Morning Brew: Don’t Forget to Play

Jake Blog Post Morning Brew, Weekend 1459 Views

Source: Marc Johns
This week was a long week for us. I’m not sure how relaxing our weekend will be because we have a lot of catching up to do on projects. Our blog has been getting a lot more attention from outside sources lately, and it’s bringing in a lot of new clients (a good thing). One of our projects this weekend is taking our first ever Christmas card picture! Last year we just designed and sent this postcard, without a picture. This year we’ll be printing our own cards on our letterpress and putting a picture of us on the back.We’re super excited for that. Sometimes it’s hard to balance work and play, but as we all go into the weekend…don’t forget to play!

JakeMorning Brew: Don’t Forget to Play

Chai Tea Latte

Jamie Bartlett Blog Post Food, Recipe, Tea 1425 Views

I am loving my new work space! It feels like a place I can call my own. Yesterday I was working at my desk and I decided I wanted something warm to drink. I was really craving a nice chai tea latte. Of course, I didn’t have any. So I quickly looked up a recipe and, to my disappointment, it needed a handful of  spices I didn’t have on hand. I thought about adding the ingredients to my grocery list but instead just decided to be lazy and buy the pre-made concentrate. I picked up some Oregon Chai (the best chai) at the store and made myself some in my favorite mug last night. The nice blend of black tea, honey, vanilla and spices really hit the spot. Jake even drank a cup and liked it. And Jake hates tea!
Jamie BartlettChai Tea Latte

It’s A Wrap: DIY Holiday Gift Wrap

Jamie Bartlett Tutorial Christmas, Decorations, Design, DIY, Gifts, Holiday, Personalize, Tutorial 8826 Views

I know it’s early, but I can’t help myself! I love Christmas and I love making the gifts I buy for family and friends looks extra special. This year I decided I’m only wrapping my gifts in kraft paper. As much as I love cute patterned paper, it can get expensive and you don’t get that much in a roll. Kraft paper comes in rolls and can easily be found in the packing section of any store. I got mine at Target. 
I put together these wrapping ideas that are simple and fun. Plus the best part is that I already had everything to put these together at home. So grab your supplies, pop in a movie and make a bunch all at once to use throughout this season!

POM-POM
Make any size pom-pom with yarn and tie around your wrapped gift. Pom-pom tutorial below.
SNOW FLAKE
Snow flakes are easy and fun to make! Start by cutting out your snowflake from a piece of paper. Lay across your wrapped gift and tie with twine. If you don’t know how to make these you can find instructions here.

ACCORDION FAN
From a piece of paper fold an accordion fan and secure around gift with baker’s twine. You can follow the tutorial below.
TWINE & TAG
Cut a strip of white paper and place around wrapped gift. Tie with some baker’s twine and slip in a gift tag. Joy gift tag is from our holiday collection!
All you need to make these cute pom-poms are yarn, a ruler, some scissors and a piece of cardboard that is 1 1/2 inches wide (use a wider piece for larger poms). 
STEP 1: Start by wrapping your yarn around the cardboard
STEP 2: Continue wrapping until you have gone about 40 times.
STEP 3: Cut a piece of yarn long enough to go around your gift. Gently pull your yarn off the cardboard and lay it on top of the yarn you just cut.
STEP 4: Tie a knot.
STEP 5: Make sure to pull it really tight.
STEP 6: Begin cutting the loops all the way around the pom.
STEP 7: Give you pom a good shake to loosen all the yarn then give your pom a good hair cut to form it into a nice ball shape. Then tie it around a gift to make a really cute package! 
Gather up an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper, double stick tape, string and scissors
STEP 1: Cut the paper in half lengthwise.
STEP 2: Make a fold about 1/4 of an inch wide.
STEP 3: Flip over and fold again. Continue flipping and folding like an accordion until you get to the end of the paper.

STEP 4: Cut two slits in the middle on both sides.
STEP 5: Take out enough string to wrap around your gift and tie in a knot around the middle. 
STEP 6: Spread out your fan

STEP 7: Place double sided tape on each end and connect the two sides to form a circle. 
That’s it! Now your gifts will look fabulous!
Jamie BartlettIt’s A Wrap: DIY Holiday Gift Wrap

Office Space

Jamie Bartlett Blog Post Inspiration, Weekend, work space 1545 Views

4. Remodelista | 5. Decor8
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Jake and I stayed home and were able to check a bunch of items off our to do list. The most exciting and a much needed item on our list was to organize our work space. Ever since I started working from home I have taken over our dinning room table. And let me tell you, a dining room isn’t the most inspirational space. My desk isn’t quite done yet but so far is turning out just how I wanted. As soon as I finish I’ll post some pictures. 
If you remember, organizing my workspace was on my 12 By 12 list. I remembered this made a lot of other people’s list as well, so I put together some of the spaces that inspired me and hopefully they will inspire you as well.

Jamie BartlettOffice Space

Gifted Magazine: Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Jamie Bartlett Blog Post Christmas, Guide, Holiday, Shop 1263 Views

Jake and I started our Christmas shopping last weekend. We already finished getting stuff for our nieces and nephews. They’re by far the easiest and most fun to buy for. When it comes to everybody else in our families I never really know what to get. I tend to over-think the gift-giving process in my attempt to find the most perfect gift for everyone. I’m really at a loss as to what to get for the rest of the people on our list. And it doesn’t help when your sister is the best gift giver ever. She is hard to beat, but she sure is nice to get presents from!

Gifted Magazine’s Holiday Gift Guide just came out today. I quickly flipped though it earlier and was delighted to find so many wonderful ideas. I think I’m going to make some tea and look through it again. Hopefully I’ll find some gifts for the people still on my list. Take a look. I think you’ll like what you see and maybe it will help you on your search for the perfect gifts this Holiday season.

Jamie BartlettGifted Magazine: Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Eleven – Eleven – Eleven

Jake Blog Post Puppies 962 Views

Source: Metro
How could I pass up the opportunity to post at 11:11 on 11-11-11? And what better to post at this time than a camera-shy puppydog? We all can use a puppy fix from time to time. Just drop by pinterest to overfill your cute-o-meter. We keep our own collection of cuteness on our puppy board.
JakeEleven – Eleven – Eleven

Elephant Pancakes

Jamie Bartlett Blog Post Design, Food 2497 Views

photo credit unknown 
I love elephants and pancakes. I could eat this one right up it’s so cute. Really though I love all breakfast food. So naturally I’m a big fan of brinner (breakfast for dinner). We’ve decided to make it a weekly tradition to have waffles on Thursday nights in honor of our favorite tv show, Parks & Recreation because on the show Leslie Knope holds a special place in her heart for the local diner’s waffles. 
We have a really nice waffle iron, but I’m still not completely satisfied with the flavor of the recipes I’ve tried. I would gladly except suggestions if you have a favorite you’re up for sharing!
Jamie BartlettElephant Pancakes

Mmm…Mugs

Jamie Bartlett Blog Post Collection, Design, Products, Shop 1877 Views

One of my favorite things about colder weather is being able to drink warm things out of pretty mugs. It’s like your own personal handwarmer, but with a yummy beverage inside. I’ll admit there have been times when I’ve just warmed up water so I could hold a nice warm mug in my hands. If I had more cabinet space, I would probably own quite a bit more mugs. The owl mug is really tugging at my heart.

Jamie BartlettMmm…Mugs

Showing 521–530 of 785 results