New items in the shop.

I've got a couple new items in the shop!

First, these MINI Love cork coasters. I had fun styling these shots with Spanish conversation hearts (so cute!). These would be a perfect Valentine's Day gift for the MINI Cooper crazy person in your life!

I've also printed my popular "Hello Mini" design on a new shades colored cards. I'm currently listing these in green, orange, purple, red, blue, and yellow. I love how these came out!

I've also got a new venture in the works: a new Etsy shop featured my retro, mid-century modern designs! I've been thinking about starting this new shop for a long time and I've finally decided to go for it. I have so many sketches and ideas that I've set aside because they do not fit into the "Vitamini" theme, so most of the work is already done for me. I'm slowly starting to refine a few of my sketches and get them ready for screen printing. I'm very excited about this and can't wait to share it with you, so stay tuned!

Get it together.

One of my perpetual new year's resolutions is to get more organized. I think I’ve started off on a good foot;  so far I’ve already re-organized my walk-in closet and dresser drawers and donated a few bags of clothes and various household items to the Salvation Army. Next up is the big task of organizing of my business bookkeeping: IT’S TAX TIME! So, in an effort summon my inner meticulous accountant, I’ve selected a few vintage items from Etsy that would help anyone keep their life (or business) organized.

How cool is this leather ledger from kelleystreetvintage? It is filled with names and wages dated 1906-1908. What a great font!

I have this very same file box as available from DimeStoreVintage. It's great for keeping bills and receipts orderly and I love its retro style.

Check out this bank from bubblepipe. Feed this little guy your coins and save up for your taxes!

This big wire basket would be perfect for storing shipping supplies or out-going packages. From circlecreekhome.

I think this retro lamp from boquet would help me stay on track while I'm crunching numbers.

How cute is this little red accordion file? I guess no one really uses checks anymore, but it would be perfect for reciepts! From theelmsvintage.

I hope you enjoyed my vintage selections. Here's to getting (and staying) organized in 2011!

2010 Wrap-up!

Happy New Year! I can't believe the new year has arrived so quickly. I think the best way to ring in the new year is to wrap up some projects from 2010. First up: my annual gingerbread house. I used this gingerbread recipe from Martha Stewart. I've used Martha's gingerbread recipes in years past and this one seemed to be a bit different. The pieces were very light brown and still had some flexibility to them even after they were baked and cooled. This didn't work well with my elaborate plans to built a house on stilts...the gingerbread was too flexible and the pretzel sticks didn't want to stay put. So I scrapped that idea and continued with my house plans (minus the stilts). Here's how it came out:

My mid-century masterpiece! It had a slanted roof and a red licorice-covered chimney. I used jujubes for the lights on the roof line and strips of gum for the siding. There is a walkway made of sugar babies and mini candy bar landscape boulders. Shredded coconut completes the snowy scene. Overall this house was much larger than last years model, but was just as fun to make!

I have also been meaning to share this adorable faux sugar cookie ornament project that I learned about on one of my favorite blogs, Creature Comforts. The moment I saw these I knew I had to make them for myself. 

 

I used pastel pink, green and blue paints and finished them off with glitter and multi-colored, metallic dragees.  I wrote names on the little ones and used them as gift tags! They came out great and were so much fun to make, so I definitely recommend trying them yourself.

Cheers to a new year of projects!

Things I wouldn’t mind finding in my stocking…

(I’m talking about my Christmas stocking...just thought I’d clarify.)

There are only 4 days left ‘til Christmas, and I’m sure Santa has already done all of his shopping, but if he hasn’t, here are a few suggestions, all from Etsy. 

The porcelain pieces from kimwestad are absolutely stunning.  You can check out a video of her process right here.

I love this vintage fish dish from twostringjane. It would look great on my little entry table.

Mariforssell makes lovely bags, wallets, and cases for things like ipads and iphones. I have a weakness for anything plaid and this little case is no exception. It also looks like it would keep my iphone nice and warm for the winter.

I've had my eye on this little retro tv brooch from VectorCloud for a while. It has a spot for you to add your own photo!

These labradorite stacking rings from KiraFerrer are so pretty I've added them to my favorites twice! They look like they'd be really versatile pieces. I love how the stones seem to change colors. 

The trailer and retro house prints from LeahGiberson are so cool. I'm having a hard time choosing my favorite!

This Moka Express tea towel from mengseldesign is super cute. I think it would really bring the coffee theme in my kitchen full-circle.  :) 

Well, those are my suggestions for the big guy at the North Pole. If he doesn't pull through, I might have to break down and get some of these for myself. I hope Santa brings you everything on your list!

A house of bread and ginger.

Every year, for the past few years, I've made a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve. It's so much fun coming up with a design chosing candy decorations! I've decided to make it a tradition to make a gingerbread house from scratch every year. 



Here is my "MINI Garage" from 2008, complete with gingerbread crumb driveway and snowman.

Here's my retro, mid-century house from last year, complete with sugar windows and color-changing lighted interior! The windows were tricky, but not as difficult as you might think.  I used Juicy Fruit gum for the siding, Junior Mints for the chimney, and Lifesavers and Skittles for the roof. And, of course, there's a MINI in the driveway. I was thinking I'd do something along those lines this year, but I wasn't sure what my "inspiration house" was going to be. Then I saw the cover of the current Sunset Magazine: 



(photo from the Sunset Magazine website) 

I must do something on stilts! My sister, Annie had the idea to use chocolate-covered pretzel sticks for the supports. Sounds effective and delicious! I'm still working on the design sketches, but I'll post project photos here when it's all done. I will begin construction on Thursday, so stay tuned!