October 1st means...

decorating for Halloween!!


Okay, perhaps I should revise that by saying "October 1st means you're no longer weird for having your decorations up already". I started decorating last Monday, which isn't really that bad. I'm actually rather proud of myself for waiting that long.

I'm already about 3/4 of the way done decorating but these pumpkins made from construction paper are holding strong in 1st place as my favorite decoration this year. I made them after seeing the tutorial on Martha Stewart's website and couldn't resist making some for my house no matter how juvenile it seemed.

The way the light shines through them in the evenings is so charming!



Halloween is definitely my favorite holiday to decorate for. Have you started yet?
xoxo

Post Title

→

October 1st means...

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-1st-means.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

My perfect Tuesday evening consisted of...

(this post was set to post on Wednesday morning but apparently it decided not to so I'm sharing it today instead!)
prancing around the house in a cute outfit!
(shirt - c/o Glamour Kills Clothing, shorts - thrifted, socks - gift from my mom)

sitting on the deck admiring my pretty flowers who I will sorely miss when winter comes around.

devouring corn on the cob with my best friend.

getting work that's been hanging over my head done! (photographing products is such a chore!)

 and giggling at kitties!!


I love relaxing at home. (I'm a really big homebody in case you haven't already gathered that)

I hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!  
xoxo!!

Post Title

→

My perfect Tuesday evening consisted of...

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-perfect-tuesday-evening-consisted-of.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Hello Sandwich Handmade Stationery Workshop

These little envelopes make my heart go pitter patter and I can only dream to be in Tokyo  this week for Hello Sandwiches' Handmade Stationery Workshop!  They'll be making super cute envelopes (just like these), lined with patterned wax paper and decorated with seals, labels and stamps!  They'll also be making original letter writing sets which can be photocopied for future use and envelope holders with pockets.  Oh Sandwich, can you come here? If you're lucky enough to be there and wish to go, click here for details.  So fun!

Post Title

→

Hello Sandwich Handmade Stationery Workshop

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/08/hello-sandwich-handmade-stationery.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

NEST

I love the idea of a bean bag but have never seriously considered one because of the fabric they are usually made of.  But I love these super soft eco-friendly ones coming out of the Netherlands and a shop called Zilalila. NEST is an extra large cushion, hand knitted by the skilled women of a fair trade production unit in Nepal.  Available through Sukha (out of Amsterdam).  Via Design Mom, Via Handmade Charlotte.

Post Title

→

NEST

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/07/nest.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

New Market! On the Road!

There's a new handmade market launching today – it's our annual "On the Road" themed event at Poppytalk Handmade; think road trips, vacation, camping, swimming, beach and everything summer! Heaps of fun new things (even to us)!  Click here or on any of the images to take you there.


 
 
 
 

Post Title

→

New Market! On the Road!

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/07/new-market-on-road.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Some New Things...

1. If you read the blog in a reader (or are just reeeeally unobservant) The Dainty Squid has kind of a new look, including a new header and lots of white space which I think looks pretty darn awesome and really makes all my colorful photos *pop*!



2. Yesterday I released June's clutch of the month design! A little later than planned (this gorgeous weather is stealing all my time!) but I'm proud to announce Under the Big Top, clutches made from the most perfect vintage red and white striped fabric sewn so it's ruffled and some crisp new cotton. This clutch comes in ten different colorways. Very limited availability. You find them here. I've already got a really good start on July's design so it won't be late, you can expect to see it in late July. (If you'd like to be the first to know, make sure to sign up for the newsletter)



3. I also added a few new triangle pouches to the shop yesterday. I'm pretty much in love. I absolutely adore when completing a batch of things inspires me to start another. I'm want to sew up another hefty batch of triangle pouches in every possible color combination, I'm going to start cutting more today.




That's all! I'll be back a little later with some cute photos!
xoxo

Post Title

→

Some New Things...

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/07/some-new-things.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

New Market: Here Comes the Sun!

With summer officially starting this week we are excited to launch our newest (online) market Here Comes the Sun - a summer-themed exhibition featuring the most amazing summery things we could find online.  This is our 4th year into our summer markets, and our 6th year blogging and we keep finding new and amazing artists and work to showcase!  Click here to visit, the market is updated with fresh things during the entire month long showcase (running June 20th - July 15th/11)!

