The All-Seeing Eye

Legend holds that the goddess Hera, in tribute to her trusted servant Argus upon his death, preserved his all-seeing eyes by casting them upon the feathers of the peacock. To this day, the peacock is said to be a symbol of protection and fidelity.

Today, a look at a beautiful array of objects that draw inspiration from the stunning beauty of the proud peacock's feathers.

First, is a beautiful photograph of the eye of the feather. This photo beautifully highlights the shimmer and opalescence of the peacock's stunning plumage. This photograph is by erinaasland.

Next, is this truly inspired piece cathysavelspaintings. This is an intricate and dimensional piece which beautifully captures the essence of the feathers. Click the photo to go to the listing for a full explanation of how this piece was created. Personally, I find the detail work to be staggering.

This absolutely lovely clutch is made from a breathtaking peacock teal silk. It has been deftly hand-embroidered with a peacock feather motif. You can find this in the shop of ClutchThat.
Stemless martini glasses have been given a decorative touch with the addition of handpainted feathers. These glasses are found in the shop marywibis.


And finally, an eyecatching pair of peacock feather hairpins. These come to us from the shop (fittingly named) prettypeacockshop.

You can easily forgive a peacock its pride when you witness this beauty, can't you.

Clutter Busters

If you're at all like me, you may tend to hang onto things a little longer than necessary, and unruly piles of stuff eventually teeter dangerously on any available surface.

I try hard to be organized, I truly do. But, I need a system and well, a system would require some fun and pretty organization tools. So, I took to etsy and I found some wonderful items that I think will do the trick.

First of all, I have an out of control collection of cooking, craft and travel magazines. These need to be sorted and neatly held. These unique and gorgeous felt magazine holders are from ccommeca.

For collecting all the other flotsam and jetsam that I collect, these fabric bins in bright and fun colours are a perfect option. And when I am in an organized state and not in need of the extra storage, these baskets nest together to store neatly away. These come from momfetti.

Need to keep track of family appointments and schedules? This is a fun way to do it. These chalkboard wall decals are lettered with each day of the week. These are from the shop of willowcreeksigns.

Do you ever forget to bring your list when you go shopping, or forget that you were meant to pick someone up at the airport after work? OOppps! Leave yourself a little reminder on this combination note-rack and key-rack. This wonderful idea comes to us from MooreMagnets.

Goodness, I can already see surfaces. What a wonder a little extra storage can make.

Safe as Houses

A little trivia today. Did you ever wonder where the phrase "safe as houses" came from?

If you might recall the story of the "Three Little Pigs" not all houses are completely safe. Lessons we learned: straw and sticks do not make good houses. Brick, however, is sturdy and safe, and will withstand the huffing and puffing of a wolf. And, if I may put my faith in wiki-answers, brick-built houses are part of the reason that this phrase was coined. However, another reason they give is that, "when investment in the railways turned sour in the 1850s, people returned to investing in bricks and mortar, hence the phrase 'safe as houses'. "

Thanks, wiki.

Today, homes that are neither straw, nor stick, nor brick.

From LittlePinkHouse, a small neighbourhood handcrafted on linen using cotton, and wool felt, with hand-embroidered details.

From thelittlereddoor, a quartet of clay "HOME" homes.

From BirdCraftsShop comes these plush fabric houses, which keep your tissue boxes cozy.

From terrariooms comes this sweet little (only 3 inches high!) birchbark cottage.

And finally, from lillalotta comes this perfectly adorable cotton tape/ribbon, decorated with a row of whimsical houses.

Wouldn't you love to move into any of these little neighbour hoods?

Almost too Pretty to Eat

I said, "almost". I am not sure that I have ever encountered a sweet that was actually too pretty to nosh on. I have on occasion taken a long moment to admire the beauty of a treat before grabbing my fork. In the end though, the result is always the same... a sated tummy and a smattering of crumbs.

Let's have a look at a few sweet treats that would give me pause.

Pretty, dipped in pink Brussels cookies from skippingskones. Thin buttery cookies with chocolate sandwiched between. You may choose to have them dipped in chocolate or a candy coating such as the ones seen here. Personally, I think it is the pastel coloured coating that make these look so divine.
From SinnersSaintsSweets, a dark chocolate cupcake, filled with dark chocolate creme, and topped with swirls of strawberry buttercream frosting and crystal sugar sprinkles.

From haveitconfections, Pretty in Pink Vanilla Sugar Marshmallows - their most popular flavour, coated in pink sugar. Made fresh to order, just for you.

Well, as if Oreos aren't addictive enough! Look how decadent these ones from sweetiesbykim have become. They are drenched in semi-dark or milk chocolate, and then made beautiful with the addition of an edible, coloured cocoa butter design. Gorgeous!

