Hand-Painted Onesies: Erin Lynn Designs

Recently I was the lucky winner of two hand-painted, custom-made onesies from Erin Lynn Designs.

Erin's business is new to Facebook; thus, she offered a giveaway drawing for 2 free stenciled baby bodysuits once she hit 100 "likes" and I was the randomly picked winner...woo hoo!

Here is what she created for our Claire Bear:

And this one was part of our Father's Day gift to my CPA husband, "Daddy's lil Tax Deduction":

I think they turned out great and are an unique addition to Claire's growing wardrobe. By the way, she also creates some beautiful baby blankets if you are in the market for a gift.

Last but not least, is some good news for you: Erin Lynn Designs is offering up another giveaway when she hits 200 "likes" so head over to her Facebook page and like it today for a chance to win!

Renegade Craft Fair Finds

This weekend is the Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale in Chicago, so my sisters and I made our way over to Pulaski Park Fieldhouse this afternoon to see what we could find.

There were so many talented artists there, over 150, including some Chicago staples such as Circa Ceramics and Ork Posters. I noshed on a delicious vanilla cupcake from TipsyCake and also bought a few prints from a new favorite, Delicious Design League.

This print will be a Christmas gift for my sister, Jessica, the newest Chicago resident in the family. It's called "Chicago Style - 1893":

It will look cute in her kitchen next to her "St. Louis Style" print by Dan Zettwoch, which she also already owns.

The next print is one which I purchased for the nursery and is called "Cutie Bear". I think it lives up to its name:

Each 18x24 print was priced at only $20 and contains 3 colors/screens. And best of all, if you choose to frame the prints, they are a standard size so no custom framing costs will be incurred. What a great deal! Check out what other prints the Delicious Design League has for sale on their online store. All in all we had a successful trip to the Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale.

Next weekend is also the Bucktown Holiday ArtShow.

It is held at Holstein Park Fieldhouse, 2200 N. Oakley Ave. in Chicago on December 11-12, 2010 from noon to 5pm each day. I hope to make it there as well and will report back with any purchases :-)

Mood Board Monday - 'Bamboo'zle

It's Mood Board Monday!

Today for the first time I'm not featuring a color combo, but a sustainable material instead...bamboo! Also, these are items that I recently featured in my first etsy treasury, if you want to check it out there. (Thanks to Sarah for introducing me to the world of etsy treasuries. They tie in perfectly with my mood boards!)




Here are the sources of my inspiration...

Top (from left to right):
1. Modern Baby Clock - Owl, by decoylab, etsy seller
2. Large White Blossom Bamboo Earrings, from theharbingerco, etsy seller
3. handmade bamboo glasses frame, from TAKEMOTO, etsy seller
4. Recycled Skateboard Bamboo Cuff Links, by sevenply, etsy seller
5. laptop stand in bamboo wood, by bbTuna, etsy seller
6. Eco-Retro Desk Clock, by VectorCloud, etsy seller
7. Forest Friends-Bamboo Mobile, from petitcollage, etsy seller
8. Slice Necklaces, by designerica, etsy seller
9. Addison Bamboo Wall Clock, by pilotdesign, etsy seller

Enjoy!

And the winner is...

The Petit Rococo Necklace giveaway ended 5/24 @ midnight CST. We had 25 entries for the free bowtie necklace and the winner, chosen by random.org is....

#4 "Red"! Congrats, Red! You chose the clear necklace, so if you are out there leave a comment with your email address or a way to get in touch with you and Petit Rococo will get you your winnings :-)

And for the rest of you, if you are totally bummed just remember the Petit Rococo bowtie necklace is still for sale online in any color for only $18 right here.

This was fun! I hope to feature more giveaways in the future, so stay tuned.

Friendly Giveaway Reminder - One Week Left!

Just a friendly necklace giveaway reminder!

Only one week left to "friend" our featured jewelry designer Petit Rococo on Facebook and leave a comment on my other post here for a chance to win this Bowtie necklace.

Reminder: The giveaway will close ONE WEEK from today on Monday 5/24 at midnight CST. On Tuesday 5/25, I'll randomly select a winner to receive one Petit Rococo Bowtie necklace in the color of their choice.

