This Happy House

Shop Feature!

Again, I came across this amazing shop on Etsy. Her work is so beautiful and unique. ThisHappyHouse features fantastic felt flower arrangements accented with ribbons, buttons and more!

Here is my interview with the talented artist:

Tell me a little about yourself:

I'm a stay-at-home mom with a 2 year-old daughter. I've always liked crafts and like to think of myself as being farily crafty, but I'm in awe of some of the amazing talent of other etsy sellers. I can easily say that I'm completely addicted to etsy!

 

Why did you start making your items?

I opened my shop as a way to have a little "me" time and make a little extra money at the same time. Whatever money I make goes to support other hand-made shops.

 

What is your inspiration?

Anything and everything. I could spend all day looking at buttons. I have buttons all over my house.

For more information or to purchase any of these wonderful items, please stop by ThisHappyHouse today!

Shop Feature of the Week!

McKenney's Keepsakes

I recently came across a wonderful new shop on Etsy and wanted to share her talent.  McKenney's Keepsakes specializes in scrabble tile sized wood pendents.  She offers a wide range of designs and is happy to help make a custom orders to meet her customers specific needs.

Tell me a little about yourself:

I am mom and wife. We are a blended family with 4 kids between us. Recently we moved from the big city of Fort Lauderdale Florida, to the tiny town of Stafford Springs, CT. Our kids range in age from 16-10, 3 boys and 1 girl.

Why did you start making your items?

I've always been a fairly crafty person. I started making these pendants as gifts for other people. Those people responded very well to them so I thought I would try selling them.

What is your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from all over the place. My friends, my kids, my intrests, my family...they all inspire me in some way, shape, or form.

What else would you like to share?

I hope to expand my collection in the up coming months include not only pendants, but magnets, pushpins, and book marks. I have been experimenting with all of those things and hopefully will be able to get them introduced soon. I also have experimented with personal photos. I would like to offer this service as well. I find that the photo gifts are always great for grandparents and extended family.

Please visit her shop and see all of her wonderful designs.

 

Great Gifts for 1st Birthdays

Oh No, a 1st Birthday.  What do I buy???

I don't know about you but I find it hard to buy gifts for a one year old.  Even though I have a little boy of my own, I always lean towards picking out some educational toy and maybe an outfit for a little one.  While those are good gifts, I know my son has more than enough toys and clothes even at a mear one year of life.

I was recently at a first birthday party and saw some wonderful gifts and thought I would share my experience.  Here are just a few ideas:

Goodie Basket:
Fill a basket with things a new eater will need.  At one year old babies love to try new things and parents may not always be prepared for life beyond bottles.  Fill a basket full of sippy cups, infant spoons and forks, divided plates, take-along snack bowls, and first foods (such as Gerber puffs and other melt in your mouth treats).  Even if a parent has some of these items, you can always use more.

Books!
Instead of the typical toy, fill a box or gift bags with board books and lift-the-flap books.  Personalized books are great too or your favorite story from when you were a child.  Children loves books and parents love to read with their children, so this is a gift for everyone.  Plus, books can last for years and years.

Savings Bonds:
Let's face it.  A one year old is not great at opening presents and there is probably a very, very small percentage who will remember what they received for their first birthday.  But, giving a savings bond is a gift that will keep giving in the future.

These are just a few of the wonderful gifts a one year old can receive.  If you have a great idea, feel free to leave a comment for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks for reading!

Feel free to visit Designer Favors for Great 1st Birthday Decor!

Working Hard on Designs

I have been working very hard the last week coming up with new designs for my party decorations!  I am happy to say that I've come up with at least 13 new creations and about another dozen decoration ideas.  It will take some time before I can get everything created and listed in my shop but here is a sneak peak!

Girl's 1st Birthday

Party Penguins!

Trucks and Trains

 Stop By Designer Favors for more decorations and designs!

Seeing Stars!

Featured Shop of the Week!

If you love country stars, you'll love this great shop I found:  Scrappin Stars!  His shop is filled with great rustic stars as well as beautifully decorated designs.  He also does custom orders to match your home's decor.  Here is a little about the artist:

Tell me a little about yourself.

 My name is Brett Treanor, I am 18 years old and I live in Twin Falls, Idaho. I just graduated from high school last year and now I am attending college at the College Of Southern Idaho. I heard about etsy from my sister who told me that maybe I could make a little extra money to help pay for my college education.

Why did you star making your items?

