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

Valentine Freebie: Iron-on Pillowcase Transfers

Hello lovelies and happy Friday!
I thought it would be fun to leave you all with another Valentine's Day freebie / project so that if you feel inspired, you will have time to make it for your special someone over the weekend.

What is sweeter than loving words to rest your weary heads upon... especially when they spell out something as endearing as "U COMPLETE ME" when placed side by side.  All you  have to do is print the PDF file onto iron-on transfer paper and adhere them to your pillowcases.  Two additional hearts (one large and one small) included with the text file can be ironed onto the reverse or onto anything else that you wish.

You will need:

• Two pillowcases (light colors will work best)
• Iron-on Transfer Paper for light colored fabrics. (tee-shirt transfer paper).  Be sure that it is the correct type for your color printer.  You will need two sheets.
• Color printer
• Scissors
• Iron (no steam)

How to:

Download Free valentine iron-on transfer

1. Print the PDF onto transfer paper.  Cut out carefully around the text, leaving the letters attached with a small amount of the transfer paper (see image one for how I did it).  Be careful not to scratch the surface of your transfer paper while working.  Note: the text will print backwards.  It will read correctly when applied to your pillowcases.
2. Lay your pillowcases out on a flat surface and line the words and letters up on your pillowcases with the paper-backing facing up (be sure that both sides of your text will line up to read correctly once the pillows are in use).  To give yourself an easy guide for lining up the two sections of text simply fold pillowcases in half lengthwise and insert a pin to mark where the center is.
3. A trick for ensuring that your text is straight before ironing, is to fold the lower half of your pillowcase up to the center (where you inserted the pin).  The bottom edge is now a nice straight guideline for you to arrange your words along.  I arranged my letters approximately 2 inches away from the outside edge so that when the pillowcase was stuffed the text would still be visible.  Once everything is straight iron your text following directions for use found inside your iron-on transfer paper packaging.
4. Allow design to cool for 2 minutes before carefully removing the paper backing.  For optimum usability and softness, wash before use.

I had a lot of fun making this for you all and hope you will love it as much as I do.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  xox Ez

Today I Love: affordable art - guys edition

It's time for a few artsy picks for the guys.  I don't shop for men all that often, so please excuse me if I'm way off... but I think these 5 prints from etsy sellers would make great gifts for any art loving fellow (and gals may like 'em too.  I know I do).

{FOR THE FELLAS}

1. Toy Dodge Charger fine art print by Daydream Studios
2. A Deer Wearing Gym Socks - mini print by Charmaine Olivia
3. Bear - limited edition etching (prints also available) by Kristiana Parn
4. Waiting for the Rain original painting by Pretty Little Thieves
5. Oh Deer print by Double Parlour

Inspiration Daily: 01. 30. 09

Untitled by Marika Ryu

PDF - Pretty Darn Fabulous

Okay lovelies... I want to share a little project with you all that I've been working on during my Wednesday crafty days.  Newly added to my wee shop are some fun (and affordable) PDF downloads.  I love PDFs because once you purchase them, they are your to keep and use again and again as often as you wish!
I hope to continue creating new designs over the coming months, and if you have any suggestions of things that you would love to see made in to PDF download I'd love to hear your ideas.

You can see the ones I've created so far right here.
A big thank you also goes out to Gabrieal who was the first person to mention my newest venture on her lovely blog Vintage Indie.
xox  Ez

One Good Thing

Dear non-existent Valentine,

If you were real I would want you to know that I'm swooning over the Double Initial Gold Vermeil Letterpress Necklace by Erika Weiner Jewelry.  You know how I love lettering and such... and with this beauty I could wear our initials around my neck for all time.  How wonderful would that be!

Wishing you were real,  Ez

P.S. On second thought a girl doesn't need a Valentine to be gifted with love.  I think I might just treat myself.  Problem solved.

Currently: Pattern Hunting

 
{PATTERN LOVE}

• Honeycomb Biggie by Mary Meyer at Oak
• Zigzag Rug at West Elm
• Louis the Horse thread-stitched original art by Dare Song
• Tattoo Necklace with Chain by Eninaj
• Giuseppe Zanotti Pumps at Piperlime (not even close to within my price range, but man aren't they gorgeous to look at)!
• Hand Thrown and Slip Decorated Bowl by Lucinda Chips (add this talented lady to your watch list.  Her work is fantastic... I've been obsessing over her candlesticks for ages now).

Hello lovelies!  We're almost to the weekend.  Hurray!  I hope your week has been going well so far. 

This post was in process since last week.  It started out as just a feature of one great item (the rug)... but then I quickly became fascinated with the pattern and went on a hunt for more like it (or similar to it).  Does that happen to you too?  What was the last thing that sparked your interest in the design and style world?  I'd love to know.

xox Ez

Inspiration Daily: 01. 29. 09

Handwritten lettering by Jason Yang

{also on flickr}

Inspired By: Laurie Frankel

Photographer Laurie Frankel

{QUOTE OF THE WEEK}

If you'd like you can click and save this weekly quote as your desktop wallpaper and / or print and hang as a personal reminder (or even send it to a friend).

