Sweeten Up Your Gift Giving, Spice Up Your Life!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Come Blog Hop With the EtsyMom Team!

Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful EtsyMom Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!

www.crazyadorable.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop-giveaway-with-ornament.html

http://caramagic.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-holly-day-blog-hop-pleated.html
http://onlyterrastreasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/tutorial-make-your-own-chinese-takeout.html
http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/lets-do-some-holly-day-hopping.html
http://quirefly.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-fun-cranberry-pudding-with.html
http://cinnamonspicecrafts.blogspot.com/2010/12/come-blog-hop-with-etsymom-team.html
http://handprintlady.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-tutorial-gift-from.html

Here's how it works:
1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration and leave a comment. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, start back at the EtsyMom Blog. You may have to scroll down a bit on the blogs to find the Blog Hop posts as the week progresses.
2. Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:

~Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
~Leave a comment on the Holly Day Blog Hop posts for any of the blogs listed above between Dec 5 and Dec 11, 2010.
~Join the EtsyMom Blog email list (fill out the form in the right hand column).
~Become a follower of the EtsyMom Blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column.
~"Like" the EtsyMom Facebook Page.

Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to this page.

To let us know you've done these things, please come back to the EtsyMom Blog post and leave a comment for each thing you did.
Sorry - you cannot enter the giveaway here on my blog.

On December 11, 2010 we'll choose a winner using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. The winner will receive this super sweet gift basket full of handmade holiday goodies, including:

a pair of Turquoise Earrings from
http://www.stoneymistdesign.etsy.com/

a greeting card from
http://www.homemadebyamanda.etsy.com/

a lampwork bead bracelet by
http://handmadewhimzy.etsy.com/

sterling silver and Swarovski pearl/crystal holiday earrings by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/signaturesterling

a cream colored cotton scarf given by
http://www.zoegirldesigns.etsy.com/

a raincloud ornament from
http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyjives

a matching splat mat and baby bib from
http://www.babysindulgence.etsy.com/

two pair of earrings from
http://quirefly.etsy.com/

a gift pack of over 30 pages of vintage paper ephemera by
http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrychiccottage

a lovely sustainable stocking from
http://www.rikrak.etsy.com/

a set of holly jolly gift tags from
http://cinnamonspice.etsy.com/

a set of toddler pajamas in a style of the winner's choice from
http://heatheregley.etsy.com/

a $15 gift certificate from
http://camelotstreasures.etsy.com/

A gift certificate from
http://babyswank.etsy.com/

A Custom copper heart necklace from
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ct2designs

Today I'm sharing one of our favorite holiday recipes: yummy Peppermint bark.

We love adding a handmade touch to all our gifts, and this is one of our favorite holiday goodies to make:yummy Peppermint Bark. Preparing the Peppermint Bark is something fun the whole family can do. It's quick and easy and keeps in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. We bought pretty glass canisters from the local craft store and added a holiday label to give as gifts to our friends. Below is the recipe for the Peppermint bark with a few modifications:

Makes about 2 1/2 pounds

2 12 oz. bags of Nestle's premium white chocolate morsels

12 large candy canes

1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil (you can find at local craft store)

1. Line an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.

2. Follow instructions on package for melting chocolate. (I was able to pour both bags into a pyrex dish and heat for 2 minutes at 70%; stir and heat for an additional 10 seconds at 70%.

3. While the chocolate is melting, with a chef's knife or kitchen mallet, cut or pound candy into 1/4-inch pieces. I recommend putting the unwrapped candy canes into a plastic bag and placing it onto foil to contain the mess!

4. Stir candy and peppermint oil into the melted choclate. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet; spread evenly with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until firm, 25 to 30 minutes. Break into pieces before packaging (or serving). Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

And now, hop on over to the next blog for more wonderful inspiration, the HandPrint Lady's Blog!

Friday, December 3, 2010

EtsyMom Blog Hop Starts Sunday Dec 5th

Pssst...did you know EtsyMoms are having a Blog Hop? From Dec 5-11, over 20 of our team members will share their own brand of holiday inspiration in the form of a recipe, a tutorial, or some type of handmade goodness on their personal blogs and here. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get around to all the blogs to see what our EtsyMoms are creating for the holidays! Check back often for more details to come! And you don't think we'd leave you without some blog candy, do you? Check back here tomorrow to find out all the HANDMADE
GOODIES one lucky winner will receive!

Monday, November 22, 2010

EtsyMom Street Team: Team-wide Black Friday Sale - A Sneak Preview

EtsyMo ms are opening the season with a Black Friday sale from November 26th through November 29th. Avoid the crowds and shop handmade! Over 90 shops will be offering fabulous deals on their handcrafted wares. You'll find a little of everything from eco friendly + modern felt stockings, boutique-style children's clothing, cute Japanese handmade fabric button accessories, Twilight inspired jewelry, photography, handstamped cards, stationary, holiday decor, and more! To shop the sale on Etsy.com, search "EtsyMomSale."

