The Hand Crafted Cottage

Wish List Wednesday

2012-01-25T14:06:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce my second Wishlist Wednesday item...I think it's one of the very first items I "hearted" on etsy when I joined waaaaaay back when.

Right now, there seems to be a huge demand for fun, funky aprons. I love the sweet '50s style ones that are very popular right now because they are an excellent combination of fun and flirty. I also love the aprons that are the half style, covering you from your waist down. I think I would be more comfortable, however, wearing one of these types of apron (as opposed to the full out sexy '50s style ones) while actually cooking/baking in the kitchen and especially if I was entertaining at the same time; the aprons from Snappy Shop appeal to me in particular because they offer such fun, memorable, and original designs (in the form of the apron's pocket).

My favorite part of this apron in particular is the matryoshka pocket, of course, but I also love the fun, bright pink of the cotton/poly fabric, in combination with the polka dot tie. This apron will set you back $45 USD (plus shipping) - very worth it in my mind for all the great memories you'll have when wearing it and baking up a storm in style!

DIY Handmade Gifts

2012-01-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

So every year around Christmas time I kick myself for not starting my handmade Christmas gifts a little earlier. I love the idea of giving someone special something I've made with my own two hands.
Keeping in mind that there are so many other things to think about over the year (and other holidays to craft for - omg, Valentines day is coming up already!!) I thought I would make a mental note of some items that would be great to make. When some free time pops up (does that actually happen?) I can go back to my mental list and maybe start a project or two! 1. Burlap Table Runner
Who: This would make a great hostess gift. Every year, without fail, my family celebrates Christmas Eve at my aunties house and I would love to present her with this gorgeous runner. From the Living with Lindsay blog, this piece is a beautiful mix of the textures and, who isn't in love with ruffles.

2.Lion Taggie Toy

Who: Super fun gift for stocking stuffers or as a small gift for family friends who have babies. I love this so much because you can play around with textures and colours. It doesn't have to be a lion, I'm sure you could easier convert it into a puppy, a cat, or whatever your imagination can come up with. Chez Beeper Bebe blog has a tutorial for all your crafting needs on this one!

3. Family Portrait Cross Stitch

Who: Perfect for parents, newly married couple, or anybody! I'm pretty sure I almost pee'd my pants when I saw this. What, a cool cross stitch pattern? What personalized? OMG! I love absolutely every thing about this (tutorial at Martha Steward.com) and I can't wait to make one for my own home!

4. Heart "Felt" Bookmarks
Who: In my case, this is SO perfect for co-workers. Easy to make, inexpensive, and full of thought these would be so great for the 10 people in my office (tutorial from Simple Serendipities). Maybe I could even monogram each persons first initial on them.

5. Family Tree Embroidery

Who: Grandparents, in-laws or parents. This is such a lovely thoughtful gift and for me, I know my mother-in-law would love this. You can framed or not, it can be personalized to reflect things that are important to individual members of your family, and it can include whatever your heart desires! Love it. There was no tutorial for this one, but the picture can act as a source of inspiration for your own creation!

So now the easy part is done...choosing some handmade lovelies. The real work start soon....I HOPE! :)

My new Pinterest Interest...well, okay, obsession!

2012-01-18T07:54:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I finally broke down and figured out Pinterest. If you don't know what this is, it's an AMAZING website that allows you to make virtual pin boards for any theme you can imagine. You take a link and upload it onto your "pin board", you then select an image from that link and voila...you have started to create a board! Now, I didn't fully realize how absolutely awesome this website was until I started playing around and, omg, I can tell you - it's flippin' life changing!! Every craft, DIY project, hair style, home decor idea, fashion guide, inspirational quotation, etc. that you could ever want and or imagine is there! I love love love it.
Although I have only been a member for a short time I have created 21 boards (and counting) which range in topic from: Fashion Fabulosity, Home Decor, My 2012, Birthday Party Ideas, Super Suppers, Free Printables, and so much more! I'm telling you, the possibilities are endless! Just imagine how helpful this website would be to someone who is planning a wedding, redecorating their home, throwing a baby shower, and really just about everyone! ;)
Below I've listed 5 of my current favorite pins from 5 different boards, just to give you an example of how great Pinterest is! 1. I re-pinned this from another member and the link brings you back to a website called PB & J Stories. I pinned it to my "Organization" board and i love it because it's brilliant!! I love the idea of re-purposing an every day item like this to organize your life. Even if you only had an old ugly magazine holder laying around you could totally jazz it up with a little spray paint and imagination!

2. I re-pinned this absolutely gorgeous bag to my "Fashion Fabulosity" board and it links back to an Etsy shop called Crazy Boy. It's $45 USD and I would love it as part of my wardrobe! The stripes are absolutely lovely!

3. This third pin links back to a blog called Wit and Whistle. It's so smart, simple, and looks great! A few years back I was on a mission to find a perfect cheese platter and I never did find one that I loved. Well, now I can just make my own using a white dish and some chalk paint! I put this bad boy in my "Projects" board.

4. Now this one I re-pinned but it doesn't link back to a webpage. It was uploaded by a member so I'm not sure if it was there own photo or taken from a website. I found it by searching "bunk beds" (my 3 year old is constantly asking for bunk beds!). I pinned it into my "Home Decor" board - something to come back to in a few years for inspiration perhaps!

5. And finally, I pinned this one, grabbing the link directly from a Stencil website . I'm obsessed with many things....two of them being polka dots and the idea of re-finishing old furniture. I LOVE the look of this nightstand and think it would go so perfectly in my baby's nursery. I pinned this one to my "Re-purposed/Re-finished Furniture" board for inspiration.

So, this is obviously a super small sampling of what sort of ideas you can get from Pinterest. I am in absolute love with this website and am so excited for all the possibilities it brings! If you are on pinterest my user name is: mrslavaj . I would love for you to drop by and check out my boards! Leave you username in the comments sections of this post and I'll come and check out yours too!! Happy pinning! :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012 to all you bloggers and blog-readers out there!! I hope you all had an amazing night and a super fun holiday season! I know my family and I did and I am so looking forward to the year that awaits us ahead. We were so blessed in 2011 and have soooo much to be excited for in 2012!

The big question everyone asks now that it's a new start in the new year is, "what's your new years resolution?!". Well, I usually don't make a resolution, per say, but this year I have decided that it is going to be an awesome 12 months and I'm going to make some new policies to live by! Here are a few things that I plan to focus on:

1) Be more f*&($#@ fabulous!

This year I will be turning 30. This doesn't bother me at all, but what DOES bother me is how much in a rut I've gotten lately especially when it comes to my wardrobe! So, this year, I vow to be a BIT more adventurous in my attire. I've always wanted to try out new things but at the last minute chicken out and resort to my old reliable safe jeans and t-shirt. As proof of my commitment to my new fabulosity, I wore a spectacular dress last night that I love. When I first put it on and looked in my wardrobe mirror, I'm not going to lie, I had a strong urge to rip through my dresser drawers for my yoga pants. I stayed strong though and rocked it all night long in my dress. Here's a link to the Etsy shop, Heart my Closet, were I purchased my new lovely: http://www.etsy.com/shop/heartmycloset?ref=seller_info

My sister(right) and I

2) Be more organized

With two little girls, life can get hectic! Not to mention we are going on some pretty awesome trips this year, I'm going back to work, AND I will be in a wedding this summer...this all means, I need to stay more organized!! This month I'm hoping to set up a designated crafting area - as opposed to my kitchen table, which always end up taking over our whole house like one giant crafting monster mess -, clean out my closets, organize my kids activities (yes a 3 year old and an 8 month old and I'm already busy busy busy with their activities), and organize how my life will look when I get back to work (dayhomes, work schedules, etc.)!

3) Cherish every single second I get in my wonderful life!

As I mentioned before, this past year was soooo good to us. We are so blessed and I absolutely recognize it. However, many important people in our life hadn't been so lucky in 2011 and it really makes me realize that we have to be thankful for every second. I know I sometimes complain about long line ups, bad sleeps, and all those little annoying things in life but when it comes down to it I am soooo very thankful for all that my family and I have and I will remember this every day! I hope you do too!! :)

SO....Happy New Year to you all and I wish you a safe, prosperous, wonderful 2012!!

p.s. Do you have any new years resolutions? If not, I suggest the one about being f$#@*(&^ fabulous! lol!

Kid's Christmas!

2011-12-16T09:49:00.001-08:00

I'm excited this Christmas because my oldest daughter is finally old enough to start doing some of those fun holiday activities I remember doing as a kid! We went to a Christmas carol sing-a-long, we've been baking together, wathcing old classic Christmas movies on t.v., and doing crafts!

One of my favorite activities we have done together so far this month has been making some awesome, DELICIOUS smelling Christmas tree ornaments (seriously, these things smell like Christmas!!)! I love these because they are simple to make, so much fun for kids (I think you could even do this craft with a 2 year old...as long as you were giving them some supervision), and they smell awesome. Also, I love that because it is my 3 year old decorating them, they turned out so perfectly gaudy, something to look back on 20 years from now and smile! The ingredient list for these babies is short! All you will require is the following:

Apple-Cinnamon Christmas Tree Ornaments

1 cup of cinnamon

3/4 cup of applesauce (any kind)

2 TBSP white craft glue

Combine all the ingredients together to form dough (should make consistency you see below). Roll out dough on a piece of wax paper, slightly thicker than you would a pie crust.
Cut out your desired shapes and place on a cookie sheet, lined with wax paper (we did Christmas trees, gingerbread people, hearts, and three little wiener dogs!)At this point you can either let your ornaments dry by leaving them on the cookie sheet for about 2 days, flipping them over every once in a while.

We decorated ours right away, however, using pompoms, "gems", and googly eyes from the dollar store. You really could use whatever you wish to give your ornaments some style!

After we decorated the ornaments, because ours were still wet, I used a straw to poke out a hole wherever I wanted my ribbon to go through. Don't forget this step, otherwise you won't be able to hang your ornaments!

After 2 days our ornaments were completely dry. I used some satin ribbon as the ornament hangers and sealed the ends by running a flame, from a lighter, over them for about a second or so.

And there you go...you are done! These ornaments smell just like their ingredients (cinnamon and apple) and they are so much fun for a little one to make. Obviously, just remember, because they have glue in them: do not eat!!!

If you don't have any little ones, you could still make them and put them into some potpourri or in a drawer to make everything smell like Christmas!

Since we had made so many, we saved one for our tree (you can write on the backs of them with a jiffy marker to note the year and which child made them) and then wrapped up all the rest in some festive paper, topped off with some tags I printed off on-line. We put them all in a basket under the tree and my daughter is SO EXCITED because she actually has gifts, just from her, to hand out to people she loves on Christmas eve!

It's in the bag!

2011-12-14T10:27:00.000-08:00

This year, like every year at Christmas time, I kick myself for not starting some homemade gifts a little earlier in the season. I would love to serve up some awesome sewn, stamped, or baked goodies to ALL my friends and family but there simply isn't enough time in the day/month/year!!

With that said, however, I have managed to prepare a few handmade goodies for some special people in my life. I came across some awesome fabric on Etsy (of course) for my sister who loves the colour orange (do you know people like this? People who like orange REALLY like orange...it's a strange obsession!!). I decided that I wanted to make her a bag to go along with some of the other items I had already gotten for her. Below is a picture of what I came up with for her!

I found a tutorial on-line (who buys patterns these days?!) and used it as my inspiration for the bag I ended up with. If you want to check out the actual full tutorial, I found it on a blog called Thimble here.

I started by cutting out 2 large pieces for my outer shell, 2 large pieces for my inner lining, 2 outer shell and 2 inner lining U-shaped pieces (for the top of the bag), 2 different shapes for inside pockets (which are also lined) and then one long rectangular piece for the handle. The dimensions that I used were the same as the tutorials but you could really use any dimensions you want - depending on how you want to shape your bag!

The first step to start with on your sewing machine is to create the pleated look for the outer fabric. On the wrong side of the material, measure and mark a small line at 3",4", 7",8", 11",12", 15",16", etc. until you reach the end of you material. Once you have them marked, pin your fabric (as shown below) and then stitch down about one inch.

Next I took my U-shaped pieces and applied some medium weight interfacing, which is sandwiched between the outer and inner fabrics (I used the polka dots material as the outer fabric in this case to act as a contrast to the larger part of the bag). The very bottom part of the U-shaped section will be hidden when the bag is complete so don't' worry about how perfect it looks right now. Next, I sewed the U-shape section to the top of the larger bottom piece.
After this, you are nearly done! I stitched two pockets (a square that closes with a button and a large pocket that could hold a water bottle) on the inside lining pieces. Sew those two pieces together along the sides and bottom but make sure to leave a hole in the very bottom of this piece that is big enough to pull the outer shell through later. Next place the inside lining inside and the outer shell piece (with the right sides facing each other) - the U-shaped piece should be facing down, sandwiched between the outer fabric and the lining fabric. Sew along the top raw edges. Once that is done you can pull the outer fabric through the hole you left in the inner lining fabric. Hand stitch the hole close to finish!

And finally, I took my long rectangular handle piece and finished all the raw edges. Then I stitched it to the top part of the U-shaped piece and voila, done!

Like I said, I just winged most of my project, based on the original tutorial. The instructions that I have provided are only a guideline so if you would like a bit more instruction, please check out the tutorial link I have provided above!

This is a great bag because it is large and can be used for some many different things! I love matching up contrasting materials too so I really loved the design. If you happen to make this bag, please attach a link because I would LOVE to see what you came up with! :)

p.s. Only 11 more days of crafting until Christmas is here!!! Good luck! :)

Christmas Mantel-a-go-go

2011-12-10T16:39:00.000-08:00

I have the world's most boring fireplace mantel. My fireplace is conveniently located in a corner of my home but, while convenient, it's a pain to decorate. Since it's a corner piece, the top of it isn't your traditional long rectangular shape but, rather, a very large triangle. It's meant to have a t.v. on top of it but our t.v. hangson the wall instead, leaving a very large space to fill.

I came across a wonderfully decorated mantel on Positively Splendid (a fantabulous blog) that featured a whimsical Seuss-like Christmas mantel. It absolutely inspired me to do something with my boring old triangle.

