ALOHA Friday Link Party #15 and a Sneak Peek at our Christmas Photo Shoot

Welcome to Jed & Ivy's
Aloha Friday
Link Party #15!


We took photos for our Christmas Cards this week with my very good friend, Ajja.
I've only seen this one so far, because she posted it on Facebook.

Ajja's photography is AMAZING. I like to describe her photography style as capturing life in motion. It's honest. It's what really happens. Ivy and I were actually about to hug right here.
Ironically, her business motto is:

Love Gets Sweeter Every Day

There was a moment in the shoot when Ivy fell in the shallow river we were posing in. My husband was a little upset, I was trying to convince Ivy that it was ok, and Ivy was almost in tears over her wet dress. Needless to say, Ajja showed me a picture she took of us through the trees at that moment, and said it was her favorite shot so far. We didn't look ticked off (which we all were), we looked as if we were caring for one another, trying to remedy a situation, and doing it together. She captures life's moments, not life's poses. 

Live on Maui and need some photos? Planning on taking a vacation to Maui? Don't live on Maui but have a wedding or other important (or not so important) event and you want to fly in a photographer?

Hire Ajja Photography to help you remember those times for years to come.

Click here to "like" AJJA Photography on Facebook. (You really should)

Click here to go to her website. (You won't be sorry)

Ajja did not pay me for this post, these are all my honest sentiments and I owe her big time for all the moments she's captured in my life :)

Hana Hou! Let's see these great projects again. 

Ineseda's Roses for Rose earrings

This whole blog is in dutch, I think... so I don't have much info, but I loved these earrings as soon as I saw them! I do know that Ineseda has an Etsy site and these earrings are for sale! Click here to go to her site.

Violet Imperfection's Burlap Thankful Banner

Go to the blog post to check out the detail in her little corn!

Last feature: A Handmade Bird House from Sweet Boutique

Her husband and son made it together. She explained they just kind of made it up as they went along. I LOVE those kinds of projects. I think all my projects are like that. 

<a href="http://jedandivy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Jed & Ivy" src="http://jedandivy.blogspot.com/"/></a>

Pau Hana! 

It's the end of the week. Let's party.

DIY projects - Etsy products - Giveaways - Furniture Re-do's (my fave) - Sewing Tutorials - Inspiring Stories
Grab the button and post it on your blog, if you have one. 

Follow this blog, if you can.

By linking up, you're allowing me to feature your photos on this blog and pin them. 

Share the Aloha and visit some links! 

<a href="http://www.jedandivy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Jed & Ivy" src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f275/gerry100/linkparty2.png"/></a>

Aloha,

Rebecca

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Diagonal Curtain for the Kitchen Window

After we installed our new window treatments (click here to read that post) in our dining and living rooms, we realized the kitchen window needed to get with the program. I had made valances for the kitchen in the first place we lived after getting married 5 1/2 years ago, and one of those valances was up in our current kitchen. It was pretty much my very first sewing project, and the print on the fabric wasn't straight. This might be my all time favorite fabric, but we were due for an update.

Because I like things to be quirky and different, I decided I wanted to do a diagonal curtain for "semi-coverage." I bought two yards of fabric to make this happen, even though almost half of it was going to be cut off. 

I ironed and pinned all the seams I'd be sewing first (left, diagonal and right edges). Once those were done I folded the top down 4" and sewed it: once 1/2" from the top and another 3.5" from the top. This curtain was finished in like an hour. So simple. Or should I say, "Sew Simple." 

Of course, Kit didn't quite understand why I would make a diagonal curtain. It made perfect sense to me: a good amount of coverage since the sun shines really bring in that window in the morning but you still want some light, and it just looks so fun! I had orange pom pom fringe to go along the diagonal hem, but Kit completely nixed that idea, hahaha. It was a little much, I'll admit. I'm on the lookout for some subtle brown pom pom fringe, since that would blend nicely and be a cute touch. 

Here's the view of the "continuity" from kitchen to dining area. Dishes drying in the sink, hats on the wall, cups on the table, that's real life for ya, in the Owen household. No staging here!

