Coin Purses and Clutches

There are so many talented artists and crafters out there on Etsy, and I love to showcase handmade goods whenever I can!

I've been noticing cute clutches and coin purses here and there, so I started bookmarking them so I could do a round-up of my favorites once I had a dozen or so. Buying handmade is always an excellent option when you're trying to find a gift for someone, so maybe you'll see something here that makes you think of someone you know, and you can add a little handmade love to their life.

1. Retro Mod Flower Coin Purse, from oktak
2. The Petal Coin Purse in Army Green, from Definition of Self
3. Happy Blooms Fifi Clutch, from Bagatelles and Co.
4. Medium Clutch Purse, from Kimberly Jones Designs
5. Colorful Leaves, from FA2u
6. Big Flower, from FA2u
7. Wristlet, Pleated Gray Wool, from East Ashley
8. Quilted Clutch, from Rachel Whelton (this one's a real bargain: only $9.00!)
9. Clutch Zipper Purse, from Atomique47
10. Business Sortie Brown Clutch, from Yellow Wallpaper
11. Romantic Rose Pleats in Brown, from Lolos
12. Vanilla and Cream Check Clutch, from Kelly's Keepsakes


Any favorites there? Do you like the more classic styles, like number 2 and number 7, or do you like something with more pizzazz to it, like numbers 1 and 3, or do you prefer something with a pretty feminine embellishment, like numbers 11 and 12?


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Yevgenia {ceramic artist}

I present this week's artist to you with a fresh batch of eye candy. The artist is Russian-born, New York-residing Yevgenia, and she sells hand-painted ceramic items for the home and kitchen.

As often is the case, her items are a bit beyond my budget, but somehow I think coffee might taste better coming from one of her beautifully painted travel mugs, and I think the noodle bowls with the little holes for the chopsticks to rest in so they don't go rolling away are so perfect. All of these designs remind me of sunny spring days!

Noodle Bowls

Hand-Painted Eco-Cup, Botanical Collection

Custom Painted Ceramic Eco-Mug, Botanical Collection

Sauce Bottle, Grass and Buds Collection

What do you think? Wouldn't the little sauce bottle look darling sitting on a sunny kitchen windowsill? Visit the store here.

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Honesty

This quarter, my fourth graders are reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Last week, my students took a pop quiz on a particular chapter that they had to read for homework. The following photo is a picture of one student's pop quiz.

Seems like nothing unusual. Let's zoom in a little bit.

"I know I got it wrong"

Yeah, he did get it wrong. Better read more carefully next time. I love it when my kids are honest.

This, by the way, is the same student who proclaimed he loves In 'n' Out so much that he would marry it, and he loves it so much that he sleeps with the In 'n' Out hat on at night.


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Matte Stephens

This week's artist is Matte Stephens from Portland, Oregon. I have enjoyed his art for some time now, and I'm hoping that some of you will enjoy it too. Perhaps you have even already heard of him!

Many of his prints charmingly depict particular cities, like San Francisco, New York, or Hamburg.

Relaxing in San Francisco

San Francisco

Hamburg, Germany

Some depict people and relationships:

Family Vacation

Meeting to Feed the Birds

And some of Matte Stephens' prints are just made by the title, such as the following:

Edwin and Rosemary upon arriving at Yosemite for their honeymoon
were lucky enough to spot a rare green friendly soft tooth bear, 1927.

What do you think of Matte Stephens?
Check out his blog here, and his shop here!
Enjoy!

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New Dress

I am working on sewing a dress this week.

The fabric is pretty, and sewing with my cheery yellow pins is quite nice.

I can't wait to show you the finished product!

This is the pattern I'm using.


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Felt Dahlia Tutorial

Photo credit: Megan Reardon

I made a felt dahlia just like that, and believe it or not, it was not nearly as difficult as it looks! (I would post a picture, but the ones I attempted to take with my high-tech camera phone just didn't turn out so well).

Find the tutorial here: Mother's Day Corsage

The directions are very clear and easy to follow.

My input is this: Don't stress about cutting the petals perfectly. Once they are glued on, no one will be able to tell if yours aren't the exact shape of the ones in the tutorial. My other tip: Use a glue gun. Megan Reardon, who wrote the tutorial, recommends using a glue called "Fabri-tac", and she says it takes awhile to set. Glue guns make my life so much simpler, and the hot glue bonds to felt like no one's business.

Try it out! You'll be impressed with your abilities when you're finished!

Photo credit: Megan Reardon

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Delish {Cake Batter Pancakes}

I. want. to. make. these. so. bad!

Don't they look decadent? Maybe it's just my love for anything that tastes like cake batter. Regardless, I will make these sometime soon! And if you make them in the meantime, please tell me how delicious they were!

Find the recipe here: How Sweet It Is blog: Cake Batter Pancakes

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Mint Design {Sweet Wedding Invites}

You must see these sweet and creative wedding invites designed by Ellie Snow of Mint Design!

Open the envelope and get the most important information-- there's going to be a wedding!-- then unfold the invitation and read the entire story of the couple who knew each other for fourteen years, explained in a mix of typography perfection!

Wouldn't you just love to find this envelope in your mailbox? I think I'd keep the invite on my fridge for weeks!

Visit Ellie Snow's blog here, and enjoy her shop here.


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