Here's a sneak peek at some of the participating shops!
lavenderave.etsy.com * petitetuques.etsy.com * mimimarie573.etsy.com * AngelLeighDesigns.etsy.com * louloututu.etsy.com * countrychiccottage.etsy.com * sykin.etsy.com * nwwonders.etsy.com * zoegirldesigns.etsy.com * allyouneeddesigns.etsy.com * guzanito.etsy.com * yjennings.etsy.com * LauraElainedesigns.etsy.com * miatortilla.etsy.com * PinkStripe.etsy.com * thelittleredwagon.etsy.com * anhoki.etsy.com * RockefellerJewelry.etsy.com * PeriwinkleJazz.etsy.com * ninabonita.etsy.com * monstermeng.etsy.com * woodenhive.etsy.com * meeabee.etsy.com * silverrosedesigns.etsy.com * http://www.rikrak.etsy.com/ * bellerosedesigns.etsy.com * twistedribbonsbows.etsy.com * lisamicheleproducts.etsy.com * twolovebugs.etsy.com * stoneymistdesign.etsy.com * camelotstreasures.etsy.com * cr8something.etsy.com * scperkins.etsy.com * kitkatcreationsinc.etsy.com * homemadebyamanda.etsy.com * shopannavirginia.etsy.com * twosugarpeas.etsy.com * acheekymonkey.etsy.com * sreneedesigns.etsy.com * anasbabycouture.etsy.com * monkeypoddesign.etsy.com * loveyoumoredesigns.etsy.com * Terrbear37.etsy.com * momscrafts4u.etsy.com * boutiquelittlepeople.etsy.com * theavidbeader.etsy.com * etsy.com/shop/USCGwife *babyjives.etsy.com * http://www.babyswank.etsy.com%20/* natortiz23.etsy.com * nume.etsy.com * www.etsy.com/shop/NewCreatioNZ * oceanbelle13.etsy.com * OrchidLaneDesigns.etsy.com * lifesoapsimple.etsy.com * peaceloveandkids.etsy.com * beyondwords12.etsy.com * TamsyTrends.etsy.com * nellaboos.etsy.com * babysindulgence.etsy.com * DaisyandLilly.etsy.com * DYEnamite.etsy.com * rockpapertekla.etsy.com * MommysDream.etsy.com * addybscakes.etsy.com * LoisAndLinnea.etsy.com * shoprhubarb.etsy.com * elizabeth71080.etsy.com * starknits.etsy.com * elisaann.etsy.com * feltedkitten.etsy.com * 2sproutsandalilvoice.etsy.com * HandmadeWhimzy.etsy.com * lilprincessbow.etsy.com * cinnamonspice.etsy.com * katekatenyc.etsy.com * lilybugboutique.etsy.com

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Why I Love What I Do...................

I enjoy creating;
but I absolutely LoVe making something for someone else to CHERISH...

You know how you receive that perfect gift and your eyes light up and
your heart feels warm and fuzzy

because someone cared enough to give you something that MEANS something special to you.

I recently received a request from a customer to make some type of scrapbook for her daughter's pen pal in the U.K.

First off, how SWEET that pen pals still exist! 2nd, even if I was up to my eyeballs in work I couldn't turn down this request because it was from the HeArT!

So, here's what I created and the customer was so tickled with it she ordered another for her daughter.

That's why I do what I do!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Fall into Autumn Giveaway!

Dear Scrappy Friends,

I know it's been quiet around here lately but I'm back with a fabulous
Fall into Autumn GIVEAWAY!

To win this lovely (handmade of course) hanging acrylic photo frame, simply visit my Facebook page here and leave a comment telling me what your favorite thing about fall is. Comments will close tomorrow night, 2 Nov. at 11 pm eastern standard time and the winner will be announced Tuesday morning.

I know the kids and I enjoy going to the PuMpKin PaTcH and getting the house all dolled up,

SO WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Dear Daughter, Please Stay on Task!

I don't know about your little one,

but when mine is supposed to be getting ready for school in the morning,

I just might walk in her room and find her lying on her bed reading!

Since she is so easily distracted I decided to hang an

old chalkboard in her room where we could write a to-do list.

Last year this helped tremendously!!

This year, I came across a cute little digital stamp by Digi Stamp Characters which reminded me of my little Blueberry Sprite, so I decided to update the board. It was also perfect timing for a "Back to School" challenge on the MPTS forum. Here's how she turned out! Hope you like her.

Love how the Bazzill Swiss Dot Cardstock gave the perfect "texture" for her hair! The ID tag was attached to a box of chipboard letters I bought a few years ago (that's why I never throw anything away; I never know when I might need it!). I've been trying my hand at handmade flowers; these seemed perfect for this project.

And my dear daughter requested the sequined butterfly; it matches the lampshade in her room. I got the mini clipboard as a freebie a while back.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Friday, September 24, 2010

More Paper Than Shoes Mid-Week Challenge

I am lovin the MPTS forum; it is truly a dream come true!

There are so many challenges, one can always find something to SpArK your creativity.

I saw this month's mid-week challenge colors and thought of a layout I've been working on for a custom 20-page album.

The challenge motivated me to finish it off...so here is... "Adorable".

So scrappy people, what are you waiting for??? Get on over to our forum. Can't wait to see what you're working with for our next challenge!