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

My Big News...Drumroll Please

Hello lovelies!  I am pleased to finally be able to announce my big news...

Yes... that's right!...Creature Comforts has MOVED and can now be found at the URL www.creaturecomfortsblog.com  I hope you'll come on over and see what I've been working on for the past months.  Don't forget to change your RSS feed and links over while you're there.

See you soon!  xox Ez

Psst...this old version will remain online for quite some time but will not be updated with any new content.  All the good stuff will be on the new site.  Head on over now.  : )

Video Tutorial: DIY Twistie-tie Pompom Gift Topper

Hello lovelies!  I hope you'll come on over to the Nice Package blog for our very first video tutorial (we hope to make many more in the near future).  The project is super easy, and I love the finished effect!  Hope you like it too.

xox Ez

Apple Crisp (and a little printable freebie)

After Marichelle and my crazy day at the Brooklyn Flea we decided that a trip to the apple farm was in order (they also have the best apple cider donuts - yes they are as amazing as they sound).  There were so many scrumptious varieties of apples to choose from (my new favorite being the Macouns), and we soon had a basket full to the brim (so heavy).

There isn't much that compares to homemade apple crisp...which always reminds me of celebrations with my family (who I'm missing a lot since our move).  Last  night my daughter and I made this delicious Martha Stewart Apple Crisp recipe and we were quite happy with the results.  Next time I think I'll add some candied pecans to the topping.  Yum!

 

Just for fun I made you all a free download for the "labels" I used on my post photos.  You can print them out on regular or adhesive-backed paper.  They would be great for organization, mailing labels, etc. 

Download Free-printable-labels

Enjoy!  xox Ez

Nice Package Shop Launch

 

Hello sweets!  I'm thrilled to announce that our Nice Package shop is finally live!  Woot!  Woot!

I'd love for you to come on over and check out what we've been busy working on... and maybe you'll pick up a Nice Package of your own while you're there.  xo Ez

Nice Update: 10.13.09

As you may remember from my Friday post, Marichelle and I headed to the Brooklyn Flea this past Saturday for the launch of our Nice Package line!  I'd love for you to stop by our Nice Package blog for a behind the scenes look.  xox Ez

A Very NICE Announcement

Hello lovelies!
First of all, I'd really like to apologize for being SO out of it lately. I know postings have been rather light around here in the past few weeks so I thank you so much for sticking by me...you guys are the best!

I mentioned to you all a few weeks ago, that I've been juggling several "secret" projects. Well today I'm thrilled to finally be able to tell you about one in particular. As some of you may have noticed, my Etsy shops have been on vacation mode since my big move back in July. I'm happy to announce that I'm relaunching my Nice Package shop next week with a couple of new & exciting changes.

 

The first and most exciting part is that my friend Marichelle and I have decided to partner up and go into business together. You might already know Marichelle from her blog, etsy shop, or the post I wrote about her last month...but if not, then let me just tell you that she is full of creativity and working with her is entirely too much fun (from impromptu dance breaks or mannequin poses in front of her window simply to amuse ourselves, to a million other silly kooky things).  Of course in the midst of all the fun we have also been working our tails off to create a unique line of home decor products and packaging supplies that we hope you guys will really love.

We'll be "soft-launching" the line this Saturday at the Brooklyn Flea - Fort Greene (as long as the weather holds out for us). Deb of Bonbon Oiseau has kindly offered to share her space with us. We hadn't planned on finalizing the collection so quickly and to be completely honest, another 6 months of tweaking would've been ideal, but the opportunity came and we couldn't pass it up. So if you're in the Brooklyn/NYC area this Saturday (October 10th) please stop on by to say "hello." We'd love to meet you!

If you can't make it by the Brooklyn Flea, then be sure to keep a lookout for the launch of our shops (etsy and Big Cartel) next week. We also started a blog where we'll be sharing behind-the-scenes pics, lots of DIY and how-to projects with a few bonus freebies of course. Can't wait to see what we've been up to?...come on over right now for a sneak preview!  xox Ez

Apple Picking and Free Printable Apples Stationery Set

Hello lovely ones!  This past weekend Marichelle, Hillsy (her boyfriend), my daughter and I piled into the car for a trip to Melick's Town Farm where we picked apples until we could pick no more (or at least until poor Hillsy could carry no more)!  I have so many happy memories involving picking apples throughout my lifetime that the activity actually ranks as one of my top 10 favorite things to do...ever!  Needless to say, the day was a blast!

In any event, I've decided to celebrate my weekend activity by giving you all this free download for the Green Apple Printable Stationery Set that I used to sell in my shop.  (You may recognize the apple shape from this freebie that I put together a while back).  There are so many things you could use this set for and I hope you will have fun with it.

