About Megan Eckman

Megan Eckman is the quirky pen and ink illustrator behind Studio MME. She also works as the community manager for Create Hype, a site invested in helping women learn to market their creative small businesses. And if that wasn't enough, she's also an associate editor for *bespoke* zine, the adorable blog and magazine created by Aussie jeweler Jess Van Den. In her free time, Megan enjoys reading children's books and exploring the photographic possibilities of antique cameras.

October 23, 2012

Little Things Link Love: Pumpkins

Pumpkin Photography by Carolyn Cochrane – click image to see more

This is going to make a lot of people mad but…I strongly dislike pumpkins. I don’t mind carving them up or putting them on my tiny patio. Heck, I don’t even mind going to the farm to pick one out. But I can’t, won’t, and never will like eating them. I think it goes back to the time my daycare lady fed me “applesauce.” Lies! All lies! It was squash. Ack! Ever since, the taste of all things squashy makes me gag.

That’s why fall is such a hard time for me. Thanksgiving dessert is always pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake. Pass! All of my friends have me over for dinner and pull stuffed acorn squash out of their oven. Pass! Starbucks unveils their pumpkin lattes. Pass!

But I know that I’m weird and that all of you love pumpkins, so here are some lovely links to get you in the fall mood.

  • Carving your pumpkin is a daunting task because you only get to do it once a year.  The Huffington Post shared some crazy pumpkin carving ideas.  If you had been considering a Justin Beiber pumpkin this year, you’ll want to check it out.
  • A soy firestarter is a great way to fuse your campfire (or wooden stove fire) with the best autumn candle.  These little balls of pumpkin and spice scent go under your logs.  Then you just light the wick and soon you’ll have a sweet-smelling fire.
  • Nothing says, “Good morning!” like a nice, warm doughnut.  These pumpkin spelt doughnuts by Angie’s Recipes are baked and easy to make.  Plus, they look festive enough to make a great dish for the morning after a holiday gathering.
  • After Halloween, it’s always a question of what to do with the pumpkin.  How long do you let it rot before you freak out your neighbors?  If you have kids, they might enjoy this rotting pumpkin activity where they draw out the pumpkin day by day as it turns to mush.
  • Glass pumpkins are all the rage still.  If you’ve ever wondered how they’re made, you’ll enjoy this short video of two artists creating a glass pumpkin in 6 minutes.

 

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September 11, 2012

Little Things Link Love: Night Sky

Planets Hard Candy Lollipop by Vintage Confections – click image to see more

The best date night I ever had with my boyfriend involved microwave s’mores, a tent set up in the living room, and a flashlight outfitted with a piece of tinfoil with holes.  We had a fun time under our fake stars, but there’s nothing better than the real thing.  Who doesn’t love the night sky on a warm summer night?

Here are some fun links that will let you bring the beauty of the night sky into your home:

  • There’s no denying the usefulness of Google Maps but have you looked into Google Sky?  It’s an amazing program that lets you see the night sky from any location.  It even has settings to display the constellations or star signs AND it can point out the satellites!
  • In case you aren’t lucky enough to own an amazing telescope like astronomers, you can make a very simple one thanks to How Stuff Works.  It’s made from household items but it will allow you to see the moon and large star clusters.
  • There’s more than one way to sleep under the stars.  Helping Little Hands created the most amazing solar system quilt and they’ve shared the pattern so you can make your own.
  • I never thought I would say this but now you can actually eat the planets.  Vintage Confections makes incredible lollipops that are miniature planets.  They’re truly small works of art.  I don’t know if I could go through with actually eating the candy.
  • Sometimes the stars are also celebratory.  Ladyfingers Letterpress prints constellation invitations for weddings and other big events.  The colors and the swirl of the stars are gorgeous.
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August 23, 2012

Little Things Link Love: Bees

Pollen in Honeycomb with Worker Bees by Linden Photo Design – click image to view more

I’ll be honest and admit that I have a terrible fear of bees.  Whenever I did something bad as a child, I had to hoe our front garden where a hive of burrowing bees lived.  Yes, you read that right: burrowing bees.  There’s nothing scarier than bees crawling out of the ground to fly angrily at you.  However, now that the bees are disappearing, it’s so important that we put away our fears and work hard to keep them in our gardens.  After all, where would we be without honey?

