Showing posts with label Support Handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Support Handmade. Show all posts

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Our New Sew Fierce Boutique Dresses

My little fashionista has very definite ideas about what she wants to wear.  This year she wanted a red dress for the holidays and not any ol' dress you can buy at the store.  Oh no, she specifically wanted a very special dress.  We knew right where to look. 

When my friend Stephanie, the owner of Sew Fierce Boutique, began sharing pictures of her new peasant style of dress, complete with big bow sash, I knew we'd be ordering one.  Then she began posting holiday dresses, and we jumped at getting this gorgeous version.  We absolutely love this dress!  The sash makes it easy to size perfectly for your child and since there are no buttons or zippers, it's easy on and off.
We also got one of Stephanie's Fabric Flower Clips, because and outfit's not complete without the perfect accessory!  I know I'm biased but I really do think the overall look was really stunning.
While we were perusing Sew Fierce, ER fell in love with Stephanie's Soft and Dreamy Drop Waist Dress and managed to talk me into buying her not just one but two complete ensembles.  It's the perfect twirl ready dress with a layered skirt and pretty sash.  The sash makes it look custom fit but there's plenty of room in there and it will fit her for a long time.  We plan to wear it with a sweater during the winter and then use it as her Easter dress.  It's really a lovely dress!
Stephanie was one of my very first bloggy buddies and I hope one day to meet her in person.  While we are friends, I would not continue to so enthusiastically support her boutique if I wasn't truly impressed by her handmade children's clothes, over and over.  Their construction is top notch, the designs she picks are full of cool details, and each piece is eye catching and sure to be an extra special outfit.

Sew Fierce
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Sunday, December 4, 2011

Plum Paper Giveaway: Win 20 Free Plum Holiday Cards

This giveaway is now closed, thank you to those who entered and congratulations to melinda ann, comment #2, who said, "I like Plum on Facebook!"  I know you're going to LOVE your cards!


I'm so excited to have another one of my Support Handmade participants doing a guest post today!  Kristina has genrously offerred you all a giveaway!  Read on to find out how to enter!

Hello everyone! I'm Kristina from Plum Paper. I am very excited to share a guest post here on Katie's Nesting Spot! If you have never been to Plum Paper, we are a stationery company that designs anything from wedding invitations to holiday cards. With Christmas right around the corner, I thought it would be a great idea to offer a holiday giveaway here at Katie's.

Giveaway: Enter to win 20 FREE Plum Holiday Cards!
 


Plum's Holiday Cards have a mounted photo and colored envelopes. The winner can choose their favorite design and send Plum a picture and their information. The cards will be printed and mailed complete with envelopes and ready to send! Check them out on Plum's Website and see them on Plum's blog here

To Enter:
Become a follower of Plum Paper's Blog and comment here that you did. 

Extra Entries:
Like Plum Paper on Facebook and leave a comment here that you did. 

Giveaway is open to US residents now through December 9th midnight EST. The winner will be chosen via random.org, contacted by email, and given 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeit. Good luck and thanks for entering! 

Holiday Sale:
Plum's is also having a Holiday Sale. Personalized thank you cards for Christmas gifts, gift tags to finish off your gift wrapping, and more. Check it out here


Thanks again Kristina for such a fabulous offer for my readers and for letting us know about your holiday sale!

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Support Handmade Spotlight: Release Me Creations


Today we have Maureen for Release Me Create, read on for the FREE SHIPPING code at the bottom of the post:)  She's also got a beautiful holiday decor project to share with you. One thing I really love about it is, that once you make it you can leave it up all winter long!  It's always so sad to me, when all the decorations go away after New Years, because my house always looks kinda bare then.  This is such a fun way to incorporate natural elements into your home for the entire season. 
 
