September 2012 - Prairie Hive

Monthly Archives: September 2012

Dewy Dragonflies, Mini Magnets and a Macrame Owl…Happy Weekend!

Written on September 29, 2012 by SarahV

Have you pulled out the fall decor yet? Or even better, Halloween? I’ll be digging my boxes out of the garage this weekend and doing the yearly “how far am I going to take this?” assessment. This year, I’m all about minimal effort for maximum impact…I think I’ll focus on one or two areas and call it a day. We would love to see how you decorate for the change in seasons…post your pics to our Facebook wall and share!

Tulsans, don’t miss Indie Emporium this weekend…it runs from 12-10pm at Living Arts in the Brady Arts District. Tons of fantastic vendors, craft demos, food trucks, music and more! See you there!

Here are a few of my favorite links from this week:

Just ’cause it’s pretty: photos of Dew Covered Dragonflies.

Get ready to shed a tear: this dog holds a vigil at it’s owner’s grave.

On a lighter note, gorgeous mini magnets!

Get in the mood for fall with this Pumpkin Magic Bar recipe. Yes, please!

And just for fun…a Giant Macrame Owl.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Weekend Round-Up Tags: autumn, weekend roundup

The Harvest Moon Rises & Moon Inspired Wall Art

Written on September 28, 2012 by Roxanne D

It’s no surprise Autumn is my favorite season. I love the weather, the pull outside, chilly mornings and evenings, the colors, storms and even the fading, drying grasses. Tomorrow, the Harvest Moon will rise. The full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox appears brighter and sometimes more colorful than our moon views the rest of the year.

RD092712jerseymoon The Harvest Moon Rises & Moon Inspired Wall Art

Image from Flickr/joiseyshowaa via Weather.com

I love that the same moon we see every night can appear so different. We’ll enjoy an early moonrise by about 20 minutes and the spectacular views and colors that come along with it.

I’ve been thinking about it all week and how I might be inspired with Fall and home decor. Then I started looking around and realize the pale, warm grey on 80% of the walls in my home is very similar to the grey moon. And I started dreaming about a round back-painted glass top for my side table. So I put that on the list for living room projects.

For me though, I love using maps, science posters and otherwise educational, informative illustrations for wall art. Starting with that, I went searching and found all sorts of pieces to brighten walls.

RD092712MoonPhases The Harvest Moon Rises & Moon Inspired Wall Art

Image

RD092712MoonPhases2 The Harvest Moon Rises & Moon Inspired Wall Art

Image

RD092712MoonPhases3 The Harvest Moon Rises & Moon Inspired Wall Art

Image

RD092712MoonPhases4 The Harvest Moon Rises & Moon Inspired Wall Art

Image

RD092712MoonPhases5 The Harvest Moon Rises & Moon Inspired Wall Art

Image

RD092712MoonPhases6 The Harvest Moon Rises & Moon Inspired Wall Art

Image

Anyone else have plans for Saturday night? I think I’ll gather some goods to have an evening dinner under the moon rise. Make sure you caught our romantic evening picnic in the latest issue!

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Art, Events Tags: Art, autumn, events

Mums the Word

Written on September 26, 2012 by DawnT

DET Mums00 Mums the Word

image via Better Homes and Gardens

Fall has hit the stores in full force. The local grocery stores around here have pumpkins and mums overflowing their front sidewalks. And much like Lisa talked about in her post yesterday, I too snagged some autumnal decor. I’m loving the bright yellow mums I added to the blue pots on the steps to my porch. No fall porch display is complete without some potted mums to add softness and color! Just looking at them when I pull into the driveway makes me feel all cozy (even with the still-in-the-nineties temps).

If you look carefully enough you can find mum-inspired designs everywhere! Here are some great ways to bring the fall feeling inside or to carry it with you throughout the day:

These DIY Chrysanthemum wall mirrors are simply amazing – they’re made of plastic spoons! How cool is that?!

DET Mums03 Mums the Word

image via Addicted 2 Decorating

DET Mums02 Mums the Word

image via Little Things Bring Smiles

Love this DIY project – “How to Make an Ombre Chrysanthemum Chandelier.”

DET Mums08 Mums the Word

image via Curbly

This chrysanthemum print would be perfect in my living room! And I adore all of the many lovely color combinations in Niko & Lily’s etsy shop.

DET Mums04 Mums the Word

image via Niko & Lily Etsy Shop

This intricate Chrysanthemum Japanese Temari Ball is so beautiful.

DET Mums05 Mums the Word

image via Sabiwabi

If you’re looking for great fall accessories, try this mum-inspired metal headband!

