The Necklace Factory

I love bib necklaces. Like slightly obsessed (ok, more than slightly) and whenever I see someone wearing one I stop them, ask where they got it and gush over it.  I have a few - this one from Miss Betty Lou, this vintage one from Allora handmade and even a ridiculously fab custom one from my friend Julie, because (let's face it) she's awesome.  Basically I really love these amazing, big fashion statements.  My budget however does not so much.

We had Gianna's pictures taken on Wednesday and I knew we'd sneak in a couple, so I started searching Etsy for an awesome bib necklace for myself.  I found tons of amazing ones, but just really didn't want to pay.  Then I decided I'd try my hand at making one.  I kind of thought I'd hate it and it would never see the light of day, but I was very pleasantly surprised.  Here's what I came up with:

I made the rosettes using Haute Blue B's tutorial, and the pom poms from Little Miss Momma's tutorial.  Then I added some tulle in the background, a little bit of bling and some beads on the chain.  What do you think?  I kind of love it, and think it looks cool on.

{how cute is that baby?!}

Not wanting to be left out, Leila requested a mini one.

And here's how it looked on:

I'm having lots of fun making these necklaces, and may have to make them in every color of the rainbow!  Have you made any fun crafts or seen any awesome tutorials lately?  Let me know!

PS - have you entered to win the Much Ado About You calendar??!  I'm picking the winner tonight, and announcing tomorrow.  Good luck!

PPS - today is the last day for the sweet discount + free earrings


PPSS - Happy Valentine's Day!

WIN a Much Ado About You Calendar!

Hi friends! I've got a pretty fabulous giveaway for you.....are you ready for it?  Giveaway closed - thanks for entering!

How would you like a chance to win a {sold out} Savannah calendar in large from Much Ado About You??

Told you it was a good giveaway!  This calendar is the large size ($54 value) and un-personalized, but you can easily add a picture or letter sticker of your own to the front.

This is my second year with a Much Ado About You calendar.  I love mine so much that I think of any excuse to get it out and write in it!  I've given plenty of these beauties as gifts, and love the calendars so much that this holiday season I was a calendar ambassador.

So how can you win?  Easy - just leave a comment on this post telling me anything!  For a bonus entry leave some comment love on the Much Ado About You blog and tell the fabulous Emmy (beauty and brains behind the company!) I sent you.  For another bonus entry leave a comment on the Angel Face Designs Facebook page.

Giveaway open through next Monday, February 14.  Good luck!

Leila's Alice in Wonderland Party

I think it was about a week after Leila's third birthday party that she told me she wanted an Alice in Wonderland birthday party when she turned four.  Imagine my surprise when I asked her a few months ago what kind of birthday she wanted and she was still stuck on Alice!  So, my I started thinking.... I bought some cute graphics on Etsy and made my own invitaton:

I had a lot of fun making the party favors this year.  Each girl got an Alice in Wonderland bottle cap necklace, teacup charm bracelet, fabric-covered button ring and book.

When the big day came I was so excited to decorate! I rented small tables and chairs, and borrowed a bunch of mismatched teacups, teapots and other goodies from a family friend .  My friend Erin sent over some cute decorations (including the awesome "painting the roses red topiaries and bunting) that she used for a Mad Hatter wedding shower.  I made a bunch of "eat me" and "drink me" tags, and glued googly eyes to a bunch of fake flowers and scattered them all around.

Outdoor decor was fun too!  Paper sign from Kutekardz on Etsy, attached to a spray-painted yardstick:

I glue gunned cards to a Valentine's wreath, and we had a clock stopped at 11:00 (party time!) by the door.

 Lots of smiling flowers!

Food was kept simple.  "Tea sandwiches" (crust-less peanut butter and jelly cut with flower cookie cutters), three different kinds of goldfish, mac 'n cheese served in individual ramekins with mini forks, and good old pizza.

Each girl had their own tea cup and were served their choice of tea (lemonade, fruit punch or berry punch)

When the girls were just about done, there was a knock at the door....

....and it was Alice, herself!

She read the girls the Alice in Wonderland book.

And then helped the girls decorate sugar cookies and color Alice pages!

As if the girls weren't sugared-up enough from the cookies we had a variety of desserts for them to choose from, including cupcakes, pink meringues, "Eat Me" and teacup cookies.

This was the first year that we let Leila completely choose the guest list for her party.  She knew that she only wanted girls, but (and this is a direct quote) "Daddy can stay if he dresses up."  And being the fun daddy he is, he did! Tony found a green jacket and cummerbund from the goodwill and made a top hat out of cardboard and felt! Gianna was a little Queen of Hearts (dress by Lover Dovers Clothing)

And Leila, of course was Alice.

This party was a lot of fun to throw!

Renegade Craft Fair

Tomorrow I'll be shopping at:

For details click HERE!

