Creature Comforts - daily inspiration, style, d.i.y. projects + freebies

Creature of Comfort: Livy of A Field Journal

{Livy's Inspirations} 1. Judy Garland sings The Joint is Really Jumpin' down at Carnegie Hall from the 1943 film, Thousands Cheer
 2. Brooke Reynolds designs for oliver + s; they remind me of vintage pattern envelopes! 3. Reproduction of the circa 1960s Diana Dreamer Camera 4. 1940s Industrial Fan from Poetic Home, Photo by Grace.

Please welcome this week's Creature of Comfort, Livy of A Field Journal blog.  I just love Livy's perspective and all the beauty she shares on her blog (an through her work).  Sit with me for a moment and be inspired...

{Q+A with Livy}

What is one thing that never fails to inspire you?
School. If there's one thing to be thankful for as a history and art history double major, it's the continual scope for the imagination supplied by my studies. There never seems to be an end of visual inspiration - just last week, the paintings of Jacques Louis David, the solemn yet storybook-ish qualities of German Romanticism, the early days of Hollywood, the turn of the century Gibson Girl.

How are you currently incorporating your inspirations into your blog/designs/art?
I suppose my flair for the old fashioned runs deep, it's why I study history and it naturally finds its way into whatever I do, whether it's a Victorian style sketch or a post about the nineteen forties. I'm currently planning a re-launch of my Etsy shop, with more history inspired designs. I'm especially influenced by early to mid 20th century America and the revolutionary period of the 18th century.

What is your favorite indulgence?
Midnight baking. Occasionally my roommate and I make a late night batch of chocolate chip cookies, sit back in our cheery yellow ice cream parlor chairs and wait for our (slightly dysfunctional) '50s oven to warm up the room. Indulging is forgetting about work, school and life's decisions, in favor of sweets, laughter and conversation.

What are three creature comforts you can't live without?
In late November what comes to mind are all things warm and cozy: my fluffy white down comforter, homemade hot chocolate, the pink patchwork quilt on the sofa and cream-colored cable knit scarves.

Do you have a personal motto or words that you live by (quotes and song lyrics are fine too)?
"You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative..."
Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters released a song late in 1944 called Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive. Every time I hear it's opening lyrics I can't help but feel brighter and most of all thankful that my complaints in life are really quite petty.

Thank you so much for sharing more about yourself and your wonderful inspirations with us Livy!  Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Visit Livy at: A Field Journal * Natural Historie Shop * Flickr

Grateful...

Hand lettering by Sarah Gardner.  Also available as a print in her shop.

Today is Thanksgiving and I'm taking the day off to count my blessings.  Even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving where you are, perhaps you'll still join me in a moment of gratitude for this beautiful life we live and all its crazy, wierd, and wonderful splendor).

Giveaway Time

Hello lovelies!  I just wanted to let you know that I'll be away from the computer tomorrow while I celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.  I'm not leaving you empty handed however... because it's time for another great giveaway.  Yay!

Creature Comforts' sponsor The Fat Finch is generously offering this amazing porcelain White Owl Lamp to one lucky winner!  I nearly fell out of my seat when Roberta wrote and asked if I thought you guys would like a chance to win it.  Would you?!!!  I don't know about you all, but I'm in looooove!  This fabulous prize is valued at $139!

Here's how you can enter to win:

• Visit The Fat Finch between now and December 1st and join their email list (found at the bottom of their homepage).
• Next week Roberta will select one lucky winner from all the sign-ups and I'll announce the winner here.
• The winner will be contacted using the email address provided while signing up at The Fat Finch, so be sure that it is accurate.

The Fat Finch is also offering Free Shipping on all orders made by Creature Comfort's readers between now and December 10th.  Just enter promo code "CComfort" at checkout to redeem.

Good luck!
Have a fabulous Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate.

Tea + Talk Time

Grab a cup o' tea and head over to Melissa Loves for our Tea + Talk interview with the lovely Lisa Solomon.

New on Nesting

My first house tour is up on Cookie Magazine's Nesting Blog today.  I hope you'll stop on over for a little visit.

Free Printable Doily Napkin Bands & More

Hello lovelies!  Since Thanksgiving's coming up (tomorrow here in the States), I thought it would be a nice time to create a little freebie for you all to enjoy.

With the dinner table in mind I fashioned these simple little Printable Napkin Bands as well as some little doily inspired extras that can be printed and then hung like a mobile, strung in a row to create a garland, or even used as gift tags.

