Tantalizing Thursday: A Slacker's What's New Wednesday

I've been on a roll the past few weeks, being able to keep up with the "demand" of my "What's New Wednesday" feature, but this week....Well this week I obviously dropped the ball.  In the midst of transformer woes, moving my sewing machine, finishing up some uniforms (which was more work than I thought it was going to be), I wasn't able to create what my plan was for this week's feature in time.  So I decided, after I finished my "beta" testing projects, I would go ahead and post them here today - it actually stems from the goal of mine to do an entire month of steady blog articles, which I'm on my way :)

Without further ado.......

Going Green Lunch Accessories - lunch bag, snack bags (with velcro), and sandwhich wrap perfect to throw in the wash when used instead of the heaping pile of trash on our Earth!  Theron and I took a "test drive" this beautiful afternoon with these new items, and he was thrilled to see some of the fun fabrics - his favorite were the rodeo frogs.  (Don't mind the lunch bag material...like I said this was my test run, so I grabbed some fabric I wouldn't mind messing up!)



I've been dabbling with the idea of making a new shop that would specialize in lifestyle accessories.  The last two contests/giveaways I participated in I donated some fabric bins/baskets, and really enjoyed doing it.  And I have LOADS of fabric sitting around that isn't the right style and/or size for doll clothing, but would be perfect for people-sized stuff.  Hoping for a summer opening of the store, if I feel that it would be a lucrative oppurtunity (feel free to comment and let me know what you think!).

Also this week, I've been listing new earrings for Mallory Alisabeth every day, and planning in a few days to start listing notepads.  She had a pretty successful showing at our first "craft fair" (which was actually a rummage sale, but we thought we would try), so she is gearing up for some future oppurtunities to sell and a summer full of creating!

That's it for today...Ciao, Bellas!

Monday Meet-Ups

It's Monday Meet-Up time again with the Homefront Team!  This time, I came up with the questions and I can't wait to see everyone's answers :)  And if you're following along be sure to check out the Homefront Team's blog and post your blog link in the comments!

1) What is your most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession unfortunately is no longer in my possession, anymore, but it was my New Kids on the Block (before they were NKOTB, mind you) comforter.  I would never have a good night's sleep without it, from the ages of 9 to 19, seriously.  It met it's demise while I was in boot camp, my mom decided to go through my room and clean out what she deemed garbage.  I don't know WHAT made her believe my well-loved, seam-splitting comforter was trash, but let me tell you, it was a very sad day when I returned from boot camp without my Jon (oh yes, Jonathan was my favorite) to lull me to sleep.  Now I have other comforters, but they aren't quite the same...
2) What was the best gift that you gave to someone?
I could totally be crazy and tell you that the best gift I gave someone was the gift of laughter...which COULD be true because I aim to make ALL around me giddy as me.  Or I could lament about how I gave my children the gift of LIFE (I mean HELLO what could be better than that?!). 
But I think I will go with this: a year or two ago, a lady emailed me wanting to use a gift certificate she won in a contest of mine.  She wanted to know if she could use towards a purchase that she wanted to be sent to her friend's daughter.  All the gift certificate could afford was a skirt on the site (with like $3) leftover.  I asked her if she would like a shirt to go with it, to complete the outfit and to use all of the money on the GC, and she said she didn't want to trouble me making a shirt for the little amount.  Then she went on to explain to me about the little girl she was buying for - her parents had just gotten a divorce and she was living with her mom (the ladies' friend), who was barely able to make ends meet.  They had been living with friends for the past few months, couch hopping, but they had finally found an apartment they could afford to rent and moved in.  Not even a week later, the apartment complex had a huge fire (afterwards they found out it was due to poor electrical wiring), and EVERYTHING - even with what little they did have - that the mom and the little girl owned was literally up in flames.  So friends and family banded around and tried to help with what they could; the ladies' daughters were giving the little girl one of their American Girl Dolls so she could have a doll of her own and she wanted to give the little girl something special that was brand new for her birthday.  After hearing this story, I sent the little girl not only the skirt that the lady purchased, but a shirt, shoes, and hair clip and THEN a completey different jeans outfit.  It is a small reminder like this, that I'm doing this business not JUST to make money, but to help make girls all over the world a little happier and their dolls a little more fashionable.  (sorry that was a lengthy response)
3) If you are having a "crafter's block" and finding it hard to get your craft on, what helps you get out of that?
Most of the time for me to get out of a "crafter's block" I put my iPod on shuffle and let the music flow through me.  Other times, just watching some tv or reading a magazine and being able to see different things that people are wearing or using gives me inspiration.  I find myself constantly asking myself "Can I make that?" and then I try.  I will admit though, about 80% of the time I don't like the end results, but at least I can say I tried :)

And as always, for some GREAT handmade treasures made from USA military spouses across the world? Search "homefront team" at Etsy!

What's New Wednesday - Earrings Galore

After our trip to Florence, I just didn't have the mojo to bust my butt into gear and get some doll outfits done.  So this week's featured item is for Mallory's shop.  We haven't really listed any new stuff in her shop for the past few months, it's just been uber busy around here trying to keep up on everything.

So here is some eye candy and a sneak peek to some of this week's listing in Mallory Alisabeth:

We are super psyched about this week also; this Saturday will be our first "craft fair" since moving to Italy.  Hopefully the Naples military community will support our little endeavors!

And for some loyal followers, here's a snapshot from our trip to Florence.....

