Welcome back...

Yes the subject of this post is Welcome Back...I am welcoming you back and myself. It's been a long time...seems like forever. If you are wondering about the slowness - well maternity leave will do that! Yup! Late nights and a screaming baby...wow...what an experience it has been thus far and will be for the next 18 years (yawn).

Anyway...all is back on track and here at a-ieK we are working on some new and exciting things...so bare with us and stay tuned because we've missed you too.

you betcha!

...life is still moving forward but the blog is a bit dated/slow or will be while we experience new life and late nights (yawn) for a few weeks.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Printable Housing???

A University of Southern California engineer and his colleagues are developing a 3D printer for houses.

Called Contour Crafting, the system spits out layers of concrete to build a structure from the bottom up. Caterpillar, the worlds largest manufacter of construction equipment is sponsoring the research. Read the full article here.

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Source:
BoingBoing, A Directory of Wonderful Things
Posted by David Pescovitz, September 3, 2008 9:29 AM

Why Nots...

Afraid to be upfront with your thoughts? or do you just refrain because you want to be a "good" person? Sometimes you just have to let go!

Why not send a Why Not notecard and let someone know exactly what you're thinking.
















Check them out here...They're new in the shop!

Agapanthus Note Flats

(Drum Roll)
...Welcoming back a popular item from my online shop, the Agapanthus Note Flats. These note flats come in two colors - terra and smoke. Note flats can be personalized or not and sent as a gift to that special friend or keep a set for yourself!

Check them out: terra or smoke

Refresh :: Renew

I've been snail blogging for quite a bit now - no ones fault but my own - work, life, family, etc. I guess you could say one of my New Years Resolution for 08' was a flop! Okay so maybe not - I do twitter with friends, crafters, artists & designers - that has to count for something. Ya think? I'll wait five minutes for a response (smile).

Well no one responded...

With the above being said I'd like to apologize to anyone that's been following the a-iek blog or attempting to. I am tying up loose strings and body parts so we can get ourselves back in order to blog more often...refreshing & renewing is what I am calling it. So hang in there (note to self also), we're still here!

As always thanks for everyones continued support and well wishes!

Birthdays

...so today is the big day well meaning in birthdays. I'm not really sure how I feel about turning ** but let's just say turning 30 was easy. What makes my feelings a bit more strange, funny, or just plain crazy is:

1. I totally forgot my birthday was coming up
2. the fact that my coworker sent me a card which reads:

AND
3. today after telling me happy birthday, my mom told me she was still 25...

Can you say...

Celtics 131, Lakers 92 (F)

(and yes I am excited)

Hey...

Ya'll (that's southern).

I just wanted to say hello to everyone. I've been out about traveling and working hard for the past three weeks. So if anyone's been wondering...I'm back and it's hot...but I have Coldplay, Viva La Vida or repeat so I'm 'A' okay!

...because Erin made me do it!!!!

Okay, so I just finished checking out Design For Mankind and there's a post on "blogger cribs" - bloggers and their refridgerators. As I read the blog I notice that Erin and I have something in common...our refridgerators!!! Ouch!!! Okay maybe not ouch, but how cool! Now I honestly don't feel bad about my fridge and how it's packaged, moreso my strange ways. I believe the Design For Mankind post originally came from Rachael over at Black Eiffel - Cribs, Blogger Style. Shout out to Rachael for pulling my card and making me acknowledge my fridge...Great post!!!

(check out the posts on >Black Eiffel<>Design for Mankind<>

and Erin - here's my fridge:

(sorry it's a little blurry)

A great way to end a crazy week...ok so it's Thursday!

Anyway...today I received my Monster Print by Constant Dreamer an Etsy Seller. I've been drooling over this print ever since I first saw it. I'm not sure what it is about the print - the colors, the simpleness of the print or just that the print is a bit funny and makes me smile. Maybe it's all of the above!

So here it is - ta daaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: Monster Print by Constant Dreamer. Enjoy - I am!!!

P.S. Constant Dreamer has a ton of other cool prints to offer. The Tree and Underwear Print is another one of my favorites (tickles my soul).

Another great artist on Etsy....

Check out the Contant Dreamer >here<

Saturday street festival digs...

Here's a picture of my one super fab digs I picked up this weekend at May Festival. There were a lot of really nice vendors on site however, the weather was just plain stank (hot, without a breeze). I'd say tons of folk, animals, creatures and heat just do not mix.

I was very thankful for the fresh squeezed lemonade stand!

front view...saucccccccccy!!!

rear view...norm!!!

Blue Palmetto Tree

Most of you that know about a-ieK paper goods & designs know that I sell online through Etsy. Being apart of Etsy you meet a wonderful group of artists, crafters and designers - which can be pleasant (for the most part).

Today, I wanted to take the time to introduce you all to Blue Palmetto Tree, my fellow neighbor (by state) and a member of Etsy. Ever since meeting Stacey of Blue Palmetto Tree she's been a joy to know...and through knowing her we found out we have a lot in common besides just enjoying each others products!

