My momma is an amazing woman. She is fun, smart, thoughtful, and so very creative. A month ago she started a little blog to document/share her stamping and crafting projects. It has been such a great fit for her, and so much fun for me to watch her grow in her “new found” digital creativity in the blogging world!

When I was a child, momma hosted kids crafting workshops at our house. She instilled and fostered the “Making” gene in me. I am so thankful for her sharing her gifts, had it not been her love and encouragement growing up who knows if I would have become a designer!

Happy Mother’s Day Momma! I love You!

Designbox has it’s 7th annual Brand Fandango celebration this season. The show opened First Friday, but DB has extended show hours, open on Saturdays through the 20th from 11a-4p and weekdays thru 19th from 12p-6p. Lots of unique gifts, including one-of-a-kind A.H. Peele tee-shirts made from multiple screens from his designs and commercial work. You may find a PBR logo nestled amongst some trippy flowers, or Willie Nelson’s head sticking out of some of Adams swirly vines! Also find unique and affordable art, beautiful contemporary jewelry, hip apparel, funky bags, hilarious holiday cards and more!

The 16th annual Boylan Artwalk is this Sunday, December 7 from 1p-5p. Over 100 local artists and crafts people display perfect gifts on porches and in homes throughout the neighborhood. Enjoy the walk and then walk away finished with your shopping! Whether you are looking for metal, glass, clay, wood or fiber, it’s all here.

The Rock & Shop Market, a hip urban market featuring emerging designers and live music, is Sunday, December 13 from 1p-5p at Tir Na Nog. Over 30 vendors will be selling jewelry, silkscreen stuff, ornaments, soaps and candles, bags and more – all to the sounds of Whistlestop and The Tender Fruit.

Looking for local music? Check out Holly Raleigh Christmas, a compilation CD of local musicians! The proceeds go to local charities, and the project is sponsored by local businesses, including the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association.

Give more to your favorite local music artist by buying music direct instead of through a big music store. Superfan Records is a record label where the musicians actually get the money! Really? Yes!  Buy the new Kickin Grass CD (art designed by local designers – GAMIL!), Regina Hexaphone or Monologue Bombs!

Here’s a list of other great local places to shop:
Rebus Works: a gallery of NC arts and crafts, as well as framing.
Stitch: Holly Aiken’s wonderful world of bags, now on Hargett St.
Great Outdoor Provision: All the outdoor gear of a big box in a great locally owned store.
Father & Son: Vintage, Kitsch, Mid Century and other buzzwords for your offbeat gift needs.
Stuff Consignment: Taking thrift store to a whole nutha level.
FM Goods: your local source for street wear, sneakers and art with some attitude.
Nofo: locally owned store of eclectic and funky gifts with a cafe for a nice little break.

Also, check out NewRaleigh.com throughout the season. They’re always up to date on events and opportunities. Have Fun!

Thrilla in Manila

Peeps Dive Deep

We were in DC for Easter weekend. I know it’s a bit late to share, but my favorite part of the weekend was opening up the Washington Post, Sunday morning, to see the top winners of their Peeps Show contest. Over 800 people made a diorama of peeps and submitted their work for readers to vote for the top spots. I think this is a much better use than actually eating the peeps (but that’s just my opinion). See the 37 finalists here.

• 5am EST (New York or Raleigh) = The first 01-01 of 2008 in Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
• 6am EST = Midnight in South Pole
• 7am EST = Midnight at Fiji
• 8am EST = Midnight in Sydney, Australia
• 9am EST = Midnight in Guam
• 10am EST = Midnight in Tokyo
• 11am EST = Midnight in Singapore
• Noon EST = Midnight in Bangkok
• 1pm EST = Midnight in Bangladesh or Kazakhstan
• 2pm EST = Midnight in Islamabad, Pakistan
• 3pm EST = Midnight in Dubai
• 4pm EST = Midnight in Moskow
• 5pm EST = Midnight in Cairo, Istanbul, Athens
• 6pm EST = Midnight in Berlin, Rome, Paris, Vienna, Warsaw
• 7pm EST = GMT Midnight! – London, Dublin
• 8pm EST = Midnight in Greenland
• 9pm EST = Midnight in South Sandwich Islands
• 10pm EST = Midnight in Rio de Janeiro
• 11pm EST = Midnight in Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Bermuda
• 12 MIDNIGHT EST = Midnight in Raleigh, NYC, Wash DC
• 1am EST 1/1 = Midnight in New Orleans, Mexico City
• 2am EST 1/1 = Midnight in Denver, Baja, Calgary
• 3am EST 1/1 = Midnight in LA, Seattle, Vancouver
• 4am EST 1/1 = Midnight in Alaska
• 5am EST 1/1 = Midnight in Hawaii
• 6am EST 1/1 = LAST to enter New Year = Samoa

Check out this site to see all the places in different time zones and compare to wherever you are.

Or How ’bout this “Sign of the Season” wreath from a recycled sign, by Boris Bally?

This reindeer ornament is stylin.

how about a mod Christmas with this creche from Alessi?

Or a pop-art Hanukkah with this Last Match menorah?

Still trying to get into the holiday spirit? Knit an outrageous holiday sweater! Made by the very crafty ad agency folk at Sullivan Higdon & Sink.

Yes, I’m guilty. I love holiday lights. To me they are synonymous with winter chills, Christmas carols, and the tastes/smells of yummy cookies and cider. I visited a local hotspot to see the lights this year at Lake Myra Road. What an adventure. EVERYTHING… from the snow machine to the large (and small) light installations was amazing. Lake Myra Road even has it’s own FM station so you can sit in your nice warm vehicle, tune in and watch the lights dance in sync. The display spans over 3 of the neighbors yards, and I think is a must see in the Raleigh area.

If Raleigh is a little far to travel… check out ChristmasLightFinder.com they maintain a database of holiday light displays all over!

Pokadot stairwell. A celebration of Halloween near the Star Ferry, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.