I decided to go with gold and purple as my colour scheme and, like Positively Splendid's mantel, feature everything around some beautiful silhouette art of my two bébés! Below is what I came up with and I'm so happy every time I happen to catch a glance over at my new Christmas corner.

I started out by going to Zellers and picking out some gold Christmas balls. I also found some bright purple birds and some giant wrapped Christmas candy ornaments. All the Christmas décor was already on 40% off so I picked up a few other coordinating items such as the curly purple Christmas tree and a gold snow flake.

The tall wispy gold balls in the large vase were from Fabric Land, who was also having a 50% off sale! I was originally going to put them outside in my cast-iron urn with some shrubbery but liked them on the mantel instead, giving the décor some much needed height! I am still going to put in some more height, by placing in a cedar behind all the decorations you currently see. Like I said, it's a very large space so I have a lot of room to still work with.

I have always been in absolute love with silhouettes. I am thrilled to have finally been able to make some of my girls! Positively Splendid provided an awesome tutorial on how to make these pieces using PhotoShop (click HERE for the link). I had never used Photoshop before and I can tell you - it's a bit challenging!! This tutorial, however, makes it very easy to create your own silhouette masterpiece! I printed mine off at home and adhered them to some purple polka-dotted paper; I then used some plain black frames and some easels I bought at the good old dollar store to display my art!

There are two of these gorgeous flourished reindeer on each side of the mantel. I love them because they are a combination of antique gold and silver in colour and have a beautiful detailing on them. I used a 40% off coupon at Michaels and got them for $12 each!
This little mister is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. I have had him for a few years now but every Christmas when I pull him out from the depths of the basement's bowels I am always delighted. I went to a large warehouse that sells greenware and bisque items and bought him for around $15. I then brought my snowman into one of those coffee shops where you paint ceramics (SOOO much cheaper when you buy your own bisque, however, not all places will let you bring in your own pieces) and paid the $10 studio fee. So, for $25 I consider this guy to be a steal of a deal!

And finally, seeing that I had downloaded a free 30 day trial of the Photoshop program (here) I decided that I should play around with it a bit. This program, for me anyways, is very confusing but I did manage to make this cute cut-out of my kids with Old Saint Nick! I used the magnetic lasso tool to highlight what I wanted in my picture (when we got our Santa pictures we paid for the digital image only, rather than buying their expensive prints!) and then whited out the background. I then used my trusted super sharp Stampin' Up craft scissors to cut around the top part of the picture. I folded back the top and made a pop up tent backing. I then adhered some purple polka dot paper on the base so it would go with my décor!

So however you decide to decorate this year, I hope you have fun with it and maybe try something new! It's fun to add each year to your Christmas stock and maybe even add in some new traditions along the way! I would love to hear what new things you may have tried and if you've posted some pics to your own blog, post your link in the comments so I can check it out!! :)

Wishlist Wednesday!

2011-12-06T19:36:00.000-08:00

Oh man...I love etsy. I have a wishlist 14 pages long of items that I would gladly spend all my hard earned cash on in a heartbeat! Of course, this is obviously not realistic seeing that I have little mouths to feed and have become accusomed to the little perks in life, such as heat and electricity. BUT...hey, if I didn't have these hiccups - watch out.

I suppose all I can do is dream for now. My wishlist is a collection of beauties that are handcrafted by truly talented men and women. Sometimes I am in awe with what can be accomplished with talent and a bit of hardwork.

Today's wishlist item are these absolutely adorable little baby boots. Like for real boots...yes, I'm talking about baby cowboy boots!

These beauts are from an Etsy shop called Pods Shoes and Patterns where you can find wonderfully delightful boots, shoes, and - you guessed it - patterns. Made from recycled leather you can gets these in many different colours, including grey, pink, brown, black and red. There is velcro down the sides to accomidate chubby little baby feet and suede lining inside. Sizewise you can get a pair for anywhere inbetween 0 to 18 months. I think what really makes these boots, however, is the amazing top-stitching. It's the little details that really make or break an item like this and Pods Shoes have really hit the mark!

You can't help but smile when you see these and at $46 (plus shipping) you can't ask for a cuter keepsake for any little baby in your life!

As promised....

2011-12-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I promised to post something with some actual content and I've decided to start with a real bang...a recipe for my homemade Turtles! I just picked up all my Christmas baking ingredients this afternoon and was anxious to get home and get started. I love this recipe because it's quick (I made these while the 7 month old was sleeping!), easy, and absolutely mouthwatering!

Homemade Turtles
yield: approx. 13

Ingredients:

-Butter, for wax paper

-24 soft caramels (approx. 1 1/4 cup)

-1 cup pecans

-4 oz. milk chocolate, chopped coarsely

Instructions:

-Line a baking sheet with wax paper and generously apply butter.

-Unwrap caramels and place them in a large, heatproof, bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir occasionally until the caramels are completely melted and smooth (approx. 10-20 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in pecans.

-Spoon 1" mounds of the caramel mix onto the waxed paper. You may have to use your hands to coax the mix into clusters. Refrigerate the clusters until firm (approx. 15 minutes).

-Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring frequently until melted. Remove from heat.

-Dip the tops of the cooled caramel clusters into the melted chocolate and then replace onto cookie sheet. Return the turtles to the refrigerator to harden the chocolate (approx. 1 hour). Enjoy!

**Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Each turtles contains approx. 150 cals.

So there you go. A super fast recipe that doesn't take too much out of you and is certain to impress! Of course you can play around with this recipe, using different types of nuts (walnuts, cashews, almonds, etc.) or chocolate. I hope you enjoy them and, please, let me know if you try this recipe and how it turned out for you!

OOOppss....I did it again!

2011-12-05T22:00:00.001-08:00

Okay, Okay...so I promised I wouldn't do this again....and I broke my promise. I've been MIA for about, oh I don't know, 8 months or so. BUT now, yes, - I am back...uh, again. In my defence, however, I do have a good excuse for my extended absence...her name is Kate and she is maybe the cutest little thing in the whole entire world.

After this long break from my blogging life (and etsy, and crafting, and sleeping properly, and doing whatever I want whenever I want for that matter) I have finally become accustomed to being a mom to 2 little peoples and, if I do say so myself, I'm getting pretty good at it! So, with this newly achieved confidence, I've decided to jump feet first back into my lovely blog. This time, however, I've decided to expand my horizons and go beyond solely exploring my etsy obsession.

Lately, I have been drawn towards the jack-of-all trades blogs. They do baking, they do tutorials, they do crafts - yes, it's like visiting a virtual megamall for all your handmade, handcrafted, and handcreated needs. So, I thought to myself, why not. I can do it too. Right?

Stay tuned...I promise, I'll be back soon and post something with some actual content. I promise. :)

SPRING!

2011-03-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

Spring will be pretty.

Just give it a week,

When flowers are blooming down by the creek.

Bees will be buzzing as trees start to bud,

But for the moment I'm covered with mud.

Snow has been melting, since winter is through,

Replacing the whiteness with puddles of goo.

I stepped off the sidewalk and into the ooze.

Next thing I knew, I stepped out of my shoes!

Mud on my ankles and mud on my clothes.

I stumbled face-first and got mud up my nose.

Spring will be pretty, but I must confess, The first days of spring are a muckety mess!

-Dave Crawley

Team Feature - Posh Nursery

2011-03-10T11:21:00.001-08:00

As most of you know, one of the great tools available to shops on Etsy is the ability to become involved in various teams. This is a great way for different people, from around the world, to connect with other shops that have like interests, shop listings, who live in common areas, etc.

Becoming a member of a team means you are now part of a group of people who will support you, share ideas, promote you, and, even sometimes, shop from you! I love that this is available to shop owners and feel that only positive things came from participating in this way.

One such team that I am thrilled to introduce is called Posh Nursery. This is a group of people who have focused their shops to specialize in items that are primarily meant for nurseries and children’s rooms. Although the team is still fairly new, the membership has been growing steadily and the quality of shops involved is stellar.

How lovely is it to have a group of people dedicated to making your little one’s first bedroom something magical? A lot of hard work and thought have built the foundation for your perfect nursery so it only makes sense to go to a team like Posh Nursery to find everything you’re hoping to find when starting out on your decorating journey.

The Posh Nursery team boasts fabulous shops that specialize in items such as custom bedding, stuffies, artwork (including custom work), wall letters, toys, organization, mobiles, and keepsake items – just to name a few.

I love this Baptism/First Communion memory box from The Memory Keepers. As a mom to a young child I am always gathering little items (photos, ribbons, tickets, certificates…) to remind me of special occasions with my daughter. This, however, can cause clutter and, unfortunately, things sometimes get lost. Using a memory box gives all your special mementos a unique home and ensures that you will be able to enjoy them many years from now.

The custom wall hangings available at Slharnisch are simply amazing! The hand-painting craftsmanship is impeccable and having something like this in your nursery would absolutely be one of a kind. I love anything that is customizable and this, obviously, fits with that. This is so unique and is definitely something to set your nursery apart.

I can’t say enough about these hand painted wall letters from Bouncing Off the Walls. I love love love the motif in this listing – it is so fun, whimsy, and just plain adorable. You can tell the care and absolutely effort put into all the letters available in this shop; there is a wide variety to choose from as well so you know you will leave finding exactly what you want.

I love this shop. Sea Urchin Studio offers wonderful alphabet prints that are so versatile for different décor ideas. My personal favorite are these sea creatures, set in a beautiful pastel tone. Use these letters to spell out the entire alphabet or just choose the letters in your child’s name. So cute and so much fun!

I love this next shop because they align really well with my own décor tastes. I love a nursery that includes elegance and class – not always just the cutesy stuff. These pillow cases from Chloe and Olive Dot Com would look just gorgeous adorning your gliding chair or as part of your child’s bedding. The colours work well with the soft hues generally found in a nursery and become an eye-catching piece to anyone coming to admire your little one’s abode.

And finally, I want to point out these super cute custom Hippo oil paintings from Baby Sully’s Art. This shop does specialize in items for both boys AND girls but I did want to draw attention specifically to this item as it is maybe geared more towards the male gender. They sometimes get forgotten in the baby decorating world (and from what I hear from friends with little boys – in the clothing department as well!). I always hear, “there are so many cute things for girls, but what about the boys?!” Well, look no further – thank you Baby Sully’s Art. I love these painting (customizable!!) and how special would it be to have personalized hand-painted artwork for your little man’s room?

As I mentioned, this is just a sampling of the shops who call the Posh Nursery team home. I would suggest to you to go and check them out whether you are planning a nursery of your own or know someone who is. Fabulous gifts for new moms and dads and an easy way to find them.

If you would like to find out more about the Posh Nursery team you can check out their team page HERE or you can type in “posh nursery” in the Etsy search engine.

Welcome to a Special Cottage Guest!

2011-03-04T09:37:00.000-08:00

Where to start? Well, first off, I think I’ll start with a really warm welcome to our special cottage guest – Bouvier Jewelry. This shop, I have to say, is one of my all time favourites on Etsy and I’m thrilled to have the chance to sit and talk with someone who, I think, is an Etsy inspiration!

Located out of Virginia, USA, Bouvier Jewelry is a shop that doesn’t just make and sell gorgeous jewelry but, rather, creates jewelry art that has been inspired from her worldwide travels. The pieces featured in this shop are elegant, timeless, chic and, to put it simply, beautiful.

I have been following Bouvier Jewelry almost since it’s inception in early 2009. I was immediately taken aback by the stunning necklaces I found in the shop and was quickly hooked on the tremendous variety of earrings, bracelets, and event jewelry I also found there. I adore big, hearty necklaces in particular and Bouvier Jewelry’s use of semi-precious and precious stones was right up my alley. Sterling silver, pearls, gemstones, and vintage finds soon found a place in my heart as I explored and fell in love with (and I’m not kidding) nearly every piece in the shop!!

As I mentioned, I got the opportunity to speak with the owner of Bouvier Jewelry and was interested to hear her views on our wonderful Etsyland!

When did you first hear about Etsy? Was it a tough decision to open up shop?

I had been making jewelry for myself and my friends for several years. My friend Cara is the one who suggested it. She convinced me that more people than me (and my friends) would want to wear my designs.
It wasn’t a tough decision to start the shop at all! In fact, it all made a lot of sense, and once I started, everything really fell into place. It’s one of the best and most fun things I’ve ever done!

Where did the name Bouvier Jewelry come from?

I wanted a name that invoked simplicity and timelessness. Since ‘Bouvier’ is my last name, it was an easy choice.

Where do you major inspirations come from for your jewelry?

From so many places! I visit museums, read magazines, wander through shops and boutiques… anywhere “color” strikes me. I also get a lot of inspiration from the seasons. In the winter, I want something a little more subdued. In the summer, it’s all about color, and anything you can wear with a summer dress. In a recent trip to San Francisco, I was inspired by the Middle Eastern shops with all their bright colors and luxe fabrics. It reminded me of Marrakesh. One of my upcoming summer collections is going to be reflective of exotic colors and spices. I can’t wait. I’m designing like crazy right now.

What do you find to be the most rewarding thing about having an Etsy shop?

The people I meet! I have some wonderful customers, who make me so happy to do what I do. I also love meeting new people, designing custom pieces for people, and hearing their stories. One of the most rewarding things for me is hearing the “after story”, or getting a picture of a wedding or event where someone wore my jewelry. It’s such a great feeling.

And what would you say, then, is the most challenging thing about having an Etsy shop?

To have a successful Etsy shop, it requires a lot of time and dedication. Like everyone else, I have a busy life, and finding the time to make my shop the way I want it to be can be a challenge.

If you could add any feature to Etsy, if any, what would it be?

I wish I could design the layout of my own shop more so than what Etsy allows, but it works for now. I suppose someday I will have my own website, but until that day comes, Etsy is a great venue for my creativity.

What would you say, in terms of advice, to people who are new to selling on Etsy?

You get out of your shop what you put into it. Having a successful shop requires good photography, good writing and product descriptions, and building a sense of trust and rapport with your customers. It’s all about how you brand yourself. You have to figure out who you are and how you want to communicate that through your products to your customers. I’ve talked to a few new Etsy sellers, who haven’t sold anything in the first couple months of having a shop, who get very discouraged. But I tell them to keep at it. Make sure the photos are bright and inviting. Make sure the writing is good, and keep making it better. It takes a lot of work. I’m constantly trying to improve upon what I’m doing. Getting good photographs that show the beauty of the jewelry is the hardest part for me, so that’s something I continually try to improve upon.

