She's crafty

In a world full of crazies it is nice to know there are creative folk doing their part to remind us that the world is still full of enchanting and wonderful things. And where does one find these folk? Well there is a little nook in the northwest where little bears run along side ice cream trucks, owls dress up in pastel cloaks, flower painted horses skip-to-my-lou and the square dancin' misses' wear apple green polka dotted bows in their hair. A place where you will find craftyFOLK. Thank you to Sarah Golden, the talented artist who founded the enchanting world of craftyFOLK! Without people like you, this world would be off its rocker! (And I can't wait to meet you in person at the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco, July 31st-August 1st!)

"rah roar"- Feed the Bears Magnet

"hoot who" - Set of 12 Owl Stickers

"neigh" -  Wooden Dale Horse Brooch

"bow bow" - Green Polka Dot Wooden Bow Necklace

all handmade by craftyFOLK

tickled pink

1. so many things, by Paper Bullet  2. the roadrunner, by DesertNana
3. Just a Puff, by Tara Dougans  4. pinks! bridesmaid favors, by PoPko

Smart Mail

I love receiving handwritten notes and greetings in the mail as much as the next person. But I rarely receive cards that cause me to drop to the floor or holler to the neighbors, "Hey, check this card out!!!!" I realize that most do not have the time to go shopping for the perfect card; three fourths of my friends have little ones, husbands and jobs that make the handwritten note or card just a mere belated afterthought. And if a Hallmark card happens to land in my mailbox I will not complain. It's the thought that counts, right? But if you really want to knock my knickers off and wow me until the cows come home consider the handmade brilliance of some of my favorite designs below!

cake mail, a nice slice of fake postcard cake by TangBaby

secret message envelope - i love you by The Sweetie Pie Press

DIY Postcard by prismPop

you make me letterpress postcard by RAR RAR PRESS

Secret Decoder Card with custom message by crankbunny

CALL AGAIN- Mini Button Note Cards and Envelopes by Press Russia

Dorm Room Art Inspiration

Going off to college for the first time is both an exciting and scary adventure. The adjustment of living in a new environment, making new friends and learning in overcrowded classrooms can be especially exhausting. Recently the Storque, Etsy's blog, asked the handmade community to nominate our favorite Etsy art prints to "make a dorm room your own lair."

Below are some of my favorites...

...for any dorm room

They Never Knew What Hit Them 8x10 Art Print by the frantic meerkat

...for the Californian dorm room

Urban Legends Fine Art Print-California-Edition 10x10 by Whimsy ...for the student who blazes their own trail

Blaze in Furs by Paper Bullet ...for taking the time to smell the roses

Smell the Roses 8x10 Print by Becky Kazana ...for the grad student

Land Owl by Jon Carling ...for the art history major

DADA EXCLAMATION POINT LETTERPRESS PRINT by Yee-Haw Industries ...for the lit major

The Risk I Took Was Calculated, But Man, Am I Bad At Math

by The Mincing Mockingbird ...for the free spirit

go your own way (8x10) by letterhappy ...for the oceanographer major's dorm room

The Sea Freak Cries for Help Letterpress Limited Edition Print

by Sycamore Street Press ...for the social dorm room

Let's Get This Party Started, Fools Poster by TUFF Industries ...for the late night snack enthusiast's dorm room

fun foods-French fries print by Hearts and Laserbeams

click here for more dorm room inspiration 

Buttercupbloom Hoot Owl Giveaway on Phydelle

Upcycled goodness has never looked so cute! Buttercupbloom, the amazing maker of adorable hoot owls, lovable plush pals and fashionable fabric cuffs, is having her first giveaway on Phydelle's blog. One very lucky Phydelle reader will win the incredible hoot owl pictured on Phydelle's blog (you have to go see how cute it is!) You have until 9pm PST, Sunday, 7/19 to enter! And the interview with Buttercupbloom is an inspirational must read! xo, hoot hoot

Pincushions: Inspiration for Mother's Day

first row (from left to right)

