Handmade Favorites: Happy 4th of July!!

I had great intentions of doing a spectacular 4th of July post complete with new handmade favorites resplendent with patriotism.  Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for the blog, Bunny's Papaw & Mimi were here for a visit and we were just too busy having fun to stop and post.  So, I'm recycling my patriotic favorites post from November1, 2008.  Sorry about that.

Prior to the busyness that consumed my week, though, I was able to secure permission from two fabulous Etsy shop owners to share their patriotic handmade goodness, so I'll show you those first and the proceed to plagiarize myself.

The first item of patriotic awesomeness is this leather cuff bracelet by Diana from dgierat on Etsy.  Isn't it amazing?  I love the cuff's namesake rustic quality and that it is a unisex piece.  Diana also informed me that this exact bracelet will be featured in Jennifer Aniston's new movie, "Wanderlust", (which looks hilarious, by the way).  How awesomesauce is that?!  I'm guessing her sales are going to blow up as soon as movie goers discover her!  (Not to mention the flood of customers that will come from this blog post!)  ;)

Image used with permission from Diana at dgierat.

The next handmade item is the American Tutu from All Tulled Up.  Justine, the store owner and product-maker is a dear online friend.  Bunny actually has a tutu that Justine made for us before she started up her Etsy store and it is ADORABLE!!  I can personally vouch that her products are well-made and of high quality, not to mention the great prices!  She also makes ribbon hairbows, polymer clay figures that are amazing in their detail, cake toppers, and more.  Be on the lookout for more of her great handmade products featured here in the future. 

Now, back to that awesome tutu.  I just love the bright, patriotic colors and the sparkle on the waistband and hairbow.  Any little girl would be ten times more adorable in this set!!

Image used with permission from Justine at All Tulled Up.

And now, let's reminisce a bit about November 2008, shall we?  I have to note that this was before I was conscientious enough to seek permission from the creators to feature their objects, so if you made something featured here, please accept my apologies for not contacting you then!!



"For this week's installment of my handmade favorites, I've decided to honor the upcoming election with a patriotic theme. My prayer is that the American public will choose the best leaders for our country.


So, here we go!


This week's first favorite is this GORGEOUS Patriotic Box crafted by westcorinthstudio. It is a phenomenal piece of art!





The next item is this awesome cross. What a great item by DCStuff to show of both your patriotism and faith.





Next is this Pledge of Allegiance plaque by lauriesherrell. There are so many things I love about this, but most importantly is that we are One Nation Under GOD!!





I also chose this patriotic chunky bracelet! The obsession from last week continues. Poetsummer really captures the American spirit with this one and I love the vintage images!





This acrylic Little Liberty Cuff by GetPersonalArt is so fab. It is mod and patriotic and quasi-gaudy at the same time (note the swarovski bling!)





I love the candy sprinkled resin bracelet by retrocafeart. Resin is one of those mediums I'm dying to try and she does it perfectly. Bravo!





Last, but certainly not least, is this delicious-looking cake by Whipped Bakeshop. I love that it looks like fireworks! This is pure awesome!





Since I included a cake both weeks so far, I think I'll make sure to include some type of food item for every week. I have no clue what next week's theme will be, so tune in to find out! I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!"

Day Six: Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

I've been saving this post since March 7, MM's birthday. I wanted to do a Handmade Favorites post about one of his favorite pastimes, fly-fishing. Thanks to a good deal of encouragement from my Dad and my big seester, MM has become quite obsessed with fly-fishing. Not only does he fly fish, he also ties flies, watches fly-fishing shows, reads fly-fishing books and dreams up new fly recipes all day long. So, without further adieu, here are the best of the best fly-fishing themed handmade items the internet has to offer.


First off is this Fly Fisherman Vinyl Wall Decal by circlelinestudio. I think this would be a really great addition to MM's fly-tying room. My only worry is that he would see this and feel like bolting out to the lake more often than I'd like!


Image used is from circlelinestudio's Etsy store.


The next item I fell in love with is this Fly Fishing Tie Tack or Pin. KDemARTe is the Etsy store of Karen who hand-crafts all of her awesome wares from pewter. I really love the rustic, almost tribal vibe of the pin.


Image used is from KDemARTe's Etsy store.


