The Heat Is On

Well the exciting news of yesterday in South Florida was that Wade and Bosh both signed with The Heat and today we find out about Lebron James.  So today's Etsy Treasury is in honor of all things heat related.

This Fire Show Resin Necklace by Sweet Stella is very cool. It reminds me of the lines created by a sparkler. 

Too cute! I love these little basketball hair clips by Murals with Love. 

Brings a whole new meaning to "Hot Heads".  Fire on Fire is an original art piece by Kinsella Art.

The burlesque lover in me is coveting this Fire Faerie Headdress by Solstice Art. 

I don't normally post a lot of products for men, but these cuff links by Southern Living 26 were just too fun not to mention. 

Avid blog readers know how much I love gnomes and this Heat Map Gnome photo by Created by the 3 Maries makes me love them even more.

And finally.....

 

Anyone with the talent to use these just amazes me. I definitely don't have the coordination to do this, but if you do - check out the Collapsible Fire Hoops by Bitter End. 

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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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Signed, Sealed, Delivered

It is no secret that I love paper. I collect books, magazines, quotations scribbled on millions of little scraps, greeting cards and even notebooks, post-it notes and office supplies. I used to count down the days until I could do shopping for new school supplies. I still love the smell of the library. Most of all - I love mail. Obviously not bills and spam, but letters and postcards are all too rare in this digital age and unexpected treats to find in the post box. 

I have boxes of postcards - vintage, touristy, handmade, photographic, advertisements and more. I seek them out at garage sales and flea markets and friends and family have taken to sending them to me when they are on vacation.  Here are some of my favorite postcards and postcard related finds:

I love vintage postcards like this one.

(Photo courtesy of Collectors Quest)

This is definitely on my list of crafty projects. A diy postcard pillow!

Great Tutorial from Shelter Pop on Manhattan Cleaning.

Retro postcards and travel postcards are so much fun. You can find a great selection at your local kitschy tourist trap.  I also love collage art and this postcard by Juliet Blaxland is a great mix.

Love letters are a lost art but a simple I Love You written on a beautiful postcard is easy enough to come back into style. I love the simplicity of this necklace by Fifty Acorns on Etsy.

If you have never visited Post Secret, you have no idea what you are missing. This popular site features postcards sent in anonymously with other's secrets written on them. It is strangely addicting. 

It's no secret how much I love burlesque and the Metropolitan Postcard Club of New York has an incredible collection of burlesque postcards featuring the original beauties of burly-q and vaudeville.

 

This one by Scarlett Beautiful just makes me laugh.

And finally....

In Chicago in 2007 Threadbare created the Postcard Machine at the Renegade Craft Fair. Check out their YouTube Video to see how it works!

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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Well Hello There!

Wow it has been way too long since I have been able to post here. With my laptop AND work computer broken at the same time things got crazy, but I am happy to be able to start a new month with everything working perfectly. And so without further ado, today's Thursday Etsy Treasury is all about coming back and saying Hello!

I like that it kind of looks like stick figure people creating the letters. 

Hi Mini Greeting Necklace by Joanna Rutter

Yeah I am a total Twitter geek (@Emilyontheave) and this card by Honizukle thrills me because it is absolutely adorable and they are Twitter birds!

 This "Hello Friend" print by John W. Golden is a comment on the lost art of conversation. Such a cool piece, I think I need to add this to my "WANT" list.

Hee Hee This is absolutely how a conversation between a taco and a pineapple should go. 

The Aloha Hola Shirt by Monkey Fish Dezigns.

So girly and cute. Someone should send me one of these Oh Hello! cards by Bella Card Co.  

Fashion illustrations have always enthralled me but I am especially drawn to this beauty's hair and eyes. Such a great print. Bonjour by Courtney Oquist.

And finally....

If you follow this blog you know I am a fan of all things glittery, pink and girly. Combine all three and you get the ultimate in all things "Hello" related - HELLO KITTY.

If everyone I know chips in, maybe this can be my 30th birthday gift (So close - July 11th is the big day!).

This Hello Kitty inspired sofa by Mark Stratis is my new most coveted item.

$1600 not including the woman in pasties.

Returning Soon! - July 1st

After a long absence due to a broken laptop and other issues - Pretty. Useful. Stuff. is excited to announce that the blog will be back up and running as of July 1st! Send us your product information asap to be included in our July posts.

It's good to be back!