A Gorgeous Sew Fierce Long Sleeve Peasant Dress & Chunky Necklace

My daughter absolutely LOVED the holiday dress I got for her last year from Sew Fierce.  So much that she wanted to keep wearing it long after Christmas had come and gone.  It's so comfortable and easy to put on, with no buttons or zippers to deal with, and it looks equally lovely with or without the sash.

As we planned her fall wardrobe, ER was quick to remind me she really wanted a new long sleeved peasant style dress.  It took just a few messages back and forth with Sew Fierce owner Steph and we were all set up for a new custom made dress.  It just arrived and it is gorgeous!

The long sleeved peasant style has so many pretty details, from the sash to the ruffled hem.

Isn't the fabric Steph picked for us stunning?  It's so pretty and pink, just like E wanted, but a more sophisticated pink that reflects how my little girl is turning into a little lady.  The colors are so rich and vibrant.  When Steph sent me a photo of a swatch to look at, I knew E would flip for it.

Steph also makes the ultimate little girl accessory - chunky necklaces!  They are such a fun statement look.  Youthful, kitchy, with sparkle and glamour, they are what every girly girl loves.  When I surprised E with it, she squealed with delight when she saw the shiny beads and the My Little Pony on it. 

We love all our Sew Fierce Boutique creations.  They are truly high quality heirloom outfits that are so so much nicer than anything you can buy at the store.  Steph has always been wonderful to work with, so much so that we've become friends and not just etsy seller and fan :)  I can't rave enough about her, and know that you'll all love her beautifully detailed work, go check her out!

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FYI: Steph recently launched her new Betsy design.  It's so pretty with it's lace sleeves.  Seriously, you have to go check it out, she's even got adorable Halloween dresses in that style! 

Chronicle Eye Candy Craft Month- Amazing ebook Deals

I just found out about a super cool deal from Chronicle Books that I'm really excited about and I know my crafty friends will be too!  I just happened to be checking out one of my favorite publisher's websites and chanced upon their blog.  I'm so glad I did!  Check out Chronicle Eye Candy for the awesome deals they are running this month on nine of their ebooks, each one starts at just $3.99!  Then make sure you check back as they select new titles for each month!

I immediately spied one title I've had my eye on for awhile: 1,2,3 Sew and scored it for just $2.51 though Google Play!!!  $2.51!!!  Can you believe it?  I'm loving it!   Basically, I'm now planning to go back and purchase pretty much every other book, except for the knit and crochet titles because those are not among my crafting skills.

In case, you are hesitant to purchase a ebook version of a craft book, let me reassure you that you can easily enlarge the photos to get a closer look and there's a download link to get the patterns via a PDF.  My experience on my NookHD has been very good with Chronicle's ebooks.  I hope they release more of their terrific titles in this format.  I would especially like to see Best Lunch Box Ever.



PS: In case you are wondering, since I do frequently post review, this is in no way a sponsored review of either Chronicle Books or NookHD.

Sew Fierce's Ruffled Peasant Dress, Love It!

My friend Steph over at Sew Fierce has done it again, made the perfect dress!   We got this in the mail and ER squealed with delight.  She had to put it on immediately and wear it the rest of the day, mind you...it was NOT dress weather at all.  But that's how excited she was.

After the sun decided to come on back to MI we headed outside to snap a few pictures so everyone could see how super cute it is.  It's an A-line and has a lovely clean classic silhouette with a funky ruffle to add some personality!  I love how the ruffles flitter a bit in the breeze. 

Steph's got another one listed, in different fabric but equally fabulous :)  So hurry on over and pick it up before it's gone!

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Sew Fierce: Pretty In Pink Halter Summer Dress

On Monday I ordered E a Pretty In Pink Halter Summer Dress from one of our favorite Etsy stores, Sew Fierce and it's already arrived!  We love it, it's just gorgeous!

We are repeat buyers and lucky enough to have a twirl ready skirt and a wipes case that matches, sun hat, and a few outfits.  E's finally outgrown her favorite, the Whimsy Faith Top and Ruffled Capris.  She was so sad, insert little five year old's sad face here.  So we went online and she picked out a new favorite from what Stephanie had listed.  She wanted another outfit that tied at the neck, she loves those and they really add a custom boutique look.

