A Christmas List

I am in Christmas mode.  Usually I'm not this time of year, but something about buying a house has made me want to decorate!!  On Saturday, we bought a BIG tree.  I had been using my 4 foot tree that I got when I moved into the residence hall during my freshman year of college.  I told myself that I wasn't buying a big tree until we bought a house.  And here we are.

With that said, I've been looking for Christmas gift ideas and I want to share with you what I have found.  These are tooooo good to keep to myself!  Enjoy!

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First up, we have the shop Farmgirl Paints.

Becky creates custom cuffs.  You pick the cuff you like.  Then you pick the metal plate and finish up the customization by picking your word or phrase.  I love her work, and I even own two of her cuffs.  

My first cuff was the top one that says, "Redeemed."  I wanted a tangible reminder that no matter what I've done or what situation I'm in, God has redeemed me.

My second cuff {technically third...I bought one for my mom} was purchased when I was going through my tough time at work.  I really wanted a new job, and finally I got that option.  God knew what I needed, and I knew what I needed.  But He had a better plan...one that was more that I could hope for or imagine.  Ephesians 3:20-21 has always been some favorite verses of mine!

These would make perfect Christmas gifts!  But hurry!! Her shop is only open until November 20th.  Then it won't be open again until February 1st!

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Scrap Art By Nina is another one of my favorite shops.  Nina is such a sweetheart!  She makes signs for your home, as well as some other pretty things!  I am always tempted to purchase something in her shop, because she comes up with the cutest things!  

I currently have this sign waiting for me to hang in my new home:

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Nina is great to work with!  She hand crafts these beautiful signs herself.  These signs would make a wonderful housewarming gift, but also Christmas gifts as well!  

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Pen and Paint is a great shop to get more artwork for your walls!  Lindsay is very talented and creates prints that are encouraging for your home.  She also has various other things in her shop from time to time, and I'm so happy to have snagged a hand painted canvas from her!  I wonder where it will go?  :)  Her prints are gorgeous and it is hard to decide which one to get!  These would make great gifts and even stocking stuffers!

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Hope Homemade is a shop filled with beautiful things!  This mother-daughter duo is quite the team!  You can find some of the most beautiful, encouraging items in their shop.  From embroidered pictures to hand-stamped jewelry, you will definitely want to take a peek!

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I also just recently made a purchase from Katygirl Designs. She makes gorgeous prints as well!  These are the ones that I have and am currently trying to decide where to hang:

She makes beautiful prints that share Truth.  Be sure to check her shop out! 

Each of these shops are wonderful!  They take pride in their handmade businesses.  Hopefully I've shared something that will go on your list?  Or maybe you see something that would be the perfect gift for someone else.  

Small Business Saturday falls on my birthday this year...November 30th.  Please consider supporting a small business.  It's here where you will get most heart for your money. :)

Things I'm Loving Thursday--Handmade Edition 3

Hello lovelies!!
Today is the last day for this series.  I've really enjoyed getting to know these ladies and the "behind-the-scenes" of their small business.  I hope you've enjoyed it as well.  I have one more shop for you today.

Hi!  I'm Francesca.  I'm behind the shop, Scrap Happy Cards. I'm a newlywed. I live in South Florida with my husband and two cats. 

I currently work part-time at Michael's Craft Store. I love crafts of all kinds. I'm always trying to learn something new:  from cake decorating to scrapbooking to making a bouquet out of nothing but brooches. My favorite hobby is scrapbooking and paper crafts. I've been doing it for over 10 years and will continue to do it until I'm old and gray.

I started creating my cards when I noticed the "technology boom". It seems like all sentiments and messages are sent via the internet, and with not a lot of thought.  I want to create something someone will cherish and keep always. I make cards for every occasion and I will also take requests for personalized homemade cards. Baby showers, graduations, birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine's Day are some occasions just to name a few. Feel free to shoot me a request and I will see where my creativity takes me.

 Mention this blog feature and use the coupon code SHIPFREE for free shipping on your order!  Coupon Code expires June 30, 2013, so order now!

Shop  |  Instagram

I'd like to take the time to thank each of these shops for participating in my Handmade series.  
I truly hope that you will take some time to check out their shops and consider purchasing from them.

Bake.Craft.Love.
Dandelion Loveys
Faux Stache Glass
Scrap Happy Cards
Sudsational

Things I'm Loving Thursday--Handmade Edition 2

This week, I have two more amazing shops for you!

These lovely ladies spend their time creating special things just for you!

