DIY: Painted Spoon Place Card

I love a creative table setting that doesn’t break the bank. This place card idea is great for any dinner party and can be done in any colour to suit your theme and décor.



What you’ll need:
Spoon (dollar store or a second hand store)
Spray paint – primer
Spray paint – colour
Permanent marker

1. Spray the spoon with the primer and allow to dry.

2. Next spray the spoon with the coloured spray paint and set aside to dry. Repeat.

3. Write your guests name on the spoon (either on the handle or the scoop of the spoon) and use as a place card at your next dinner party.

Re: Creative Craft Studio Reveal

I couldn't be more excited to share these pictures with you of the Re: Creative craft + DIY studio. The renovation process was grueling at times and I have to admit there were more than a few tears shed along the way. I'm so lucky to have such an amazing group of family and friends that have helped me get through the past few weeks.

I want to say a special thank you to Nate and to my mom and my dad for all of their help with the renos.

To mom and dad: Your help through this entire process means the world to me and I could never have done this without you! I love you both. xo

BEFORE:





AFTER:


















The first class begins on Tuesday, so don't forget to sign up and please spread the word! Class info and sign up: http://recreative.bigcartel.com/

Also special thanks to Staci from Stitch Studios for making the gorgeous cushions for me!

I'm so looking forward to celebrating with friends and family tonight in the studio!

Big thanks to Selina for taking all of these pictures!

Wish List: Black Vintage Globe

{purchase via Present & Correct}

I've always loved vintage globes but I have to admit this is the first time I've come across a black one. I love it. Need it. Want it!

Boutique Spotlight: Oak + Fort

I was in Edmonton for a couple of days last week and I had the pleasure of popping into Oak + Fort. I was completely smitten with this boutique. The store itself had gorgeous fixtures and a simple clean aesthetic with rustic details. The clothing designed by their in house designers were drool worthy. The pieces were feminine, delicate with flowy fabrics and soft colours. And I was super surprised at how well everything was priced. Lucky for me and all of you they have an online shop!

Inspiration 3.26.12

Source: lovestefani.grandportfolio.com via Ez on Pinterest

We all could use a little reminder from time to time that we are in control of our own inner beauty and happiness.

I'm spending the entire week putting the finishing touches on the craft studio with the help of some family and friends, so once again blogging will be cut back a touch. I'll resume to regular posting soon I promise. Thanks for being so patient and stay tuned for the studio reveal later this week!

DIY: Bow Bookmark

I’m a tad bit obsessed with bows right now so I thought making some felt bow bookmarks would be the perfect craft. This is a great project to involve the kids in too!

What you’ll need:
Felt
Scissors
2” Paperclip
Hot glue gun
Pencil or chalk
Ruler

1. Measure 3 rectangles of felt: #1 - 2” x 0.75” #2 - 2.5” x 0.75” #3 - 3.5” x 0.25”

2. Take #1 and snip off a triangle on both ends.

3. Place a strip of glue down the centre of #2. Bring in both sides and press into the middle where the glue is.
4. Dab a dot in the centre of #2 on the side where there is no seam. Pinch the middle together so it forms a bow-like shape.

5. Place some glue on the back (seam side) of #2 and stick down on #1.

6. Dab a dot in the centre of #2 and lay down #3 on top.

7. Flip over the bow and glue the top of the paper clip on the back. Fold over the top of #3 and glue to the top of the paperclip. Cut off the excess.

8. Bring the bottom of #3 through the paper clip and glue where you glued the top portion. Cut off the excess.

Guest Post: Aleksandra from Realty Queen

Aleks (aka Ola) is another one of my besties who is helping me out this week by doing this amazing guest post about striped ceilings. Love them!

Thanks Renee for giving me the honour of doing a post while you're away on your business trip!
When thinking of painting your home, you go through the process of choosing your wall colour and then using traditional white to paint the ceiling. People don't think of or are afraid to do anything else on their ceilings even though it's a blank canvas where you can get creative. If done right, a striped ceiling could be a perfect choice in any room, so here are some inspirations to help you get it right too!

Would you ever try striped ceilings in your home?

