DIY Palm Tree Mani

Hey guys! I've got a good one for you today, that is if you're into nail art and tropical prints! And who isn't, amirite? Special bonus, this palm tree mani diy is actually pretty easy to do yourself - no need to pay a premium at the salon. And you don't need any special painting skills - if you can write your name with a pen I bet you can draw some palm trees that look amazing on your nails. So let's get to it!

Here's what you'll need:

• Base coat. I use Sally Hansen Miracle Cure
• Nail color. I used Essie Full Steam Ahead
• Clear top coat
• Sally Hansen I <3 Nail Art pen in Black, Fine (I found mine at Target for about $5)

Start with clean, painted nails: 1 coat of the base coat + 2 coats of nail color, and let dry thoroughly. Shake up the pen according to the directions and get it flowing on a scrap of paper. For one palm tree: draw one long line for the trunk. Add 4-5 small arcs coming out of the top of the tree. Draw small vertical lines under each arc to make the palm fronds. Repeat on all or just a few of your nails. Finish with a clear top coat and let the compliments start rolling in!!



These trees are painterly and somewhat free-form, so don't worry about trying to be perfect! I painted palms on both of my hands and didn't have any trouble painting them on with my non-dominant hand. Practice a bit on a piece of paper, or have a friend help you out if you're having trouble.

I hope you'll give this mani a try! This nail polish pen is seriously a game-changer! I can't wait to try some other designs.

P.S. Love nail art? Check out my gold leaf and heart manicures from the archives!

For the Love of Pink Flamingos

The world got some sad news this week with the passing of Don Featherstone, the inventor of the iconic pink flamingo lawn ornament. To commemorate his unforgettable contribution to mid-century kitsch I did a little round up of cool pink flamingo products that will add some feathered flair to your sofa, pool, tabletop, or feet!

1. Pillow from Zazzle
2. Pool float (so cute!) from Sunnylife
3. Glass from Ikea
4. What the Flock? card by Vitamini
5. Must have 10 Piece set from Home Depot
6. Flamingo Print Vans (love!!)


Have a great weekend, friends!

P.S. 4th of July is coming up fast! Check out this red, white & blue flower headband project.

DIY Modern Staghorn Fern

Hey, did I tell you guys I love plants? I've been on the hunt (ha!) for a staghorn fern for a few years, so I was thrilled when I came across some for sale at a orchid show I attended a couple weeks ago. Staghorn ferns are named for their resemblance to, well, the horns of a stag. They're epiphytes, which means they naturally attach themselves and grow on the trunks and branches of other trees and shrubs. They can also be attached to other vertical surfaces and hung on the wall. They're really cool plants! When I originally picked mine up I planned to mount it to a slab of weathered wood, but I changed my mind and decided instead to attach it to a piece of wire metal mesh. The clean lines of the metal combined with the leafy, organic form of the fern really gives it a modern look. It would look great hanging inside or outside!

Here's what you'll need to make a modern hanging staghorn fern of your own:

• Staghorn Fern. I bought mine at a local orchid show, but you can find them online and in specialty nurseries.
• Sheet Moss
• Monofilament or fishing line (I used clear beading line from my mobile project)
• Hooks and/or spacers for hanging on the wall. My wire panel has loops on the sides that would prevent it from hanging flush against the wall - that is good! If your panel is flat it would be best to hang it 1/2" or so away from the wall so the moisture doesn't affect it. Try using pegboard spacers for the installation.
• Metal grid. Repurposed (I always see these at the thrift shop) or you can buy and paint a piece of wire mesh from the hardware store. Mine was a divider for my puppy's crate!  
• Scissors

Cut a few pieces of moss and dampen in a bowl of water. Lay the metal panel on your work surface and create a little "nest" shape where you want the fern to go. Make it thicker on the side that will become the bottom when it's standing up. Remove the pot from the fern, remove any loose soil, and loosen the root ball. Don't be afraid to use a little muscle loosening the roots. Set the fern in the moss nest.



Cut another piece of moss to go over all of the exposed soil. I was able to do this with one piece, but use more if you need to fill in any open areas. Bundle the moss around the roots, covering up any exposed soil.



Cut a length of the monofilament, about 3' long. Tie the end to the wire mesh next to the edge of the plant. Pull the line directly across the plant, making sure to go under all of the leaves (so it only makes contact with the moss) and loop on the other side. Repeat, looping back and forth until the entire base of the fern is securely attached to the wire grid. Tie off the end. Tuck additional bits of moss around any visible monofilment if you'd like, to help conceal it.



Screw in a two hooks on the wall and hang, or just lean it against a wall. If placing it outside, it will do best in a bright area with no direct sunlight. Morning sun is ok, but it will burn in direct afternoon sun. Bring inside during the colder months to avoid frost. It also likes humidity so place it near a water source like a pond, or hang it in the bathroom when you shower. Give it a soak once a week or when the soil and moss feel dry.



I can't wait for this guy to grow! Do you have any experience with staghorn ferns? Aren't they cool?

Friday Finds 6.19.15

photo via Instagram

Happy Friday!! I planned to share a craft project roundup today but my laptop was not cooperating last night. It's been a long week, so I decided not to fight it. I have a list of fun links instead, today!

