The Mice Will Play

This week I got the very exciting news that I was chosen as one of 5 participants (+1 guest) to be a part of Truly Nolen's Mouse Car Parade!

If you live in South Florida and you see the parade this Saturday (July 24th) wave to us (and if you're on Twitter follow the event at #MousecarParade.

In honor of this event, I am dedicating the rest of my week's posts to pests - creepy, crawly, scurrying and yet somehow kinda cute pests.  And since I get to ride around in a life size mouse this weekend - today is all about Mice.

See - mice can be cute...at least in "The Pest" Series Etchings by Achiozza. 

The chicest mouse I have ever seen.  The Cosmic Mouse Ring by RFXStudios on Etsy.

 

The House of Mouse makes absolutely irresistible felt mice. I am especially taken with Anakin Skywalker Mouse (above) and Hannibal Lecter Mouse (below). 

Getting married?

Straight from the U.K., you can even have mice as your wedding cake topper:

However, if we're talking edible mice (who would ever think I would be saying that...), I think this cupcake by Martha Stewart (tutorial on Bunny Cakes) is perfect. Though almost too adorable to eat. 

And finally...

Have Your Ever Seen Such A Sight In Your Life?

Three Blind Mice caught and mounted just for you by Craft Sleuth.

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The Pear Neccessities

Over the last couple of years I have learned how to cook. I love it, but I don't have the chance to do it often.  However, after a successful vegetable lasagna last night, I have decided that this week I am going to try a new culinary adventure: Pear, Gorgonzola and Caramelized Onion Pizza. 

Pears aren't a fruit I often eat, but I love the look of them. And once I do have one I always think, "why don't I eat this more often?"  As you can probably already tell, today's post is about pears.

If you're not going to eat them, might as well wear them! Cathy at la prochaine fois makes these incredible dried fruit rings. 

Searching for something a little less frilly? Ash Hilton makes this modern, chic Pear Ring.

The steel base of Yanko Designs' Pear Tree Lamp charges three pear lights that can be picked off and stay illuminated for an hour before "running out of juice." Place them back on the tree to recharge.

 

Too cool to juice -these Buddha Pears (for sale in the UK and China) were created by a Chinese farmer. Read more about it at Just Cool Design.

And finally....

Just about the best chair I have ever seen:

 

The Prickly Pear Cactus Chair by Valentina Glez Wohlers

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Mmmmmm Yummy Art

Today is Art-Full Friday and maybe I am just hungry, but I am obsessed this morning with Food Art. The ways that people manage to take random pieces of food and shape it into something beautiful and fascinating is incredible. Hope you enjoy!

Sushi Pandas! Leafar on Flickr featured this adorable Bento Box art display.

You may have seen this before. Carl Warner is quite a famous food artist. Every item in this piece is edible. Can you imagine the patience this took!? Photo courtesy of Designioustimes.

Also from Designioustimes, Saxton Freymann creates food art for children's books.  Here is one of my favorites:

An all natural spa treatment:

Toxel.com has an awe inspiring collection of Bento Box art and food art.  This one is my favorite because the cucumbers on her eyes make me laugh. 

 

Can you imagine how long this took to carve? Sasthamcotta.com has a huge array of images highlighting these intricately crafted fruit art pieces. 

 

Soooo cute.  The Cool Amazing Art Blog has so many cool food art pieces. The birds above delight me but my ultimate fave is next!

One of my all time favorite books is the Little Prince so this piece just makes me smile. 

A sexy bite of food by artist Edith Zimmerman. Photo Courtesy of Buzz Feed.

And finally....

It may not be made of food, but this can art Cobra by Canstruction is amazing.  It took about 8 weeks to build and all the food was donated to local food banks and homeless shelters when the installation was taken down.

Photo courtesy of My Modern Met.

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Let the Sun Shine In

To me, sunflowers are the happiest of flowers. Sure daisies make me smile and tulips are amongst my favorites, but I will take sunflowers over any others anytime.

These cupcakes from Cupcake Craftts are yummy and smile inducing - the perfect combination for a sweet treat. 

Shlomit Ofir created this beautiful gold graphic sunflower necklace. I am in love with this. (My birthday is Sunday hint hint, lol)

The Nebraska Sunflower soap by Suds by Sarah is natural and fresh and it looks so pretty sitting in a wooden soap dish. Plus it has sunflower petals in it!