Hello everyone! I'm so very excited to be a guest blogger today on Katie's Nesting Spot! My name is Maureen, and I blog over at: Release Me Create 
Today I bring you this fun, easy, and ultra cheap diy holiday decor project:
WHAT I USED:
-Some small branches
-Pinecones
-Gold spray paint
-White spray paint
-Moss covered styrofoam "stones"
-Tiny white snowflake ornaments
-Glass vase
1) Find some branches just lying about and remove any foliage or extra stems you don't want


2) Spray paint them white (or gold or silver, or whatever color you like)


3) Find some pinecones, spray paint them gold, slap on some glue and pour on the glitter! (No photo of this as I was impatient and didn't want to wait for my camera battery to charge)


4) Travel to the craft store to find some cute things to fill within the vase, and some ornaments to hang on your branches -I found the tiny snowflakes, 
the moss stones, and the vase all for $9 with my coupon 
and their 50% off holiday decor sale at Hobby Lobby! 5) Fill up the vase, add your twigs, hang your ornaments and viola...a cute little holiday arrangement!
I added my little white ceramic birds for a final finishing touch. 


Thank you so very much for letting me join you today!
 
You can come visit me anytime on my BLOG, FACEBOOK, or TWITTER!
 
And if you're holiday shopping, I am offering FREE SHIPPING in my ETSY SHOP
 
Just enter Coupon Code: MERRYHOLIDAY11

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Friday, November 18, 2011

Support Handmade Spotlight: Crocheting for Baby

Today I'm thrilled to have a tutorial from Lauren, who's shop is Crocheting for Babies.  She has put together a great door decoration that is a great way to use your child's outgrown ice skates you may have laying around the house.

Hi! I am Lauren and I blog over at Tutus & Tea Parties. This is my very first guest post and I am so thrilled to be here at Katie's Nesting Spot. If you have never been to Tutus & Tea Parties you should come stop by and say hello! I have a toddler so I blog about fun recipes for kids, learning through play, and some tutorials for the grown ups too!

Today I am going to share with you a simple door decoration for winter.


If you happen to have a pair of old ice skates laying around {which I did} it is a pretty cheap project to take on. I think it cost me a total of $3 to make this! 

{as opposed to the $29.95 you would need to spend on this beauty...plus shipping}

Here's what you need:

  • an ice skate
  • some floral decoration branches {I got 3 at Walmart for $0.97 each...score!}
  • a couple small pine cones if you wish
  • something to hang it on {a hook or what not}
 Arrange your branches in the ice skate keeping in mind that it will be side facing. It's as simple as that! 


Then I just tied the laces to form a loop and hung it up. 




 Easy peasy lemon squeezy...just the way I like things!

Thank you for having me and I hope you stop by my blog and check it out! :)

Here's a couple other popular tutorials you might enjoy:

Thanks so much Lauren for this awesome tute, we happen to have a spare pair collecting dust in our basement and this would be a much better use for them!   I'm honored to be your first guest post!  Don't forget to also visit Lauren's shop Crocheting for Baby!

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Part 2: Support Handmade for the Holidays Participants Continued

Today I've got the second half of the Support Handmade participants to introduce you all to.  Let's get right into it!

Kristina's company is Plum Paper, an exciting new Plum Papercompany, she started and has been building over the past year.  She designs wedding invitations, cards, baby announcements, holiday cards, and more. There are many designs to choose from and they also offer completely custom wedding and social stationary.

She also has a delightful blog that features her products, DIY projects, and things that inspire her designs.  One of her latest posts has a tutorial for a Notebook DIY, complete with free cover download that you can personalize.  They'd make a great stocking stuffer!

My Pick:

Since the holidays are coming up, I picked my favorite design.  The clean design is full of interesting details like a dotted border, flag shaped date, and the beautiful swirly font.  Love it!  Plus gray envelopes are so fresh and unexpected.

I can't leave out mentioning her Baby Announcements, they are so cute and I love that each comes with a return address label.  And it's not just any ol' ordinary label, it's super fab, really!  I also like her use of unexpected colors like coral, some even come with coral envelopes!  You all know what a stationary addict I am, and how I could go on and on!

ButtonLauren's email got my attention right away, as she started off by announcing she was a "hooker" {as in a crocheter}.  After I finished laughing to myself, cause that certainly caught me off guard, I knew before I even clicked over to her blog I was gonna like her!  Gotta love a sense of humor!

