Category: Current House

It seems most of you would like to know how to draw or paint.  I think learning to use watercolors would be awesome, but if I could choose to have any skill, I’d choose rug making.  Seriously, rugs are so expensive and I’d save so much money and get a fantastically custom rug to boot!  Our winner, Lori W. would love to design and print.  Congratulations, Lori.  You’ve won this beautiful print from Siiso.

If you didn’t win, fear not.  You can get a 10% discount my messaging Siiso and mentioning Our Humble A{Bowe}d.  Happy Friday.  We’ll see you back here on Monday for Blog Fest: I.  That’s right, we’re having an extravaganza to celebrate our first full year behind the small screen.

P.S.  If you’ve got a question about or for us, please ask and we’ll answer next Friday as part of our blog anniversary.

While reading the May issue of Better Homes and Gardens, I spotted a Mother’s Day idea.  Remember, Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 8th.  A modern take on the classic time capsule to celebrate mom.  Drop souvenirs, photos, a journal and memory card of favorite moments with mom in a glass jar.  Each year, look through the jar and reminisce about your favorite memories from years past.

We do something similar, inspired by Young House Love, to remember our family vacations.  Each destination gets a separate labeled jar filled with maps, sand, rocks, shells, pine cones, menus, ticket stubs and photos.  Basically, anything we’ve put in our pockets to represent the good time we had.

I love that this concept can adapt to nearly any occasion, whether Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a birthday, (make one for each member?) or graduation.  Not only are your precious keepsakes in plain sight, but the tradition of recapping the highlights of the past year is sentimentally sweet.

While we’re on the subject, if you’re a mom, what was the best Mother’s Day gift you’ve received?  Sons and daughters, what was the best gift you gave?  Do you hint for gifts?  Or maybe you prefer to leave it completely up to the giver?  Do you think it is rude to give gift giving options?  Are you going to make a mom capsule?

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

It’s no secret we love the art from Siiso.  The distinct abstract style filled with color and texture tickles our fancy.  We ordered an Autumn Landscape for our bird, tree and feather gallery.  While discussing our order, Yangyang agreed to send us a print to give to one of our readers.  Up for grabs today is an 7.5 by 9 inch Blossoms Series 2010-03 print.

This print is modern, whimsical, surreal and colorful and perfectly sized to fit in a standard frame, matted or unmatted.

Want a chance to win?  Here’s some info:

The Goods: One 8.5 inch by 11 inch, signed Blossoms Series print from Siiso.

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: Tell us which artist you would most like to be, or have the skills of.  Or, which skill or trade would you like to learn?  Under water basket weaving?  Silk spinning?  Throwing pottery?  It can be anything.  If you have a reason and would like to share, please do.

For additional entries:

1. Place your vote for our office and the boys’ bedroom to help us win $5000. (You can learn more about that here) Be sure to leave another comment confirming your vote.

2. ‘Like’ Our Humble A{Bowe}d on Facebook, come back and leave another comment.

3.  Add Siiso to your Etsy favorites and tell us which piece is your favorite.

Contest Closes: Thursday, May 5th at 9:00 pm, central time.

Number of Winners: One!

Ships: Anywhere in the U.S.

Other Info: We will select the winner using random.org and announce on Friday, May 6th. Good luck!!  Also, Siiso is offering 10%, so if you don’t win the giveaway, or Blossoms 2010-03 isn’t your favorite print, you can still get a deal.  Just send a message mentioning Our Humble A{Bowe}d 10% off.

Please note: We were not compensated for this post, we simply love the item we’ve purchased from this shop and want to share with you.

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

Somehow, March flew by before I could share my newly added Etsy favs, so I decided to make this a little longer than usual.  If I hadn’t already bought a bird feeder, this one by Pigeon Toe Ceramics would be a cool alternative.  Who am I kidding?  I can’t afford that!  But it sure is cool, right?

You know I’m obsessed with birds, and this original watercolor feather painting by The Nightjar would work perfectly in our gallery wall.

If you like Pride and prejudice, this tea towel from Brookish is perfect for you.

Need a clock?  Uncommon has great clocks, like the tiny scallop.

And we’re back with the birds!  Love this adorable Fire Bird made in Israel by Studio Kahn.