MM would love it if I added these Natural Travertine Stone Coasters to the living room. I have to admit that I'd probably like them a lot, too. I like the patina on the fly-fishing holder created by the craftsman over at Stonegifts. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that these would be a perfect fit for our house!


Image used is from Stonegift's Etsy store.


I, quite frankly, don't know a fly-fisherman who wouldn't want a set of these Etched Pint Glasses created by the talented artist at East Mesa Design. I really admire the clean, crisp design and look she achieves and would love to order a set for MM right this second!


Image used is from East Mesa Design's Etsy store.


So many times, I see a beautifully designed room that is tarnished by a poorly executed art piece. It seems that the women in the world are far too lenient when it comes to allowing these expressions of our men's hobbies into our living spaces. Fortunately, there are some instances where a man's hobbies CAN blend into the house's decor. One example is this Creel On The Rocks original watercolor painting by MiWild. I enjoy the simplicity of the painting.


Image used is from Mi Wild's Etsy shop.


It took me a while to find a sweet treat to feature. There aren't too many fly-fishing cakes wandering around. I imagine it isn't a popular theme for those cake-worthy occasions in life. The one I did find, though, made up for the fact that there wasn't much to choose from. I found this awesome Creel Basket & Fly Rod cake over at Creative Celebrations. I imagine it would have made the perfect groom's cake for MM had he been into fly-fishing at the time. I'm sure y'all know that I'm a stickler for details and this cake has plenty for me. I really had to look twice at this one to make sure it was cake! Maybe one day I'll be able to surprise my honey with a cake this awesome.


Image used is from Creative CelebrationS' website.


Well, that's it for this edition of both the 30 Day Meme and Handmade Favorites. I hope you liked it and maybe got some good ideas for the sportsmen and women in your lives!

Handmade Favorites for September 25, 2009

"And he said to them, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Luke 10:2

Ah, Autumn, Harvest, Fall. I don't know what it is, but this time of year truly brings out the best in me. There is something about the change in weather that makes me want to get all my ducks in a row so that I can get outside and enjoy this season as much as possible. Fall also invigorates my creative spirit, which leads to more crocheting, more writing and more blogging. I'm hoping to keep up with it all throughout the rest of the year, but if not, I will be glad to know that I made the most of this season.

A boost in my creative productivity invariably results in my curiosity being piqued. What are other crafters doing right now? So, at least this one time, I bring another edition of my Handmade Favorites feature. I hope you enjoy what I picked to represent the season. I spent a good number of hours searching and finally landed on these six, the best of the best, in my opinion. These items really spoke to me and epitomized my favorite time of year.


Rose over at Three Sheep Studio created this beautiful Fall Fruits Pillow. The pillow is made from 100% wool fabric and then the wonderful fall image of pumpkins was hand pieced and hand embroidered. She certainly didn't leave any details out and even trimmed the entire edge of the pillow with beautiful glass beads. I was first drawn to the wonderful autumnal hues she used and then was drawn in even more by the incredible detail and quality of the piece. The only hard part about owning this pillow would be putting it away the rest of the year!

Image used with permission from Rose at Three Sheep Studio.


This wonderful Pumpkins painting is part of the Farmer's Market Series by the talented Amy L. Gieschen. This original piece by Amy is acrylic on stretched canvas. It makes me want to rush out and find the nearest farmer's market selling pumpkins and apples just to be there. The subdued colors of the painting really evoke the feelings I associate with Autumn and I love that she cared enough about the subject matter to include such detail. I want this hanging over my kitchen table right this minute!

Image used with permission from Amy at Amy L. Gieschen.


A simple perusal of my closet would tell most people one thing; I love scarves. I enjoy making scarves, shopping for scarves and will willingly drop a fat chunk of change on the perfect one. If I had unlimited funds right now, this scarf by Kristin of SkiingWeaver would be on its way to my house. The Apple Cider Seasilk Handwoven Scarf is drop-dead gorgeous. The warp is perfect and the scarf drapes beautifully. I love those autumnal colors and can just imagine how great this would feel wrapped around my neck. I completely agree with Kristin's comment in her description that she "can practically smell apple cider" when she looks at this piece.

Image used with permission from Kristin at SkiingWeaver.