DET Mums06 Mums the Word

image via Gleeful Peacock

Or these adorable earrings!

DET Mums07 Mums the Word

image via The Pretty Poppy

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Design, DIY, Home Tags: Dawn T., decor, DIY

Pumpkins and Gourds!

Written on September 25, 2012 by LisaW

Never mind that it was over 90 degrees yesterday in Tulsa, fall is officially here! So it’s time to bring out the pumpkins and the mums. Time to light the fall candles and bake pumpkin bread. At least that’s what I did! I’m ready for that crisp weather and falling leaves. The forecast says we may have to wait just a little while longer for that, but in the meantime I can make it look like fall everywhere else!

As I was driving through town, I saw all of these beautiful pumpkins piled up at one of my favorite stores, Ted and Debbie’s. I love all of the different colors and shapes. We’ll buy pumpkins for carving Jack O’ Lanterns later, but for fall I love to stack up a mix of the colorful pumpkins and gourds on my porch. They’re interesting, they last a long time and they look great through Thanksgiving.

So this is it. This is all I do – stack my favorite pumpkins one on top of the other. No tools or other materials necessary. I pull the summer plants out of the planters, stack the pumpkins and set the mums right next to them. It has to be that easy or I would do nothing. We would probably just have planters full of dead plants. For those of us with limited time, the easy pumpkin topiary is a great way to add fall charm to the front porch. Personally, I love the simplicity and the fact that it’s a little imperfect.

And…one more thing I thought I would include since it’s time to bake all things pumpkin! My mom’s pumpkin bread recipe. I made some last night and I would have included a picture, but it’s already gone! But trust me, it’s good, so here you go…

Pumpkin Bread

3 1/3 cups flour

3 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinamon

1 tsp nutmeg

2/3 cup water

1 cup oil

4 eggs

1 16 oz. can pumpkin

1. Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. 2. Make a hole in the middle and add the water, oil and eggs – mix well. 3. Add pumpkin and mix well. 4. Divide into 3 loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

1 Comment - Leave a comment!

Design

Don’t Miss: Indie Emporium

Written on September 24, 2012 by Kim A

Image via Indie Emporium

Handmade doesn’t get better than this.

It’s time for one of our favorite shopping events of the year – Indie Emporium 2012. This weekend, Tulsans will have the chance to collect gorgeous handmade goods from an interesting array of local and regional vendors.

The event is set from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, and from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at Living Arts of Tulsa, 307 E. Brady Ave, in Tulsa. Tickets are $5 in advance, $8 at the door, and kids younger than 12 are free. If you bring at least two canned goods to be donated to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, admission is $5!

Since 2007, Indie Emporium has invited hundreds of vendors to the area to show off their beautiful wares, and Prairie Hive is happy to be a sponsor for the event again this year.

We’re also happy that the event is returning to Living Arts of Tulsa. It was a great venue for the event last year, and we were on hand to snap some pics.

This year’s event will also feature a fashion show of handmade clothing and accessories, several make-and-take crafting stations, a fine arts gallery, and workshops and demos. Plus, the show will feature live music, delicious treats, and a silent auction. Click here for the complete schedule.

Before the event gets started, we interviewed Indie Emporium founder, Christine Sharp-Crowe, who also owns and operates the downtown store, Made: The Indie Emporium Shop, 501 S. Boston Ave.

Prairie Hive: How long have you been creating hand-made items?

Christine Sharp-Crowe: I’ve always had an interest in making things. As a child, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother who was always sewing, painting, or baking something. I learned a lot of my skills from her. I started selling my handmade goods in 2006 and started my current business, weather&noise is 2009.

PH: What are your favorite things to make?

CSC: In college I took a printmaking class as an elective and fell in love with the process of printing. So, any kind of printing project is definitely a favorite, which is why my business focuses on textiles screen printed with my illustrations. Aside from the things I make to sell, I love to knit and crochet. One of my favorite things every week is meeting up with the ladies in the Tulsa Crochet Collective for coffee and crochet time.

PH: What was your inspiration for creating Indie Emporium?

CSC: I had attended The Girlie Show in Oklahoma City, and some other regional indie craft shows and felt like Tulsa needed something similar to showcase all of our talented makers. There are lots of “craft” shows, where nothing is actually handmade, and a lot of the vendors are geared towards a different market than I felt like my products and the products that my friends were making belonged in. So in 2007, I started Indie Emporium as a venue for all handmade artists.

PH: How did that lead you to your business, Made: The Indie Emporium Store?