Here is a bit of Lauren's story: I taught myself how to crochet when I was 18 and started making things for children when I was pregnant with my daughter. My daughter is now 2 years old and is full of spunk! She loves to sit on my yarn or try to steal one of my hooks so my crocheting has been moved to nap time and night time! I also love cooking and crafting which is why I started a blog just under a year ago. I post kid friendly recipes, crafts and tutorials for the grown ups too! I work full time and creating is my way of relaxing. My husband is super supportive of all I do and there is not one thing I make that he doesn't compliment.

Sounds like a good husband, huh?  Must be like mine, someone who doesn't mind tripping over crafting supplies!

My Pick:

Oh goodness check out this!!!  Isn't this Birthday Party Hat with Fur Pom Pom just so stinkin' adorable!!!  I can't add enough !!! to describe it!  I am tempted to get one for ME!  Okay, well may be not but I wonder if LB would mind wearing it.  I'm sure it's very masculine looking in different colors. 

Brad wanted to weigh in and suggest the football hat/beanie and being infinitely more suitable, but c'mon can anyone pass up that fur trim?!

toilegoodthingsbuttonAlison at Toile Good Things is someone I met through the weekly linky party I co-host.  I was already very familiar with her craftiness when she contacted me about Support Handmade.  I'm so pleased to have the opportunity to share some of the amazing home decor items she makes with old book pages.  You'll be so impressed by how she transforms them!

My Pick:

Page Book Chalkboard Wreath:  I love how words are incorporated into this unique wall decor.  Not only are they on the pages but it's clever how you can add your own special word on the chalkboard.  Nice how you can change it to match your mood or the season!


jaqs_125squareJAQS Studio's owner is am a mom of 2 and her dream is to make handmade creations her full time gig one day :).   She's so talented, I can definitely seen that becoming a reality!  She loves sewing and crafts and her shop is featuring handmade quilts and cloth napkins for the holidays.  She also blogs and shares her amazing quilts.  She's been very busy this year, you won't believe all the projects she's finished!  I have quilter's envy!

My Pick:

Boxed Zoo - Green 64"X88":  I could gush about the combination of polka dots, stripes, and animals all day!  I love the hip and modern fabrics she picked, the designer zoo animal print will look fresh and current years from now. 

It's perfect for any child's bedroom and is such a lovely statement piece, it's a great jumping off place when planning your child's room decor.  It's ready to be snuggled under now and enjoyed for a lifetime.  Q has a great eye for combining fabrics!

Modesty Matters: You CAN Sew!Jennifer from Modesty Matters contacted me to tell me about their blog, a great resource for sewing tutorials.  There's lots of ideas there, some very neat ones I'd never heard of before like a paci-tee.  Tutorials include lots of photos and often a printable version.

On their main website, "We teach sewing using video (with LOTS of close-ups), photos, text, and hands-on experiences. We even have a video set that teaches how to make clothing for those wonderful American Girl and Beautiful Girlhood type of dolls! Even better – there are matching styles available for little girls, so they can match their dolls! This is usually a big hit around Christmas time."

My Pick:

Colonial Costume Dress: My kiddo's favorite American Girl doll is Felicity, shhh...Grandma's got one for ER when she's a little older.  Part of the attraction to her for ER are the dresses.  That girl loves dress up.  I know she'd go wild over one like this!  I love how your pattern purchase includes, instructions and video tutorials that will help walk you step-by-step through every project.  Cause I'd need all the help I can get to make anything like this!

Sabina from SBB1 HANDMADE has been sewing, crocheting and knitting practically all of her life.  She began crocheting before the age of 3! She blogs about sewing and craft at Slip Stitches & More

There you will find sewing tips, tutorials, and whatever handmade art she is into at the time.  Plus snippets from what she describes as her organicky greeny lifestyle, which includes freezer cooking and other fun challenges.  Aside from designing and constructing clothing, she also has her own line of reusable cloth feminine protection pads and accessories and other green handmade items. 

Sabina is also a traveler and just returned home the states from the middle eastern part of the world about a year ago. She's always going somewhere with her husband, and brings us along when she shares those moments on Slip Stitches & More.

