Reflections........

 

 

I could swear it was only July yesterday, but I guess it really has been that long. I feel a little nostalgic as I reflect back on 2008. I had some really great times this past year and I think I learned more this year than in my entire 4 years in high school. Well, maybe not, but it definitely seems like it.

 

This year, I learned that the world if filled with very talented business women, who's main focus is staying at home with their children, but have soooo much to offer the world and the internet has allowed for them (myself included) to pursue a hobby, a dream, and a business. It's been so exciting and satisfying to see so many of my online friends branch out and try new things and see their dreams become a reality. I have also watched some of my own dreams become reality and it excites and fulfills my heart.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season and I wish you a very prosperous 2009.

 

I will leave you with a slew of pictures that I took throughout the year and just recently this Christmas.

 

Happy New Year,

 

Mandy

 

 

 

A Handmade Christmas.........

Well it wasn't a 100% handmade Christmas, but it was definitely dominated by the "handmade" theme. This isn't a surprise or much of a stretch for my sweet husband and me, but it is something to reflect on for sure.

I fulfilled some requests for Incognito Wallets for some friends and family and made some clothing and cute hair accessories for the kids, but that isn't far out of the norm here. What I really wanted to share with you are the other handmade items we gave to family members. (and some really cool ones we received too)

 

My sweet husband is the real artist in the family. (and he might be mad at me for posting this as he is quite modest) He is the one who makes the jewelry that I occasionally offer here and in my Etsy store, but that is only the tip of the ice berg. He currently works in the cabinetry industry outside of is painting profession and he is currently having a love affair with wood. Back in August, he decided he would try Wood Carving and see how he liked it. Well, if you know anything about him, you know that he doesn't just "try" something. Anyway, here is what he carved for his first time

 

which he gave to his parents for Christmas.

 

Then he decided to make his brother a small cedar box and here is what he came up with using some reclaimed wood.

  and it wasn't really that "small" either.

We also received some really amazing gifts that were handmade. I had a Secret Santa exchange with some of the girls in Trendy Textiles and I got the cutest stuff from Island Girl.

and some of the coolest picture frames. My sweet husband's friend makes frames and he has been fulfilling all of my frame dreams this past month.

Here is just one that he built and then my sweet husband put the rustic finish on it.

Could we be saying goodbye?

After all the times we had together, could this really be it? I hesitated posting on this topic, because there is so much unknown still. Mostly, it's because I am in denial and I don't like posting such sadness during the holidays. I am doing what I can each day to help with the efforts to amend the law, but at the end of the day I just can't picture saying goodbye.

The fight is not over though, and I am far from giving up. There was an amazing article posted over on Boutique Cafe. If you haven't read it yet, be sure to stop over there and read it. Even if you don't own a business that will be effected by this, if you have children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews, you will be effected.

I have also joined up with a few of my favorite designers and some of the most amazing friends I have made on this journey to showcase the huge handmade community that we have. We want to show the world how important Children's Handmade is and how much it effects our lives everyday, even if we don't realize it. And if nothing more, you can see a collaboration of friends, designers, mom's, dad's, business owners, and buyers of "Children's Handmade" come together for what may be the last time to showcase their best.

If you want to join the efforts, stop by and join us. The more members we have supporting this effort, the more of an impact we will have on the world. We may be one person alone, but together, we are the "World of Children's Handmade" and we can make a difference.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Savethechildrenshandmadecommunity/

I'm reminded of Alice........

I got my lovely Andalucia fabric a few weeks ago and I love love love it. I have already had many friends stop by and choose custom Incognito Wallets made with combinations of this lovely fabric. I must say, Patty has really done well. The patterns are so versatile, the colors are vibrant and work well with many other lines. Michael Miller also did wonderful with the quality. I am smitten!

I think what I love most about this fabric is the nostalgia that it creates for me. Alice in Wonderland was is one of my all time favorite childhood movies, and this lovely fabric stirs up fun memories of Alice, the Cheshire Cat, and that wacky Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

 

I haven't been able to keep my hands off of it, and I have listed one of the lovely creations for you! It would make a wonderful Valentine gift for your lovely Valentine!

Or if you have some of this beautiful fabric and are wondering what to create, you can create your very own Incognito Wallet with my e-book.

Just in time for Christmas..........

Yay, the long awaited e-book is now complete! I have it listed in my Etsy store now, so hurry over and grab your copy! There is just enough time to make a few for your family and friends for Christmas!!!

