Cyber Monday Free Shipping





Just a quick post to let you know I am offering
WORLDWIDE FREE SHIPPING
on Cyber Monday, November 29, 2010 on ALL ORDERS!

Happy Shopping!

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Let's end November with a GIVEAWAY (sponsored by Mama Hoot Designs)!




I introduce to you...


Charity from Mama Hoot Designs!



Charity specializes in Quiet Books, Diaper Bags, Personalized blankets and banners.  Charity contacted me back in June to let me know how much she loved my shop.  She was so sweet.  We've agreed to feature each other on our blogs, and... 6 months later, HERE SHE IS! 
(Check out her blog to read her feature on ME)

We did a friendly swap and look what I was blessed to receive!! 



I absolutely LOVE what she was able to create for me.  Joshua needed some "cushion for his tushy", as well as a place to attach his sippy cup.  So I picked the fabric and put Charity to work (THANKS, friend!).  I absolutely love it (and so does Joshua)!


ALSO, another gift I got! 

Fabric Alphabet
She creates these wonderful Alphabet Sets, perfect for different projects you might have in mind:  a kiddie quilt, simple pillows, an ABC banner, or simply to have your little ones learn the Alphabet.  I personally haven't decided what to do with my set, yet, BUT... I'm REALLY open for suggestions.

Anyway...

Charity and I also agreed to "interview" each other, so our readers could get to know us as well. 

Our Question/Answer:
How do you describe yourself?
Christian, work-at-home wife and mom, Army veteran, knitter, cyclist,

How did you get started selling on Etsy?
It was actually a really slow decision, especially compared to how I normally do things. It was just this little idea that started back in 2008, before my daughter was born. The idea faded since we had enough going on at the time (baby, moving, changing jobs, college graduation, etc.). But then after she was born and things started falling into place in our new home, the idea started to grow a bit, so I mentioned it to my husband and we still decided to hold off. Then came Spring and my sewing machine died, when we looked at getting a new one the idea came back to us again, this time we decided to take the plunge and Mama Hoot Designs opened in May 2010!

How do you get the inspiration for your designs?
It varies widely - I am still searching for my niche. Sometimes I see something my daughter needs or would like and I make it then think, hmmm...other kids might like this. Other times it is something in nature or just the fabric itself.

What are your other hobbies?
I honestly don't have time for much else. I like blogging and love reading other crafter's blogs. I am addicted to Ravelry (a knitter's Facebook). I still love to knit but I find that I don't have as much patience for it as I used to.

What is your favorite thing that you've made recently?
A quiet book for a new baby, Karson. I wasn't sure about the main fabric at first and some of the designs were new but it was really fun to create the new animal designs. It was also the most interactive book that I've done - the kangaroo had a little pocket, the rabbit had big floppy ears, the owl had soft, flappy wings.

How do you find balance?
I don't - that's why I'm constantly polling others. I pray for balance daily. I tend to be an all-or-nothing kind of person so it has been a real learning process for me to just put down a project while I tend to a new priority. My husband helps me to schedule my day and determine when it's time to relax, but I still struggle every day to fit in all my "want-to"s and "to-do"s.

What is your favorite thing about the Christmastime?
I love almost everything about Christmas. We do a pretty good job in my family of not getting over run with the commercial aspects nor letting Santa steal focus so it is truly just a time to celebrate the birth of Christ!

Anything I should ask but didn't?
I am starting to add craft fairs into my schedule. I added a tab on my website and will be filling it soon for 2011. In the meantime, I will have Mama Hoot's Virtual Craft Fair starting just in time for Christmas. And don't forget to stop by for Black Friday-Cyber Monday sales!

HOW TO FIND CHARITY, A.K.A "Mama Hoot":
www.etsy.com/shops/MamaHootDesigns
http://www.artfire.com/users/mamahootdesigns
(Check out her shop, as she will be posting Black Friday - Cyber Monday sales on 11/25/10)
 
Some of Mama Hoot's creations:
 
Let it Snow Banner


Custom Multi-Pocket Diaper Bag

 
Here's to the GIVEAWAY!!!
 