I tend to be a bit defensive of the fall season and stubbornly can't imagine what I'd have in common with someone who didn't love pumpkins. How could you not? Especially when they're so beautifully represented in fantastic jewelry pieces like these Great Pumpkin Orange Howlite Earrings! Aren't these just fab? I love that their creator, JustTheThing4U's shop owner, used antique brass findings instead of silver or gold-colored ones. It really adds to the character of the piece. The beadcaps and the twirled vine at the top of the pumpkins is just the right touch and creates an adorable bit of whimsy.

Image used with permission from Bridgitte at JustTheThing4U.


I don't know a single person that loves to eat pumpkin-infused treats more than my husband. I imagine he'd just love it if I came to bed every evening smelling like spiced pumpkin pie. Well now, I can! KB Shimmer has a great selection of soaps, lip balms and other pampering paraphernalia, but this Spiced Pumpkin Puree Cocoa Butter Soap looks the most appealing to me. The soap is made using real pumpkin puree and olive oil, shea butters and cocoa butters! It must provide a wonderful-smelling, luxurious lather. I love this picture I chose of the bars of soap; the mica chips really make it look like slices of pumpkin bread ready to be devoured!

Image used with permission from KB Shimmer.


I couldn't get through a Handmade Favorites post without finding the most delicious-looking baked goods to share with you. How would you like one less thing to bake this Thanksgiving? Sounds great, right? Well, I'm sure any family wouldn't mind chomping down on some of these adorable Thanksgiving Mix cookies by the baker(s) at Something Sweet Shop. The shop describes their baked goods as "designer cookies" and boy are they! These Thanksgiving-themed cookies are very cool with their piped details and fun fall colors. Be sure to check out their other cookies, too!

Image used with permission from Something Sweet Shop.


Well, that's it for now. I have a sudden urge to go grab a scarf, a couple of cookies and a mug of hot apple cider and plop myself down on the couch for the rest of the day, after my pumpkin-scented bat, of course. I want to thank all the talented artists who allowed me to use their images and feature their work. Thanks to everyone else for reading and be sure to click on those links! The work featured here is just the tip of the iceberg!

Thanks again and many blessings to you and yours!

Handmade Favorites for April 27, 2009

Good Monday afternoon, everyone! I really did intend to get this posted over the weekend, but I had such a wonderfully lazy time with hubby that I didn't get around to it. I'm sorry for that, but I also know you understand that when it's time to step away from the computer for a few days, you've just got to do it and enjoy it! On a side note, it really wasn't that lazy. We both got our workouts in and did a little housework/cleaning, and also planned the planting rows for our summer garden.

I've been spending some daily time in my Bible lately and for some reason, angels continue popping into my head during those readings. I'm still not sure where the connection is; I'm reading the Bible in chronological order, so I've been in Genesis and Job and there haven't been many references to the heavenly hosts thus far. Anyhow, as a result of these mental images, this week's handmade items are all angel-inspired.


The first item I chose for you sent me to the dictionary. I love handmade goodness that also teaches me something new! This gorgeous Wood Intarsia Angel is from Wood N Goods. Yes, "intarsia" is the word I had to head to the dictionary for! Intarsia is simply a form of wood inlaying similar to marquetry, however intarsia inlays sections of wood in a solid matrix as opposed to applying veneers to a base. (Thank you, wikipedia!) Now that I know the definition, I know just how much work was put into this piece. According to the shop, each piece is cut, shaped, hand-sanded and glued together. It is just amazing to me the color variations there are without the use of wood stains. The beautiful angel here is crafted out of four different woods by a very talented artist. Being a brunette myself, I love the flowing brown hair, but they do sell a blond version as well.

Image used with permission from Theresa at Wood N Goods.


I just adore these cute Mother's Day Angels by Poplar Springs Pottery. Sue is the creator of these ceramic angels that are 4" tall. Every one is hand thrown or built and is then glazed with lead-free glazes that Sue mixes herself. These beauties come in green or blue and I just can't pick my favorite between the two. I love their cute bob haircuts and their adorable matching halos. I have to be honest and let all of you know that at least one of these will be adorning my home in the near future. I just can't resist!

Image used with permission from Sue at Poplar Springs Pottery.