•  Download Green apple stationery set

The set includes:

• 2 note flats
• 2 folded cards
• 2 gift tags
• 1 stationery sheet

Since this was previously offered for sale in my etsy shop, I hope you'll ignore the text included on the PDF that pertains to that.  Enjoy and please feel free to link here if you'd like to share this project on your blog or site!  Sharing is caring.

©Wren & Chickadee  For non-commercial use only.  Altering the file does not void the copyright.  Thanks for understanding.

Fancy This: Photos from Marichelle's Yard

Hello lovelies!  As promised I'm back with some of the photos that I took in Marichelle's yard earlier this week.  Taking photos is (almost always) incredibly relaxing and energizing for me, so it was nice to have the chance to pull my camera out again and capture a few little glimpses of the beauty of this area.  New Jersey's plant life is incredible... I guess it isn't called the "The Garden State" for nothing!

This a random vine that is growing across one of Marichelle's fences.  Does anyone recognize it?  I'd love to know what it's called.

A pretty Echinacea flower that Marichelle planted, and some fancy grass that I can't remember the name of.  Clearly I am not a plant expert...just an admirer.

A bright and cherry little rose bush greets you near Marichelle's front door.  Also welcoming you up the front walkway are two beautiful Hydrangea trees.  Gorgeous!

An eggplant!  Can you believe Marichelle grew this herself...and claims to have no prior gardening experience!  As someone who can't even keep a cactus alive, I'm awestruck!

Thanks everyone for letting me share a few of my photos with you today...and thanks again Marichelle for letting me bumble my way around your beautiful yard!  I had so much fun!  xox Ez

Happy Birthday Creature Comforts + a freebie

Hello lovelies!  Today I'm celebrating because yesterday was Creature Comforts' 2nd birthday!  What a great second year it has been...and I owe every bit of joy, inspiration, and fun to all of you who have made blogging such a wonderful part of my life.  Thank you for the love and encouragement you've shown me.  I adore each one of you more than I can express!

As a little "party favor" I've created a super special printable stationery set for you all to download and enjoy.  I think it's my most favorite freebie yet, and I hope you'll love it too.

Downloads include:

• 2 folded note cards - they can also be cut in half for use as note flats or post cards (1 petal + 1 linen)
• 2 printable letter sheets (1 petal + 1 linen)
• assorted labels and stickers - COMING TOMORROW

• Download Free-lace-notecards
• Download Free-lace-letter-sheets

Enjoy!  xox Ez

Creature Comforts in Déco Idées Magazine

Today started out with some wonderful emails in my inbox...one of which was from Anneleen of Actief Wonen kindly informing me that Creature Comforts can be found in the latest issue of Déco Idées Magazine.  What an honor!  I'm so excited to see my little blog featured in such a beautiful publication right along side some of my favorite fellow bloggers.  Hurray!

Mini Obsession: Little Stars and a Printable Freebie

Today I'm having a mini obsession with stars...sparkly, pretty, perfect little stars.

• Photo by The Cherry Blossom Girl
• Ridge Heels by Betsey Johnson - Zappos
• Planetary Star Hoop Earrings - By Boe

And now here's a random little story for you lovelies...

Remember when you were a kid and your teacher would place a little golden star sticker on your paper for a job well done?  Well, I didn't get a lot of gold stars in my younger years.  I mean I always tried my hardest, but was an easily distracted child and I'm sure it showed in my work.  In any case, I decided that I really had earned the gold stars that everyone else was getting but I wasn't...so I started to steal them from my teacher's desk (bad, I know).  Each day I would go home with my shiny little star tucked away in my pocket and first thing in the door at home I'd race into the bathroom where I would stick my little pilfered treasure in a pattern on the glass (along with all the other stolen stickers). I don't know how long this went on for, but one day my mom said something to me that stopped me dead in my tracks: "Your teacher is coming over for dinner tonight."  Oh how my poor little heart somersaulted in my chest!  I immediately set to work peeling, scratching, and scrapping off as many stickers from the bathroom mirror as I possibly could.  I don't remember if I got them all off or not, and hindsight I'm sure Miss Wendy would have thought nothing of my sticker collection.  But to me it was like Edgar Allan Poe's, The Tell-Tale Heart...and I just knew for certain that I would be found out.

My mom still has the mirror...and it makes me smile every time I think of how it looked covered with stolen golden stars.  : )

And now, even though it's cutesy and probably doesn't fit with the rest of my starry picks above, I made you all a little printable freebie that I hope you'll enjoy.  My daughter suggested the smiling moon idea, and I think he turned out pretty cute.  The PDF includes two designs per sheet.  One is meant to be printed as a mini dream journal cover (simply print | cut out | insert scrap paper inside | staple or sew along the fold) and the other is for use as a card (or notebook). 

