{Freebie Fridays} Win a SpongeBob Boutique Bow

This giveaway is now closed.

Oooh, who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Sponge Bob Square Pants! 

Yes, this is the song stuck in my head the whole time I have been setting up this giveaway for y'all! Here's why...you have a chance to win an adorable SpongeBob Square Pants Boutique Bow for a special little girl in your life!

Here's the interview with Jennifer about her and her Etsy shop, HappyHolmzCreations!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a married stay at home mom to 3 children, 1 boy and 2 girls. I am currently attending college to obtain my degree in Business Administration. I love handmaking items from hair accessories, jewelry, picture frames, shadow boxes, and holiday crafts.

What made you want to become an artist?

I don't think there was one particular reason for wanting to become an artist...I simply love making things from scratch. Seeing the final result is and its beauty is so rewarding to me. 

 
What is your favorite item to create?

Right now my favorite item or items to create are fun and quirky headbands.  
 

What advice would you give to new artists on Etsy?

Being relatively new to Etsy myself, my advice would be patience and create a budget. I have to remind myself that "ROME was not built in one day". I started with a specific budget and have stayed on track with that budget. It is very easy to go off track and spend more than you take in. 

How do you promote your work?

I promote my shop with social networking sites, business cards, and word-of-mouth. 

Do you have any websites connected to your shop?

I have a fan page on facebook at www.facebook.com/HHCbiz. 

I have a blog at www.happyholmzcreations.blogspot.com. 

What is the inspiration for your work?

My inspiration are my children. I want to instill in their little minds that the sky is the limit. They are able to create and make anything that they want to. 

Do any of your items go toward a special cause?

Yes, I donated a gift basket full of hairbows (for a raffle) at a fundraiser, for a local high school student who could not afford to attend a medical conference for future doctors. I also donated some hair bows for raffle to support Children's Miracle Network at my local Wal-Mart. 

 
Do you have a job outside of Etsy? How do you handle both?

I consider being a full-time mom a job. Kids first, shop second. I usually create my items when everyone is in bed and the house is quiet. 

Where do you create?

Right now I create my items on a table in my kitchen. We are actually in the process of buying a house and I will be able to have my own workshop in one of the spare rooms. YIPPEE!! 

What are your goals for your shop?

My goal for my shop is to have consistent sales and repeat customers.  

 

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Last thing I would like to share is, each item handmade in my shop is created with nothing but the highest standards and lots of love.  

You have a chance to win this SpongeBob SquarePants Boutique Bow from HappyHolmzCreations

{and who doesn't love SpongeBob? Even my 2 year old knows who he is!}

Mandatory Entry:

{You must complete this first before submitting any other entries}

~*Visit HappyHolmzCreations Etsy shop and tell me your favorite item.*~

Bonus Entries:

{Leave a separate comment for each that you complete}

1.}   Heart HappyHolmzCreations Etsy shop.

2.}   "Like" HappyHolmzCreations Facebook page.  {leave her some love on her wall if you'd like} 

3.}   Follow HappyHolmzCreations blog.

4.}   Blog, Tweet, and/or post on Facebook about this giveaway using the "Sharing is Caring" buttons 

         below  & post the link where we can find it. {one entry for each you complete} 
5.}   Become a follower of my blog.
6.}   Enter in another giveaway on this blog and let me know which one you entered.

That's a maximum of 9 entries!

Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2011. Sunday, July 17, 2011 a winner will be randomly drawn from eligible entrants and notified by e-mail, and the winner's name will also be posted here. If no email is listed I will choose another winner. Winner has one week to respond to my email to claim his/her prize after initial contact.  I am not responsible for the shipping of this prize.

Contest open to U.S. residents only.

CLOSED: Winner- http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/2011/07/spongebob-boutique-bow-winner.html 

{Thursday Thoughts} Easy Peasy Magnetic Bookmark Tutorial

I have been super busy getting everything together with the upcoming craft fair & dealing with a cranky toddler lately that I don't really get to sit down with a good book anymore. Last week we went to the library for their monthly book sale and I decided to look around for a book for MOMMY too, not just for Bug! When I got home I added my book to the shelf and thought "there's another book I won't be reading anytime soon."  My reading now solely involves No David and Freight Train over, and over, and over again!

I used to love to read and decided when Bug goes to sleep and the hubby is either watching his shows or in bed as well, I am going to spend some time reading {at least on the weekends if not during the week}! 

That being said, I wanted to make a bookmark since the 20 I have might get lost. This one is magnetic though...and that makes it cool!

On to the tutorial:

Magnetic Paint Sample Bookmark

{materials used cost me nada!} 

Materials:

•  scissors
• glue gun or strong glue
• a business magnet {like the ones you get from your local pizza place}
• a strip of a paint sample {free at your local Walmart or hardware store}

Here's what to do:

Measure your magnet and cut it a little shorter than the width of your paint sample.