The napkin bands print 6 to a sheet in two different variations (one with a blank oval for writing a name and another with only the doily pattern).  They can be trimmed to fit your napkins and sealed in the back with double-sided tape.  The doily mobile/garland prints one large and one small doily per sheet.

I like to use premium quality heavy-weight paper for projects like these, but standard card stock would would also work.

Download Free-doily-napkin-bands

Download Free-doily-mobile-garland

Please feel free to pass these along to friends and family.  All my freebies are intended for non-commercial use.  Enjoy!

{cloth napkin image from flag and banner}

Inspiration Daily: 11. 26. 08

du vent dans les cheveux by DelphineR2M

One Good Thing

You must stop over to the new Holiday Shop of photographer Jenifer Altman.  You will not be disappointed.

Web Help: Creating a Basic Animated Ad

It wasn't until just a little bit ago that I learned how to create a basic animated ad in Photoshop.  Before that I was completely baffled and frustrated by the entire concept.  I'm not an expert by any means, but I receive a lot of emails requesting help on how to put one together, so I've created a little tutorial that I hope will be of use to some of you.  It may seem long and complicated at first, but once you create your own you will see how simple it really is.

I know that this content will only be of interest to some of you... my apologies!

Chic for Cheap: Thanksgiving with Family

Wild Strawberries Earrings (by me) at Wren & Chickadee * Belle Tote by Christy Studio * First Edition Fleece in Grey at American Eagle * Mia Slub Tee at Delias * 77 Straight Jeans in antique destroyed wash also from American Eagle * Converse Ox in black also at Delias

Melissa and I decided that with Thanksgiving coming up in just a couple of days that today we would create our chic for cheap looks based off of what we'll be wearing to dinner with our families on Thursday.  It would be fun to say that I'm getting all glammed up, but the truth is that I love holidays with my family because I don't have to.  I just go as my casual relaxed self... and it's perfect!  I featured my earrings (for example - shameless self-promotion aside) because I really will be wearing them.  I may trade out my Chucks for a pair of flats depending on my mood Thursday morning, but other than that this look is pretty much what I'll be wearing.

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, what chic and cheap outfit will you be wearing?  Show us by putting a look together with Polyvore (or your own editing software) and leave a link to your ensemble in the comments section below.

Don't forget to check out Melissa's chic look right here.

Inspiration Daily: 11. 25. 08

"Higher, Daddy! Higher!" by Mikaela Matthews

(Photo Border by wwitch22)

Frankie 2009 Calendar

I just spotted this amazing calendar over on Catherine Campbell's flickr album (my folk lover).  The calendar was created using art from 12 different artists (most of them are on my top picks lists) and is printed and sold through frankie magazine.  Australian buyers can purchase right here... International customers will need to contact the magazine for details. Love it!

Inspired Spaces

* kitchenwall by camilla engman  *  1pm by Julia Stotz  *

* Untitled by Lobster and Swan * On My Shelf by BisyBackson *

Umbrella...ella ella

Check out the wonderful selection of umbrellas in this lovely shop: Umbrellas  I never knew that a person could need more than one umbrella at a time... but I'm pretty sure that I could easily sport 3 or more of these at a time.  I love them all too much to pick only one.   Just call me crazy umbrella girl.  : )

And the Winners Are...

It's time to announce the two winners for the Delight.com giveaway!  Thank you all for playing along.  There will be a new giveaway coming up soon... so stay tuned for that.

And now... Congratulations Lisa Z. and Kelly W.!  I will be contacting you later today to confirm your win.
Thanks again to Delight.com for providing two such awesome prizes!

Inspiration Daily: 11. 24. 08

Alex & Cocco - Commercial Advertising & Fine Art Photographer

(Photo Border by wwitch22)

Creature of Comfort: Marichelle of Heart Handmade

{Marichelle's inspirations} 1. Charlotte Gainsbourg: I love her style. image source.  2. I just moved into a new house so I'm currently obsessed with anything home related. Our budget for new furniture is non existent so I've been hitting the yard sales on a weekly basis and Knack Studios inspires me to no end! Domino magazine and their latest book are my new best friends. I'm a bit challenged when it comes to decorating, without them I would be lost.  3. A recent trip to Tuscany inspired me to start making pasta at home. It's really easy, anyone can do it. Here's one of my favorite recipes to make - Handrolled Pici with with Meat Ragù.

