Christmas is Coming! - Etsy Inspired Challenge #107

Well, September is flying by which means that Christmas will be here before we know it! So what better way to find some unique gifts than by checking out our featured Etsy shops and wonderful sponsors that we have each week for the Etsy Inspired Challenge! And even using the challenge to create a few crafty gifts of your own! :) That is what I have done this week.

Indigo Twin offers wonderfully unique folk art sculptures. I was inspired by their Christmas section, especially these cute little holiday mice!

So, some of you may remember the thankful blocks I created last year...which landed me my first official publication! Well, I decided to create some Christmas blocks using American Crafts Merrymint collection and thickers.



I love how these turned out...great for the mantle or a centerpiece for the table (especially since they are double-sided). These are a fun home decor item and nice to give as a gift too. Simply cut up some scrap wood and adhere your favorite patterned papers and letters with whatever words work well for the occasion!

Okay now it's your turn! Check out the Etsy Inspired Blog for all the details on how you can play along and the great prizes you could win from Indigo Twin or our sponsor this week, Blackleaf Studios.

Visit the rest of the Design Team for more inspiration!

• Ashley
• De
• Emily B
• Emily N
• Joy
• Kerry
• Kim (September Guest Designer)
• Savannah
• Stephanie
• Virginia

I am busy this weekend getting things ready to list in my own Etsy shop as the holiday shopping season begins! Hope you have a wonderful and productive weekend of your own!

Remember the Little Things - Etsy Inspired Challenge #106

Hello all! This week I have been realizing how fast time goes by, especially when you are raising children who seem to grow in new ways every day. So, I was inspired by my feelings and our featured Etsy shop this week, Pegasus Maiden, to create a little journal (perfect for tucking in my purse) to help me remember the little things that my children are doing at this age. Although I feel now that I will probably never forget these cute and special memories, I think that sometimes the little details get forgotten and sometimes those are the most important.



I was inspired by all the pretty peacock hair accessories in Pegasus Maiden's shop to dig into my BoBunny Peacock Lane stash and create this journal. This journal was super easy to create because I simply embellished the Noteworthy Journaling Cards. It is already filled with a variety of coordinating patterns/journal cards for writing on, so all I did was add an extra piece under the peacock transparency, the word remember, and 'the little things' sticker to make this journal the perfect fit for me. I know I will be buying more of these Journaling Cards to create other journals and they would also make for a great mini album if you have some small wallet size pictures to use up.

One of the first 'little things' I wrote about was my youngest son's adorable mispronunciations like 'smarshmallows' and 'aminals'.

Okay, now for the details of the Etsy Inspired Challenge! You can play along for your chance to win some great prizes! Simply...
- Visit Pegasus Maiden's shop and find an item that inspires you
- Create a project of your own and link it up to the Etsy Inspired Blog by Friday at noon

Our Sponsor this week is Schlosser Designs, who will be giving one lucky winner two stamp sets of their choosing!

Thanks for visiting me today! I know I haven't been around a lot lately but I so love hearing from you all! And I'm sure these ladies do too!

Ashley

De

Emily B.

Emily N.

Joy

Kim Wilson {September Guest DT}

Savannah

Stephanie

Virginia

Have a wonderful weekend!

Just Breathe

That is my mantra for this week. My little one is starting preschool this week and between both of my son's schools I have a lot of commitments like helping in the classroom each week, monthly meetings, and class jobs such as newsletter editior. So, last night as I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the influx of about 20 emails full of school info, I took some time to just breathe, browse Etsy, and I came up with this tranquil treasury which I titled Pure Zen.

This morning I took some time to add new items to my shop such as buttons, creativity kits, and cards. And for those of you who have been wondering where my card making kits for kids went, I have been redesigning them and will be listing several by the end of the month.

Here is one of the new cards I listed.

Wishing you a peaceful and relaxing day!

Another Layout! - Etsy Inspired Challenge #105

Happy Saturday everyone! Well, we got through the first week of school. Adjusting to the new schedule has been a bit challenging especially with extra activities and school meetings, but both the boys are excited about their teachers and school this year so I can't complain too much! :)

Our featured Etsy shop this week is Handmade Whimzy which has a variety of items for you to be inspired by. I personally love all her aprons and was inspired to pull out my American Crafts Halloween papers when I saw this apron.

However, I used them to create a very non-Halloween layout. So be sure to take a second look at some of your holiday papers and see how you might be able to use them for other occasions!


I love how this layout captures my son's love for Gymboree and all the fun activities he enjoys there!

Now it's your turn to be Etsy Inspired! Visit Handmade Whimzy and find an item that inspires you. Create a project of your own and link it up to the Etsy Inspired Blog for your chance to win an eye pillow from Handmade Whimzy or a $10 gift voucher from our fabulous sponsor this week, Craft Brulee!

Check out these talented ladies to see what inspired them this week!

• Ashley
• De
• Emily B
• Emily N
• Joy
• Kerry
• Kim (September Guest Designer)
• Savannah
• Stephanie
• Virginia

Have a wonderful weekend! We have some people coming to look at our house this weekend (hoping they'll want to buy it too!), a soccer game, and we have a birthday party to attend, so it should be fun!

Do you love purple?

If so, I just created a lovely treasury filled with plum, currant, and wine colored items. Check it out HERE! There are some really pretty earrings and great shops to discover!

Lucky Me - Etsy Inspired Challenge #104

Hello blogging friends! I hope you've been enjoying the last little bit of summer. I am sooooo not ready for my oldest son to start back to school. I miss him so much when he's at school all day! And his little brother is going to miss having his favorite playmate around too.

I really am so lucky to have been blessed with these two wonderful boys, which brings me to my Etsy Inspired project this week.

These pictures are from Mother's Day. All of the products used are BoBunny.

Our featured Etsy shop this week, Glamasaurus, is filled with tons of fun and sweet jewelry and accessories! I love her Floral Cameo Rings, especially this pretty purple one. Don't you just love the scalloped edge and vintage/feminine feel to this piece?! If you win the challenge this week you might get a chance to purchase one of these with the $20 gift certificate Glamasaurus is generously giving away!

We also have a great sponsor this week, Tiffany Doodles! With lots of fun images to choose from, 3 lucky winners will have their chance to pick a few of their favorites!

Check out the Etsy Inspired Blog for all the details on how to play along in the challenge.

And these lovely ladies have some fabulous Etsy Inspired projects to share too!

• Ashley
• De
• Emily B
• Emily N
• Joy
• Kim (September Guest Designer)
• Savannah
• Stephanie
• Virginia

Enjoy the holiday weekend! I'll be working on a custom order for my Etsy shop and enjoying every last minute I can with my son before school starts! :)