Etsy Christmas Finds (For YOU!)

I know all you sweethearts out there have selected thoughtful gifts for everyone you know. BUT I have some suggestions for gifts for you! Yes, YOU, mama! These are some of my current Etsy favorites, and all would make wonderful Christmas presents. If anyone in my family is reading, I would love anything from Artlab. And your presence of course! Happy shopping.

Top row: Unearthed leather cuff ($65); Morelle leather Truffle handbag ($235); Artlab scarf ($78).

Middle row: Lupin wool felt Poppy bracelet ($18.25); Ashes and Empires leather spats ($76) (convert any pair of shoes into stylish booties!); "The Red Sky" by Pamela Tang oil on canvas ($120).

Bottom row: Trinket box by Fun Wall Art ($25); Modern Radar pleated pouch (you could use this as a clutch, too) ($14); Treslyn necklace with vintage Lucite rose by RachelleD ($29.50).

Rae Gun: Giveaway: Citrus Summer Ruffle Diaper

Rae Gun: Giveaway: Citrus Summer Ruffle Diaper

Click on the post title to win this adorable ruffled diaper cover from one of my long-time Etsy favorites, Rae Gun. Good luck!

Are You Kidding Me?!?!?! Amazing Giveaway!

This is actually a real giveaway! I would probably die immediately if I won. Whipstitch Fabrics, via the awesome Fabric Shopper blog, is giving away two fat quarter sets that YOU DESIGN!!!! It's SO EASY! You visit Whipstitch Fabrics, select 12 fat quarters that fit a theme of your choice, go back to The Fabric Shopper and leave a comment with your selections. Two winners will be selected to win the fat quarter pack they designed!!! I might have to make my husband design one too!

Some Applique Inspiration

I have nothing new to report except that yesterday was the hardest workout I ever have had. Seriously. First of all, my heartrate has not been that consistently high since I was in utero. Second of all, I was so exhausted afterward that I felt like I had the flu. And for all that effort I only burned 413 calories according to my heart rate monitor! Anyway, looking at the soothing colors of fine quilting fabric gives me a natural high like no over-the-top workout can. So here is a little collage of some of the appliqued onesies I used to sell on Etsy. I still make them for gifts and occasionally sell to friends. If I am able to lift my arms to type, I'll see you tomorrow! XOXO

Yet Another Mother's Day Idea

I realize that this is a little late for us in the U.S., considering that the items will have to be shipped from Israel, but I am in LOVE with everything by StudioRona. Dear Husband: Any of the necklaces would work just fine, thanks. Love.

Hee-Hawwwwww

I am having a really weird week and have no time to make anything, read anything, do anything useful or online shop. So I present to you a collage of Etsy goodness related to my favorite animal, the friendly, fuzzy and adorably obstinate donkey. I hope you enjoy my momentary lack of focus. Top row: "Donkey On Strike" vintage figurine from Lookonmytreasures; sweet sleeping donkey photograph by Madrin Photography; That Donkey vintage book from Kelly's Vintage Goods. Middle row: "The Desert Donkey" art photo by Blue Citrus Art; vintage donkey needlepoint from Vintage Venatic; "Daring Donkey" art print by Stinkerpants. Bottom row: dish towel embroidered with vintage pattern by Tattletale Boutique; No-Good The Dancing Donkey (not a very nice title, but a cute picture) vintage book from Grandmother's Attic; hand-felted donkey with hen by Pleasantview Wool Arts.

Spring Crafting Inspiration

Here are some lovely Etsy finds to inspire your Spring creativity. Top row: Jelly Bean the Bunny knitting pattern and kit by Amy Gaines; sweet clutch pattern by Hyper Art; Springy button assortment from Little Red Cottage. Middle row: hand-felted wool beads by Macies Lacies; pretty pink Dutch fabric from Holland Fabric House; sewing bits and pieces from Millalove. Bottom row: pink velvet ribbon from Caramelos; crocheted flower mix by Annie Design; vintage lime moonglow Lucite beads from Black Sheep Beads. Happy Spring!

