Work Hard, Play Hard

Russell and I finally decided to tackle our kitchen as our next "renovation" project. All we're really doing is repainting the cabinets and adding knobs because I've always wanted a white kitchen. Also, I couldn't stand the current state of the cabinets.

By the end of June, I thought we were done painting, but here I am again with paint on my hands, hair, and feet. Make it stop!

Cabinet doors

In between the kitchen project, I've tackled a few other creative hobbies:

Sewing! I've only done basic things such as skirts, drawstring pouches, and pillow cases, but I'm addicted. I love pretty fabric.

pillowcases

The back of that leaf pillow has elephants:

Too cute to pass up

Paper stuff. Hung out with some girl friends for a Crafting Day and this is what I learned on one of those days - how to make paper flowers. They look so real too.

Oh, and needlepoint & embroidery. I'm sloppy at it and trying to learn different stitches. Nonetheless, still proud of my first project. I think I'll hang it over our doorbell.

While I'm doing projects that are fit for grandmas, here's what Russell has made:

One of our friends wanted a headboard and footboard for a bed using wood pieces, and Russell came up with this. Russell taught me how to use his sander so I helped with a few pieces (woohoo!). Overall, I love it. It makes me want one for our own room...

Okay, the cabinets are probably dry now. Time to go put 234235 more white coats of paint.

Budding Goods (A Shameless Plug)

Hey guys, this past week has been crazy. Lots of house news came and went (which I will save for another post) as well as our first Crafter's Fair!

Russ and I attended a fairly small Crafter's Fair hosted at Laguna Hills Mall this Memorial Day Weekend. It took place over three days and we learned a lot from it. As we prepared for the show, we swung between strong emotions of feeling super unprepared and overly prepared. We had no idea what to expect.

It ended up going great. We sold about half the things we brought which is not too shabby. Our proceeds are going to my little brother's missions trip this summer.

Here are a few of the things we made and sold:

Hanging Macrame Planters

I made a few more other macrame planter versions but didn't take pictures of them, because I wasn't sure they would sell. I'm so glad they did though - they have just the right amount of funk to them. I love them because their form almost look like wall tapestries.

Mini Zen Planters

Russell designed and built these and I planted the cactus and succulents. They're so pretty. I think this was the product we got the most compliments on. They're interesting to look at and so sleek. And the wood! The textures really pop out.

Magnetic Mini Flower Arrangements

Okay, so these were kind of a fluke. We had 1" cubes which I painted and/or stained. Russ drilled holes in them. We intended to buy air plants and stick them in there and sell them as little planters. However, since air plants are becoming quite popular, it was impossible to find mini air plants at an affordable price. I came home a little discouraged about having all these wooden cubes and no plants to put in them.

I was in my parents' backyard and noticed all the dried flowers I had hanging around. I hate throwing out flowers that Russell buys me so I usually end up drying them before they wilt. I ended up using these dried flowers and creating mini flower arrangements by gluing them into the cube and adding a magnet on the back. People loved them. I sold out of them on the second day and had to go home to make more. I already received another order for 20 more of these (woo!). They're so cute and affordable. I love them because it's a little way people can take home our creative work with them.

Our signature framed succulents

Colorful wood with hanging succulents

Here's a picture of our booth that Russ built:

A week before the show, we were still trying to figure out how to display our items. Russ did amazing though at conjuring this up. The only drawback was that little kids loved running through the middle of the booth and a few would pull on the hanging macrame planters. But it was endearing to watch.

I think that's all for now. I can go on and on about this show and about our items. I enjoyed the Crafter's Fair because there were so many people who came up to us just to encourage us and to compliment our work. After a crazy week dealing with escrow and house paperwork, this became a nice break for me and Russ.

Feel free to visit our Etsy shop: Budding Goods

We also have an Instagram page I update on whims: Budding Goods on Instagram

Planters and Painting

Here's the planter Russell made with the plant we purchased:

Looks simple and elegant enough. We also like it with the other plant we bought. I have better pictures/angles loaded onto the Etsy shop: Wall Planter w/ Mirror

We had fun thinking up this idea and putting it together. Also, Russell has been obsessed with making planters lately...

Anyways, we're all set with sending that off as a birthday present. I painted the card (the green stripy one next to the plant). I'm telling you, watercolors is fun but the most I can do are the most basic design.

Painting is messy but the end result is pretty. Of course, it made me think that painting is like life. We're all messy and all over the place, but in the end, everything is made beautiful in its time.

Plants and Things

We bought some plants this weekend. This one in particular is for a birthday/house warming present. We had an idea for a cool planter and this little guy looked perfect for it. Russell is building the planter and I'll share pictures once that's done.

Rich green color

I decided to dry out my Valentine's day flowers because I hate watching flowers die. Also, we usually place dried plants around the house in case we don't have any fresh ones. They're pretty for decorations :)

Just some upside-down flowers chilling in the living room

I painted a little bit this weekend because I got a new set of watercolors. Russell had given me some of his watercolors to use but he has nice brands and I don't like wasting nice things if I don't know what I'm doing. Hence, a mediocre brand from an art store. While I work in the living room "art space", I get to look out our living room window and spot Russell doing wood work.

Not a bad view

I've dubbed our patio his woodworking shop. Not gonna lie, we're pretty excited to move and find a bigger space to live.

The apartment we have is tiny but we're making the most of it. Nothing a few plants and flowers can't liven up.