Amie Hartman Designs

Autumn fun

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:15:00 +0000

Laity Pumpkin Patch, originally uploaded by ForestNesting.

October came and went in a blur of activity!

Here's what happened:

- Had new floors installed on our main floor. We choose to put in dog friendly laminate instead of the bamboo that I've been wanting. Painted the new baseboards a darker shade of grey from the same paint chip. Looks great, and I will have to share photos when I have the finishing touches done.

- Visited the pumpkin patch with my darling princess and her classmates. What a great field trip that was.... the sun was shining, not too cold for it being so late in October. And the kids had a blast visiting the animals in the barn, going through the corn maze and of course, picking their own kid-sized pumpkins.

- Halloween. Princess chose to be a fairy princess, complete with wings, wand and fairy dust on her hair and face. I was a very proud mom, she looked so cute!

How about any of you reading this? Has autumn brought you any memorable times?

Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Shrimp with Bacon and Corn

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:42:00 +0000

Last night's dinner was so easy and yummy that I thought I should share this dish that is ready in less than 30 minutes! I've adapted it from the Creamy Shrimp with Corn and Bacon recipe from Real Simple.

(image via Real Simple)

Now, I have a hubby and son who love their meat, so I also added a bit of chicken and about a quarter cup of shredded parmesan cheese. Not a scrap was left on their plates! That is a winning dish in my books!

Long lost chicken recipe - found

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:50:00 +0000

On the weekend, while going through a very deep junk drawer I came across a long lost recipe for Honey Mustard Chicken. I prepared this last night and was told by my picky DH that he would love for that dinner to make it into my regular repertoire.

So, since I like to share what I can, here it is...

Honey Mustard Chicken

1/3 c. honey
1/3 grainy mustard
1 tbsp dried dill weed
1 - 2 tbsp grated orange peel, fresh
2 - 3 lbs of chicken pieces (bone in, with skin)

Mix first 4 ingredients together. Rinse and pat dry chicken, and place on a roasting pan. Spread honey-mustard mix under AND on top of the skin. Bake for about 35-40 mins in a 400F oven.

This was awesome with mashed potatoes and roasted brocoli. The kidlets ate up their dinners and asked for seconds (a rare occurance in this household )

Enjoy~

Cookie monster would make a decent roommate on Sesame St.

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Cookie Monster

Oh, that's easy! It would have to be Cookie Monster, however, I guess I would need to fight for my share of the cookies, lol! But, he's just so lovable!

Music sounded better on record

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:59:00 +0000

I'm dating myself, but I bought my first record when I was 12yo, and it was ABBA. Took me close to 2 months to save up enough money for it , but it was so worth it!

It's Tea Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:21:00 +0000

Vintage Eye - Vintage Harmony House

Tigerluxe - Midcentury Coffee Pot

Brass Paperclip - Mid-Century Modern SS

Tweet Tweet from Etsyland!

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Just a quick one to share a few very adorable creations I found today from some very talented artists:

OhSoRetro - Bookshelf Bird

Thompson Designs - Springs Arrival

Tiddly Inks - Deer Me and Her Chickadees

There's always time for shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:53:00 +0000

It's been a busy, busy summer, but I always find time to shop for home decor! :)

While in Kamloops for a little family reunion, I spied an Urban Barn and just had to take a peek when I saw the SALE signs posted on the windows. I didn't manage to buy anything, since our car was already very full with passengers and luggage. However, I'm now wanting to buy one of these cute doormats for our front door:

Currently, we have the most utilitarian doormat in black, which is not very welcoming if you ask me, so it's time for something a bit better. Which would you choose?

Unique Drawer / Door Pulls

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:54:00 +0000

One inexpensive way to decorate is to customized pieces bought at a big box store, such as Ikea. Well, I've been on the hunt for some unique and pretty knobs for a rather bland storage unit. If I change then knobs from the strange looking little silver pulls to something with a bit of colour, I think I'd be much happier with this much utilized bookcase.

Take a look at what I've found so far:

Uneek Glass Fusions: Tomato Red Fused Glass Knobs

Joan Jewels: Aqua and White Fused Glass Knobs

Anthropologie: Peeping Posies

Super Easy and Tasty: Black Bean, Corn and Tomato Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:55:00 +0000

Oh yum, I will making this family favourite for a gathering this long weekend and thought I would share. It's so easy and quick to make, AND it's perfect for a summer meal!

19 oz. can of black beans, rinsed
12 oz. can of whole kernel corn, rinsed
2 diced ripe tomatoes
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup of roughly chopped fresh cilantro (coriander)

Dressing:
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil

I wish I had a picture of this all made up, as it's quite colourful! If you do happen to make this, let me know if you tweeked it in any way, as I always make it according to the recipe. Any suggestions to make this better (if that's possible!)

Etsy Vintage Love

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:58:00 +0000

In my quest for unique and budget friendly ways to re-decorate my home, I have found that new is not always better, and that I really dig some of the decor from the 50's and 60's. So, I was quite happy to read this article in The Storque.

Here's a glimpse at some of my new favourite finds:

Modern To Retro: Danish Teak Duck (This one made me laugh, lol, it's just so cute!)

Fabulous Mess: Danish Modern Dresser (I'm sooooo pining over this one)

Cut From The Same Cloth: Vintage Modern Doe Sculpture

(Reminds me of the Bambi movie!)

I just have to order that duck, as I think it'd make me smile every time I see it! Off to do some more shopping!

Have I told you about the time I won money?

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:05:00 +0000

I won almost $400 in a 50/50 draw at a hockey game. I went out the next day and bought my very first digital camera!