This is one of those projects (like most of them) that makes me happy when I see it, which is pretty often. :)

Aloha,

Rebecca

Come link up to our party, happening now! Click here.

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A Few Of My Favorite Things - the Green edition

I've been indulging a little. In shopping. Just a little. 

The last month or so I've picked up some things that I'm super stoked on.

And most of the things I'm buying happen to be green, which is probably my favorite color.

Item #1: Mod Hand Towels from Ross. 

I love them.

What makes them even better is 

Item #2: Matching Wash Cloths! 

I have them rolled up in my Ikea pot.

BTW- that's my bathing suit from when I was an infant. 

I painted the frame of a garage sale shadow box and put 

italian wall paper I got off ebay in the back of it.

Item #3: Meyer's Liquid Hand Soap

Can you say SPLURGE?! At $4.99/bottle, it's not your most economical handsoap, but I really wanted to see what the fuss was all about. It smells pretty good, but kind of strong. 

Favorite quote on from the label:

"The longer you rub your hands, the cleaner they become." 

Thanks, Meyer's. I enjoy rubbing my hands a little longer.

Item #4: Kale, only $2.99/bunch (have you read my "Simple. Quick. Kale Chips" post? click here)

Item #5: Green Superfood in Orange Dreamsicle flavor

Item #6: Chia Seed

I've been kind of on a health kick for the last year and a half. This is not like me. I used to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. My decision has nothing to do with losing weight (I'm actually under weight). You see, I suffered from frequent sinus infections for as long as I can remember (at least 8 or 9 a year). After having sinus surgery in January 2011, I continued to get the infections and was on round after round of antibiotics. So in September 2011 I began to see an acupuncturist and herbalist and also found out I was allergic to 4 foods I ate constantly.

I've never been healthier! I've had only 3 tiny sinus infections this year, compared with 20 infections last year, each lasting at least 14 days. Yay for health!

The Candida Rescue is NOT one of my favorite things.
The taste is UNBEARABLE!! Anyone want it?


Item #7: Urban Outfitters Stamped Scallop Rug

Who doesn't have this on their wish list? That's what I'd like to know. I'd been eyeing it for at least a year. I'm glad I got it, but I will say, it does not sit well on carpet. It frequently wrinkles up and folds over. Still one of my favorite things, but I had higher hopes. Click here for the link to where you can buy it.

Item #7: Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Luckett's Green

Who doesn't want to try MMS Milk Paint? Everyone says it's a dream to work with. Mine arrived earlier this week! I can't wait to get outside and paint something with it!

Are any of your favorite things green? 

Aloha, Rebecca

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Aloha "BLACK" Friday Link Party #14

Welcome to Jed & Ivy's
Aloha "BLACK" Friday
Link Party #14!

I went out shopping early this morning. (If you call 8:00 a.m. early.) I wanted to get to Sew Special to get their 25% discount before 10:00 a.m. I also hit up American Eagle's sale - 40% off anything in the whole store. That's all. Ivy and I were home by 10:30 a.m.

Here's the goods:

We've got one feature today:

It's Apprentice Extrovert's Kitchen Chair with DIY Chalk Paint. 

I love every piece of furniture Courtney creates!

Go ahead and grab the featured button below.

<a href="http://jedandivy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Jed & Ivy" src="http://jedandivy.blogspot.com/"/></a>

Pau Hana! 

Link up your DIY projects, Etsy products, giveaways, Furniture re-do's (my fave), sewing tutorials, inspiring stories. I'm not picky! 

Grab the button and post it on your blog, if you have one. 

Follow this blog.

By linking up, you're allowing me to feature your photos on this blog and pin them. 

Share the Aloha and visit each other's links! 

<a href="http://www.jedandivy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Jed & Ivy" src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f275/gerry100/linkparty2.png"/></a>

Aloha,

Rebecca

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Pumpkin Whipped Cream

Tis the season for pumpkins! It's also the time of year when I make fresh whipped cream to put on my coffee, pies, on anything really! I had a little extra pumpkin puree, from making my Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread again last week, and I wanted to put it to good use. So I made some Pumpkin Whipped Cream. 

