Geodesic...

Sorry to inundate you with photos of my kiddos lately, but...well, I have no excuse. I'm with them all day, they're my favorite people, and my favorite people like to build forts! We bought this toy, called Crazy Forts!, for them for christmas and we've been having a lot of fun with it lately. The reviews on Amazon were less than stellar and, while I do agree with some of the comments, most seem to be from folks who simply didn't read directions. If you look at this toy as something to do together as opposed to having your kids set it up by themselves, it makes everyone happier. I particularly like the whole geodesic dome thing it's got going on. Nothing beats a good old fashioned couch fort, but this comes pretty close. Any fort builders out there?

20 in 20 giveaway (bonus- day 24)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...bonus day 24. Handmade today is a felt carrot boutonniere for your little one or for a partner with a sense of humor. Who doesn't like to wear vegetables on their lapel? You could wear it to the farmer's market to see if you get a discount! Wearing carrots not your thing? Hang it on your front door or leave it in the mailbox as a Spring surprise for your letter carrier (is that even legal?). EZ E and Kicky don't know it yet, but they most certainly will be wearing these for the easter dinners we'll be attending. Cue evil laugh. And may I just say that I love how much EZ E looks like a disheveled little professor here? Believe it or not, he was wearing that outfit- minus the carrots- before I asked to take his photo. Thanks to Round Rabbit for sponsoring this week's projects (check out her blog too). Today is *really* the last day of 20 in 20 for March, but the handmade giveaways will continue in April, starting on Monday the 4th. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

• eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
• how to enter: leave a comment on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
• entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
• winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
• winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
• claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

High five...

My five favorite things from around blogland recently.

1. Our friends Kim and Cara's incredible, incredible bedroom floors that were featured on apartment therapy. Further evidence as to why we adore Kim and Cara.

2. Shop Sweet Lulu found via The Constant Gatherer. This place is going to do damage to my wallet. Black stripey straws and polka dot bags? Love.

3. I first saw Jillian Tamaki's work for Penguin on Poppytalk (via Chronicle via CraftZine). These images are making the blog rounds and deservedly so! I couldn't resist adding this to my 'high five'. Genius.

4. This image that I found on Bookshelf Porn (via outcry). I'd seen this site once before, but an anonymous reader left a comment about it yesterday, thereby reminding me to obsessively look through all of the bookshelf images. As if I need more fuel on the book collecting fire (note how I say 'collecting' instead of buying...that, my friends, is denial at its finest).

5. These rings handmade by A Merry Mishap. If you saw my etsy shopping cart right now, you'd probably pass out.

20 in 20 giveaway (bonus- day 23)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...bonus day 23. EZ E laid claim to this wooden box and then became rather perturbed when I told him that he wasn't eligible to enter the giveaway. I need a studio, if only to hide projects away from 3-year-old eyes...including the "awesome black buckets filled with gold!" that EZ E spotted hiding in our bedroom closet. Crappy! I knew I shouldn't have hidden their easter baskets there. Thanks to Round Rabbit for sponsoring this week's projects (check out her blog too). Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

• eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
• how to enter: leave a comment on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
• entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
• winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
• winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
• claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

Librarian envy...

Our little house is being over-run with books. Every room has a giant pile and I sometimes wonder if we'd still have stacks everywhere if we had an adequate number of bookshelves (whatever an adequate number is). I never regret buying a book, so I'm thinking the stacks would continue...



This may be the worst pile right next to my favorite chair in our living room. The lamp has been rendered useless.

Anyone out there share my compulsion? Do tell.

20 in 20 giveaway (bonus day 22)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...bonus day 22. Today is for the birds; birds who sport skinny jeans and tortoise shell glasses, wear granny cardigans, read Dwell, and drink PBR. Oh wait, that's not a bird...that's me! I'm not actually sure what kind of birds, if any, would live in this birdhouse. You'll just have to put it out in your yard and find out (and then tell me because I'm curious). You could also do this to lure birds into your yard. Thanks to Round Rabbit for sponsoring this week's projects (check out her blog too). Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

• eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
• how to enter: leave a comment on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
• entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
• winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
• winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
• claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

A visit from the minimalist easter bunny...

My parents watched Kicky and EZ E this weekend so PRH and I could work on some major projects that we have to finish up this week (more on those later). Since I have zero time between now and easter, one of my tasks was pulling together easter baskets for the kiddos. This year's rabbit is most certainly a minimalist with her black metal buckets, metallic eggs, and minimal amount of candy. In my the rabbit's defense, one of the things that makes me crazy about holidays like easter is all of the waste! We'll definitely use these buckets again, the eggs can be stashed away for next year, and the goodies inside are all things I know Kicky and EZ E will actually play with. I used a magnet to attach the cardboard 'e' and used cloth napkins instead of plastic or paper grass. Here's a look...


Not much handmade (what's that saying about the cobbler's children???), but there's still time to make a few little surprises before easter...


I couldn't resist this weirdo. EZ E's going to think it's hilarious...


