SHIM + SONS

happy thanksgiving!

[Pilgrim hats + bonnet based on this Martha Stewart template.]

the thanksgiving tree

The Thanksgiving Tree is definitely going to become a tradition in our family. 

I love seeing my boys reflect on the things they are grateful for in their lives.

From family to friends to health to love to toys.

J even sketched out what the tree was going to look like. Yes, I have NO IDEA who he takes after! [wink wink]

I plan to take the leaves off the branch and put them inside an album so we can look back on the previous year's blessings. 

thanksgiving decorations 2010

The boys and I had so much fun making Halloween decorations last month that we were motivated to make a few Thanksgiving decorations. I originally planned to create Thanksgiving/Christmas decorations but once I started to sketch out a few ideas I decided that our Christmas decor didn't seem to suit the simple and humble nature of Thanksgiving. 

We printed out a "GIVE THANKS" banner [printed grey letters on to white card stock and cut the letters out] and strung it on some hemp twine. The paper circle garland is leftover from a project I did last year [paper punched circles of kraft paper + card stock and stitched together on a sewing machine]. I picked up the cardboard moose head from West Elm. Appah is not a fan of the moose head but the boys and I love Fred Jr. [his given name]. Good thing it is a complete dictatorship when it comes to decorating the house [just kidding, well, not really.]

I made a wreath to cover up the ill placed outlet + cable thing [ha! I don't know what you call it] above our mantle. I bought a styrofoam ring, cut strips of burlap [which I've decided is my least favorite material to cut...lots of burlap dust!!], wrapped it around the styrofoam and secured it with a few straight pins. I added a fabric flower that I picked up in Korea, tied a ribbon on the top and hung it using monofilament. 

I placed a few wood stones and glass votive holders on the mantle.

But by far my favorite decoration was the "Thanksgiving tree" I made with the boys. I cut out leaves from kraft paper + card stock and had the boys write on the leaves things they were thankful for. It was so interesting to see what they wrote down.

love...food...museums...oxygen...

peace...family...extended family members...

God...friends...health...Pokemon!

box it up

// perfect for holiday cookie giving or gift packaging // an assortment of boxes in the shoppe now // 

// along with a few other packaging goodies // 

meet sally

I think having a doll named after oneself is every little [and big] girls dream come true. And Jennifer of Sophie and Lili did just that when she named one her of newest dolls after me. Sally [the doll] is usually dressed in a cute black + white striped t-shirt but the one I received is wearing a pretty black + white gingham top [Jen knows me well!]. The boys think it is so funny the doll is named after me and will take turns running around the house with Sally, accompanied by some pretty hilarious imitations of me. Thanks Jen for the sweet doll! [Check out other Sophie and Lili dolls and accessories here.]

a fall getaway

A little fall getaway was just what we needed. This was the view from our cabin in Ashland, Oregon. There was snow the first night we arrived [the boys were thrilled!] but it melted the following day. We spent most of our time cozying up in the cabin with a fire crackling away in the wood burning stove. 

While Appah was at a meeting the boys and I explored Lithia Park. 

The boys loved the ducks at the pond.

And J collected as many gigantic leaves his two small hands could carry.

We also encountered a beautiful deer family. The boys climbed up a small hill to get a better peek.

The ground was covered with golden leaves.

And the boys wasted no time gathering them up...

...into a pile...

...so they could jump...

...roll...

...and have fun!

And then they discovered the joy of throwing leaves...

...over...

 ...and over again.

little winter market 2010

I had a wonderful weekend and although I spent a lot of time away from my family it was so nice to see old friends and finally meet friends I've conversed with online for years [or months...which can sometimes feel like years.]

If you follow me on twitter you saw sneak peeks of little winter market. Let me just say that more than a handmade market or show it really was an inspiring experience. Chelsea and Abby worked incredibly hard for months and it really showed in all the details. Not only were all the vendors incredibly talented individuals, they were master stylists. I'm talking about tables that made me ooh and ahh!

I was originally planning to be a vendor but had to bow out due to a scheduling conflict. But somehow plans changed again and I was able to be a greeter on Saturday. You can see me in action here. [I find it funny that no one recognizes me without my boys.] I'm not sure I did the best job as a greeter because I was quite distracted by all the lovely people I wanted to chat with and goodies I wanted to buy. I even suckered Amy into manning my post for a bit while I made a quick loop around the market. [Thanks, A, I owe you!] The turn out was amazing, I'm talking non stop flow of people.  

I cannot get over all the little details that made the market a memorable one for me. From the gingham curtains to the holiday greens to the window decals, everything was just right.

I regret not being able to photograph of all the vendors work, but you can see loads of photographs at the little winter market flickr pool. I have to say I wanted to steal My House Party's front window set up. Although if I brought it home I'm sure there would be Lego men and dinosaurs and random things stuffed in all those homes. I cannot wait until they begin offering the house lamps. 

I was so happy to finally meet Shanna in person. She is such an incredibly warm and kind person. I found myself just smiling at her all the time. And her work is amazing! I regret the self control I displayed at her table although I did leave with one of her Hello Friend cups, a collaboration with Pigeon Toe Ceramics.

I was bummed Nikole of Herriott Grace wasn't able to make it out to Portland but her table of handmade goods was beautiful. Samantha did a great job filling in for her [and kept me entertained with her wicked sense of humor]. 

One day I am going to hire Alyson of Mossiere to style something in my home. She has a wonderful aethestic and a lovely collection of goods.

I loved how Joke of Tokketok displayed her letterpressed cards in little paper bags. The ceramic tags were so elegant and reflected her simple yet sophisticated style. I think I'm going to nickname her the Belgian Beauty.

And last but definitely not least I was so happy to be reunited with Elly of Garment House. She is such a talented clothing designer, looks like a model and is one of the most down to earth people I know. I had so much fun hanging out with Elly + her sister Jenah [who is a talented photographer + baker extraordinaire]. 

There was so much talent and amazing goods in one room it was a bit overwhelming. I usually get shopping paralysis in those type of situations but I managed to bring home some sweet hair pins from Myra of Twigs & Honey, a boulder necklace from Monika of Favor Jewelry, letterpressed cards from Joke of Tokketok and a wool wrapped branch from Kenzie of Secret Pocket [I somehow managed to convince her to sell me the branch even though it really wasn't for sale]. 

A big thanks to Chelsea and Abby for making little winter market such an amazing experience. I'm already looking forward to next year! More of my little winter market photographs here.

may the force be with you

// halloween 2010 //

// meet obi wan kenobi + darth vader // they may be cute but beware...they are dangerous //

// apparently light sabers are useful for fighting....and doing the limbo //

// yes, i know we're raising major hams //

little winter market

[image from little winter market]

I'm looking forward to an amazing weekend at little winter market. I know Chelsea and Abby have been working hard to prepare for this handmade market and the vendor list is top notch. I'll be floating around Saturday morning as a greeter, so make sure you say "hello" if you stop by the market. 

gifted magazine

I am so excited to share with you all the first issue of Gifted holiday magazine + gift guide. Ez, of Creature Comforts Blog, put together the most beautiful online magazine filled with holiday projects, gift ideas and interviews. I had so much fun working on a holiday gift wrapping feature for the magazine [pages 114-124] and feel so honored that one of my photographs was used for the cover! [Thank you, Ez, for allowing me to be a part of Gifted magazine!]