A change.

Hello, all!

I'll just come right to the point, since I am a pointy person. *groan*

I am going to be taking a break from blogging full time for a while. I'm not entirely sure how long that "while" will be, but I know that I need this change. I will still be blogging every once in a while, but it certainly will not be on a regular basis - and it will most likely be only pictures of my kids and my favourites from Etsy that I would like to save for my own enjoyment.

So as of now, I will not be accepting any sponsors, since I will not be giving them their money's worth of volume for advertising their shops/blogs. This also means that I will not be hosting any more What You Made link-ups until further notice. I had such a great following for my little link-up, and I am so grateful for all you who did link-up faithfully.

I really love blogging, and I hope to come back at it full time in the future. But right now is not that time.

See you around!

This week my favourites have been pretty random. I see a pretty picture, I like it. I see an interesting concept, I like it. lol. Scatter-brained much?

The Stag wall decor || Crystal & Pearl Woven Earrings || 4 tulips against a teal wall || Handspun yarn

What I Made Link-up 55

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This past week has found me getting more books ready for binding. I have had this pile of falling-apart vintage books on my to-do shelf since September, and I figured that now would be a good time to get them ready.

Anyhoo. Last week's most viewed link was of this adorable Easter hair bow from GelasRaineBows:

Here are some other sweet little bows made by Gela:

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Today we're having a chat with Chelsea from Notional Notions.

Etsy Shop | Facebook | Blog | Website

Tell us a bit about who you are. I'm originally from California but I studied art in Texas and then moved to Italy for two years. I love to travel and have a hard time staying in one place or sticking to a singular medium. But overall, I'm a pretty easy going lady.

Tell us about your craft and how you got started. I've been drawing for as long as I can remember but I really got adventurous with my craft in college. That's where I fell in love with bookmaking and watercolor illustration. But I've tried everything from Intaglio printmaking and welding to tattooing and children's book illustration. I like being a Jane of all trades, master of none. 

Where do you get your inspiration from? Everywhere, and that's no exaggeration. My art space, "the bubble," is typically a gigantic mess because I've gathered so many postcards/books/photos and ideas from places I've traveled to (and hoping to travel to one day!). 

Who is your favourite artist/creative person? Hard to pick just one, it usually changes depending upon what I'm working on. A couple I've been loving lately are Janice MacLeod's travel letters/illustrations, Stephanie Brown's tattoo work and designs, and the lettering work of Jessica Hische. 

What do you love most about what you do? I love getting my hands dirty, this is likely why I struggle with the digital art realm so much! My art bubble may be messy but that usually means I'm happy and creating. 

What do you do when you're not creating? For my 'real grown-up job,' I teach art lessons. Which is a pretty awesome alternative to not making my own work; getting to hang out with kiddos and essentially just play and watch them create. It can be pretty amazing watching what they come up with! 

 Etsy Shop | Facebook | Blog | Website

Thanks for sharing with us today, Chelsea!

I gathered each of these items into my favourites on Etsy in about 5 minutes. I like searching my activity feed and the newly listed area to find awesome items.

Vintage Brass Goblets | Burlap Wristlets | Funny Valentine's Day card | Blue Dangle Flower Earrings

 

It snowed only last night, but I really think that spring is almost here! Call it a gut feeling.

 

Now that spring is here, I have to look at updating my accessories. I don't want to update my wardrobe until I get to my goal weight, so I'm sticking with accessories. Beside, they are much more fun!

 

 

Ika Bag | Cotton Cowl | Spring Flower Pendant | Ballet Flats | Vintage French Basket

 

I already have an Ika Bag, and I LOVE IT!!! I have to get another one for warmer weather, since the one I have is tweed/wool.

 

I also already have a few cowls from Sew Ecological, but I just LOVE this one! It's actually in my checkout cart right now...

 

This flower pendant is beautiful! Another item in my cart...

