Off the Wall Expressions

Off the Wall Expressions - "Helping you to Express Your Personality"

Off the Wall Expressions is a husband & wife team specializing in vinyl graphics for home and business. Mick has been a designer of signs, graphics, catalogs and everything in between for over 20 years. Tina is the idea person, blogger, order packer, e-marketeer and corresponder.

Vinyl designs are quick and easy to apply, instantly transforming your space into something special. You can use vinyl to decorate, make a statement, motivate, inspire, amuse, and organize any area. Vinyl can be applied to any smooth surface such as walls, windows, wood, glass, refrigerators, plastic, bathtubs, picture frames, and many more. Use your imagination, or use ours. They will also create custom designs for you.

This shop has some thing for every one of every age as well as styles to match every one’s taste! Their vintage chalkboard was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America!  This chalkboard and the chalkboard labels are some of my favorites! Stop by and visit this fabulous shop at Etsy!

Visit Off the Wall Expressions' blog.

I love the cherry blossoms!

 

Cool cardinals.

Bloggers Street Team - featuring Chriscreaclub

I am a member of the newly created Bloggers Street Team. One of our goals is to blog about one of our members each week. This week I’d like to feature Chriscreaclub.

Christel Nolle from the Netherlands is the owner of Chriscreaclub at Etsy. She makes darling crocheted key rings, pin cushions, bags, and little gift tags. Her love of color is evident in her work.

According to Christel, she is “addicted to eating ice cubes, drinking cappuccino and twittering. Having creative ideas all the time. Working on getting the ideas out of my head and making them real. I love (besides my boyfriend, our daughter, my family & friends) colors, reading, blogging,  bags, rings and a lot of other things. Hope to be famous once in this lifetime. “

Please stop by to visit her shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/chriscreaclub

Blog - (http://www.christelnolle.com)

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/christelnolle

Fashion Week

Fashion Week has been happening in New York - But the designers on Etsy deserve a little exposure. There are so many talented designers! You can view their collections from the comfort of your home or if you are working, from your desk. I hope you enjoy the collection I have put together. The photos are clickable - and will take to its Etsy shop.

Year of the Tiger

Chinese New Year begins on February 14.  Those people who were born in
1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 are Tigers.
Tigers are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs.

These great items were found on Etsy (If you click on the photo, you will be taken to the shop).

Quilting!

I went to an art show this afternoon that featured Karen Sengel 's beautiful quilts. Her work is absolutely gorgeous and features scenes of life in Thailand. It was hard to pick a favorite - I loved them all; the mangosteens, the flower girl walking her bike, the temple bells, the hilltribe women, and the teapot. Please take a peak at Karen's website to view her amazing quilts.

Wasabi!

I have had an obsession for wasabi for weeks now! Although I love Japanese food, I am especially fond of anything that I can add wasabi and ginger to! One of the local bakeries makes a onion bagel sandwich with salmon, dill, and wasabi - what a delicious combo! In the snack section of the supermarket, there are cans or packets of wasabi dried peas and wasabi peanuts! They can pack a punch! One of my favorites is wasabi flavored potato chips, but I haven't seen them in the stores in ages. Must look for them again.
Wasabi is also known as "Japanese horseradish." It is a root vegetable that needs to be grated into a powder and mixed with water to create the paste. It is served with sushi and sashimi. It is definitely an acquired taste.

Maybe I am taking this obsession a little too far!  I searched for "wasabi" on Etsy and found 432 items tagged with the term.  Wasabi catnip, lots of jewelry, scarves, hats, hairclips, soap, body scrubs, etc...Here are some of my favorites.  Click on the photo to visit the shop.

Newness!

The year 2010 will be known as NEW adventures for us.  We entered the New Year with new jobs in a new city in a new country on  a new continent!  We are so excited to be moving to Santiago, Chile, in July 2010!  After being in Asia for so many years, it is time for a change of scenery and culture!  Chile looks like a beautiful country - mountains, beach, desert, polar region.  The vineyards are also appealing - we now are drinking Chilean wine to help ease the transition ahead and culture shock we may experience.  Everyone we have talked to who has been there whether to visit or live, has had only wonderful things to say about the country and its people. This incredible photo is from www.skyscrapercity.com.