Ciao Bellas!

What's New Wednesday - European Vacation

A few years ago, I found this material that had a fun mesh look to it, without being tacky mesh.  I bought a yard of it, and brought it home, dreaming of outfits that I could make with it.  Unfortunately, I put it aside, and forgot about it.  The other day, I came across it again, and decided that I was finally going to put it to use.  Which then inspired me to go make another outfit that fit into a fun vacation-style ensemble - yes I too, will buy a new outfit JUST to go on vacation...

So here are today's new features:

These outfits will not be offered in the shop for at least another week.  They are both heading to Florence for a fun photo shoot - can't wait to see the pictures!  Of course you can always still check out Camelot's Treasures for other fun outfits for 18" dolls (including American Girl and BFC Ink Club)!

On a side note, today is my mom's birthday - Happy Birthday Ma!  However since I'm a million miles away from here, I unfortunately can not celebrate with her; this is a common occurrence since we are a military family.  But every year I try to make sure she gets something special, especially since my dad and brother's are exactly on the same page as I am.  This year I bartered with a friend of mine who is starting up a small business of her own.  What she came up with was COMPLETELY awesome, I bow down to her cake decorating greatness!  Here's the cake she made for my mom:

She even personalized it with the eye colors of my brother's and me (the big bunny is my mom, and the 4 smaller bunnies are my brothers).  How cute is this?!

So if you are in the Paducah area (West Kentucky for all you non locals) and in need of a awesome custom cake for any occasion be sure to check out Cathy's site at Cathy's Cakes!

Ciao Bellas!

Monday Meet-ups - a day late, but not a dollar short

So I don't know where I WAS yesterday, but I HAD to get on on this week's Monday's meet-ups.  Please forgive me for being a day late...better late than never!

Thanks to fellow Homefront Teamer Sarah from Florida Scarf for these week's questions!

1. Where is your favorite place to go for inspiration?
I guess it all depends on what form of inspiration I'm going for.  When I want to make a new outfit, the best place for me to go is anywhere where there are a lot of people - I love checking out the clothing that people are wearing and seeing what's "fashionable" and what's ... well not.  But if I need inspiration for writing a story (BTW, did you know that I like to write and working on my first novella?) I just go outside and soak up the sun FAR away from people.
2. What is your most embarrassing moment as an operator of a small business?
I think this experience was more dissappointing, but I was completely embarassed when someone sent me a convo telling me that the arm of a shirt completely fell off the shirt.  I, of course, remedied the situation apologizing profusely, but it does always make me wary of how well my items arrive at their destinations (although I'm confident that that was a one time fluke!).
3. What is one thing that you have to do everyday that you dislike?
Definitely waking up!  Well I suppose it's not really the waking up part, because there is something to be said when you wake up naturally, from a refreshing slumber.  But having to wake up before the sun does to get everyone ready for the day is a bit annoying.  But such is life as an adult...

Want to check out some GREAT handmade treasures made from USA military spouses across the world? Search "homefront team" at Etsy!

Mother's Day Giveaway with Homefront Team

Because there is NO such thing as TOO many giveaways, I have joined another one!  This time it's with Etsy Homefront Team for Mother's Day.  23 fellow homefronter's (a group of military spouses and loved ones) got together and donated $400 worth of awesome prizes to be awarded to ONE luck winner!

Anyone can participate (er, well except for me, which saddens me to no end!) and it's super easy to enter.  All you have to do is follow the Homefront Team blog and like them on Facebook (which I linked those for you here so you have NO excuses!); then you are entered!  Awesome right?!

Camelot's Treasures donated a lovely rose fabric basket, perfect to hold anything your heart desires.  What I like to use them for?  Holding fat quarters, CDs (what few I may still have), or the T-man's Super Hero Squad guys (Iron Man is partial to roses, while Thor prefers puppies I am told...).

(bows not included)

So check out the blog post here (just in case you didn't ALREADY click on the previous log) http://homefrontartistryteam.blogspot.com/2011/04/mothers-day-giveaway.html and get entering!  And be sure to search "homefront team" on your next venture on Etsy for some super awesome handmade items by military families all over the world!

And the winner is.....

The winner for the Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt is.......

Michelle Josephson

She won this awesome prize basket, filled with the following Etsy Maine Team handmade goodies:

1) Hand crocheted drawstring bag from Louisiana 1966

2) Two cards with familiar Maine prints from Handprinted

3) Three vintage postcards from Maine from Prospero's Bookshelf

4) Fabric Easter Basket/Storage Bin from Camelot's Treasures

5) Handcrafted ring from Slid Viscous Jewelry

6) Citrus Harmony Body Lotion from Eden Body

7) Crochet Flower Scrapbooking Stickers from The Makings of Shanna Tice

8) Handknitted beverage cozy from Knit by Valerie

9) Blueberry Necklace from Emily's Original Beads

10) Merlot Flower Earrings from Mallory Alisabeth

11) Copper Star Bookmark from Rough Magic Creations

12) Set of Floral Notecards from Mbrace Studios

13) Gift Certificate for a FREE necklace from Moon Dog Farm

Thank you to all that participated in this fun challenge - I hope it wasn't too hard for you!

And as a special bonus, I'm offering a special discount of 15% off any order in Camelot's Treasures and Mallory Alisabeth now until Easter!  Just type in "EASTERHUNT11" during checkout to recieve this discount.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the next fun giveaway; it's going to be just around the corner :)