Add a little quirk to any space with this Light Vase by John Corcoran Design.

If quirk isn’t your thing, but you need a small vase, check out this Love Birdies vase in white by Red Hot Pottery.

Customize any space with a Wedding Scroll from My Sweet Prints.

Store magazines in style with the M is for Magazine rack from Paper Doll Wood Shop.

Bug Under Glass has tons of great real framed butterflies.  So classic, pretty and natural.

Monograms are great, but moss-covered monograms, like these from A Stylish Design are even better.

How beautiful would a monogram look hanging from a front door to greet guests (and those annoying solicitors)?

Wood scraps can be recycled and turned into beautiful art, similar to the pieces from Paint Square.

Clay Shapes makes really awesomely textured bowls, like these Snow Bowls.

Must learn to make origami koi like Mabona Origami.  Does anyone know how?  Spill if you do!

For baby, this Rising Sun mobile from Jenna Bee’s Paper Creations gives baby something interesting and bright to look at while getting a diaper change.

An origami lampshade from Studio Snowpuppe would add texture and modern elegance to any dining room or living space.

Here’s a modern walnut clock by Off Cut Studio is so sleek and clean, perfect for the bachelor.

Silhouettes are elevated when cut from beautiful leaves, as demonstrated by Jenny Lee Fowler.  Such a unique spin!

Add humor and a kitchen aid with this Charcoal Cow Butchery Diagram from Drywell.

Get eco-friendly, high-efficiency laundry detergent from Mrs. Jones’ Soapbox.

A little bird told me this Fill in the Blank print from Bird Ave was adorable.

`

How high-end does this paper mache bowl made by Up in the Air Somewhere look?  Answer: very.

To fuel my love for all things miniature, this succulent necklace from Woodland Belle.

Cottage Light Studio‘s Summer Meadow print makes these rainy days a little brighter at the hope of summer.

I think this Home Sweet Home print by Sparkle Power would look homey and sweet in an entry.

Feeling uninspired at work?  Play with these Walnut Zen Blocks to pass the time.  

Keep your cotton balls safe with this ceramic cotton tailed bunny by Texas Ceramics.

Am I the only person in love with dandelion art?  I can’t be.  If you are, too, check out this print from Raceytay.

Commemorate road trips with a United States map marked with up to 10 cities from January Jones Prints.

Yes, I know.  Another map.  Birds and maps, I’m predictable at least.

We’ve also added a few prints to our Etsy shop.  This pressed feather original art print, similar to the print we made for our bird gallery wall.

Next, we added a modern honeycomb pattern with bee in flight for a cute reminder to bee happy.

If you’ve had your eye on something in our Etsy shop, or want a personalized gift for mom, we’ve got good news for you.  Use the code LOVEMOM15 when checking out to receive 15% off your entire order, now through Mother’s day, May 8th.

Also, we have to send out a huge thank you and virtual hug to my blog friend Jen at IHeart Organizing for her continued support.

Jen always has such great, practical ideas, and we’re especially loving her 30 items in 30 days challenge.  Who doesn’t need a kick in the pants to get rid of some stuff?  If you need more help getting yourselves organized, stop in the IHeart Organizing Etsy shop to stock up on personalized labels and templates.

So, there ya have my March and April Etsy favs.  What are you waiting for?  Start shopping!  Not that I need encouragement to shop, but what made it to your Etsy favs recently?

Please note:  We were not compensated for this post, we simply think these items are great and wanted to share with you.

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

P.S.  Are you looking to gain exposure for your blog or shop?  We would love to advertise with you.  Please e-mail Amanda at ourhumbleabowed@gmail.com for more details.

Happy Earth Day to all!  We had fun reading which bird you’d all be.  If I had to choose, I would love to be a combination of three, an owl for their wisdom, a penguin for their fun personality and peacock for beauty.  Who wouldn’t want to have brains, beauty and a personality to boot?

Getting down to business, the winner of the Miles of light giveaway is number 42, Ashley.  Congratulations!

Do you do anything special for Earth day?  When we were in elementary school, every student received a tiny pine tree.  We planted ours and it thrived until last winter when a huge snow storm broke the top half right off.  Do they still give out trees?  Are you going to plant something?  Maybe a vegetable garden?  A rain garden?