White recycling bags get a coastal makeover. Regatta Rags part 2

The day I found the blue boxes at Ikea I also found this set of  recycling bags.

What I liked about them.

They are white.

They were so clean looking

Easily folded and tossed in the trunk instead of the not so pretty shade of blue lidless Rubbermaid™ container that takes up way to much trunk room to do errands after going to the recycling center.

The one size in particular (15 x11 x 10") that Zoie is modeling was perfect for a trip to the farmer's market for some melon, cheese and berries.

 
It held quite a hefty load.  Zoie by the way is 8 pounds and she was in the bag after it's use at the farmer's market, not before.  I should mention it's rated to hold 7 pounds.

 Made from  100 % polypropylene simply turn them inside and and give them a good wash.

The taller one shown in the back of the first photo was perfect to bring along to an estate sale I had gone too.  I just kept stuffing things in it.

 

Don't get bored yet like Zoie here who was supposed be helping me photo my clay starfish that you see in the photo

What I really saw in these fabulous bags was p-o-t-e-n-t-i-a-l with a capital "P".

Potential nice crisp white gift bags, market totes, perfect beach bags and of course for the boat!  My dearly beloved on the other had saw another project I was so immersed in that I didn't even pick my head up to say hello when he walked in the door.

I was so excited I just had to perform my "R&D" like it was some sort of emergency surgery.  I thought they looked fine with the white clay tags and ornaments but, then thought a touch of navy would be just right. Okay, so it's more royal blue which isn't my favorite but, used it anyway.

Being polypropylene means paint would not stick.

Possibly the Krylon Fusion might work. I didn't want to chance it.

Auto body paint would might work as well but,
it's not like I have that around anywhere.

Sewing would work.

I opted for something else entirely and created several designs.

24 hours later my finger was still swollen from all the tedious 

cutting using very small scissors.

This branch coral is five separate pieces that I just began cutting.

I modified a stencil for the lighthouse.

I wanted to cover the Ikea tab up. Cutting it meant the chance of cutting the bag with my luck and I like the solution much better.  It's personalized now. I cut a rectangle larger the the tab and wrapped around the back and stuck it on..

Exhausted and happy I flashed my completed line of bags in front of
my DB who studied them for a moment and said "Wow!
you could sell these"   I'm already looking for sources dearie to
make them part of my "Regatta Rags™" line.

Viola! Coastal shopping bags or gift bags!
Won't I be stylin' at the grocery store after the holidays!

Regatta Rags™ re-formed, re-imagined, recycled, rescued.

Time for dessert holiday collection stamped silverware fashions

My new stamped silverware editions are fun and unique. First up eat, drink and get stuffed serving spoon for Thanksgiving also available in a shorter to the point version; get stuffed.

 

This set can be used for both holiday or any Sunday dinner.

A set of eight forks with a cake server.

Each fork says something different.

Divine, Delicious, Luscious, Sinful, Tasty,

Sweet, So good, and To Die for.

The server says "time for dessert."

For a bit of a different take. This set has six forks

and a server that says "have some cake".

The forks are stamped with sayings I know I have

said time and time again.

"A small piece"

"A little slice"

"Just a taste"

I was laughing the entire time making them all.

Instead of being flattened for the garden

these pretty spoons are now offered for you table.

Fun to use year round actually.

This set was inspired by my little chaplet 

A little morning support!

For the hostess.

The ice cream lovers.

The soon to be bride.

For the gardener.

For the tree.

Beach House Living on Etsy

Our Stamped Silverware featured in a Cookbook by Norway's Manuela Kjeilen A Passion for Baking

Beach House Living's stamped silverware has been featured in a cookbook by Manuela from a Passion 4 Baking titled "Love Manuela".

This is truly amazing honor.  Unlike a magazine, this is a cookbook that could very well grace the shelves of homes for years to come.

 It's is currently written in Norwegian; no worries you can visit Manuela's tantalizing blog and hit the translate button.  The book may be available in English sometime in 2012.

Manuela, armed with her cache of favorite things and kitchen essentials 

literally guides you with numerous large photos of each each step 

of her divine recipes.

Manuela not only bakes, she styles and takes all her own photos!

She makes you feel that even if baking is not something your confident about

that you can, and will create lovely desserts.

Don't think you have time? She has five children.

You can also get recipes for rolls

and "Chicago deep dish pizza"

Manuela is even more beautiful then her desserts!

I simply love the pink boots she is wearing here.

Having them featured being used this way was something totally unexpected.

 I am glad that the spoons we use for garden markers 

are mainly made with every day kitchen table quality.

Unless, you select a "rustic version"

A good portion of my Mr. and Mrs forks wedding silverware
is made more along company, holiday best thinking.

Manuela is making me want to pull my baking pans out of storage

with the impending holidays and cold weather.

What a way to spend a day with the smell of holiday cheer in the air

making these!

Thank you Manuela.  

It is such an honor to appear in your cookbook and blog.

Wishing you continued success!

Visit Manuela at at a Passion for Baking.

Her recipe index can be found here.

Contemporary nautical scrimshaw artist Linda Layden

It's a pleasure to introduce Linda Layden, a self taught contemporary artist from Harrison, Maine who crafts some of her wares by recycling vintage ivory piano keys.

Taking keys from her own old piano or keys given to her by others or that she purchases her process begins of cleaning, prepping, sanding, etching and coloring to create vivid colorful bookmarks such as these.

 

Linda was inspired by her time spent in Massachusetts near the historic New Bedford whaling port where at one time whale men spent their idle hours on long trips etching bone or carving ivory.  Linda decided she would learn this craft and has been creating scrimshaw pieces as a full time profession for over 30 years.

Linda also crafts on mother of pearl; like this pendant,

old ivory becomes earrings

 

 An old bone ginger jar becomes a piece of art.

Linda also makes molds to create these wonderful mermaids cast in
resin and then etched in the traditional manner of scrimshaw.

Linda's work is found in private collections, fine gift shops
and galleries around the globe.

Now, Linda may call her recycled piano keys bookmarks

I call them fascinating and see them as wonderful embellishments to nautical decor such as stringing several of these on some rope criss crossing a ceiling in a room, using them as ornaments or to dress up a gift box.

You can purchase Linda's work here

The fine yet, required print.  This is not a paid endorsement or advertisement. I wrote to Linda Layden and asked if I may feature her piano key bookmarks and she graciously agreed and allowed the use of her photos. I've been blessed to have my work featured by others.  I'm simply doing the same.