CSC: Opening a store had been a dream of mine for many years, and last fall when we were invited to be a part of the Pop-Up Shops in the Deco District in downtown Tulsa, we jumped at the chance. We were open for the month of December, and the idea of closing after the new year was kind of heartbreaking to me, so rather than closing we turned the “pop-up” into a permanent location.

PH: Do you have any crafty guilty pleasures?

CSC: Watching Tori Spelling’s Craft Wars. That, and the occasional hour or two of browsing Regretsy.com.

See you there!

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Design

Piano Vignette Design Sting and Fall Morning Light

Written on September 21, 2012 by Roxanne D

RD092112StraightAfter Piano Vignette Design Sting and Fall Morning Light

I’ve been itching to rearrange, recover, repaint and just finish lots of home decor projects these past few weeks. After living in a perpetual remodel for 3 years I have decided that now it the time to get it done.

It started with installing trim around the doors and windows and baseboard. I had forgotten how unfinished the house felt with these items just hanging out there, mocking me every time I actually tried to decorate. And forget about traditional window coverings, there just wasn’t any point!

So after the addition of finished trim, I’m on a roll. Only the faster I feel I am making decisions and starting projects, the longer everything seems to take. So this week I did something small (or so I thought). I redecorated the piano. It had accumulated all kinds of things and was never thoughtfully decorated to begin with. Things just went there when unpacking and never moved.

RD092112BeforeAngle Piano Vignette Design Sting and Fall Morning Light

Everything here had to go except Zepp (our beautiful Tri-Collie, who really needs a brush and haircut), the piano and the guitar cases.

RD092112BeforeStraight Piano Vignette Design Sting and Fall Morning Light

Although I love many things here, I need to find a new home for them. Grandma’s photo needs to go on the family photo wall, the lonely duck (once part of a pair) was just placed here when I could not decide what to do with it, there are also two random candle holders, three leftover miniature terrariums from wedding decor, a lamp that is the wrong scale for the space and our music stand turned recipe book holder that belongs in the kitchen.

My plan was to lessen, open, and soften.

RD092112RoxsWay Piano Vignette Design Sting and Fall Morning Light

I apologize for the grainy, dark photo, this was the best light I had before work this morning. I’ve been having such a hard time catching the daylight for my pictures.

I took everything off, hung some sentimental salvaged driftwood pieces on the wall and then hunted around my house for anything that might work. I have been planning on making a runner for the piano top, but ended up folding a black sarong from Hawaii in half, it was just the right length. Struggling to break up all the wood, I covered the piano bench in a neutral gray/taupe/copper geometric fabric that was in my stash and added an iron flower sculpture on the floor along with three new glass terrariums.

That was great, but I had to add a lamp because this is the one we like to turn on at night since it lights up the whole public side of the house. I used a gifted lamp from Anthropologie (so long ago, it’s almost vintage). Then I felt like balancing the whole thing, so I added a pop of color with a pottery vase from my Grandparent’s collection and stuffed some leftover wedding decor feathers in it.

RD092112Collage Piano Vignette Design Sting and Fall Morning Light

Here you can see the beautiful detail on my lamp and the gold leaf stripes I put on my terrariums. I can’t wait until these guys really fill in and provide a great pop of green life over here.

It’s not perfect and I have more plans. Wanted to paint the piano bench, not sure what color yet. Maybe cobalt blue or barely grey. I think I will sew a proper seat cushion for the piano bench and have some ideas floating around for the piano itself.

You’ll probably notice that the top “after” photo and the second “after” photo are a little different. I had the vase on the left with the terrariums all lined up in the middle. Jeff started analyzing it with me and moved it around a little and this is what he came up with.

RD092112JeffsWay Piano Vignette Design Sting and Fall Morning Light

I was positive I liked my way better, but it has been Jeff’s way for awhile now and I think I might like it his way better now. Any opinions? Or ideas on how to break up so much wood besides painting and upholstering the bench?

3 Comments - Leave a comment!

Design, Home Tags: autumn, decor, home

Pantone Fall Color Forecast

Written on September 20, 2012 by AlaynaB

image via Pantone

Ahhh…..fall is oh, so close. Can you feel it? Smell it? See it? Well I can (perhaps it’s because I am wishing it here so hard!). And because of that, it is time to spruce up your home and wardrobe with some fall colors!

Here at Prairie Hive we all love color. Not in a small way, but a big way. We are always excited to see what is up and coming. One of the best ways to get ahead on the color each year is through the company Pantone. Each year they are responsible for the yearly color….remember my post on Tangerine Tango back in January? Well, in addition to the yearly color, they also have spring and fall color collections. The fall color collection is pictured above.

