Owl Magnets!

As promised, here are the latest additions to the shop--my first stab at housewares. Check them out it in the shop and let me know what you think!

"First" Family Christmas

We missed our big family this year at Christmas but were so glad for the chance to see almost everyone recently at Thanksmas and in North Carolina. And, though we hope it's not the norm on Christmas, our first Christmas as just the (soon-to-be) four of us was a good chance to establish some of our own traditions.
Here are some of the highlights of the little Armstrong Christmas....


A fun new french toast recipe that uses bananas and vanilla yogurt instead of eggs.



First family gingerbread house party :)



New toys!


Another little tree.


This picture was actually taken two days before Christmas but I had to share it. We went out to make a snowman and Hudson was so worn out that he just laid his head down and fell asleep a few bites into dinner.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas, whether you spent it with just a few loved ones or a whole gaggle of relatives!

Merry Little Christmas

Thanks, Grammy, for sending this tiny tree with tiny ornaments for Hudson. He was way excited to decorate it all by himself and fell asleep to its lights last night.



Caramelized Onion Tart with Olives (and Goat Cheese)

For a Christmas party last night I tried out this recipe from the lastest issue of Martha Stewart Living that I picked up in the airport. I came home with an empty dish so that's always a good sign. I added crumbled goat cheese for a bit more flavor and variety of color. Give it a try for your next party : )

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Saute 2 thinly sliced onions and 2T fresh thyme leaves in olive oil for about 10 mins or until the onions are golden and soft.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out your sheet of thawed frozen puff pastry . (I like Trader Joe's brand). Place on a parchment lined baking sheet (or my slightly oiled baking dish also worked) and transfer to ove. Reduce heat to 400 degrees and bake til pastry begins to rise (about 12 mins)
4. Arrange onions in a single layer over the pastry, top with 1/4 cup sliced black olives, reduce heat to 375, and bake til puffed and golden brown (about 15 mins).
5. Then top it off with crumbled goat cheese and few decorative twigs of thyme and you've got yourself a tasty little appetizer!

Let me know it you try it out!

Jar-O-Broken Jewelry Bits

I went jewelry thrifting yesterday and bought this jar-o-broken jewelry bits. It may turn out to be a waste of $12 but hopefully I can turn these into some pretty little pieces of work : ) I haven't really been in the jewelry-making business since that one recess in third grade when I sold 2 friendship bracelets. But it's worth a shot!

Welcomed Home to a Winter Wonderland

Just got back from my business and pleasure trip to North Carolina yesterday and woke up this morning to a flurry of snow and a call that church was canceled. So we're looking forward to a day of hot cocoa, crafting, and playing in the snow.

This week in NC we got a good start on the new design for "The Mill"--the old textile mill my dad's turning into a YMCA. I picked out the paint, bought 48 yards of great fabrics, made a trip to an architectural salvage warehouse for old doors to paint on.



Here's the Restore Warehouse where I picked out these old doors and picket fence pieces.
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Work in progress....
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Some finished signs
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ANNND Hudson and I had great time with family and enjoyed playing outside in 78 degree weather. I'd say it was a pretty productive trip!


Playing catch with Grandma Lisa....from shorts to snow boots in just a 2-hour plane ride.


What happens when Hudson and PopPop have to spend hours in a fabric store.



"See Ya Soon" kisses in the airport.

Yesterday, while we were en route to the airport, volunteers were putting on the first coat of paint. Hopefully in a couple weeks, after The Mill opens in January, you and I will get to see pictures of the finished product : )

Hummingbird Print

This new Hummingbird print is up in the shop now. Anyone looking for Christmas presents can rest assured I will get your orders to you in time for Christmas, even last minute orders. So grab a cup of hot cocoa and shop with confidence. : )

Designer Challenge

Next week Hudson and I are headed down to North Carolina for what feels like one of those HGTV Design Shows. I've got 4 days and some limited amount of money to convert this warehouse space into a sleek fitness center for the YMCA that my dad runs.

So I stayed up late last night to come up with this image board of color swatches and inspiring photos that catch the feel I'm going for.



Today I'm surfing Dutchboy's site for paint swatches so that volunteers can get started on the walls this weekend. Hopefully I can actually pull this look off! I've never worked with such a huge canvas before so it will be a fun challenge! If all goes well I'm have pictures of the work in progress to show next week : )

This Little Guy

I'm working on a new little line of products featuring this guy and some of his friends for the shop. They are a compilation of fun paper/fabric scraps and discontinued wallpaper samples found while rummaging through my grandparent's garage (thanks to Papa who used to own a hardware store and Granny who never throws anything away). They should be available in about a week--ideal for a little stocking stuffer. I'll let you know more later :)