She also loved this little detail.  I have no idea what it's called, but it's really pretty and she's never had anything else like it.  This is definitely another one of a kind heirloom quality outfit.  It's a size 6/7 so we should be able to get two summers out of it.

Look how pretty the dress came, good things always come tied up in ribbon.  Stephanie also sent along a cute set of coordinating pony tail holders, those were a surprise and are super cute.

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Martha Stewart Home Office by Avery

I'm a huge office supply and organizer product junkie.  When I won the giveaway for some goodies from the new Martha Stewart Home Office by Avery line from Molly at Go Mom! Outsmart the Chaos I was over the moon with excitement! 

I was somewhat familiar with the products, although I had not yet seen any in person, because it seems like very Project Life blogger is using her file folder labels on their pages.  I've been eager to get to a Staples to check out the kraft labels.  I had no idea what to expect but thought it would be along the lines of what Molly reviewed and I was hoping it would include one of the gorgeous looking shagreen binders in blue.  I was not disappointed!

I got not just the blue shagreen binder but also a small format shagreen binder in a cheerful shade of red.  They are beautiful, here is a better view of texture on the binders so you can appreciate just how lovely they are, with a bin of sheen to them.

One of the best details put into the design of the larger blue shagreen binder is great little pocket with fabric sides that expands as you fill it.  It is not the length of the whole inside but is sized to fit standard 8.5X11 sheets of paper. 

The other nice thing, are the One-Touch EZD™ rings that open with the press of this rubber covered tab.  They are described as holding 50% more paper than other rings the same size.  I haven't loaded this one up yet, but since I always have a ton of loose papers, I sure hope they do!

Along with the blue shagreen binder I got an assortment of accessories.  It's hard to pick a favorite, but the filler pages are pretty special.  They are printed in the same shade as the blue binder and on one end is a perforated task list, so you can easily tear off your to do list.  Funny how such a simple thing can be so innovative. 

If I was still teaching, I could see myself taking notes during staff meetings, while being able to write out my grocery list at the same time.  I mean, if I did that sort of thing, because no siree my mind never, ever wandered during staff meetings! 

Everything that can be made more beautiful is, the dividers have a subtle linen print on one side, solid on the other.  I also got a zipper pouch, which is very handy for loose things like stamps and a pen. 

I got a similar set of accessories for the small format shagreen binder in red, the main difference being the dividers.  These are also write on but made out of plastic for durability. 

I love the pretty little note tabs and sticky notes are so much I had to show you both sets.  They come in flourish, shown above, and notch, shown below.  You'll want both just for the cuteness factor alone, but also because they stick longer and to more surfaces than most.  The note tabs are really thick and heavy, no worrying that they'll come off your pages and you'll loose track of your sections.

The best part?  They fit perfectly inside each of the binders, so you never have to hunt for one again.  Love these!  Thank you so much to Molly at Go Mom! Outsmart the Chaos and Avery for this fun bundle of Martha Stewart Home Office by Avery!  I am excited to add the calendar and one as our family command center binder to keep all of our schedules organized.

Part 2: Support Handmade for the Holidays Participants Continued

Today I've got the second half of the Support Handmade participants to introduce you all to.  Let's get right into it!

Kristina's company is Plum Paper, an exciting new company, she started and has been building over the past year.  She designs wedding invitations, cards, baby announcements, holiday cards, and more. There are many designs to choose from and they also offer completely custom wedding and social stationary.

She also has a delightful blog that features her products, DIY projects, and things that inspire her designs.  One of her latest posts has a tutorial for a Notebook DIY, complete with free cover download that you can personalize.  They'd make a great stocking stuffer!

My Pick:

Since the holidays are coming up, I picked my favorite design.  The clean design is full of interesting details like a dotted border, flag shaped date, and the beautiful swirly font.  Love it!  Plus gray envelopes are so fresh and unexpected.

I can't leave out mentioning her Baby Announcements, they are so cute and I love that each comes with a return address label.  And it's not just any ol' ordinary label, it's super fab, really!  I also like her use of unexpected colors like coral, some even come with coral envelopes!  You all know what a stationary addict I am, and how I could go on and on!