Charity has generously offered a $20 Gift Certificate to her shop, to a randomly chosen winner. 
 
How to win:
1.  Become a Follower of my blog. (1 entry)
2.  Become a Mama Hoot Designs blog follower. (1 entry)
3.  Visit Mama Hoot Designs Etsy shop and tell me what you would get with the $20 Gift Certificate. (1 entry)
4.  Facebook, Twitter, Blog about this giveaway (1 entry each)
5.  Visit Helen's Corner and tell me what your favorite item from my shop is. (1 entry)

You have up to 7 chances to enter!  What are you waiting for!
Giveaway will end on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 at 11:59pm EST.

Winner will be announced on Thursday, December 2nd.

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Family Devotions




Every night...

AFTER 
Joshua's bath,
teeth brushing,
and a quick sip of water
Joel and I
sit Joshua down
for a quick "Family Devotion".

... we read a few Bible verses...
... pray...
... say "I love you."
... then LIGHTS OUT.

We're reading through Micah...
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:8
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Pen Pals





Calligraphy Envelope Addressing by ArtfulCelebrations


Ask anyone born in the last 2 decades what a PEN PAL is, and they'll say "a pen what??" 

With our current daily lives bombarded with the fruits of technology and desire for instant (or almost instant) gratification, we got used to settling our communication styles to...
1. Texting
2. Facebooking
3. Tweeting
4. Blogging
5. Skyping
6. Emaling (even this one... becoming obsolete?)
7. Convo'ing (on Etsy terms)
8. blah blah blah...

What happened to good-old-fashioned LETTER WRITING???

Return Address Stamp-Flower by Primele

Handmade Envelopes Set of 20 by lkdDesigns


Set of 4 par avion via air mail Envelopes by LiSolanoD
When I was in elementary school, I used to write letters to my camp friends, camp counselors, church friends, even cousins and distant friends.  I remember collecting cute stationary and having a blast picking out colored pens, markers, and stickers to decorate my letters.  The thrill I got from getting the mail and finding a letter JUST FOR ME was unmeasureable! 

Nowadays, the only reasons we would send someone "something" in the mail, is if they have a birthday, or you're sending someone an invitation, a thank you note, a Christmas picture/card/letter, or a check (haha).  NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF THESE, by the way!   All I'm saying is... I MISS receiving and writing letters.. just because. 


I read this verse this morning during my time with the Lord: 
"I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, SO THAT OUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE". 2 John 1:12 

How beautiful is that?  There is an asumption that the only reason we wouldn't WRITE to someone, is because we will see (or plan to see) them face-to-face soon. 

A challenge for myself: 
WRITE SOMEONE A LETTER... TODAY.

What about YOU? 
Did you used to write letters?  Did you have pretty stationary paper like me? 

AN INVITATION:

If you would like to become my distant pen pal, leave me a comment with a way to contact you (email, etsy shop), and I'll make sure we swap mailing addresses.  It would be so fun to bring back this wonderful tradition. 
PS:  Check out these wonderful items from Etsy! 
Click on each link below the photos and show them some love!
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Moving on...




It's so hard to admit when I'm wrong. 
 And it's harder to admit that I have to break a promise. 
Last week I PROMISED  that I would blog and post pictures from our Western Party!  I was so excited during the party that I neglected to get my camera to shoot some photos of our guests.  We had 17 people in our house... 8 of them children...  We ate a lot of chili, chips and salsa, and apple pie!  YUMMM!!

AND, we even had my husband give the children (and some of us grown ups) a "hay" ride around the woods by our yard.  It was bumpy and cold, but very fun! (...wishing I had some photos of that, too)

Anyway, I must move on...

I am excited to be posting some of my new designs on my Etsy shop.  Check these out and spread the word out!  Are you already thinking about that meantinful Thanksgiving treat or Christmas gift??  Here's just a few of my new designs.  I should have them listed by the end of the week.




I am also working on a few "extra" items... bags, pouches, scarves, boy gifts, etc...


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