I'm absolutely addicted to the creations of Carrie at Poetsummer. I've featured two of her pieces before and I'm sure this next one won't be the last one. The thing that first drew me to her Guardian Angel Photo Charm Bracelet was the soothing tones of blue that she used for the beads. Every one of her pieces is high-quality and you can tell she spends a lot of time getting each part perfect. The images of children dressed as angels are adorable and I love that this bracelet is substantial without looking chunky. I still daydream about owning one of her pieces. I just don't know if I'll ever be able to pick just one that I want.

Image used with permission from Carrie at Poetsummer.


Cheri at Itsmecheri created these Angel Guards as the result of a personal experience that caused her to rely on God to send His angel guards to watch over her. You can read about her experience on her blog. These polymer clay creations are a great, innovative interpretation of angels that can be hung anywhere; your home, your car, your office and etc. This purple/gray color combo is my favorite that she has pictured, but she offers them in any color combo. The gift possibilities are endless; have them made in school colors to send with travelling teens as they participate in sports/band/dance/academic contests, order them in your wedding colors and gift them to your attendants; I'm sure you could make these a personal gift for anyone on your list.

Image used with permission from Cheri at Itsmecheri.


I love all things Japanese and origami is no exception. Imagine my excitement, then, when I stumbled upon these adorable Origami Angel Dangle Earrings from Funny Sky. These diminutive earrings are just 1.4" X 1.8", which illustrates the skill involved in creating these tiny wonders. They are triple-coated with a polymer sealant to render them water resistant. The paper components are paired with Swarovski and Japanese beads to complete these adorable accessories.

Image used with permission from Shirley at Funny Sky.


I have two awesome handmade sweets for you this week, both by the same amazing cake artist. If you head over to LizzyLu Tutus, you'll find "everything a little girl could want." In addition to those things, you will find these cute icing and gum paste cake toppers. You can choose between the Baby Boy Angel Topper and the Baby Girl Angel Topper. I love the little angel wings on the babies' backs. And do you see the cake underneath the Baby Girl Angel Topper? Well, she made that, too! I don't like to admit to envy, but I have to say that I am a bit envious of whoever the lucky girl was that had this cake for her baby shower. For more wonderful cakes by this talented artist, head over to Sweet Elegance, her blog.


Images used with permission from Misty at LizzyLu Tutus.



Once again that's it for this week! I hope you found something beautiful and inspirational in this wonderful group. I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the artists who allowed me to feature their items this week. I couldn't blog without you!

As always, thanks for reading and many blessings to you and yours!

Be on the lookout...

Coming soon! I will be, in the very near future, doing a wonderful give away. One of my favorite Etsy sellers, who has been featured on my "Handmade Favorites" before, has generously offered to donate an item for me to give away! I'm super excited about this, but will offer no further details until everything is set in stone.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Handmade Favorites for April 19, 2009

A few weeks ago, I introduced my little sister to you through her love of all things "monkey". Well, this week, I'd like to introduce my older sister, Karen. There are tons of things I could have picked to represent her, but none spoke to me more clearly than her love of music. God blessed her with a gift for learning and performing music. She has a passion for it that inspires me. I found some great music-related handmade items and I present them to you now.


The reasons for choosing this first item were threefold. First, it's a ukulele, in honor of our Hawaiian heritage. Second, it's a ukulele (I know, I know, a bit redundant), which is one of the instruments Karen is learning to play. Third, and finally, it's this awesome Hand-painted Pirate Ukulele and well, ARGH! I love this thing so much that it is the first item I have ever posted two pictures of! This find is by far one of my favorites that I've featured on my blog. I love the detail Inexplicable Confetti put into it and how the ship is painted against a black background; it really makes it stand out. The skull and crossbones at the top of the neck is great and I LOVE the treasure map on the back! The only problem I have with this creation is that the audience wouldn't be able to see both sides simultaneously while it was being strummed!

Images used with permission from Phillip at Inexplicable Confetti.


Next I bring you some great accessories for all female musicians to take notice of. These Treble Clef Earrings are from Leisa B. I'm not sure on the size of these earrings, but they look like they'd be rather large, which I love, but being hand-formed out of anodized aluminum, they won't weigh a ton like other large earrings. They can be made in numerous wonderful colors and I'd be rather excited to have a rainbow of these in my jewelry box. These would be the perfect accessory with a tee and jeans or to add a quirky twist to a more formal outfit. I think it would be great to wear this with a little black dress to a cocktail party!
Image used with permission from Leisa B.