I also feel like it’s important to have a fair return policy. Buying things online can be scary for some people. There’s nothing worse than being “stuck with something” that doesn’t work for you. Accepting returns builds trust with customers, which is a key to success on Etsy.

One of the most fun things about Etsy is finding other shops that you love and always return to...who do you love on Etsy?

My two favorite sellers are:
- Heart My Closet: www.etsy.com/shop/heartmycloset. They make custom dresses. I have gotten several super gorgeous dresses that make me feel like a pin-up girl. The work is impeccable and the turnaround is quick.

- Donna Geissler Photography: www.etsy.com/shop/donnageissler. Her photography is calming, wistful, romantic, and beautiful. In my hectic life, her work makes me feel so good!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me here at the Hand Crafted Cottage!!! Do you have any final thoughts?

Having an Etsy shop has been so fun and such a great creative outlet for me. The best thing is the connection that is formed with other artists and people who appreciate art. I’m so happy to be part of such a great community of people!

Whether you are looking for a gorgeous signature piece, something to wear on a special occasion, or just because, Bouvier Jewelry is somewhere you must stop by and fall in love with a piece...or two...or, if you are me...all of them!
Please take a moment and check out Bouvier Jewelry. Post in the comments section below which is your favourite piece – I love to compare our wish lists!!

The Original Bébé

2011-02-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

With our baby’s arrival quickly approaching sometime in May, I’ve started to make a mental note of all the things I need to do – most of which need to happen sooner rather than later. As I was jotting down some notes, my sweet little Bruce (and I use the term “sweet” VERY loosely) caught my eye. Bruce is our family pet, but really, he is so much more than that. He is a mini dachshund that grew into a not-so-mini dachshund…let’s just say he’s more of an in-betweeny. Anyways, as I am trying to make my list Bruce keeps trying to get my attention. After several attempts, I backed up and let him jump up on my lap for a snuggle.

This little occurrence (which is usually a daily occurrence) got me to thinking. When little bébé no. 2 arrives, my poor Bruce has to make even more room on the old totem pole, again! Those first 3 months with the new little bundle of joy are a blur for us as parents and, unfortunately, I can tell you most positively that there will be a few missed belly rubs and thrown tennis balls for my furry little friend. If I remember correctly from the first time around: sleeping (or trying to sleep), eating, and changing diapers…that’s what my life was for what seemed like an eternity.

So, in my attempts to prepare I added another item to my baby to-do list. Pamper Bruce. Yes, just as I will be busy preparing my two-year old for the arrival of her new baby sister, I need to prepare my pup as well for his new baby sister. This, I believe, should consist of a few extra walks, some serious cuddle time and of course, a few luxuries from Etsy!

These are some fabulous finds from some fabulous shops that would be fabulous for any pet lover!

Bruce is a bonafide prize-winning wiener dog. Last year he won our local wiener dog race and even managed to claim a $250 prize!! This pea green Dachshund sweater, from Warm Weenies, has his name all over it. He is a professional after all and should be dressed like one!!

After a long day of lying around, chewing on a raw-hide and barking at the neighborhood kids as they walk home from the bus stop, a dog can manage to work up quite the appetite! These adorable bone shaped dog mats are perfect for jazzing up your dog’s personal space. Camargo Creations has a wide variety of mats at extremely affordable prices!! Definitely check them out!

Sophie’s Threads also gives us a portal to dog fabulosity with some great looking harnesses. Bruce can be quite excitable on his walks – especially when that French bulldog from down the street happens to be walking by – and a harness just like this one is what he needs to impress his lady friend AND stay safely at my side!

While taking our walks, this inevitably leads to other things…yes, you know what I’m talking about. As a responsible pet owner I’m always sure to have my little roll of baggies attached to my leash, ready to spring into action whenever the mood may hit him. Some people, unfortunately, are not so thoughtful when it comes to this so this ‘NO DOG POOP’ yard sign from Knob Creek Metal Arts is perfect to keep Bruce’s turf turd free!

This vinyl decal from Graphic Spaces has been one of my favorite Etsy listings for a long time!! I can just picture the perfect spot for it in my house!! I love anything that can be personalized (dog’s name, size, colour) and that is unique. This Dog House decal is just that and is, therefore, a must have.

And finally, and this is perhaps the most important for me. A reminder. A cute Dachshund silhouette from Scratch and Sniff, right at eye level, would work perfectly as that gentle reminder on those mornings when I’ve had little to no-sleep, 5 diaper changes, and an early morning wake-up from my two year old. These prints are unique because, not only are they a silhouette, but they are made from various different paper sources – including my favorite, an image from Alice in Wonderland.

When bébé no. 2 arrives it will be difficult to adjust to our new family life. But, whether I have two bébés, 4 bébés, or more, Bruce will still always be one of my bébé’s himself. Before we have kids, he was our kid. Now I consider him more of a teenager but, never the less, we will always make sure to have room for him on our totem pole! Love you Bruce-ington!

I'mmmmm back!!!

2011-02-17T13:05:00.000-08:00

Okay..this is just ridiculous!!! As you can see, I have been neglecting my blog for far too long! I don't know where all the time goes but, all I can say is WOW! It feels like just yesterday that I was posting my last blog! Now, almost 10 months later, I'm in shock as to where the time has gone! Ironically, May 17th - the date of my last post - is a very special date to me now. It's the due date for my new little baby girl that is set to arrive fairly soon! Yes, I"m going to be a mommy of two little bébés this spring! :)

Now that time is finally starting to slow down for me a bit, I've totally starting getting into my nesting mode! I have been searching and searching through all my Etsy favorites and through some great new finds to look for the perfect pieces for bébé no. 2. This time around we are going to leave our nursery walls two neutral shades of brown and leave all the girly flair up to the accessories and textiles. I am struggling a bit with what I want the final look to be but what I do know is that I want sweet, calm and a few polka dots here and there!

Here are a few items that I would be absolutely proud to include in my new baby's sanctuary:

First and foremost, I want to start off with this adorable Girly Owl night light from Star Lights by Amber. A nursery must have a great, calming atmosphere and soft lighting is a must. Why plug in a boring old white night light when you can add a little pizazz with a piece like this?? Measuring approximately 4" in height, this beautiful little light comes with a 5 watt bulb and is ready to go the minute you receive it.

This one, really, is a no-brainer for me. These boutique-quality, hand painted letters from Candace n Katie's Art are simply stunning. I love all the colour and motif combinations there are to choose from in this shop and the addition of the 2" stiff felt flowers really set these letters apart from many other shops! Bow holders, picture frames, and adorable kid's calling cards are also available in this shop.

Now, I know this isn't a décor item, per say, but I have to include this on my list. These baby books are truly special. 2 Giggles is a shop that is filled with wonderful customization, just for you. There is a plethora of baby books in a variety of colours, fonts, and even in form (for example, you can choose a bound book or a binder style). You can select additional pages to include in some of the baby books, such as "first holiday"pages or "pregnancy memories"pages. I have to admit that, yes, I could not resist and ordered one of these babies for myself (I opted for the binder variety)! I cannot wait to start filling in the pages with all the little anecdotes and stories of my new bébé no. 2! And really, with a sweet little shelf or bookcase, this CAN become a décor item (as I will be doing), displaying the book made just for my little one for all to see!

I happened to come across this shop (which is dripping with fabulosity, by the way) at the bottom of the Etsy page - you know, where they have little thumbnails of newly posted items. Oh my goodness, it was love at first site. EVERYTHING I love...polkadots, ornate frames, buttons...I could go on and on. I actually ordered a white frame for my other daughter's room and I can't help but show it off to all the guest who come to my house now. These pieces by Shugabee Lane are so unique and special, I really can't say enough about them. I dare you to check out this shop and not heart at least five items...it's impossible!

And finally, this super sweet print from Love Sugar is something I fell in love with as soon as I set my eyes upon it! I love it's simplicity and the whimsical font used. Of course, I am a sucker for anything french and, lately, have really been drawn to cute little birdies. Measuring 12 x 16 this print is also great because of it's size...why always just stick with a boring 8 x 10? You can't lose with this glicée print (if you are looking for it in other colours or sizes, that is also available).

So, there you are. I am sorry that is has been so long since I've last updated you with some wonderful Etsy finds and I promise to keep things a bit more regular! As May 17 approaches you can be sure that I will be searching high and low, trying to find all the perfect items for my nest! :)

Laundry is LOADS of fun!

2010-05-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

Most of us ladies, probably, don't want to admit it but a fine laundry room really knocks our socks off. It's sort of on that list of things that "one day" I'll actually have. An amazing laundry room - yes a room that centers around doing choirs - can really change your life.

Even though, your very presence in this room denotes work and things most of us try to avoid, you can't help but fall in love with this little corner of clean. Here at the Hand Crafted Cottage I want to put a lot of love into every room in my home. And the laundry room is no exception.

Envision your den of dirty with a gorgeous deep sink, standing strong in front of a full wall of durable, wipeable tiles. Beside that is a wonderfully aged white shelf, with purple polka dot wall paper adorning it's insides. This is where all your soaps and such would make their home and beneath them live your beautiful baskets of wicker. Everything has it's place and everything is gleaming clean. Wow...I think my socks where just knocked!

Here are a few more Etsy gems that would fit right in to the laundry room of your dreams!

The laundry room WOULD be loads of fun with organization such as this. This vinyl decal from Style Mark Designs would make any tin basket the perfect keeper of your detergents, towels, or socks without a match. Of course, this could also make a home on your wall, reminding you how much fun choirs can really be (right???)!

I love this sign because it keeps things fun. And really, a quotation from William Shakespear makes everything more respectable...even scrubbing mystery stain out of the pants you wore on the bus! Rumple Street Boutique makes such wonderful signs, whether it be for your laundry room or any other room in your house. This store is a must see and are quickly growing into one of my favorite shops out there.

Mr. Jones Soapbox laundry detergent is enviornmentally friendly and, also, friendly to the old pocket book! Packaged beautifully, this soap will massage your clothes clean and will last for 80 loads. The look of this product drew me in while what was inside kept me interested! Way to go Mr. Jones!

Another vinyl decal that really tickles my fancy. I love that you can get these in any colour - so to match my purple polka dots. It falls within my whimsy theme, yet is helpful for those times I can't remember my symbols. My, how helpful! Sudio JK Vinyl has really hit the nail on the head with this one and I think that this would make a wonderfully unique house warming gift.

Of course, when it comes to laundry there are other things to consider. Laundry and ironing go hand in hand. I am absolutely enamoured with the lovely ironing board covers found in Compelled to Craft. A wide selection of patterns available, this shop dedicates itself to beautifying the everyday. Why not iron in style? Of course, having the ironing board hanging on the wall (yes, everything has it's place) turns into almost a peice of art.

And finally, this one is very important and usually overlooked. As the wife of a notorious scatter brain, I generally find laundry day to be quite lucrative! I can't tell you how many five, ten, twenty dollar bills I have found in my other's pockets while cleaning his clothes. I figure I've earned it and always throw that moo-lah into a jar to access at a later point in time. Of course, I need a special jar that looks smashing. Leave it to Whitney Smith, to help me out!

It's a fact that having an awesome laundry room increases the resale value of your home. Having an inviting laundry room also makes an annoying task a little more bearable. Pull together these fabulous items and you just might find yourself in the 'official room of choirs' a little more often that you thought!

EK Fine Arts...yes please!

2010-05-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Do you ever check out the shops that you find on Pounce, still waiting for their first sale? I like to check out the Pounce option every once in a while, in search of a potential new favorite. Well, recently, I was doing just that and I came across a really great new shop called EK Fine Arts.

This shop specializes in – you guessed it, fine art! Gorgeous fine art, I may add. In fact, I was so in awe with one of the pieces I found in this lovely gallery that I immediately put it in my shopping cart, then I continued to browse through some other new shops. Unfortunately, before I could check out, some other lucky person actually bought the painting I wanted! Valuable lesson to us all – if you want it…check out right away!! Especially if it’s a one of a kind type item (and this beautiful painting most definitely was!).

Well, I was so intrigued with this shop. I needed to know more. I contacted the shop owner, a lovely lady named Emilia, who was so kind to answer my questions and agree to let me post some of her items on my blog.

Emilia has been an Etsian only since December 21, 2009. Her shop is filled with gorgeous abstract art where free forms, texture, composition, colours, and, of course, emotion take the foreground instead of the real life shapes of certain objects. These are gallery quality pieces that range in price from $50.00 to $650.00 (as of May 10/10) and they currently find homes with corporate collections, private ownership, and galleries around the world.

As I mentioned before, Emilia was kind enough to answer some questions that I had for her. My first question covered the basics –where are you from and what do you do?

Emilia: Well, I am originally from Poland /Europe, but I currently reside in New Jersey/US. Presently I collaborate with designers and work as an Abstract artist.

And, How would you describe your art?

Emilia: My work is about forms, texture, composition, color and emotions. It's free of literal meaning.

I am primarily focused on expressing the qualities, and texture of the painting's surface.I wish to liberate myself from any form and coping reality and nature in my art. I don't want to show the real objects, I want to use the colors and forms freely. I express a wide spectrum of emotions in my abstract art such as despair, ecstasy, resignation and many others.

So have you been formally trained in your art?

Emilia: I have graduated from the Academy of Visual Arts in Europe in 1998 and I have also completed a one year course in design.

I found your shop while "pouncing" one day through the new shops. How did you discover Etsy and what do you think of it so far?

Emilia: Hmmm… I can't say a lot about Etsy. This is a new experience.

And finally, what (if you can choose just one) is your favorite piece that you have listed in your shop and why?

Emilia: I love any my paintings, because they include my heart, soul and of course my personality.

Emilia’s shop is so lovely and I personally think my walls would look much richer with one of her works hanging on them. As she mentioned this abstract art is about emotion and personality, and I’m constantly checking back (and still kicking myself for not checking out faster with that first painting!) to find the right piece for my home. What I really love about this shop as well is that this is beautiful AND affordable art. What a wonderful thing to have a real painting hanging above your mantel or greeting you in the morning as it hangs over your headboard.