Last Day........

Today is the last day that you can order from my Etsy shop before Christmas, unless you want to upgrade to Express Mail. In that case, please email me before you make your purchase.

I just relisted a few Holiday items that are ready to ship for Christmas.

Etsy Buy Handmade AbbyChaseDesigns

An Etsy Christmas............

I have joined a wonderful blog giving away over $750 in prizes!

This contest is all about promoting mom blogs and small businesses (especially run by moms or for moms). I have added a surprise Lotus Hair Flower like this one to the prize pot!

I am expecting my Andalucia, so I'm leaning toward a hair flower in one of those amazing prints.

So be sure to stop by the BusyMom blog and enter to win!

Contest Ends Saturday, December 6th at 9:00 pm.
Two winners will be chosen and the prizes will be equally divided.

Last Day to get 20% off.............

Today is the last day for the big After Thanksgiving Sale in my Etsy shop. Take 20% off any purchase made today!

I am also offering Buy One Get One FREE in my photo store.

Two days left............

I have been offering a free shipping deal in my store this week and there are only two days left to get your purchases shipped free. Now's the time to get some of those things you've been keeping your eye on and save those pesky shipping fees for something better. Not to mention, you'll get some of your shopping done before the masses start heading out to make the shopping season crazy.

So keep your sanity, shop from home and get FREE SHIPPING!!

Hurry, this offer ends Thursday night at midnight.

Fabulous Etsy Moms............

a Treasury on Etsy created by dizzydaisy

Thanks for featuring my Mad for Mod skirt!

What's in your bag?

I am thrilled to share with you the treasury I was featured in today crated by cindyjoy for the EtsyMom street team.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=33129

Thanks for including my Incognito Wallet.

Do you love Sugar Snap?

Well I hope so, because Trendy Textiles does! To show just how much they love Sugar Snap, they have invited Melissa Averinos to join them in a wonderful launch featuring fabrics from her brand new Sugar Snap line!

And Mary has posted a wonderful interview with Melissa on the Trendy Textiles blog.

Here is my contribution to this lovely launch........

A little catch up.........

**Warning this post is very long and lots of pictures!**

I am going to try an catch up on everything that you have missed in the past month.

Lets see.... Where should I begin?

I guess where I last left off would be a good place to start.

Remember the beautiful couple from this post? Well, they held the wedding in a little sanctuary in the mountains. It's actually her father's property and I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing this place is! He has taken several old, abandon homes and refinished them. They are all on one piece of property and they all share the most amazing forest of trees, swinging bridges, gazebos, two zip lines, bouncing spring swings, a Joey, and pathways from gazebo to gazebo.

It is the coolest place. My kids were in heaven!

Here are a couple of the lovely pictures.

The leaves have been falling like crazy too! My yard has been covered in leaves several times over. The kids absolutely love this time of year.

Here are a couple of the Fall pictures I have been promising.

I also have them listed in my other Etsy shop.

Speaking of Etsy shops.............. I have totally stocked my shop with lots of yummy items for the holidays. Here are a few.........

And the girls from Trendy Textiles have been having a game of Mistletoe Marathon. Stop by and check it . It lasts for a couple more weeks!

Well, I think that is enough for one catch up post.

Good Mail.....

It couldn't have come at a better time. In the midst of a house full of sickies, I wandered out to grab a breath of fresh air and get the mail. I was so excited to see a package in the mail, but was surprised, because I wasn't expecting anything. I looked at the return address and saw my sweet sweet friend's name on it. I was pleasantly surprised to see 3 yards of yummy Park Slope fabric in the package! Be sure to check out her fabric shop, and get some of your own!

Thank you Miss J!! You truly brightened my day and my week:)

I've got to run and play catch up for a short time, but I know I owe you lots of pictures and that e-book I have been promising is almost ready!

TTYL

Mandy

Buy three, shipping is free!

Just listed these cuties for your fall accessorizing and I'm offering free shipping on your purchase of three or more clips from now until the end of October!

Oh and remember this post?
It snowed yesterday.... It caked us with about 1/2 inch of the fluffy white stuff. The kids made a snowman and stomped around in it for a while. Then it melted and it was nothing but a muddy reminder. Keeping my fingers crossed for just a few more days of sunshine and less than frigid temperature.

I still have lots of fun fall pictures to share, but they had to be on the back burner, because I needed to get these photos edited first.

Congrats to this beautiful couple! I will post a few shots from the wedding after the weekend.