wednesday giveaway: shirt from paperbeatsscissors

Hello! Today I am excited that my dear friend Chris from paperbeatsscissors is giving away his newest t-shirt design! It is a gorgeous illustration of his take on "Alice in Wonderland".

****To enter, simply leave a comment on this post! That's it!****

"Hey there loyal readers of this blog, this is Paperbeatsscissors.

Who is Paperbeatsscissors? What is Paperbeatsscissors? I'll let this cat explain:



Do you understand the power of that? Good. Now understand the power of this:

Kyoutan Tochi Tee FREE givaway, courtesy of your new favorite thing you've ever read, Gingibersnap's blog.

Don't forget to check out paperbeatsscissors.com and paperbeatsscissors.blogspot.com for more things that will make your eyes high-five your brain.

-Chris"

****To enter, simply leave a comment on this post! That's it!****

this week's etsy favorites

1. Bouquet by Geninne 2. I Get Dizzy by Pretty Little Thieves 3. Acorn Boxes by PaperAcorn 4. Moka Express Silkscreen Print by mengseldesign

tuesday giveaway: dear colleen tote and rosette

Dear Colleen Giveaway! 

*****To Enter, Simply Leave a Comment! That's it!*****

Pretty in pink...

"Here's a fun fact, did you know that traditionally in western culture that pink was the colour for boys and blue was for girls? Really someone told me on telly so it must be true. Pink was considered related to red so more masculine and strong, while blue was though more appropriate for girls because it's delicate and dainty, or related to the Virgin Mary. It wasn't until around the 1940s that the colours were switched. It's funny that something we understand as fact, is actually relatively new and no where near as traditional as we think. 

Anyway you're maybe wondering why I'm muttering on about pink, let me explain I'm Colleen and I run a little etsy shop called Dear Colleen and when Stacie asked me to do a little give-away on her blog I though a pinked themed parcel would be fun... there is a good chance that you're reading this in the States where I'm sure your mind is turning to autumn with all it'll beautiful rich hues. Well I'm based in New Zealand and we're just breaking into joyous bright spring and for me spring is a pink time of year, baby bunnies, blossom, happy, pink. 

Up for grabs in today's give-away is a pink 'skills to pay the bills' tote bag, a limited edition two tone pink 'LOSER' rosette and a navy and blue little button pin, which says 'Hello Sailor'. I hope there is at least one pink item here that would brighten up your day."

*********************

Thanks, Colleen, for this FANTASTIC giveaway! I am a bit sad that I cannot win it.... but am super excited for my readers to get a chance to own all of this loot! Seriously, Colleen is one talented, hilarious artist! Her prints, totes, and tea towels are so cheerful and funny! I love everything in her shop! ***to enter, simply leave a comment on this blog. That's it!*** The winner of this giveaway will be announced next Monday, October 4th. Be sure to check back tomorrow for another amazing giveaway from one of your favorite artists!

monday giveaway: pretty things by meg necklace

hello, i'm meg,

designer/creator behind pretty things by meg,

and i am so excited to be a part of stacie's giveaway week :)

on my 'lil blog, meg's musings,

i do a weekly post filled with handmade items that make my heart go aflutter.

since today i am going to be giving away one of my new ruffle necklaces,

i thought i'd follow with the ruffle theme and share with you some ruffly handmade lovelies struck my fancy while browsing on etsy.

i don't know about you, but i am a total sucker for just about anything with ruffles --

                                                    have been ever since i was a little girl.

hope you enjoy these ruffles as much as i do!

{ five ruffles pillow cover }

{ DAHLIA - charcoal or black }

 { rufflage - soft stretchy cap in camel hemp/cotton }

{ the gray foldover ruffle clutch }

 { girly girl swirly swirl ruffle cuddly citrine yellow }

{ french market bag } 

 { oh so cute tuxedo dress }

Meg has graciously offered to giveaway one of her fabulous Burnt Orange Ruffle Necklaces!!

***to enter, simply leave a comment on this blog post telling me what your favorite item from Megan's Etsy Shop is. That's it!***

The winner of this giveaway will be announced next Monday, October 4th. Be sure to check back tomorrow for another amazing giveaway from one of your favorite artists!

Thanks so much, Meg! You are a doll!

-Stacie

fall

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Fall leaves. Feeling them crunch under my boots. Raking them into a pile and then let Violet jump into them. The colors, gold, burnt sienna, scarlet. Soon, the cool breeze that is lingering in the air will usher in the faint, sleepy emotions that often accompany this time of year.

