Sometimes I get obsessed with an idea and have to try it immediately. I found this tutorial on scratch-off paint via Pinterest and thought it would make super sweet Valentine's cards. I researched a few other tutorials and was confident that I came up with the easiest way to do it. It did not go well. Exhibit A - the paint got lumpy and despite 10 layers, it did not cover the hidden message (I was going for cheap laughs and had "Clean your room" on one of them for K): Exhibit B - the ... Read more

Our little felt menagerie keeps growing. You'll remember Bob and Rose; Li'l Fox and Baby Bear followed shortly after. They are now joined by the bunny twins, Kumo (Cloud) and Taiyou (Sun). I was relieved that K came up with such clever Japanese names - perhaps she sensed my imploring look and mental pleadings of "don't name them bunny 1 and bunny 2 or white bunny and grey bunny"... I am staying true to my Valentine's theme and in case you're wondering, they are bunny-cupid-babies. Or ... Read more

Today, I have a little DIY for you: plantable valentine's arrows! In some ways, I feel like "Slap a heart on it" ends up summing up Valentine's Day items, but I am a self-professed lover of hearts. Have you seen my logo up there at the top of this page? It's actually a stamp that a friend made for me when I lived in Japan. It's one of my most prized possessions. She carved my name into stone in the style of a traditional Japanese stamp called inkan. I was so excited when she included that heart. ... Read more

Sometimes, a product can change your life. I've had quite a few of those life-altering moments with the Magic Eraser, my phone, my camera. However, there is probably no other appliance or gadget in our household with greater impact than our espresso machine. M and I got the Pixie for our wedding anniversary this past September, and I think it's safe to say that coffee has replaced blood in my veins. M doesn't get mentioned as frequently here on this blog, but he is our anchor. A ... Read more

  Every year I vow to make Christmas gifts and for the most part, I would run out of time and end up scrambling to the nearest shopping center in a fit of panic. This go around, I fared a little better. I started planning in October and though I was still burning the midnight oil to get things done, it was a significantly handmade gift-giving season. I made about a hundred bear hats (actually six) in different colors. The cookies and caramels were a hit and will become an ... Read more