{Images via Ashley Faulkenburg Interiors, Apartment Therapy, Simple Creative Inspiration, JWS Interiors, Me And My Bright Sides, Sadie And Stella}

Re: Creative DIY Workshops for Kids

I am offering 4 week children's workshops in the new studio. They will run Tuesdays starting April 10th (ages 4-7) and Thursdays starting April 12th (ages 8-12) after school at 4 pm - 5 pm. We will do a variety of different crafts together including some of the projects below.

You can sign your child up for the classes here. And don't forget to sign up for a class for yourself!

Also please keep in mind that I am offering a children's birthday party package in the studio on Saturdays which involves one of the crafts below. Please email me for details at renee@recreativeworks.com.

Guest Post: Alex from Lex in the City

{image via Geronimo}

Alex is one of my besties and is helping me out this week while I'm away with a guest post. She's one of those friends who constantly makes me giggle and this post is no exception!

While Renee is off conquering the world, I told her I'd do a guest post. Rather than do my usual "I LOVE ETSY!" post, I thought I'd talk about something I'm very familiar with.

If there's one thing I'm good at, it's being an accident-prone klutz. But if there were 2 things, the second thing would be being single. It's been about 5 years now and I have yet to start hoarding cats. So here is my advice on How to be Single.

1. Love it. You are an awesome person, and being single doesn't define you. Unless you have 5 cats, and have needlepoints of them as pillows. Then you might be letting it define you. You get to do what you want to do, watch the movies you want, release gas without fear of being judged, and sleep soundly. So get out there and do the things you want to do.

2. Never stop believing in yourself. For the first 3 years of being single I absolutely loved it and had a lot of fun. Even now I still love who I am as a single person. I know that when I find someone, they will be meeting the real me, not some woman who is trying on a different persona depending on the type of guy she meets. I will not change who I am for someone, and I hope that you don't either.

3. Live to your fullest potential. You only live once, so don't wait for someone to prove yourself to. Prove it to yourself.

I always joke about growing old alone. And even though I haven't hit 30 yet, I'd like to think that I will have the same beliefs in 30 years as I do now. If someone doesn't want to love me for my awesome self, screw 'em. I have a Plan B anyway. So to all my single ladies, live it, love it, and have fun while you're at it!

Happy Birthday Harper!

Today is my baby's first birthday! I'm super sad that I'm away on a work trip this week and can't be with him even though he wouldn't know the difference what day it is.

I first took Harper home June 4th 2011 and it's been the most amazing last few months. Training a puppy is some serious hard work, but I wouldn't trade my little guy in for anything. Happy birthday Harps!

DIY: Glass Marble Magnets

If you’re anything like me you’re a magazine hoarder. I thought it was about time that I put my magazine stack to good use so I decided to use them to make these glass marble magnets.



What you’ll need:
Glass tiles or marbles (about one –inch in size)
Magazines
Mod Podge
Scissors
Small paint brush
E600 glue
Magnets

1. Flip through the magazine to find small images – an interesting graphic or print. Place the glass marble over top of the image to get an idea of what it will look like.

2. Once you find an image you’re happy with, brush a light layer of Mod Podge on the back of the marble. Place the marble glue side down on top of the image. Allow to dry for 5-10 minutes.

3. Carefully cut out the image using the edge of the marble as a guide.

4. Spread the E600 glue on the magnet and stick on the back of the marble. Allow to dry before using your new magnet. Alternate image ideas: shrunken family photos, printed paper, letters to spell out a word

I'm off to Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary on Sunday for a week for a last minute job opportunity. I'll be posting daily along with a couple guest posts. Have a great weekend!

Re: Creative DIY Workshops

I'm so excited to announce the first round of classes in the new Re: Creative studio and to announce the location!

The new studio space will be located directly behind Shopgirls Boutique at 1342 Queen Street West in Toronto. You can enter either through Shopgirls or through the alley that runs off of Brock Street just north of Queen St. We're still going through the renos but everything is coming together. I cannot wait to share the studio reveal with you!

Below is a list of some of the April classes that you can sign up for now. Please help me spread the word. I'm beyond excited for this! I will be listing some children's classes in the next week or so. Also keep in mind that any of the projects below can be done in a private class if you have a group of friends that want to have a girl's night out.

