I've been gone.

But now I'm back. And soon I'll be gone again!
March is a crazy-busy month for me. I just got back from a work-related conference in Sacramento where I stayed in a hotel with no wireless internet in the room - it was like a step back in time to plug in my laptop for internet access! To top if off, we only had one internet cord per room, and they didn't have a splitter, so my roommate (a.k.a., 'boss') and I couldn't be online at the same time. Her emails obviously take priority over mine so I feel like I've been disconnected from the online world for about three full days. Twenty minutes on a lobby "business center" computer just doesn't cut it for me...
Regardless, we're five days deep into the month of March and it's time to update your desktop if you haven't already.
Click on the titles/links or the images to hop to the page where you can download your own - a few of my favorites:

As always, Shanna Murray delights:

Christiane Engel's "Desert Friends" is on my desktop at work:

Hello, Friend's desktop is full of grid-lined goodness:

I'm going to be here and there throughout the month of March so please forgive me if the blog isn't updated very often. I'll do my best! Here's to Spring, just around the corner!

Images link to respective sources.

Valentine's Galore!

I've been a slacker this year regarding Valentine's Day - I still have some to finish and send! If you're anything like me and plan on doing some last minute crafting this weekend, these links will definitely help!
Happy creating!

Check out papernstitch's Weekend Links: V-Day DIY Edition for all sorts of crafty goodness
(I especially like the papercut template over on kind over matter!).

Everybody likes garlands! Especially a mini-heart garland from I Art U.

Twig & Thistle's Naturally Sweet Valentine Stickers have been making the blog rounds. Only natural I'd post 'em, too!

For general lovely inspiration, check out these gorgeous hearts from A Creative Mint.

Always appropriate in our house, some Valentine ideas for the nerd in your life.

A cute little printable card from on hand modern.

I haven't met a person yet who didn't like cupcakes. And cupcakes with heart toppers? Even better!

Lovely printable cards from Dizzy Wizzy.

Post-its and stamps: All you need to create these darling Post-It Love Notes from eat drink chic.

Making something sweet for those you love? You need these DIY goodie bags from WhipperBerry. Or these brownie bags from Twig & Thistle.

It's always good to have crafts for the kids - and aren't these coloring pages from Feeling Inspired just oh so cute?

Eat Drink Chic offers up some darling Valentine ideas. You've got to check out her Je t'aime mini cards and coffee cup wrappers.

For the not-so-sentimental among us, head on over to mmmcrafts for a  valentine schmalentine printable card.

The perfect wrapping solution for your Valentine gifts from Kellie Medivitz.

Also making the blog rounds, Kate Spade's e-valentines.

And to catch all the things I've missed (and maybe some repeats...) head on over to poppytalk's Best of the Web for V-Day.

My Kind of Organizer

Just found this fantastic little grocery/household list over at inchmark, featured on Design Mom.
I customized mine so that the largest space is for Trader Joe's, our grocer of choice, followed by Vons, Target, and Costco.

I purposely gave Target a small space. And unless I'm buying a 15lb box of cat litter, I always take a small basket when I shop there as opposed to a rolling cart so I'm not tempted to buy something that is not on The List. (Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. I've found my two arms can carry a lot of stuff.)
Head on over to inchmark or Design Mom to download and print your own!

Image via Design Mom.

February Desktops

From my favorites - head to their blogs to download your own for this month.

Shanna Murray - this one is on my laptop at home

Christiane Engel - this one is on my desktop at work.

Blog Love: Letterpress Tags

Remember when I told you about those free letterpress tags that Melissa was sending out? If you thought I was kidding, you were wrong. 
Not too long ago, a lovely padded envelope came popping through my mail slot (yes, I really do have a slot in my front door!) and it was absolutely filled with letterpress tags! I was completely overwhelmed by Melissa's generosity. She included a gorgeous set of holiday tags - just in time for my Christmas packages! - and a huge assortment of tags that are perfect for birthday gifts or everyday occasions.

Melissa, a huge heartfelt Thank You to you!! And congrats on the birth of your little goober any day now!


Images by me. Please ask first and credit when necessary. 

More Holiday Music, please!!

Target offers free song downloads here.

Hey, It's Christmas! Volume 1 available for free download here.

Album links take you to image source.

Last Minute Holiday Cards

Didn't get those Christmas cards in the snail-mail yet? Not to worry! Fossil has some totally cute holiday e-cards just begging to be sent. And they're free - no need for stamps!

Aren't they so fun and vintage-y? Click here to head on over and start sending!


Image via Fossil.

Weekend Reading: Online Edition

Going Home to Roost presents Celebrate: A Winter Project Magazine

Sweet Paul's 2010 Holiday Issue

Creature Comforts presents Gifted: A Holiday magazine and gift guide

Lonny gives us a Mini Holiday Issue

Images link to source.

Favorites for your Friday

If you follow me on Google Reader, you've probably seen most of these in my shared items. If you don't, well, here they are.

