Christine Chitnis: December 2011

Merry Christmas

Keeping busy working on a few last-minute Christmas gifts, including homemade granola in a pretty package! Wishing you a very, very merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year. I'll see you back here on January 2nd!

(Btw: Congrats Jill- you're the winner of The Nimbus Factory Giveaway- shoot me an email, and we'll get your cards in the mail. We can switch out the holiday cards for a new set, since I am so late drawing a winner!)

Detroit Garden Works

Over the weekend we took a little adventure to a beautiful shop- an Anthropologie-type store for gardening enthusiasts called Detroit Garden Works. All decked out for the holidays, I found it to be a magical-feeling wonderland of Christmas inspiration.

I especially loved all the natural adornments- pinecones painted in silvery and gold hues, festive wreathes, artfully potted succulents, and jewel-tone dyed eucalyptus branches. With a bit of imagination, you could turn your house into a wintry wonderland with the help of these gorgeous props.

I could have spent all day, camera in hand, capturing the many treasures so artfully arranged. However, with my toddler-in-tow, those days of leisure are distant memories. Shopping excursions tend to be fast and furious, no matter how much mama would like it to be otherwise.

Still, while my mom distracted my little one, I managed to capture a few images, and pick up a few treasures to take home.

If you are in the Michigan area, I would highly suggest a trip to the Detroit Garden Works- consider it a delicious holiday treat to yourself!

Holiday Baking

I was cruising around a few of my favorite blogs yesterday, when I came across these gorgeous, rich, chocolate Biscotti over at Nectar. I grabbed a mixing bowl and immediately began throwing together the ingredients, the batter quickly coming together in a dark, pillow-y cloud of sweetness.

Although it takes a bit of patience- there is quite a bit of baking, cooling, re-baking, and re-cooling to be done- it is always worth it come coffee time. Dunking these long, slender, crunchy cookies in a rich cup of coffee laced with milk...there is nothing better. Any good holiday baking recipes or links that you care to share with me? I'm inspired to get some more baking done today!

New Beginnings

Squam has been an instrumental component of my creative journey, providing me with endless inspiration, and a community of like-minded souls. I first attended the spring retreat back in 2009, and I have returned every year since as an attendee, and this past fall, for the first time, as a teacher.

Elizabeth- the amazing tour-de-force behind Squam has since become a good friend, and in fact, lives just around the block from me in Providence. We frequently talk of our visions for our creative careers- where we see ourselves next year, in five years, in ten. At the beginning of this year, Elizabeth shared with me her visions for Squam- seeing it grow to new heights, offering brand new, never-been-seen-before classes, and incredible, top-of-their-field teachers. She even shared her vision for taking Squam international.

I'm so proud to announce that she has brought these visions to life- 2012 is the year of Squam. Mark my words! It all started today, with the launch of a brand new website. Go ahead, take a peek- it is beyond lovely.

I am equally proud to have been asked to join the Squam team, a secret I have been sitting on for a few months now. Yes- I was one of the little worker bees helping to bring this vision to life- and I couldn't be more honored to be a part of this amazing team.

Head over, take a look around, and perhaps I will see you at one of the retreats this year! Squam in Italy- oh, yes please!!

Home for the Holidays

We flew home to Michigan over the weekend- just me and the little guy. We are spending a couple weeks here, through the New Year. It's wonderful to be home for Christmas, crafting, baking, spending time with family- all of the things that the holidays are about.

Last night, little Vijay fell asleep in my arms. I rocked him to sleep- my busy, walking toddler. I kissed his little curls and thought- all I want for Christmas is to stop time in this very moment.

We've been making these vintage Christmas ornaments, here's how:

Instructions to Make Vintage Postcard Ornaments.
*Find a vintage postcard, and cut the image to the size you desire.
*Cut a piece of foam board to match, and glue the image on.
*Pick a ribbon that is the width of the foam board, and glue it over the raw edge of the foam board.
*Frame the picture in rick-rack, gluing it in place.
*Poke holes through the top of the foam board using a thin piece of wire, and thread the wire through, forming a hanger.
*You can decorate with beads, if you desire. Secure the hanger by twisting the ends with pliers.

Giveaway: The Nimbus Factory

Oh my, Friday already. It seems as we get close to the holidays, the days start to move at warp speed. To kick off the weekend, how about a giveaway! I am a huge fan of The Nimbus Factory's work- from adorable journals, to cheery greeting cards, their work is always unique.

I love these cheeky greeting cards!

Totally obsessed with this adorable pig journal!

Oh my- this wrapping paper would be perfect for little Vijay's Christmas presents!

Now for a giveaway...just in time for the holiday! The Nimbus Factory is offering one lucky reader a set of their Mythical Creatures Holiday Card set, which includes 12 cards, each with a different whimsical creature, from a unicorn to a yeti, elf to mermaid! Just leave a comment to win...I will draw a winner next week! Happy weekending!

Inspired

I took some time recently to update my inspiration board. When I first posted the board on my wall, the idea was to change it frequently, as I collected bits and pieces of inspiring ephemera. I had a baby- so that plan changed! However, during a recent nap time, I took an hour, and sat down with a pile of magazines, and started cutting. It was a playful and relaxing process, and it was actually a great exercise in seeing where my inspiration is coming from these days. Lots of beautiful pictures with great light, images of artists, perfectly styled still life and rural settings. I highly recommend indulging in an hour of this sort of play- it can lead to some interesting revelations!

And now for some winners....email me at christine.chitnis@gmail.com with your mailing address, and I will pop your books in the mail!

Crafternoon winners:

Winner of both books-
Jennifer, who said:
"I just shrunk/felted a bunch of moth holed sweaters to make Christmas stockings.....I have loads of scraps that I thought would be fun to make garlands, ornaments, or gifts out of."

Winner of the beading book:
Sapna, who said:
"I am making a car track on a bed sheet by using different coloured felt for the track and stop and go signs. I am making this for the quite time play for my 4 year old son so that mum and little baby can catch up with some sleep...:)"

Lincoln Park aka My Old Stomping Ground

While in Chicago, we made our way, bright and early one morning, to the Lincoln Park Zoo. The brisk, sunny weather was perfect for strolling, looking at the animals...or should I say, the empty cages! We were there before the zoo opened, although the grounds are always open for strolling, so most of the animals were inside, being fed and groomed.

We saw lions and giraffes from a distance, but I'm not even sure little Vijay spotted them. It wasn't until we went into the Botanical Gardens that he really perked up. Perhaps it was the colorful flowers, or maybe it was the steamy, warm air.

Either way, it was a morning filled with memories of my time living in Lincoln Park. I used to walk through the park, and stop in the garden, whenever I had a free morning. But that's the thing...I almost never had a free morning. Working six days a week left very little time for anything else. That is one of the greatest joys of my life these days- time to spend lazy mornings and afternoons out in the world, exploring, wandering and taking it all in- with my little guy along for the ride, of course.