Fused glass is one of those mediums that always amazes me, especially when the resulting art looks like these amazing Turntable Pins. I don't know if I can express how awesome I think these pieces by Jamie Burress are! I mean, just look at the detail and how perfectly the fusing of the glass came out! To give you an idea of how much detail there actually is, these pins are only 2" x 1 5/8". I don't know any DJ's, but I can think of several people who would love this funky accessory.

Image used with permission from Jamie Burress.


At Jewelry by Jennifer Casady, I discovered tons of high-quality sterling silver jewelry. I think I said "ooh" about every item she has up for sale. This week, though, our theme is music and nothing says "legitimate musician" like a Custom Hand-Stamped Sterling Silver Guitar Pick. The picks can be customized with any words/numbers you'd like and are hand-cut, hand-stamped and hand-shaped to complete the final product. She really puts a lot of work into getting these just right. I really like the idea of giving the guitar players in my life a keepsake pick that will last forever. This is a beautiful piece that would definitely meet the standards of any professional jewelry purveyor.

Image used with permission from Jennifer Casady.


The next item I bring to you this week is this very, very sweet Your Song Ring by Rickson Jewellry. The song featured on the ring on her Etsy shop is "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. You can see that the melody of the line is engraved on the outside of this sterling silver ring and the words are engraved on the inside. You can also send her your song and have that engraved on the band instead. I love the sentimental potential this ring has. Can't you picture it? Matching wedding bands, father to daughter rings, best friend rings! The possibilities are endless. This is definitely going on my Christmas wish list for hubby this year!

Image used with permission from Rickson at Rickson Jewellry.


Handmade baked goods are back! Prepare to be awed! The folks over at Charm City Cakes created this one of a kind cake and I think it would make a perfect birthday cake for Karen! She currently plays drums for the praise band at her church, so it would be a perfect fit for her. I just love all the great things produced by Duff and his crew. My favorite is the little Pearl logo on the side of the big tom. What a great cake!

Image source: Digg.com.


Well, that's it for this week! I hope you all enjoyed a peek into the greatness that is my sister, Karen! Thank you to all our artists this week for giving me permission to feature their work.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and thanks for reading!

Handmade Favorites for April 13, 2009

It has been far too long since I've posted a "real" post. After dealing with a nasty stomach virus, I was blessed with a minor, but still very painful, back strain. I think it's quite possible God was telling me to SLOW DOWN!! Well, priorities have been rearranged and I'm thankfully feeling much, much better. Thank you for your kind comments, good thoughts and prayers during my absence.

My handmade favorites for this week features Texan artists and a Texas staple. I chose to pick items that featured our state flower, the Texas Bluebonnet or Lupinis texensis. If you're from Texas, you know the joy that comes from driving down a highway that has been blessed with fields of these flowers. I remember many years as a child, heading to the nearest Bluebonnet field in our Easter best to snap pictures for that year's Easter cards. What a wonderful thing to be a part of this great state and to have so many talented artists who create beautiful representations of our state flower.


The first item I chose to show you is this gorgeous, and I mean gorgeous Wildflower Needle Felted Bag with Bees by Clower Cottage. The artist is from my hometown and has created this lovely clutch purse that is covered with several wildflowers. She hand-knit, felted and needle felted this work of art and I'm sure you are aware of just how much work that entails. I love the neutral caramel color of the background. It really makes the needle felted details pop! Her representation of our state's varied flora is really beautiful.

Image used with permission from Kim at Clower Cottage.


Good Scents Bath & Body makes the most awesome thing for a Texas gal to get excited about; Bluebonnet Soap! This is a luxury soap that she hand cuts! I love the beautiful blue swirls and the milky background. I don't know why, but it has an old-fashioned quality that I really love; like something a Victorian gentlewoman would have next to her wash basin.

Image used with permission from Karen at Good Scents Bath & Body.


I love bright, spring colors and this Spring Texas Style Wristlet certainly delivers! You can find this wristlet at Quilting Frenzy. First off, the fabric used is super cute! I also really like the coordinating blue piping that was used to trim out the wristlet. Her craftsmanship is really wonderful and the details are flawless. I can imagine SO many uses for this little wristlet; a coupon holder, a wallet, a passport holder, and the list goes on and on! This shop hails from South Texas, where my college days were spent and thoroughly enjoyed.

