Etsy Favs: May

Well folks, it’s that time of the month again.  The time to share all of the wonderful items we’ve recently added to our Etsy favs.  Last month we shared a double dose because we missed a March post.

We love the simplicity and sentiment of a map, so why wouldn’t we love this State Love painting from Paint Me a Picture?

This Butterfly Wings watercolor print by the talented Amber Alexander is just so pretty.

How about a Wooden Wall Sculpture from Says the Tree?

The smaller version is really cute, too.

How cute would this Ferris Wheel print by Sylvia C. Photography look in a kid’s room?  I think very.

Maybe this White Magnetic Knife Block by Feel Felt Found would inspire you (or me) to cook a little more often?

Give your new knife block a pal in the dining room.  This Feather Table Runner from Elkhorn Design is stunning.

Looking to add original art to your home?  A Sprig Flowers original watercolor by Piink Design Studio is only 20 bucks.

Skinny Laminx has tons of original, cute fabrics, including this pillow cover.

A little Clam Bowl from Element Clay Studio would add instant charm and character to any table setting or kitchen.

I have lusted over these adorable Heart measuring spoons by Beehive Kitchenware for the longest time.

This Spooning poster from Petek Design cracks me up every time.

For some reason, even though this is showing rain, the mini Spring Shower hoop at Pilli Pilli Handmade is too cute.

Cute monograms on plates?  Yes, please!  A is for Asparagus from Just Noey.  Definitely too cute to eat off of, but perfect on display.

I want a cute fortune cookie, like this from Yoga Goat hanging on my tree next year.

I’ve been wanting to add more original art to our house, and this Birthday Cake Yellow Flower watercolor by Print Maker Jenn is beautiful and fun, all at once.

If I had an actual shop to open and close, I would adorn my door with this Open/Closed Sign by Mary Kate McDevitt.

Both of our boys have such beautiful eyes, I would love to have two Custom Eye Paintings by artist Ashley Spirals to hang in our home.

Diet Coke lovers, you need this print from Livy Love Designs.  Ash, that means you.

Modern Art Everyday has so many beautiful print options, like this White Dahlia print set.

A custom initial illustration from Darling Lark would be adorable for any little boy or girl.

City dwellers, this Row Houses print by Jen Skelley is perfect for you.

Give the kiddos something, too.  An animal block puzzle from Little Sapling Toys is cute enough to leave out.

You know we have a thing for feathers, and this Peacock Feather from Dovie Moon is no exception.

That concludes this month’s Etsy Favs.  Now, do some shopping!

Yard Sale Tips

To me, today, Memorial Day, marks the unofficial beginning of summer.  Summer means grilling, mowing the lawn, swimming, and garage sales.  I thought today was the perfect day to share this article I read in the May issue of Better Homes and Gardens.  BHG shared 20 tips to have the best garage sale.

1. Pick the right date.

2. Shop your house for items to sell.

3. Give yourself at least two weeks before to clean everything.

4. Arrange like items together.

5. Price everything with tags or marked painters tape to avoid residue.

6. Keep a tape measure, yardstick, calculator, batteries and an extension cord handy.

7. Make your signs bold and easy to read.

8. Post fliers at local shops and have directional arrows on signs.

9.  Advertise multiple ways

10.  Have a friend help you host.

11.  Have grocery bags and boxes to make carrying easier on buyers.

12.  Have plenty of small bills and change.

13.  Fill a $1 box near the checkout.  Also have a ‘Free with Purchase” box of little items for shoppers to choose from.

14.  Place large, eye-catching items close to the road.

15.  Group similar items together as department stores do.

16.  Hang clothes to show them off.

17.  Cover tables in colorful plastic tablecloths.

18.  Display jewelry on a fabric covered board.

19.  Place baby clothes and toys at the back to make shoppers travel through everything.

20.  Use vertical space to show items off.  Stack smaller pieces on covered boxes.

It’s not rocket science, but there are several ideas to take away to make your next garage sale a screaming success.

Do you have special tricks or tips to make a garage sale even better?  What do you call it?  A yard sale?  Garage sale?  Rummage sale?  Have you ever hosted a sale?  Surprisingly, I haven’t.  I’m too lazy, so I donate most things or give unwanted items to friends and family.

Gimme a Giveaway: CAPow!

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries, Thank You!***

We’ve shared CAPow! work before, in our Map Lovin’ round up.  Crystal is the mastermind behind CAPow and all the fantastic art prints.  If you have a weakness for maps, like we do, you’ll love CAPow!

