love languages in children

The blog, Raising Lemons, is doing a cute series on the 5 Love Languages in children. In lieu of Valentine's Day, I thought you'd enjoy reading it, too, even to see what came out in you as a kid.

the language of quality time

the language of words of affirmation

We've noticed quality time and meaningful touch in Ace, which may just be a sign of his age, but it helps us give a little extra to him and make sure that we give him the attention he needs (like looking him in the eye when we talk to him---even at 14 months!).

Hope you enjoy! I'll give you a sneak peek of Hawk's V-day gift later today.

icj,
~j

tweet

diy fireplace!

I came across this superb diy fireplace this afternoon. 

small notebook for a simple home

Hawk and I lament that we can't enjoy our own fireplace---one of the few things we don't love about our house. But we could do this. The creators even supply instructions!

How creative and funky is that?!

Happy Thursday!

icj,

~j

tweet

30 Challenge : Jessica Bennet Photography (part iii)

And for Jessica's third-set:

to live

Thank you so much for your work and your insight, Jessica! Dear readers, we hope you've enjoyed the eye-candy sets today. See you tomorrow!


icj,
~j & Hawk

tweet

30 Challenge : Jessica Bennet Photography (part ii)

And now for Jessica's second set:

tune & tone

tweet

30 Challenge : 30 Best Shots

Today's guest post comes to us in a 3-part set from Jessica Bennett of Jessica Bennett Photography. I'm not even sure how I found my way to her blog, but I find my way back there quite a bit each day.


Jessica put together her 30 of her favorite shots and told me to present them any way I wish. 


Therefore, I've chosen to do so in a 3-part set. When I first viewed these shots, I couldn't take them all in at once, and I don't want our faithful readers to miss out on her work. Sets will be posted at 6:00am, 11:00am, and 2:00pm today.


The first set:

light

See you all at 11 for the second set! In the meantime, please check out her blog here: Jessica Bennett Photography.

icj,

~j

tweet

30 Challenge : 30 Things for Everyday Crafting

happy st. paddy's day!

dear readers,


We're back with our next 30 Challenge Guest post: Kathy of Merriment Designs.

Knowing how busy Kathy is with her designs, I am honored that she would join the 30 Challenge. I came to know her work through theNest.com when wedding planning. I saw her handmade, handstiched invitations and just about drooled with envy. I admired how she had a vision and she made it happen! 


I hope you enjoy her post today. And please do check out her designs and work! 


30 things for everyday crafting
When I turned 30 I reclaimed my creativity.

Back when I was little I used to make things - latchhook rugs, potholders, Strawberry Shortcake figurines, face cookies, Barbie doll outfits, skirts, Shrinky Dinks, the gamut. I joined 4-H, learned to sew, and spent summers getting ready for the county fair (yep).

But as I grew older making things sort of fell by the wayside. I missed it. And in truth I needed it. Making things was a core part of my identity. 


When I turned 30 I started creating again with a vengeance, starting with my own DIY wedding to Shane. And it felt great! The Knot Magazine took notice. Encouraged, I started making more things - toddler aprons, graffiti notecards, Chicago passport covers, Saran Wrap napkin rings and more. I soon wanted to show others how to make things too ...and this became MerrimentDesign.com.

To celebrate Jennifer's 30th I went through my (messy) craft closet and listed 30 of my top craft supplies in no particular order. A virtual craft kit, if you will, to jumpstart your own creativity. I mean you can make thousands of different projects with this stuff!
Post a comment if you have favorite supplies to add to the list. (I'll admit upfront that I can't knit so I'm sure I'll hear from the knitters).

So here's to Jennifer's new bright and shiny decade. May she fill it with everyday creativity!

