EtsyMom Monday ~ Retro Chic

EtsyMoms are an incredible group of talented artisans with a wide range of wonderful handmade shops on etsy.com.

I'm blessed to be a part of this group of working moms because they inspire, move and challenge me to live, laugh love and create!

I dedicate each Monday to all the fabulous EtsyMom creations I've found during the week so I can show off their often one-of-a-kind, beautiful and eco-friendly work!

Etsy is known for its fabulous vintage finds; let's see how the mamas get retro !

With Mother's Day right around the corner, what daughter wouldn't love this
beautifully embellished magnet by expressions123?

What a conversation piece these
Vintage Typewriter Key Earrings by GemmaBeads would make!

This fun wristlet from cathystotes is designed to hold all your necessities, including your keys!

Oh my goodness, these pretty, pink, pear-shaped glass jewel earrings by nancywallisdesigns are absolutely stunning!

EtsyMom Monday ~ Beside the Seaside

All you mamas out there are probably already humming along to the tune of today's title! I know many of you are probably beach-bound for your upcoming spring break, if you're not already there!

I browsed etsy yesterday for some sea, sand, and surf-inspired finds by the fabulous EtsyMom team...enjoy!

Let this Secret Getaway - Original Metallic Photography Print by Kimage inspire you to work, play and create!

I am a huge fan of Momiboutique's fun frocks and
her beautiful beach dunes dress
is no exception!

Winterberry Jewlery put together a lovely combination of a pretty pearl and starfish with this sea-inspired sterling silver necklace.

Take this Seahorse String Backpack by Bumble Belly Designs
along on your next search for the perfect seashells!

and capture that beachy-keen feeling in your papercrafting with A Forest Frolic's Starfish and Sand Dollar embellies.

Surprise your beach-loving friend with Bella Mia Beads'
Aqua Disc Starfish Necklace!

NCTriangle Thursday ~ Spring Forward

The almost balmy 60 degree temps here have me thinking Spring has arrived! I would say these members of etsy's NCTriangle Street Team are thinking along the same lines...

Love these juicy green jade sterling silver earrings
from annakaycreations.

and Jazzturtle's 3 mini batts of super soft-looking fibers with mini chicks made me think of cotton candy, so sweet!

This brown embroidered brown bunny towel by shamsandcoverups is the perfect Easter accent for your kitchen;
it's much too pretty to clean up spills though!

Finely handcrafted "Flower Patch" earrings by goodgirlsstudio really do evoke images of spring blooms.

Rabbithollowprims' 3 Crows on a Pineapple primitive piece
would add a touch of whimsy to your spring decor!

Sneak Peek!

Layered chipboard "5" scrapbook album
made with my Zutter "Bind it All" machine.

So versatile it can fit any of these themes:

first "5" years, baby's first "5" months or "5" things I love about you.

Adding some glittery edged embellies
and it will be available in my Etsy shop soon!

Paper: Wild Saffron (K&Company)

Chipboard: Scrapbook.com

Embellies: K&Company and me!

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Walnut Brown

EtsyMom Monday ~ Hippity Hop

EtsyMoms are an incredible group of talented artisans with a wide range of wonderful handmade shops on etsy.com.

I'm blessed to be a part of this group of working moms because they inspire, move and challenge me to live, laugh love and create!

I dedicate each Monday to all the fabulous EtsyMom creations I've found during the week so I can show off their often one-of-a-kind, beautiful and eco-friendly work!

Easter's on the way and EtsyMoms are ready to dress your little ones from head-toe!

Won't baby girl look smart in this colorful bunny dress by Littlelilly? Love the contrasting fabric of the belt and the trim on the sleeves!

Cuteandfun has something special for the chicken lovers with this
sterling silver chunky charm bracelet!

Just look at these delicate pair of beautiful buttercup yellow Mary Janes by Weepereas! And did I mention that they have organic cotton soles?

Wouldn't this sweet sterling silver stamped necklace by bellabuttondesigns be perfect for your sweetie's Easter basket?

And Zuzugirl always has the sweetest accessories in her shop! Top off your little one's Sunday best with this fabric flower headband. She used fabric remnants to create the petite blooms!

NCTriangle Thursday ~ Shower Them with Love

I've dedicated the past few weeks on the blog to throwing the ultimate handmade babyshower, from decorations to gifts and favors.

On Monday we sent the babyshower guests home with lovely favors so we're done right? Not just yet; how about a little something for those close friends that put together the fabulous shower???

I found some stylish but practical and some delectable hostess gifts on Etsy created by that talented crew out of the Triangle area in North Carolina.

What a brilliant idea knotworkshop had with this Crochet Cozy for Coffee or Tea. No more worries about your hot beverage going cold!