I started making scrappin stars a year ago when my mother (who actually came up with them) had a make it and take it for her church activity. For the activity my mom had them make these barn stars that were covered in scrap booking paper. So I thought that it would be a good idea to sell them on etsy.



What is your inspiration?
 My inspiration comes from the scrap book paper. I am always looking for new fun colors and patterns that I can mix together in order to make a cohesive piece that would fit into peoples homes. I really enjoy making these scrappin stars and hope that I can sell more of them because that means that I get to make more of them. 

Please stop by and visit his Etsy Shop: Scrappinstars.etsy.com 

Want an even better deal?  

Become a follower of THIS blog and get 10% off at Scrappin Star's store.

Just mention the word FOLLOWER at checkout and you will receive 10% back on your order.

GIVEAWAY!

Designer Favors is sponsoring a giveaway on Silly Little Lady's Blog!

Visit her blog, learn a little about me and Designer Favors and Enter to win some great personalized holiday tags.  Just in time for the upcoming season.

While you're at it check out both of our shops for some additional handmande goodies:

Designer Favors 

&

Silly Little Lady

Featured Item: Birthday Banners

Designer Favors is now featuring Happy Birthday Banners!  Visit my shop to see some great designs and some other wonderful party decor.  These banners don't last long so stop by and order for your next birthday party.

 

Banners can also be custom designed with matching favor tags, toppers and other decorations.  You can also customize your banner to read however you want.  "It's A Boy" and "It's A Girl" coming soon.  Other great banners include:  "Welcome Home", "Bridal Shower" or "Congratulations". 

Thanks for Looking!

Shop Grand Re-Opening

!♥*¨)
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(¸.•´ (¸*´¨(♥ Designer Favors is having a Grand Re-Opening!!!
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥

My shop now has an array of wonderful new items with even more to come.  Not only will I be selling wonderful hand-painted favor and gift boxes, but my selection has expanded to:

Cupcake Toppers:

Favor Tags:

Banner Signs:

You may also notice my new Blog look and Banner!

Please Stop by and see the new selections!

Designer Favors

No Tricks, Just Treats

Item Features of the Week

October is here and Halloween is just around the corner.  Get ready by visiting these great Etsy shops and see what they have in store.

Here are a few of my favorite Halloween items:

Hand Painted Halloween Ghosts and Pumpkins Serving Tray

(matching wall art also available)

by Gleeza

Pumpkins Hay Rides Apple Cider Handpainted Wood Sign

by blueyedgirl

 Halloween Witch Bear-Wee Stuffed Bear

by BearSeason

 

Halloween Pumpkin Bow

by jmkraige

Please visit these great shops for these and more wonderful Halloween Treats!

Wonderful Giveaway and Amazing Shop

TicTacDough is featuring a giveaway in her blog that you must see.

If you have a new little one or know someone who does you must visit The Spotted Elephant Boutique on Etsy.

Even if you do not have a little one you will want to "heart" this shop.  It is too cute not to.

Sneak Peak!

2nd Etsy Shop Coming Soon!

I wanted to give you a sneak peak of my new Etsy shop!  I should have it ready within the next week.  This new shop will feature home decor, particularly monograms hangings and name wall art.  Great for baby and kids' rooms.

I have combined my love for scrapbooking and decoupage to create one-of-a-kind pieces.  I have not seen similar items on Etsy so I am hoping to have great success.

In addition, I will have other decorations including mats for picture frames and other decor.  Look for more to come soon and keep checking my blogs for further updates.

Thanks for looking and be sure to look for Designer Decor coming soon.

Crafts 4 A Cure

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Help support a fellow Etsian raise money for a cure by purchasing from her shop - Crafts4acure 

She is almost at her goal for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day.  

See her progress by clicking this link 

..

100% of her proceeds are going to the 3 Day!

Featured Shop of the Week!

If you are looking for wonderful decor for a nursery, you have to visit:

Panda - Art Designs for Kids

 These are simply wonderful gifts for a baby shower or for your own little one.  She has many designs, please take a look!

Sports Fever!

Now is the time when some of the most popular sports collide.  With football season now in full swing, the World Series of baseball coming up next month, and the start of basketball just around the corner what better time to through a sports themed party.

Designer Favors is now offering adorable party favor boxes!

 

  

These are great for a little boy's birthday party, sports party or as team gifts.

Fill with any kind or candy or goody you'd like.

These favors can be ordered all in one style or a mixed lot.  

Check them out at my Etsy shop 

.

Kid-N Around Creations Giveaway

Kid-N Around Creations is Giving Away 

an Adorable set of Bunny Finger Puppets! 

