Everyday life

Favorite Indy Candle Makers

Posted on by Tisha

With craft shows and businesses hosting events I have found some wonderful candle companies local to Indy.  I have found three locally made candles that you have to try.  We enjoy candles at this house.

These live in my home or have been given as gifts.  Rave reviews all around.

Night Lights Company

bellini jar candle from night lights company
Image used with permission

Night Lights Company offers hand-poured candles designed with luxury in mind.  The display she had at a local show was perfect for experiencing the smells of her candles.  Chelsea covers her candles with a glass lid.  It was not overwhelming when you lift the lid and you can have a pleasant smelling experience.

If you’re unsure which scent to select, a Discovery Scent collection is offered.  Four 2-ounce samples are included in the set.  If you’re opting for the gift set they can select their favorite scent and get a full-sized candle at no extra cost.  This is a wonderfully innovative idea if you’re unsure.

I’m excited about the Holiday/Winter collection being back in stock so I can enjoy the Merry & Bright.  The scent captures my favorite smells from winter.  Honestly, I’ve kept the candle and frequently get wafts of my favorite scent even with just a tiny bit of wax in the jar.

Friends and family will probably get one of these in their stockings this year.

Company Info

Website:  Night Lights Company 

Woman-Owned

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightlightscompany/

Sage & Bloom

black jar candle in a pepper scent from sage & Bloom
Image used with permission

During an event at the nearby Indy Beauty Room, they had sample candles from Sage & Bloom.  I brought home my Peony & Nectarine candle and instantly fell in love with the scent.  Then, I started following them on Instagram.  The aesthetic and overall look was lovely.  I was hooked on this brand.

They have introduced an Artisan Candle Collection that includes a colorful floral wrap.  I’m going to be adding one to my candle collection very soon.

After our wedding, we wanted a gift for those that were a part of our day.  We had not found the perfect thing for our parents during our honeymoon.  However, I did find a concrete Bigfoot my dad would have enjoyed.

I reached out about making custom labels.  For my maid of honor, it was named Chokehold & Veil.  That’s another story.  For our parents, Love & Support.  They got the Pink Pepper & Vetiver scent pictured above.  Everyone has raved about this candle and loves it.

Company Info

Website:  Sage & Bloom

Family – Owned

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sageandbloomco/

MDK Handcrafted

Image used with permission

This exact candle is currently in my bathroom and I love the scent.  It’s fresh and fruity.  I met this brand, MDK Handcrafted, at one of the few vendor shows I’ve been to recently.  Did you know they just launched their candles this year?

They offer a variety of bath products and I also bought a sugar scrub.  The summer is coming, my skin needs some love.  If your skin needs some love, be sure to check out their line of bath products.  They use simple, natural ingredients in their products.

What truly drew me to this company was their packaging.  The color palette, logo and their labeling was amazing.  I even asked about it, that’s how much I loved it.  Those little details always draw me in.  Then, I learned this is a husband and wife team working together to build a business.

Company Info

Website:  MDK Handcrafted

Family – Owned

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mdkhandcrafted/

If you purchase any of these products, please come back and let me know.

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Summer Bucket List for Porter

Posted on by Tisha

School is out and P is excited for summer break.  We have camps planned most weeks and an epic vacation.  Woohoo!

P will start Kindergarten this fall.  I want this summer to be magical and full of fun.  I asked him for a Bucket List of what he wants to do.  It’s amazing what he thinks of.  See his list below.

five year old summer bucket lis

Seriously?  Try skateboarding kid?  This momma is worried but with the right gear I would feel more comfortable.  Most of this bucket list is on the agenda for the summer already.

I got the idea from a podcast I listen to, Shailey & Katie.  Katie did this with her daughter to save sanity and make sure they have time to do everything.  Rob and I also made a list of things we want to do.  It’s a summer of adventure, family, and fun.

