ho ho holiday wrapping!

I'm a big fan of using what you've got when it comes to holiday wrapping. We have lots of leftover fabric from producing our line, so this year we combined use-up fabric, plus some assorted tinsel and ribbon from the 99 Cent Store. All you need are some scissors and your imagination to wrap up goodies with your use-up supplies.

Here are some of the wrapped goodies I did in the last few days. From simple, to a bit more bling. And...my one rule. Don't worry about making a mess!

For more tips and tricks, check out Readymade Magazine. XO, M.E.

String lights and the Stephanie Dress...

Whew! So much for being crafty. I got the idea from ReadyMade Magazine...fun string lights. So yesterday, I turned Dave's patio into a big craft project space. I bought some balloons at a party store, wrapped them in crochet thread, applied Stiffy (yes, I know, I know), and hoped for the best. One balloon popped, the other blew away, and I ran out of Stiffy along the way. So I improvised, and hoped for the best. This morning, I popped the balloons, cut a hole in the top, and hung them up in the store. Not too bad. The finished one is shown here with the Stephanie Dress. That's another story...the dress, that is! XO, M.E.

Make your own (sorry, I'm not selling these in the store) at http://readymade.com/projects/article/string_theory/

more progress...groovy air plants, string lights, and more!

I am an idea girl. I tear things out of magazines, hold onto artwork from when I was a kid (thanks Mom!), and try to think of creative, affordable ways to do things. I'm not always great at the implementation of the finished craft project...and I've been lucky to have a great carpenter who has helped me along the way. I finally got my EIN# today and am proceeding with getting my other licenses to do business here in sunny LA. In the meantime, I'm trying to figure out placement of my fun string lights (thanks ReadyMade magazine), and what groovy plants I can use to enhance the suspended racks that are now up. My neighbors at Big Red Sun next door let me test out some ideas for plants that will enhance the space. I'm loving this plant...it flowers and doesn't require water (uuhh...hello)!!! Stay tuned. The opening of ME & Blue in LA is coming soon.