Q & A: Valentine’s Day inspiration

by on February 4, 2013
in inspiration & creativity · 6 Comments

Written by editor Nicole Bennett of Gidget Goes Home.

Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away! Some people think this is a holiday made up by the greeting card companies as a ploy to get our money. Whether that’s true or not, I say why not redeem it for something good and fun and well, lovely!

So today, let’s chat about V-day. Last year I shared with you an easy (kid-friendly) craft using a TP roll as a heart-shaped stamp, and I also gave you a glimpse of my fun little collection of February decorations, along with an easy garland idea.

If you love the fabric-pieced heart in the photo above as much as me, you can follow the tutorial to make your own (we made it as a gift for Gigi’s teacher a couple of years ago).

This year, I’m looking to add some more ideas, crafts or recipes to my Love Sweet Love pinboard for future reference.

Would you leave a comment sharing your favorite craft link, romantic idea or naturally-sweetened Valentine’s treat? Or perhaps a cute homemade valentine idea? This can be something you did in the past, a post from around the blogosphere that you found, or simply an idea you have (maybe something you’re planning for this year).

[Read more...]

Getting started with homemade ice cream

by on February 1, 2013
in inspiration & creativity · 22 Comments

Written by editor Nicole Bennett of Gidget Goes Home.

When a Simple Homemade reader, Kate, recently told me she was given an ice cream maker bow, and asked if I had any tips for her, I figured it was time to share my story.  

I‘m coming up upon my three year anniversary with my love affair with homemade ice cream. I got my ice cream maker bowl a little while before that, but it was my twenty-ninth birthday, in February of 2010, when I really got hooked.

Who says you have to be served on your special day? My birthday was coming up, and I wanted to throw a party for some of my dearest friends. I’d always loved ice cream, and even tried to make it myself once or twice– what better way to get acquainted with my ice cream maker bowl, and do something special to celebrate, than to pick a few recipes, and create a little spread for celebrating?

[Read more...]

From Pinterest to Real Life: January 2013

by on January 26, 2013
in inspiration & creativity · 7 Comments

Here we go, our first edition of my favorite monthly link-up for the new year! If you’re new to this series, it happens on (or around) the last Friday of the month, and the goal behind it is to inspire us to do more than just pin fun ideas to our Pinterest boards– let’s bring some of those projects, ideas and recipes to life each month.

I always link to my pins, but from there you can see the original post. And hey, let’s remember, we find things via Pinterest. Pinterest doesn’t bake cupcakes, decorate houses or give us brilliant tips; it is simply a collection of ideas from a variety of creative people.

I love seeing what you guys create from your pins and I also love recapping what I’ve done, so I can see what I’ve accomplished. I’ve got an eclectic little collection of things to show you as we wrap up January.

[Read more...]

My DIY Closet Office

by on January 21, 2013
in home & garden, inspiration & creativity · 19 Comments

Written by editor Nicole Bennett of Gidget Goes Home.

I thought it was time to show you all the Simple Homemade Headquarters here at my new home. This is my third office-in-a-closet, and I just love my happy little space.

So come on, step into my closet, I mean, my office. ;)

[Read more...]

What creativity looks like for me… when I’m not crafting

by on January 18, 2013
in inspiration & creativity · 6 Comments

Written by editor Nicole Bennett of Gidget Goes Home.

We’ve been talking about creativity this week… first I shared my goals, then Emily wrote about carving out time to be creative, even if it’s just small slices of time.

I love to create and really do feel that we were designed to take part in the creation process in our own little ways. But sometimes traditional arts and crafts just aren’t in the cards.

Many times, I am simply prioritizing other things during free time– checking email, writing a blog post, reading a few pages in a book, dusting the piano, washing diapers. Leisure time (or lack thereof) and life circumstances certainly have a lot of control over when we can create.

[Read more...]

« Older Posts
Newer Posts »