Here is a small sampling of some of her beautiful paintings that, perhaps, would like to make a home inside your home!

Title: Diary of Autumn
Size: 36” x 24” x 0.75”(deep)
Cost: $150.00
Gallery Price: $750.00
Comments: No need to frame – just hang and enjoy! The finish is protected with a final varnish coat.
Title: The System (XXL)
Size: 48” x 36” x 1.75”(deep)
Cost: $650.00
Gallery Price: $3,000.00
Comments: No need to frame – just hang and enjoy! The finish is protected with a final varnish coat.
Title: Illusion
Size: 30” x 15”x0.75”
Cost: $50.00
Comment: Nice soft textures. No need to frame – just hang and enjoy! The finish is protected with a final varnish coat.

If you are an art fan, this is a shop for you to heart. Please feel free to leave a comment below letting us know which piece you most enjoy! Also, because I know you are curious, click HERE to see the painting I, unfortunately, missed out on! Don’t forget…if you love something – check out right away!

I LOVE My Mom!

2010-05-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

I love my mom. I really really do. She is a wonderful, caring, generous and loving person. Plus, she has a really awesome daughter (but that’s beside the point). This weekend coming up, as we all know, is Mother’s Day. A day to honour our mums and let them know how much we appreciate everything they’ve done for us over the past year.

We should, obviously, be cherishing our mamas everyday of the year but dedicating a whole day to just her is still a nice treat. I was reminiscing about my mom today and recalled when I first moved away from home into a tiny, little (and yucky!) apartment with my new husband. It was probably two weeks in to the new move and I was sitting at the kitchen table. All of a sudden my husband looks at me and there are tears coming down my cheek – “What’s wrong sweetheart?” my young and concerned hubby asked. “I miss my mom!” was all I could get out. And yes, I was 25 years old. I don’t really know why at that moment my emotions began to flood the dining room but I think that those sentiments ring true to the relationship I have with my mom. It doesn’t matter how old I am, she will always be a mommy and I will always need her in my life.
With that being said, I wanted to find some Etsy gems that brought my dear madre to mind when I saw them. All of these items ring perfectly true to the tune of my mother!

What: Fleur de Sel Caramel Bars (1 pound of delectable caramel, cut into four ¼ pound bars)
From: Have it Confections
Price: $17 + shipping
Why: Sweet tooth is pretty much synonymous with our family name. Some of my favorite memories center around the mouth watering spread my mom would lay out on family occasions, as we sit around the table playing games or looking at old pictures!
What: Custom Silhouette Portrait (12 x 12 print on canvas)
From: Pretty Faces
Price: $70 + shipping
Why: My mom loves old world tradition. This would be right up her alley, hanging on the wall as we watch a movie about Queen Victoria and sipping dark teas.
What: Cosmic Curve Earrings (Swarovski crystals)
From: The Meg Shop
Price: $24 + shipping (note: this is a SALE price)
Why: My mom is a classy lady. Yes, she is a mom but there are no mom jeans or sweatshirts with loons on them anywhere in sight. She has style and isn’t afraid to change with the times – I hope to be so lucky as time marches on!
What: Traditions Ivory and Black Damask Table Runner (72” long x 12” wide)
From: Flora Touch
Price: $12 + shipping
Why: Dinner parties are a big thing in my family. We love to have people over and wine and dine them for the evening. My mom is always thoughtful of her guests AND of the décor – a win win in my opinion. What: Hand Cut, Unpainted Wooden Letters (6” in height)
From: Bouncing Off the Walls
Price: $4 (each) + shipping
Why: Crafting is our religion! Whether it would be decorating these adorable wooden letters or making a thoughtful birthday card, she can (and will) do it all.
What: Book Inspector Paper Weight
From: Ephemeralogie
Price: $15 + shipping (note: this is a SALE price)
Why: Well, my mom is a librarian and I needed something that captured her love of books and her, shall we say, keen eye on the state of them.
What: Mother Bird Card
From: Moonmum
Price: $6 + shipping
Why: This one is pretty obvious – she’s my mama bird!

So, this weekend make sure to let your mom know how loved she is. Whether she lives next door, on the other side of the city or in another province or state, send some love her way.

Time to Start Shopping!

2010-04-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

I am in a shopping mood! Not sure why I have this bee in my bonnet (yes, I actually do still talk like this) but for some reason I have that proverbial hole burning in my pocket and I have to kill the fire! The best way to do this, obviously, is to visit my darling Etsy Land.

As I’ve mentioned before I spend much time grooming and tweaking my favorites page and really, at any time, I could close my eyes and point randomly at something I’ve hearted and I would be beyond thrilled to call it my own. With Mother’s Day coming up as well, this really is prime shopping time for me!

As I perused my collection of beloveds, there were a few things that really stood out. I’ve decided to post them for you, in hopes, you know…that perhaps my other is reading this as well – as I mentioned, Mother’s Day IS quickly approaching!

First of all, I am absolutely IN LOVE with these shoe clips from Percy Handmade. I recently purchased a lovely hair clip from this whimsical shop and I can tell you the quality of the craftsmanship is unmatched. I just love these clips because, like many of you, I have a ton of boring old black heels that need a little je ne sais quoi! These ivory blossoms are simply gorgeous, adorned with pearl and glass beads, and measure approximately 2” in diameter. I will be attending a wedding soon and can just picture myself dancing up a storm while wearing this little gems on my tootsies!

My next absolute must have is this collection of fabrics from the Fabric Shoppe. Titled Lovebirds Fabric, the bundle includes five ½ yard sections of 100% cotton. The symphony of polka dots, birdies and luxurious damask is a blend of elegance and fun. I am simply dying to make a mini quilt for my bébé with this listing! I’ve also noticed that the seller has a ‘save on shipping’ feature, available to residents in North America.

I’ve mentioned this next shop a few times before and, really, she’s one of my favorites for a reason! The Back Porch Shoppe has so many great items it’s hard to choose just one. This shabby chic, vintage styled Laundry sign has stood out in my mind for a very long time. In the Hand Crafted Cottage, we are preparing to develop our laundry room into a place of beauty…and yes, I know this sounds strange – laundry and the word beauty in the same sentence. But I kid you not, my future laundry room will be just that…beautiful (I’m talking about a large sink, tile backsplashes, shelves galore, etc)! What better way to put a cherry on the top of this spin-cycled sundae than to include this sign, enticing guests to come and check out my dirty laundry in all it’s glory.

Another item I simply must have in my grasps is this adorable growth chart from Pop Wall. At first I thought it was a giraffe but, to be true to the listing, it is labeled as a tall horse! Measuring 70cm -150cm this would look perfect in a child’s toy room or in their bedroom. It is a vinyl wall decal which is great because when your little one’s outgrown it, it is easily removed from the wall with no damage (plus if you are a bit wary of the vinyl wall decal craze, this shop includes a free practice decal to try out before hand)! The nice things about our tall horse here, is that he can also be customized in size and colour.

And finally, these little hand lettered note cards are pure decadence. I have mentioned this shop in the past but the level of artistry oozing from Primele is worthy of a second glance. I know the intention of these little calling cards is not for what I have in mind but rather to use as place cards, addressing on envelopes, etc. BUT…I would love love love to have a collection of these to paste into my favorite books, recipe collections or wherever I found the need and desire to put them. They are simply gorgeous and the listing indicates that the calligrapher can include personalized printing, edging, flourishing and more. You MUST check out this amazing shop!

So that’s my list. Of course, every day I am finding new and amazing items I would be proud to call my own! I’m still hung up on my soap (as per my previous post) and actually, now that I think of it…I need to get a baby gift too. And then there’s apron from Lover Dovers Clothing that I’ve had my eye on for a while. Hmmm…my list is growing. Well, to my other – if you ARE in fact reading this…you know what to do.

The Importance of Soap

2010-04-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

As of late I seem to have the strangest things stuck in my mind. I’m not talking like a quick passing thought, but things that I have been thinking about and thinking about until they have been fully completely and utterly analyzed to the point of ridiculousness.

So, what types of things am I stuck on? Well…the little things, of course. For example, knobs. I want to replace the knobs on my cupboards and I have put so much thought and effort into something as small as knobs I think my family is ready to label me as one…a knob.

Besides knobs, and other equally small detailed type items, soap is another thing on my mind. In my “fancy guest bathroom where you don’t ever dare to use the hand towels ever – because they are for guests” bathroom I am looking to revolutionize my soap position. Up to this point I have been a liquid soap girl. It’s so easy and I never have to deal with a lovely soap that turns all slimy and white. However, as of late, my liquid soap has started to feel, well, sort of industrial and faceless. Not really sure why but nevertheless, soap has become a big thing in my life apparently.

Chocolate Raspberry soap bars (set of 3) from Naiad

As per usual, whenever I get a one of these thoughts, I start to think, “how can I relate this to my Etsy-obsession?”. And it was very easily answered because Etsy provides a wide array of soap options for all your soap needs. But as I began to explore and discover the soap category more questions began to pop up. Yes, in the long run, all I’m looking for is a beautiful piece of soap to show off to all my guests but what is this cold pressed soap versus hot pressed soap and what in the name of the universe is saponification???

This gave me a great idea for a blog post. Every now and then I’d like to take a glimpse into an entire genre of Etsy category and take a look into the wonderful type of artistry available. And, believe it or not, soap is a fascinating genre to start with!

French Milled Chocolate Oatmeal soap from Ultimate Organic Soap

I was surprised to see that soap and the art of making soap dates back centuries, all the way back to 2800BC. Who knew they used soap back then?! The first recorded recipe for soap also dates back to this time, which falls into the ancient Babylonian category, in 2200BC.

As time progressed so did the art of making soap. In medieval times soap making evolved into a higher level of artistry where those involved in this craft were typically members of a special guild. Most people viewed soap makers as kin to carpenters, blacksmiths, and bakers.

A short time later chemistry (and those who practiced it) started to take note and the art of soap making changed once again. Now soap was seeing an injection of vegetable oils, aromatic oils and lye for the first time. As time ticked by and hygiene became more and more important so did the use of soap (this really took off during the industrial revolution!). In 1885 Unilever, the world’s biggest producer of soap, was born.

Wishing soap, inspired by the book Half Magic by Edward Eager from Latherati Soap

As I mentioned before, there are several ways to actually produce soap. Whichever way you make it, I get the impression that handmade is better (when is it not???) because handmade soap contains an excess of fat. This is naturally more moisturizing and isn’t pure detergent, like many of the store bought varieties.

One of the most popular ways to make soap is through a process called the Cold Process Method. As far as I can tell, this method is more methodical and time consuming than it’s sister…the Hot Press Method. Cold Press requires specific calculations on ingredient quantities. Lye is dissolved in water and added to oils, which have been heated and then cooled. This makes a pudding like consistency and opens up the stage for botanicals, herbs, or what have you, to be added. The mix is then poured into molds and is left to saponify (which basically means, to turn into soap) for up to 48 hours. When hardened, the soap is then removed from the mold and cut, however, some may continue to cure the soap for an additional 2 to 6 weeks thereafter.

Allspice Coconut Milk soap, XL Vegan Bar, from the Soap Store

Now, the Hot Press Method is similar in some regards. In this process, a soap maker will boil together the lye and a fat until saponification occurs. A hot, soft soap is formed and is immediately spooned into a mold. From here the same steps are followed as above with hardening, cutting, and curing.

I would like to mention that I am in no way an expert on the art of soap making. All of the details I have provided are simply what I can deduct from my research into this art and I welcome anyone who sees some…shall we say, misinformation, do let me know in the comments section of this post!

cinnamon spice BIG bar, cold press soap from Besem Natural Scents

So, yes, soap is actually very interesting and can really beautify a bathroom! I can almost see it as a little piece of art laying there in a dish saying, “let me clean you!” Now when I go into a friend’s washroom and see their soap I will have so much more appreciation for all the thought that may have gone into this one small detail!

In an Old Town Garden

2010-03-16T10:06:00.001-07:00

I love spring! It's quickly approaching us and I just can't wait. This year, I'm most excited about starting a new garden at the Hand Crafted Cottage and what better place is there than Etsy to find some beautiful items to get it started?!

Here is a poem I found that I'd like to share, fitting with my garden theme, intertwined with some Etsy gems. Enjoy!

IN AN OLD TOWN GARDEN

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Shut from the clamor of the street
By an old wall with lichen grown,

It holds apart from jar and fret

A peace and beauty all its own.

The freshness of the springtime rains
And dews of morning linger here;

It holds the glow of summer noons

And ripest twilight's of the year.

Above its bloom the evening stars
Look down at closing of the day,

And in its sweet and shady walks

Winds spent with roaming love to stray,

Upgathering to themselves the breath
Of wide-blown roses white and red,

The spice of musk and lavender

Along its winding alleys shed.

Outside are shadeless, troubled streets
And souls that quest for gold and gain,

Lips that have long forgot to smile

And hearts that burn and ache with pain.

But here is all the sweet of dreams,
The grace of prayer, the boon of rest,

The spirit of old songs and loves

Dwells in this garden blossom-blest.

Here would I linger for a space,
And walk herein with memory;

The world will pass me as it may

And hope will minister to me.

Fabulous Number Fifty Three

2010-03-05T11:58:00.000-08:00

I decided that I should switch things up for my newest blog posting. I really do like choosing a theme and then finding wonderful and exciting items that fit within my scope of interest for the day, but, for this posting I thought, “let’s keep ‘em guessing.”

As you may, or may not know, I am a stickler for my favorites list. It’s almost like a sickness with me because every single morning (minus weekends of course) I log on to my favorites list and weed out the items that has been sold and then replace them with either their new listing, or an alternate. Every few days I search through my list of favorite sellers to see if my favorite shops have any new items that may catch my eye.

With that being said, and taking into consideration that I have a very well kept favorites list, I decided to randomly generate a number (which turned out to by number fifty-three) and do a spotlight on the shop that fell in the fifty third spot on my list. FYI - I currently have one hundred and eighteen favorites so far.

So, the lucky number fifty-three was Brown Dog Boutique. Lovely shop. I absolutely unequivocally love love love dogs. This adoration for the canine species, along with another passion…stationary, makes this shop a must love for me.

