Review/Giveaway: Sadie Ryan Keepsake Tiles

Since Lyla was born I have become uber-obsessed with taking photos.  I just want to document every little (adorable!!) thing she does.  The thing about this new day and age of digital photography--it seems rare that people actually get printed copies of their photos.  I'm trying to make more of an effort to do that.
I used to work in a frame shop and have a real love for wall-art and framed photos.  I think pretty much every wall in our house has something hung on it.  It's so tempting to plaster framed photos of Lyla all over our house.  But rather than just framed photos.... how about a printed ceramic tile?  That's what Sadie Ryan Keepsakes offers.  Pretty great idea because as their website says: 'things etched in stone last forever.'
I was super excited when they offered me a free printed tile--of course I chose to have Lyla's face on it!  It's an awesome commemorative piece with her name and birthdate as well.

We currently have it displayed on a bureau in our dining room, but it also has hardware on the back that makes it possible to hang on a wall (but like I said...we kind of have all our walls covered already!).  I really love the antique feel that the tile has.  The photo is printed on the tile with soft edges--giving it a seamless look.  So pretty!

These tiles would make a lovely gift--  not only for a birth announcement but perhaps for a wedding?  an anniversary? What would you have printed on your tile?  

Sadie Ryan Keepsake Tiles is generously offering one of our readers a chance to have a personalized tile of their own!  If you follow our blog, simply click THIS LINK to the Sadie Ryan Keepsakes website and check it out!  Leave us a comment below telling us what ideas from the site you like best.

Last day to enter will be Saturday, March 12th  Wednesday, March 16th.  We will choose the winner by random number generator.  Good luck!

xo

J&A

CLOSED--Handmade Feature/Giveaway: Little Buttercup Baby

With a shop name as cute as "Little Buttercup Baby" you know it must be filled with equally adorable goodies for your little one--homemade bibs, burp cloths, baby shoes and more, to be exact!  Shannon, the owner/creator behind this etsy shop has a great eye for all things baby.  We love the layers she uses in her designs-- quilted patterns, overlapping fabrics, rick rack accents and contrast stitching.  

Let's get to know Shannon:
--What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like?

Outside of Etsy I am a wife and a stay at home mommy of two wonderful children. I have a three year old daughter and a three month old son. I used to work full time outside of my home but when we moved two years ago, I was able to quit my job and do the job I have always wanted, a mom. My husband is amazing and works extra so that I am able to stay home and raise our children. We have been together for eight years and married for four. He is my best friend and our family means everything to us and I enjoy every day with them.

--Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words.

Creative, quiet, intelligent (those words come from my mother)

--Fall piece you can’t live without:

I am a big fan of the puffy vests with the hood and fur! I think they are still “in” but even if they aren’t, I still love them : )

--Most recent fashion-related purchase:

I bought a red hooded vest from Old Navy. I love red and it just stuck out on the rack to me and had to have it. I am not the most fashionable person so I never buy anything too crazy. Since I no longer work outside the home my wardrobe consists mostly of jeans and sweatshirts, comfy clothes I can wear while playing with my kids.

 --Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop?

I make a lot of different things. I sew, knit, crochet, scrapbook….the list goes on. I am always trying new things when it comes to crafting. I make my children clothes and blankets, things for my husband. I am focusing most of my time right now on items for babies as I have a newborn and have a “guinea pig” to try my new items on!!

--Any pet peeves?

When things aren’t organized. I tend to be a perfectionist with some things and if they aren’t how I want them it makes me crazy. But don’t look at my sewing room…at least right now, still working on it. lol

--Bad habits?

Buying too much fabric! I love fabric and every time I go to the fabric store I find myself leaving with at least one piece of it. I always find a cute pattern that I want to make a bib or baby shoes out of and I have so much! Luckily I have a dresser in my sewing room and it is the perfect storage for all of it.

--Desert-island food?

Chips and hot salsa…mmmm

--Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:

I can’t think of three at the moment but I know one of my favorite singers is Carrie Underwood.

--What made you decide to start a shop?

When my husband told me that our house didn’t need anymore quilts in it! I loved making quilts and baby things but I could only give so many away as gifts and my sewing room was getting taken over by finished projects. I thought Etsy would be a great way to sell my things and make enough money to support my hobby.

--Significance of your shop name?

My shop name was inspired by my children. When my son was born I kept calling him my little buttercup and then my three year old daughter started calling him her little buttercup so that is how Little Buttercup Baby came to be.

--Favorite item in your shop right now?

Infant Set of 3 Bibs – Candy, Sweets, Donuts & Ice Cream themed

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60148726/infant-bibs-set-of-three-sweets-candy

Shannon also has a lovely blog where she shares shop updates, yummy recipes and little bits and pieces of what's going on in her day to day life:

http://littlebuttercupbaby.blogspot.com/

You should check it out!