My Pick:

I was drawn to this Regular Size Wet & Dry Bag Black with Red and White Flowers because I carry around a lot of wet burp clothes and baby clothes that have been spit up on or are soiled.  I think it's design with a side for wet and a side for dry items is really creative.  The construction of the bag with a hanging strap makes it sound extra handy, because I can hang it from my stroller.

inspirationsbyd.etsy.comDalia from Inspirations by D specializes in glass magnets, push pins and pendants all made by her.  She is currently working on a more items now that the holidays are approaching, so make sure you keep checking back!  You can also keep up with her on her blog, where she tempts fans with sneak peaks of soon to be listed products.

This may be cheating a bit, because it's mean to show you something no longer available, but I've been familiar with Inspirations by D for awhile now.  I've always liked her pendants and this Silver Butterfly Pendant is my all time favorite.  It's sold but if you ask nicely I bet D will help you out!

But I won't leave you without suggesting something still in stock.  The Glass Push Pin Vintage Santa are the perfect thing to dress up your cork board and make organizing notes elegant.  When the holidays are over replace with the Push Pins in Shades of Green, Pink, and Blue.

Happy HapaI can't believe I'm on my last feature already!  Hasn't it been a great collection of bloggers and shops!  I'll finish with Sara, whom I know from her blog Happy Brown House.  She quit her day job to be a full-time mommy and for years, friends have oohed and ahhed over her handmade gifts.  With the encouragement of friends, she turned nap time into sewing time and Stitches by Sara was born. It's both her creative outlet and "me" time during the day. Almost all of her items can be customized with a monogram or other embroidery design and she loves custom orders!

Sara has an especially good reason to turn on her sewing machine, all proceeds from Stitches by Sara go toward her family's plans to adopt. She'd like to thank you in advance for helping her family bring their little one home!  As an adult adoptee, raising money for kids to come join their forever family is an especially poignant cause and one I'm happy to support!

My Pick:
Embroidered Owl Hair Clip: At just $3 this felt hair accessory is such a cute stocking stuffer!  Birds not your thing, your little sports fan can also clip in an embroidered football hair clip or another of her hair clip designs.  While getting that for my girly girl, I think I'd also have to add a coffee cozy to my cart :)

To see Part 1 of the Participants, click here, and be on the look out for tutorials from the Support Handmade bloggers and shops all month long!

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Part 1: Support Handmade for the Holidays Participants

I'm really excited by all the shops that signed up for my side bar event.  It was kind of an on a whim decision to see if anyone wanted to do it.  I was secretly a little worried no one would!  Glad I was wrong and excited to help get the names of these shop owners out and spread the word about their products.

So like I said, I really like to support independent artisans when possible.  It's nice to know your purchases are going to support an individual and their family.  Plus as someone who is passionate about memory keeping and scrapbooking, it gives me a lot of satisfaction knowing I'm helping someone else live out their dream of doing their passion for a living. 

Each of the following businesses will be featured on my sidebar all month long and into December.   I hope when you start thinking about holiday gifts you'll check one of them out first!  I've been to each one and have found lots of great things.  I've found lots of new favorite shops and I'd like to feature "My Pick" for each one below. 

Happy Hapa
It was easy to pick out my favorite thing at Happy Hapa, it's gotta be Sharon's camera straps.  Why, you ask?  Because I already own one :) 
One a lot like the Aloha Hawaiian Print Patchwork Camera Strap.  Mine just doesn't have the cap pocket, because I like to keep mine strapped to the camera.  Mine is also a custom size, made to the size I requested.  Love it!

The camera strap isn't the only thing we've gotten from Sharon.  We also have an awesome car organizer, that Sharon helped me find the perfect fabrics for.  Most recently we got some fun Barbie dresses and a mermaid towel that's the envy of every other little girl at our neighborhood pool.




  
Step at Sew Fierce is another blogger I met and then found out about her shop.  She makes beautiful outfits for little girls and great accessories for babies too.  We are lucky enough to have a twirl ready skirt and a wipes case that matches, sun hat, and a few outfits.  I could never in a million years sew anything nearly as nice as Steph.  So when I want a special outfit, I don't even try.  I just browse her shop.

My Pick:

The Lilac Breeze Halter Dress, because  I love the double layer look and the ruffles.  It's so pretty and girly, perfect for the summer days we'll soon be missing so much in the Midwest.