I know this blueberry chocolate mini leather journal from paperpearlsboutique would make a lovely gift because I gave one to myself last year! Aside from the soft, supple leather, the best feature is that it's refillable!



and I couldn't help but include this ipod cozy (to protect what is surely a highly prized possession!) also from knotworkshop, available in several styles/colors.

If any of your friends fancies moist, melt-in your mouth morsels, I'm sure they'd be tickled pink by a half-dozen of these Walnut Chocolate Chip Brownies from FancyThatCookies.

EtsyMom Monday ~ Show Some Love

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As part of my Handmade Baby Shower Series, I've highlighted some of my favorite EtsyMom gift ideas for baby as well as
expectant parents.

This week I found some wonderful ways to thank the shower guests for participating!

Moddiapercakes has a cute twist on the diaper cake idea with
these chocolate and blue "cupcakes".

If you're just looking for packaging, try ShabbyNChic's assortment of
handmade patterned paper boxes to hold your treats!

Your guests are sure to "oooh" and "ahhh" over these
gorgeous glass tile pendants by laktjohnson. She has several styles to choose from and
offers a "buy 3, get one free" special on some.

Or give your guests one of these
jumbo clips by kuteklipboardsbyamy to hold baby's photo!

And sweetdreamsboutique has something special for the sweet tooth! Send guests off with some of these gourmet cookie bites available in flavors like Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon and many more!

NCTriangle Thursday ~ A Day Late!

I don't know about you but sometimes when I attend a babyshower I take a gift just for the mommy-to-be! Shouldn't she be rewarded for taking that joyous, although at times, strenuous, journey towards motherhood? The NCTriangle Team offers some items intended to spoil, scrub and soothe the expectant mama!


Ahh, this lovely locket ring from goodgirlsstudio

is perfect for a tiny picture of the tiny newborn!

Aren't these festive facial scrubbies fun? Knotworkshop gives you many reasons for these to be a hit with a new mom, aside from having a fresh one for each day of the week, they are also good for the environment and the wallet!

Felt-wrapped soap? After reading what Jazzturtle has to say about her luxurious Lemon Mint Soap, the idea sounds divine! The felted "sweater" essentially replaces the washcloth!

When I was pregnant I didn't always have time for the mani/pedi, so this Cotton Candy Confections Sugar Scrub by ajoeynamedroo would have been simply wonderful!

And we can't leave the daddy-to-be out of the picture, so how about this Beer Shampoo Bar by CCrafters?! Perfect for keeping in a gym or travel bag of the on-the-go guy.

Handmade Baby Shower Part 3: Banner and Favor Tins

Did I mention I will be FLYING in for this shower???

So, yes, that means I've had to finish up certain items
like the banner and the jelly-bean filled favor tins

and ship them to Maryland!

Remember the banner in it's early stages here? Its almost ready to go in this pic...made a few more changes that you'll see when I get back!

I created a template (mine are 6 inch base, 9 inches in length) for the colored triangles and mounted them on a slightly larger white triangle.

After decorating the pennants, I punched holes on either side

at the top (about 3/4 inch in).

You can then ink the edges or add trim.

Lastly, string your ribbon or twine through the holes for an adjustable banner.

Found the palm trees and the whimsical wooden lion (already painted)

at Michael's! Perfect for the King of the Jungle theme!

And don't let me forget, the guest count for this co-ed shower is now at 100! Needless to say, ordering favors can get pricey, so I went with a fairly inexpensive option.

I already had some of these 2 oz. metal tins with clear lids in my stash, so I just ordered more.

I bought coordinating ribbon, ran strips through my Xyron >

The ribbon-wrapped tins would work well, but to give them a personal touch, I added punched circles in coordinating colors and stamped them with a lion (to match the theme of course), added thank you and adhered them to the lids!

They will add nice splashes of color to the treat table!

Etsymom Monday ~ Name that Baby!

ONE more week until the big baby shower I'm co-planning!

For my three-week Handmade Baby Shower Series,

I'm sharing not only what I'm creating for the event

but also the best baby boy accessories

Etsymoms are offering this spring.

What a special touch personalization can add!

This week's finds can all be designed with your child's name in mind.



These wonderful wooden letters just speak to me!

KissMeKatie will handpaint these custom 8-inch letters

to adorn your child's walls.

Letters grow with child and can help with name recognition as they mature!

Let sobrightdesigns create a matching monogram pillow for the

little man's room decor from one of several designer fabrics.

These 8 Letter Iron-On Decals from alphabulous

can be used in a variety of ways to personalize

baby boy's room! Need help getting started?

Search 'alphabulous' on photobucket for project ideas.

The briliant blue buttons really pop against the chocolate fabric

on this personalized pillow by letterperfectdesigns.

Hang girlfriendstx's wall hooks at just the right height and as

baby gets older he can hang up his own jackets!