Then cut them into two short strips equal{ish} in size.

Fold your paint sample in half.

Place a line of glue on the back of the first strip.

And press down to the inside bottom of your folded paint sample.

Do the same with the other strip to the opposite side but make sure the two magnets will match up when folded together. {sorry, bad picture}

I added a little matching brad to the top of mine just for a little extra, but you can also add ribbon or nothing at all.

Now my place will be kept!

   If you make one I'd love to hear about it or see pictures!

Enjoy!

{Wordless Wednesdays} Maa!

{Toddler Tuesdays} Shaving Cream Fun ~*Linky*~

Sensory activities are great for all ages. Kids love feeling different textures & getting to make a mess well, that's an added bonus. Using shaving cream for sensory play is good, clean fun...really. Did you know shaving cream can get out stains from some surfaces? Google it. Back when I worked in a daycare we used to have the kids do this on the tables & they would look so clean and shiny when they were done. It's also easy to clean. Just use a damp towel.

We used shaving cream for sensitive skin and let Bug have at it.

She was a little sketchy at first...

...but after she got her hands all in it she had a blast!

Her favorite was clapping her hands and getting the shaving cream all over!

{just be careful of their eyes, it may burn if it gets in them}

Smear it all over and draw with your fingers or give your little one a paintbrush to smear it with. Use your imagination & most of all have fun!

<a border="0" href="http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/search/label/Toddler%20Tuesdays" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/5364300099_060910705d_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Button" alt="Button" /></a>

{Mmm, Mmm, Mondays} with Laura from Cubit's Organic Living

I am back to doing my usual Mmm, Mmm, Mondays. Here's how it will be a little different. Sometimes I will be having guest bloggers, like today, sharing their favorite toddler loved recipes & other times I will share one of my faves! I will try to make each one and let you know how Bug {& I} liked it.

Today I would like to welcome Laura from Cubit's Organic Living. Laura's blog is all about gardening {which I need to read up on since I would like to start growing my own herbs/veggies some day}, natural parenting, & about being eco-friendly {which we should all take part in becoming}.

Laura is sharing a simple & yummy homemade macaroni & cheese recipe with a twist. I knew my toddler would love this recipe the moment I read it over and made it last night for dinner. It was a big hit! You can never go wrong with Mac & Cheese any time of year.

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Mac and Cheese, an essential autumn comfort food is really not much harder to make for real than out of the box.  The recipe our family uses started out with the Moosewood version but has changed a bit over the years.  I highly recommend any of Mollie Katzen’s cookbooks; the recipes are delicious, vegetarian and very easy to follow.  I grew up with The Enchanted Broccoli Forest and personally don’t think you should even attempt vegetarianism without it.  Well, the good sort of vegetarian, not the kind in 1^st year college where you eat vegetable flavoured Mr. Noodles and bread for dinner every night.  Or Kraft Dinner for that matter.

You’ll need:

1 ½ cup cottage cheese

1 ½ cup milk

1 tsp dried mustard

¼ tsp nutmeg

½ tsp salt

¼ teaspoon ground pepper

1 small onion finely chopped

1 block of extra old sharp cheddar grated

½ lb uncooked elbow macaroni (this is about ½ a bag)

¼ cup bread crumbs

some parsley (fresh or dried)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Butter up a pyrex baking dish.

In the food processor whizz up the onion and then set it aside. Next you need to combine the cottage cheese, the milk, and the spices, mix them up in the processor. Grate your cheese right into your mixture.  Throw the onion back in.  Pulse a few times then pour onto uncooked macaroni in a mixing bowl. You’ll switch from chopping blade to grater and back again.

Once everything is nicely coated, pour into your buttered baking dish.

Last but not least is a good covering of breadcrumbs.  You can buy these but I make them simply by toasting some (stale) bread, usually twice, then putting the toast in a bag and hitting it with the cast iron frying pan (also important in the vegetarian diet).  I like to add dried parsley during the smashing stage.


Then bake for 45 minutes

Here it is, a little overdone, but delicious and cheesy.  At my house I insist that we eat at least one vegetable with it, but really that's your call.


Roasted Brussels sprouts go really well with it.

If you don’t have a food processor you should get one.  But in the meantime; chop up your onion, grate your cheese and use a blender and this recipe will work just fine.

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This side suggestion is perfect for us since I just bought Bug some Brussels sprouts for the first time {for all of us}!

Enjoy! 

Oh, and be sure to check out Laura's Etsy shop full of organic seeds! She has loads to choose from so you are sure to find whatever seed you are looking for.