Scrappy GiftsMaryanne from Scrappy Gifts is the third blogger I regularly read and visit online.  I often participate in her monthly Online Crops and have won a few prizes from her.  The scrappy canvas is in my daughter's room and the scrappy box she made us is in my office.  If you missed it, check out her guest post from last Friday.
My Pick:

Definitely the Scrappy Box,  it's such a unique way to show off your favorite photos.  I love that it's interactive and visitors to our home always think it's just the neatest thing ever.  Get the laminated version, because you and your friends won't be able to put it down.  It's going to be handled and looked at constantly.

Love Notes by Lauryn
The blogger behind Love Notes by Lauren is a newlywed preschool teacher doing crafts, going to school, and loving fashion.  Her shop is called Lulu's Little Loft and in this virtual loft you'll find signs, banners, artwork, frames, design, invites, and more.

My Pick:

You and Me Word Board - I love the look of hand lettering but never like it when I do it.  Lauren's is such a fun mix of eclectic handwriting styles and all the different phrases are so sweet.





Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom
Suzy from Suzy's Artsy-Craftsy Sitcom specializes in Ukrainian Eggs.  They make fabulous, unique Christmas ornaments and gifts.  If you've never seen Ukrainian eggs before you won't believe how impressive they are, really gorgeous!  She'll tell you a little bit more about them in her guest post Friday.

My Pick:

Two Turtle Doves-Ukrainian Egg: I love the motif and colors of this one of a kind egg representing a line from one of the season's most famous songs.  Series of dyes and bees wax went into creating this fabulously decorated goose egg.  I am fascinated by the technique that goes into creating these!








Amy from One Artsy Mama stocks her shop with a combination of things she makes.  She focuses mainly on jewelry, with an emphasis on modern, personal family jewelry for moms, grandmothers, and the other women in your life.  She also does blog buttons/headers/other graphic design.  Amy will be here next week with a tutorial on how to make her Pop of Color Earrings. 
 My Pick:

Sweet Peas in a Pod Necklace: This pendant caught my eye right away.  Now that I have two kiddos it would be a fun mommy necklace to represent both of my little loves.  This necklace can be customized with up to four glass beads to fit your family.  Amy also has another family jewelry options, a cute nest and birth stone necklaces.  Her wrapped wire style is really quite dainty looking, very feminine and pretty.







Maureen's story behind Release Me Creations is so moving that I think she can tell it best.  Here's what she emailed me:

I have been crafting and selling jewelry and accessories on Etsy for almost three years. The story behind how I got started is a sad one, but it is one that out of something negative and sad, came something positive and happy.

In April of 2009 my Dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Cancer. Eight months later, on January 2, 2010, he passed away after an incredibly brave and difficult battle with the disease. His loss to me was, and is still a crushing blow to my heart. He was a pillar of strength in my life. But from his ordeal, I learned how important it is to take advantage of every minute we have here on this earth. It made me realize the value of appreciating everything, and everyone I have, and how fleeting our time is here. Perhaps most importantly, I realized the importance of doing in those minutes the things that make your heart happy.

I began crafting jewelry while I was staying with my parents during my father's last months of life. In my down time I needed something to channel my energies in a positive way. I needed a distraction, and a release. I suddenly felt the urge to begin crafting jewelry. Call it chance, call it coincidence, or call it fate. All I know is that creating jewelry for me has become my meditation, my peace. I put so much of myself into each and every piece, that it creates an incredible release for my heart, mind, and soul. Thus, the birth of Release Me Creations.
I know WOW, right?!  Not only does Maureen have a meaningful story, a lot of her gorgeous jewelry pieces have meaningful imagery.  My pick is the Banksy Style Balloon Girl Necklace So Fly Bright Silver Image Silhouette Academy Awards Pendant and will be part of the 2012 Academy Awards gift lounges so you may see your favorite star wearing it soon!  As the mother of a daughter, I think it would be a wonderful piece to give her to encourage ER to always try to fly after her dreams, wishes, hopes, etc.  It was seriously hard for me to just pick one from Maureen.  I am also oddly attracted to the Nautical Dive Helmet Brass Pendant, it's just so quirky!

Please come back tomorrow for Part 2 of the feature on the talented Support Handmade participants.

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