Offering a variety of awesome stationary supplies, one can expect to find such things as note cards, recipe cards, address labels, stickers and more adorned with the silhouette of their favorite breed of dog. There is also a wide selection of colours available which is a nice touch for those of us who like to personalize every aspect of our lives.
As I was snooping around the shop this afternoon I came across a few things that caught my eye. One was that the Brown Dog Boutique was having a sale on many of their note cards making them note only stylish but very affordable too! Another thing that caught my eye was that this great shop just recently celebrated their Etsiversary in mid-February (for those of you who don’t know, Etsiversary = one year anniversary on Etsy). So congrats Brown Dog Boutique, I can see that your shop is doing well and that you have many positive and glowing reviews!
My favorite thing about this shop, however, is their “design your own” option. I love the simplicity and elegance of a silhouette design and that I can add an injection of my own flair on something like an envelope or when giving out recipe cards. Many people are very loyal to one or two breeds (me being no different – see the Doxie Days post below) and now we can root for our favorite team a little louder. Well done, number fifty-three, well done.

Gift Giving Bliss

2010-03-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

So the season is fast approaching. Yes, you know what season I’m talking about. No? Well, I’ll give you a hint. Think old, think new, think borrowed, think blue. Yes…you’ve got it! Wedding season! So far me and my others have found ourselves on a fairly light schedule of wedding time bliss. As it stands right now, we only have three weddings scrawled into our calendars.

I really do love weddings though. I love seeing the excitement on the family members’ faces and the adorable little girls in their flower girl dresses. I love the thought that goes into the tablescaping and watching their slideshow, seeing the bride and groom grow from rosy cheeked little cherubs to party hardy teenagers to the people they are today.

There are, however, different levels of excitement for each and every wedding that we attend - obviously. For example, your husband’s co-worker’s wedding may not invoke the same level of glee as that of your own sisters does. And with these varying degrees of wedding excitement levels there are also varying degrees on the gift levels.

Of the three weddings I am slated to attend this year I have, as you guessed it, three levels of wedding. The first is that of a friendly acquaintance. Great guy but I don’t see us going on any family trips together in the near future. Then, a month later, there’s an old friend of mine that I consider to be on my list of favorite people in the world (and who was, incidentally, one of my bridesmaid’s for my own wedding). Finally we have a friend of the family, who I also adore, and who falls somewhere in the middle of the first and second weddings.

I began to search through my Etsy favorites for appropriate wedding gifts. Ones that would fulfill all my different wedding gift levels. Of course I found a bevy of tokens that I would be proud to present to any of these people, all of which are more than fitting for my different wedding gift needs.
I have had my eye on this store for a while, waiting for someone special to me to have a wedding. I absolutely love this vintage styled sign from Rumpel Street Boutique and it would make a perfect wedding gift (or, really, a gift for you)! This sign comes in a variety of colours and sizes (medium size is pictured above) and is constructed beautifully of vinyl and solid wood. The artist has added a great final touch by signing and dating the back as well. Pricewise, this gift is an absolute winner, and would be the talk of the Gift Opening, without a doubt.
I love these Wine and Cheese Party Markers from Make Thyme. They are perfect for an acquaintances’ wedding, showing that you can come up with something cool and unique while still on a budget. Made of copper, the hand stamped plates measure 25.7mm x 19.8mm and sit on a 7.5” galvanized post. You may choose the different types of cheeses you would like to be included in your pack of five. Make Thyme also has a great collection of garden markets for you to check out as well.
I would faint with excitement (not kidding) if I got this stunning Fleur de Lis Address Plaque as a wedding gift. Atlas Signs is THE place to go for eye-catching signs for your home and life. I can’t describe this sign any better than it’s listing which says that this sign gives, “a rich sense of the past to your home.” You may choose your metal and lettering for an added touch of personal. I think I like the idea of this as a wedding gift so much because it symbolizes the new home that your couple will be commencing together. Gorgeous.
Next is something that is best given, perhaps, at a bridal shower. This silver lingerie wedding dress hanger from Lila Frances hardly needs a write up to show how perfect of a gift this is. Think of the wedding dress photo potential on the day of the wedding. It measure 15” across and can hold up to fourteen characters, all in a whimsical lower case font. If this one of a kind, amazingly awesome gift catches your eye you better order early though; there is a bit of a waiting list before you can get your hands on one.
And finally, this Earthenware Garden Bowl from KBrown Pottery is another great option, falling right in the middle when you don’t want to spent too much, but don’t want to spend too little either. This fabulous inside or outside bowl is hand thrown and measure 10.75”w x 2.75”h. Decorated with intricate and beautiful slip trailing, one is reminded of icing piped onto a cake. The listing indicates that this bowl will do beautifully outside, aging like a clay pot (although, beware of ice) or can be enjoyed indoors (although, keep in mind that it is not food safe).

So, whether you are attending the big day of your best friend of that of your second cousin’s aunt, once removed, remember that you can (and probably should) always put effort into your token to honour the biggest day of the bride/groom’s lives. Thought and effort is always truly appreciated and your gift will be one of the few that actually stick in their memories for years to come.

Doxie Days!

2010-02-25T08:51:00.001-08:00

My all time favorite dog in the whole entire world is the dachshund. Yes, the wiener dog. Personally, I have one of these delightfully long little fellows and everyday I am so happy to call him my own. They have such fun personalities and sometimes I could swear that my little guy is almost human. My favorite thing about him is when he sleeps in until noon, everyday, under the covers with his little head laying on my pillow.

I have been close, in the past, of re-organizing my handcrafted cottage into a wiener dog ranch. I might do it someday, you just watch!

Instead of fulfilling my dream of having a ranch dedicated solely to the preservation and celebration of the sausage dog, I shall present to you some fun Etsy finds on my favorite breed. That will have to do for now I suppose.
Normally I am not a broach person (with the exception of some very beautiful silk organza flower broaches from Every Day Diamonds of course). When I saw this little guy, however, I can’t help myself. Completely handmade from natural cherry wood, this dachshund measures 3.75” x 1.6”. Bright Color Art has done a fabulous job capturing the silhouette of this boisterous breed – they also have other breeds and many other types of cute animals to choose from!
Next is this fun leather bookmark from Lesley Toast. Entitled Twist in the Tale Bookmark and measuring 6” x 2”, I know that this would be a lasting friend to greet you every time you pick up a good book. This shop boasts many adorable bookmarks and I love that they are made out of leather, and therefore, made to last.
I have been a huge fan of Gemini Studio for a long time. Every single print in the shop is on my list of must-haves! My favorite, of course, is this Dachshund Coffee Company – Long Dog Roast print. Measuring 12” x 12”, printed with an archival matte finish, this image is full of whimsy and delight.
Another print that I love is this one from The Dog Lover. My little puppy (well, he’s 2 and a half years old so not really a puppy anymore) looks identical to this image. Measuring 8” x 10”, this dachshund print is by the artist L.A. Shepard on museum quality paper and with archival inks. It is also signed by the artist!

There is a surprisingly large amount of fabulous items listed on Etsy for dachshund pieces so this is just the tip of the iceberg. Feel free to leave me a comment with a listing to your favorite item that relates to your favorite breed of dog!

I also want to give a shout out to one of the coolest teams on Etsy - yes, you've guessed it...the Dachshund Team! If you are interested in joining here is a link to some information:

http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=518 There are some really talented Etsians who are part of this team - just to name a few:

Jazzing up January

2010-01-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

So, those pesky holiday bills have finally found their way to my doorstep. When I first discovered those seemingly harmless envelopes in my little mail cubby I thought to myself, “maybe this won’t be so bad…maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.” But as my shaking fingers ripped open the first stubborn letter I lost my nerve. I think I even started to sweat. My heart began beating faster and faster as I unfolded the bill. My eyes scanned across the page and finally fell on the dreaded balance line.

What did I see? Well…to be honest, not much! Wow, did I actually exercise that little thing called restraint this holiday season? Every year I tell myself, that I’m not going to go crazy over Christmas and that I will only pay for things with cash…no credit. While I did not completely follow my own rules, I didn’t do too bad at the end of the day.

After my eyes adjusted and I was delightfully surprised, what do you think my next move was? Yes, you would be correct in your assumptions – I checked out my Etsy favorites, of course! This time, my focus was jewelry and one thing you can always count on Etsy for is amazing jewelry.
I am in a love affair with turquoise jewelry. So at first glance, this ring from Corybethy, entitled Through the Looking Glass, immediately caught my eye. I love the textured look it has and its intrepid size. Made of sterling silver, in a satin finish, this stone – reminiscent of our lovely Earth – is stunning. Another plus, free shipping! You can't loose with this ring!
This Compass Necklace, which I found at Lulu Bug Jewelry, is a fantastic piece that appeals to my symbolic side. I love how the compass symbolizes staying focused and heading in the right direction. The listing even describes how sailors use to tattoo a compass on their bodies to signify finding their way home after a long voyage. Visually appealing and made of fine silver, the chain measures 16 inches long. The needle of the compass also moves so that you can always point yourself in the right direction!
A ring, a necklace, what’s next? Earrings, of course! These Sea Anemone Studs from KiraFerer are simple and seductive. Described as organic in feeling they are beautifully hand cut in sterling silver and measure 10mm in diameter. This shop originates in Hawaii and also offers a bevy of amazing rings – you must check them out.
Next is a drop dead gorgeous necklace from Jen Zidek’s Driftwood Jewelry shop. This one is actually made of beautiful, high quality turquoise and measures 19 inches long. The stones look absolutely exquisite and I love the various sized stones, which measure anywhere from 6 to 35mm in diameter. The shop also offers a bracelet to match, a set which any jewelry lover would covet.
And finally, I have long been a fan of Owl and Fox. This necklace, called Lady Grey, is stunning and dripping with fine detail. Made of three strands of lilac, silver peacock, and soft silver grey pearls, it clasps together with a striking rose clasp. This piece measures 17.5 inches long and is peppered with sparkling Swarovski crystals throughout. I can’t really say enough about this piece of jewelry, only that it is one of my favorites out there in Etsy land.

Now that I have presented you with my list of my top five favorite jewelry pieces on Etsy and I am now thinking that some, or all of them, may have been added to your list as well. Whether you yearn for these pieces or some other beauty that you’ve had your eye on for a while now might be the perfect time to buy – even with those holiday bills looming! Who knows, maybe yours won’t be so frightening either!

In with the New!

2010-01-07T09:51:00.001-08:00

After a great Christmas break, things are back on track here at the Hand Crafted Cottage. It was a great holiday season and, yes, I’m already looking forward to next year (were you expecting anything less?)! My family and I were totally spoiled, yet again, and we are so thankful for everything and everyone we have in our lives. Thank you to everyone who sent well-wishes our way and we hope everyone out there had a wonderful season as well.

So, first on my January ‘to-do’ list, I decided I needed to overhaul my Etsy favorites list. I do, of course, have my “old reliables” file that I can always count on when I need to get something fabulous for someone special (or, if we are being honest, for myself). There are so many wonderful items out there in Etsy Land, however, I thought I was perhaps doing myself a disservice by not further exploring my favorite virtual marketplace.

I set off in search of some hidden jewels and my mission was certainly a total success. I am constantly being delighted and surprised when I browse around the different shops on Etsy. You people are amazing.
The first shop I found, and am so excited about, is Quilt Lover. I absolutely am in love with hand made quilts. This beauty is called the I Love You lap quilt and I think I actually started salivating when I came across it. It’s everything I love – it’s romantic, beautiful, well made and functional. Beautifully crafted by a fellow Canadian, this quilt measures 58 x 77 inches and is made with 100% washable wool batting. Another positive - free shipping within Canada and the United States. If only it was a few months earlier, I think I would have to re-calculate my Christmas wish-list!!
Next is a gorgeous silk flower necklace by Every Day Diamonds. I know that this shop is actually from my “old reliable” list (LOVE this shop) but I couldn’t help myself. I own one of these purple silk flowers and I can’t say enough good things about it. It glams up an outfit like nobody’s business and anyone can pull off wearing one of these babies. When I saw that it was now available in a necklace version I gave this shop a mental high five! Measuring 17 inches long (with an extra 3 inches for adjustment) you cannot go wrong with this piece.

Just before Christmas a friend and I were talking about paper dolls. Where did they go we wondered? I recalled that in my own youth I had in my possession a book of Victorian paper dolls and, even then, I thought they were something special. This paper doll collection from Miss Brigette, entitled Miss Library Paper Doll, blows my old Victorian book right out of the water. I am almost at a loss of words to describe this item…it is SO fabulous, SO fun, and SO great to see Miss Bridget present us with her paper doll. Is it wrong that I actually feel lucky when I’m looking at this posting? The doll is uncut and measures 8 inches tall. She comes with nine outfits, a few friends and of course some books from her library. Fabulous.

This posting is something near and dear to me. I use to say that my best quality is my fine penmanship – I was trying to be funny…but now when I read that back, it’s actually kind of sad. ANYWAYS….I love fine penmanship and really admire people who can do calligraphy and do it well. I am entranced by the work done at Primele. I love this hand lettering and totally agree with the posting which describes it as being whimsical, lovely, and lyrical. If I was to ever receive an invitation in the mail addressed with this type of writing, my jaw would drop! I would almost hesitate to even open the envelope for fear of disturbing the ink.
And finally, looking ahead to the holidays awaiting us in the New Year, I found a beautiful pattern at The Goode Wife, for this primitive folk art rabbit. She is absolutely lovely and would look stunning adorning a shelf or even hanging on the wall. Measuring 18 inches long and looking so sweet, I believe this bunny could almost sit our all year long. The Good Wife informs that the posting that the pattern is actually quite simple to make and basic sewing knowledge is all that is required. How amazing would it look if you made a few of these and gave them to close family members for Easter…yes, you are right, you WOULD be the woman!

After a busy Christmas and with those terrible post-festive holiday bills looming I am thinking that I should start shopping before they arrive. I love finding new favorites on Etsy and coming up with great ideas to serve me in this New Year. Whether I am looking ahead to holidays that are coming, looking back to childhood memories, or just looking fabulous, Etsy certainly had me covered.

2009-12-19T21:27:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!

To everyone out there, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! May you be surrounded by those you love on this important day. Remember to laugh and enjoy yourself and make sure you really enjoy the holiday break!