Want to stalk her? Here's where you can find Laura:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/CubitsOrganicLiving
Twitter - http://twitter.com/Cubits
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/groups/967955@N25/ 

Bootscootbaby Winner!

Thank you to all who entered to win a $30 Shop Credit to Bootscootbaby! I used random.org to determine the winner and here it is...

Comment #9, Hannah!

Hannah said...I hearted her etsy shop(under the name hmaphotography)

Congrats Hannah! Look out for an email from me {don't forget to check your spam} and come back and let us know what you used your credit on. :)

Didn't win? No worries, there are still two open giveaways to enter.

MeadowbrookCreations Giveaway - $15 Shop Credit (Ends 7/1/11) Open to US

OneofaKindBabyDesign Giveaway - $10 Shop Credit {Ends 7/8/11} Open to US

Good luck!

{Freebie Fridays} Win a $10 Credit to oneofakindbabydesign! {CLOSED}

This giveaway is now closed.

Happy Freebie Friday everyone! I hope you all had a better week than I did! Bug was super...duper...cranky this week. Whiny (which irks me) and fresh (hitting when she got mad at me). Not cool Bug! Anyhoo, the weekend is almost here and I can't wait!

I'd love for you all to meet Heather, the shop owner of oneofakindbabydesign. Her shop is full of fun things for your little one! I love her growth charts! We used the wall in our old apartment and guess what...when we moved, it stayed. I wish I had taken notes of the heights before we left so I could have re-done them on a chart :( 

Today you have a chance to win a $10.00 shop credit to her shop!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a stay at home mom of three and have always loved crafting. I enjoy working with children and helping them explore their creative side as well. I love to create my custom hand painted growth charts, but recently have started making girl's hair accessories and that has become a new favorite as well. The growth charts are so fun because they require multiple techniques and abilities and the bows are fun because it is exciting to see the cute creations come to life.

 
How do you promote your work?

Right now I promote my work through networking on Etsy and with people I meet every day and also on Facebook. I tried blogging/twitter and they just weren't for me. So I am going to have to work extra hard elsewhere promoting since social media is not my strong suit. You can visit me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oneofakindbabydesign

What is the inspiration for your work?

I am constantly inspired by my home and my children. Most of what I make starts out for them, and then I make the same items to sell also. Many of the items I sell are also part of my home decor. I use my home as a showcase for my craftiness.

Do you have a job outside of Etsy? How do you handle both?

If you consider having three children 6 and under a job outside of Etsy, then yes I do. Of course the children are a lot of work, but so much fun and they are usually just as excited as I am to play with my paints so I just always make sure to set them up with "crafty time" when I am working on my items and all goes well. 

 
Where do you create? 

Right now I do not have a dedicated space for my workshop, I have taken over many areas of our home with my crafts. This is temporary as a workshop is under construction and should be done this year. 

Here is your chance to win a $10.00 shop credit to oneofakindbabydesign!

Mandatory Entry:

{You must complete this first before submitting any other entries}

Visit oneofakindbabydesign Etsy shop and tell me what you would use your shop credit toward. 

Bonus Entries:

{Leave a separate comment for each that you complete}

Heart oneofakindbabydesign Etsy shop.

"Like" oneofakindbabydesign Facebook page. 

{leave her some love on her wall if you'd like}

Blog, Tweet, and/or post on Facebook about this giveaway using the "Sharing is Caring" buttons below & post the link where we can find it.

{one entry for each you complete} 

Become a follower of my blog.

Enter in another giveaway on this blog and let me know which one you entered.

Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 8, 2011. Sunday, July 10, 2011 a winner will be randomly drawn from eligible entrants and notified by e-mail, and the winner's name will also be posted here. If no email is listed I will choose another winner. Winner has one week to respond to my email to claim his/her prize after initial contact.  I am not responsible for the shipping of this prize.

Contest open to U.S. residents only. 

{Closed with 32 entries}

 

{Thursday Thoughts} My First Real Craft Fair

I have been debating taking part in a local craft fair at a church and I have decided to go for it! I have 16 hats pre-made already so I figured why not?! I'd love your help in deciding what to make for the fair. So far I have:

16 hats/beanies {mostly newborn & 0-3 month sizes}

10 mug cozies in a variety of colors

2 baby blankets {which I'm not sure anyone would buy at a craft fair}

1 party hat {I'm planning on making a couple more of these}

2 tutus {I'm also planning on making more of these too}

 And some headbands and clippies

What would you be most likely to buy at a summer fair?

PS- I am entered in the EtsyKids Design Challenge for June which is Party. The voting is now open and I would love your vote. I am #2-crocheting4baby! Thank you to all who vote! :)

Vote Here: http://etsykids.blogspot.com/2011/06/etsykids-design-challenge-its-time-to.html