creative gift ideas | whimsical & uncommon gift ideas | catching fireflies blog

I heart puppies!

I know Valentine’s Day was yesterday, but I just received the most adorable email from a catching fireflies fan, Kim Haurin and had to share it with you.

A puppy has been born in Japan with a large, clear, love-heart-shaped pattern in his coat. The Chihuahua was born in May as one of a litter to a breeder.

She had no plans to sell the puppy, which has been named ‘Heart-kun’. The long-coated male Chihuahua puppy was born in Odate, northern Japan.

mika makes music fun

Need a little lift to your day? Just hit play, BUT I want to warn you, Mika makes some pretty infectious tunes and the chorus of Lollipop will be most likely be in your head all day long.

…just remember, "Live your life until love is found or love’s gonna get you down"

A music review reads, "Life In Cartoon Motion is the debut album of British singer Mika. Formally known as Mica Penniman, the singer and composer sounds like a cross between Freddie Mercury and George Michael. With an incredible range, reaching up into Alvin and the Chipmunks territory (seriously), Mika sensationalizes this jubilant album, making it strangely addictive.

The album presents a balanced mix of pop, pop-rock and pop-glam rock–it’s really poppy! Put simply, it’s like children’s music on ecstasy. Life In Cartoon Motion is undeniably catchy, and walks a fine line between brilliance and utter annoyance." – Tom Patrick

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pretty paper posies

Tissue_flowers I don’t know about you, but I would be far more impressed if my husband showed up with a bouquet of these paper pretties instead of the traditional dozen roses for Valentine’s Day.

1. They’ll last forever… like your love for each other (how’s that for some syrup – ha ha)

2. It shows he took the time to navigate through craft store instead of stopping by the nearest Valentine-priced florist

3. Time is always more valuable than money.

4. And with all the money he saved, he can surprise you with a sweet smelling bottle of perfume (that he can mist the flowers with for that romantic touch)

Now, if only the guys knew it could be this simple.

pretty paper flowers

Materials for one flower

4 sheets pink tissue paper, 6" x 12" each
4 sheets lime green tissue paper, 6" x 12" each
Scissors
Ruler
Green pipe cleaner
Color marker (if desired)
Spray perfume or cologne (if desired)

step 1 –Cut the pink tissue paper into 6" x 12" rectangles and stack in a pile of four sheets.

step 2 –Keeping the pile together, fold the sheets along the 6" side, making 1" folds back and forth, like a fan. When you are finished, the folded tissue paper should be a rectangle measuring 1" x 6".

step 3 –Round the four corners off by cutting with a scissors.

step 4 –Fold the long edge of the pile in half so that it measures 1" x 3". Using the scissors, carefully make 2 diagonal cuts at the fold, each 1/4" from the edge, approximately 1/2" in length. (Note: be careful that you do not cut the folded tissue paper in half.) Open the fold back to its 1" x 6" shape. The shape should now resemble a bow tie.

step 5 –Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the lime green tissue paper. Instead of step 3 (rounding off the corners), cut three sets of diagonal notches on both ends so that each side appears like a fork.

step 6 –Repeat step 4 with the lime green tissue paper.

step 7 –Fold a green pipe cleaner in half. Then place the folded pink tissue paper on top of lime green tissue paper and fasten together with the folded pipe cleaner. Squeeze the tissue paper in the middle and twist the pipe cleaner around to tightly secure the flower. This step also creates the stem of the flower.

step 8 –With extreme care, fan out the pink paper on both sides of the pipe cleaner. (Be extra gentle: you do not want to rip the delicate tissue paper!) Slowly separate each of the four pink sheets, gathering each one toward the center. Behold your flower!

step 9 –To create the leaves, fan out both sides of the lime green paper, but don’t separate the sheets as you did with the pink paper. You want to leave the leaves thicker.

step 10 –Gently shape with your hands until you achieve your desired form.

step 11 –For a delicate scented effect, spray your favorite perfume or cologne in the air and then waft your flower through it. (Be careful not to spray directly on the paper as doing that may make it wet.)

Like discovering delightful craft ideas on the web? Simply subcribe to this blog and we’ll email you our latest and greatest finds. Pretty soon your friends and family will calling you miss martha

special delivery from cupid

I spent my Sunday afternoon collecting an assortment of goodies from catching fireflies for my annual cupid care packages. Some of my picks this year included love potion laundry detergent, jellybath, glass nail files, love bugs, memo mouse pads, and chocolate covered sunflower seeds.

