a daily dose of holiday spirit

tomorrow is december 1st, and you know what that means: the official countdown to christmas has begun. and growing up in my house that meant one thing: advent calendars. so since i am on the slowboat this year, i am hoping to get a bit creative and do a make shift one at home that will encourage some holiday spirit! (i love mr. frederickson, but he is lacking a bit in that department)

check out all these super cute diy versions...now i just have to decide what little daily treats are going to win over my scrooge's heart this season. any thoughts?

{via etsy - nuvanova}

{via not on the highstreet}

{via oh hello friend}

{via etsy - oh hello magpie}

{via oh, happy day!}

{via twig & thistle}

{via pinterest}

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mason jar accessories.

you know how i feel about mason jars, so when i came across these vintage apothecary labels at happiness is... i was in heaven. and then to find out that they are a free printable download from the creative mind behind it's just something i made, made them even more heavenly in my book. looks like my vintage milk bottles and mason jars will be getting accessorized!

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the lampshade lady

the most recent issue of yankee magazine featured an article about judy lake, aka lampshade lady. and, yes, she is just as wonderful as her alterego would lead you to believe. in her pawlet, vermont studio, lampshade lady creates one of a kind creations out of vintage postcards, photos, fabric, and, yup, you guessed it, lamps.

what a great project it would be have one created with memories from all my summer travels. or what about a lamp as a wedding gift - one that chronicles places important to the happy couple or photos from their past? oh, there are just so many fun ideas! and if you are feeling brave and crafty, it can be a great DIY project (she teaches a workshop too!) and doesn't her studio just loook like the most welcoming place on earth!? i can't wait to visit!

{images via here & here}

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may day floral basket.

check out this fantastic DIY may day project brought to us by the talented vermonter jaime giorgi of the monkey flower group - a floral studio currently based in burlington, vermont.

...and i say currently because they are relocating to california next month, so we will sadly be losing this great talent. but i was thinking, maybe if we ALL make these magical flower baskets and leave them on her doorknob she will be tempted to stay in the very friendly and generous (although very snowy) state of vermont...what do you think, are you with me? let's shower her with love and her own DIY project! to see the project from start to finish visit design*sponge. (it even uses mason jars. love. love. love.)

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