giveaway: linkel designs

Hello & happy Tuesday! The grass is getting greener here by the second--it's the most beautiful spring day ever. Before I head out to soak up the sun, I'm so excited to share some cheery jewelry from Linkel Designs, owned by a talented mama/violinist/and blogger named Kelly! I love how all of her pieces feature sweet colors and elements from nature. Everything is handmade either by Kelly or her mom. I seriously can't think of a better place to shop for a mother's day gift than from a small mother-daughter business! Visit Kelly's blog The Pretty Bee to see even more loveliness!

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Today Kelly is sweetly giving away a $25 gift certificate to her shop!!

3 ways to enter | Comment once or x3!:

1. Visit Linkel Designs and leave a comment stating your favorite item
2. Tell us about something new you're doing or wearing this spring.
3. Share a link to this giveaway on your social media site of choice, and leave a comment stating you did so!

Winner will be announced Tuesday 4/19!

giveaway: chasing elephant tracks

Hello & Happy Monday! Just in case you missed your crack at winning a handmade bag last week, I'm delighted to report that I have another beautiful crafty friend to introduce to you today. I've known Steph of Chasing Elephant Tracks since forever, I believe. We became BFFs once upon a time at summer camp. Fast-forward a few years and we were roommates our freshman year of high school. That's right--no typo here. High school roomates. Ready for some crazy trivia? I went to a little Christian boarding school for high school where I lived in a dorm far away from home. I met Steph, hubs Jeff, and that awesome girl Beth there too. The idea of boarding school is a little weird, I know, but we all grew up to have cute etsy shops and blogs, so I assure you--it's not really that weird. And I've totally digressed. Back to Steph.

Steph's bags, wallets, and patterns are meticulously crafted and knock-your-socks off gorgeous. Her fabric choices look like a basket of Easter eggs on your computer screen, don't you agree!? Her stuff is seriously so fabulous that even Ty Pennington is tweeting her. I am so tickled that she agreed to do a little feature + giveaway here and sewed the cheery yellow Annabelle Handbag just for the occasion:
{Approximate Dimensions: 10" wide at top, 11"wide at widest point, 9" tall, 21" strap}
Bag has two inner pockets and a magnetic closure to keep things safe and sound
Fabric (swoon!): Kumari Garden

There are 3 chances to win this absolute gem of a handbag (leave 3 separate comments to boost your odds!)

1. Visit Chasing Elephant Tracks shop (and add her to your circle while you're at it!) then leave a comment sharing your very favorite item.

and/or

2. Leave another comment sharing some spring craft inspiration. Something you are making or just something awesome you've spotted lately.

and/or

3. Share a link to this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook and leave an additional comment sharing the link!

One lucky winner will be randomly chosen + announced on Friday 3.25!
PLUS: Everyone is a winner using this sweet little discount at the checkout:


Q|A with Steph:

1. What's up with the name Chasing Elephant Tracks?
When I was in college working on my degree in Creative Writing, my head was constantly filled with words and phrases. They jumped into my brain at weird times...while I was eating a sandwich, checking my email, talking on the phone... If a phrase popped in that I really loved, I wrote it down for a future poem or short story. That’s how “chasing elephant tracks” came to be. When I decided to open my shop, I looked at my list of oddities and this one jumped out at me. I loved the idea of chasing something that was bigger than myself; something that could take me somewhere I had never been before. That was what my Etsy shop was to me – a new adventure with an unknown destination.

2. Where did you come up with your sweet sewing skills and what inspired you to start your shop?
I have my mother to thank for the sewing skills. When I was in the sixth grade, she helped me make my first sewing project...a black jumper with a neon fish print. Yes, I really was that stylish. I wore it for my sixth grade school pictures and never felt lovelier, despite my uneven bangs and overactive cowlick. From then on, I was addicted. I adored the feeling of taking a yard of fabric and turning it into something I loved.

My shop was a product of my graduation from college. When I was done with my degree, I needed a new project to conquer. My shop gave me an opportunity to keep exercising my creativity on a daily basis.

3. Describe your perfect day.
Fried food. A movie. My husband. My pup. My sewing machine. Ultimate perfection…

4. If you had the chance to become BFFs with a fabric designer and have an unlimited lifetime stash of her designs, who would you pick?
If you take a peek through my shop, you will probably be able to figure this one out fairly easily. I must admit, I am madly in love with Amy Butler. Her patterns, her fabrics, everything.

5. Where can we find more of your work?
Unfortunately, right now the best place to find more of my work is inside of my little brain. I am currently back in school, so my sewing just isn’t getting the attention I would love to give it. After my August graduation, I hope to devote more time to my seamstressy pursuits and put some of the ideas I have stored in my brain into action. I would love to wander into the world of real, live, craft shows...but, we’ll just have to see where the adventure takes me!

giveaway: second street designs

I realize that Meet the Maker Mondays have been few and far between, but I enjoy bringing it back every now and then, for a good interview + giveaway whenever lovely goods & people come along. (btw--if you and your crafts are ever interested in being featured--please get in touch!)