DIY Ruffle Headband Workshop
Thursday April 19th
7 pm - 8:30 pm
$30
click here to sign up for this class

DIY Wrap Bracelet Workshop
Tuesday April 3rd
7 pm - 8:30 pm
$30
click here to sign up for this class

DIY Custom Stationery Workshop
Tuesday April 10th
7 pm - 8:30
$30
click here to sign up for this class

DIY Feather Headband Workshop
Thursday April 12th
7 pm - 8:30 pm
$30
click here to sign up for this class

DIY Chain Bracelet Workshop
Tuesday April 17th
7 pm - 8:30 pm
$30
click here to sign up for this class

Boutique Spotlight: Scout

I recently had the opportunity to pop into Roncesvalles Village’s newest retail addition Scout. Specializing in both local and handmade goods, this gift store is full of fun treasures and unique items. This is definitely a great place to visit in Toronto if you’re in need of a fun and quirky gift item!

A selection of hand printed cards and wrapping paper at Scout.

Salt shakers and rope necklaces are by Brooklyn Rehab. The bottle opener figures are by Imm Living.

A selection of gift items found at Scout.

Current Obsession: Coloured Jeans

{images via Chictopia}

With the warm temperatures here in Toronto this week, I was in need of some spring outfit inspiration. I'm totally digging all the coloured jeans this season and I'm ready to add some brights to my wardrobe. What colour of jeans would you wear?

I heart....

Biko's spring collection! I'm absolutely loving these colourful necklaces!

Crush: Design Love Fest

Ok I'll admit it, I have a girl crush on Bri and her blog Design Love Fest. Her blog includes everything I love - inspiring images, cool DIY projects, fun outfits, great advice and a fun loving author!

Bri is a twenty something year old living in LA and is working her ass off. Not only does she run a successful blog but she is the Art Director for Rue Magazine, runs a full service graphic design and branding studio and hosts her famous Blogshop workshops. She loves good food, great design has fun with life and is crazy ambitious - she's a girl after my own heart!

Inspiration 3.12.12

{print via Heidi Burton}

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

I'll admit I've had a rough last few weeks. There's been some disappointment in people, there's been lots of fear, there's been some anger and there's been non stop work on my plate. I've learned a lot about myself and with the strength of my mom, I know that life is about dancing in the rain. Life will throw you curve balls, but it's how you handle them and what you learn from them that matter the most.

It's hard to focus on positive things when you're going through a tough time, but let me tell you that is the key thing to do. I have a ton of amazing things happening in my life right now and in the next few weeks - I couldn't be more excited and couldn't be prouder. I also have incredible friends and family by my side. Those are the things we need to hold on to and focus on while trying to let go of the rest.

Weekly Round-Up

{via 79 Ideas}

Easy and cute clay escort cards from A Subtle Revelry.

Love these DIY painted toes from Flourish.

Inspiring craft room via 79 Ideas.

Great ideas involving rope from Dismount Creative.

Yummy looking peanut butter ice-cream sandwiches from Cupcakes & Cashmere.

Most of my weekend will be spent working on projects for the upcoming studio launch - less than 2 weeks away! Have a fabulous weekend!

DIY: Chalkboard Clock

I wanted to make a fun and unique clock so I came up with this whimsical chalkboard clock idea. Wouldn’t it be perfect for a kid’s room?

 

What you’ll need:
Square piece of wood – you can get wood cut to size at the hardware store
Drill
Sandpaper
Chalkboard paint
Paint brush
Chalk marker
Number stencils
mini quartz movements (a clock kit that includes the electronic and shaft part of a clock along with the necessary hardware)
clock hands

1. Drill a hole through the middle of the wood the same size as the shaft on the clock part.

2. Lightly sand the wood (or give it a heavy sand depending on the wood's condition and roughness).

3. Paint 2 coats of the chalkboard paint onto the piece of wood and set aside to dry.

4. Use the chalk marker to create a frame like pattern (have fun with it!) and use the stencils as a guide for your numbers. Set aside for 10 minutes to dry.

5. Thread the shaft through the hole starting from the back of the wood. Next follow the instructions that came with the clock kit to secure the hands.

Wedding: Alison + Tyler

It's no secret that Coriander Girl is my favourite flower shop in Toronto, so when I came across some images from owner Alison's wedding I was thrilled! It's the perfect mix of vintage and rustic all with a handmade touch.

To view more images, please click here.