I really love it. The jewel tones are in full force with some brights that carry our neon loving ways from summer into fall.

Here are some fun items I found that can help you incorporate some of the great fall colors into your life….

Owl & Drum is a brand new fabric store that just opened up here in Tulsa. We are sooo very excited to have them here b/c they have got some great product! This is not your grandma’s quilting shop. They have super hip fabric, fun ribbon, handmade items from all over the states, and even some unique jewelry the uses old skateboards!

Fabric is a great way to incorporate fun colors and patterns. You can easily make throw pillow covers, cover a lamp shade, make a quick table runner, the list is endless! Here are just a couple options that showcase the great fall colors….

images via Owl & Drum

MADE: The Indie Emporium Shop is one of the pop up shops from last year that now has a permanent location in downtown Tulsa. And boy are we glad that they do! It is full of handmade goodness from many different artists. From knitted scarves, clever baby onesies, to jewelry you are sure to find something unique that you love.

Scarves are one of the easiest ways to freshen up your wardrobe. They take a simple t-shirt and jeans to a whole new level plus they keep you warm in the chilly weather.

One of my favorite picks for fall at MADE is their glitter acorn necklaces. The bottoms are dipped in glitter paint…all of which fall perfectly in line with this seasons colors. And it’s an acorn, so you get double points!

image via Weather & Noise Etsy Shop

How about some color in the kitchen? You can easily amp up your fall entertaining by adding some fun salad and appetizer plates to a simple white collection. Target now has the Curiosity Shoppe that has great novelty pieces in the perfect colors.

image via Target

You can also spruce up your kitchen with some new kitchen towels.

image via Target

And finally, I think one of the easiest ways to bring color into your wardrobe is with jewelry. And what girl doesn’t like jewelry?

Noonday Collection is a new company to the Tulsa area that has a fabulous selection of jewelry, home and gift items, and accessories. The great part about the company is that all of the items are made by fair trade artisans around the world. So you are getting great, unique items that have a great story behind them as well.

Here are a few pieces of jewelry that I think would be perfect for your fall collection…

Striated Gourd Bangle, made in Peru

Exploration Necklace, made in Uganda

Evening Horizon necklace, made in India

Escalera Block bracelet, made in Ecuador

images via Noonday Collection

Those pieces are just the tip of the iceberg as to what Noonday Collection has to offer. You can see other favorites from the Prairie Hive girls on our Pinterest PH-Fashion board.

And, TONIGHT Prairie Hive is hosting their first Goods & Goodies event. It will be held at the brand new Antoinette Baking Co. on Brookside (right next to the Purple Glaze) from 6-9pm. You can sample some of their yummy goodies and see Noonday’s Fall Collection, which I promise you won’t be disappointed in! What’s better than some Goods & Goodies?

Hope to see you tonight!

To see all these goodies live, check out my segment on Great Day Green Country!

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Design, Inspiration, Trends, Tulsa Tags: Fall Colors, Inspiration, trends, tulsa

Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

Written on September 19, 2012 by DawnT

Football season is officially in full swing! And while I enjoy a good ‘ol collegiate rivalry match-up, I especially love the social aspect of attending a game. Tailgating is a classic way to get pumped up for the big game as well as get in some quality time with friends. Provide some bite-size snacks, a little alma mater-inspired decor and some games to charge up the competitiveness, and you’ve got yourself a great tailgating party!

This is what my dream tailgate would look like- bright, cheerful decor, easily edible foods and a cooler full of beverages.

DET Tailgate03 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips image via Martha Stewart

If grilling at your party, a personalized steak branding iron would be the perfect touch for a fanatic’s burger! (Also makes for a fantastic Christmas gift idea!)

DET Tailgate01 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

image via Steak Brands

Anyone who knows me at all will know that these mini corn-dogs are the ultimate way to ensure my attendance at a tailgating party!

DET Tailgate05 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

image via Happy Good Time

Slider-sized sandwiches would be great to grab without needing a bulky plate.

DET Tailgate06 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

image via MyRecipes

These individually prepared 7-layer dip is perfect to eat while mingling.

DET Tailgate02 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

image via The Girl Who Ate Everything

DET Tailgate07 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

image via Ding Dongs and Ho Hos

DET Tailgate04 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

image via She’s {kinda} Crafty

No tailgating party is complete without some games on hand to work off all the delicious snacks and to pass the pre-game time. The classics of corn hole, ladder toss and coin toss never get old! And the customization with your team’s logo makes it that much sweeter.