Autism Awareness Benefit Sale

I've mentioned my love of Allora Handmade before, and it is my pleasure to share Jessica's Autism Awareness Benefit sale!  Her nephew, Jonathan (who turns ten tomorrow - Happy Birthday!) was diagnosed with Autism eight years ago, and the statistic is now that 1 in 60 children are diagnosed with Autism in the US.  Here is what she's doing to help:

• 100 % of the proceeds for the 13th, 14th, and 15th will go to Austim Speaks

• For every $10 you spend in the shop, you will be entered to win $40 towards a purchase at Allora Handmade ( So, if you spend $50, that's 5 entries).

• She will not be taking custom orders during the benefit so as to get purchases out the door as soon as possible.

So, go shop while helping others!  How fun would it be to surprise your best friend with THIS for Valentine's Day?  Or your sister with this just because? I bet your babysitter would look super cute in this!

Happy Shopping, and thank you for helping out!

Dear Santa (from me...)

Dear Santa,

      I feel like I've been a pretty good girl this year.  If you agree, feel free to get me any of the following:

1.  Blue coffee and dessert apron by Anna Maria Horner  2.  Blue towel collection by Anna Maria Horner   3. Black damask with ruffles camera strap cover by SheyB  4. Shady Gus for my Blackberry by Gussy

5. Personalized Family Tree by Elm Studios (have to add a new little branch to our tree!) 6. These cute pillow case covers to cover up our "Bill Cosby" pillows 7. Angels Song Necklace by Miss Ruby Sue (pricey, but man is it yummy! Her whole shop is eye candy!)

Santa - there are also some very reasonably priced Dior sunglasses at Costco that you should get before they run out.

Love,

Heather

{I am emailing this post to Tony who doesn't read my blog.  And hint, hint to you mom and dad who do read my blog}  xoxo!

I Heart Etsy

Sheesh - some of you get mad at me for the lack of "I Heart Etsy" posts!  Well, I've been busy.  It seems like holiday orders have started earlier this year.  And, also I'm pregnant and tired.  Sometimes when Leila naps (and I'm not working on orders) I just want to nap myself, or veg out in front of the tv.  Please forgive me ; )

Well, without further adieu let me introduce you to Allora Handmade, home of hand-made yumminess!  I first learned about Allora Handmade on my friend Julie's blog where she was hosting a giveaway.  I was a little bitter that I didn't win, but got over it and bought myself a few goodies!

I have this little pretty, and have gotten compliments every single time I've worn it!!

I also have a handful of her brooches, because let's face it - it is hard to cuten up maternity clothes!  These help. 

I've got my eyes on this:

and this:

and Lulu would totally rock one of these, don't you think?

Get your orders in quick to guarantee time for Christmas delivery (no custom orders will be taken after December 1) and if everything looks too amazing, and you don't know what to buy that special someone she will soon be offering gift certificates.  Make sure to check out the shop frequently - you never know when a sale might pop up!  There is also a super cute blog you'll want to follow so you'll be the first to know about sales and giveaways!

I hope you love this shop as much as I do!

Etsy faves

Here are some of my {recent} Etsy favorites.  You know....in case you wanted to start a Christmas list, MOM!

I Heart Etsy

Let me introduce you to Elm Studios - http://www.elmstudiosonline.etsy.com/ I'm not yet lucky enough to own any of these beautiful goodies, but will definitely be putting one or two (or ten!) on my Christmas list this year!

Elm Studio was started by Erin, who says "When I was a little girl, I would always dream of a shop that I would own someday. I wasn't sure if it was going to be a floral shop, an art studio, or a cafe, but I knew I was going to have a business named after my initials. Now, when I look back I'm thankful that I was able to make my dream a reality. I just love to create and be creative. I'm a single mom who stays at home with my two little girls. I'm greatful that Etsy allows me to able to let go of everything and just create! It's a great outlet. "

Each piece is hand created to your specifications - you pick the saying, colors...everything!

Here is just a small sampling of some of my many favorites:

Head on over to Elm Studios and don't forget to tell her where you found her!

I Heart Etsy

I know, I know it's been forever since I did an "I Heart Etsy" post. Thank you, Beatrix for reminding me ; ) Anyways, I am finally back with a new Etsy seller that I hope you will love as much as I do. Let me introduce you to The Homespun Raven. All of the signs are made to order, which means you can have them made pretty much exactly how you want. (Click on the pictures for more information!)

I think I definitely need this for Halloween:

and this for Thanksgiving:

and this for Christmas:

She loves a firefighter like I do, and I think I need these for our wine room, which will be transitioning into our Firefighter room as we accumulate more things:

and this is already in Leila's room. Here is what it normally looks like:
But I sent her an email of what Leila's bedding looked like, and she painted it to match. Here's how it turned out (about halfway down.)

I definitely need this for my kitchen. Maybe in a dark tan?

I think I could do my entire Christmas list just with things from The Homespun Raven! Check out her amazing shop - you're sure to find something you love!