A Simple Nest

Back with an iMac

I'm back again to the land of blog.  We moved from Provo to North Salt Lake so my husband could be closer to school, but unlike our last rental, our apartment did not include free internet unless you go down to the clubhouse for wifi.  With a toddler who is quite the escape artist and only one working computer (the laptop that my husband uses at school and for homework when he gets home) I have not had oportunity to be involved in the online world for some time.  It's really been nice in the kind of way that going to a remote cabin with no tv or electronics to distract might be....but I've missed it. A Lot.

So.......now we have internet!  AND a new (used) 21.5" imac since our ancient power mac had turrets and then imploded.  And can I say....this machine is soooooo sexy:  

 

 

Brook Farm General Store

I came across this shop located in Brooklyn on the internet today with some of the most lovely items.  It's very natural and classic feeling.  All obviously very high quality pieces, but with a price tag to match.  After looking through a store like this with perfectly selected items, I like to pick out my favorites and figure out how to buy or make something very similar for less, or maybe save up for my favorite.  Here's my top picks from Brook Farm General Store:

ABC blocks (above)

Linen towels

 

Sigg Mini Lunch Box

Beeswax Birthday Candles

Log Cabin Playset: My grandma had a set like this and it was my favorite thing to play with at her house

Genuine Savon De Marseilles

Stainless Steel Straws

Reusable Fabric Gift Bags: tutorial

I have been thinking of making a bunch of fabric gift bags.  Especially for Christmas (at least for family gifts so we could use them year after year...plus matching, ha).  I happened upon this tutorial from Lia's Space and just LOVE the little applique.  These would be great for party favors too!

Stylish Camera Bags

from Stash, who also has some stylish iphone, ipad, and laptop bags

 
 

Yes!  These are camera bags!  Stunning right?  By Ketti Handbags.  

Of course Photojojo's sassy bowler bag

Bilingham Hadley's Pro Original

Jill-E small leather camera bag in bone 

 

Botkier Crossbody Camera Bag in Gold Lambskin

 

Leather Bag Books

I made some notebooks and a carrying case to protect them for my mother-in-law Janet out of a leather bag she got in Jerusalem back in her college days.  It was really falling apart, but she kept it because she could see it's potential. I'm glad she did.  These were fun to make.  Wish I had a picture of the original bag to compare.

The carrying case was a front pocket that I took off and sewed a back on. 

  The one on the left with the snap used to be a wallet.  It has little pockets inside, along with the hand ripped artist paper now sewn in.  The one on the right was a part of the main flap of the bag + a side pocket, again with hand ripped pages sewn into it to make a notebook.  All of the original stitching had to be redone because it was falling apart at the seams.  Tip for sewing on leather, use the WIDEST length you have, and go REALLY slowly, because it pokes holes that you can't then seam rip and redo.  You can get special leather needles that are pointed like a knife so your needles don't break and it makes a clean punch, but I didn't find it necessary.