Can’t wait to share our adventures with you as we travel across the country.  We are hitting Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Atlantic City, and New York City.  Scheduling everything was like playing planes, trains, and automobiles.

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Quilts Bind Us Together

Posted on by Tisha

Making new friends as an adult is not easy.  However, having a common interest makes it much smoother.  Helping start the Indy Modern Quilt Guild was one of the best decisions I ever made.

When I’m at guild meetings or around these women I feel at ease.  They get my quirkiness about fabric, design, and know the language.  It’s a different type of support that I get from other friends in my life.  Maybe it’s acceptance?

Some of my closest friends are quilters.  Over the last five to eight years we have grown from barely knowing each other to being great friends.  These women who were once just guild members with me have left an impact on me.  We have supported each other through births, losses, new homes, weddings, and life in general.

This is an old picture of us from 2014.

Recently life threw a rough patch my way.  You may have noticed the blog and my social media has been quiet.  Everything is fine now and I don’t plan to share more than that.   It was nice to see texts from them to just be there if I needed it.  Hell, someone brought me tacos and it made my afternoon.

Luckily, I had a quilt that Rachael had gifted me.  Do you see all this NEPTUNE?  It was just sitting in her pile of quilts and she didn’t use it.  That is friendship.

If you don’t belong to a quilt guild, you should consider it.  Where else can you want into a room of people and they get you.  They understand that you love this designer, hate this line, won’t try this, etc.  My guild is pretty awesome at being your cheerleader when you’re stuck too.  Try it, you may just find some new friends too.

Bonus if they share their scraps and life with you.

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New Winter and Christmas Pillows

Posted on by Tisha

Pillow covers are a great way to spruce up your living room.  In August I shared some of the Holiday fabrics I had picked up in hopes of making pillow covers.  Happy to report the Winter and Christmas versions are finished before Christmas.

I had some other fabrics that coordinate in my stash from a giveaway I had won like two years ago.  This has been on my to-do list for a while.  Using a simple envelope pillow cover I was able to create these in an hour with help from P.  He did a great job handling the machine.

The big pillow is surprisingly comfy and is a form from Jo-Anns.  The softness is comparable to the Ikea goose feather pillow.  Not sure how it will hold up over time.

The backing a red sheet I had been stashing away.  I was able to make all the pillow backings using this twin sized sheet.  When at Goodwill or thrift stores, I will always check for sheets I can use while sewing.

Real Life

I would be lying if I told you these were all lined up beautifully on my couch and not scattered across the living room.  My Plott Hound immediately stole one and I found her snoozing away on it.  P decided to she needed to be covered up too and it was the perfect photo opportunity.   Yes, she is this ridiculous.

My freezer paper painted pillows now live under the tree.

Are you working on any last minute projects before Christmas?

The post may contain affiliate links.  If you may a purchase from a link, I may receive a small compensation.  

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Yelp Bazaar is Simply Amazing

Posted on by Tisha

Hello!  I am so giddy to write this post and share with your the wonderful vendors from the Indianapolis Yelp Bazaar hosted last night at the Central Library.  This is a must attend event for anyone that loves shopping local and small.  Six floors are packed with vendors, musicians, food, and shoppers.  If you have never been, add it to your list for next year.

While I didn’t really plan to buy much, I did pick up a few things for gifts.  Most of my shopping was for me.  Apparently our credit card is linked to my husband’s email for Square purchases.  He knew everywhere I had shopped by the time I got home.  No surprises for him.  Thanks to Melissa and Bri for encouraging me to go after a hectic week and putting up with me being all chatty.

This post has lots of photos and links over to the businesses.  All opinions are my own and I receive no compensation for promoting these businesses.  Also, I did check with vendors if I could photograph their items for this post.  

Current Favorites

Jilly Jack Designs

Wonderful prints, wrapping paper, and custom work are just some of the options available.  Jill is talented and has recently designed prints available at Target!