Lauren's email got my attention right away, as she started off by announcing she was a "hooker" {as in a crocheter}.  After I finished laughing to myself, cause that certainly caught me off guard, I knew before I even clicked over to her blog I was gonna like her!  Gotta love a sense of humor!

Here is a bit of Lauren's story: I taught myself how to crochet when I was 18 and started making things for children when I was pregnant with my daughter. My daughter is now 2 years old and is full of spunk! She loves to sit on my yarn or try to steal one of my hooks so my crocheting has been moved to nap time and night time! I also love cooking and crafting which is why I started a blog just under a year ago. I post kid friendly recipes, crafts and tutorials for the grown ups too! I work full time and creating is my way of relaxing. My husband is super supportive of all I do and there is not one thing I make that he doesn't compliment.

Sounds like a good husband, huh?  Must be like mine, someone who doesn't mind tripping over crafting supplies!

My Pick:

Oh goodness check out this!!!  Isn't this Birthday Party Hat with Fur Pom Pom just so stinkin' adorable!!!  I can't add enough !!! to describe it!  I am tempted to get one for ME!  Okay, well may be not but I wonder if LB would mind wearing it.  I'm sure it's very masculine looking in different colors. 

Brad wanted to weigh in and suggest the football hat/beanie and being infinitely more suitable, but c'mon can anyone pass up that fur trim?!

Alison at Toile Good Things is someone I met through the weekly linky party I co-host.  I was already very familiar with her craftiness when she contacted me about Support Handmade.  I'm so pleased to have the opportunity to share some of the amazing home decor items she makes with old book pages.  You'll be so impressed by how she transforms them!

My Pick:

Page Book Chalkboard Wreath:  I love how words are incorporated into this unique wall decor.  Not only are they on the pages but it's clever how you can add your own special word on the chalkboard.  Nice how you can change it to match your mood or the season!


JAQS Studio's owner is am a mom of 2 and her dream is to make handmade creations her full time gig one day :).   She's so talented, I can definitely seen that becoming a reality!  She loves sewing and crafts and her shop is featuring handmade quilts and cloth napkins for the holidays.  She also blogs and shares her amazing quilts.  She's been very busy this year, you won't believe all the projects she's finished!  I have quilter's envy!

My Pick:

Boxed Zoo - Green 64"X88":  I could gush about the combination of polka dots, stripes, and animals all day!  I love the hip and modern fabrics she picked, the designer zoo animal print will look fresh and current years from now. 

It's perfect for any child's bedroom and is such a lovely statement piece, it's a great jumping off place when planning your child's room decor.  It's ready to be snuggled under now and enjoyed for a lifetime.  Q has a great eye for combining fabrics!

Jennifer from Modesty Matters contacted me to tell me about their blog, a great resource for sewing tutorials.  There's lots of ideas there, some very neat ones I'd never heard of before like a paci-tee.  Tutorials include lots of photos and often a printable version.

On their main website, "We teach sewing using video (with LOTS of close-ups), photos, text, and hands-on experiences. We even have a video set that teaches how to make clothing for those wonderful American Girl and Beautiful Girlhood type of dolls! Even better – there are matching styles available for little girls, so they can match their dolls! This is usually a big hit around Christmas time."

My Pick:

Colonial Costume Dress: My kiddo's favorite American Girl doll is Felicity, shhh...Grandma's got one for ER when she's a little older.  Part of the attraction to her for ER are the dresses.  That girl loves dress up.  I know she'd go wild over one like this!  I love how your pattern purchase includes, instructions and video tutorials that will help walk you step-by-step through every project.  Cause I'd need all the help I can get to make anything like this!

Sabina from SBB1 HANDMADE has been sewing, crocheting and knitting practically all of her life.  She began crocheting before the age of 3! She blogs about sewing and craft at Slip Stitches & More. 

There you will find sewing tips, tutorials, and whatever handmade art she is into at the time.  Plus snippets from what she describes as her organicky greeny lifestyle, which includes freezer cooking and other fun challenges.  Aside from designing and constructing clothing, she also has her own line of reusable cloth feminine protection pads and accessories and other green handmade items. 

Sabina is also a traveler and just returned home the states from the middle eastern part of the world about a year ago. She's always going somewhere with her husband, and brings us along when she shares those moments on Slip Stitches & More.

