My Favorite Mondays no. 2

It’s Monday! Now, that isn’t always a thing to celebrate but I think this week, we should be excited for Monday and the week ahead. It’s our week filled with love (only 3 more days until Valentine’s day!) and, also, it’s Random Act of Kindness week!

Here’s my five picks for ‘My Favorite Mondays’ – inspired by this special week.

Favorite Pin
Sometimes holidays have a way of sneaking up on you. Valentine’s Day is a bad one for this because, truthfully, I think we are still all recovering from December a bit. I absolutely adore this pin fromCrafted by Lindy because it is a thoughtful, easy way to give something different at valentines (AND a free printable never hurts!). What a perfect idea for a teacher, co-workers, or your day home/daycare provider.

Favorite Etsy findThis is, by far, my favorite Etsy find this week! Image 3D sells these uber cool view-master style custom reels and viewers. The awesomeness of this product does not require much explanation, however, I will say that if my Valentine were to get me one of these and fill it will our favorite photos, I would absolutely be swooning. The possibilities of cool things you can do with this are endless – picture this, use a reel and viewer as the greatest way ever to announce your pregnancy or engagement.

Favorite Charity
Last year I found out about a fabulous charity called CARE Canada (there is also a CARE USA) whose mandate is to empower women and girls, particularly those living in poverty. This worthy cause is one that every person should take notice of because, according to CARE, if a single woman rises from poverty, she typically takes 4 people along with her. Also important to note, as with any charity you choose to support, CARE Canada operates with an average 6% administrative cost and have all of their annual reports available on their website.

CARE is currently running a Walk in her Shoes fundraiser that I encourage you all to learn more about (here)!

Favorite App

Okay, when it comes to cool new apps, I’m usually pretty far behind on things and I’m guessing that most people already know about this one, but Songza is my favorite new app. It is a mind-blowingly awesome app where you can stream playlists onto your smart phone (or stream onto your computer). There are no audio ads, it’s free, and the play lists are killer – need some new workout tunes? Songza! Need some low-key background music at work? Songza! Need someone to suggest some new music? Songza!

Favorite Personal Update

OH, I am so excited for my upcoming trip to France. There are so many things that I want to see when I’m there I am finding it tough to pencil everything in (while trying not to pencil too much in)! The exciting new development for this trip is that we will now be spending 3 nights and 4 days in the south of France as well, and taking a trip to Monte Carlo too. Any tips for must-sees when I’m in Paris – send them my way!

Thanks for joining me this fine Monday and I hope your love-filled weekend is LOVE-ly!  Leave me a comment and share your favorite monday finds!

My Favorite Mondays no. 1

I've noticed that many of the blogs I subscribe to, do a "my favorites" list once a week.  I love to share and highlight anything I've got going on or think is awesome, so, of course, I decided to jump on this bandwagon.  I wanted to do it on Friday...but, I ran out of time and therefore am doing it today.  SO, my favorites list will be on Mondays now - thus, the title, "My Favorite Mondays"!

My Favorite Pin

Without a doubt, this pin that originates back to lesapea.tumblr.com, is my favorite pin of the week (maybe ever)!  Good lord, click on the link and you will be in awe of all the amazing images...simply stunning.  I am a calligraphy junkie and this quotation is beyond lovely.  This is a perfect pin!

My Favorite Etsy Find

I'm so excited to bring this Etsy shop to your attention.  I just happened to come across it on the main page this weekend in that scrolling area where they show newly listed items.  Ohhh Lulu is stunning.  I love pretty much everything she has listed in her shop and I am now creeping on her twitter and FB, excitedly waiting for anything she posts!

My Favorite Blog Update

As you've probably noticed, my blog has had a rehaul and I am now supporting an awesome new look.  I am so thrilled with the outcome and want to give a huge thanks to Hannah from Sweet Mod Designs a big thank you for her hardwork (look for a posting on her in the near future!)

My Favorite Personal Update

I am pretty much beyond excited for next April when I, so luckily, will be going on my dream vacation to Paris!  This isn't new news but, I'm so happy because I am starting some refresher French language classes this week!!

Je suis trés excité!!



My Favorite New App

I know I am so behind in this but, I FINALLY joined twitter!  I downloaded the app on my phone and have been addicted to it since.  My friend was constantly trying to get me to join and now, looking back, why did I resist?  I am @mycraftyblog so look me up (or simply click on the twitter button under the "About" section on my blog)! :)

My first favorites on My Favorite Mondays are pretty good, right?!  I look forward to the week ahead and finding some new gems to share with you next Monday!!
Be sure to leave a comment with your favorite news for the upcoming week! :)

Wishlist Wednesday - Pattern Perfection

It’s that time again – wishlist Wednesday!! When I was thinking about one of the things that would be fairly high up on my wishlist, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to showcase.

I love to sew, I love cute, I love Etsy. So, naturally, I love Dolls and Daydreams. Oiy, where to start? Well, with one look at this jaw-droppingly cute Etsy shop you will be in heaven (if you like sewing, anything adorable, or if you like to collect stuffies).