Image used with permission from Ann at Quilting Frenzy.


Texas Hill Country vistas are some of my fabric subject matter when it comes to art. Hailing from Abilene, dgpaul has a huge selection of wonderful prints to choose from. I had a hard time, but I finally chose this Rain For The Bluebonnets print of one of his original oil paintings. The one featured here is a miniature art print measuring 2.5" x 3.5", but it is also available in 8" x 10". The picturesque setting of this print reminds me of the slow roads and beautiful views of the ranches in Live Oak County. Images like this one should hold a special place in every Texan's heart. He portrays our state beautifully in his art. The colors he has used scream Texas countryside to me. Be sure to check out some of his other prints like Backroad Bluebonnets and Shadows In The Farmyard.

Image used with permission from David at dgpaul.


Hailing from West Texas won Joyful Heart Design some points from this transplanted West Texan, but they didn't need it once I saw this Bluebonnets and Horseshoes Notecard Set! My only regret is that I didn't find these 5 years ago when we were married. They would have been the perfect thank you cards to send to our wedding guests. The design is simple, elegant and oh-so-country! How wonderful. According to the shop, "Horseshoe and bluebonnet artwork is a copy of an original watercolor painting by my extermely talented friend and partner, Nathalie Kelley." Now I'm off to google the artist so I can find more of her beautiful work!

Image used with permission from JoDitt at Joyful Heart Design.


My final offering this week is this gorgeous Texas Bluebonnet Limited Edition Art Print from Nora's Art Jewels n' Gems. The first thing I noticed about this 8" x 10" print is how wonderfully detailed it is. I'm not 100% sure, but I'd bet that the artist was careful to make sure her portrayal of our state flower is anatomically correct. The original watercolor is so beautiful with its soft, subtle colors. It is a classic piece that would be well-suited to any home, whether cottage or contemporary, modest or modern. Lonora really is a talented artist.

Image used with permission from Lonora Jessamine at Nora's Art Jewels n' Gems. All work from Nora's Art Jewels n' Gems is copyrighted and is not for copying or resale without written permission by artist Lonora Jessamine.


Well, that's all I've got this week. I was unable to find bluebonnet-related baked goods, so if you find some, send me a link! I want to thank all the artists for allowing me to feature their items and also for their patience while I was recovering.

Thank you for reading and many blessings to you and yours!

Handmade Favorites for March 15, 2009

In anticipation of the 17th of March, coming in just two days, my favorites for this week all relate to St. Patrick's Day. I do enjoy reading about a bit of St. Patty's Day "frivolity", but we tend to stop our celebration at the wearing of green.

I was curious about the origins of the day, so I did a little research. Saint Patrick (386-493) is the patron saint of Ireland. The anniversary of his death, March 17, is a feast day that celebrates his life. A pagan until he was 16, Maewyn (St. Patrick's given name), was sold into slavery and as a result became closer to God. His passion was to convert the native pagans of Ireland to Christianity and his mission there lasted 30 years. He was arrested many times for upsetting the Celtic Druids, but always escaped. St. Patrick is widely regarded as the person responsible for the conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. The holiday was originally Catholic in origin, but has become primarily secular since then. It was brought to America by Irish-American immigrants. St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737. The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is held in New York City with a reported 2 million spectators.

Now that we know what it's all about, how about we get on to the handmade goods?


The first item this week is a Saint Patrick's Day Basket Purse handmade by the folks at The Elliott's Closet. The purse has a reinforced bottom to keep it from bending and awesome bamboo handles. I love the postcard print fabric and how the crafter centered the image of and emerald-colored castle on the purse. Finally, the purse is fully lined with an apropos shamrock print fabric. I don't know if having this by your side will keep you from being pinched, but it's a great accessory, so why not carry it anyway?

Image used with permission from TionneStrife.


It's no secret that I love our dogs, Toby and Ranger, so it was a pleasant surprise for me to find these St. Patrick's Day Treats made by 3 Dogs & A Chick. Nicole, the proprietor, bakes these peanut butter bones, a best seller, with only human-grade ingredients. The bones are dipped in either carob, a chocolate alternative, or yogurt and then sprinkled with shamrocks. I've always been a dog person and being able to provide them with healthy, delicious treats is always a great thing. Show your pups you love them this St. Patty's Day with some treats from 3 Dogs & A Chick! Check out their website for tons of great stuff, including a great blog!