My Pick:

I was drawn to this Regular Size Wet & Dry Bag Black with Red and White Flowers because I carry around a lot of wet burp clothes and baby clothes that have been spit up on or are soiled.  I think it's design with a side for wet and a side for dry items is really creative.  The construction of the bag with a hanging strap makes it sound extra handy, because I can hang it from my stroller.

Dalia from Inspirations by D specializes in glass magnets, push pins and pendants all made by her.  She is currently working on a more items now that the holidays are approaching, so make sure you keep checking back!  You can also keep up with her on her blog, where she tempts fans with sneak peaks of soon to be listed products.

This may be cheating a bit, because it's mean to show you something no longer available, but I've been familiar with Inspirations by D for awhile now.  I've always liked her pendants and this Silver Butterfly Pendant is my all time favorite.  It's sold but if you ask nicely I bet D will help you out!

But I won't leave you without suggesting something still in stock.  The Glass Push Pin Vintage Santa are the perfect thing to dress up your cork board and make organizing notes elegant.  When the holidays are over replace with the Push Pins in Shades of Green, Pink, and Blue.

I can't believe I'm on my last feature already!  Hasn't it been a great collection of bloggers and shops!  I'll finish with Sara, whom I know from her blog Happy Brown House.  She quit her day job to be a full-time mommy and for years, friends have oohed and ahhed over her handmade gifts.  With the encouragement of friends, she turned nap time into sewing time and Stitches by Sara was born. It's both her creative outlet and "me" time during the day. Almost all of her items can be customized with a monogram or other embroidery design and she loves custom orders!

Sara has an especially good reason to turn on her sewing machine, all proceeds from Stitches by Sara go toward her family's plans to adopt. She'd like to thank you in advance for helping her family bring their little one home!  As an adult adoptee, raising money for kids to come join their forever family is an especially poignant cause and one I'm happy to support!

My Pick:
Embroidered Owl Hair Clip: At just $3 this felt hair accessory is such a cute stocking stuffer!  Birds not your thing, your little sports fan can also clip in an embroidered football hair clip or another of her hair clip designs.  While getting that for my girly girl, I think I'd also have to add a coffee cozy to my cart :)

To see Part 1 of the Participants, click here, and be on the look out for tutorials from the Support Handmade bloggers and shops all month long!

Part 1: Support Handmade for the Holidays Participants

I'm really excited by all the shops that signed up for my side bar event.  It was kind of an on a whim decision to see if anyone wanted to do it.  I was secretly a little worried no one would!  Glad I was wrong and excited to help get the names of these shop owners out and spread the word about their products.

So like I said, I really like to support independent artisans when possible.  It's nice to know your purchases are going to support an individual and their family.  Plus as someone who is passionate about memory keeping and scrapbooking, it gives me a lot of satisfaction knowing I'm helping someone else live out their dream of doing their passion for a living. 

Each of the following businesses will be featured on my sidebar all month long and into December.   I hope when you start thinking about holiday gifts you'll check one of them out first!  I've been to each one and have found lots of great things.  I've found lots of new favorite shops and I'd like to feature "My Pick" for each one below. 

It was easy to pick out my favorite thing at Happy Hapa, it's gotta be Sharon's camera straps.  Why, you ask?  Because I already own one :) 

One a lot like the Aloha Hawaiian Print Patchwork Camera Strap.  Mine just doesn't have the cap pocket, because I like to keep mine strapped to the camera.  Mine is also a custom size, made to the size I requested.  Love it!

The camera strap isn't the only thing we've gotten from Sharon.  We also have an awesome car organizer, that Sharon helped me find the perfect fabrics for.  Most recently we got some fun Barbie dresses and a mermaid towel that's the envy of every other little girl at our neighborhood pool.




  

Step at Sew Fierce is another blogger I met and then found out about her shop.  She makes beautiful outfits for little girls and great accessories for babies too.  We are lucky enough to have a twirl ready skirt and a wipes case that matches, sun hat, and a few outfits.  I could never in a million years sew anything nearly as nice as Steph.  So when I want a special outfit, I don't even try.  I just browse her shop.

My Pick:

The Lilac Breeze Halter Dress, because  I love the double layer look and the ruffles.  It's so pretty and girly, perfect for the summer days we'll soon be missing so much in the Midwest.