Some goodies from Little Buttercup Baby could be YOURS!  Shannon is giving one of our readers a set of two signature bibs in a fun bumble bee print--suited for you little boy OR girl!

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from Little Buttercup Baby is.
2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from Little Buttercup Baby is.

3. If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from Little Buttercup Baby is!

4. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

Multiple entries are allowed (if you want to follow the blog, AND our twitter AND re-tweet  go for it!).  This contest will run through next Sunday, November 28th.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 


Good Luck!!

Manda & Jayme 

--CLOSED--VINTAGE Feature/Giveaway: A Wild Tonic

So it's pretty obvious that both Amanda and I have got babies on the brain (her being a mama to an 8 month old and me being 8 months into my first pregnancy).   But let's not forget our other obsession...VINTAGE.  This week we're featuring a super lovely vintage shop: A Wild Tonic.

An artfully chosen selection of vintage clothes, accessories and housewares.  The curator/owner, Lauren, has a keen eye for detail--collecting vintage shoes with unique details, quirky vintage goods for your home, classic hats with oversized accents and much much more.  With my growing baby bump in mind, I went window shopping for my faves:

LAVENDER FIELDS Purple Floral Carpet Bag:  Love the oversized button and suede flap on this ultra-pretty bag.                         

CLASSIC GRUNGE Black and Orange Floral Dress :  Add some Doc Martens and you have grunge revival perfection.  (And roomy enough for a baby belly!)

FOXY LADY 1960s Brown Cut Out Wedges: I have never seen anything like these shoes!  The cut out wedge (lined in gold!) and chain detail speak for themselves.

Let's get to know Lauren of A Wild Tonic:

What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like?
I live in central New Jersey with my folks and my sister. I sometimes feel like a freeloader but my family is awesome and it works out really well. My boyfriend and I have been together for about a year and a half. He’s really very supportive of my Etsy endeavors and is always encouraging me, helping with photography, taking trips with me to shop, and way more. I’m really thankful to have him around. I work full-time at a photography company, which is way more stressful that you’d think (seriously). I enjoy my job although it’s hectic—how could you not love looking at pictures of smiling kids all day? It’s impossible.

Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words.

Genial, spirited, hungry. First two from my boyfriend, last one from me. ;)

Fall piece you can’t live without: Leather boots, without a doubt! I’ve been searching for the perfect pair of tall riding boots for seemingly ever. Hopefully, I’ll find a pair soon.

Most recent fashion-related purchase: “The Handmade Marketplace” by Kari Chapin—an amazing read.

Any pet peeves?

I hate when people talk in superlatives. Like, “Oh, you ALWAYS say things like that,” or “He NEVER does that.” You are technically lying, if you think about it.

Bad habits?

Talking in superlatives. Haha!

Desert-island food?

Pizza, hands down.

Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:

Neko Case, Nicki Minaj, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. I’m weird.

Another blog you follow regularly:

I love Huzzah Vintage’s blog because there’s always amazing content. http://huzzahvintage.blogspot.com/

What made you decide to start a shop?

After I graduated college, I realized that I had a lot of “things” that I didn’t necessarily use anymore. I started to sell some of it at yard sales and on eBay. One day it hit me that I should sell my thrift store finds on Etsy. I started shooting and listing, created a blog and a Twitter account, and before I knew it, some of my old favorites became new favorites to my buyers! It was a win-win!

Significance of your shop name?

A Wild Tonic comes from a line in “The Great Gatsby.” I thought it would make an interesting name for a vintage shop.

"
The exhilarating ripple of her voice was a wild tonic in the rain."

Favorite item in your shop right now?

Probably the Vintage GEOMETRIC Grey and Brown Heels (http://www.etsy.com/listing/61757017/vintage-geometric-grey-and-brown-heels). I love them but they are just a little bit too small on me.  : (

*To get to know more about Lauren, check out her blog:
http://www.awildtonic.blogspot.com

or to get quick links to her shop, blog, and twitter:

http://flavors.me/awildtonic

Loving what you're seeing?  Well readers, it's your lucky day!  Lauren is offering 15% off your purchase at her shop for all our readers!  Just use the code "MISKABELLY" and you will be refunded via paypal once you make your purchase.
AND  there is a $20 gift certificate to A Wild Tonic up for grabs, to one lucky Miskabelly reader!

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from A Wild Tonic is.
2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from A Wild Tonic is.

3. If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from A Wild Tonic is!

4. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

Multiple entries are allowed (if you want to follow the blog, AND our twitter AND re-tweet  go for it!).  This contest will run through next Sunday, November 21st.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 


Good Luck!!