Image used with permission from Nicole at 3 Dogs & A Chick.


To fulfill your green-wearing requirement this St. Patrick's Day, I've found another beautiful charm bracelet. This one, by the mother-daughter duo at The Goblin Tree, would be a stylish way to ward off would-be pinchers. The Luck Of The Irish Emerald Green St. Patrick's Day Charm Bracelet is stunning with its iridescent crystal beads, shamrocks and four-leaf clovers and the focal point leprechaun hat charm, all in varying shades of green. You know I'm a stickler for quality and this bracelet doesn't disappoint. This mother-daughter duo is obviously doing something right. I will be keeping an eye on their store for what's to come!

Image used with permission from Elsa at The Goblin Tree.


According to legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the Trinity and how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. M. C. at Sloopy Jewels has crafted these elegant St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Sterling Silver Earrings. I love that these earrings are themed towards St. Patrick's Day, but could easily be a part of your daily attire. Attached to the emerald swarovski crystals is a silver disc that the artist has stamped herself. I love the dark green of the crystals against the silver. What a great combo! I'm certainly coveting a pair of these earrings to wear next year!

Image used with permission from M.C. at Sloopy Jewels.


The Little Piggy Went to Market has created a great St. Patrick's Day decor item for your home. This 10 inch St. Patrick's Day Wool Felt Penny Rug/Table Mat would look great on any side table! It is hand sewn out of a double layer of wool felt into a whimsical St. Patrick's Day piece. She even offers a set of matching ornaments for sale! The stitching on her work is so perfect and evenly spaced. It makes the obsessive compulsive side of my heart flutter a bit. I love the folk-art feel of her work and want a penny rug from her for every holiday!

Image used with permission from Mary at MaryImp.


If you'd prefer to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with food, have I got a treat for you! I decided to pass on featuring the meat cupcakes with mashed potato "frosting" in favor of these beauties by Julie at Blue Cupcake. Her creations can be custom-made for your event and she sells them from a booth at some of L.A.'s farmers' markets. I love the whimsical fondant, I assume, themed toppers for the cupcakes, especially the pot of gold and the horseshoe. They look yummy and make me want to go in search of a cupcake right this instant!

Image source: www.bluecupcakebyjulie.blogspot.com/.


Well, that's it for this week, folks! I want to thank all of our wonderful artists for allowing me to feature them and I hope they get a couple of visits from you as a result. Enjoy your week and your Saint Patrick's Day fun!

Thanks for reading and many blessings to you and yours.

Surprise in the Mail!

Some of you may remember my Handmade Favorites post from March 1, 2009. In it, I extolled the glories of some of my favorite handcrafted items that I thought would remind me of my faith in the Lord throughout the day. One of my favorite favorites ;) was a beautiful prayer journal made by noteworthy on Etsy. It was such a beautiful and practical journal and I don't mind saying that I coveted one for myself.


Well, imagine my surprise when I ran to the post office this afternoon for the mail and found the exact journal I blogged about waiting for me! I was so excited. My dear Mom, one of my most faithful readers, saw my post and thought it would make a great "just because I love you" gift for me. Well, she was right! I love it! It's the perfect size for me to be able to carry all the time and I love the pattern on the cover. This is something I'll have with me until the last page is filled out. I can't wait to start entering things and being able to remember what I'm praying about!

Thanks, Mom! You always make me smile, even without the "just because" blessings you always shower on the five of us. You truly are the best mother a person could have.

Handmade Favorites for March 8, 2009

Being close to my family is one of the most important aspects of my life. That being said, I didn't have to look far for inspiration for this week's Handmade Favorites. I've decided to feature one of my family members one weekend per month for the next few months and decided to go from the bottom up ("the first shall be last" ;)). This week, my favorites have been inspired by my little sister, Kristen. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Kristen, well, maybe not the first thing, but one of the first few things is monkeys. Kristen is a bit of a monkey fanatic. She's toned it down recently, but she really does love them still.

Finding favorites in the monkey category was surprisingly tough. Monkey crafts are abundant and why wouldn't they be? They're stinking adorable. So without further adieu, my picks for monkey-themed crafts!


