New Year Wishes

Happy New Year's Eve! Here's hoping you wear something sparkly and get lots of kisses!
xo, Caroline

clockwise: Hep Cat Clothes I The Vintage Tree House I Erstwhile Vintage I Cool Curios

Daily Snapshot: thetimeisnow

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

the gifts that the 3 wise men brought to a carpenter and his new wife who had just given birth.
wasn't that nice? they got some money, some incense, and the wife got something to help her heal from the birth of her first child.
(gold is the money, frankincense is incense, and myrrh was used in traditional medicine to help heal the womb after giving birth.)


from top left to bottom right:
catherine filippelli, wiggle perfume, Dreaming Isis, Swedish Sisters (alt)
white magic, Pure Minerals Source, e sightler, Ancient Oils (alt)
nordea soaperie, wiccan magick shack, Make Scents With Nature, chasing clouds (alt)
goose grease, Ayala, sandra'n'dan, natural sundae (alt)

*humming the hymn*
--yobokitteh

Daily Snapshot: MilkGlassVintage

What's your resolution?

With the new year fast approaching, have you set any goals for yourself?

1. Letterpress Coaster Set New Years Resolution by luckybeepress
2. Good Riddance Day by RecipeBox
3. Enjoy Life Scrabble Letters Sign by FunCards
4. New Year's Resolution Print by bluebicicletta

Daily Snapshot : MoontsyAndFloontsy

Caramelsssssss!

Lately, I've been craving for caramel because I keep seeing them all over everyone's blogs! Caramels seem to be the new chocolate these days. So with nothing special to do on Christmas Eve I decided to make a batch of caramels.

The week before I found a recipe on The Black Apple's blog for Caramels Bittman (from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything). I've never made caramel before but the recipe looked pretty easy so I decided to use it. I had my doubts at first that it was actually going to turn into caramel... before the sugars dissolved and the butter melted it looked kind of disgusting and curdled haha but eventually it all became a consistent liquid and after about 30 mins of bubbling my candy thermometer read 245 degrees. I was surprised at how fast it set because my plan was to pour everything into the pan and swish it around until it was even but by the time I finished scraping the bottom of the pot it had already begun to set so the edges of my pan were a bit thinner than in the center. My family really enjoyed them too. I will definitely be making these again. I really wish I had some fleur de sel to sprinkle on top of these.

They were sweet but not too sweet and they don't stick to your teeth when you chew them which I REALLY like. I can't tell you how much I had a big scoop of vanilla ice cream to drizzle over when I was making these. I poured it into a 13" x 9" inch pan and ended up wrapping over 100 pieces of caramels.

Daily Snapshot : dancingintherains

Happy Holidays!

Wish List

It's my birthday today, so I thought I'd show off a few of the very lovely vintage goods that have been sitting on my wish list. I hope you like them as much as I do:

Santoki Vintage I Skinny & Bernie

Cool Curios I Mechanical Stag

The Pudding Store I Noble Town Vintage

xo, Caroline

*munchcrunch crunchmunch*

oooh, peanut brittle! chocolate chip cookies! snickerdoodles! candy canes!
*dies of sweet tooth*

from top left to bottom right:
ASugarAffair, MarikasBakeShoppe, artisantea, SugarMohawk (alt)
HeavenBakedSweets, HolidayCandyLane, SusanBookerCatering, thecupcakemint (alt)
southerngoodies, HolidayCandyLane, sarahbisher, kandykettlekitchen (alt)
miaMallows, artisantea, tetoncocoacompany, teaman (alt)

*off to eat herself sick*
--yobokitty

Mad About Patchwork and a Fabric Giveaway!

As a Canadian who loves loves loves to buy fabric, there are several things I consider when I'm shopping for fabric online but the main issue is always shipping! It's hard to find a supplier with a fabulous selection who has reasonable shipping rates and then sit patiently for 3-5 weeks for delivery while those pesky customs officials at the border check our packages to determine if we have to pay duties!

