Birthday Ideas

My ::gasp!:: 28th birthday is coming up in a little over a month and my father keeps asking me what I want for it. My answer is always "I don't need anything." Which, I really don't.

For Christmas? I wanted a rollingpin and another cookie sheet. Those were perfect gifts, as I can now make gingerbread cookies and all cookies I bake take 1/2 the time, as I don't have to wait for my only cookie sheet to cool repeatedly.

I truly don't know what I need/want for my birthday. First? I won't even be here to celebrate. I am due to be in Michigan for a United Auto Workers Health & Safety Conference the week of my birthday. Note to self: buy snowpants!

So I have been wandering around Etsy.com all morning and finally remembered that a couple years ago, I asked my dad for a few things on my "Favorites" list, and it was AWESOME!

So that is what I'm going to do, compile a list of items that he can pick one or two off of to purchase for me.

So far? I like these: (Click photos for more info!)


I think these birdies would be really awesome above my window in my bedroom. Especially in either nut brown or light brown.


(My first name is "Taina", afterall!)


I love the thimble photo and want it! I already have her photo of thread spools.


I also have always been a fan of HeavenHelpUs's shop. I think it's hysterical. Being that my Etsy shop consists of many sewn things, I think St. Ann, the patroness of seamstresses would be the way to go.



I've always loved Lollibomb's products! She's also a total sweetheart. Now, to choose a scent? That would be difficult. I was thinking either Almond Biscotti or Green Tea/Cucumber.


And last but not least? I REALLY want one of these:

Erin/CocoBoudoir is an amazing hair accessory creator and this one called to me. However, it was a custom order for someone else, so I don't know if she will be making any more. I just contacted her to ask.

So that's my Birthday wishlist! yay. I will have to send the link to this blog entry to my dad and see what he thinks. I definitely don't want all of the items but one or two would rock my socks!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Terrariums - Step By Step!

So you want to make a terrarium?

Here is what you need:

1 small bag of small stones
1 small bag of charcoal
1 small bag of soil
a few tropical plants of your choosing
1 clear glass or plastic jar with wide opening (so you can get your hand in!)

Instructions:


1. Wash your terrarium container with antibacterial soap, rinse well, dry.



2. Layer about 1" of stones at the bottom of your jar.







3. Layer about .5" of charcoal on top of the stones.




4. Place approx. 2-3" of potting soil on top of charcoal.



5. Decide where plants should go in soil.



6. Carefully remove each plant from containers and remove all excess soil off of roots.



7. Plant each plant carefully in terrarium container.



8. Water terrarium, if there is a lid, close it.


Care Instructions:
Water again every 2-3 weeks.
If condensation occurs on a regular basis, keep container open for a few hours to allow for evaporation.


Voila! You've got an awesome terrarium!

Oh...so...DIY!

About a month ago, one of my friends made two of our co-workers terrariums as "thank you" gifts and a week later, Etsy.com featured a seller who makes and sells moss terrariums in really great small jars.

Now those of you who know me know that I am terrible at keeping plants alive. I've successfully kept two hearty cherry tomato plants, three bamboo plants and one aloe plant from dying. Everything else? Has had a terribly short life.

I love greenery, I volunteer at my local community garden, enjoy nature and live by the only primordial forest in all of Manhattan. I would love to be able to have some well-kept plants in my apartment, things that do not need to be tended to frequently.

I looked up books on terrariums on Amazon and found one that comes out on my birthday! I thought it was a sign.

I was originally supposed to go to a "Bon Voyage Bush!" party tonight but my kidneys are acting up again, giving me some pain in my lower back, so I decided to go to The Plant Shed and pick up some soil, gravel, charcoal and small plants. I already have a few empty jars at home.

So I'm off to start my afternoon project! I will take photos and give detailed instructions in the next blog entry!

<3 Always,
--Taina

January 2/10 complete!

Hello Blog! I felt like giving you a little love today.

A couple posts ago, I posted two fabrics I'd ordered from CatyLouQuilts. Well, I made two new makeup bags from the fabrics a couple days ago and finally had a chance to photograph and list them in my shop! Here are the photos:





(As always, click photos for more info!)

I really love the "Quilt Pirates" fabric, it's so fun! The button eyes, stitched nose and mouth and scissor "crossbones"! The aqua color is pretty, too.

I'm off to try to make 3/10 now.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!

So I have no idea if anyone is interested in my New Year's Resolutions, but they go a little something like this:

1. Make at least 10 new items per month for Etsy.
2. Exercise at LEAST 15 mins every day until my birthday (Feb. 24th)
3. No candy for the entire month of January.
4. Buy more things that are handmade and less sweatshop items.
5. Re-apply to grad school.

I think that's pretty much it. I am not good at keeping resolutions for very long, so I figured a month or two and if I want to go longer, great, if not, Jan or Feb is not a daunting completion date. =)

So far the candy thing has worked out really well...except I forgot and ate a cadbury cream egg. eeps! So I will go through Feb. 1st to make up for it. lol.

As for 10 new items each month? I've made two so far and will list them tomorrow but hope to make at least one more tonight.

And the buying more things that are handmade? That isn't hard. Etsy is full of amazing, gorgeous, fun things. I just bought two more hair accessories from VieModerne

Want to see? I am SO excited!


I had been eyeing the one above for a while now, but VieModerne went on vacation, so the minute I got the alert saying she was back from vacation mode, I knew I had to snag it!

And of course, combined shipping is a GREAT reason to buy than one item from a shop, so I bought this one as well:



It takes VieModerne about a week to make items, as they are all made to order, so I hope to get them in two weeks. I am thrilled!

My handmade penpal Nadine sent me this awesome headband a la CoCoBoudoir that I continuously get compliments on:


(Click the above photo for a better photo of the headband)

People at work constantly ask me who made it and where they can get one. Last Friday, MoMA had 22,000 visitors to the Museum. Talk about great advertising! I wish sellers would send me business cards!

There are two guys at work who make fun of me for the "Waldorf orchid" pictured above, One is bald and the other has a very close shave. I told them they are jealous, they've nicknamed me "flower girl". =) Not so bad!

I'm off to sew more!

<3 Always,
--Taina