Ho, ho, ho!!!

XXOOXXOO
The Hand Crafted Cottage

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

2009-11-16T10:17:00.000-08:00

When I got to work this morning I was pleasantly surprised to see that my building had all their lovely Christmas trees, wreaths and merriment up on display for the upcoming holiday season. I work in a very nice building with marble floors, big hanging lights, and a rotating door in the main lobby area - this grandeur, combined with the beautiful Christmas décor gave me, not only goosebumps but images of sugar plums dancing in my head!

I am a complete Christmas-aholic and I can remember two years ago when I had my job interview. It was December and the building was all decked out and I can remember thinking, "I must work here....look at their Christmas décor!". Generally, I would not recommend choosing a life altering thing, such as your career, around the way your potential employer decorate for the holidays but, thankfully, it did end up working out in my favor.

Since Commerce Place (the name of the building I work in) is oozing in festivity, I think it only natural to inject the cottage with a little holly jolliness as well.

First, I must send out a big Thank You to Art by Kristi. These ornaments were made up for me by this great shop and I am so excited to hand them out. I always like to add a little extra on my gift wrapping, and at Christmas time it is usually a Christmas tree ornament. These are so perfect, acting as my embellishment AND Christmas tag. I love a gift that has a personalized element to it and it doesn't get any more personal than when using some one's name!

When I was younger I always looked forward to the first day of December because that meant starting your advent calendar! I absolutely LOVE this one from Polka Stripe Studio because you can use it year after year, filling it with whatever your imagination will permit. This will no doubtedly become a piece that is passed down throughout the years to one excited child after another!

The amazing craftsmanship of the work that comes out of Snow Pond Primitives is just that...amazing! This Santa is hand carved from an antique wooden spool and then painted and sealed with love. I can imagine that if you are lucky enough to be the owner of one of these ornaments there will never be another one exactly like it out there.

And finally, the kids can start to get into the spirit of the season with these fun felt Christmas cookies from The Little Bitty Bakery. How many times, when you are behind schedule and have 5 dozen cookies left to bake and you find little hands wanting to "help" mommy? Now with the help of this fabulous felted food, they can "bake" their own cookies! Great idea!

This is really a minuscule sampling of the Christmas splendor that is out there, waiting for you to happen upon it. I love this time of year because of the time spent with family, the look of wonderment I see on kid's faces and because of my traditions. There is no other time of the year that I can think of when we fall back on our traditions more than at this festive time. Whether I am wrapping a gift, building up excitement for Christmas with every passing day for my child, decorating my home or baking my favorites, there is no beating that comfortable feeling that comes with the holidays!

Going, going, gone!

2009-11-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

I am always very good for keeping my favorites option up to date on my Etsy account. That way when I am looking for a gift, or a treat for myself, it's all ready to go for easy and quick reference.

There are some items that, over and over again, I am constantly marking as a favorite. I have noticed that some of my favorites, must be your favorites too. They must be because almost every single time I go to update my list, these items have once again been sold!

There is no more greater example of this than what I have noticed with Little Saplings Toys. As I have stated in past posts, I love wooden toys. They are durable, simple, offer a bevy of safety features, and - my favorite - heirloom worthy. One such toy that Little Saplings Toys offers embodies all of these qualities and, if I dare say so, more!

This organic retro 10 pin bowling set is maybe one of the best items I have ever come across on Etsy - and I truly mean that. Besides all of the qualities I mentioned above, this bowling set is so much more. And apparently you all agree - almost daily I am marking them as a favorite because the set I had marked the previous day is already sold!

This set comes with ten maple pins, smoothed to perfection and lovingly rubbed with beeswax and jojoba oil, two hardwood balls, and a cotton drawstring bag. To make things even more irresistible (I know what you are thinking, how could this get any better?!), with every purchase a tree is planted through the Trees for the Future program.

Another reason why I love this set is because it is offered at a great price. They offer other options as well so if you are looking for a smaller sized gift, for a special child in your life, you can pick up a six pin set instead, for even great affordability.

Besides the bowling sets, Little Sapling Toys also offers many adorable teethers and other toys, great as gifts or for your own family. This really is one of those special shops on Etsy that is worth marking over and over again on your favorites list!

Baby Boom!

2009-11-04T12:25:00.000-08:00

I recently got some very good news that one of my family's very best friends is going to have a baby! We are so happy for them and know that they are going to make lovely parents. Plus, one more guest at the cottage is always a happy thing.

We also have a few other friends who are currently awaiting the arrival of their own little bundles of joy - thus creating a baby boom at the cottage! I love the little fingers and toes, the funny faces they make in their sleep and the teeny tiny clothes that they wear. I'm not crazy about the four a.m. feedings or the poopy diapers but it's definitely worth it when you hold that little bundle of possibility in your arms.

So in honour of our mommas out there I would like to post some Etsy finds that I would be proud to present as tokens of love for their newly expanded families!

If you have kids, you know that you MUST have a sense of humour! It's very hard for anyone to take you seriously when you smell like spit up and your nursing pads are leaking! These adorable onsies from Bambina Mia are a must, especially for parents who already have everything they need, baby wise. It was actually VERY had for me to choose one to show you because there are so many great options in this shop! Do yourself a favor and check them out!

One of my Etsy favorites - Sweet Papers is THE place to go for birth announcements or baby shower invites. Many to choose from with absolutely gorgeous designs, these are sure to impress! Working with Sweet Papers is a treat and you really can't beat the price.

I've had my eye on these rattles for a while, available in the fabulous shop - Bundled. Big bold prints catch the eyes of little ones, while the soft cotton make it easy for them to grip on to. This shop is great because if you are looking to make a gift pack there are also matching blankets and roll-ups.

I love this next item because it makes a great baby shower gift or a baptism gift. Having gone to several baptisms in the last year or so I always struggle when it comes to what I want to bring as a gift. Now all I have to do is visit Hope Ink and I'm set! This gift is ideal because it's personalized and it's unique (you know everyone else will be bringing the same old same old).

And finally, a gift for mom from Polkadot Mag Pie. When we go to a baby shower we always see the same items, cute items mind you, over and over again. How nice would it be to present a new momma a gift allowing her to carry her baby (or her baby's name) with her at all times? Genius.

I really could go on and on with the great items you can find on Etsy for a baby shower. I love finding personalized items that I have chosen with care to give to a good friend for their new little one. Speaking of which, I better go and do a little more shopping...I ONLY have 6 more months until my friend has her baby!! :)

Busy, busy, busy...

2009-10-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

As you have probably noticed, I have not posted anything in quite some time. This is a result of an overly fat schedule and a lack of good time management! Every time I take a glance at the computer I get a feeling of guilt wave over me, knowing that I've been neglecting my beloved cottage.

Well, I am here today and feeling great! The cottage is as beautiful as ever and is filled with so many beautiful finds, it's hard to know where to start. So in the spirit of arbitrarity (if I can make that a word) I would like to present you with a mixed bag, so to speak, of treasures that can make a home in my cottage any time.

This absolutely beautiful piece of reclaimed wall art is a must have for the cottage walls. Found in Monkey and Squirrel, I love the story behind their cast iron pieces. All rusty and forgotten, they are saved, cleaned and given a generous coating of love. As a person who is always loosing her keys in an infuriatingly large purse, this cast iron skeleton key would bring nothing but goodness to my hectic life!

There are certain things that we just know to be true in this world. And one of those truths is that we all need a little Audrey Hepburn in our lives. Now we can get one step closer to our inner "Audrey-ness" with this sleep mask, inspired by the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's! Offered in a variety of different colours and motifs, Lovely Art Dreams offers something truly unique for the glamour girl in your life.

Christmas is really not that far off and we at the cottage are thinking of a cute way to wish all our friends and family a happy holiday season. This SWEET photo card from Sweet Papers is the perfect way to keep in touch this upcoming Christmas. Having personally ordered items from this shop I can assure you that there is no better on Etsy. I love dealing with Sweet Papers and would recommend their services to you for any occasion!

When I saw this Marvelous Ms. Rabbit I fell in love. I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for stuffies and this one could perhaps take the top spot. Found in Bird and Little Bird's shop this little lady has all the makings of an heirloom piece. I also love that the shop offers the pattern for Ms. Rabbit so that you have the option of making her yourself. Another thing that this shop has done to win my heart - they also offer a (semi)Fantastic Mr. Fox - and anything that has anything to do with Roald Dahl is good by me.

Wow, after looking through my Etsy favorites I forgot how much I missed visiting my cottage and talking about my lovelies! I promise not to neglect you any further and to stay on top of all my Etsy treasure hunts. After all, we all need a little break every once in a while and what better way to spend our few minutes of calm than by sipping a lemon zinger tea and browsing through the cottage?

Hall's Closet to the Rescue!

2009-09-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago I posted a write up about Hall's Closet. A cute little Etsy shop that specializes in personalized doo-dads, jewellery, and décor items. I had selected ten gorgeous personalized coasters to hand out at Christmas time to all my lucky co-workers. Offered at a fabulous price, I couldn't resist their uniqueness and charm.

I mean, how great of an idea is this? Everyone at work drinks some sort of beverage- whether it be coffee, tea, or just water. This great gift idea is perfect because it shows that you've taken some time to think of something different and just for them, while still taking it easy on your pocket book.

After I ordered my coasters, Hall's Closet was quick to go to work. She shipped them off after completion and they began to make their way over to the Hand Crafted Cottage. Somewhere along the way, however, my precious gifts got damaged. And I mean REALLY damaged...every single shining one of them! Now, I am telling you all this because I am so impressed and pleased with what happened next. Not only was Hall's Closet absolutely understanding of what had happened but they were super quick to rectify the situation. I now have my new coasters which are the picture of perfection!

As thanks I wanted to recognize the job well done by Hall's Closet. I also wanted to post some pictures of her new beauties and encourage everyone to check out her shop! Thanks again!!!

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I love many of the elements in this piece of wall art. The colour combinations really appeal to me, along with the simple geometric shapes. Additionally, the personalization included with the cute saying makes everything about this ideal!

Adorable ornaments full of whimsy! I love the traditional shape of this Christmas staple with the twist of a modern font and polka dots. Great gift for anyone who celebrates the season!

THE coasters!!! I love these ceramic gems and I now see that Hall's Closets offers the option to have a last name or an initial appear on them (with the font and colour of your choice!).

Gifts of Thanks

2009-09-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

Today is the first official day of fall! I have been saying it for a while now but if you have not started to think about the upcoming holiday season you are going to miss the boat!!

I am busy getting the Hand Crafted Cottage all ready with oddly shaped pumpkins and gourds, deliciously spicy smells, and even a goblin or two. I love fall and I love the traditions it brings. For us Canadians, the first holiday on our radar is Thanksgiving. Turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, family, friends, and love. What's not to like about this time of year?

One of my fall traditions is to bring a small gift to the people at work and others I see on a daily basis (the wonderful lady at the day home, our neighbours, etc.). I like to recognize this special turkey day and say "thanks" to those around me, I appreciate you! Of course, Christmas is coming soon, so I don't want to break the bank going too extravagant with my little offerings. Something that is small, special and shows that I care - that's what I'm looking for.

These mouth watering sweet and spicy caramels from Bliss Candies are all individually wrapped and would look so beautiful displayed in a jar, wrapped with an orange satin ribbon around the lid. Described as creamy and sweet, with a kick, any co-worker or friend would love to receive some of these little gems. Bliss Candies provides only fresh, handmade and hand cut, delicacies that I can tell you, from personal experience, are absolutely heavenly!

Vegan Propamanda is another shop on my shortlist of fabulosity! Offering delicious cookies made of pumpkin, chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg, they are a great way to show your vegan or vegetarian friends that you are thinking of them (and honouring their choices)! I think this shop is great because they will work with you to create any vegan friendly baked good you may be looking for.

Another wonderful option that I have found on Etsy are the vast arrays of jams and jellies. Bovines Bubbles and Hogwash Ltd. offers a great selection of fresh, homemade jams and jellies, even providing a sugar free option for our diabetic friends. With names like, drunken winterberry jam, autumn pear and cranberry jam, and chocolate raspberry cheesecake, how could you possible resist? They do offer a three pack which is great for allowing you to choose a few different options or split them up between co-workers.

I simply adore these organza flowers from Every Day Diamonds. Instead of offering some nibblers to your special friend why not offer them something beautiful to wear on Thanksgiving day instead? Usually, as hostess we are so busy organizing the meal, cooking, and filling drinks we sometimes forget to look after ourselves too. There is a great variety of flowers to choose from and you just can't beat their prices (stay tuned for a feature on Every Day Diamonds..coming soon!).

The idea behind a thanksgiving gift is that it should be small, thoughtful, and not too hard on the pocket book. It's just a nice way to say that you are thankful for those in your life and a fun way to get started on the holidays.

Cleaning Day

2009-09-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

It's the weekend!! Most of us look forward to the weekend because it means two glorious days of rest. It means long delicious breakfasts of freshly ground coffee and pancakes with sweet fruits. It means sleeping in an extra couple of hours and waking up with a smile on our faces. It means doing whatever we want, whenever we want. It means....oh who am I kidding?? Really, the weekend usually just means more work - but this time, in our homes unstead of at the office!

For most of us the weekend is the time of the week to get things done around the house. The work week is generally so busy for most of us, at it's no different at the Hand Crafted Cottage. By the time I get home from work, feed my bébé, walk the dog, do the dishes and tidy up for the night, it's already time to go to bed. On the weekends we can air out the cottage, do our laundrey, clean the floors and do any other pressing home repairs/clean ups that have been bugging us over the last week.

Now, normally these choirs are just that...choirs. How annoying. I say "normally"because I recently came across an amazing shop that helps in these weekend rituals and, dare I say, make them bearable! Grandma's Best Kept Secrets specializes in homemade cleaning products.

When you think of laundrey do you imagine warm cinnamon hugs, festive peppermint kisses, or a soothing ocean breeze? Well, now you can! The homemade laundrey detergent offered at Grandma's Best Kept Secrets comes in a variety of scents, giving your clothes an injection of lovely. One of the best aspects of this natural home cleaning option is the cost. Ten dollars for fifty loads of laundrey...and one hundred loads of laundrey if you have a high efficiency machine! How can you not afford this luxury? Another perk - many people using this product have found that they do not even need to use a fabric softener.