It is hard not to think and plan ahead- what to bring, what to sell, where will we live, what should I bring that I cannot find there.  Also, I am thinking about my Etsy shop - will I be able to find stones, beads, findings, and other jewelry supplies in Santiago?  If you have any info on this, please leave a comment. Thanks.

More later .....

Weekend Get-Away

It's amazing that I have lived here nine years and had not gone to Ko Samet which is only a 2 hour drive and 10 minute boat ride away! Since we had a long weekend in honor of the King's birthday, it was time to escape the city and head to an island resort! So relaxing - sitting by the water, reading, and just getting away from the stresses of life.

Burmese Beauties!

I finally managed to create some necklaces with the lovely Burmese jade that I purchased on my trip in September. I love the little jade elephant and the carved dragon. The multicolored jade is also one of my favorites! You can find these and more at my etsy shop.
Jade has been considered a royal gem in China for thousands of years used only by the imperial family. It is considered to stimulate creativity and have a balancing and harmonious effect.

Travels

It has been ages since I've updated this blog! I have been fortunate enough to have taken a three trips over the past two months - Myanmar, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Of course, lots of time was spent shopping. I found some great beads and can hardly wait to create some new jewelry. In Myanmar I found some wonderful jade beads in a variety of colors; different shades of green, yellow, rust, white, & brown. In Hong Kong I picked up some great blue & white porcelain beads. Thinking that I would find more blue & white in Shanghai, I didn't buy as much as I should have. It was difficult finding those beads in Shanghai, but I managed to locate and purchase a few strands along with some black and red carved beads. Lots of fun!

COCO!

Yesterday I went to see the movie "Coco Avant Chanel" which I thoroughly loved! What an interesting, inspiration woman! The movie was beautifully done, but left me wondering more about her life. Will need to do a little research to satisfy my curiosity. She was truly remarkable for her times. So this is a little collection of Chanel-inspired items I found on Esty. (Click the pic to visit the shop).



Some of Mademoiselle Chanel's quotes:
"Fashion fades, only style stays the same."
“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.”
"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."
"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."
“As long as you know men are like children, you know everything!"
“Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable."
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
"The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you!”
“A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future.”“There are people who have money and people who are rich.”
“Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.”
“A woman has the age she deserves."

NYC - The Big Apple!

My family spent 3 days in the Big Apple this summer! We played the ultimate tourists - sightseeing, dining, and walking all around Manhattan. One of my favorite sights was the Annex - the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! I'll never get to the original one so this is the perfect substitute. The first stop is a holding room with plaques of all the inductees - every time a song plays, the plaque of the artist lights up-creating a light & sound show. Next, is a movie of the history of rock & roll. After that, there are displays of clothing, instruments, and various memorabilia from many of these famous rockers. The last section is John Lennon - the New York Years - created by Yoko Ono. This is so amazing and interesting - it really gives you a peek into his private, family life and creative side. If you are in NYC - do not miss this fascinating place!

Sunglasses - A Summer Staple

As I was wondering through the weekend market today, I stumbled upon a cool t-shirt with sunglasses printed on it. Being in somewhat of a hurry, I passed on it. Now I cannot get it out of my mind! I don't think I 'll be able to find it again. Here are some great finds from my search on Etsy:

Dining in BKK

One of our new favorite restaurants is Zenses, located on the 17th floor of Central World. Dine inside or out to enjoy the great evening views of the city. Four different restaurants prepare the food for contemporary venue. You can have your choice of Indian, Italian, Thai, and Japanese.

Another favorite restaurant is tucked away in the Pakkret area along the river within a colorful neighborhood. The River Tree House has an extensive menu of Thai delights. Watch the river traffic as you enjoy your meal!

Mountain Decor

Our little mountain home needs some decorating! Inspired by the Adirondacks, this place needs a little mountain touch. I had attempted to quilt some woodsy wall hangings, but they have yet to be completed. So I have searched Etsy to see what I could find. Any of these items would look great in our house. Some of these shops are located in the Adirondack region as well.

Featured shops: Division Log Furniture, Wilderness Ties, Adirondack Metal, Signs by Diane, Jusdaspoke, Lightning T Shop, Holly Hock Heaven, Stellar Steelworks, Scenic New York. Click on the item to visit the shop.