1. Sewing machine
2. Pretty vintage fabrics
3. Buttons
4. Colored fine point Sharpie markers
5. Thread and bobbins
6. Teeny alphabet letter cookie cutters
7. Hand sewing needles
8. Good fabric scissors - a big pair and little stork scissors
9. Craft-weight interfacing
10. Rotary fabric cutter, large clear ruler and self-healing mat
11. Good Rowenta iron
12. Pillow stuffing
13. Chalkboard fabric
14. Rubber cement
15. Tape measure
16. Vintage rick rack & bias/binding tapes
17. Wool felt
18. Xacto knives and metal ruler (see self-healing mat above)
19. Assorted colored envelopes and paper
20. Velcro
21. Full sheet (8.5" x 11) laser printer sticker paper
22. Shrinky Dinks inkjet paper
23. Thin floral wire
24. 2" circle punch
25. Grosgrain ribbon
26. Glue gun
27. Inkjet printable fabric
28. Tiny hole punch
29. Envelope liner kit
30. Flat cork sheet

Kathy was generous enough to send along photos of her work, displaying the array of materials and applications she employs. 

vintage-inspired kissing couple box-wrapping:

an appropriate Irish pot pie!

passport cover, chicago style:

chicago avenue bridge thank you card:

chalkboard pillows:

autumn leaf table decor:

dog baby onesie:

shrinky dink rabbit's foot ring and keepsake:

And finally, a little about the lovely lady herself:

Thank you, Kathy! We are so grateful to host you today. You give me hope for creative handiwork in my 30's!

icj,

~j

tweet

30 Challenge: what's next!

The 30 Challenge is still underway and for the last two weeks of March, we have a few things you'll want to check back to see.


March 16: Beginning Monday, we'll host our first giveaway from Shabbychalks. Here are a few of her repurposed chalkboards to wet your appetite:

Next, the 30 Challenge continues with more guest posts, and we really think you're going to love them! We've had to hang back from posting them the past week because for many of these women, life happens. So we're happy to bring them back!

Then, we have 2 HouseNotMine tours! We visit Katy's "new" place, which is really her 1928 baby:

And then, the End House, which is going through an extremely budget-conscious minute-makeover in effort to sell their Mikkey:

We have updated house pictures...but be ready, because they're definitely in-progress. And we have an update on the 30th birthday party and some fun birthday gifts that anyone can appreciate.

And a few self-challenged 30 Challenges for the two of us. We picked out our 30 favorite things about the house, and 30 things we want to add...but that will be much later in the month.

We're so grateful for all of you!

icj,

~j & Hawk

tweet

30 simple ways

And now, to our first guest blogger! 

Marta, of Marta Writes (m.writes) captured my avid admiration over a year ago when I first entered into the mystical blogging world of women who express intelligence, creativity, resourcefulness, and value house and home (and the bodies within it). I caught the above photo and suddenly wanted to travel through Europe with her, putting everything we saw and experienced into paper with pen. Now she lives in Idaho with a gentle husband and new(er) baby boy, still creatively writing and challenging herself to new reflections and experiences. She offers a particular workshop for those of us with the creative desire but lacking in formation: Never did I think I would be so honored to host her today. I find her post particularly relevant to my birthday because I want to spend it alone with Hawk---no need for a party or many presents---just him all to myself..

Marta & her bearded-husband 
(I snatched the pic off her blog)

30 simple ways to keep the focus on each other

01. eat meals together. better yet, cook together.
02. be adventurous; try a new restaurant, a museum exhibit, or picnic somewhere you've never been before.
03. find ways to surprise each other in small ways; keep things fresh.
04. send love letters via text or email. the old fashioned way works as well!
05. remember to smile, cuddle and flirt with your spouse.
06. take a spontaneous treat to the office.
07. recreate your first date.
08. read classics aloud on road trips.
09. bake cookies together and deliver them to someone.
10. steal a kiss in public.

11. hold hands.
12. remember that saying 'i'm sorry' is the best way to get the last word.
13. have planning meetings and discuss short term and long term goals. dream for your future together!
14. leave little notes in his luggage.
15. get two tickets to an outdoor concert.
16. say i love you every time you think it.
17. reassure him of what he means to you.
18. go for early morning walks or summer bike rides or autumn hikes. make it a tradition.
19. set a muffin and hot cocoa on his desk.
20. watch whatever he wants to watch on television; let him hold the remote!

