Momathon Blog

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

The month of December is zipping by so quickly. We still have 11 days left this month. I'm thinking it's time to SLOW down and spend some time enjoying each day—even those crazy moments frantically shopping at the mall, spilling flour all over the floor while baking cookies, or falling asleep on the couch watching White Christmas with the kids and the dogs... These are the moments we just might end up smiling about when we think back on our holiday. 

Wishing you many memorable holiday moments with friends and family.

Peace and love. xo Chris

 

Image: Flower photo and Peace graphic by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

Holiday Gift Box Printables {Vintage Santa and Reindeer}

Need a last-minute gift box? I designed two little Christmas gift boxes featuring vintage artwork for you to print. The pillow-shaped gift boxes are easy as pie to assemble. Perfect for tucking a little gift inside for for neighbors, postal workers, coaches or teachers.

The gift boxes are just the right size for holding a gift card or small gifts like jewelry or magnets. Each box fits on a 8.5"x11" sheet of paper. You can also scale down the size of the box when printing to make a smaller box if you want. Simply print off the the free printable template at the link that follows, cut it out and double-side tape it together. Link to the printable and directions for gift box assembly after the jump.

Holiday Classics: Elf

What are your favorite movies to watch during the holidays? The movie Elf keeps climbing up the list at my house. Not sure if it is in the top spot but it is hovering near #1. 

This time of year you can't escape the sweet treats. I'm loving the Chocolate-Filled Peppermint Snaps at Williams-Sonoma featured above. 

 

Image: Graphic above by me, Chris Olson, features Chocolate-Filled Peppermint Snaps from Williams-Sonoma. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

 

Stop and Smell the Snowflakes

How are you doing today? Have you stopped to smell the snowflakes? I admit this sounds ridiculous at first glance, but perhaps you will be surprised by how wonderful it can be for your mood to go outside and breathe in the winter air.

Of course, if you have a dog, I'm sure he or she would agree with me.

Have a lovely weekend. xo Chris

 

Image: Photo and graphic by me, Chris Olson. TFeel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

Because I Love Dogs...

I am delighted to have my artwork and my Etsy shop featured in a collection of "gallery-level pet portraits" in the PopSugar post Stylish Pet Portraits by editor Miranda Jones. Sending a huge thank you to Miranda and the editors at PopSugar.

I love dogs and pretty much anything pet related. So recently I have been adding items to my new Etsy shop PetLoveDesigns. Stop on by and check out my custom pet portraits, pet art prints, pillows and more.

 

Image: Photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

 

Encouraging Words on a Monday {Christopher Robin to Pooh}

I don't think we ever get too old to read to A.A. Milne and the advice Christopher Robin gave Winnie-the-Pooh:

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

 

Image: Wisdom by Winnie the Pooh. Art by me, Chris Olson. The role of Pooh played by the handmade and much-loved Honey Bear. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

52 Women to Watch: Erin Hiemstra

Are you looking for stylish tips on the latest trends in fashion and decor? Erin Hiemstra, founder of Apartment 34, has it covered. Sunset Magazine calls her site "a field guide for classically chic style with a modern spin." 

Erin has her finger on the pulse of all that's stylish—plus she has great insights into digital marketing from her background in branding and PR. I met Erin through a class she was teaching on social media via Altitude Summit. And last year I was very fortunate to be one of the designers featured on Erin's blog series Live Here, Decorate With This.

Erin may call herself an "accidental stylist," but her name keeps popping up as a leading expert on what's stylish. Recently she styled a holiday setting for Martha Stewart Living! You will see Erin on so many of the chic style sites — she's been a featured as a guest editor at Matchbook Magazine, as a style-spotter in Seattle Magazine, and as a styling and decor expert in Sunset Magazine, Rue Magazine, ElleDecor.com and The Nest Magazine, among others. She is also a member of Lucky Magazine’s Style Collective, Vogue’s Blogger Network and was named one of Refinery 29’s most inspiring style blogs.

Her blog, Apartment 34, features inspiring ways to add sophisticated style to your everyday life. Check out Erin's ideas on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Erin's lovely San Francisco home has been featured in San Francisco Magazine, Daily Candy.com, Rue Magazine, HGTV.com, Design*Sponge and Refinery 29. 

 

Oodles of inspiration: Here are the links to Erin Hiemstra and her Apartment 34 blog images featured above. 1) Erin in her office: Loft Life Update with Daily Candy!; 2) Erin looking fab in this post:  Cardigans Are Cool Again!; 3) Ideas for entertaining via Erin here: Holiday Tabletop Inspiration; 4) Martha Stewart Living hired Erin to style a holiday set up with the Martha Stewart for The Home Depot Metallics Collection here:  Sneak Peek: {Christmas That’ll Make Martha Proud}; 5) Recipes abound on the blog. I'm loving the pumpkin treats here: Tasty Tuesday: {Pumpkin-tastic Desserts!}

 

 

 Images: Sketch of Erin Hiemstra by me, Chris Olson. 

 

52 WOMEN TO WATCH series

 

Handmade Gifts: Crochet Some Monster Slippers

Do you like to make your gifts for the holidays?  Check out the wild and wacky Monster Slippers crochet pattern. It's an instant downloadable pattern by Lorna at her shop KnitsForLife on Etsy.

 

Pattern includes sizes for kids and adult slippers (both womens slippers and mens slippers) in the style of amigurumi crochet patterns. 

This crochet pattern includes instructions for slippers in shoe sizes kids 3-7, women 5-12, and men 6-11. Lorna designed these slippers to use bulky #5 yarn and a large hook so they work up quickly enough to make them for all your friends and family. Each pair takes just two 100 gram skeins of the main color.

Want to order the slippers pre-made?

To purchase the hand made slippers, purchase 4 hours of custom crochet work and in the checkout note state for monster slippers and specify colors here.

Holiday Chai Tea with Milk {Recipe}

Finding time to enjoy a cup of chai tea might be the daily ritual that improves both your attitude and health—even on the most hectic days this time of year. Legend has it that a king created first created chai tea some 5,000 years ago in the ancient courts of Siam and India.

RECIPE
You can download the recipe here: Chai Tea with Milk recipe pdf.

Enjoy!

Image: Holiday Chai Tea with Milk recipe graphic above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to pin image on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!