This funky Three Wise Monkeys Silver Ring is made to order by Linnea at Linnea's Silver Arrays. I love the three monkeys; Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru, and the proverb they represent. Linnea has created a wonderful ring and I feel it has an almost ancient quality to it. Like something one might find at an anthropological dig. The monkeys are featured in an understated way that makes this piece of art completely wearable. Kudos to Linnea for this awesome ring!

Image used with permission from Linnea at Linnea's Silver Array.


Marisa at Elegant Snobbery drew this adorable colored pencil illustration, which she sells as a print to customers. The Sir Jimmy and the Dragon 11 x 14 Print is a cute adaptation of a fun story that I assume originated in Marisa's imagination. The print is part of her silly sock monkeys collection. Looking at this print, I envision an entire nursery inspired by the whimsical characters. It is a clean, well-drawn illustration that could grace the walls of countless nurseries and preschool classrooms.

Image is used with permission from Marisa at Elegant Snobbery.


The next item is super cool in both its utility and aesthetic. Check out the super cute fabric Annelies at Annelies Bags used for her Brown Monkey Pattern Tote! I love the way the tails of the monkeys make a little curlicue at the end. The construction of the bag is flawless and she makes a somewhat whimsical subject seem elegant. I enjoy every part of this bag, down to the raw edge handle and the vintage belt buckle closure. The colors are great and make for a great every-day tote.

Image used with permission from Annelies at Annelies Bags.


Sock monkeys abound for purchase online, but none are quite like these! What better cake topper for a monky-loving couple than this Sock Monkey Wedding Cake Topper by Spirit Mama. Waxela (wa-shay-la) aka Spirit Mama is the creator of this adorable polymer clay topper that she will customize to feature your own wedding colors as well as special details (like the glasses). Polymer clay can be a tough medium to perfect and Waxela seems to have a handle on it! This cake topper is just great and I just don't want to stop gushing about it. I'd love to see this on a real cake one day.

Image used with permission from Waxela at Spirit Mama.


My Bead Garden made the polymer clay beads for this cute Monkey Purse Charm/Fob. I rarely have two polymer clay features in the same week, but this was another example of flawless execution that couldn't be left out! Nancy made the beads and combined them with Swarovski crystal beads and "Moonglow" beads for a very pretty purse charm. I would like to focus on the adorable monkey that she created. I'm in love with his adorable smile, big ears and rotund body. He looks like he's ready for a big hug!

Image used with permission from My Bead Garden.


My sisters, my parents and I all went to Judson High School and our school colors were red and gray. I knew I had to feature a sock monkey here and I picked this adorable Red and Grey Stripey Sock Monkey by Helen at Storyshop to honor our alma mater! I love his big ears and his stitched-on eyes make him a safer toy for youngsters. He's a great-looking sock monkey and I'm really excited about the fact that he can sit up on his own! What a cute little guy!

Image used with permission from Helen at Storyshop.


This trio of frolicking monkeys is adorable! This Set of 3 Art Prints by Smiley Walls Art Studio is really cute and so professionally done. There are three prints on 8' x 10' high quality art paper featuring three adorable monkeys and their playtime antics. I love their chubby cheeks and curly tails and how crisp the lines are in this piece. They're really clean paintings that are also really fun! These prints are another great option for nursery or preschool classroom walls. Can't you imagine just how cute that would be?!

Image used with permission from Beril at Smiley Walls Art Studio.


My baked choice of the week is by Sugar Creations. Check out this adorable first birthday party cake! I have to admit that even the elephant on this cake is cute! The single monkey face cake for the birthday boy to rip into is a great idea and I'm glad that the crew over at Sugar Creations made a cute cake for that. So often you see an awesome cake for the birthday guests, but the guest of honor just gets to rip into a plain white cake. That's not fair! Lol! In every way, this looks like a top-notch cake. The design is cute and age-appropriate and the fondant technique is stellar. The cake looks so smooth! I wonder what the birthday boy thought!

Image source: Sugarcreations.com.


And here's a pic of the monkey and I when we were looking at Christmas lights in Austin this past year. I love you, seester! Thanks for the inspiration!!!!



Well, that's it for this week! I hope you and my monkey of a little sister enjoyed reading it. Enjoy your day and, as always; thanks for reading!