Here's where everything is from:

buckets, masks, notebook, wooden bug magnifying glasses- Target
metallic eggs + chocolate rabbits- hobby lobby
wood for handmade peg figures- also hobby lobby, but hand-painted figures are available at The Pretty Pixie

I found all of the other little odds and ends at our favorite local toy store, The Laughing Place, but here are the brand names for those who don't live in or around Owego...

playmobil
plush guinea pig
Schylling i pop monster
metal animal chimes (hanging on bucket)- I can't find the brand name for these, but there are similar charms at sick for cute

Any rabbits out there bringing/making something fabulous? Share your recommendations!

20 in 20 giveaway (bonus day 21)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...bonus day 21. I have no idea what's gotten into me, but I'm on a bit of a rainbow kick. My reluctant models, unfortunately however, are not into rainbows. Kicky couldn't get this off her neck fast enough (her hair's all crazy from trying to rip it off) and EZ E refused to smile. I'm hoping the winner will enjoy it more than my babies did. Great minds think alike, btw...I saw this necklace by LAbarcelona after I made this. I like that her version is shiny. Thanks to Round Rabbit for sponsoring this week's projects (also be sure to check out her blog) . Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

• eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
• how to enter: leave a comment on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
• entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
• winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
• winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
• claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

March 20 in 20 giveaway winners (week 4)...

Don't forget that we have 4 more days of handmade giveaways this coming week. Using random.org, the winners for the fourth week of the March 20 in 20 giveaway are...

Day 16- Erin Dollar said...i remember puff paint!! ahhh, youth. i should really go raid the craft drawer in my mom's house, there's probably some great stuff in there!

Day 17- bklopst said...Great eggs! They remind me somewhat of a folkart we have here in Holland called Staphorster stipwerk.

Day 18- Kaitlyn said...oh these are just wonderful...if not, awesome ;)

Day 19- kjosephina said...splendid. love the b&w :)

Day 20- Paulette said...this would look so lovely w/ my collection of florals. Fingers crossed...

Yay! Winners, please just send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll send your prize right out!

This weekend...

Some very astute readers have noticed two things (seriously, I can't sneak anything past you peeps):

a] that we have one more sponsor left for the March 20 in 20 and
b] there are four more week days in March.

I'm wishing for an awesome Mr. Miyagi quote for right now. Let's pretend he said this (even though he didn't):

"Miyagi's very proud of you for being careful readers of blog."

I digress. We do have one more sponsor left and there are four more week days in March. As a sweet treat, our friends from Round Rabbit are sponsoring the last four days of March...just for you! So that means, 4 more days of 20 in 20 giveaways next week. Doesn't that pink-eyed fur ball rule?! What? So do my fake Karate Kid quotes? Why, thank you!

*PRH and I are taking care of some business today (no, not this kind of business), so I'm cutting out early. Have a fabulous weekend and I'll see you on Monday!

**Have I ever told you that our friend Amanda and I went as Daniel (as a shower) and Johnny (as a skeleton) for Halloween one year? I was the shower. We did a ton of "research"...aka watched Karate Kid 27 times, drank beer, and annoyed PRH (in no particular order). I'll find pics.

20 in 20 giveaway (day 20)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...day 20. I can't claim ownership on the idea for this project; it was inspired by a hand-painted wall in the home of Eline Pellinkhof that I saw on bloesem. Eline's is way better and way bigger and definitely not made of puff paint. (yup, here I go again with the puff paint...here's some info for those who may not know what the heck puff paint is). I would never describe my personal style as 'flowery', so making this big old flower took even me by surprise. It's painted on a piece of birch, btw. Thanks to pinkshirts and carwrecks for sponsoring today's project. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

• eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
• how to enter: leave a comment on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
• entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
• winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
• winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
• claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

Around the house...

After a clear, sunny day on Tuesday, we woke up to 8 inches of snow yesterday morning. School was cancelled for PRH, so we tried to embrace being snowed in for the day but major cabin fever has set in at the aesthetic outburst house. It was one of those days where I had a packed 'to do' list', but wandered around the house aimlessly taking shadowy plant photos instead of completing tasks. You can't see it here, but that glob of rock candy that was on my desk the other day? Yup, still there. Dance parties and blanket forts didn't even help! Our dance party, in fact, did the opposite...we listened to so much Biggie Smalls that I had a dream I was his girlfriend. I love Christopher Wallace, just not that much. So, I'm turning off the computer today (and Biggie) and EZ E, Kicky, and I are going to tackle that to do list. Have a good one!

20 in 20 giveaway (day 19)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...day 19. One look around our house and you'd know that PRH and I are avid readers/book collectors. I'm perpetually on the hunt for bookends, but it's difficult to find any that aren't either crazy expensive or hideously awful. You may have this same problem, so I made you some bookends. The floral pattern came from a book published in 1975 by Lisbeth Perrone, called The New World of Crewel. And, yes, it's as awesome as it sounds. :) Thanks to ORLAND boot & shoe for sponsoring today's project. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

• eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
• how to enter: leave a comment on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
• entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
• winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
• winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
• claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.