Here are some fun links for all you (new) bee lovers:

  • Did you know that some bees live in bee homes?  You can make your own bee home easily to ensure nicely pollinated plants and a gentle hum around your home.  The National Wildlife Federation shares this easy DIY on How to Build a Bee House so that you can be a bee home builder.
  • Scientists now know that bees communicate information and directions to delicious flowers through dance moves.  Yes, they really are the bees’ knees.  (Sorry, I couldn’t help it.)  Thanks to this Youtube video, you can watch a bee come back from a garden and do a waggle dance for his friends.
  • While I don’t like bees, I LOVE their honey.  It’s nearly the end of summer but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time to get in one last round of homemade ice cream.  This delicious honey-almond ice cream by A Sweet Simple Life doesn’t even require an ice cream maker!
  • If you own a garden and haven’t been seeing many bees this season, you’ll definitely want to check out this Guide to Bee-Friendly Gardens by the Urban Bee Gardens.  They list flowers and plants that the buzzy insects love best and how to conduct ‘safari trips’ with your kids in the garden.
  • If you have the itch to make something spectacular this fall, you are going to love this Bee Keeper’s Quilt Knitting Pattern by Magpie Patterns.  This quilt combines breathtaking patchwork ‘hexipuffs’.  So it’s intricate AND puffy.  How cool is that?

(Oh, and as a side note, it’s fine if you still don’t like hornets or wasps. Those are just plain mean!)

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July 10, 2012

little things link love: vintage suitcases

Vintage Luggage photo by geishaboy500 - click image to view more

It’s officially summer travel season and that means the suitcases come out and all of our belongings get crammed into them. I’ll be honest and say that I have a passion for vintage luggage. Our modern stuff is just too black, too shiny, and too mundane. Give me a pea green leather suitcase any day! Besides, I’m sure the airport luggage guys would enjoy seeing a bit more variety during their day. Don’t you?

With the temperatures rising, get ready to travel in style this summer because vintage luggage is back and everyone is hoping to scoop up another piece for their collection.

Here are some fun links for my fellow vintage luggage lovers:

  • Louis Vuitton just came out with the most incredible, interactive website called The Art of Packing. Part game, part advertisement for their largest of bags, this site is definitely something to check out, if only to kill a few minutes and pack pretty things you don’t own.
  • In the market for some vintage luggage? You’ll definitely want to check out the Vintage Seekers’ Luxury Luggage guide to learn how to spot a rare piece and discover just how much is too much to pay for a vintage Prada.
  • If you already own a lot of vintage luggage but don’t know how to restore it properly, Go Nomad has a great article on Travel Chic: How to Refurbish Vintage Luggage. From how to get rid of funky smells to repainting your case, you’ll find everything you need to know here.
  • If you’re like me and enjoy a good upcycle, you’ll really get a kick out of these re-purposed cat beds by Atomic Attic. Whose cat doesn’t enjoy snuggling in their freshly packed suitcase?
  • My boyfriend was in the Navy and thus possesses insane folding skills (a dry cleaning lady in Scotland actually tried to hire him). If you want that same knowledge, e-How shared some tips on How to Fold Clothes in the Military.

How many pieces of vintage luggage do you own?

Filed Under: Link Love, Read & Play Tagged With: , , , , , 5 Comments
June 12, 2012

little things link love: bicycles

Bike Photo by Bomobob - click image to view more

Now that I live in California, I’m addicted to cycling. My bicycle, which my boyfriend and I built ourselves, is now my car and my means of adventure. It took me a few months to learn how to signal effectively, how not to scream when someone does try to pick me off, and how to learn basic repair and ‘bike culture.’ I’ve gained so much confidence thanks to my two wheels. (Especially confidence when it comes to accidents like your handlebars coming off thanks to your boyfriend not securing them properly the first time.)

With summer officially here, it’s bicycle season everywhere! Are you ready for your tune-up and first ride?

Here are some links for all you bicycle fans:

  • Bike Hacks – If you’re into DIY, you’ll love this site. It has everything from making your own chain cleaner to how to build your own truing stand. There are projects enough to keep you busy all summer!
  • Bamboo Bike Studio – Did you know you can create a bike frame out of bamboo? This San Francisco studio offers mail-order kits so you can construct your own frame. If you want more, they also offer classes so you can get all the help, tools, and inspiration you need to create the bike of your dreams.
  • Bike Planter from Wearable Planter – Want to bring a little friend with you on your errands? Wearable Planter, a maker on Etsy, sells absolutely adorable planters that attach to your bike frame so you can take a teeny tiny plant on your ride.
  • Bike Museum of America – If you’re ever in Ohio, you’ll want to check out this unusual museum. They have hundreds of models for you to drool over and you’ll leave a bicycle history buff.
  • Rails to Trails US – There are countless abandoned railroad tracks that have been turned into amazing biking trails and this website shows you where they are! You can’t help but feel like an adventurer when you’re out on these routes.

Where does your bicycle take you?

Filed Under: Link Love, Read & Play Tagged With: , , , , , 2 Comments