Perfect.

giveaways are coming!

Can you handle it! A new giveaway every day! Monday through Friday! From your favorite artists! Dear Colleen, Pretty Things By Meg, PaperBeatsScissors, Gingiber (me), as well as an awesome little something something that I purchased from Red Velvet Art to give away to you!

Are you totally stoked?

More details to come......


-Stacie

gingiber feature on thenheathersaid

Good lunch time! Just a quick hello and to let you know that the blog ThenHeatherSaid has created a lovely Handmade Christmas Guide and has featured Gingiber! Check out the post here.

 

Thanks so much, Heather, for the lovely feature!

-Stacie

i love you, need you, but to i really have to have you?

I rarely "window shop" anymore. Nathan and I are on a fairly tight budget, so I tend to not even browse some of my favorite online shops. But today, my mouse wondered over to Urban Outfitter's Apartment Section. My eye was immediately drawn to their "Mid-Century Modern" furniture collection. Here are some of my favorite items:

Yes, these items are beautiful. The reviews are strong. Classic lines. The words "Danish" and "Tweed" are the bait. The lovely muted colors are the line. The prices are the sinker. However, I cannot help but shake the feeling that these pieces are simply "on trend" for the moment.

I truly admire Mid-Century Furniture, yet am no expert. However, in the blog world, it seems more often than not, "Mid-Century" is the "it word" of the moment. Do these affordable "knock-offs" (well, there has to be a better word than knock-offs, as these are unique and lovely on their own) cheapen the intrinsic love and value of actual Mid-Century items?

Do you love them because Urban Outfitters loves them?
They tell you that you need to have them?

Food for thought. How often to we readily accept that we like something because we are told that said item is cool? I look beyond Mid-Century Furniture and think about trends in general. Will I really love all of the items and artwork in my home 1, 5, 10 years from now?

I recently read a post from Rachel Denbow's blog which said, that she is on a mission to only have things in her home that she is smitten with. What a fantastic notion! Her home is absolutely jam packed full of the most gorgeous, hand picked, thoughtfully arranged Mid-Century and Handmade items.

I want to love my own home and items as much as she loves hers.

So, Urban Outfitters. for now I am still browsing. Your furniture is lovely. But until I am absolutely "smitten" with your Danish Modern Coffee Table, I will only be window shopping.

Sorry for all of the quotation marks. I hope that this does not come across as preachy. Simply my own lack-of-coffee induced ramblings for the day.

(image credit: Urban Outfitters)

this week's etsy favorites

1. Too Shy No 3 by RosieMusic 2. Deer Couple Canvas by TheTimeIsNow 3. Olliephant Plush by JuneCraft 4. Love Writer Print by decanimal

boo (did i scare you?)

Hello! How was your weekend? Mine was fine, thank you very much for asking! I spent the whole weekend doing a whole lot of nothing! Seriously, I cannot remember the last time my weekend was so relaxing! And it was much needed. I tend to try and fill every moment of every day being productive. However, that can get old really fast.

Nathan and I did *attempt* some landscaping this weekend. Which resulted in Nathan hurting his back. By Sunday Violet was sick with a fever. Now that I think of it, maybe my weekend was not as relaxing as I thought it was!

The little ghost above is my only attempt at Halloween doodles. It looks a bit like a pac-man with a bag over his head, no? I should tell you about my upbringing in regards to Halloween. You might laugh.

But I will save that story for when it feels more like fall.

How was your weekend? Seriously? I want to hear details, people!

-Stacie

mind your music: anathallo

It's September officially, and when the nights gets a little colder and there is a wistful sigh among the trees ... i find myself listening to Anathallo.

Dokkoise House (With Face Covered)

Who Are They: The Michigan ensemble plays almost every instrument know to man. Their music is a study in contrast - dark and playful - spritely and haunting. Listening to them causes me to be overwhelmed with everything from my own childhood to those strange far away places from fairy tales. All a little dark, all little hopeful. It's truly unique.

They are also one of my most favorite live shows ever.

Favorite Songs: Both "Floating World" and "Canopy Glow" are gorgeous. i really think of their albums as whole pieces instead of individual songs. The words are poetry and the music philosophical in a way that demands to be listened to in one setting.

The Angry Neighbor

Makes Me Think Of/ Feels Like: Chinese fairy tales, forgotten memories, snow in the evenings, lost friendships, and open souls.