Well, up until recently I didn't know of a single online fabric supplier located in Canada that offered a fun and colorful selection plus carried designer fabrics. Luckily for me (and you), Mad About Patchwork landed in my inbox! Now, let me introduce you so you can get better acquainted!

Mad About Patchwork is a wonderful online fabric shop owned by Pam Denesyk that is located in Stittsville, Ontario. Pam being an avid quilter herself, loves to stock the shop with colorful high quality quilting cottons. The shop even carries a selection of designer fabrics from Amy Butler, Robert Kaufman and more. If you're not a quilter, don't worry! The shop carries lots of 100% cottons which are great for almost any type of sewing project! Pick up some fabric for a dress, a doll project, or even sew some gift bags for your holiday gifts!

Btw, if you haven't caught on to why I'm so excited about this marvelous little shop, it's because all Domestic (Canadian) orders under $100 ship for $5.00, all orders under $100 to the USA ship for $10.00, all orders over $100 ship for free, AND if you're Canadian there are no customs or duties to pay! Hooray!

Now, I am very happy to announce that Mad About Patchwork is sponsoring a giveaway! Pam is giving away two fat quarter bundles from the DelHi Line valued at $19.25 each! Each bundle contains 7 coordinating fabrics (I wish I could keep these all to myself!). Two very lucky Sweet Figment readers will win and the giveaway is open to International residents too!

To Enter:
Visit Mad About Patchwork and leave a comment below telling Pam which fabric pattern is your favorite and leave your email address so we can contact you if you win. You must do this in order for all additional entries to be valid.

Please leave an extra comment below for each of the following that you do:
- Tell us what you would do with the fat quarter bundle if you win it.
- Share this giveaway with your Twitter or Facebook friends.
- Blog about this giveaway
- Let Pam know what other types of fabric you think she should stock.

The giveaway runs from Dec 21st, 2009 - Jan 03, 2010 11:59PM PST. A winner will be drawn and announced on Monday Jan 04, 2010.

Flickr Friday

Happy Holidays!

1. Dandelion., 2. Mini Christmas Stocking, 3. Frosty the Russian Doll Snowman Necklace (328/365), 4. red wine drop , 5. holly jolly pin-back buttons (put on your red suit and rock around the tree), 6. Christmas Wreath, 7. Christmas Nightingales Giveaway, 8. Gingerbread Plush , 9. Home Sweet Home Domino Ornament

Very Vintage Holiday

Here are some holiday inspired vintage goods for your perusing pleasure:
xo, Caroline

top row: Sally Jane Vintage I Ju Ju Too I Dazzle Ship I middle row: The Sunday Times Market I Adelaide's Homesewn I Ju Ju Too I bottom row: Leamor Vintage I The Sunday Times Market I K Malinka

Daily Snapshot: AntiquesGaloreGal

*washing washing washing*

from top left to bottom right:
RagsByRebecca, RedBerryCrochet, nadjablue, ContinentalCreations(alt)
phylsugarbear, WLrehab, LuckyGirlBoutique, SkyBox(alt)
naturalgrace, MayleesGarden, gitaly123, SmallGift(alt)
MichelleBrusegaard, CozzyCottage, threegreenkids, lapetitevie(alt)

*moar cleaning*
--yobo

Daily Snapshot : Penorus

Play It Fair

I'd like to introduce you to Play It Fair, a brand new webshop featuring an assortment of talented artists. Play It Fair's focus is to share wonderfully modern designs that are eco-friendly as well as ethically made and fair trade. They stock a variety of items including accessories, homewares, jewellery, gifts, kids items as well as a bit of geekery. Take sometime to browse though their wonderful selection and maybe you'll find a last minute gift for a special someone or yourself!

Daily Snapshot : thepoppytree

Inspired by a few of my favorite christmas carols

I've had the sound of bells jingling and the sound of chestnuts roasting on an open fire playing on repeat in my head for the last few weeks.