I also love this natural option for the dishwasher. There are no chemicals use in this product which is not only great for us and our families but for the environment too! Like the laundrey detergent, this product is also sold for a phenomenal deal. At only thirty five cents a wash (shipping is extra) I can't even imagine picking up something this economical at the grocery store. It is avaiable in a refreshing lemon scent or, upon request, orange.

I really like this shop because they also offer other great options such as sample packs, if you want to try a smaller amount of detergent before going for full quanitity. Another great product - relaxing bath salts composed of Epsom and dead sea salts. So, after a long day of cleaning you can relax in your bath with a good book.

So now that we've taken care of some of the choirs at the cottage I think it's probably time to take a break! Who knows, maybe I will even be able to convince my husband to make me that fresh ground coffee and pancakes with sweet fruit before I start on my next task.

Time is a Tickin'

2009-09-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

Love it or hate it, the holidays are just around the corner. Personally, I love it. This is my favorite time of year…it’s starting to cool down; the leaves are becoming crunchy and colourful. Before you know it, it’s Thanksgiving (if you are in Canada anyways) and then soon, Halloween. It’s starting to get colder and darker, the malls are getting busier. We pay homage to our brave veterans on a cool and crisp November day. Then, just as we least expect it, an e-mail goes around work promoting the office Christmas party. How can that be, it feels like it was just summer!?

Yes, it does go by that fast and if you are a true Etsian at heart, as we most definitely are here at the Hand Crafted Cottage, you must be prepared. There are so many amazing things on Etsy to help you prepare for all these upcoming events but you have to stay on top of things! You might find that perfect Halloween costume or Thanksgiving centerpiece but if you don’t order it on time, you my friend are certainly out of luck. This is especially true when looking for any Christmas items as almost everyone else will be attempting to monopolizing your favorite shop’s time as well.

With this in mind I set out to find my beautiful bébé the perfect Halloween costume. With Etsy at my finger tips I was confident that anything I could think out could be realized by one shop or another. I was right. Now this may seem odd but I really wanted my 14 month old daughter to dress up as Gene Simmons from KISS. Our family always jokes around, calling her our little Gene, because for some reason her tongue is always sticking out! As I came across Square Jane I knew I found the shop I dreamed of!

I immediately convo’ed the shop to inquire about my slightly odd request. NO PROBLEM! I loved dealing with Square Jane and adore her quirky sense of style. We convo’ed back and forth coming up with the ultimate Gene Simmons baby…complete with hair, KISS body suit, a cape, and boot toppers.

Square Jane was so quick to respond and work with me I felt like a truly valued customer. She made my costume at a phenomenal value and I couldn’t be more pleased. This is truly a costume that our family will remember forever and that’s part of what makes Halloween so special – I still have vivid memories of the pink unicorn costume my mom made for me when I was a toothless grinning eight year old!

I noticed that Square Jane has had many custom requests and I can definitely see why. You can get a witch or a clown costume anywhere but really, wouldn’t you rather go to a shop that has a sense of humor and can actually pull off a fly costume that looks totally awesome?! Her Elvis is pretty sweet too!

So, don’t say that I didn’t warn you – order your Halloween stuff now! Remember that a shop may have to make your items specific to your measurements so that takes time, plus shipping. I am so glad that I had the pleasure to work with Square Jane and trust me, we will be rocking and rolling all night long with our sweet little Gene baby on Halloween night!

Babes in Toy Land

2009-09-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

I love toys. I also, as you may know, love heirlooms. In order to combine these two things together the toy in question must posses certain qualities. First, it has to be made with exceptional quality; kids can be so hard on their toys so if you want a child’s play thing to last it better be sturdy. Second, for a toy to become an heirloom it has to be truly loved by its possessor. And finally, for it to succeed in being passed to another, someone else has to actually want it. When I think of these three characteristics - quality, charm, and appeal - there really are only a few select types of toys that come to mind. Perhaps in the forefront is the wooden toy.

Wooden toys appeal to me on so many different levels. Presently, as a collective, we are all about being “green” and eco friendly, there seems to be a constant worry about safety with all the different glues and paints being used on our kids stuff as well. This, combined with the classic look and feel of wooden toys, and the simplicity they represent makes them so much more attractive to me.

Etsy boasts many shops that feature some very beautiful wooden toys made with exceptional quality. Jumping Jasper from The Wood Garden is a perfect example of this. Crafted by a fellow Canadian, this delightful toy, is built of maple and walnut and finished off with a coat of organic flax seed oil. I almost did not want to feature him because I greedily wanted to keep him for myself and the playroom here at the cottage! I am absolutely in love with this item and if you are looking for some fun baby gift ideas I would suggest stopping by this shop.

I also adore this next wooden toy from Woman Wood Worker, for several reasons. First and foremost, I love that this female woodworker has “skills and a garage full of power tools.” Her pieces are traditional wooden toys, but built with a twist. I love that you can get a wreaking ball complete with a wall to break down, how fun! Her shop also features some really cool natural train sets as well and at an amazing price.

This next item is from Kitty Baby Love and is what set me off in search of fun wooden toys in the first place. This bowling set is so cute for any child or cat lover and comes complete with six kitty shaped pins, a wooden ball, an official score pad, and a canvas carrying case. This is a perfect game for aiding in hand-eye coordination or counting. If you are looking for something unique and whimsical as a gift for your next children’s birthday party I strongly suggest looking here.

The top is perhaps the most classic of all the wooden toys I have featured – I have this lovely image in my mind of a bunch of messy faced kids laying and kneeling around in a circle, spinning their army of colourful tops with amazement shining in their eyes. These little gems from Urban Turn are made of hard maple and come in a variety of colours. Check out this shop for a selection of cool wooden buttons as well.

If you have a baby you know that they love to put anything they can get their hands on into their mouths. It’s kind of yucky to think of what is actually going in there but with the marvelous selection of teething rattles and toys available in Little Alouette you can rest easy. I love this uncomplicated giraffe teether which is made from Ohio maple and coated with organic flax seed oil. It is amazing how something so simple can be so great for developing fine motor skills, grasping, creativity and free play!

And finally, there is a huge genre in the wooden toy category that encompasses the doll house. When we were little girls we probably all had Barbies (or some other variety of her) and, obviously, she needed somewhere to live, right?! Jacobs Wooden Toys has a fantastic variety of functioning doll house items that would put a smile on any little girls face. This kitchen set is made of spruce and Baltic birch, along with a coat of beeswax. The nice thing about the items found in this shop is that you can also request for your doll house bits and bobs to be unfinished so that you and your girls can paint them yourselves!

I am so happy to fill the playroom here at the cottage with such extraordinary toys. I feel good on so many different levels letting my bébé play with them. Kids don’t always need those blinking, noisy, vibrating, loud toys that most of us have littered on our living room floors – an imagination and a simple plaything is often enough. And, I’m willing to bet that at the end of the day, it’s these classic toys that our kids will still be hanging on to when they have a little person of their own.

I DARE you not to fall in love with these!

2009-08-31T09:47:00.001-07:00

I am constantly amazed by the level of talent and artistry I find while browsing the shops on Etsy. I seem to go through phases of favorites, not so much of the shops themselves, but of the category they fall within. At first it was baby blankets, then earrings, followed by knits. My current desireds bring talent and artistry to a whole new level – yes, I’m talking about the astounding drawings and prints created by our extremely talented Etsians.

I think you could probably find a print of literally anything you can think of on Etsy. My personal favorites include character animation and mixed medium and collage art. The cottage is all about whimsy, warm fuzzies, and individuality and I think these prints carry all that and more.

This print from Miss Brigette immediately caught my eye. I have always entertained the idea of being a librarian (something about being surrounded by wonderful old books all day really appeals to me) and this librarian certainly has style. It was actually very hard to pick a favorite from her shop because I’m in love with every single piece! Miss Brigette’s shop also offers original paintings as well, I salivate at the idea. After touring this wonderful shop and dreaming about having one of her pieces on every wall in the cottage I was so happy to see that I could continue exploring her wonderful world of whimsy and charm through her blog at http://www.brigetteb.blogspot.com/.

I came across this print on the front page of Etsy and immediately fell in love with it. I have been wanting to do an Alice In Wonderland themed room for my little girl for a while now and with this print from Krize, I can now do it with style! Another important element that I got from this listing stemmed from one of the pictures Krize had, showing the print in an ornate styled frame. GORGEOUS. This obviously opened up a world of possibilities for me and I can’t wait to get started decorating!

This next print is so beautiful and fresh looking. The prints from Cori D are limited edition archival prints and are simply stunning. I love this one in particular because it reminds me of me and my girl, and what is art if it doesn’t speak to you on a personal level? Another super cool feature of this shop – spider ornaments…don’t ask, just go and check them out!

Next is a beautiful print from Café Baudelaire who’s tag line: Romanic, Enchanting, Whimsical Collage Prints and Aceos pretty much sum up everything that is good in life. I also had a hard time picking my favorite from this shop’s collection; I am so drawn to the old world feeling they possess. In the end this print toting a Parisian mannequin spiked with striking lilac coloured lace won over my heart.

And finally, The Nebulous Kingdom finishes off my lovely collection of prints with her dazzling Enchanted Christmas Print. For anyone who follows my blog you know how much of a sucker I am for anything Christmas! I love attention to detail and this print has it (check out the adorable moon). I feel like I’m looking into a Tim Burton movie frame when I look at The Nebulous Kingdom’s work, and I mean that as a huge complement. It’s dark and touching all at the same time.

This is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the cool prints you can find on Etsy. The great thing about art is that it tells a story unique to the viewer. Depending on who you are and where you are in your life the story you see is constantly changing shape. Well, that, and they are just plain fun!

Romance is in the Air

2009-08-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

I have a child, perhaps, like many of you do. I love her so much and generally spend most of my time thinking about her, organizing her day, and making sure she has everything she needs. Being a parent is so very rewarding and, at times, so very demanding! Here at the cottage we are very kid friendly and love to see toys being played with, blankets being dragged through the mud, and little food bits sneaking behind literally every corner of the house. That’s what it’s like when you have little people running around.

Now, as much as I love the kid friendly, cartoon filled, bottle cleaning life that I have become accustomed to, I also believe in making time for me and my husband. Yes, I’m talking about the celebrated date night. When we grow up and make our darling little families, sometimes we forget to work on the relationship between us and our others. That’s why it’s important to actually work at our relationships (yes work) and make sure that you and your partner rejoice in a little romantic one on one time.

This gorgeous vintage dress is so startling red that I can hardly take my eyes off it! Imagine yourself in a little bistro in this classic and romantic piece sipping on some delicious coffee and holding hands under the table with your other. This dress from Great Grandma Agnes is so lovely - all eyes will deservedly be on the lady in red.

This stunning pearl necklace from Final Touch would be an eye catching addition worn with this vintage dress. Dazzling hematite pearls coupled with a distinctive sterling silver floral toggle scream elegance. There is nothing more classic than a beautiful set of pearls and I’m drawn to this set because they present a traditional look with a lot of flair.

To finish off the look for our date night I would love to see this vintage sterling silver ring from Mexico on my finger. I found this beautiful ring at Tania Cavenecia and love how full of character it is. The inside is stamped with “925 Mexico” and a makers mark adding to its distinctiveness.

Another must for date night – your trusty pocket mirror! Nothing puts a halt on a romantic evening like the dreaded spinach in the teeth or uneven lipstick trick. Zoom Berry boasts several different pretty motifs on their very affordably priced Chiyogami mirrors, which also include a velvet bag for storage.

And finally, as your date night is coming to an end, what better way to set the mood than with a stimulating candle from Lilsprout. These amazing candles are ECO friendly and made from 100% soy. I love that you can create your own custom candle pack, even choosing your own single note essential oils. There are many scents to choose from and Lilsprout has all your options clearly laid out and easy to understand.

What a romantic evening of coffees and candle light, holding hands and looking great. The baby is asleep, the cottage is quite.

Only Four Months Until Christmas!

2009-08-17T11:54:00.001-07:00

Yes, I'm one of those people. I shop year round for my Christmas presents and advocate listening to Christmas carols in the summer. I would work in the North Pole if I could. I love everything about Christmas; from family traditions to the pounds and pounds of chocolate that I consume to the hustle and bustle of the overpacked shops. I often say I work best under pressure, and there is no pressure like festive pressure.

With that being said, I have (of course) started Christmas shopping for those in my life, begining with a point and click in my favorite Etsy shops. My first goal - my office co-workers. This can be a tough one! First of all, depending on the size of your office, do you even do gifts and if you do, how much do you spend? For my own office, there are 10 people in my area and I thought I'd like to do a small something for everyone but still make it personalized and within reason when it comes to price. Hmmmm...that's a tough one.

It WAS a tough one, however, until I discovered Hall's Closet!

These beautiful coasters are the perfect gift to hand out at the office Christmas party!! Monogramed in beautiful script, in the colours of your choice, a coaster with your co-workers initial on it is a sure hit! Most people are coffee or tea drinkers and this would look great on anyone's desk - even if they don't drink coffee or tea, they are still great for a glass of water or even just to display.

I am so excited to hand these out to my office because I think they show genuine care and thought towards a gift for someone you probably see more than many members of your own family! They come at a very affordable price and are sure to earn you the title of office hero!

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping

2009-08-11T08:48:00.001-07:00

Oh shopping…my favorite hobby!! I recently left the cottage to do some much needed retail therapy at the market – well, at the Etsy market of course!

I love purchasing items through Etsy for many reasons; it’s a great feeling to support fellow artisans, local or otherwise, and the huge supply of just about anything you can think of is great. I think I love Etsy most, however, because when I buy a gift here for someone it always seems like I’ve hit a home run! The grueling work of trying to figure out what the perfect gift is and then having to go out and actually find that item is virtually gone! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not just buying stuff for other people here – I certainly don’t have that kind of will power!

Here are a few items that I can give testament to – they are all fabulous and all owned by me! I sing their praises to anyone who will happen to listen and, with these items, you can certainly buy with confidence!