1606 Supply Co.

Stephanie is an example of what happens when you expand your designs and grow.  We met at quilt guild years ago.  She has evolved from quilter into a designer and print maker.  Her take no shit earrings need to be in my collection.  How cute is her display for her scratch & dent pins?  I thought this was an innovation way to repackage products and make it fun.

407 Botanicals

Bath products are one of my favorite categories of gifts to give and receive.  Who doesn’t love to be pampered?  Amy’s line of bath products do not disappoint.  I picked up the coffee and vanilla bean sugar scrub for a secret santa gift exchange.  Everyone was raving about how good it smelled.  She did have sampler collections perfect for gift giving.  Hopefully she brings them back for Galentine’s Day, which I fully support.

Bearmojo

Andrea and Todd have the best jobs.  They get to design and create handmade monsters.  Their color selections and fabric pairings really lets the monsters stand out.  P has one of the first luchadore’s they sold.  It has held up well to some high intensity toddler wear and tear.

Crimson Tate 

What can I say about Heather and her wonderful store?  They are the most friendly quilt store and willing to help your wildest creations come to life.  Heather, David, and their entire staff always have a smile for you.  It’s the best pick me up if you ever need one.

Art Mix

Art Mix is a newly found favorite.  I came across their pieces earlier this fall at a shopping event.  There may or may not have been a “fight” for one of their serving plates.  Someone on my shopping list will appreciate my tenacity to make sure they got the piece.  Their pieces are affordable and it’s a non profit that uses art to help people with disabilities.  Last night their booth was buzzing with people and I stocked up on more of their ornaments.

Manayunk Calligraphy

Calligraphy is an amazing skill.  I love watching videos of artists on Instagram create in calligraphy, they make it look so easy.  Manayunk has put out a kit to help you learn on your own.  What a wonderful gift idea.  Last year at the Yelp Bazaar I snuck away to purchase one of these prints for my husband.  Since we met at IU, it was perfect for our anniversary.

Circle City Creations

This is another business I have been eyeing on Instagram.  She posted a hypnotizing video of her writing the feathers in prep for the Yelp Bazaar.  It was so much fun to watch, that I may have watched a couple of times.

I bought one of their ornaments to put on our tree.  Can’t wait to show P later today.

Frangipani Body Products

Tracy’s products have changed my skin.  Her shea butter softening lotion is amazing.  Yes, I’ve raved about it before, and will continue to.  She put out a deodorant for the first time this week and I couldn’t wait to see it in person.  It smells great and I need to pick some up to test out.

New Businesses to Support

It was fun to chat with these new to me businesses and learn about their products.

Lemon Tree Cookies 

Bri picked up a couple of the cookies and notes they are tasty.  Adding to my list of places to consider especially with a couple of birthdays coming up at our house.

Modern Handcraft

Nicole is best know for her Modern Hexie pattern.  She has been feverishly working and creating new items for this show.  Her stockings are adorable, if you’re looking for a gift idea.  She did tell she would post extras on her Web site over the weekend.

Harper + Ari

Their marketing is not lying, it smells like candy.  The smell was more fragrant than overpowering.  Blue Raspberry smelled delicious.  A tip we got was to cut each one in half to use in the shower.  The bigger jar is definitely a good deal.

Yellow Umbrella Designs

String art is popular right now.  I haven’t made any yet and now I really want to.  She will do classes and events as well.

 

Rivet Kids

I’m a sucker for cute kid’s clothes.  P will be sporting one of these creations in the spring.

Tactile Melodies

Chelsea is a talented metal smith.  Her work with copper made me stop, chat, and add to my favorites.  She even adds a few twists to her pieces.  Check out her shop and add some items to your favorites.  Her constellation necklaces are wonderful as well.  She noted she has a tiny press she uses to make them.

Knot & Thread

Their rope bowls are crisp and clean.  I had been eyeing their work before being gifted a rope bowl in the Sneaky Santa exchange with IMQG.  A few of these in a guest bathroom or bedroom would be adorable.