 1. Brass Sleigh Bells by beckysbriarpatch
2. O Holy Night Paperchain by ormolu
3. Fa La La, Cross Stitch and Embroidery Christmas Tree Ornament by JulieEllen
4. Tiny Retro Snowman by violetpi

Daily Snapshot : NellaDesigns

Daily Snapshot : TackySmack

Daily Snapshot : mudpuppy

That 70s Outfit

While not all these pieces actually hail from that iconic decade (though some of them do), I feel like this is the perfect outfit to capture the mood of that era. Flirty and free and what I want to be...
xo, Caroline

clockwise: Joy Elizabeth I Throback Vintage I Beta Accessories I Starlet Vintage

*click click!*

from top left to bottom right:
Sloth Art, vintage photographic, Sara Anntiques, tebone (alt)
Pola Emporium, Boombox Blitz, Sloth Art, Pot-Kettle-Black (alt)
vintage suburbia, Fancigirl, Johanna Vidaur, Line of Sight (alt)
Vintage, Etc. , Vintage Venatic, Silver Crow, Clyde Keller Photo (alt)

*snapping pix*
--yobo

Daily Snapshot : dillondesigns

Mmm... Toffee!

For those of you who don't know, I read a lot of cooking blogs. The other day, I stumbled on this drool worthy recipe for Coffee Toffee on Smitten Kitchen and I just wanted to share it with all of you. It would make an awesome homemade gift too! I'd show you a picture but the FAQ's section on the site says I can't so you'll just have to click and see for yourself.

Daily Snapshot : FavorCakes

Daily Snapshot : JapanKawaiiYa

Moment In The Sun Giveaway Winner

The lucky winner is #10 littledeadmommy. Thanks to everyone who participated and special thanks to Tracey from Moment In The Sun for sponsoring!

Daily Snapshot : Happyment

Don't forget to enter!

The Moment in the Sun giveaway ends on Sunday night!

Flickr Friday

1. Tropical Tartlet Hair Pins, 2. Cupcake Pouch, 3. The Red Polka Dot Birds on a Wire Clutch, 4. Turquoise. Bubbles - Necklace. Adorably Sweet. With mini ring charm., 5. Waiting for you - Handpainted Pendant, 6. maya , 7. Key to the Kingdom Vintage Rosary, Button Necklace, 8. Pirate Betty - Print Set, 9. Lady Luck Necklace

Daily Snapshot : Minty Fresh Fusions

A spoonful of goodness

I got an email last week from Anthea the editor about a brand new zine called Spoonful - A happiness companion. It's a wonderful little pocket book that shares the beauty of words and images from everyday life. It can be read in a short train/bus ride and will make you feel happiness, contentment and help you recover from your failures. Support Spoonful and up your copy of Issue #01 at http://spoonfulzine.com It is perfectly sized for gift giving!

Daily Snapshot : It's Beautiful

Brighten Up

I'm nursing a brutal head cold at the moment, and it's got me feeling all clouded and grey. I think some cheery accessories might speed the healing process (or at least make me feel a little better about the situation).

Vintage Fine China Coffee Cups from Retro Active Treasures

vintage molds from lady listen

vintage pottery from Hindsvik

xo, Caroline

NEONS~!

♫ she's always buzzin' just like neon, neon! :D
*dancing*
from top left to bottom right:
Holiday Candy Lane, fuss jewelry, modern art everyday, sleeks (alt)
Pistoles Press, UNEARTHED, penny people, Totus Mel (alt)
Licia Beads, a.j. couture jewelry, Ikow Designs, Tocadora Leather (alt)
Zygopsyche, She Gets Bored, Gracie Designs, Barbara Lou's Boutique (alt)

*dancing away*

Daily Snapshot : Yes You Maigh

Daily Snapshot : Genuine Article

Giveaway with Moment in the Sun

I'm happy to announce that we're starting December off with a cute giveaway from Moment In the Sun. Tracey the owner of this adorable shop stocks lots of pretty paper and fluffy stuff so be sure to drop by for a visit!

Description: 
Christmas gift boxes in retro blue and pink with reindeer, snowflakes and Santas. Set of 5 gift boxes. Perfect smaller gifts, jewelry or stocking stuffers.

To Enter:
 Just leave a comment below with the name of your favorite item in Tracey's shop. The giveaway is open to everyone and will end on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:59pm PST