Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Featured Seller: Divas 3 Design

Here's another great seller on Etsy! Amanda and her Mom offer photo birth announcements, birthday invitations, and other holiday photo cards. They also offer our scrapbooking services for people who don't have the desire or time to create their own.

This birthday invitation is one of Amanda's favorite items, and I can see why! It's too cute!












Photo cards are a unique and economical way to announce a special event happening in your life. They invite you to visit their store and see their other designs at http://divas3design.etsy.com/

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Featured Shop: Sew Yummy Fun Stuff

Sew Yummy Fun Stuff is a great shop created by best friends, April and Melanie. They've been friends for over 20 years. Both are self taught "seamstresses". They began making their yummy creations for their children (between them, they have 5 under 5...WOW!) and soon began making it for friends as well. All of the play food and felt items are hand sewn. They also have some cute ruffled and appliqued bodysuits and tutus.
April's favorite item is the breakfast set: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25922009










Mel's favorite is the weirdo doll, which I also happen to think is precious (in a strange way!)http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25933516













You can find them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SewYummy or on their blog, http://www.girlfeltfood.blogspot.com/

Check them out...I think that their items make great gifts and the holidays are coming!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Starting to think about the holidays???

Wow! I can't believe that I'm starting to plan for the holidays in August! Is it just me or are the retail stores featuring holiday items earlier and earlier? Living outside of Atlanta, GA where it's 90+ degrees in August, I have a really hard time getting my kids ready to go back to pre-school, much less thinking about the holiday season!
I have always loved the holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving and ending with New Year's. I remember going to visit family in New York and going into the city and seeing all of the beautiful store displays and going to FAO Schwarz to see all of the cool toys that hadn't made it down South yet.
These days, with Halloween advertising beginning in August, I feel like some of the fun is disappearing...at least for me. Of course, that may have to do with the fact that my kids (who are almost 3 and 4.5...my son would want me to make sure to include the "half") have already started to ask for costumes, candy and other Halloween items. I typically begin to get ready for Halloween the beginning of October. My husband knows that fall has come when I pull out my collection of gourds and pinecones, drag the scarecrow out of the basement and begin to think about costumes for everyone.
This year, I doubt that I'll have much say in the costumes my kids wear, as they both have distinct opinions about who they want to be (Dora and a Transformer), though that may change before "the big day". I remember being stunned last year when I went to get costumes at how expensive they've become...I can't imagine having 3+ kids and having to buy or make costumes for each of them!
What do you think? Are the holidays being commercialized too early or am I just a curmudgeon?? I'd love to hear what you think! And for those of you who don't think it's too early, here are a couple of Halloween themed hair clips...hope that you like them!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Featured Shop: HoneyBoo

Meytal is a supremely talented painter and I am super excited to share her work with all of you! She has been painting for as long as she can remember, but had formal training beginning at the young age of 7. She is skilled in many mediums, including water color, ink, acrylics and oils.

Here is one of her favorite paintings currently available in her shop:












Meytal recently added items that you can print for yourself, including stationary, stickers and "To Do" Lists. I think these are absolutely adorable!











Her items make great gifts and I could easily see decorating a nursery or little girl's room around HoneyBoo! I hope that you'll visit Meytal's shop to check out all of the great things she has to offer. Her store can be found at:

Come back next time to hear about: LittleLilyBamboo. She makes swaddling blankets out of bamboo! How cool is that??!!!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Featured Shop: Madrigal Embroidery

In an effort to help promote other great shops on Etsy who offer children's products, I'm planning on doing a weekly feature...stay tuned each week for more great shops!

Carla is a self taught artist who began crafting during the 60's by making patches for jeans and embroidering on the pockets of blue work shirts and other items. She also creates embroidered chokers. Several years ago, she designed some infant and toddler hoodies to give to friends and co-workers. They were well received and so began her childrens section. All of the designs are created by Carla for you.


The tie caps are one of her favorite items. They are eye-catching, practical, and fun to wear. They are very reasonably priced and make terrific gifts!

Here's her Bright Yellow Organic Cotton Tie Cap Beanie:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26656080





To visit her Etsy shop to see what other great items she offers, click below:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6949647


Come back next time to see HoneyBoo, who offers adorable original paintings, art prints & printable sheets

Monday, August 3, 2009

Congratulations Mommylife!!! You are the July Giveaway Winner!

Yay for our first giveaway winner, Mommylife! Please let me know which felt flower clip you'd like and what type of accessory you want it attached to (alligator clip or french barrette). Just send me an email with your selection to: brilliantblossoms@comcast.net


I hope that everyone had a good weekend. Our was full of toddler birthday parties and lots of cake. Can you say "hyperactive children"??? To top it all off, the kids were sent home with a bag full of candy. Why do people think that 2 & 3 year olds need tons of candy on top of cake??? Am I the only one who has an issue with this? I hope that the kids aren't disappointed at my daughter's party in a few weeks when they receive custom crayon rolls which I purchased from a fellow Etsyian, itsthesmallthings. I think that they are adorable and certainly more memorable than a bag of candy...of course, I'm not 3!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28664367










Oh well, maybe I'll cave to toddler peer pressure and throw in a few Hershey's kisses....sigh.