A Lovely Giveaway: Petit Rococo Jewelry

Tonight, I'm posting my first giveaway! I am excited to feature some amazing, handmade pieces from Petit Rococo Jewelry.

A Chicagoland native, designer Madeleine "Maddie" Maciag is inspired by her time spent traveling abroad specifically to Vienna & Paris. Thus, she decided to put together a jewelry line that captures her style and love of historical architecture & romantic clothing, and I for one am a BIG FAN!

Here are some of my favorites...

Busy Bees Earrings - $18

Fandangle Earrings - $22

Charming Charms Bracelet - $32

I think this next one would be great to wear to a summer wedding as a guest, bridesmaid or even the bride!

Icy Lilac Necklace - $58

And last but not least, THE GIVEAWAY :-)

Petit Rococo is offering up a beautiful Bowtie Necklace to one of my lucky readers this week, which can be ordered in the winner's choice of Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Clear, Purple and Peridot. Here it is in a variety of colors...

I personally received my own Clear Bowtie necklace as a Christmas gift this year from my sister and I get compliments whenever I wear it :-)

Isn't it lovely? So, here's how to win:

• Become a Facebook Fan of Petit Rococo here or join the e-mail list to receive updates here (or both!). Then, leave a comment letting me know which color Bowtie necklace is your favorite and which way you chose to keep in touch with Petit Rococo (email or facebook).
• For a 2nd bonus entry, Blog or tweet about this giveaway and leave another comment letting me know you've done so.

The giveaway will close on Monday 5/24 at midnight CST and a winner will be randomly chosen on Tuesday 5/25. At that time, I'll randomly select one winner to receive one Petit Rococo Bowtie necklace in the color of their choice.

This contest is open to all readers, Good luck!

do it your own d*mn self 2010

On Saturday, the Chicago Craft Mafia is hosting their annual Do It Your Own D*mn Self sale. This is where Chicago crafters come to sell their extra craft supplies to the general public for super cheap.

I attended this last year, but my browsing time was cut short when my friend who attended with me had her tongue suddenly turn black and we had to leave in a hurry. Funny story... it ended up being a harmless side effect to a medicine she was on, but still scary none-the-less and hilarious after the fact.

This year I am leaving Miss Black Tongue behind and will attend with my sister, who will hopefully be able to pick up some extra fabric scraps for some sewing projects. I just hope to find some inspiration. To make it even more appealing, this year's event is located just a few blocks from my house!

a vintage typewriter

I'm officially on the hunt for a vintage manual typewriter that is still in working condition. I am not a highly knowledgeable collector, so the age and brand are not that important to me. I do however have three criteria.

1) It should work and I should still be able to purchase ribbon for it so that I can actually use it.

2) It should look nice on display or come with a fun case to look decorative when not in use.

3) It should be affordable, preferably around $100 or less.

So, of course I check out etsy and find some serious contenders...

This one from etsy seller 'vintagejane' is exactly the color and and look I was hoping for at a rather affordable price, $49.00 + $20 for shipping.

I like it, but it does not come with ribbon so I'd have to search for a supplier for that. Also, after a quick 'google' I think this is technically a child's typewriter but it looks to be only an inch or so smaller than some other models I'm eyeing so it still seems to be a great option.

The next one in my price range is from etsy seller 'kewpiesfarmhouse', $63.00 +$23.71 for shipping.

Royal is a good brand, but it's just an okay color & style. However...

...this case makes up for that! I love the vintage luggage feel of it.

This typewriter from etsy seller 'iamanie' also peaks my interest, at $90 and seemingly $0 for shipping! (I'll have to check with the seller on that). I love the color, style...

and the great, albeit damaged, carrying bag!

I think those are my best choices from etsy that fall within my requirements. I could always go the local antique store route as well to save money on shipping and actual touch & feel the typewriter before I buy, but that takes serious scavenger time that I'm not sure if I am willing to invest. What do you think?

And lastly, I'll leave you with these great pillowcases from etsy seller 'bpoetic' that tie in nicely with the theme of my post and would look great on our bed.