Inspiration Daily: 01. 28. 09

untitled by Nijunana

Too Good to Pass Up

Oooo... Stewart + Brown is having a 50% sale on all of their dresses!  Less than 24 hours left to get some great deals.  Get your shop on. 

Giveaway Time: Crafty Paper Goods from Elle's Studio

Just in time for Valentine's Day I have a super sweet giveaway for you all to enter.  Elle from Elle's Studio is offering 3 winners any one item of your choice from her shop.  Choose from all sorts of paper goods, from journal tags, to note flats, stamps, and more.  Not the crafty sort?  These would make a great gift for someone who is!

To enter to win:

• Visit Elle's Studio and browse for your favorite item.
• Come back here and tell me (in the comment section of this post) which product you'd like to win and what you'll use it for.
• Be sure to leave your first name AND last initial when commenting or you will not be included in the random drawing next week.
• The giveaway closes Monday, 2-2-09 and the 3 winners will be announced here Tuesday, 2-3-09.

Good luck to you.

Today I Love: ScissorsPaperGlue

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous photographic prints are to be found in the etsy shop ScissorsPaperGlue.  I can't for the life of me pick just one favorite.  See them all right here.

Blushing...

Amy from Pikaland has launched a new interview series on her blog titled Bloggers Q + A... and I'm the first one up.  I'm blushing.  Pop on over if you'd like to read my answers to her queries.
Thanks Amy for the fun opportunity!

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations Emily Hope.  I'll be in touch with you shortly to confirm your win.
Thanks again to Drenched in White for sponsoring this lovely giveaway.  xox Ez

Inspiration Daily: 01. 27. 09

Ellen Page (via Copenhagen Cycle Chic via A Cup of Jo)

Mix + Match Valentine Prints

I'm adoring these beautiful Mix and Match Valentine's Day Prints by Hadley Hutton.  Choose your three favorites from 24 different options...only $30!

Tip: I also have to tell you that I own some of Hadely's work and it is even more wonderful in person.  Such a joy to own and display.

Best Behavior

 
I am utterly and completely smitten with the Best Behavior fashion line that I discovered via TwentyThirtyForty the other day.  I mean wow...love it!  Can't wait to see their Spring 2009 collection too!

xxo Ez

Inpiration Daily: 01. 26. 09

Balloons by Elinkan

Free Printable Valentine Teabag Wrappers + Tags

Hello lovelies!  Hurray, it's Friday!  Do you have any special plans for the weekend?  I'm hoping to finish my daughter's bedroom and restore my house to some semblance of order (everything from her room is currently in our living room), and hopefully there will still be enough time left over to work on another project or two I've been cooking up.  We shall see.

Before I take off for the weekend I wanted to leave you with a fun freebie that I created for you all...Printable Valentine Teabag Wrappers and Tea Tags.  These would be perfect to give to friends and coworkers.  Perhaps you might package up a few in a sweet little teacup and present it as a gift.

There are 4 ways to assemble the teabag wrappers.  The one shown in the tutorial below is the most time involved (stitching by hand) but the results are my favorite.  Other methods would include using tape, glue or a sewing machine.  Pick the method that will work best for you and have fun!

Download Free-valentine-printables

You will need:

• color printer
• standard weight paper
• scissors
• tea bags in the flavors of your choosing (the ones that come with strings and tags attached are best)
• needle
• embroidery or standard thread (I used white, but you can use any color you'd like)
• Pen (for addressing your Valentine and noting the tea flavor)
• For other methods of assembly (noted above) you may need (optional) tape, gluestick, or a sewing machine and thread.

Step-by-step tutorial:

1. Print the wrappers and tags and cut each one out.  Gather your supplies.
2. Carefully remove the paper tag that came on your tea (leaving the string attached).  Thread the string (that is attached to your teabag) through your needle.  Stitch the heart tea tag onto the end of the string using one or two stitches and secure with a knot.  Trim the end of the string if needed.
3. Fold your tea bag wrapper in half and write the tea flavor in the box on the back.  Include your Valentine's name if you'd like.
4. Cut a length of embroidery floss about 38" in length and knot at the end.  Thread onto your needle.  Begin stitching your paper wrapper by inserting the needle into the bottom (folded edge) of your wrapper (with the knot on the inside).  You can use any stitch that is comfortable to you.  I stitched around the edge because I like the effect it gives.
5. Sew up the first side (do not cut the thread).  Wrap the string (attached to your teabag) around your teabag so that the heart sits as shown.
6. Insert your teabag inside your wrapper and then carefully continue stitching until you've sewn all three sides.  Knot at the end.
7. Give as is OR...
8. Present it with a teacup or mug that can be used over and over again.

I hope you enjoyed this little project.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone! xox Ez

Wish List: Xenia Taler Tiles

I'll be painting my kitchen soon, and how I wish I could somehow incorporate a few of these adorable tiles by Xenia Taler into the design.

  Aren't they the sweetest?!!  xox Ez