It's really easy to make. Here's what you need:

-1 pint heavy whipping cream

-white sugar (add to taste)

-1/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie puree, you need the pumpkin puree)

-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

-bowl

-electric mixer

Mix the heavy whipping cream in a large bowl until it starts to form "soft heaps" on it's own. Basically, it's thickening, but if you mix it too long it will turn into butter! I've heard cold metal bowls are great to work with, but I don't have one of those. As you're mixing, gradually add in sugar. Just keep tasting it until it has the sweetness you like. With my old hand mixer from the 70's (thanks mom), it took about 5 minutes to get the consistency I wanted. Toward the end, add in the vanilla and cinnamon. When it's the consistency of  whipped cream, pour in the pumpkin puree. Don't mix in the pumpkin puree with the electric beater, fold it in with a spoon. That way you won't over mix. It will have a slightly orange color when you're finished. 

Beware: 

Don't overdo it on the vanilla extract! A little goes a long way!

I put my pumpkin whipped cream in a sealed tupperware container and refrigerate it right away. I COULD NOT WAIT TILL THIS MORNING WHEN I GOT TO PUT IT IN MY COFFEE! I'm about to go out and buy decaf coffee, just so I can brew another batch tonight so I can add in more Pumpkin Whipped Cream!

Aren't pumpkins just the best?! I love them! There are 8 sitting right outside my window as I type this. See? --->

 Here are some shots from when we visited the Pumpkin Patch on Halloween. This is the 3rd year I've taken Ivy. So fun. 

Have a great Thanksgiving week!

Aloha, Becca

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ALOHA Friday Link Party #13

Welcome to Jed & Ivy's ALOHA Friday Link Party #13!

(That's Kit and Ivy on the wave up above on the right. I don't know the people on the rock.)

That's Ivy, holding Sticky Bumps (surf board wax), wearing a Roxy suit and Gap sunglasses (lil poser). My friend from work made the red dress and handkerchief for Ivy for her birthday. Ladybugs and Hearts. Aren't they cute?! I just wanted to share a few photos from life in Hawaii, since this is an Aloha Friday party!!

Hana Hou! Let's take a second look at these awesome projects:

9 Red did a great color block stool. Here's the before and after. 

I mentioned to her that she should link this stool up a few weeks back, and I'm so glad she finally did! 

I also love this chair she did. She didn't link it up, but I just love it and wanted to share it!

Sweet Boutique always has some delicious looking treats to share!

Here are her Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes:

I love all the peppermint crumbles! 

Go ahead and grab the featured button below!

<a href="http://jedandivy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Jed & Ivy" src="http://jedandivy.blogspot.com/"/></a>

Pau Hana! 

Link up your DIY projects, Etsy products, giveaways, Furniture re-do's (my fave), sewing tutorials, inspiring stories. I'm not picky! 

Grab the button and post it on your blog, if you have one. 

Follow this blog.

By linking up, you're allowing me to feature your photos on this blog and pin them. 

Share the Aloha and visit each other's links! 

<a href="http://www.jedandivy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Jed & Ivy" src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f275/gerry100/linkparty2.png"/></a>

Aloha,

Rebecca

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Modge Podge Bracelets

I started this project MONTHS ago. Five months to be exact. But I finally put the finishing touch on it about one month ago. (No comment on how busy my life has been, except for that I hate being busy.) On the other hand, I get a lot of comments about the finished product: 

Here's what I thought you needed, 5 months ago:

*Modge Podge 

*A brush to spread the Modge Podge

*A Bracelet (open or closed)

*Scraps of Fabric (ironed flat)

I just started wrapping the fabric around the bracelet, then applying Modge Podge to make it stick to itself and the bracelet. 

On this one, I thought I was going to do a cool multi fabric style, but it looked lame. So I ended up covering all of it with the blue/white print.

This one was for Ivy. It was fabric scraps from her chair cushions (see that post here). 

And I thought I was done!

But the bracelets HURT! The modge podge dried and was so stiff it scratched up me and Ivy's wrists. So uncomfortable. So, the last items you need to complete this project are:

*glue gun

*felt

I glue gunned some rectangular pieces of felt onto the inside of the bracelets and it's WAY better. Fully functional.

Aloha,

Rebecca

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