
~fusible webbing~
~iron~
~sewing machine (or needle & thread)~
~scissors~
~paper & pencil~

~straight pins~

{Make}
1. Cut out paper patterns for the butterfly and circle. For the circle, I traced around the lid of a tin can with a 3 ½” diameter. For the butterfly, I sketched a butterfly design onto paper with a height of about 2” and a width from 2 ½” (top wings) to 1 ½” (bottom wings). To design your pattern, look in a book, online, follow mine, or create your own!
2. Pin paper patterns onto felt (or hold firmly in place) and trim around the pattern. For one flutter round, you will need 2 circles and 2 butterflies in contrasting colors. (I used off-white felt as the alternate color to back both the circle and butterfly.)
3. For the top butterfly, cut out a variety of raindrop-like shapes on the wings. Start at the pointy end of your shape by folding the felt a bit and cutting over the fold at a diagonal. Unfold and continue to cut up along side and into a rounded top. (A small, sharp scissors works best. However, various hole punches would work okay too.)
4. Cut out fusible webbing to roughly fit inside both circles and both butterflies. Iron felt pieces gently on a medium setting until fused together. (Note: It is a bit easier to iron the butterfly with cut-out markings directly onto your contrasting color and then cut around the shape after they’ve been fused together.)
5. Using a sewing machine or by hand, simply stitch across the circles (now fused together) in a wavy fashion to create a “trail” leading to where you want to place your butterfly. (It’s helpful to stick a pin in the spot where you are planning to attach your butterfly onto the circle so you know where to stop sewing.)

6. Fold the butterfly in half and sew (by hand) along through the center, pinching together and pulling thread tightly, to make the wings stay a bit aloft and giving an appearance of being in flight. Then, stitch just along the center of the butterfly, attaching it to the circle.

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There are many ways you can further embellish your felt flutter round. I preferred to leave mine simple with just the butterfly trail stitching, but you may prefer to stitch around the entire circumference of the circle, or embellish in any variety of ways…for example, adding a few little felt flowers along part of the coaster’s edge would be pretty.

Faux Flowers, Shop Harmony, & Sneak Peaks...

Do you ever feel like there is just so much you want to do, so many ideas competing for priority in your mind, that it’s hard to really get any of them accomplished? That's been me lately. I’ve been in one of those very creative spurts. I’m not sure what drives them, I only know I have very little control over them. So lately I’ve had plenty of random things in the works that I’m quite excited about. And I think it’s pretty apparent from the layout of the photo collage above just how frenzied the right side of my brain has been lately. (That’s the creative side, correct?)

So it’s a bit odd that I should be talking about shop harmony…
But amidst this recent creative frenzy, I’ve also been thinking quite a lot lately about having consistency in my shop…consistent colors, fonts, wording, and style elements that ultimately convey the idea and feeling behind LillyBonBon. It's taken a while to get to this point...for me, it's not something that can be forced. I've been trying new things often yet not feeling quite satisfied. But that’s what keeps us striving to become better, no? My focus for LillyBonBon is always to come across as pretty yet woodsy sort of artwork. Not pretty as in the “super cutesy/sugary-coated creations” way. And not too woodsy as in the “total treehugger/earthy/gritty” sort of way. But in a way where pretty and woodsy complement each other, meeting happily in the middle. I wasn't really aware of that in the beginning, yet as time goes on I can see that it is my style just naturally coming out, something that I then want to further define. Yet I don’t want to be restricted by any of these notions either, feeling as though I can’t try something that isn’t in harmony with all this. So I’ve been changing fonts. Trying different packaging elements. Rethinking color themes. I’m finally happy with some of the latest shop revisions…for now. So I thought I’d share a few peaks of what I’m talking about...new business “thank you” tags, new design elements, a new color palette, etc...

One of those things in the works are "faux flower" sculptures…sweet flowers for cupcakes that will never fade. I attempted the first one (shown in the collage) in shades of pink. And while I’m pretty happy with the result…it was rather difficult to do the paper mache-ing in all those tiny flower petal crevices. And so I wonder if it's worth it. But the first time is always the hardest, isn’t it? So I’m sure I’ll be working on perfecting this as well for quite some time.
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P.S. In addition to the faux flowers, here are a few other little peaks of what I've been working on lately...

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More soon! ~xoxo

Honey Heaven {a royal treat}

While down in the Cities last week, I came across this delicious French honey upon recommendation from my favorite cheese lady. She gave me a big spoonful and I was immediately sold. It tasted so pure, so sweet. I do enjoy the bear bottle honey...you know the one...but this was altogether different and divine. Hub and I enjoyed it this past weekend daintily drizzled upon thin rosemary crackers spread with roquefort. Perfection! The cheese lady said that some people were buying this honey last Christmas for gifts...I'd love to get honey for a gift if it tasted like this.

I'm so smitten with the jar's botanical-inclined lid too. I'll be saving this jar for certain to use when making jam next summer. Isn't it sweet?All honey aside, the rest of our weekend was just as sweet...Hub built a birdhouse...I made some royal birds...we unexpectedly took part in Earth Hour as we just so happened to be eating dinner out at this time on Saturday...as they went around the restaurant loading all of the tables up with candles we were a little confused but then we figured it out. Okaaay...but it made for a romantic atmosphere nonetheless. We enjoyed a very restful sunny Sunday at home and took a nice walk too. Now there are murmurings of a snow event in the wings but I will not, no matter how tempted, put any more gloomy, snowy pictures on this blog (at least until next winter!). I realized that my photos on that last post were so depressing...and it put me in a sort of blog-holding pattern...stuck and uninspired as to how to move beyond it. But I think I'm climbing out of my blog funk. We'll see what's next!