21. make time to appreciate and acknowledge the ways he loves you.
22. jot in a journal every day for a year of things you notice and like about him, present it to him on christmas.
23. laugh about inside jokes, be silly and lighthearted together.
24. take tons of snapshots together. you can never have enough.
25. tell him the story of why you first noticed him and then how you fell head over heels for him.
26. while out shopping, take $10 for each of you, split up and spend your cash on each other and feel the joy of giving.
27. decide to give him a free Lazy Day and let him lounge around, rest and relax while you do all the work!
28. let go of all the little things that might irritate and love him for all the really important big reasons.
29. take time to be a positive influence for good, fill your home with kindness.
30. remember, what goes around, comes around. spread love love and more love. 

Marta, thank you so much! Friends, if you can, please do check her work out. She's always listed in our {what helps us make a home} section to the right.


Happy Wednesday!


icj,
~j

tweet

housewalking week 4 & first guest!

We love today's house for its winter charm, accentuated light brick, and cozy walk-right-in sort of greeting.

Tomorrow is the first of our guest posts this month, by none other than Marta of m.writes. This afternoon, I'll wet your appetite with a sneak preview!

See you this afternoon!

icj,

~j

tweet

milestones!

Milestones.

ellemoss

People use this word to express that something unique and progressive has taken place. Graduations, first kisses, trips to Prague, marriages, babies, winning the lottery. Some more likely than others.

Well, we have three milestones for which we thank our readers!


First, as of yesterday, we've doubled our returning readership from last month! This includes 7 countries (like Germany, the UK, and Thailand) and 21 states. Where are you Hawaii?


Second, we've received our first comment in another language, and using google.translater, we're really flattered:

輕輕鬆鬆的逛部落格，多謝有您的分享哦, 

which according to google.translater says, 

"Easy browsing of the blog, would like to thank you for sharing oh"

Thank you for the compliment! I keep laughing at google's addition of "oh" at the end! 

Third, we've been asked to "share a bit" of our small spaces with another blog we admire! Katie of MakingThisHome is an American in Germany. She highlights the ways that younger couples use their smaller spaces for better function and home-i-ness. Since we own a smaller home and have no desire to increase its size for at least a decade (Jen's hoping never!), we love how she celebrates small spaces. She's very kind and creative. Check her blog out when you have a moment.

So thank you, dear readers, for making these first 4 months of blogging so much fun!

icj,

~j & Hawk

tweet

great scot!

In the US, it is a brief but pleasurable game for friends to try to figure out from what ethnic backgrounds each other hails (I say, "in the US because we have readers from Asia and the UK). Most people think that I (J) have mediterranean, South American, or even Asian ancestors. I do not, though I often wish I did. I am Polish, Scottish, German, and Brit. I usually don't claim the last two because they're rather common in the midwest.

When it comes to Hawk, everyone is extremely surprised to find he has Norwegian (correct me if I'm wrong Ellie) and Cherokee in his blood. Cool, eh?

Just today, I came across a new show and two new blogs, one of which is involved in a film project. All regard genealogies, histories, and the formation of the person through his or her past. 

The show: Who Do You Think You Are?

The first blog: The Grand Tour

The second blog: de Buren Family

I'm extremely impressed with both blogs and the show looks interesting. The de Buren Family blog highlights Jean, the researcher and progeny of the family. He's fascinating. He recently created an etching "in 2010 by the great-great-great-great-grandson of the artist from a 230 year-old plate on 280 year-old paper."

If you have the chance, check out his work. While much of what we post (and yes, Hawk does have a say in what we post, even if I'm often writing it) concerns home or crafty DIY, Jean takes DIY to quite the higher level.

Happy Weekend! We're off to a Church Crawl!

icj,

~j

tweet