Post Title

→

New Market: Here Comes the Sun!

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-market-here-comes-sun.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

hive+honey shoppe is now open!

I am so so very excited to announce that the hive+honey shoppe is now open for business! I launched a little bit early with 28 pieces up for grabs! We shot a total of 91 today, with bows to be done tomorrow! I'll add some more in a few days so snag up something pretty if you see what you like! 


Thank you all so very much for giving me the courage to make my little bitty business a possibility! You are all so kind and encouraging! You're exactly the kind of ladies I'd love to see sporting a fascinator from my little shoppe!


Click HERE if you'd like to check out the shoppe so far!

Post Title

→

hive+honey shoppe is now open!

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/06/hivehoney-shoppe-is-now-open.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

What I've been up to lately...

I know I've been mentioning for weeks that I'm going to show you my new designs but didn't. Well, the first time I forgot, the second I was half way through the shop update and wanted to finish before the big blog reveal! So here are some peaks at what I've been working on lately....








The Dainty Squid shop got a total face lift. All my super cutesy fabrics? GONE! Boring white backgrounds? GONE!  It was beyond time for something new. Working for yourself isn't so great when you're not super stoked to go into work everyday. So... commence fabric cupboard dumping and now I'm really excited with where this is heading.

I've been doodling designs in my journal (I actually filled my allotted space for this month and had to tape in new pages!!), jotting down color patterns I think will look great together, hunting for new vintage prints and just generally feeling more inspired than ever!! I feel like I'm on my way to exactly where I want to be.

What's in the future for The Dainty Squid shop?
Monthly new clutch designs!
Lots of vintage prints - meaning you won't find something like it anywhere else!
More one of a kind items!

If you'd like the most up to date TDS shop news make sure to "like" us on facebook and sign up for the newsletter!
xoxo

Post Title

→

What I've been up to lately...

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-i-been-up-to-lately.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

hive+honey Poll!

Hey honeybees! I whipped up a few different designs for the fascinators that will go live in the shop shortly! This definitely isn't all of them but I thought it might be a good call to post a few up and get some feedback! If you follow me on Twitter/Tumblr/Instagram then you may have seen some photos yesterday! But I decided to take some color-correct photos and open it up for everyone to share the ones they like best! That way I know which ones to make plenty of so that you all get to snag up your faves! 






The ball is rolling quickly on this one so I'm hoping to keep up with the pace! Hopefully I'll have some news early next week! 


SO! Let me know your favorites! There are cotton, chiffon, satin, denim, etc! Plenty of awesome fabrics and textiles to choose from! xo

Post Title

→

hive+honey Poll!

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/05/hivehoney-poll.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Tutorial: Sweater Clips!

You asked for it, you got it! I put together a tutorial on making sweater clips. It's so super simple!!


You'll need:
Clip-on earrings.
Pliers. (snazzy floral ones not required ;))
Jump Rings.
Necklace chain.


Time needed: 15 minutes.

First make sure you have the correct kind of clip on earrings. You need the kind with little holes in the clip, there doesn't have to be three but there needs to be at least one.



Now cut your chain to length. My chains were all just under 6 inches but varied ever so slightly in length so they would hang differently. The length of chain will depend on how small or large your bust is. It's a good idea to hold the chain up to your chest and see how a certain length will hang before cutting. In my opinion four strands seems to look best.

Once you've done that...

1. open your jump ring. 2. put the jump ring in the last hole of the clip-on earring. 3. slip the chains on the jump ring. 4. use your pliers to close the jump ring. 5.  repeat on the other side....


And you're done!!

So simple, right?
Resources:
You can find jump rings at any craft store.
Search thrift stores, estate sales, antique malls and garage sales for snazzy vintage clip on earrings and old necklace chains. If you're desperate or in a hurry for the perfect chain or earrings head to ebay or etsy.

If you make some make sure to send me a picture or a link to your blog post! I'd love to see.
Have fun!
xoxo

Post Title

→

Tutorial: Sweater Clips!

Post URL

→

https://charlotte-lifesaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/05/tutorial-sweater-clips.html

Visit Charlotte Lifes About The Journey for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection