EtsyMom Holly Day Blog Hop

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://signature-sterling.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://allyouneeddesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-with-etsymom-street.html
http://tctliebel.typepad.com/life_as_we_live_it/2010/12/its-a-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop-sweet-salt-dough.html
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsy-mom-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://camelotstreasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://homemadebyamanda.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-hop-holiday-inspiration.html
http://annavirginiafashion.blogspot.com/2010/12/piggy-peeps-baby-shoes-pattern-holly.html
http://mylavenderave.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-days-blog-hop-delicious-fudge.html
http://babyjives.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-silhouette-ornament.html
www.babyswank.blogspot.com/
http://babysindulgencebyjocelyn.blogspot.com/2010/12/rocky-road-fudge.html
http://handmadewhimzy.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-from-etsymom-team.html
http://katekatenyc.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop.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.
2. Leave a comment on this 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 this 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 our email list (fill out the form in the right hand column).
~Become a follower of this 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 this blog post and leave a comment for each thing you did, i.e. one comment for posting on your blog, another comment for posting on facebook, and another comment for joining our email newsletter. If you post it all in one comment, it will count as one entry.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/

American Girl-Sized Stocking Tutorial

This year, I wanted to add some more festive fun for the "girls" (aka our American Girl Dolls), so I decided to make each girl a fun stocking. Mallory and I took the girls "shopping" in my fabric and craft stash, and each girl came up with a distinctly different design for their stockings a good mirror of their personalities. And Theron didn't want Tyler (his Bitty Baby Twin Boy) left out of the fun, so we made a special stocking for him too.

After all the stockings were made, the girls were so excited that they thought all girls and their owners should make these special stockings. I mean who DOESN'T want special treats from Santa on Christmas morning?! So along with the motivation of this Etsy Mom Holly Blog, I am posting this tutorial on how to make your very own American Girl-sized stocking!

Materials needed:
* scraps of fabric about 8" x 8" (fat quarters would be awesome for this project!) - whatever fabric you love, your imagination is the limit
* thread
* stocking pattern (you can find the one I made here Stocking Pattern)
* needle
* pencil or thin utensil, for turning
* 3" ribbon (3/8" is perfect)
* embellishments, if you like (these can include sequins, embroidery floss, buttons, etc)

You can stitch this stocking up in 5 to 10 minutes on a sewing machine, or hand sew it in 10 to 20 minutes. This tutorial shows the machine sewing way.
Step One:
Cut out your fabric using the pattern - you will need to cut two pieces for the outside of the stocking and two pieces for the inside/lining of your stocking. Also if you want to add the fun toe and heel design, then go ahead and do this now too.

Step Two:
Sew one front to one linig piece at the top. Repeat for the other two pieces.

Step Two and a half:
If you are going to embellish your stocking, do so now (it'll make it a lot easier); if you're not, then just skip this step. As you can see, I added a toy and heel to this one, and I attached them with a decorative stitch, the blanket stitch; you can use any stitch that you would like. Also, this is the time that I added the fun butterfly sequin's on Lanie's stocking - I just sewed through them a few times to make sure that they were on there tight!

Step Three:
Finger press the seams open on each piece, then pin them together right sides touching. Then sew all the way around both pieces, leaving a 1" to 1 1/2" opening at the bottom of the lining pieces - this is for turning your stocking right side out. Clip curves and trim seams if necessary.

Step Four:
Turn your stocking right-side out, using our pencil carefully to help push out the toe and heel. Iron the stocking flat to be sure you have the shape of it fully turned. Slip stitch the lining closed at the opening.

Step Five:
Push the lining into the stocking, carefully guiding the toe and heel into the correct spots. Keep shaping until the top of the stocking is even - where the seams is at the very top.

Step Six:
Fold down the lining on to the outside to make a cuff. You can fold it over however much you like. Then postion your ribbon inside the cuff, about a 1/4" down from the top on the back seam, and sew it in a loop.

And now you have your very own stocking! If you want to share the pictures of the stocking you made, feel free to post them on Camelot's Treasures Facebook page - I would love to see what you and your doll come up with!

Now, please take the opportunity to visit the next blog in our hop: http://homemadebyamanda.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-hop-holiday-inspiration.html

Shop Etsymom First on Etsy.com

EtsyMom Team's Holly Day Blog Hop!

Just a couple of days away from our Holly Day Blog Hop! Beginning Sunday, you'll have a chance to visit several of our EtsyMom blogs to find out what they are cooking up for the holidays, from yummy recipes to fun tutorials, you won't want to miss this! And we know you all love some handmade goodness, so one lucky winner will receive a gift basket stuffed with everything from hand crafted jewelry, paper goods, vintage ephemera, baby gear, holiday decor and more! See you here on Sunday!

Camelot's Treasures is proud to be a member of this Etsy team, and is ready to take part of this fun Blog Hop! I'll be posting a fun tutorial this weekend, with a fun holiday-inspired activity. So check back on Sunday for more information and your chance to win a fun gift basket right in time for the holidays!

You like prizes, right?

I know I LOVE winning. And when something is free, it's IDEAL! But even better is when I am the one in charge of giving out fun prizes!

Here's the deal:

In attempt to help motivate Etsy Maine Teamers to fill their shops with wonderful wares for the holiday season, I proposed a fun challenge. Willing participants, must list 5 new listings each week for 4 weeks, and those still standing at the end will be entered into a drawing to win a special gift basket! And not only that, but they will have added at least 20 items to their shop to help them prepare for the on slaught of holiday buyers!

But what does that have to do with winning and prizes? Well if you FOLLOW the status of this motivational challenge, you can enter this giveaway. All you have to do is post on this blog with your name and email address, then you will be entered into the drawing to win a fabulous gift basket that mixes a little Maine and Italy (my recent relocation) into it!

Wait! There is more! If you want to have your name entered twice, you can create an Etsy Treasury featuring 4 of the 17 shops, then posting your name, email address, and the address to your treasury here on this post. What a great way to promote special handmade wares WHILE trying to win a prize for yourself! You can find who is participating in this challenge on this Etsy Thread http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6642431.

Challenge/Contest begins today, Friday, October 1st and runs until Thursday, October 28th. So you MUST get your comments and treasuries in no later than 11:59 pm on October 28th. The drawing will be held on Saturday, October 30th and a winner for both challenges will be announced!

So what are you waiting for? Get commenting and following!

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Sneak Peek: Motivational Challenge for Etsy Maineteam!

It's about that time of year, where sales started showing, and store shelves are filled with holiday paraphanelia. But I feel that Camelot's Treasures and Mallory Alisabeth are not stocked enough to support a successful holiday season, and I find myself a little slacking in the producing and listing department right now.

So what better way to motivate myself, than having a challenge along with some other Etsy Maineteamers!

This challenge will only be opened to Etsy Maineteamers that want to push themselves in filling their shops and preparing themselves for a wonderful, and profitable holiday! Starting on October 1st through October 28th, I am challenging any willing participants to list at least 5 new items in their shop every week (totaling at the end to a nice 20 items by the end of the challenge). Those that succeed in this challenge, will then be entered into a drawing on October 30th, for a special gift package of lovelies! YAY for prizes! (*** If you are a Etsy Maineteamer, and would like to be added to this challenge, please comment on this post with your name and shop URL and I will add you to the list - please comment by Thursday morning!)

PLUS, as an added bonus, I'm throwing in a special drawing/giveaway/challenge to ANY one that is following the progress of this challenge. People will be able to enter by commenting on the specified blog (when it's posted - don't worry I'll let you know!) and also can earn an additional entry by making a treasury that will feature some of the participants in the challenge. Also on October 30th, I will hold a drawing for that also, and some lucky winner (or maybe 2?) will recieve some special goodies! But more details on all of this in a few days.

So all in all, a great way to help fellow Etsy maineteamers, and a fun way to get free stuff! Keep checking back for details - will be OFFICIALLY posting on this Friday (October 1st)!

Etsy Maineteamers Challenge Prizes

Special Drawing Prizes!

And we have listings!

Yes, finally both Mallory Alisabeth and Camelot's Treasures finally have new listings in the stores! YAY!

Some new things in Camelot's Treasures are crocheted items (such as beanies and scarves) and the use of Liberty Jane Patterns. We are so excited about all the new stuff coming around in the next few months, we hope you will be too!

And for Mallory Alisabeth, there are some earrings, matchbook notepads (now in a new size), and some sewn notepads. Also Mallory has been working on a new project which involves bobby pins - she can't wait to share them with you.

So keep on the look out for all the cool new stuff you will find at Camelot's Treasures and Mallory Alisabeth! Thanks for continuing to support us!

Oh and if you haven't done so already "LIKE" us on Facebook

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Sneak Peek: Mallory Alisabeth

So we can't wait for our stuff to get here - it seems like it's been FOREVER since we watched the movers put it on the truck last May! But supposedly we should be able to get it the beginning of next week :) This news has definitely made us tres happy!

Although Camelot's Treasures might have snagged a bit of a snafu - the movers/packers broke my loyal sewing machine - Mallory Alisabeth still plans on hitting the ground running! While we are waiting, impatiently, for the day, we have decided to make a little sneak preview video with some of the jewelry that Mallory has made since her last posting.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Check it out - tell us what you think - and rest assured we will be satisfing your hunger for more things Camelot's Treasures and Mallory Alisabeth!

Moving Day

So the day has finally come that we will be moving into our new house for the next 3 years. After all our stuff gets here and we are completely settled, I plan on writing a post about what to expect when moving. I can tell you the past few months have definitely been a very intense learning experience, that I hope can be avoided next time!

And as soon as we get settled, I will be opening my shop back up :) WOO HOO! It will be a little semblance of sanity in my crazy world called life!

Benvenuto in Italia!

It's been 11 days since we landed in the great country of Italy! We are adjusting to the 6 hour time difference and the language barrier (who would have thought that EVERYONE spoke Italian! j/k), and are enjoying the beautiful climate. Sometimes we end up pinching ourselves when we wake up in the morning, barely believing that we got the awesomse chance to live over here!

So what does that mean for Camelot's Treasures? Well at the moment, we are still trying to figure out how everything is going to work. Italian law is a little more strict when it comes to business (home and not at home), so we will have to work a little harder to get it going. However I'm still hoping for a grand re-opening by Labor Day, if it's in the stars!

And I'm super psyched about some of the things that have been milling around in my head for the store. I've been coming up with some new designs, working on new projects, and gearing up (hopefully, I've got my fingers crossed) for an AWESOME Christmas season!

Anyway, keep your fingers (and toes!) crossed for us that we can get rolling again and keep checking back!

We're moving!

So I know it's been a while since I lost sat down and wrote on this blog, and I should have. I think at one point I actually did type up a whole article, but for some reason there was an error and it all went away - so I gave up.

Anyway, here I am now telling you that we are moving. To Italy. Yeah, I know right, ITALY! Wow!

Ok, excitement aside, with the move, unfortunately we have to close down for a few months. Partly because my husband wouldn't allow me to shove all of my wonderful items into the suitcases to fly with us, but MOSTLY because it's stressful enough already, adding store stuff would just be insane! BUT, let me tell you, I miss the store ALREADY! It's only been a month since I closed the shop's "virtual" doors, but I'm egging to jump back in with all the wonderful ideas I have.

That being said, I have not stopped working. Right now I'm working on some new projects that I would like to add to the store when I open back up. Like futon couches, bean bag chairs, etc. Super cute - will post pictures later! ANNNNNNNND before I left Maine, I purchased some special gifts to include with all future purchases - which I'm totally psyched about (I know you will be too)!

Well now you know what's going on in the world of Camelot's Treasures and my own personal world. Don't feel neglected if you don't hear from us in a while - we promise we will be back ASAP (hoping for a re-opening no later than Labor Day). Keep checking back to get updated and feel free to "LIKE" us on Facebook for fun updates - I'll be adding pictures and tidbits of information every once in awhile. We are at http://www.facebook.com/camelotstreasures#!/pages/Camelots-Treasures/133763559872?ref=ts.

So ta-ta for now (TTFN), enjoy your summer and we will see you soon! ~ Guin

Doll Shoes are on their way....

We just put in our order for Doll Shoes (finally!) and they are here, thanks to awesome fast shipping! So in a few days, we will be posting the shoes to our yolasite(www.camelotstreasures.yolasite.com), ready for you to purchase! Maybe one of these days we will even get our own real site too - help us get to that point by supporting our little business!

Just as a heads up, prices will be from $6 to $12 varying by the type of shoes.

We are so excited and know you will be too!

Exciting New Additions - COMING SOON!

It's been a while since I last posted anything on this blog, and I apologize to any die-hard blog readers (although I don't think there are any of you out there, but I still apologize!). Had to take a small break and work out some negotiations about how Camelot's Treasures was going to work into our everyday lives. Well the jury deliberated, and here we are!

Anyway, the whole point of this blog today is to introduce some exciting new additions to the blog!

Our first new addition is Clothing Labels! Yes, we have finally joined the ranks and will be putting in clothing labels into every article made by Camelot's Treasures. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but it's the first step for us to making our business seem like it's a REAL business! So from now on, when someone asks you where you got that cute new outfit for your American Girl Doll, you can show them on the tag!

Another thing that will be added is a blog article each week featuring some interesting information about the wearers of our outfits - your dolls! The first feature will be about the difference and similarities between a few of the dolls on the market that all can wear Camelot's Treasures' clothing.

Also, Camelot's Treasures is going to branch into exciting new avenues! We will be offering handmade pet beds (for your doll's pets), doll clothing hangers, carrying cases/totes for your dolls, luggage, and other fun stuff that you may not be able to find anywhere else. We got a little taste of it this past Christmas season upon a special request, and well we liked it!

So there are a lot of new things in the works, and we are completely excited about them! Keep checking back for updates and for some exciting new stuff for your doll!