Maryanne from Scrappy Gifts is the third blogger I regularly read and visit online.  I often participate in her monthly Online Crops and have won a few prizes from her.  The scrappy canvas is in my daughter's room and the scrappy box she made us is in my office.  If you missed it, check out her guest post from last Friday.

My Pick:

Definitely the Scrappy Box,  it's such a unique way to show off your favorite photos.  I love that it's interactive and visitors to our home always think it's just the neatest thing ever.  Get the laminated version, because you and your friends won't be able to put it down.  It's going to be handled and looked at constantly.


The blogger behind Love Notes by Lauren is a newlywed preschool teacher doing crafts, going to school, and loving fashion.  Her shop is called Lulu's Little Loft and in this virtual loft you'll find signs, banners, artwork, frames, design, invites, and more.

My Pick:

You and Me Word Board - I love the look of hand lettering but never like it when I do it.  Lauren's is such a fun mix of eclectic handwriting styles and all the different phrases are so sweet.






Suzy from Suzy's Artsy-Craftsy Sitcom specializes in Ukrainian Eggs.  They make fabulous, unique Christmas ornaments and gifts.  If you've never seen Ukrainian eggs before you won't believe how impressive they are, really gorgeous!  She'll tell you a little bit more about them in her guest post Friday.

My Pick:

Two Turtle Doves-Ukrainian Egg: I love the motif and colors of this one of a kind egg representing a line from one of the season's most famous songs.  Series of dyes and bees wax went into creating this fabulously decorated goose egg.  I am fascinated by the technique that goes into creating these!








Amy from One Artsy Mama stocks her shop with a combination of things she makes.  She focuses mainly on jewelry, with an emphasis on modern, personal family jewelry for moms, grandmothers, and the other women in your life.  She also does blog buttons/headers/other graphic design.  Amy will be here next week with a tutorial on how to make her Pop of Color Earrings. 

 My Pick:

Sweet Peas in a Pod Necklace: This pendant caught my eye right away.  Now that I have two kiddos it would be a fun mommy necklace to represent both of my little loves.  This necklace can be customized with up to four glass beads to fit your family.  Amy also has another family jewelry options, a cute nest and birth stone necklaces.  Her wrapped wire style is really quite dainty looking, very feminine and pretty.

Maureen's story behind Release Me Creations is so moving that I think she can tell it best.  Here's what she emailed me:

I have been crafting and selling jewelry and accessories on Etsy for almost three years. The story behind how I got started is a sad one, but it is one that out of something negative and sad, came something positive and happy.

In April of 2009 my Dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Cancer. Eight months later, on January 2, 2010, he passed away after an incredibly brave and difficult battle with the disease. His loss to me was, and is still a crushing blow to my heart. He was a pillar of strength in my life. But from his ordeal, I learned how important it is to take advantage of every minute we have here on this earth. It made me realize the value of appreciating everything, and everyone I have, and how fleeting our time is here. Perhaps most importantly, I realized the importance of doing in those minutes the things that make your heart happy.

I began crafting jewelry while I was staying with my parents during my father's last months of life. In my down time I needed something to channel my energies in a positive way. I needed a distraction, and a release. I suddenly felt the urge to begin crafting jewelry. Call it chance, call it coincidence, or call it fate. All I know is that creating jewelry for me has become my meditation, my peace. I put so much of myself into each and every piece, that it creates an incredible release for my heart, mind, and soul. Thus, the birth of Release Me Creations.

I know WOW, right?!  Not only does Maureen have a meaningful story, a lot of her gorgeous jewelry pieces have meaningful imagery.  My pick is the Banksy Style Balloon Girl Necklace So Fly Bright Silver Image Silhouette Academy Awards Pendant and will be part of the 2012 Academy Awards gift lounges so you may see your favorite star wearing it soon!  As the mother of a daughter, I think it would be a wonderful piece to give her to encourage ER to always try to fly after her dreams, wishes, hopes, etc.  It was seriously hard for me to just pick one from Maureen.  I am also oddly attracted to the Nautical Dive Helmet Brass Pendant, it's just so quirky!

Please come back tomorrow for Part 2 of the feature on the talented Support Handmade participants.