 

I already am wearing flats for casual days at work, and they are so comfy! And these certainly look comfy too!

 

I love the tuplips in the basket, and the basket itself is such a unique shape...

 

A collage of my children.

I made this collage for my left desktop at work; but I thought it was so cool, that I had to share it with you guys too. Now you can see what I see every day while I'm at work!

Farewell to Google Reader... What now?

Google Reader is going away in July. GASP!

Don't worry. If you read this and other blogs through Google Reader or GFC (Google Friend Connect) you have plenty of other options. Here they are!

1. Follow through Bloglovin' 

Many blog lovers already use this platform to follow their favorite blogs. I get an email every morning of all the blog posts that were posted since the day before - it's awesome!!! It is ridiculously easy to add your subscriptions too - BONUS!

Set up an account and import blogs HERE.

Follow Trees.Hides. HERE. 

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2. Follow through Feedly

Feedly is claiming to have a way to seamlessly import your blogs when Reader goes away so that you won't even notice the transition. If you sign up for a Feedly account now and start using it everything should transfer without any fuss. 

Get Feedly HERE. 

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3. Subscribe by Email

If you're like me and read a ton of blogs, this is NOT the option for you. My inbox would be a nightmare. If you only follow a few favorites, then this is a good option. Just head over to the right sidebar near the top of the blog under "Subscribe" and on the link 'via email'.

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4. Follow with Facebook

Most blogs have a Facebook page that they use to interact with readers and promote posts. Most of my posts that I post here on my blog is available on my Facebook page minutes after I post it. If you are active on Facebook just "like" all the blogs you follow and you can click on the links to read the posts.

****I don't recommend following by Twitter alone. It's easier to miss important posts there. ****

What You Made Link-up 54

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://treeshides.blogspot.com/search/label/what%20I%20made%20link%20up" target="_blank"><img width="200" height="80" src="http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd402/ShirleyFAO/wym200x80_zps7d5bbefb.jpg"/></a><br />

I have been binding when I get a chance, and here is one that I bound last week. I shared it on my Facebook page too, in case you follow me there as well.

I also have a few more pages that have been folded into signatures and pierced, ready to be bound into the covers - I really love the coptic stitch, don't you?

Last week's most viewed link was this gorgeous silver celtic tree of life pendant from Bridget Fainne:

Here are some of my favourite's from Kate's shop:

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Featured Sponsor :: Notional Notions

Etsy Shop | Blog | Facebook | Pinterest

Chelsea is such a talented lady; just take a look at all the different things she can do! - book binding, painting, jewellery marking - so talented!! Here is a peek of some of my favourites from her shop, Notional Notions:

Head on over and find your own favourites!

Etsy Shop | Blog | Facebook | Pinterest

Another thing I love about spring is the umbrellas. I don't necessarily like the rain, especially when I'm outside in it, but I do love seeing the umbrellas.

1. Teal Umbrella - My enjoyment of the colour teal has been steadily growing. Maybe it is my new favourite colour!

2. Clear Umbrella - I don't really like the no-privacy of the clear umbrellas (I mean, anyone can see anyone picking their nose), but they do look cool.

3. Umbrella in the Rain - A lovely print.

4. Umbrellas - I love all the different colours that are represented here; and I love the way this photo was edited to emphasize those colours.

5. Kissing In the Rain print - I love the burst of colour that the umbrella gives this print!



Turquoise is such a great colour - for all seasons!  It is paired up really well with white and green for spring, red and white for summer, orange and brown for autumn, and black and browns for winter! It's a great all year colour!!! My favourites have been piling up with turquoise items, and I thought I'd share them with you:

1. Turquoise Sundress - oh, how I want this for summer!!

2. Turquoise Octopus - How cute is this little octopus!!?

3. Ceramic Dinner Plates - I love how they are not all uniform; each has its own personality!

4. Earring Stud Collection - Three sets of earrings in one listing! BOOM!