CONGRATULATIONS

RockinMamaBG

is the Winner!

Enjoy your prize.

(winner chosen by using True Random Generator by Random.org)

Kid-N Around Creations sells handmade products for children and the young at heart.  In her shop you will find everything from bibs, burp cloths, stuffed toys and quilts.  She also carries items for us older kids such as check-book covers, tissue cases, casserole covers and lap quilts. All items are made in a smoke free home and are prewashed before being sent out.

The Giveaway!

Here's how to enter:

1. Go to her shop at www.kidnaroundcreations.etsy.com and find your favorite item.
2. Come back and post what item you like the best. Please be sure to leave your contact information. (1 entry)

Additional Entries (Leave a comment for each of the entries so it can be counted toward the giveaway):

- Post this Giveaway on your blog or Twitter Facebook - leave a comment with the link. (1 entry)

- Buy something from Kid-N Around Creations Shop within the giveaway dates-- you'll get 3 extra entries! (Be sure to comment three times if you bought something so you are counted).

This giveaway will run until September 25, 2009. 


Other Great Items from Kid-N Around Creations! 

Good Luck, the Winner will Be Announced!

Decoupage is coming

Designer Favors is working on a new technique - Decoupage!!!  The first item went up for sale today on Etsy:


Decoupage Chalkboard with Blue and White Accents

Look for new decoupage favor boxes and more to come. Keep following my blog for the newest updates.

Creative Cats!!!

My four furry friends have selected these great items from etsy.  Please visit their shops for more great items!!!

Taffy Chose:
 This Patriotic Kitty from KonaCreations is perfect for you Americana decor.


















Patriotic Kitty was made using white plush flet that has been colored using a coffee stain. This kitty is full of American spirit and is wrapped in the American flag made of red, white & blue muslin which has also been coffee stained to give it an aged primitive feel. Kitty also sports a homspun bowtie accented with a rusted bell. Kitty hold a handpainted firecracker.

Kitty is approx. 11 inches tall and is weighted with plastic pellets to keep him standing tall. Kitty has button eyes and sisal whiskers.

Sebastian's Choice:

 Adorable Clay Kitties from Fliepsiebieps.

These kitty figurine is made with soft polymer clay (and soft accents for the nose and the ears) and measures approximately 1 inch tall. The gray whiskers and the white belly are painted with acrylics. How cute are these?

Dudley's Pick:

Beautiful Tabby Suncatcher from Living Glass Art.

Here's a fun cute stained glass tabby kitty cat face ornament suncatcher that measures 4 3/4 inches tall by 5 inches wide (12cm by 12.5cm).

Creamcicle's face is made using orange and white opal glass and purple amber glass for the nose and for the ears. The eyes are an emerald green glass glob/nugget/gem with hand painted pupils.

All of the pieces except for the globs have been hand cut and assembled using copper foil and solder. The entire piece is then wrapped with lead came with a loop attached to the back and about 4 inches (10cm) of chain included so you can hang your new kitty friend up right away. The metals have been chemically darkened with black patina and nicely polished.

Shelby's Find:

Kitty Note Pad Holder from Cards and Notes.

This is a multi colored cat post it note holder. These are great for gifts for teachers, friends pet lovers or just to keep for yourself. Great to put on your desk or counter.

The holder measures approximately 4" by 4". It holds a 3" by 3" note pad. The holder is made out of chipboard. It is covered with a multi colored cat designed paper on the front and back. The design may vary a bit as far as colors on the cats. The clip also has some of the designer paper on the front and back. It is finished with a brown ribbon.

When the post it notes are used up, you can simply put a new pad under the clip. One note pad is included.

A magnet can be added to the back of the holder if you plan to stick it on something. Just notate in the notes to seller that you would like one.

Also, she does custom orders!
 

These make great gifts for the cat lover in your life.  Don't forget the holidays are just around the corner!!!

I Made My First Sale!

I just had to let everyone know I made my first sale today.  I am so excited!  My son went to bed early so I hopped onto Etsy to check on my shop and there it was.  A missing feature item.  I thought, that's odd I wonder what happened to it.  Maybe it sold???  Sure enough it did.

 

This adorable set of Halloween gift boxes will be going to 4 "little monsters."  Definitely a Halloween Treat.

Calling All Cat Lovers

In honor of my precious furry children, I am looking to feature etsy shop cat items on my blog. To be considered either leave a comment here or convo me on etsy! Items will be featured later this week!