One of my first purchases on Etsy were these gorgeous garnet earrings from Splurge. I came across this line somewhere in her shop, “Life is complicated enough, your jewelry shouldn't have to be” - the simple lines and shapes of her jewelry, combined with the stunning stones she uses speaks true to that and you feel simply refreshed when wearing one of her pieces!

This invitation, coming from one of my all time favorite Etsy shops, Sweet Papers, is what I have just mailed out for my daughter’s first birthday party. I love every single design that this shop has to offer and am finding myself constantly checking it for any new items…I just can’t get enough! If you check out Sweet Papers be sure to take note of her Christmas photo cards, so adorable and it’s never to early to start getting prepared for the holiday season!!

This is an item I’ve also purchase for my daughter’s first birthday…the pattern to these amazingly delicious looking pieces of felt cake from Little Crickets. I was a bit wary of buying a pattern (I am making these cake pieces as give aways to all the kids coming to the party) but this seller totally put my mind at ease and offered so much support to this novice felt crafter! I’m so very excited to give these to our little guests!

I recently gave this sign as a wedding gift and it was such a hit! I even had other guest e-mailing me afterwards asking where I purchased it from. Savoie Faire Photo has such great ideas to offer for weddings, baby showers, home warming’s, or just to have for your self! And you really can’t beat the price for such a unique item!

My newest item! I’m so excited about this one…my mom always used to pressure my sister and me to buy the so called “lunch purse”. She just loved the idea of them (in her own words, “they’re just so neat!”) but I could never find a design that fit my style – until I found The Patty Pan Shop! Now I’m the one pressuring people to buy the lunch purse!!

I’m a sucker for jewelry and have always wanted a genuine onyx bead necklace. I love this stone because it generally always feels cool to the touch and it shines so beautifully. In the listing for this necklace from Kenton Beadworks the seller confided that she also has one and that she wears it everyday…I must admit, I wear mine almost everyday as well!

When I’m not wearing my onyx bead necklace I’m wearing this piece made especially for me by DearAnge. I recently returned to work after being on maternity leave for just over a year and , needless to say, it was hard to leave my baby! I really wanted to take a piece of her with me to the office - whenever I’m missing her (the other tag has my dog’s name on it) I can always find comfort in this piece.

Another sign that I’ve just recently purchase is this incredible birth announcement from Grace Hester Designs. I can’t wait to give it to the new parents because it’s so unique and different than the regular baby clothes and toys you see at baby showers. Plus I can definitely see this become an heirloom piece (which I love).

Another one of my favorite shops – Little Jumping Beans, make these shoes that can only be described as perfection! I have actually bought two pairs from her because they just work so well. I find the leather shoes so hard to get on my baby’s feet because she always balls up her foot when I’m trying to get them on! These ones fit so well, are so easy to get on her foot, wash really easily and are so super cute.

And finally, I end my shopping spree with this customizable stamp from Modern Art Stamps. I love this shop because they offer such a wide variety of great customizable stamps that are so whimsical and fun. Can’t beat their pricing either and no shipping fees!!

Okay – after all that shopping I’m wiped out! My cottage, however, is going to be brimming with pride from all my new Etsy finds and I can’t wait to show them off to all my guests! Oh yeah, did you notice that I said I love Etsy because I can buy awesome gifts for other people and that, from the items above, only two things were gifts…like I said, no self control!

Our First Cottage Guest - The Meg Shop

2009-08-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

I thought it was about time to have a guest visit us here at the Hand Crafted Cottage. I am so pleased that Meghan from The Meg Shop decided to pop in! I just love her jewellery shop, which is filled with breathtakingly beautiful pieces! Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and even a sale or two - she has everything a girl could need!

As I look through her catalogue of beauties I am particularly drawn to these Olive Cluster earrings. Stunning in colour, I can imagine myself wearing them with a multitude of outfits, in a multitude of different occasions. I feel like these are the types of earrings where you choose an outfit to compliment them and not the other way around!

As we sip on some sweet tea in the garden I'm eager to ask Meg some questions about her shop:

Meg, tell me, when did you join Etsy?

I joined Etsy in June of 2009 to sell my handmade jewellery. I'm still very new at this, but I'm loving it!
And what is something about your shop that we may not know?

I don't know, I hope to carry only sterling silver in the future!
What is your personal favorite from all your items in your shop?

My favorite piece listed at the moment is my Jet Rock Candy Pendant! I spent hours on it and am so happy with the way it turned out!

So where else can we find you besides your Etsy shop?

I recently created a fan page on facebook. Just search The Meg Shop and it should come up! (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Red-Deer-AB/The-Meg-Shop-Unique-Handmade-Jewelry/103756593606?ref=ts ) I will be keeping this page updated with pictures of new items, information on sales in my Etsy shop, and upcoming giveaways! You can also find me on Twitter, my username is TheMegShop.
What would you say is your favorite thing about Etsy?

I love everything about Etsy! It's an amazing venue to showcase your handmade items, and a great place to find unique gifts. I love reading all the Featured Seller and Quit Your Day Job articles. I find them to be so inspiring!
What is your favorite Etsy shop right now(it's so great to give shout-outs isn't it!)?

I have so many! RockoAndAddie has the cutest little blankets, I can't wait to have another baby! I love everything from Bonzie, and BloomStudios has some amazing pieces! And definitely ellembee!!! I could go on and on...
What is one thing that you can say sets you apart as an Etsy shop owner?

Well I would like to say what sets me apart is how much I truly care that my customers love their items, but this can be said of many shop owners on Etsy!

*Look at how gorgeous these are!! I think it's clear how much care and love she puts into each piece!

So, fun question - let's say you were stuck on an island and could only have one Etsy purchase until you were rescued...what would it be?

This quilt from SFOQuilter! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26419887 I'm such a blanket person, and I want this one in the worst way!
What is one thing you would like to see Etsy improve or change?

I would love to be able to have my prices in Canadian dollars. I think a lot of Canadian buyers would appreciate this!
And, last but not least, I must know...what is your favorite animal??!!

I love elephants! I think they are amazing!

Meg - thank you so much for taking the time to come and visit me here at the Hand Crafted Cottage!! Your jewellery is simply stunning and wish you all the best with your Etsy shop and beyond!

August Days

2009-08-03T10:25:00.000-07:00

"The sprinkler twirls.

The summer wanes.

The pavement wears

Popsicle stains.

The playground grass

Is worn to dust.

The weary swings

Creak, creak with rust.

The trees are bored

With being green.

Some people leave

The local scene

And go to seaside

Bungalows

And take off nearly

All their clothes."

A poem by John Updike

The lazy and warm days of August are upon us. One of my favorite things about this summer time month is going to my local farmer's market and stocking up on all the delicious fresh fruits, veggies and meats it has to offer!! Mmmm...imagine swinging on your front porch swing as the sun goes down and enjoying some fresh strawberries, blueberries, and watermelon along with a healthy serving of whipped cream...

So, granted, these aren't real pieces of fruit but they are just as scrumptious! Wooly Knits N Bits makes these super fun fruit hats, perfect for little boys or girls. The super soft feel of these hats and the round design are just right for a comfortable fit on baby's head!

The summer is quickly slipping from our grip so let's enjoy what's left of the warmth on our skin and the sunshine's glow on our face!

Furry Friends of the Cottage

2009-08-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

I am a pet person. I just love those furry little monsters...they give us so much and ask for so little so in return. Personally I am a dog person but I do have room in my heart for all creatures great and small. In think a pet is living proof that you can express love without using any words at all. Every time my dog, Bruce, greets me at the door - whether I've been gone for 5 minutes, 5 hours, or 5 days - it's like his excitement to see me knows no bounds! Imagine if our spouses greeted us at the door like this after a long day at work? I think all of a sudden picking up their dirty socks wouldn't bother us as much.

When I was younger I use to say that I was going to grow up and live on a wiener dog ranch. As it turned out, I do not live on that ranch (although that would have been really cool!) so here at the Hand Crafted Cottage I am going to make sure that there is always a gang of pets exploring the grounds!

This fabulous collar and leash set from Furry Paws Boutique is so cute and supports one of my favorite things - polka dots!! How stylish would your pooch be walking down the street wearing this, showing off to all the other dogs that are, incidentally, wearing the same old same old collars from Pet Superstore? This is an absolute must have! (and rumour has it Furry Paws is offering free shipping until the end of the day on Sunday, August 2!).

No collar is complete without the appropriate tag of course. For the kitty in you life a "tuna breath" tag, I'm sure, seems more than fitting. The Urban Puppy totes the cutest and most hilarious pet tags I have ever seen - and everyone knows that when you have a pet you need a sense of humor!

To the right is another tag, this time for our barking friends, from Nicole Marie C. I love this tag because of its simple elegance and I love hand stamped items...there is always so much love put into them!

Here at the Cottage we are not limited to dogs and cats. There is a plethora of rabbits, rodents, birds, and the odd piglet or two. I would be so proud to offer my bunnies these absolutely adorable carrot shaped rabbit toys from Freyja's Fire Shop. These wonderful little toys are stuffed with organic timothy hay and dried sweet potato and carrot...even if I didn't have a rabbit I would buy them simply to display them during the fall!!

I love this bowl from Paris Chic Boutique because of it's french flair and because of the fact that it's big enough to handle a dog with a little meat on it's bones!! It may be Le Bow-wow but it's not in any way Le frou-frou! It is also dishwasher safe which is great because that gives us more time to go out and play with the dogs!

And finally, at the end of the day when we are all curling up in our soft comfortable beds, isn't it nice to know the our pets can too? Annie's Sweat Shop is one of my all time favorite Etsy shops.
Her beds are Eco friendly (made from recycled fleece), customizable, machine washable and just plain fabulous. I love that your pup can just climb right in and be snug as a bug!

Like I said before, our pets give us so much and ask for so little in return. Even if they're asking for little, however, isn't it nice to treat them once in a while to such fabulous items as these?

2009-07-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

I love it when I see an item full of old world charm but in a modern setting. It feels oddly comforting, doesn't it? Especially considering that in this day and age so many items are mass produced and highly marketed (and often poorly made)! I'm sick of seeing the same stuff over and over! How great would it be if where you lived it looked like a small European village where every single house on your block was full of whimsy and charm. And if we could have this ideal yesteryear look but still have the convenience of hitting up the local coffeehouse for a mocacchino, well it would simply be perfection!

This pursuit of a comfortable old world feeling for my home has come to the cottage. That's why I had all the doors switched over to the old school lock and key system! My key ring no longer houses those boring old silver square keys that look like everyone elses. Yes, I even have a skeleton key. Just don't peak through the key hole when I'm changing!!

These amazing ornate skeleton keys from Ashbury Lane Art & Design scream old world to me and when I look at them, I can't help but feeling like I hold some important secret hanging off my keyring. Imagine what someone would think when you pulled out your keys and these beauties came popping out? How very mysterious it all would seem indeed!

Time to Unpack!

2009-07-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well now that we're all set to go in our brand spanking new Hand Crafted Cottage what would be the first logical thing to do? Hmmm...well, unpack of course! For the first little while unpacking is so much fun - it's like Christmas morning opening up all the gifts under the tree. As you open each item from that thick brown paper, you can't help but have days gone by come crashing into your memory - grandma's chipped teapot, a sweater you stole (um, borrowed) from your sister, picture frames with a younger version of yourself looking up at you...

I say that unpacking is fun in the beginning because after a while it's just too much and the job can't be done quick enough! I suppose that's the beauty of unpacking at the Hand Crafted Cottage...it's virtual and I can do it all while I sip away on my vanilla latté!

So, first and foremost I think I should mark my territory! What better way to tell visitors and neighbours that they have arrived at my humble abode than with a beautiful sign?

The Back Porch Shoppe is one of my all time favorite Etsy shops and she makes simply gorgeous signs. I love the shabby white look of these signs and the french flair! I'm also all for personalizing an item, so really this sign has it all!

Next up is the living room and a throw pillow cover created by Two Stray Cats. How awesome is this Jane Austin Silhouette piece? I have always loved silhouettes and when combined with one of my all time favorite authors, well, let's just say I think even Mr. Darcy would be proud to have it in his home!

I think next I should unpack my considerable collection of knick knacks. I have so many treasures that I simply can't part with, but really have no where to put them. That's why I'm so drawn to this keepsake trinket box from Fun Wall Art. How fun is this design? It combines shabby chic with bold elegance and equates to perfection for any woman's little pieces of history.

Next up is the kitchen and this is an item I can't live without - the cake stand. In this case, a single cupcake stand from Two Cupcake Gals. I just love everything about this piece from the black and white polka dots to the white ceramic birdies...I can just imagine a decadent chocolate cupcake with a tall dollop of icing and sprinkles on top! Yum!

What better way to end a day of unpacking than to sit down with a friend and enjoy a delicious hot cup of Himalayan Spiced Tea? These organic tea bags by Mistical AcScents are pure luxury and boast whole pieces of star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and black peppercorns among several other ingredients.

Thank you so much for helping me unpack - it goes by some much faster with a friend by your side!

Hello and Welcome to my Brand New Hand Crafted Cottage

2009-07-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased that you decided to come and visit me here at the hand crafted cottage!

I debated for a while if I should start a blog. There are so many pros and cons - pro, I can blog about my newest obsession Etsy; con, I'm already neglecting everything else in my life do I really have time for a blog too?; pro, I can exercise my all my creative juices in a new and exciting way; con, there are a million and one blogs out there - who's going to read mine?

I am drawn to handmade because I feel like it means...well, more! Heirlooms (another obsession of mine), the items that we hang on to so tightly for our whole lives, are usually impeccably crafted, handmade pieces. We don't pick up a necklace, for example, at our local Walmart with the intention of handing it down to our children. It takes something special to become an heirloom, something more. With that being said, handmade items of course aren't all destined to become heirlooms. However, the feeling I get from supporting fellow artisans (either locally or on the other side of the planet) is something that I also hang on to rather tightly.

Obviously the pros outweighed the cons because we are here at the cottage and loving all things handmade! I am so excited to explore more of the wonderful hand crafted items on Etsy (and maybe even beyond) and to share them with you, my cottage guests!

As my guests there are only have a few rules! One, take your shoes off at the door. Two, have fun exploring the handmade world with me. And three, check in every now and then to say hi!!

Thanks for reading blog number one million and two!