Normally I only send a half dozen packages, but this year I doubled the love… partly because I had so much fun making these adorable felt fortune cookies and partly because this winter has been especially cold and dreary.

Some pink tissue, pretty paper, curling ribbon and poof… cupid has worked his magic.

A quick makeover on the dull priority mail boxes…

…and out the door I go playing the role of miss cupid. I have to admit shooting the sweet arrow of love is pretty fun.

Have a very happy heart day!

toolin’ around new york

Even though I spend the majority of my time in New York selling my handmade wares, I always manage to squeeze some shopping in.
While window shopping in Soho, I stumbled upon one of my favorite independent clothing lines, Beebop & Wally on a street corner. We used to carry a few of their jackets at catching fireflies so I was happy I could snatch another one. I love that robin egg blue color.

And what’s a trip to NYC without a stop to my favorite shoe shop? I had lots of fun tooling around with my new friends, Brian & Christa from Green Glass Company and fellow Infinity Shoe addicts – Michelle & Katy.

Here are this year’s purchases…

Michelle – Bliss

April – Casablanca

Katy – Breck Thumbnail_gelato_set3

After our shopping adventure we indulged in some delicious gelato and some true frozen yogurt from Yolato. (so yummy!)

On the subway ride back, Christa pointed out this silly modification of the Do not lean on door sticker. It was a humorous note to end the fun evening on.

woodward talk 2.6.08

Valentine’s Day gifts usher in season of love
JEREMY SELWESKI

(excerpt)

At the whimsical Berkley gift gallery Catching Fireflies, there are dozens of Valentine’s Day-related gifts being sold. They range from 16-inch "Make a Wish" heart necklaces to Love Bugs, small handcrafted critters with wire legs and hearts etched onto their backs.

Store manager Danielle Delong said that during this time of year, "we definitely see a boost in business." And though Catching Fireflies always attracts a large number of male shoppers who are buying for their wives or girlfriends, they also see many parents coming into the shop.

"A lot of people buy for their children as well," Delong said. "Kids always appreciate that stuff."

The shop also offers a number of picture frames, jewelry mirrors, lip balms, stationery, refrigerator magnets and heart-shaped cookie-cutter sets.

According to Delong, some of the most popular items are in the "Live, Love Laugh" line of products, which includes photo albums and frames.

valentine’s day is for the dogs (& cats)

If you think Valentine’s Day is for the dogs or if you want to spread some canine kisses, this snazzy site is just for you!

It lets you upload a photo of your own pet, type in what you want your dog or cat to say and then you can send your greeting to friends and family.

Or you can pick out one of their pre-selected pets, drop them in a themed background of your choice and dress them in silly clothes.

Both equally fun and amusing.

And the best part…between now and Valentine’s Day, Purina will donate 50¢ for every DOGGIE- or KITTIE-MAIL sent, with all proceeds benefiting homeless dogs and cats across the country.

Thank you Ellen for sharing this hip site with us!

Like discovering delightful gems on the web? Simply subcribe to this blog and we’ll email you our latest and greatest finds. Pretty soon your friends and family will wonder how you’ve become so savvy (don’t worry…we won’t tell)

gift rap feature

Jim02 The gift gurus over at gifts.com think our Follow Your Heart compass is a great gift for the adventurous Valentine… a perfect token to help him find his way right to you!

Thanks Julie K. for seeking out our heartfelt goodies.

windows dressed for spring

Leave it to the windows artists behind New York’s premier Anthropologie store to make me think of spring (all while I’m donning a scarf, mittens, hat and wool jacket)

Who wouldn’t want to take a snooze under a canopy of perfectly cut blue leaves? (…if you weren’t in a store window of course)

I might have to steal this swing idea for my summer windows.

Fields of lavender are printed on the hanging background boards while little sprigs of lavender are also taped on the actual window.

More printed prettiness mixed with the real deal.

A magical land with picnics, rainbows and kites – oh my!

Who knew vegetable containers could be so fashionable?

super bowl in the city

Since Steve and I were in New York for the Super Bowl, we watched a bit of it on the jumbo screen in Times Square.

While he was busy watching the game, I was more interested in the commercials. This is my pick of the evening.

After the Giants won, we made our way back to Times Square to observe the craziness… which included honking horns, hearty chants, loud cheers and some random crowd surfing.

Even the waitresses at the Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant showed their spirit.

For not particularly enjoying football, I had a fun time being amidst all the festivities.