I think there are so many reasons to love this shop. First, the selection. Oh Lord. From ballerinas to superheroes to bunny rabbits and lions. You can get a Marie Antoinette pattern or a snuggly lamb. Really, whatever you’re looking for, it’s offered here. Also – I love that you can change up your fabric choices (seeing that many of the stuffies are wearing clothes) and it really changes the look of what you’re making! The PDF pattern (that goes straight to your inbox – no waiting!) makes your sewing project a breeze – the shop owner provides tips along with the sewing instructions for your convenience. Also, I love how the finished projects boast both cotton fabrics and felt (I heart felt big time!) and that it is appropriate for children under three.

Another great selling feature you receive when purchasing a pattern through Dolls and Daydreams is that you are given the okay to sell your finished creations…a luxury not permitted by all patterns sold on Etsy.

Currently there are over 50 listings for these great patterns and each one averages a price of approximately $10USD (did I mention you also get a materials list included with the pattern?).

Yes, I am in love big time with all of the items listed in this awesome shop and I can’t wait to get my hands on a pattern and start sewing!! Be assured that when I do buy a pattern and sew it up I will be posting some pictures here!! :)

5 Perfect Bridal Shower Gifts

In exactly ten weeks I get the privilege to stand up with one of my best friends on her wedding day.  I'm so thrilled to be one of her bridesmaids and am so looking forward to her big day!  She was one of my bridesmaids when I got married (5 long years ago, lol!) and I just can't wait to make her feel as special as she made me feel when I was a blushing bride.

Shannon - girl, I love you so much and wish you every happiness in the world.  You are one of the kindest people I know on this Earth and you are going to make a wonderful wife to your very lucky man.  I CAN NOT WAIT for your stagette next weekend...bring it on!! :)

So, before the wedding there are the obvious events to get through first.  First on our schedule is the stagette (have I mentioned I can't wait for it?!) and then, later, the bridal shower.  I especially love bridal showers - I love anything traditional that requires baking and pretty gifts!!

Many of you may be approaching bridal shower and wedding season yourselves.  Personally, I always like to give a physical gift (rather than a gift card - although, I do love getting giftcards myself!) because as I mentioned I like tradition!  I have also said this several times in my blog, but, I also love a personalized gift. Therefore, I thought I would share with you a few gifts that I have up my sleeve for a show-stopping, perfect bridal shower gift.

Door Country Woodworks is without a doubt one of my all time favorite Etsy shops.  Just take a look in his shop for about a millisecond and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.  Now, this birdhouse would literally bring the show down at a bridal shower.  It works as a card collector at the wedding (and you can custom colour it so that it matches the wedding colours) and then, when the wedding is over, converts to a birdhouse for the newlywed's backyard.  Notice in the picture that there is even space for the couples name and date of the wedding.  This one is $125USD and there are many different to chose from.  The "Just Married" bunting on it is just spectacular!

Oh.my.lord. I am obsessed with calligraphy. My ONEday Wishlist (my version of a bucket list - only I dont' use bucket list because I hate that term)includes to become a skilled calligrapher. Ink Blot Calligraphy is the proud owner of this wonderful skill and this listing for some custom calligraphy art is right up my alley. So beautiful and there is so much talent that goes into this. I believe that it would be a perfect gift for a bride, especially if she's a close friend, because what set of girlfriends don't have a special quotation, funny inside joke, or just something special shared between them? For a $10USD deposit you can get started with your ink colours, font and flourish preferences, sizes, etc. I can totally picture "to have and to hold from this day forward" in beautiful calligraphy and then framed in something lovely.

This listing from Black Scrap Cat is a favorite of mine for several reasons.  First, this shop originates from Canada and I love supporting local artists (we are in the same province even).  Second, just think of the wedding pictures, what a wonderful photo prop!  And third, this amazing gift doesn't have to just stop here - you can get one for mother of the bride, bridesmaids, flower girl, etc.  It makes such a special memento to use on the wedding day and to keep forever.  For $27 USD you can really create some wow!

Define your Space Vinyl is an Etsy shop you should become familiar with.  I love it.  There are so many amazing pieces to chose from I really don't even know where to start.  I love this one, in particular, because of the coordinating fonts and the flourished design along the bottom.  It would look so lovely on the wall and I know when I was a bride (with a newly acquired last name) I loved seeing it and displaying it with pride.  This one is 18 inches in diameter, a good healthy size, and can be done in your bride's custom colours for $42 USD. 

This I love because it is so unique.  I'm guessing that most of us do not know the coordinates of where we got married (or another special occasions in our lives) but what a cool thing to find out; and don't let the wedding place be your only option - first date, first home, where they met, etc.  AND, what a conversation piece this would be.  You can pick one of these up at The Drifting Bear for $48USD.

I wish I could get all of these for my special lady.  She certainly deserves them!! :)  BUT, who knows, maybe on her bridal shower day she'll unwrap a little something special.... ;)

(and no I can't tell you...she might be reading this right now!!!)

If you know of any special bridal shower gifts you'd like to share, please list them below in the comments section!! :)

Wish List Wednesday

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!

The Original Bébé

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!!!

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!

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!

I LOVE My Mom!

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!

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.