Manda & Jayme 

CLOSED. Handmade Feature/Giveaway: Blossom and Grow

This giveaway is now closed! Stay tuned for the winner and for another amazing giveaway later this week! xo

This week we are featuring the super cute etsy shop-Blossom and Grow--full of adorable bibs and matching burp cloths.  These aren't just any bibs and burp cloths though, the designer/owner behind Blossom and Grow, Kathryn, has a keen eye for details.  We love the mod/vintage feel of her fabric choices, contrast stitching, terry cloth backing, and fun button closures on the bibs.  

Let's get to know a little bit more about Kathryn:

Kathryn with daughter, Emma

What does your life outside of Etsy look like?  Well, I am a new mom!   Our daughter Emma Kate is 8 months old.  My husband Josh and I have been married for almost four years now.   I work part-time from home doing the advertising for a local garden center.    My mom lives ten minutes away so I take Emma to see grandma quite a bit.  My mom is an incredible seamstress and has begun to teach me how to sew.   So being a mommy and sewing are my new adventures right now and I am loving it!

Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, Easy-Going, Restless-I can’t sit still for to long.   

Fall piece you can’t live without:  Snuggly Sweaters…   

Most recent fashion-related purchase:  Skinny jeans.  I am venturing out.  I never liked them but recently decided they aren’t so bad…

Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop? 

Not too much..  I really enjoy photography so I guess you could say that is making something.  I do like to bake but haven’t had much time to do that lately.  I am always up for trying new crafty things though…

Any pet peeves?  Moodiness.  I like people and my surroundings to be happy. : )

Bad habits?  Forgetting to eat, then half way through the day I feel horrible….

Desert-island food?  Pizza..

Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:  Don’t really have too many specifics.  Country is my favorite but I’ll listen to just about anything..

What made you decide to start a shop?  Well I’m not working as much as I use to so I thought a little extra cash wouldn’t hurt anything.  I love sewing so I have made all these bibs and burp cloths and Emma can only wear so many bibs. : )  And it’s relaxing for me.  I was looking for a hobby that I enjoy and can relax doing and sewing is that hobby.

Significance of your shop name:  I’m not really sure how I came up with it.  I love plants and flowers so that’s kind of were blossom came from and I just thought how fast Emma is growing and thought grow fit well with blossom.  When I put the two together I thought it made a cute name for a baby shop.

Favorite item in your shop right now?  Zebra Print Bib and Burp Cloth Set

Loving these super adorable designs from Blossom and Grow?  Enter for your chance to win one of their signature bib and burp cloth sets!  In honor of November--and Thanksgiving being right around the corner--Kathryn has designed a "Gobble Gobble" set that would be PERFECT for your little one to wear on Turkey Day!

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from Blossom and Grow is.
2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from Blossom and Grow is.
3. If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from Blossom and Grow is!
4. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

Multiple entries are allowed (if you want to follow the blog, AND our twitter AND re-tweet AND vote for us, go for it!).  This contest will run through next Sunday, November 7th.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 


Good Luck!!

Manda & Jayme 

CLOSED. Handmade Spotlight and Giveaway: Vieux Carre Bebe

Thanks to all who entered our first giveaway!  It was a great success and we're super excited to share more of our favorite etsy sellers with you.  This week we're featuring Tracy of Vieux Carre' Bebe.

Vieux Carre' Bebe features handmade apparel (pants, skirts, jumpers) and hair clips for little ones, as well as our favorite....Bebe Legs.  Bebe Legs are like leg warmers for babies....perfect for learning to crawl (gotta protect those knees!) and super convenient--making diaper changing a breeze.

Let's get to know a bit about the owner and creative mind behind Vieux Carre' Bebe, Tracy:

Tracy's first interest in sewing stemmed from her love for cloth diapering.  Having two little ones in diapers, she was hoping to start making cloth diapers on her own.
Tracy said:
"I soon found out that knit was my mortal enemy and can't sew with that slippery stuff to save my life!  So I started with baby legs and worked my way up to dresses, pinafores and ruffled bloomers.  I am totally self taught, I spent MANY nights reading and watching web clips on how to's.  Many mistakes later and Vieux Carre' Bebe was born."


You may be wondering....what exactly does "Vieux Carre' Bebe" mean?
"The name is french for 'Square Mile' which is also a term used for the french quarter in New Orleans.  I am born and raised Slidellian and hail from New Orleans.  (Across the Ponchatrain!)  I LOVE that city with all my heart and soul and wanted to create outfits that I used to see growing up in Louisiana.  Hence the name."