Provence Pincushion by Cozy Memories Henny Pin-EE by craftycrafterson Pincushion Gift Set by dottyral Patchwork Pin Cushion by marisabella second row (from left to right) Yellow Egg Cup Pincushion by The Sometimes Crafter Sew Clever Pin Pillow by Matin Minet Red Zinnia by The Daily Pincushion Linen Cotton Pillow Pincushion by my studio third row (left to right) Lichen Peppermint Pincushion by Ottoman Owl Pincushion by Just for you Creations Pin Cushion with Spool Pockets from Kitchen Cupboard Red delicious pincushion by ReFabulous forth row (left to right) My Little White Cala Pincushion by chapulin mom personalized pin cushion by sarahbrown Sunny Side Pincushion by sass&peril handmade Pincushion Vincent Yellow by superfay

friday fun finds :: Cats and Creatures

Hound Cats :: by Buttercupbloom

Not sure why these two hound cats have not been adopted yet. Come on, just look at how cute they are! Her unique Hound Cats were created from a pair of vintage wool slacks that were washed in very hot water, felted and repurposed into new life. I only have Meows and Purrs for everything Wendy of Buttercupbloom creates. And Happy Birthday to all her hootilicious Hoot Owls who are celebrating their One Year Anniversary! Hoots!

cord/accessory pouch :: by Brokesy Not sure what this adorable creature is or if I really need a cord/accessory pouch since I don't have a laptop but I do know this cool shop makes a lot of neat stuff for the gadget and tech savvy peoples. Be sure to check out Brokesy's coordinating laptop sleeve in her cleverly named computer liebe section. And she is offering free shipping on all her attack pillows!

Friday Fun Finds - Doll Parts & Dress up

Igor-eena :: by Tresijas

I think there was a song by Courtney Love called I am Doll Parts. Well, Courtney can sing about doll parts all she wants but she will never be "Doll Parts". Meet Igor-eena (Igorina), my first Friday Fun Find. She is endearing and intriguing and she is doll parts. No really. She comes apart like Mr. Potato Head but cooler cause she is so cute! Handmade by the talented and entirely awesome Tresijas, Igorina was made from recycled materials and will be participating in the EtsyTrashion Team's Monster Exchange Program. Be sure to check out all the other wonderful eco-friendly accesories in the Tresijas shop including a recycled LP vinyl cuff and adorable hair accesories that would pair beautifully with my second Friday Fun Find, the Pink Jumper Dress :: by Canselda It is difficult to resist window shopping for clothing for all my friends' little ones. It is no surprise that the majority of children's clothing is cute and adorable. But to find children's clothing that is cute and adorable, affordable, handmade and well made is a wee bit more difficult. So when I discovered the Etsy shop Canselda my heart skipped a beat and I immediately notified some of my friend's of my lucky find! Some of the cutest clothing for you little one's I have ever seen! The Pink Jumper Dress as seen above is obviously my favorite but the Lovely Girl Blouse and the Little Sweet Corduroy Skirt are tied for my second favorite. Canselda thank you for making such beautiful clothing and accessories! It is so refreshing to see well made and affordable children's clothing and not in Amy Butler fabrics!

Friday Fun Finds :: Handmade Draft Stoppers

Velvet worm draft excluder :: by Grasshopper Crafts

I actually found this lovely and practical creature a couple of days ago when I was searching for fun items for my Etsy treasury. Every house should have a draft stopper/excluder. We have an old one filled with kidney beans which I took to repairing last year. It looks like a long stretched out cat of some sorts. But I assure you my cat would like this velvet worm a whole lot more. And draft stoppers can help keep your energy bills down. Gaps around doors and windows are the main causes of air leakage in most homes and a significant source of heat loss.

Floral Arm Draft Stopper :: by Hot Legs

I read somewhere the best way to detect drafts is to attach a sheet of plastic wrap/film to a hanger with clothespins. Close all doors and windows except for one on the leeward side of the house. (oh yeah, and this should be done on a windy day). Then take the hanger with the plasic wrap/film and walk it by the other doors and windows. If you see the plastic wrap fluttering around like a ghost then you probably have a draft leak. And a large velvet worm and a Stevie Nicks inspired draft stopper are the obvious solutions. Happy fun Friday to all!

Sunday favorites

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH and celebrate everything handmade! just a few off my long list of favorites...

Etsy Buy Handmade KisforCalligraphy