Some of you may know I am a volunteer art teacher in my son's Kindergarten classroom. I thought I'd share this week's project as it is also a DIY textile printing tutorial. I found the idea in Todd Oldham's book Kid Made Modern.
Read MoreI recently started making my own chicken stock. I realized that I was going through at least 2 cardboard containers of stock a week, much more than that during the holidays. I don't love stock in a box, but it's convenient. Here's a simple, organic, inexpensive way to make and freeze your own so that you always have it on hand.
Read MoreA mason jar. Is there anything more functional or charming? Our family uses them as glassware. They make great vases, luminaries, pickle houses and bathroom spider terrariums. This week's Etsy find is from Ann Arbor based Boots N Gus. Go Blue! They have a series mason jar lights and upcycled pieces made from vintage bowls, including a mint green Tupperware bundt pan lamp.
Read MoreI had to retire our Easter baskets after last year's egg hunt. The cheap color woven wood was splitting on both and on one, the handle completely detached. I was kind of glad to see them go as I'm not a huge fan of that look. I set out to replace them with something a little more organic looking. Today I picked up a couple of plain wicker baskets and put my endless spools of colored bakers twine to use. I tightly wound the twine around the handle to create a sort of Ikat pattern, alternating red and blue. I started by unwinding a few yards of the twine from the spool, and wrapping around my index and and middle finger, rewound it into a smaller package, easier to manipulate around the basket. I tied a knot at the base and began winding around the handle tightly, pushing the twine down each revolution to keep the wrap compact. See pictures below.
Read MoreIt's been raining pretty hard all week. Yesterday we took a rain walk with our friends. Wylie was giddy, and completely soaked and muddy from puddle jumping. Growing up, my grandparents had a horse ranch and on the rainiest of days we'd put on head to toe yellow rain gear to help my grandpa "feed the beasts". When we were done with our work, he encouraged us jump in the giant puddles that collected on the driveway in front of their house. My grandma would stand at the window, half smiling, shaking her head, watching us dance around like muddy Big Bird's.
Read MoreMake + Haus is the new name and online home for the blog Poppy Haus. Established in 2011, the blog archive now contains hundreds of original design projects and whole food recipes, many featured on the likes of Apartment Therapy, Martha Stewart, Design*Sponge, Curbly, and Epicurious.