So what does Blue Palmetto Tree have to offer?

Well...Blue Palmetto Tree Shop offers quality handmade crochet items for you and your home. Blue Palmetto Tree has large selection crochet dishcloths, crochet exfoliating scrubbies, crochet baby afghans, crochet coasters, and more!!! Stacey has been crocheting for 32 years! Wow! Take some time to visit Blue Palmetto Tree on Etsy...you'll love the shop and the owner. Blue Palmetto Tree's products are great gift ideas!

Below are some of my favorites from Blue Palmetto Press:

Crocheted Cotton Exfoliating Facial Scrubbie Cloths

(...these scrubbies look so scrumptios...exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate)

Crocheted Baby Afghan

(...thinking of baby...)

Crochet Child's Clothes Hanger

(...thinking of baby a little more...awe)

...yawn...life you gotta love it!

...in case anyone's been wondering about my lack of posts and slacker blogging habit that has formed within the past month - well...here's a picture that may help.













Illustration of Catney Reid from the book, Catney Reid
"Who Needs Money" starting her day.
(Source: http://www.picture-book.com/node/1475)

If the picture didn't help just know that all is well - I've actually been working hard, life just takes us through various trials...
I do hope you are well.

Blog soon!

Party Anyone?

Fun, simple & clean...party picks for any occasion. Use
party picks to top off your favorite drink, hourdevours
or just keep around for a party of one!

Specs:
-12 pack
-Assorted colors
-Comes packaged in a cello bag

Get your party picks here. I guarantee you'll be
the talk of the party!

Because “MALL” is a four-letter word...

"The Handmade Market"

The Handmade Market is a semiannual shopping event in downtown Raleigh, NC. The event features a juried selection of the best and brightest artists, independent designers, and crafters from NC and beyond.

The event is produced by The Handmaidens, a North Carolina collective of independent designers, and is made possible with the generous support of sponsors and volunteers.

At every Handmade Market, The Handmaidens partner with a local charity to organize a raffle to benefit their cause. At the show, visitors can make a suggested donation to the group. In return for the donation, a raffle ticket will be provided for a chance to win a gift basket filled-to-the-brim with handcrafted goods and vouchers for services that are donated by Charity Sponsors.

The local charity for the event on May 3rd is AnimalKind, an organization whose mission is to help eliminate the euthanasia of adoptable animals in the Triangle-area of NC and beyond.

Mark your calendars and come out and shop for unique handcrafted gifts and support artists and independent designers:

The Handmade Market
Saturday, May 3, 2008
@ Vintage 21 in downtown Raleigh, NC.
(Vintage 21 is located at 119 S. West St.)

The event runs from 11am until 5 pm

p.s. Did I mention that a-iek paper goods & design will be there? Come out and see us!!!

Paper Weights

I'm not to sure if the concept of paper weights have left the building, but I'm bringing them back! I think my great grandmother may have one - but does that count?

Anyway, the paper weight below is titled "Autumn Moon." This paperweight was inspired by my Autumn Moon Notecards and my desire to go camping (I think it's the weather we've been having lately). These paper weights are made of crystal and measure 4" x 2 7/8" x 3/4" deep and weight about 8 ounces. I've packaged one of these beauties for a good friend that I once worked in a plant nursery with. I figure this would be right up her alley! Enjoy!




Paper weights and more can be found here.

repackaging...

Design For Mankind

Every so often there's that one person that puts a spin on your day. For me that person would be Erin over at Design For Mankind. Thank you so much for corresponding with me and then featuring a-iek paper goods & design on your blog. I appreciate it very much (and honeslty I was having a crazy day)!

The Design For Mankind Blog is awesome! Don't believe me - well it's bookmark as a favorite of mine on my computer and there's a link to the blog on my blog (lower right hand side under morning brew). Take some time to check out. Make sure you read the welcome message on Erin's blog - it's something to think about. Also, check out Erin's work on Etsy.




p.s. If you're enterested in reading what Erin had to say about a-iek paper goods & design click here. Also, thank you to all the readers of Design For Mankind that have left great comments. I sincerely appreciate it!


~Have an awesome day and inspire someone new!

inhabit...surround yourself

Okay, so you want to focus on the rear of the picture – the wall. What is it? It’s a wall flat designed by a company called Inhabit, founded by designers Jennifer and Mike Tuttle - a husband and wife team.


This embossed wall flat (SHAN-Shangri La) is designed to expand in any direction with an automatic pattern repeat. One could cover a not so amazing wall or just have fun with space and form by mixing and matching patterns. One could even paint to coordinate with your décor!

These wall flats are said to be good from the environment being as they were made from bamboo pulp - one of the world's most renewable resources. The dimensions of these flats are 18” x 18” and ten panels come in a box. No clue on how many of these you may need…there’s a tile calculator on the site. How cool is that (my mom would love that)?

Take a peek here. There are other patterns to choose from.

Enjoy!!!

p.s. ...check out the website overall...good finds