KG Acres Farm

While feathers are not my thing, they are Bri’s.  She was thrilled to see a booth with feather art at an affordable price point.  She tried on a few headbands and decided this one looked perfect.  Throughout the night she received many compliments on her headband.  Bri noted that the headband was actually comfortable too.

Limelight Coffee Roasters

Finally, I love coffee and so do some people on my shopping list.  I was able to pick up a bag or two for this holiday season.  The aroma was intoxicating.

Did you attend the Yelp Bazaar?  What goodies did you find?

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Improving My Child’s Confidence With Something New

Posted on by Tisha

P got an early Christmas present from mom and dad this week. A new bicycle. Gone are the days of the trike or balance bike. He is breezing down the street on his new bike with training wheels. This new change in our family has helped me realize that not everyone progresses the same way when learning. I remember the day when we saw he wanted to do more and we thought, ‘why not try a trike‘ and now look at him, kids will always go their own ways when they feel ready.

When P would ride his trike, he could pedal well and get some speed. However, the balance bike was not computing in his brain. The idea to use his feet like pedals and propel himself forward didn’t register. He was basically sitting on the seat and walking it. Rob and I tried a variety of different ways to encourage him on the balance bike. A couple of weeks ago we were both frustrated that he wasn’t getting it. Rather than us be frustrated that he doesn’t get one concept, Rob and I decided to play to P’s strengths. We chatted and concluded that maybe a bigger bike with pedals is what he really needs to learn on instead of a balance bike.

During a family outing to REI and Performance Bicycle we tried on helmets and looked at bikes. P was thrilled when we asked him if he would like a new bike and helmet. He has hated wearing the helmet we have because of an incident. See, about a year ago, the chin straps were too tight and accidentally pinched some skin while closing the clasp. Since then he cringes or would have a meltdown about putting on a helmet. Wearing a helmet is a non-negotiable when it comes to safety. The staff at REI talked to us about proper fitting techniques and tried a couple of sizes. Maybe a new helmet that he was comfortable with would make riding the balance bike better. We tried the balance bike once more with the new helmet after being out shopping. It resulted in more of the same: frustrated parents and kid.

Rob and I had a discussion of getting him a bike for Christmas. This is a bike for the next couple of years, so we didn’t want to spend too much on it. We talked about a couple of second hand bike stores in the area and going to check them out. Our schedules have been hectic and trying to fit in a trip to other stores was going to be challenging.

The magical email came from Target. Pre-Black Friday deals had a bike for great price. There were two we knew he would love, but ultimately settled on this one. The reason this one won out? It has a carrying case for cars. I can’t tell you how many times we have gone for a ride and he wants to bring 4 cars and I have to carry them. Now his bike has a case just for them and he filled it up for his first ride.

P came home from a long weekend at his grandparents and the bike was waiting for him in his room. He beamed with excitement, “Is this for me?” “Yep, just for you,” I replied. He grabbed his new helmet and wanted to try out the new bike. Papaw and I took him around the block. Nerves set in and he struggled to get how the pedals move forward. The pedals were going backwards and hitting the brake. After a few tries, he got it. Our bumpy sidewalk presented new obstacles like rocks and some gravel, but he navigated them well.

Monday night he went for a ride around the block and was zooming. The pedals gave him less trouble and his frustration level was much lower. His speed however has picked up greatly. It was to the pace that I could jog along side him. Rob and I were so proud to watch him begin mastering this new bike and build confidence. He was able to save himself from falling a number of times, I think the balance bike did help correct if he was struggling.

Away he goes

While it’s scary to try something new and learn a new skill, this kid took to it instantly. He’s boosting his confidence and seeing growth. It is one of the best feelings as a parent.

When was the last time you tried something new? Tell me below in the comments.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something from those links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale.
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