A facebook friend recently brought Modern Handmade Child to my attention, and I’m so thankful! MHC is an online publication, but their blog is delightful, full of adorable handmade child and baby items, how-to crafts, recipes, gift ideas, and the personal stories of their staff.

I especially love the “Friday Finds,” where the author picks a theme and shows items that fit into that theme and where to find them. Below are the themes of “Sunshine” and “Blooms.” So beautiful and inspiring!

To read the latest issue of of “Modern Handmade Child,” click here.

Assorted Valentine Set

Custom Heart Print

Custom floral print

With these custom prints, you pick the colors and consult with the artist about the portraits of you and your honey. Order soon to get them before Valentine’s Day!

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Like most handmade crafty things, I quit crocheting just about the moment I figured out that creating one long scarf after another was getting me nowhere close to afghans and baby blankets.  Sure I could have expanded upon my skills and imposed upon my lovely teacher-friends to assist me.. but that was going to take longer than a couple of hours for goodness sake.  Who has time for that?

Anyways- isn’t knitting the “cool one”?  I thought – if knitting is Rose then crocheting is Dorothy and I want to be Blanche!

Well it turns out there’s room for more than one kinda hook in the Vera Bradley quilted tote and by golly I will use it to make you a scarf you can wrap around from head-to-toe. Twice.

As for the other stuff- you can just buy it from the more patient and practiced hookers.   What’s that? Not a good nickname?  Ok… i mean from those who are good with needles…or..er….crap…. the awesome talented people.  That’s what i’ll be doing anyway.

“I’ll take mine light and trim please”

complements to the bedstead

quite neck-lacey from neck to nee

don’t be fooled by its laid-back charm.  this one really runs the table

a sweater for that vase by the drafty door

the ultimate homemade decorative garlands and flowers

And I saved the best for last….

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Well its no news that Thanksgiving is next week.  I’m already so behind on my dreaming and planning for this most anticipated time of the year.  I always feel so determined that “this year will be different”.  I’ll get my shopping and decorating done early and I’ll have a stress-free holiday season.  I’m still making those pledges but I guess I’m putting a little less money on ‘em these days.

I at least hope to get some decorations up before the end of the month.

Some ideas from some (egg)noggins out there to kick-start your own noggins….  (click on images to get all the goods)

ideas for unique, cheap (and recycled) gift wrap

A great idea.  Origami Ornaments.  DIY…

Handle with Care.  Martha has the definitive encyclopedia on the definitive American holiday.  It can be overwhelming but just a browse through the site sets the sugarplums a-dancin’.

It is that time and of course Martha’s galloping strong on her headless Halloween horse (or is it her that is heartless? i mean headless? oh well…).

I like the idea of subtly creepy and gothic decoration for Halloween but I’m afraid time never allows it and I never exactly make that time either.  Do you?  Are you having a party this year?  Do you like to dress up?

Here are some of my favorite Martha ideas

Message in a Bottle Party Invites

Paper Shadows

Celestial pumpkins

Candy Artifact Display

Shimmering pumpkins

But for now, i’m adoring these items i found via the loveliness featured on Modern Kiddo. Goodness, something feels just plain wrong with such small darling versions of fantasticness.

And stay tuned for a special little surprise at the bottom!

J.Crew’s kids line Crew Cuts

Not for play when the little ones are at their littlest. But always good for decoration.  Let Maya Made teach you how to make these Stone Dolls

Oh just Shut the Heck Up Already!!!!  midstate vintage

Seriously! I said Shut Up!

download this royal print, frame it or tack it up to encourage humble, sophisticated approach for your own sweet princess

Do i even need to say anything?  I think these Donna Wilson whimsical goodies speak for themselves.

And now for that special little surprise…  well, it’s more like a revealing cliffhanger i suppose….  are you hating me for getting your hopes up?  Well, don’t let them fall because very soon they will be met with our very first MonkeySaidBear Giveaway!!!  yahoo!!  We have now officially been posting for over a year and we are so thankful for each and every one of you readers.  So to reward you, we will have our first (hopefully of many) fun giveaway in which one of you will receive a very lovely and unique prize straight from us…. your favorite blog (right?).  Details forthcoming.  And if anyone is an artist or maker or creator of any sort, let us know if you’d like to contribute to future give-aways.  It’s a great way to get your goods out there… to our readers and for the enjoyment of big mouths who are certain to share their delight.

The shop also features some gorgeous accent pieces:

Wooden Rainbow Stacker

Hedgehog and Mushroom set

Take a look around their shop, and let me know which toys are sparking your imagination.

When I finally live on my farm, I’m calling up Steel and Fork immediately for my few perfectly suited statement pieces.

Or i’ll just marry me a man that’s good with a hammer large and dangerous machinery

Truly, though, these John Deere-esque items might be even better in our modern metropolitan temporary dwellings, or even with settled suburbanites, standing out carefree and confident in their rusty, ruddy call to get to work and get dirty.

Read more about this handyman&woman  here

and check out their shop.  They’re selling bigger items like this side table made out of a recycled farmall tractor.

and smaller accents like a homegrown yet quirky pigs fly pillow

Really though, i’m just inspired to think of all the ways big obtrusive messy items can be turned into furniture and decoration and art.

What’s the most creative deco “mash-up” you’ve ever put together?  Ever used the outside world to create a sturdy piece for the inside?

(image via Restoration Hardware)

I confess I am a member of the “always looking ahead so that I miss what’s right in front of me” club… probably vice-president.  And so even in Spring as we get some much longed-for warmth and color, I start longing for Fall.  I don’t wish it were the only, but I do wish it were the longest.

But what I certainly don’t feel guilty for  is loving the earthy, rustic tones and colors that noble Autumn brings in plenty.  So in Spring,  I fit in by creating a more open, airy, and light atmosphere but I’m also stickin’ out a bit with a loyal and constant undertone of subtle, rich, and warm.

Or to put it more bluntly, I like a little more of the branches and twigs over the bright blooms and buds

And to me, my bright friends, this provides “natural” space for those blossoming attractions you find on a pillow– or in your front yard– to pop out just as they’re made to.

A daffodil terrarium by Terrain

Or (and i would recommend) make your own by following instructions like these

Also from Terrain is this year-round accessible and frangrantly named lavender hill wreath

Chic Cottage-y French works any season, any time.  These provencal spice jars from Anthropologie are less than $2 a piece!!  And the minty creamer for only slightly more mint.

And of course….  Warm Days/Cool Nights means nothing but living on the back deck/patio/patch of grass.  Fast forward just a few months and chilly hoodie evenings with scents of bonfire and cinnamon and leaves giving a “farewell” means nothing but living in that outdoor sanctuary all over again.  And to keep our bare feet from stepping on some gooey grody bug, we say “Let there be Light”.  Target’s offering Free Shipping for all outdoor lighting items below.

I like the metal flowers and the clear lanterns with a metal lid.

And finally… just for kicks…  I’m a little late in posting this but surely there are a few of you late in blog-drooling too (or you just don’t mind slobbering all over again)….  We look forward to sporting J.Crew’s incredible fall collection.  Coming Soon but wish it were sooner.