First, we fell for the Hometown Hearts print series featuring Valentine’s Day candy hearts atop a city map.  Of course, I love  Home Safe Twin Cities.

But, CAPow has more than Hometown Hearts to offer all you map lovers.  The Typography series reminds me of the Ork city posters.

I Love Minnesota

I Love California

Or, add a print of your favorite City Skyline

And if that wasn’t enough, check out all the gorgeous photographs.

The Goods: One $60 shop credit and another $30 shop credit good for or toward anything in the CAPow! shop.

To Enter: Subscribe to follow Our Humble A{Bowe}d, if you’re not already.  To subscribe, click the “Sign Me Up!” button under “Be the first to know.”  Once you’ve subscribed, leave a comment, which can (but doesn’t have to) include our Just for Fun question.

Just for Fun:  What is your favorite city in the world?  Do you or have you lived there?  Been on a fantastic vacation?  or just dying to go?

For additional entries:

1. Add CAPow! to your Etsy favs, come back and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is.

2.  Like CAPow! on Facebook, and leave us a comment telling us.

3.  Subscribe to follow CAPow’s blog, and leave another comment to better your chances of winning.

Contest Closes: Thursday, June 2nd at 11:59 pm, central time.

Number of Winners: Two!

Ships: Anywhere in the world!!

Other Info: We will select the winner using random.org and announce on Friday, June 3rd.  Good luck!!

All  images found via the featured Etsy seller’s listing as linked above.

Shopping Trip

Warm weather makes me want to get out of the house, whether for a walk, watching V play at the park or shopping.  Of course, this is about shopping, because you probably don’t want to read about our walk or trip to the playground.  World Market sent me a postcard for $20 off a purchase of $20 or more, as a birthday gift.  How thoughtful, seeing as we barely know each other.  Anyway, the boys and I strolled over to World Market, postcard in purse hand.  Here’s what caught my eye.  The Josephine Desk for $199.99.  The design is classic and simple, but I know Ben could build something for less than 200 bucks.  This desk would also look great as an entry table.

This industrial chic dining chair for $109.99.  They also have a coordinating backless barstool.  I don’t think Ben would go for an industrial style, though.  Oddly enough, the man doesn’t like the manly look.  No, he’s not gay.  Haha.

We walked out of World Market with two green Velvet Toss pillows and a bag of chocolate pennies.

It was a toss-up between the green and Moroccan blue, but I think the blue was too similar to the pillows we already have.

And the yellow-green is the perfect spring color.  It reminds me of the first leaves after winter.

After WM, we walked over to Ross.  These lamps are great, especially for $29.99 each, shade included.  Am I the only one who thinks anything more than $30 is too much for a lamp?

My sisters just came out for a visit and we took a trip to Ross to find lamps.  Ash and I saw an awesome set for $45 each, but she didn’t know if her boyfriend would.  Upon his approval, she bought these:

When she brought them in the house,with all seriousness, Vincent said, “Oh my gosh!  Those are incredible!”  Can you tell he shops with decor loving parents?

I’ve been looking for a table to sit over the theater room sub woofer, which is smarter than your average bear (name that cartoon) taller than the average table, with little luck.  Every cheap table is just that, cheap.  I like the style of this table, but I think Ben would like to build something sturdier, even if it is $29.99.

Lastly, we dropped by Bed Bath & Beyond.  This pillow would be fun to duplicate.  If you think I’m cheap because I don’t want to spend more than $30 on a lamp, you know I’m too cheap to buy a $29.99 pillow.  At least I can’t make the lamp.

Josephine desk: $199.99

Industrial chair: $109.99

Ceramic lamps with shades: $29.99

Side table: $29.99

Textured pillow: $29.99

Mr. Ev with Mrs. Meyers: Priceless.

 

We’ve never used Mrs. Meyers’ laundry soap, so Vincent picked out a trial bottle for $1.99.  Then, Ev wanted it and wouldn’t let go.  Silly boy.

We love Ross for their deals on rugs, bedding, and housewares.  We’ve snagged a few friends from World Market and got a smokin’ deal on our dining chairs.

Have you seen new items that made your heart pitter patter?  Do you have a price your unwilling to go over for certain items?  Do you use Mrs. Meyers stuff to clean your abode?  Maybe you have kids who prefer strange items over toys?