Honestly I don't usually go for dolls - their faces kind of creep me out, but I can't resist "Suzie the Sunflower Fairy" by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing.  The petals around her hair and the butterfly wings are too cute (and her face doesn't weird me out either!)

And finally....

A lot of sunflower products are shall we say...."countrified". Not this chic little clutch by Davie and Chiyo.  The black and white print with the pop of yellow inside is just perfect, proving that sunflowers can be "city-fied" too.

Sniffle, Sniffle....Ah-Choo!

For weeks I have been fighting a cold but it seems to have finally caught up with me today. My nose is running and my throat hurts - no fun at all. But what IS fun is finding all of these smile inducing gifts, perfect for cheering up anyone feeling under the weather:

No one likes to take medicine, but it is definitely more appealing to take your antibiotics when they come from this adorable pill case by Sanrio courtesy of Strapya World.

 

Love this card by Good Gosh. A great combination of mixed media and photography.

I also laugh out loud every time I read this card from Wry and Ginger. Their entire line of greeting cards are unique and hysterical. 

Normally I love a good cup of hot tea, but when I am sick it is like an herbal overload. I drink so much of it that it becomes a chore to get another drop down, except for Pearl River's Orange Tea. Not only is the metal container bright and cheerful, but the tea itself smells amazing and has such a refreshing taste that I never get tired of it. 

OMG do I want this tea kettle - The Creativi -Tea. It is a solid white vessel until heated and then the graphics appear on the base. I am in LOVE with the Space Invaders version!

So typically I hate tissue covers. I feel like everyone knows there are tissues there so why try to camouflage it with a crocheted doily? But Nerd Approved has changed my mind with this adorable Milk Carton Tissue Holder.

And finally....

Once you're starting to feel better, there is nothing like a shot of liquor to clear the system, lol. This novelty drink dispenser from Boys Stuff is a reminder of all the reasons to get better soon!

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An Art-Full Celebration This Fourth of July

I love throwing parties but I hate having to spend a lot of money on centerpieces that will just be tossed out or broken apart and stored in a closet. Also, who has the time these days to put together floral arrangements and extensive tablescapes? I know I don't! And so with the Fourth of July just a few days away, below are some quick and easy centerpiece options to make your decorating a breeze. Most of them can be done with items you either have at home or can easily find at a local grocery or dollar store. Enjoy!

Any tablecloth can be turned into a patriotic work of art with stars cut out of any random red, white and/or blue fabric.  These stars were glued on with spray adhesive but any glue (or a few quick stitches with a needle and thread) will adhere them for your event.  I also love the look and set-up of their ice cream bar!

(Photo Courtesy of Country Living)

It honestly can't get any simpler than this.  Snag a handful of American Flags at the Dollar Store or your local grocery store this weekend and some red, white and blue gumballs. Within seconds you have a vibrant and fun centerpiece for your picnic tables this weekend.

(Photo Courtesy of All You)

Break out of the American Flag theme and go for something summery and bright with this easy to make centerpiece. Simply hollow out a watermelon for the vase and fill with a store bought bouquet. 

(Photo Courtesy of Kitchen Mish Mash)

Combine strawberries (or watermelon), blueberries and marshmallows and pile them on platters.  When spread sporadically across the table these simple dishes make fresh and edible table decor. 

(Photo Courtesy of Make and Takes)

If you're feeling crafty or you have children coming to your Fourth of July Event - this is a fun centerpiece that doubles as a project to keep the little ones busy.  A Dollar Store bucket, some paper and a bit of ribbon or random baubles and buttons all combine to make this adorable table topper. Let each child make their own star or flag and pretty soon you will have a table full of art!

(Photo Courtesy of Design by Dani)

And finally.....

So much easier than it looks - these are centerpieces with a bang AND they double as favors.  Just take paper towel or toilet paper rolls and cover with crepe paper, tissue paper or ribbons. Americana images can be printed from your computer and attached with glue.  Fill the inside of the tube with candy or other treats, tie at the top with ribbon or pipe cleaners and you have a fun and fanciful addition to your event.

(Photo Courtesy of Country Living)

Have a Happy Fourth of July!

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