What's Your Style

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:23:00 +0000

I just took a Personal Style Quiz that I found, thanks to How About Orange who I found while making my daily visit to Decor8. Take a look at my results:

It was accurate! I usually take these quizzes only to find the results less than accurate, but this one, I like. How about you? If you do take the quiz, be sure to let me know if it was reflective of your style.

Freebie Alert - Printable Postcard

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:25:00 +0000

I just read about this super cute, f-r-e-e, printable postcard on Decor8

and thought I should definitely share. It is available on Kindred , a site that helps support both accomplished and budding artists.

Tara Hogan's Postcard

(image: via Kindred)

Free Printable Snail Stationery Set

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:23:00 +0000

Super cute freebie!

Free Printable Snail Stationery Set

Posted using ShareThis

A New Direction

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Yes, I'm still here. Posting has taken a backseat to, well, life. I've been busy planning for some vacation time in the summer. We are hoping to take about 2 weeks away from city life and get to the mountains and beauty of our 2 western provinces of BC and Alberta.

And, I've been daydreaming a lot about what direction I should go in for Amie Hartman Designs. During this daydreaming, I've been reading a lot of home decorating blogs, visiting online decor shops, antique shopping, and crocheting a runner for my dining room buffet.

I have decided that I get a lot of joy in creating with my hands, be it a greeting card, an altered coffee tin, or a crocheted coaster. So, I am going to expand on what I have to offer in my shop.

My shop will now also include crocheted home and personal care items, more altered items and of course, my greeting cards. So, I hope you get a chance to visit my shop and let me know what you think. I open to some helpful advice, as I'm always trying to learn. Here's a small glimpse at one addition:

I hope you are having a good weekend friends!

Great Link to a Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:14:00 +0000

Long time no post!

Life has been hectic lately. So, my blogging generally suffers as a result.

But, today, I took a little break to do a bit of blog surfing and came across the cutest free printable apple notes courtesy of Ez over at Creature Comforts. If you have not been to her site, you should check it out. It is one of the prettiest blogs out there in the blogging world, in my humble opinion.

I am so happy that it is Friday! We are celebrating the Victoria Day long weekend with a few BBQ's, parades and picnics, so I'm really praying for sunshine.

I hope you have a fantastic, relaxing weekend!

Happy Fridge Art

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:08:00 +0000

Just a quick post to share a photo of DD's magnet creation!

It was just so cheery to look at that I had to take a picture....

Books can be cute too!

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:38:00 +0000

I scored this cute little book while perusing the aisles at Home Sense yesterday. I plan on making some of the bags that I found within it's pages for the little princess' in my life, especially DD and my darling nieces.

My interest in this craft is at an all-time high. And I've bought enough yarn to make my next 3 projects, so I hope this obsession is not too short-lived or I will have one upset hubby!

Do you ever do that? You know, get so absorbed in a craft that you keep buying supplies, even though you probably won't be using them anytime soon? Or am I the only one with this disease?

A Neighbourhood in Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:32:00 +0000

Oh the beauty that is Spring! While out with DH this week, we decided to take a small detour through the neighbourhood of Brentwood Park. Luckily, we had our trusty camera with us and took the following photos. Just wanted to share the beauty!

I hope that you are all having a lovely weekend!

Other Amy or Amie(s)

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:20:00 +0000

I have discovered that my name is not so unique if you look for it spelt A-m-y!

Here are just 3 examples that I just *heart*:

Amy Cornell Designs - Mother's Necklace

Amy Olsen Jewellery - Azure Necklace (such a lovely shop!)

Amy Rose Design - Reversible Bib (fashionable baby accessories!)

Etsy Link Love that will make you drool!

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:18:00 +0000

Most of my family and friends know what a sweet tooth I have. So, I bet they would be surprised that I haven't, until recently, been shopping for sweets online. I *heart* to shop and window shop online. Well, it's a good thing! I decided to peruse the "Plants and Edibles" section of Etsy, and take a look! Here is just a tiny sample of what you will find there....

Sweet Tooth Sweetie

Julie's Cookie Jar

Fancy Lady Gourmet

Just looking at these photos are making my sweet tooth ache!

The Need to Create

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Almost 30 years ago, my dear mother taught me how to crochet because I just kept bugging her to teach me one of her crafts. My mom learned these crafts out of necessity, at a time when store bought sweaters and clothing was just too expensive and hard to come by when living in a small town. So, she had figured that her daughters, who would eventually end up growing up in the city would not be too interested. She was wrong. The need to create with our own hands, has been deeply coded into our DNA. We've inherited this creative gene that has been passed on from my grandfather (a musician and chinese opera coach), to my mother, to my sister and I, and now, to my own DD.

And while I have perhaps not completely mastered the art of crochet, I do love it. So, I recently challenged myself to create something that I could put on display. And I chose this pretty medallion trivet as my first project in many years....

This took me about a week, not bad, considering I was only working on it during gymnastic practices, hockey practices and the few minutes I had to myself after the kidlets went to bed. Depending on your screen, it may or may not look like the light aqua blue that it is. And it is super thick, so I do need to be careful of what sits atop it. Perhaps a nice large vase of flowers? I think I could treat myself to flowers on a weekly basis, right?

How about you? If you love to create, who taught or inspired you to learn your craft or art?

Lazy Sunday and a Creative Home

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Oh, what a wonderfully lazy Sunday! We spent part of the morning with family and then, nothing but relaxation. I bought myself a copy of Creative Home. Sadly, it's the last issue :(. Another one bites the dust.

I was also able to complete my crocheted Medallion Trivet. Need to snap a photo of it, as I'm very proud of how it turned out! I did it a light aqua, much like the colour of my kitchen. Now, I'm working on a table runner. I was inspired by one I saw on Decor8 .

I hope you also had a rejuvenating weekend!

Happy Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (Amie Hartman) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Happy Easter to you and your families!