Stripes, stripes. Gorgeous stripes. 
And chevron stripes!
Cute little gift tags.
These are absolute perfection and they want to live on my feet.
Great free font.
Caroling gift tags.
Creamy stripes on a bag.
A gorgeous giveaway.
Way. Too. Cute. 
Love this colorful collection.
Festive freebies.
Weekly wrap - loving the pink!
Stocking stuffers galore!  
Spruce up your gift for the holiday hostess.
You'll never need to buy another gift tag.

Gift List

Trying to organize your gift buying? Need to make sure you have something for everyone?
Hop on over to Benign Objects and download one of these free printable gift lists! She even made two different designs to suit your fancy.
While you're there, be sure to check out all the other freebies from her 25 Days of Freebies and Giveaways!

Images via Benign Objects.

Forced Laziness

I have a 'To Do' list a mile long and was in the middle of getting things done when a certain grey cat decided he wanted to use my lap as a bed. In an effort to practice patience, I let him... and now I'm stuck at the hubs' desk. My feet are freezing but my lap is warm and I just can't bear to disturb this cuteness. What better opportunity to clear out my Google Reader!

Here's a cute little list of some of my favorite recent blog posts from around the web:

Make your own Tiny Birch Bark Canoe

Gorgeous Holiday Gift Wrap Goodies

Win a pretty print from Pamplemousse

Sanitize your toothbrush for just $30

Lovely blog posts to help you get inspired for the holidays

Spotlight: little ellie - win a pouch!

Do-It-Yourself Doily Garland

I seriously love Amy Atlas. Holiday Perfection

A cute little dusty mantel

Great gift idea: Christmas Bundt Cakes

Take-Along-Treat #5 from Leo on the Loose: Peppermint Bark. Yummmm!

I'd love to host a Winter Ice Skating Party!

Music to Create To: A Holiday Sampler

A must-read, great message

More gorgeous printable freebies from a favorite blog

*Drool*


Happy reading!

25 Days of Freebies!

Benign Objects has a fabulous project going on over at her blog. She's running 25 Days of Freebies from all over the web! Currently on Days Three, Four, and Five, the posts started on December 1st and will run all the way until Christmas. So fun!

So far we've had:

Gift tags (you can never have enough!)

 

  

Sweet Printables

and Happy Holidays Cards

and more to come!

Head on over to Benign Objects for details - and be sure to subscribe to her blog to see her updates for the rest of the month!

Images via Benign Objects.

Happy December!

It's the beginning of a new month and time to spruce up your desktop with some fresh.
My favorite is this gorgeous background by Christiane Engel.

I'm only sorry I missed the rest of the year!
Click here to link to Christian's site to download your own - and have a very merry December!

Update!
Here's another gorgeous desktop from abby try again. Now I can't decide which one to put on my laptop. I'm going to have to put one on my desktop at work just so I can see them both every day!  

Click here to hop to abby's blog and download your own. Enjoy!

Free Letterpress!

Wait, what? Free letterpress??

That's right! Melissa of The Handwork Chronicles is sending free letterpress gift tags to whoever wants them. Seriously, it's that simple. Head on over to her blog to check it out.

While you're at it, take some time to browse her shop. It's worth the time!
Aren't her Woodland Creatures and Farmyard Animals card sets just darling?

Images via PaperInkPress.

Let the Holidays Begin!

Thanksgiving is officially behind us (other than the leftovers in the fridge) and driving home in the rain tonight was the final push I needed to get into a winter-ey mood. I think I'm ready to pack up the pumpkins and pull out the pinecones for some holiday cheer. 

To help kick-start our crafty Christmas season, hop on over to Mae for some free, printable holiday wrapping paper. She has downloads for two different sizes (and a totally cute blog!).

Happy Wrapping!

Image via Mae. First spotted on Twig & Thistle.

Holiday Goodies

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
So here are a few free goodies floating around the interwebs to get your holiday spirit moving, spotted over on How About Orange.

A free hand-drawn Christmas card from mufn inc:

And some Gift Ideas lists to download from A Typical Type A:

Item links will take you to image sources.

Creature Feature: We heart owls!

Just stumbled upon this darling little blog, My Own Barn, via Crow & Canary.
Shivani has created the most amazing calendar that you can customize and download to print - completely free!  The images are the result of a collaboration between Shivani and artists from all over the web.
Read the story and create your own calendar here.
(They'd make great gifts as we approach the holidays!)
Sneak peek:

Images via My Own Barn.

Freebie!

When October comes, I finally feel like I can consider Autumn in all its gloriousness. Head over to Gwenny Penny for a cute little "Welcome Autumn" banner to ring in the new season!

Image via Gwenny Penny.

Art Inspiration

The days are getting shorter and the air is just a bit more chilly on my afternoon walks. I needed a little sunshine and reminder of those Spring and Summer days and these prints by Adam Palmer are just perfect!
Lucky for us, he's doing a little giveaway. Just hop on over to his blog to check it out!
I'm partial to this one:

Image via Adam A. Palmer Photography.

Simplify your Desktop

Looking for something new to dress up your computer desktop without feeling cluttered?
Head to Simple Desktops - cute, silly, random, and all simple. And free.
Some of my favorites:






This one was called "Flying Horse" - I think it's pretty obvious how he propels himself...
But he is kind of cute!


Images via Simple Desktops.