Hungry yet?

Jelly Beans

Jelly beans are to me the perfect little burst of joy. I simply adore a little dish of jellybeans - the soft, plump curve of their body and the pop of cheerful colour. Then there's that contrast of texture when you bite into one - that sweet soft shell, and the flavourful jelly centre.

As a child, I learned that the jellybeans were a perfectly sweet accessory for dress-up. Lick a little rounded end lightly, and then rub it swiftly across the lip or cheek for a perfectly pink pucker or blushed cheek.

Today's cast of etsy sellers help me celebrate this glorious little candy.

Someone else who obviously shares this love of jelly-beans is seller Foxxysair8. This photo is simply titled, "Jelly Bean Love".

Jelly beans are even more fun when they have a hint of glitter. But, don't eat these! From sunbasilgarden come these jellybean shaped, cotton-candy scented soaps. mmmmm.....

A funky little frame purse in jellybean coloured polka dots - what could be more fun? This sweetie comes from oktak. (By the way, am I the only person who loves black jelly beans best?)

A luxe, grown-up version of the jellybean comes to us from elleabelle. Smooth briolettes of magenta jade look much like a jellybean, and make a glamorous earring.

Sweet!

Favorite Things - March 1

I think there are probably many, many Canadians that share my favorite thing for this day. A huge shout-out to Canada's Olympic team. What a triumphant two weeks they had!! And how proud they made this whole nation.

This Olympiad was particularly significant as it marked three special historic events:
1) A Canadian athlete earned the first gold medal ever on home soil. Thank you to Alex Bilodeau for this momentous achievement.
2) Canadian athletes earned their highest ever number of gold medals in a winter Olympics.
3) Canadians now hold the record for not only the most gold medals won as a host nation, but also hold the record for the most gold medals ever awarded during a single Winter Olympics.

Canadian athletes proved to us that they have a fierce strength and determination. They strive to be the best, and they do it with grace and dignity.

In no one was this more evident than in Joannie Rochette. She performed stunning figure skating programs, ultimately earning herself a bronze medal and she did this while facing the grief of losing her mother - her biggest fan. This is a true example of grit meeting grace.

Our Olympic team deserves all the applause that greeted them every step of the way. Truly, they did this nation proud. Thank you!! What a thrilling two weeks these were.

Good luck to our Para-Olympians who will continue to bestow upon us a reason to feel deep pride in our country.

O Canada!!

Nature's First Green is Gold

Nature's first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Thank you to Robert Frost for today's inspiration.

From jewelry designer, SigaliotJewelry these stunning earrings featuring gold-plated oak leaves enhanced with green resin.

From catherinefilippelli come these beautiful bee motif soaps. These are infused with lime peel and lime essential oil, as well as forest honey.

Handmade glass beads in a new spring green colour, generously flecked with goldleaf. These beads are from the studio of HavanaBeads.

An ethereal image aptly titled after Frost's poem comes from BigBeanPhotos.

Titiana and Puck

If you are familiar with Midsummer Night's dream you are familiar with Titiana, the mythical queen of the fairy world, and wife to Oberon.

The Queen of the Fairies would of course be in possession of all the most beautiful fairy adornments. I imagine too, that she would be richly decorated in the regal hues of deep purples and blues. Can't you picture her then with these stunning magenta wings? These wings have been crafted by UpFromTheAshes.


Imagine her graceful fae neck wrapped in this stunning felted foliage to protect against cool woodland evenings. This scarf has been created by TheFaerieMarket.


In the play, we meet Titiana as she waits in the forest for the arrival of Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding. To adorn herself for this aristocratic event, surely Titiana would have donned her best finery. Drawing on the bounty of her forest, she may have donned this blackberry wedding mask constructed by TheArtOfTheMask.

It is as she waits for the wedding, and during a quarrel with Oberon, that things take an odd turn for Titiana. Oberon's henchman, Puck has cast a misguided enchantment over Titiana which causes her to fall in love with the unwitting Nick Bottom, a common weaver. Coincidentally, Puck is also responsible for the head of a donkey of which Nick has become endowed.

This dapper donkey is illustrated by berkleyillustration.

In the end, things work out for Titiana.

Puck, well somewhat remoreseful for his antics tells us:

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

Laundry Day

I can't say that laundry day is my favorite day of the week. I do enjoy the end result though. Bath towels still hot from the dryer, fresh scented pyjamas, and crisp sheets to snuggle into.

Today, I bring you a few things to make the laundry-day experience just that little bit more enjoyable.

Before you begin, always remember to sort your clothes properly. I think we have all lived through the heartbreak of turning a perfectly good load of white clothing into a baby pink nightmare with the overlooked addition of one errant red sock.

