vol.25

etsy must haves: Skunkboy Creatures

"Skunkboy Creatures don't care what you look like... we love

you for you. We embrace the fact that you always have your nose

in a book, or you can't have a decent conversation unless it's

about music, or the only thing that you really enjoy in life is

writing, or painting, or sewing, or playing your accordion. We

   love all your quirks. Let's be best friends."

Aww...isnt that just the cutest thing ever? If you visit skunkboycreatures, these words will greet you. I have had one of these super sweet animal friends from Katie on my wish list for waay too long now. :)  You have NO idea how hard it was to only choose one photo from her shop...which is why you must stop by yourself... I found this adorable giraffe couple while browsing her sold orders... too cute for words. :)

Thanks Katie for sharing skunkboycreatures with us. :)

p.s. she has a really sweet blog too.

etsy must haves: Paradise Body Shop

Loving this: "Bob" the hedgehog custom soap from Paradise Body Shop

BONUS: Candice has offered this discount for vol.25 readers:

- Bob for $6.25
- 15% on all regularly priced Bar soaps (no custom/fun/shave sets)
- Standard shipping applies

Use the code vol25 in the message to seller while checking out. Offer expires Friday the 14th.

Photo courtesy of Paradise Body Shop :)

etsy must haves: Great Full Day

hello! I am dropping in today with another etsy must have. Generally I will be saving these for Fridays, but I am going to make an exception in this case. :) Lindsey from Great Full Day has finally taken the plunge, and opened her own etsy shop...

She is selling her dreamy photographs, and even offering a grand opening sale. The sale expires on the 10th of May so I thought I had best get this posted in case some of you would like to take advantage of the sale. If you purchase one of her prints, you will receive another at 50% off. :)

Also, you may have stumbled onto her blog before... it is a dose of everything and anything positive, so be sure to check it out. ;)

Have a splendidly grateful day!!

etsy must haves: kalla

Today I am suuuper excited to debut the makeover I gave my "etsy must haves" category. :) This is something that I really want to keep going here on the blog... and to do that I made a template that I can easily update in photoshop. I'm keeping each feature super sweet, short and simple... and I am super happy to finally share some of my etsy favorites with you. :)

  

loving this: cushion cover from Textile Designer Kalla. :) I really MUST have a couple of these on my sofa...

she and him

Ok, I think this print by alicebgardens is just daaarling. I can see it looking perfectly at home in our entry way, just above our black shoe cabinets. :)  I have definitely been inspired to freshen things up a little. It would probably be cute to try and artistically capture a photo with my shoes, jaydon's, trins, and Journey's. You know.... get the whole family in? :)

As you can see in the above photo, I could use some change. :) I am officially over the green and brown color combo going on in our living room. :)

Anyhow, after a closer inspection I found several more prints by alicebgardens that I fell in love with....

I keep stumbling across so many talented photographers! It seems I am constantly being inspired. :) Who inspires you? Lets get some link love going on. :)

etsy must haves- Wee Woodland Mushrooms

ok... these are just TOO cute! It has been awhile since I've done an "etsy must have" post. I instantly felt the need to bring it back when I spotted these ADORABLE mushrooms on etsy. I can see soo many cute possibilities for these little gems. They are handmade by Wee Wood Natural Toys.

Wee Wood says this about they're uses:

"Use them in whatever way suits your whimsy!
Nature table, woodland, gnome or fairy playset, game tokens, have your wee child count, sort and stack them!"

Can you picture them lined up on a windowsill?. :) talk about cute overload!

The mushrooms are painted with nontoxic paint and sealed with a nontoxic and hypoallergenic sealant. Doesnt get any better then that! :) 

well, I guess it does get a little better. :) See... after visiting Wee Wood, you can report back here with your favorite item from they're shop and you are automatically qualified for a 10% discount off towards your purchase. :) Just be sure and post your favorite item here, and then again in the message to seller upon checkout. I thought it was nice of them to offer that up!

oh and btw- your item purchased does not have to be your favorite item. :) Just in case you were wondering! Hope you guys enjoyed these cuties as much as I did. They also have some wood cars listed that I am thinking about buying Journey. She loves cars, and I love that they are a natural non toxic toy. :)

happy friday!!

p.s. you can also find Wee Wood on facebook and flickr !

project: etsy

Its been a while since I have posted an etsy feature. So, this one is long overdue. Shannon of Projectgrabbag is a super talented eco minded artist selling via etsy.com. She first contacted me last summer about doing some custom graphics/packaging work for her shop. We immediately realized our taste was somewhat alike. Which has made designing for her such a treat! I generally need to re-work a design very little if even at all. :)

Here is a little information about Shannon and her little company:

Project Grab Bag was founded in 2005 by me, Shannon Jefferson. I work from a studio in Peoria, Illinois creating one of a kind goods for both adult and child. Each piece I make has elements of my 70's childhood, love for Japanese design, and passion for using recycled materials whenever possible.

Currently, the Project Grab Bag range is available in boutiques worldwide, and has recently been featured here

Country Living Magazine
MTV New Zealand
Mixed Media And Memory Jewelry By Tammy Powley/Quarry Books
Baby Talk Magazine
Junior Magazine United Kingdom
Coolmompicks.com

Totally cool! She has recently had a bunch of well deserved exposure! :)

I can speak from personal experience when I say her dolls are too cute for words. Trinity owns one she calls "Keiko." You may recognize Keiko from a few of the prints listed in the shop. It really was fun working with Shannon to create a customized doll for Trin.

From that first project, we have worked on several others. Last summer we even started a collaboration together, one we named "project friends" this collaboration began with me illustrating and photographing her softies. A few still made it back into the shop after I moved to vol25.

Another personal favorite of mine has been the pirate dolls...

Although I think you will agree, it is impossible to pick and choose just one.

Raina was just listed yesterday, and I think she is the sweetest!

So head on over and take a peek, if your in need of an original one of a kind gift for that special little one in your life... look no further. Projectgrabbag has you covered. :)

project: etsy

I tend to be doing alot less window shopping these days, and alot more monitor shopping. Of course, MOST of the time I am really good.... but just look at this-

Crossword Paper Bird $39.00

WHO in their right mind can resist such a sweet cute little bird? Cotton Bird Designs has their shop set-up on etsy, and it is a REAL treat for the eyes. The soft color pallette seems to be very consistent throughout the entire store.

Each bird is Completely hand stitched using embroidery threads, and filled with hypo-allergenic fibre. Eyes are embroidered, and feet are hand made using florist wire. The materials she uses varies from one of a kind hand stitched fabric, to a mix of vintage or recycled materials. Absolutely gorgeous work in my opinion.

   

The above picture was a custom order I snagged from her sold orders. What a perfect cake topper these would make!  Super sweet, and truly unique.

 

Plum Fabric Bird $39.00

Blue Silk Hearts and Kisses Love Birds: 89.00

Let me just say, it has taken all I HAVE not to purchase one of these just yet... I am holding out for the perfect color... green of course! When I do finally splurge and buy myself one... you can bet a little photo shoot will follow. They just look like they would be so much fun to photograph. :)