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Hello again lovelies!  Today I am so happy to have the chance to share a few of the current inspirations (and a mini interview) of one of the sweetest bloggers around: Marichelle of Heart Handmade.  Marichelle was inspired to start her blog after experiencing frustration with getting her own handmade work recognized within the marketplace.  Instead of making it all about her... she used that initial frustration and turned Heart Handmade into a wonderful haven for hand-crafters and those who love handcrafted wares.  I really admire her positive spirit and tenacity!  Through it all she has created something wonderful and positive in Heart Handmade.  If you haven't already been by for a visit... be sure to do so now.

{Q+A with Marichelle}

-What is one thing that never fails to inspire you?
The amount of time I have to read my favorite blogs or discover new ones has significantly decreased this year, but I always make it a point to set a side a couple of hours a week and take breaks during a busy blogday to catch up w/ my faves & get inspired.

-How are you currently incorporating your inspirations into your blog/designs/art?
I'm so happy to have "met" fellow bloggers who have been so supportive of my journey - I'm sure you guys know who you are.  I'm constantly amazed by your innovation, passion and the lack of sleep that's apparent in everything you do!  But most importantly, you've taught me about being courteous and the true meaning of camaraderie.  Women get such a bad rap, cat fights, over sensitive, misreading between the lines, but you are proof of the exact opposite.  You have been so supportive of me and Heart Handmade from the very beginning.  Whether it's providing answers to my endless advertising questions, helping me promote a new idea, giving me harsh but sound advice or simply being there when I have a rant to share... you ALWAYS take the time out of your busy days to respond.  Being courteous is something that I constantly strive to be.  I'm not always perfect at it, but I do try my very very best to extend the same courtesy to others that you've shown me.

What is your favorite indulgence?
Currently... Savor Soap (thanks to RJ who put me on to it!) + Bacon + fresh flowers.

-What are three creature comforts you can't live without?
My laptop, dessert - I have such a sweet tooth and must always have something sweet to top off a meal and my boyfriend's tea. I know it's just a bag of PG Tips, hot water, milk and sugar but the man's cuppa can't be rivaled.

-Do you have a personal motto or words that you live by (quotes and song lyrics are fine too)?
It's not so much a motto or saying but a guideline that I like to live by... I try to live passionately, meaning everything I do I do wholeheartedly and if the passion starts to go then I move on to the next thing that I can pour my heart into. I believe that life is way too short, so why not make the most out of it!

You can find more from Marichelle:

{Heart Handmade}. {Lifeflix} . {FLICKR}

Thank you for sharing a lovely glimpse of your life with us today Marichelle!  Have a gorgeous weekend everyone!  I'll see you all here on Monday!

Gift Guide: Top Picks from CC Sponsors #3

Happy Friday lovelies!  This will be the last batch of my sponsor spotlight gift guides for the week.  Next week there will be a few Thanksgiving related goodies, and then it will be full steam ahead with my top selections for holiday gift giving.  Fun!
But first... we have a fabulous mini interview and some inspirations from one of blogland's sweetest bloggers up next.  Don't miss it.

1. Give Wildflowers - Just Another Day

2. Give Arts & Crafts - Uppercase

3. Give Originality - Paraphernalia {Receive 10% off your order when you use code "YAYCC"}

4. Give Tweet Dreams - Mykonos

5. Give Sparkle - Fuss Jewelry

6. Give Kindness - Acts of Kindness

7. Give Charm - Wiyomu

Inspiration Daily: 11. 21. 08

Japanese Cranberries by Jenna Coray

(Photo Border by wwitch22)

Gift Guide: Top Picks from CC Sponsors #2

It took me a little bit longer than expected, but as promised, here is the next installment of my favorite gift giving picks from my lovely sponsors.  One more batch will be coming up tomorrow.

1. Give A Perfect Pair - Lollipop Pottery {Receive 20% on your purchase with code "Creature Comforts" Expires 12/1/08}
2. Give Cleanliness - Indie Fixx
3. Give Silk - GilBea
4. Give Roses - Vol25

5. Give Impressively - Sycamore Street Press

6. Get Inspired - Design For Mankind blog

7. Give Variety - Modish Marketplace

8. Give Indie - Vintage Indie Market

9. Give Light - Tryst 

10. Give Flowers - LoungeLuxe

11. Find Shoes - Twenga

12. Give Nature - Bella-Bijou Jewellery {Take 10% off your order when you use promo code "CCOMF08"}