I know they are handscreened, but can I bring myself to spend $40 on two white pillow cases? I'm not sure yet.

Do It Your Own D*mn Self

Today I'm headed to a fun little event set up by the Chicago Craft Mafia called Do It Your Own D*mn Self : Craft supplies for super cheap!

I'm going with my good friend Julie, who makes jewelry, and I just hope to find some inspiration and maybe some cool fabrics. I'll be post to find our top finds if we end up coming home with some!

Green with Indie

I'm headed home to visit my family in St. Louis this weekend and I am tickled pink that I will be there for the Green with Indie Craft Show!

This appears to be similar to the Renegade Craft Fair that comes to Chicago twice a year, as well as to Brooklyn, LA and San Fran, and I am so excited to be able to go check it out with my mom and sister on Saturday. If any of you STL-based handmade enthusiasts are interested in attending this weekend, here are the details:

Green with Indie Craft Show

• Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm
  
• Sunday from Noon to 5 pm
  

Webster University's Grant Gym

175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO 63119

Parking is available in the Garden Plaza Parking Garage for visitors.

314-968-7060 for info

Check out the site above to see all of the nifty vendors that will be in attendance; many of them have online shops you can peruse in advance. 

Maybe I'll see some of you there!

Five Fab Handmade Finds: Gift Tags

This Tuesday, for my 4th edition of "Five Fab Handmade Finds", I am featuring five fabulous handmade sets of gift wrap tags. I'm a sucker for a handmade or hand-printed greeting card, but these tags make for an even more affordable and unique option to top that special present.

Enjoy!

1. Cupcake gift tags by Esty Seller pinkflowercube -- 6 for $3.50

2. Amy Butler flower tags by Etsy Seller accessoryqueens -- 24 for $5.00

3. test print gift tags by Art Garage Sale Seller 315thomas -- 5 for $5.00

4. BIRDCAGE TAGS IN LIGHT PINK by Art Fire Seller Digital Paperie -- 12 for $4.00

5. Drunken Tags by Etsy Seller Farouche -- 8 for $4.00

Gift tags... not just for Christmas anymore!

Five Fab Handmade Finds: Necklaces

It's Tuesday, and for this week's installment of "Five Fab Handmade Finds", I am featuring some fun necklaces!

1. Custom Envelope Jewelry by Etsy Seller LOOKAJewelry --$75

2. orbit necklace (white, orange green) by Supermarket Seller MOUFELT --$48

3. a raven's nest...bird's nest necklace by Etsy Seller PreciousMeshes -- $56

4. Demeter Single Necklace by Supermarket Seller We Dream in Colour --$32

5.  Simple Happy Yellow Flowers Jewelry by Art Fire Seller kanokwalee -- $25

Hope this inspires those of you with naked necks ;-)

Five Fab Handmade Finds: Throw Pillows

This Tuesday, for my 2nd edition of "Five Fab Handmade Finds", I am featuring five fabulous handmade throw pillows. Enjoy!

1. Honey Honey No 2 Pillow / Cushion Cover by Esty Seller UmberDove -- $42

2. little bird and nest pillow pair by Etsy Seller pillowhappy -- $60

3. Furniture (30X40) by Chocolate Creative -- £35.00 or ~$50 US

4. Olive Green Bird on Cherry Blossom Pillow by Etsy Seller Joom --$28

5. Anna Maria Horner Branching Out Pillow Cover by Etsy Seller lindylou --$25

I hope you find a pretty pillow on which to rest your pretty head from these great designers.

Five Fab Handmade Finds: Handbags

I love shopping handmade and I browse online daily, so I thought I would start posting my favorite five handmade finds here-and-there, bundled into different categories.

Today I'll feature five fabulous handmade bags!

1. Fall in Love bag by Etsy Seller Retrofied -- $82

2. Morchella in Wool bag by Etsy Seller morelle --$69

3. Wine Tasting Weekend Bag by Etsy Seller PacoandLupe --$96

4. Tweet Bag by Art Garage Sale Seller Backyard Design --$12

5. The Fraulein Tote (in Black or Rosewood) by Supermarket Seller Moop -- $121

Hope you enjoy!