What's Tracy's life like, outside of sewing the world? 
"I am a stay at home mom to two of the most beautiful girls in the world.  Raegan is almost 3 and a complete nut.  Samantha is 15 months and my sweetheart snuggler.  I am married to a wonderful man named Richard who I met growing up.  I currently live just outside Orlando in a suburb named Ocoee.  I like Florida but miss my New Orleans sooooo much!"

This week we are giving away TWO pairs of Bebe Legs from Vieux Carre' Bebe to one of our lucky readers!!

Here's how to enter:
1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below to let us know and also let us know what your favorite item from Vieux Carre' Bebe is.
2. Follow us on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and tell us your favorite item from Vieux Carre' Bebe.
3. If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from Vieux Carre' Bebe is!
4. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

Multiple entries are allowed (if you want to follow the blog, AND our twitter AND re-tweet, go for it!)
This contest will run through October 22nd (Friday).  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator.


Good Luck!!

Manda & Jayme


P.S.  We would be SO grateful if you take a quick second (just 2 clicks!) and vote for us on Top Baby Blogs--just click the brown box below, then click again! Easy.  It's a great way for us to gain exposure for our blog and our shop so we can continue to promote other etsy sellers and bring you, the readers, more giveaways like these! 

CLOSED. Handmade Spotlight & Giveaway: GRACE TYLER DESIGNS

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!! Thank you to everyone who entered!  Check out our new giveaways, happening each week on the blog.

 It’s no secret that us Miskabelly ladies LOVE to shop. Since discovering Etsy a couple years ago and then starting our original vintage shop, Miskabelle (lady’s and men’s vintage clothing, shoes and accessories) we have become accustomed to doing a lot of our personal shopping on the site. Part of it is wanting to support our fellow-etsy-sellers and part of it is just because people have some darn cute stuff up for sale!
We wanted to do our part to help promote some of our favorite etsy sellers—and what better way than to give away a sample of their merch to one very lucky reader!

We are super duper excited to introduce our first seller feature/giveaway! Please give a warm welcome to the super sweet Gina of Grace Tyler Designs. Her shop has a lovely assortment of brightly colored handmade good-ness….and a lot of it is for kiddos and babes!

Let’s get to know Gina:


What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like? I am a married mother of two children! Kayleigh Grace, 2 and Tyler, 9! I love, love spending time with my family! I have a very full and happy life! Outside of my family time I enjoy reading, dancing, running and creating new things. I also like photography.

Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words: Creative, passionate, caring… Note: My husband answered this for me!!! He’s so sweet!

Fall piece you can’t live without: Scarves, scarves and more scarves! They are such a compliment to any outfit!

Most recent fashion-related purchase: A super cute knit dress from a boutique in Dallas.

Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop? Yes! I make dresses, shirts, handbags, scarves and jewelry. In fact, these items will also make it to my Etsy shop. It has taken me a lot of time getting the shop up and running and choosing the right designs to show!


Any pet peeves? When people don’t use their god given talents!

Bad habits? Um…. Shopping!

Desert-island food? Nachos and wine!

Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of: I like all sorts of music! But I cannot live without techno because I run to it.

Another blog you follow regularly: Little Birdie Secrets - http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/ - She has some really cool tutorials on her site!

What made you decide to start a shop? I love to share my work. I drive my family crazy with, “look at how cute this is”…. on a daily basis. So, I needed a venue where people could appreciate my work. I think Etsy is such an awesome place to be able to do that. The glory for me is having people love my items but of course it rocks to make a little bit of money for all the materials and effort!

Significance of your shop name? I named my shop after my children. Grace is Kayleigh’s middle name and Tyler is my son’s first name! I just put them together and poof Grace Tyler was born! I like the name because it has a sentimental meaning and it also exudes elegance and strength, which is how I design my items. To be beautiful and delicate but also be able to stand the test of time!


Favorite item in your shop right now: I love the pink satin rose flower. There are so many ways you can use them. In your hair, clip it on purse or scarf… They are so luxurious! 


Gina has graciously offered one of her super cute, vintage-inspired chunky crochet hats (for newborns) AND a super chic clutch that that fits a diaper and travel size wipes case, perfect for on-the-go moms!

They BOTH can be yours…here’s how:
1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below to let us know and also let us know what your favorite item from Grace Tyler Designs is.
2. Follow us on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and tell us your favorite item from Grace Tyler Designs.
3. If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from Grace Tyler Designs is!
4. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

Multiple entries are allowed (if you want to follow the blog, AND our twitter AND re-tweet, go for it!)
This contest will run through October 15th (one week!).  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator.


Good Luck!!

Manda & Jayme
PS. If you like our blog/giveaways, please click below! It takes two seconds to vote, you don't sign up for anything AND...you can do it everyday! Thank you. <3