So please, take some time, visit their shops and like their facebook page!

They may even have a special deal for you!

Hi!  I'm Breanna and I'm the shop owner over at BakeCraftLove. I live in the Chicago suburbs with my husband and my son who was born in January. 

Many of the new items in my shop started as a hobby shortly after Monty was born. I had a c-section and couldn't do very much during the day. So, while he napped (which was most off the day), I started dabbling in jewelry making. I found out that I absolutely loved it!  I currently offer mostly earrings and a few other odds and ends that I dabble in, but I hope to try my hand at other jewelry and home decor soon! 

A personal favorite of mine that I currently offer is the 12 x 12 name frames. I have made many as wedding gifts, and I absolutely love the excitement they bring to the newlyweds! (I even made one for our own living room that sits at the center of a collage.) 

Check us out!

Shop  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

**You can also enter to win some of Breanna's beautiful earrings here!**

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Hi! I'm Courtney and I'm the creator of Sudsational. I live in south Florida with my husband and our two fur babies. I have a full time job and am currently going to school. 

I started making soaps because I was stressed and needed a creative outlet. I would give the soaps and scrubs I made as gifts, and my family and friends loved them. With their encouragement, I decided to start an Etsy shop. 

I enjoy experimenting and coming up with new products, but my favorite part is getting to test all the soaps, scrubs, and bath salts. My goal is to develop products that people haven't seen before but can't imagine living without. I work with customers to make custom orders and have recently started selling in bulk for party favors. 

**If you mention this blog you will get a surprise gift with your order.**

Shop  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

**You can also enter to win one of Courtney's Lemon Rosemary Salt Scrub here!**

Things I'm Loving Thursday--Handmade Edition

Lovelies,

I have something exciting planned for you this month.

This month, the series "Things I'm Loving Thursday" is geared toward the handmade market!

There are some incredible people out there with extraordinary talents and I want so badly to share them with you.

My love for handmade has grown immensely since I started my etsy shop.

Not everyone "gets the picture" as to how much time, effort, sweat, and sometimes tears go into making a small business work.

Not everyone understands how incredible handmade items are.

Not everyone understands how valuable these items are...how special they are.

My goal with this series to show you the vast talent and variety that the handmade market has to offer.
Along with that, I hope to shed some light on what goes on "behind the scenes" of a small business.

I encourage you to check out each shop and "like" their facebook page.

Give them a little love!!

Also, keep them in mind when you're needing a gift!

Or buy something for yourself!!

Today, I have two shops sharing their goodies with you!

Nicole is a busy girl, supportive wife, loving daughter, great sister, understanding friend, and a thankful fur mommy. When she has a little time to her self she does what she loves, which is being crafty and creative! She started painting mustaches on wine glasses just for fun, but they became such a hit with friends and family that she started to sell them. 

In January of 2012, Faux Stache Glass was created and now she makes more than just wine glasses. She creates all types of glassware, travel mugs, tumblers and so much more! There is a Faux Stache glass for any occasion and Nicole has covered most of them! The ideas that come to her mind are endless so she is always making something new!

Throughout her wedding planning process, Etsy helped her out so much by having the unique wedding that she always wanted. She is so happy to give back and help other bride-to-be's make their dreams come true! Whether you are a bride-to-be, a mommy on the go or a toddler in diapers, Faux Stache Glass is for you!

Visit Faux Stache Glass:

Shop | Facebook



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I'm Heather and I am one half of the Dandelion Loveys Shop. 

Our shop is ran by a mother/daughter team! We are located in Southern California, and everything we sell is handmade by us! We make Boutique Hair Bows, Fabric Earrings, Onesies and Bowties! I have two children, Gracie and Eli, who have been our inspiration for everything in our shop. They also make frequent appearances in our pictures :)

My mom and I both work at the same high school. I coach the high school's dance team, and she works in the office at the school. Making bows and crafting has always been our hobby, and we decided to launch our shop on April 15, 2013 and have been blessed by the reception we have been getting! Our name, Dandelion Loveys, was chosen by my daughter who is very attached to her blanket "Lovey."

We sell on Facebook & Instagram, and if you mention that you found our shop from this blog, we will give you 20% of your first order that you place with us! We also take custom orders, so keep us in mind if you're looking for a special bow to match for a birthday party, recital shirt, Disney trip, etc.!

Visit Dandelion Loveys:

Instagram  |  Facebook

Go check these shops out!

These ladies are so talented!!

Don't miss what they have to offer!