!*

new year card via hello sandwich

i'm jumping on the bandwagon and taking a little blog break until after the new year arrives! it's been a good year! a lot of growth and learning--looking forward to more in 2011! thank you for being an amazing reader...for being supportive, encouraging, kind with your words, and most of all an inspiration to me! see you in the new year!!!

*catch me on twitter while i'm away from the blog! 

have yourself a merry little christmas...

{DIY holiday cards via sunset magazine}

wishing the very best to you and yours!

yours truly,

j.

free people?!

this image/ornament made it on to the free people blog yesterday!!! what a pleasant surprise! check it out HERE and see the other great holiday diy projects they posted! oh and everything in the i art u pop up shop is 35% off!! i'll ship your purchase right away!

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is anyone still around in the blog world?! i'm ready to sit back and relax! i'll be taking off soon! ...but before i do, i'll post the christmas cards that my husband and i made this year! i love them! simple + modern + easy peasy! see you soon! is it too early to say.........................merry christmas?!?!?!?

love!

right up my alley! (via a creative mint // via mermag)

a non-holiday related post.

does that excite you? i admit, i've been head-over heels about the holidays this year! on another note, the following are two things that excite me. 

a "connect the dots" 2011 agenda revealing daily famous art pieces (and then some)

{via today and tomorrow}

and heat sensitive wallpaper/paint! 

{via fresh home blog)

last-minute handmade gifts!

(images via sunset, martha stewart, and fresh home blog)

how was your weekend!? if you celebrate christmas...have you finished your holiday shopping? being on a budget this year, i've been researching handmade gifts that would be fun to make for the special people in my life. if you're having a hard time figuring out what to give people, or just jonesin' for a fun project, be sure to check out the handmade gift list below! have fun exploring! and happy monday! -j.

• personalized coffee blend
• caramel bourbon vanilla sauce
• tub teas
• herbal teas
• lavender sachets 
• gifts in a jar
• fabric potholders 
• business card cases
• air plant terrariums, clock hand earrings, sugar mold planters, and more!

...embrace and live art.

you can win this. click HERE. good luck!

SNOW.

(via)

my creative friend hollin from vim and verve posted a clever holiday craft the other day--making snowflakes out of coffee filters. it was too sweet not to share. a cheap, easy, and fun project. perfect for those on a budget (or not!). hop on over to vim and verve to see how to make these pictured beauties!

DIY: how to make your own bow.

These easy-to-make bows will be gracing a few of my presents this year. I've found a lot of inspiration in magazines lately. This one is from Whole Living. Enjoy!

Making a Bow (found in whole living)

What you'll need:

• Magazine pages or any other paper material you want to use (you'll need one page per bow)
• Scissors or a paper cutter
• Double-sided tape
• A ruler
• A pencil

1. Cut the page lengthwise into nine 3/4-inch-thick strips of the following heights: 

• Three 11" strips
• Three 10" strips
• Two 9" strips
• One 3.5" strip

2. Twist each strip to form a loop at each end. Make a circle out of the smallest (3.5") strip.

3. Secure the ends with a piece of double-stick tape.

4. Layer and stick, starting with the longest strips. End with the circle in the center.

around the house...

holiday giveaway from tawny alipoon!

TAWNY ALIPOON

site // blog // twitter

ok folks, here is ANOTHER giveaway! yes...it's madness, right?! this giveaway is from my amazing and inspirational friend tawny alipoon. look at her photos!!!!! need i say more? i can't say enough good things about this girl. she is a stellar photographer, a foodie, a crafter, an artist, a lover of all things creative...SO GOOD. you MUST check out her blog "let's eat"...i guarantee you will drool--her photos get me every time! tawny loves meeting new people so hop on over to blog, say HI, and follow her! you will not regret it.

tawny has crafted up these sweet felted light bulb garlands and has kindly offered two lucky i art u readers a chance to win them! one winner will receive a 2.5 ft. garland and the other winner will receive a 5 ft. garland! to enter...tell me what you're thankful for at the moment! the giveaway will end next friday (12/17/10) at 11:59PST. get your lights on!!!

oh, and if you can't wait to win 'em, but them HERE. enjoy!

"holiday" calendar giveaway from tali schiffer! [CLOSED]

Tali Schiffer

site // shop // blog // blog II

Israel based photographer Tali Schiffer is offering her amazing 2011 calendar to one lucky i art u reader! The perfect gift for the upcoming year. Win it for yourself or for a friend! To enter, leave a comment with what your favorite month is. I'm really feeling December this year...are you guys?! Loving this holiday season! OK, go enter and good luck to you! Giveaway ends 12/16/10 at 11:59 PST. (Tali is also offering readers a 10% discount to her shop while the giveaway is live! Just write "IARTU" in the message to seller section when you check out ...shop away!)

leaves and wreaths.

holiday wreaths at ruby rose.

this is winter + best friends.

from a recent trip to yosemite!