Beautiful and surreal photography by Brooke Shaden,Michael Bailey-Gates , and Lissy Elle

Anathallo will make your fall magic. I promise.

- Jenna

me and my pal, violet

Violet wanted to say hi!

And blow you a kiss.

Violet is learning all sorts of new things. For instance, she now knows to go sit on the potty to "do her business". Unfortunately, she is always a few seconds too late. But progress is progress. Violet also has learned to jump like a champ. She spent the better portion of Tuesday evening jumping in the air and landing on her fanny. Thata girl!

I love being a mom. The balance of pursuing my personal passions while maintaining a semblance of family normality (whatever that is) is difficult. When I come home from my day job, I have a choice. I can either sit and watch the Gummy Bears with Violet while putting her hair in a pony tail (yes there is enough for a ponytail! She just constantly pulls out the rubber band!) or to hull up on my laptop working on orders and designs. I am trying to make sure that I am the best momma I can be, and not loose myself in the process.

I was talking to Nathan about being a mom last week. I made the usual needy self deprecating comment to him about my lack of mothering instinct. How I struggle with my desire to make my art my full-time gig, sometimes neglecting others in the process. Nathan always makes time to watch Violet so that I can escape for an hour and draw without distraction. He is pretty much the best dad that an almost 2 year old could ask for!

Then, my sweet husband encouraged me, saying that when Violet grows older, she will be proud of all of my hard work. She will see me as an entrepreneur, and artist, and a genuine self starter. I sure hope that is true. Because Violet deserves the best possible mommy. And I just want to make her proud!

How many of you moms feel this way too?

-Stacie

little holly reindeer

Top of the morning to you!

Remember when I introduced you to my little buddy, "Reluctant Santa"? Well, I want you to meet Santa's trusty reindeer. This is the second of a cute trio of illustrations for the holidays.

I really love the simple expression on this little deer's face, don't you agree?

Right now I only have the print available in the shop, but I will be selling all 3 holiday designs as cards within the month.

You can buy him here at my Gingiber Etsy Shop.

Alrighty!

What do you think?

the bold girl

"The Bold Girl"

Bit of a self portrait. 3 wishes for myself before I turn 25.

5x5 print. Available in my Gingiber Etsy if you fancy.

What do you want to see happen in your life before your next birthday?

-Stacie

recipe: cheesecake brownie

I had the best of intentions with these brownies. They were going to be a thank you gift to a sweet friend who watched Violet last weekend for us. 

But you know how it goes. As soon as I pulled these decedent ,chocolaty, creamy, cheesecakey, gooey pieces of heaven out of the oven, I just had to have a bite of brownie. or two. Okay, I ate the whole darn pan full over 3 day's time. I traded my friendship with my sweet friend for a brownie. And it was totally worth it! (she says dripping with sarcasm).

Now, don't you want to learn how to make this recipe? It is David Lebovitz's amazing recipe. Amazingly simple to make. Even more amazingly simple to consume!

Cheesecake Brownie
recipe from David Lebovitz
One 9-inch (23cm) square pan (I bake mine in 7x10in pan)
6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 ounces (115g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2/3 cup (130g) sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup (70g) flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup (80g) chocolate chips
8 ounces (200g) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 large egg yolk
5 tablespoons (75g) sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Line a 9-inch (23cm) square pan with foil, making sure it goes up all four sides. Use two sheets if necessary. Mist with non-stick spray or grease lightly. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (180C).

Melt the butter and chocolate in a large steel bowl over a pot of simmering water, stirring until smooth.

Remove from heat and beat in the 2/3 cup (130g) sugar, then the eggs. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder and salt, then the vanilla and chocolate chips.

 Spread evenly in the prepared pan.

In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, the yolk, 5 tablespoons (75g) of sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Distribute the cream cheese mixture in eight dollops across the top of the brownie mixture, then take a dull knife or spatula and swirl the cream cheese mixture with the chocolate batter.

Bake for 35min or until center feels just set (I bake mine at 175degreeC and it took exactly 20minutes. Be careful not to over-bake them)

I don't have a pretty all done picture with the brownies all cut up because I just couldn't wait to eat these lovlies!

Tell me, what is your favorite chocolaty treat? I want to try out some more recipes!

Stacie

weekend inspiration: colorful decor!

who needs some color inspiration!?

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Have a very blessed and happy weekend,

Stacie