Etsy Edition #5

This weeks Etsy shop I'd like to feature is Elly Nelly, a mother daughter team that creates really neat wall decals.

Taken from their profile:

We, 'elly nelly', are a mother & daughter team, Elaine
& Nell Oliver. Both experienced textile designers with an intense
interest in pattern. With our own unique creative approach to design we were inspired to set up our own studio. Our aim is to produce a creative range of designs using different mediums. Wall decals are the first of many products we hope to develop. A fusion of hand illustration & stylized modern graphics bring the 'elly nelly' series alive. From simple organic & nature inspired designs to delicate prints & pattern of all kinds, elly nelly hope you enjoy our designs as much as we love creating them!

Here are some of their designs which are each available in 17 different colours:

**Go here to enter for a chance to win one of my handmade purses!**

It's the Little Things

*Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the purse giveaway!*

Welcome to my first ever It's the Little Things list! The pictures below are all my simple pleasures that I find delightful in each day. You know, the little things that make my day more pleasant! I like to reflect on those little things especially when my day isn't going how I imagined it would. We all get days like that, right?

First off, I like to start my day off with a steaming hot cup of tea or coffee. I like to switch it up depending on my mood.

(decor8)

Although, I don't use it everyday, my red Kitchenaid mixer makes me happy every time I look at it. I've wanted a red one for as long as I can remember and I finally received one as a wedding gift!


My little ivy plant brings me great joy. I love flowers in the summer (well, all year) but this plant does me good all year round. I've even managed to keep it alive!




I love candles. There's rarely a time I'm not burning one!

This here is my all time favorite fabric softener. Downy Vanilla & Lavender. There are no words to describe how good this smells. I especially love it on our sheets!

I can not go a day without spending some quality time with my dear hubby. Although some days we may only be able to see each other at dinner time.

Here's the fun part, my first giveaway! Since I've been having so much fun lately sewing purses, I've made one for one lucky commenter. Here it is:

I'll leave the giveaway open until Friday night (February 6) and announce the winner on Monday. I'm sorry but I can only make this available to Canadians or those in the US. Now go ahead and comment away! If you tweet, stumble or subscribe to my blog you'll get an extra chance to win. Just comment a second time letting me know what you did to promote this! Thanks so much!

Now here's your chance to play along with your own list of It's the Little Things. Please link up with Mr. Linky and show me all the delightful things in your everyday life!

Hooked on a Fabulous Desk

I love this desk/bookcase combination from Crate & Barrel! It would be perfect in our condo since we're a bit starved for space. Mind you it would only work for my laptop as I'm pretty sure that hubby's computer is too big. And I'd want it for his computer since his exsisting desk is a bit of an eye sore. But since I'm also thrifty (as my friends would say) I'll settle with the current desk! Oooh, but I love the Crate & Barrel desk so much!

Of course, I'd have to get all the great storage pieces that are displayed on the shelves. I'm a bit of an organizer.

Head on over to Hooked on Houses to see what others are Hooked on!

**Come back on Monday to see what's on my "It's the Little Things" list. I love knowing what makes others happy so, while you're here, why not link up your own "It's the Little Things" list. You can use photos, words, whatever you like, just show me the little things in your life that delight you! Mr. Linky will be waiting! Oh, and my first giveaway! You won't want to miss it!**

Super Easy Samosas

I made these for dinner last night and we love them! My husband claims he doesn't like curry but really likes these. He's strange...but lovable!

Easy Cresent Samosas

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cooked diced potatoes
1 cup cooked diced carrot
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
5 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp dried cilantro
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp salt
1 dash red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp water
2 (8 ounce) packages crescent rolls (I used Pilsbury)

1. Saute onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes until onion is soft.
2. Add all other ingredients except crescent rolls.
3. Stir gently over medium heat for several minutes until well blended.
4. Set aside.
5. Heat oven to 375 degrees
6. Open cans of crescent rolls and unroll the dough.
7. Separate into 4 rectangles and pinch the triangular perforations to seal
8. Cut each rectangle in half to make squares (you'll have 8 squares per can of crescents rolls)
9. You may have to coax the dough gently with your hands to make it square and to close up the perforations.
10. Spoon a heaping spoonful of filling in the center of each square and fold over to make a triangle. (I made rectangles)
11. Pinch the edges to seal.
12. Bake on a greased cookie sheets for 12-15 minutes until golden.
13. Cool slightly on rack.
14. Serve warm with honey dipping sauce (recipe below)
15. Makes 16 samosas

Honey Dipping Sauce

1/3 cup honey
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp water
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 pinch red pepper flakes

Mix sauce well in a small bowl. Enjoy!

Paper Toy Aeroplane

I found the perfect activity for kids to do in the cold winter months! A really neat hand painted paper airplane! It's even free! This bi-plane is hand painted by artist, Marilyn Scott-Waters.

If you go to The Toymaker site, you can find many more free paper toys by Marilyn. So neat!

Etsy Edition # 4

You know, I want to be a Mom. And there's no hiding the fact that I love to browse all the neat tools and cute things that are out there for kids. So today's Etsy shop is Loveyduds. A shop dedicated to making adorable baby wraps, nursing covers and belts out of the scraps. Cute fabrics!

Some Flowers For You!

Here are some flowers to brighten up your Monday! Enjoy!

Flickr - yoshiko314

Flickr - moonchild41

Flickr - sara+h

Flickr - alvidk