Finally, Felt

I have been wanting to make felty projects for some time, and I finally ordered a sample pack of wool felt from Etsy seller Pixiexrose. Um, how did I not know that wool felt is so luxurious? I want to make sheets and a comforter out of it. Anway, I'll try to post some crafty felt links soon. Also, Pixiexrose has lovely buttons, and I've now purchased two packs from her. And no, I haven't used them yet. I like to just look at them.

Five Etsy Favorites: Abstract Art

You might have seen a couple of these before, because I posted about the artists when I bought something from them. I would so love to have artistic abilities, but I don't. Maybe that's why I have 20-something pages of artist favorites on Etsy. For example, I love these bubbles with a woody-looking texture from Goodbloom:

JennSki, how I love thee.



I am the proud owner of two Krista Peel prints. I think I need this one too, though.

Oh how I love Rachel Austin. I already have one of her tulip prints in my living room, but now I want this one, too!

Okay, so technically these gorgeous peonies by Yumi Yumi aren't abstract, but I love them anyway. I think this print has been on my favorites list for about two years. I should probably just go ahead and buy one.

Five Etsy Favorites: Knit Hats

Now that my child will occasionally wear a hat without having a complete meltdown, I really want to get one of the cute knit ones sold on Etsy. Most of the sellers will make any size you want -- from newborn to adult. I wish I knew how to knit....

Earflap Beanie by Portland Beanie Company:

Mini-Monkey Hat by Citefuzz:

Visor Beanie by Nuxiemade:

Flower Beanie by Bubblegirlknits:

Strawberry Hat by Baparsell:

Five Etsy Favorites: Wool Felt Hair Clips

Here are five of my Etsy favorites who make the sweetest, itsy bitsy, hand-sewn wool felt hair clips. I want one of each for my little girl and also one for me.

Just in time for Valentine's day, a fancy heart from Paola72:


Sweet pink piggy by Maya Papaya:

Pretty flower with hand-painted initial by Details Shop:

Cute Japonesque bunny by Siiri:

Dainty hand-embroidered flowers by Neskat:

Five Etsy Favorites: Pillows

Yeah. I have 49 pages of favorites on Etsy, and that's after weeding out some shops. I thought I'd start sharing them here in batches, by theme. Today's theme is sellers who make pillows. If I could fill our entire house from floor to ceiling with decorative pillows I would. Here are some of my favorites.

Precious Red Bird pillow from Pillow Happy.

Take Me Anwhere Suitcase pillow by Olive.

Lindylou2's Retro Floral pillow (she's from Austin - woo!).

Olive Green Orchid pillow by Joom.

Lily Pad Pillow by Robin's Egg Pink.

Prezzies!

I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely Christmas. Here are some of my favorite prezzies of the day, courtesy of my sister. First up, this fab, oversized and much needed pin cushion, with vintage fabric on one side and cream colored corduroy on the other, by Etsy seller Blue Hair Knits.

Second, an adorable birdlike creature by Jellycat, which my sister bought my little girl during a stopover in Paris on her awesome Hungary trip last month. Ooh la la! (You can also find Jellycat plushies at Monkey Bean Toys online).

Last but not least, an item that encompasses two of my all-time favorite things: gummi candy and Smurfs. There is no way I am eating them. Despite my sister's reassurances that we can have more sent in from Hungary. (UPDATE!!!! You can order a whole tub of these babies from German Deli online).

A Dress By Belle And Boo

As you may know, Belle and Boo is one of my favorite artists on Etsy, and I've featured their "Tree Hugger" print at least a couple of times. Well now they've teamed with an Australian clothing designer to create this adorable dress. Oh how incredibly cute!!! $58.

Save The Date

This is just about the cutest little teeshirt I've ever seen. Etsy seller Chakra Pennywhistle takes an organic American Apparel tee or onesie and appliques a "calendar" made from a vintage tee towel, with your special date circled. You could get this for a birthday, wedding, holiday, baby due date, graduation, etc. Adorable. $20.

Little Christmas Sweetie

Do you have a little bitty baby girl? Or know someone who does? Or plan someday to know someone who does? Then you MUST purchase these precious Silver Holiday Baby Booties from Lil Cubby. The come in sizes newborn to 18 months, and can be made with non-slip bottoms for older babies. They are so cute I can't stand it. And only $13.