• Download Free-card-and-journal

You can find more freebies, downloads and tutorials from past posts right here.  Enjoy!  xox Ez

An Interview on Paper Cakes Finds

Chelsea from the lovely Paper Cakes Finds recently invited me to be interviewed on her blog.  If you haven't been by Paper Cakes Finds before you are going to want to bookmark it for sure.  Take a look at her fun questions and my answers right here.  Thanks again Chelsea!  xox Ez

Two Good Things

Hello lovelies!
For those of you who didn't hear the news on Twitter earlier today, I'm super excited to share with you that my banner has been selected as a finalist for The Crafts Dept. banner design contest.  If you like my design I'd love for you to stop over and put a vote in for me!  My banner is Option 3.  If I win I'll receive a copy of Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts (which I would love) and the honor of having my design on The Crafts Dept. blog!

Also, in case you missed it... today is the last day for you to take advantage of my shop sale before I close up for the summer.  My mini prints in particular make wonderful gifts... and every print purchase comes wrapped in a glassine bag and tied up with a length of baker's twine.  You can read more details here and visit my shop here.

xox Ez

Memorial Day / Moving Sale

Hello lovelies!  As promised I'm having a big sale in my shop today in anticipation for my move (I'll be closing up shop until late July - early August).  For today and tomorrow (May 25-26), when you purchase a photographic print or mini print set...you get 1 individual mini print free!  If you buy 2 prints or mini print sets, you get 2 free mini prints (and so on).  All you have to do to redeem is tell me which mini print(s) you'd like to receive with your order, in the notes to seller box at checkout!

New prints have just been added!  Stock up now while my shop's still open!  I may be a little bit biased, but I think my mini prints make wonderful gifts.  Every order comes packaged in a pretty glassine envelope (with exception to the 8x10 prints, which are packaged in cellophane bags) and is tied up with baker's twine.  They are perfect for graduates, teachers, or for tucking inside snail mail correspondence to your friends and loved ones!

Thanks in advance for your support... every little penny will help to make our move go smoother!  xox Ez

Memorial Day / Moving Sale

Hello lovelies!  As promised I am having a Memorial Day / Moving sale in my shop before I close up for my upcoming move (I'll be closed until late July or early August).  I'll be running the sale all the way through tomorrow, so you have two days to take advantage!  The storewide offer is: buy a full-sized print OR mini print set - get 1 mini print free!  If you buy 2 prints or mini print sets, you'll get 2 free mini prints (and so on)!  I've also just added several brand new prints to the shop, so if you haven't stopped by for a while, be sure to check those out.  Thanks in advance for your support!  Every little penny will help with our move.

Psst... I might be biased, but I think that my mini prints would make a wonderful gift for a graduate or teacher...they are also perfect for tucking inside snailmail letters to your friends and loved ones!  xox Ez

An Interview on YellowGoat

{image collage by Petula}
Hello sweets!  I'm busy busy today, but I wanted to pop in a let you all know that Petula of YellowGoat has put together a fun interview with me on her lovely blog.  There is even a truly awful photo of me on there that is good for a laugh or two...you know you want to see that!
Stop on over and read (and see) it all right here.  Thanks Petula for inviting me to share more about myself on your wonderful blog!  xo Ez

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!  You have filled my life with so much beauty and joy!  I love you for always and forever!

An Interview on Things of Beauty

{image by Evie}

Hello lovelies!  Sorry this is such a late post, but I've been scrambling to catch up on work, emails and such today and finally have a free moment.  If you'd like, please pop on over to Evie's gorgeous blog Things of Beauty, where you will find a wee interview about me.  It was so sweet of Evie to invite me to be a part of her lovely Creative Mom series and I really enjoyed answering her questions.  I hope you'll like reading it.  : )

More posts coming tomorrow... I promise!
xox
Ez

Home: An Interview + A Big Announcement

Today you can find me sharing a bit about what I feel makes a house a home on the lovely Home & Garden Buzz blog.  I hope you'll stop by to read the interview.  Thanks Shari for inviting me to be a part of your lovely blog!

This also seems like the perfect time to announce some big news to you all...
Coming this Summer my daughter and I will be packing up our home and moving from California to New Jersey!  We are so excited to be moving to a place filled with all sorts of wonderful friends and creative talents (with any luck I'll live right down the street from Melissa and Marichelle).  I plan to keep Creature Comforts running as smoothly as possible in the process of packing and moving.  Let me know if you have any great tips for keeping organized during a move and please wish us luck.  xox Ez

My Friends Favs Feature at Paper n Stitch

Last month Brittni (of Paper n Stitch) surprised me with an invitation to be May's guest curator for her FriendsFavs feature.  Of course I said "yes," and got right to browsing through the fabulous assortment of treasures on her site.  It was hard not to pick every single thing, but I finally narrowed it down to 20 of my most favorite goodies.  Pop on over for a visit and take a closer look at my picks... you know you want to!

A big thanks to Brittni for inviting me to be a part of her beautiful site!  xo Ez