DET Tailgate08 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

image via TailGatorz

DET Tailgate09 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

image via Sports Fanfare

DET Tailgate10 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

image via Sports Fanfare

Of course you have to sport your team colors in style, yet be comfortable enough to survive hours of tailgating followed by a lengthy game. And Fall can be a tricky season, especially when your team has an evening game. Tailgating in the warm sun can very easily turn into bleacher-sitting in the chilly night air. So be sure to layer so that your outfit is suitable for any weather.

DET Tailgate00 Football Fete: Tailgating Tips

1. 1969 Skinny Boot Cords, Gap

2. Fitted Scoop-Neck Tee, Old Navy

3. Burberry Big Towl in Gray/Black, Ugg Outlet

4. Gigi Studs, Stella & Dot

5. Maddox Bucket Handbag, Fossil

6. Silver Karsen Women’s Classics, Toms

1 Comment - Leave a comment!

Entertaining, Events Tags: events, food, Party

Don’t Miss: Tulsa’s Literary Death Match this Friday

Written on September 17, 2012 by Kim A

Looking for something fun and out of the ordinary to do this week?

One of Prairie Hive’s favorite local organizations, Booksmart Tulsa, has just the thing — the second annual Literary Death Match, which is set at 7 p.m. Friday at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria Ave.

This hilarious and fun event debuted last year, as four of Tulsa’s local writers went head-to-head to do something that most of us have recurring nightmares about — read an original piece of writing OUT LOUD. That’s in front of people … real live people that you know.

Brave souls.

It is great way for local writers to get out of their comfort zones and write a fiction or nonfiction piece, take a big gulp and read it aloud, and receive feedback from the judges. Then, as the two finalists are selected, wackiness ensues for a final challenge to determine the winner.

Serious and silly. Perfect combination.

Last year’s event was a smash success. A group of friends went out after the event to celebrate my friend, Cary Aspinwall’s, hilarious original story, and we had some food and drinks with the Literary Death Match founder, Adrian Todd Zuniga. He was mighty impressed with the Tulsa roll-out, so he quickly decided to keep Tulsa in the loop.

This year’s contenders include: Natasha Ball, aka Tasha Does Tulsa, of This Land Press; Joe O’Shanskly from Urban Tulsa Weekly; Jerry Wofford from the Tulsa World; and Jeff Van Hanken, associate professor at TU, and scriptwriter of The Legend of Billy Fail.

And as a bonus, this year’s judges include Tulsa’s own award-winning writer P.C. Cast, author of the House of Night book series; Guggenheim fellow, NEA poet/translator Geoffrey Brock; and author Lou Berney, who wrote Gutshot Straight and Whiplash River.

Long story short (forgive the pun), LDM is a terrific event, and Tulsa is privileged to be a part of it. These events are taking place all over the world– from Oslo to Montreal to London — so it’s great to be a stop on the tour.

Read more about Literary Death Match, and join in on the fun!

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Design, Events, Kim A., Tulsa Tags: events, Kim A., tulsa

Decorative Gourd Season, 10 Best Soups and S’mores Bar Centerpiece…Happy (Fall) Weekend!

Written on September 15, 2012 by SarahV

Along with the chilly weather, the pumpkins are out at Whole Foods, the spice lattes are on the menus at coffee houses, and (woo-hoo!) sweaters are coming out of storage. We celebrated this week with our Prairie Hive Magazine Fall Issue…have you had a chance to check it out yet? Don’t miss this adorable couple and their funky, bright home…and the gorgeous, cozy fall picnic we put together. If you’re ready to shop for the fall season (and you’re a Tulsa local), head out to the new Antoinette Bakery next Thursday, September 20 for our first ever Goods & Goodies event! We are introducing the Noonday Collection to Tulsa…full of jewelry, bags, and home accessories we can’t wait to get our hands on!

My picks for this week:

It’s Decorative Gourd Season, *$#^%@<!s! WARNING – this has terrible language, but man, it’s funny. In related news, An Open Letter to Pumpkin-Flavored Seasonal Treats. Thank you to whoever tweeted out this site. Hilarious.

And oh yeah, it’s also Soup Weather! Great post on the 10 Best Soup Recipes.

To go along with the soup…Pretzel Cinnamon Rolls. That’s right.

One of my favorite party ideas in a while…a simple S’mores bar centerpiece (just sterno in pebbles)…

Wow, am I hungry this week or what? Have a great weekend!

1 Comment - Leave a comment!

Weekend Round-Up Tags: autumn, weekend roundup