• I just debuted a new fabric print (above)! The Vintage Lawn Chair fabric is available in three different colorways, black and white, aqua and white, and multi (above). Each chair is hand drawn and is based on classic, retro lawn chairs. It reminds me of summer cook-outs in the backyard. You can find all three options in my shop!
• Adorable cactus pincushions - I need to make one! 
• Speaking of cacti, these paintings (yes, paintings) are incredible. 
• I love this super-simple diy ring holder.
• Also, this clever wood planter. 
• Did you hear? Etsy just started a crowd funding pilot program.
• Adorable is right. (They're looking for these guys right in my backyard!)
• I have a big stack of fabrics that I'm excited to start sewing with. I started collecting pins of patterns in my sewing and fabrics Pinterest board but I haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet. Are there any clothing patterns out there that you love and recommend? I'm thinking simple shirt dresses and pencil skirts...

Have a great weekend! XO

Etsy Meetup in Santa Cruz

Hey guys! I'm just popping in to let you know about this event tomorrow. If you're an Etsy seller (or even thinking about setting up shop) and you can make it to Santa Cruz you should totally come to this Meetup! It's sponsored by Etsy and Santa Cruz County and organized by the Central Coast Small Business Development Center (the same folks who host the Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship course that I've been teaching). I'll be there to do a short talk and shop critique and there will be others presenting as well. It's bound to be a great time to do some networking and meet other local creatives. Click here for more info!

P.S. Photo above from my marbled paper tray diy.

DIY Origami Gemstone

Simple projects are the best, and it doesn't get much simpler than a one material project, amirite? All you need to make one of these origami gemstones is a few sheets of metallic origami paper. This piece is made with 6 identical folded shapes that fit together, called modular origami. The steps and folds on this model are simple and the result is a pretty, faceted piece with lots of dimension. It's a quick and easy piece that looks really complex when it's finished. Not a lot of work for a lot of impact!

Here's what you'll need:

• 6 sheets of metallic origami paper 2 times as long as wide. Mine were 4" x 2"

So let's get to it! Starting with the paper face down on the table, fold the upper right corner down to the center point of the rectangle. Repeat on the left. Fold the lower right flap up to the center point, repeat on the left. Fold each of these free flaps down to the center. Gently spread out the folds. Repeat these steps with the 5 other sheets.

When you have all 6 pieces folded, it's time for the assembly. Tuck one triangular flap into the flap of another. Join these two pieces with one more, tucking the triangular flaps into the piece next to it. Once the first three pieces are joined, repeat these steps with two additional pieces, and then finally join with the last free piece to create the completed shape.



Pretty, right? I love how the metallic paper reflects the angles inside and outside. I think these would look pretty strung onto a garland or hanging vertically in front of a window. I hope you'll try to make one yourself!

P.S. Check out my other origami tutorials.

Jerry and Elaine in an Aston Martin

I just checked, and the last time I shared a "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee" video was over 3 years ago. Wow! If you haven't heard of this series, Jerry Seinfeld picks up funny people in cool cars and they get coffee. Great combination, no? I just watched this one with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and was smiling the entire time. Check it out! I think it'll brighten your day, too.

DIY Easy Gluten Free Dog Biscuits & Happy Birthday to Baci!

It's a special day! Today my sweet little puppy turns into a big girl, she's 1 year old! I'm not sure exactly where she came from (shelter puppy), but I'm grateful every day that she found her way into my life. And I'm happy to celebrate her big day today! So let's make some treats, shall we?

She is always ravenous (I think it's a dachshund thing) so I decided to make her some special treats for her birthday. I researched a bunch of different recipes before making this one up on my own. I wanted the ingredients to be simple, healthy, and gluten free, since some of her doggy friends have food allergies. Baci loved them and so did all of the other dogs who tried them - a Queensland Heeler mix, Poddle mix, and a finicky Jack Russel Terrier. I'd say that's a success!

Here's the recipe for easy gluten-free dog treats:

• 1 3/4 - 2 cups old fashioned oats or oat flour
• 1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter
• 1 cup canned sweet potato or pumpkin

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

If you're using oats (like I did), chop them in a food processor, 1/2 cup at a time until it's chopped into a fine meal. If you have oat flour, skip this step!

In a bowl, blend the peanut butter and sweet potato until mixed. Add the oat flour to the mixture 1/2 cup at a time, until the mixture forms a ball of dough. The amount of flour required will depend on the consistency of the peanut butter. I used close to 2 cups with this batch. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about an hour, or until chilled.

Roll out dough between two sheets of wax or parchment paper, to about 1/4" thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters. To make the paw print design, press a finger tip into the bottom center of each cookie, and add smaller impressions over it for the toes. Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes or until slightly browned.

The biscuits will have a soft, cookie-like texture. Easy to chew and delicious to munch on, apparently! I tried one myself and wasn't that impressed, so make sure to have something tasty around for you to snack on. These smelled amazing while they were baking and really it made me hungry! 

Store in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. I split my batch in half and stored the rest in the freezer to defrost for later.

I hope you'll try this easy recipe! I love knowing exactly what's in these treats and it's just a bonus that they were so inexpensive to make.

P.S. Speaking of treats, these are great for humans, and also really easy to make. Mmmm.