This wall decal from empressivedesigns, will bring a smile to any laundry room.Next, for an eco-friendly washing alternative, try this natural laundry soap from carvelcountrysoaps. These small jars hold enough powder to clean up to 32 loads in a regular machine, and up to 64 loads in an HE washer.


For a natural and eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets, try these dryer balls. Etsy seller ElasIdea makes these woolen balls from re-purposed sweaters. By thumping around in your dryer, they naturally soften and fluff your fabrics. Their use also reduces overall drying time, which is good not only for your fabrics, but also your utility bills!

Now, with spring on the way we can again look forward to the fresh scent of line-dried laundry. I can think of only a few things that smell more heavenly than laundry dried by sun and breeze. Here, is a taste of those warm sunny laundry days to come. This photo is from andieedwardsart.

Ooopppsss.... that's the spin cycle done. I better get on with it.

Beauty in the Ordinary

I love that there are people out there who are still able to see the beauty in the seemingly mundane. There are a few kindred spirits still about who appreciate that our ordinary everyday items do have a forgotten beauty within. In an unguarded moment we may be surprised to discover just how sublime they can be.

Clothespegs by leaca.

Tarnished spoons by kariherer.

Beer Bottles by f2images.

Spools of thread by ajawin.

Keys by honeytree.

Robin Red-Breast

This past weekend I saw the first of the spring robins. Just yet another sign that spring, glorious spring, is a mere few weeks away.

Welcome back, Robin. This one's for you.

The beauty of the robin egg. Nature's perfect shape, meets the world's most beautiful shade of blue. These papier mache eggs are from the shop of thebrokenhouse.

Delicate eggs find a safe home in a sturdy nest. This beautiful acrylic painting comes from the studio of jodyvanB.

And today's star of the show... Robin, herself. This enchanting photo comes from RetrospectPhoto.
I am staying tuned for many more of those hints of spring to present themselves.

Scrappy Crafters

Humans are becoming progressively more wasteful. It used to be that items were used as long as they were usable, mended as needed, and then repurposed if possible. It is refreshing to see that slowly, this common-sense practice is once again gaining ground. There is so much truth to the adage: One man's trash, is another's treasure.

Today, we look at some of the most creative uses of fabric scraps.

First, a stunning piece from vidals, California based designer. This multi-strand, braided textile necklace is created with recycled scraps of pinky peach jersey from factory left overs. She has finished it with ivory rope trim which complements the ivory flower that was salvaged from the trim of a blouse.

A very simple, yet sweet keychain was made by handbag designer, lynndavid. She calls these scraps "just too cute to toss out". I couldn't agree more.

Pretty pastel fabric scraps add a fun splash to plain kraft paper cards. These lovely notes come courtesy of shopscrapyard.

If you have scrap fabric, chances are you also have a stash of needles. Maybe you find yourself constantly wondering where you might have left them? Here's a solution to that problem. This "poppet" is a hanging pincushion. Find it in the shop of sanourra.

If you wish to start your own scrap collection, maybe this bowl would be the perfect spot to start depositing your odds and ends. This bowl from CornerstoneLAE, is made up from four lengths of scrap quilting fabric.

Once your scrap bowl is brimming with bits, I hope you have fun coming up with some fun ideas of your own of how to put your scrap to good use.

Favorite Things - February 22

My favorite thing today is a place - a delightful little cafe in Charlottetown, PEI. Since discovering it last year it is a must-go destination anytime I am on the Island.

This wonderful cafe is called Leonhard's. I discovered Leonhard's quite by accident over a year ago, when out with my mother on a chilly day, we decided to find somewhere to warm up with a hot cup of tea. The moment we walked in, I knew that I had wandered into someplace special. The window was filled with baskets of croissants and cookies; behind the counter was a rack to house home-baked breads; the far end of the counter was my Mecca - a display case filled with mouth-watering European cakes and pastries.

Since that first visit, I have been back every time that I am in Charlottetown. Beyond the cakes, pastries and coffee, I have also gone back to explore their lunch menu. I like to keep my lunch light when visiting (a simple sandwich on their home-baked bread) so that I can be sure to indulge in the decadent dessert offerings.

Beyond the delicious offerings, I love to visit for the ambiance. You can tell that this space is a true labour of love. Touches of Old Europe meet Island cottage, creating a cozy space that prevails upon you to linger. The service too, is superior: efficient, but with that characteristic Island charm.

If ever you find yourself in Charlottetown, be sure to visit Leonhard's Cafe and Bakery, 42 University Ave.

(mmmm.... this is the Vanilla Roll that I enjoyed with my latte during my last visit. It was transcendental!)