Some quick introspection: The worlds of blogging and crafting are such happy places for me. I double love blogging about handmade things, and I triple love reading some of the real-life details of the makers themselves. This blog has been so much more than a creative outlet for me, and it's helped me grow in countless ways, especially in viewing my life through a more authentic, joyful lens. Better yet, it's connected me to some of the most genuine, caring, and creative women the world has ever known.
And every once in awhile, I've received precious opportunities to meet fellow bloggers in real life. It's strange how a perfect stranger can seem more like an old, dear friend with whom you have nearly everything in common.

Today I feel really blessed to introduce just one of those girls: my new/old friend Naphtali of On Second Street. Her blog is one of the first I ever found/read, and can't believe that four years later we've finally gotten around to getting together once in awhile. She also has a super lovely etsy shop, Second Street Designs, which is currently filled with some seriously classy handmade bags that no spring wardrobe should do without. The elements she uses are sometimes vintage, sometimes unexpected, and always lovely.

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Q|A with Naphtali:

1. What do you love most about Second Street Designs?

I love having a creative outlet. I love fabrics & colors and enjoy mixing and matching them so having my little shop allows me to "play" with colors without repainting my house all the time. (because yes, that is what I do when I need a color fix.)

2. Describe your perfect day.

Hmmmm, well to start with my perfect day would be about 20 hours long. I would love to sleep in, work out, enjoy a leisurely coffee/brunch with a friend, do a little shopping - maybe at a store like hunt and gather - and still have energy to find homes for my treasures when I get home. Then I would invite some favored friends/family over for a special dinner and the day would end with some snuggling time with Aidan while I read him a book.

3. You're a busy mama, career woman, and somehow maintain an inspiring blog and a well-stocked etsy shop on the side. How on earth do you do it all!?

Oh, I don't do it all, please believe me. Blogs just show a little "snapshot" of our lives, they don't always focus on the dirty corners, dusty shelves, crabby mornings, neglected workout clothes, frozen waffles for dinner or the Valentine decorations that are still gracing my front window. But I do really try to use my time wisely - I probably drive my family crazy b/c I am usually busy and I always assume everyone else needs to be as busy as I am.

4. Name a craft supply that you simply could not do without:

I love fabric. I have tried every craft in the book over the past decade (jewelry making, paper craft, mosaics, painting, cement molding, wire art, etc) but I always end up back at the fabric store. My first job was at a fabric store and I think that was when my love affair began. I was always fascinated by the customers and their plans for their fabrics and {suprise!} even at age 16 I had pretty strong opinions about their fabric choices. ( but I did my best to keep them to myself.) I also should keep it real and tell you that the only reason I worked at a fabric store was because my dad thought it would be a "safe spot" and would keep me out of trouble. (i.e. boys)

5. Where can we find more of your work?

Right now I only have the Etsy shop and some stock in my sewing room. I have taken a little break from art fairs and local stores in the past few years as I have gotten busier as a mom and with my job. If you are local you are always welcome to do some shopping at my house. I don't know what future plans I have for Second Street Designs but I love the outlet it provides me so even though I sometimes take a little "break" from sewing I usually end up coming back. I always like to have little projects in my life - so when I am "project free" i typically stock up my Etsy Shop.

Today Naphtali is kindly sharing her sweet + sturdy Retro Floral bag with one lucky reader.

It's actually constructed from a bunch of Anthropologie towels--seriously friends, it doesn't get any better than that. The bag measures 17x12x24". There are two medium sized inner pockets and a vintage bicycle pin embellishes the outside of the bag:
There are 3 ways to enter this giveaway:

1. Leave a comment below sharing one thing you always have stashed in your favorite bag (i.e.) simply cannot leave home without.

and/or

2. Visit Second Street Designs and leave a separate comment sharing your favorite.

and/or

3. Blog, tweet, facebook, (or why not even pinterest!?) this giveaway and leave a third comment sharing the link.

Winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Friday 3/18!

my little dear giveaway!

Hello & Happy Monday, my friends! We had a pretty mellow weekend around here. (I love that sort!) I'm excited to unveil a new little feature around here...I've added pages. I had no idea how easy it would be! I have a few more in the works--but for now you can click the links above (and directly below the title) to see some of my favorite recipes, craft tutorials, and learn more about our photography. I'm so excited--I feel like my blog is becoming user-friendly...even better than just plain friendly. :)

In other news, I'm really excited to offer a fun kid-friendly giveaway today! Amanda at My Little Dear Kids has kindly offered to share one of her awesome ABC shirts (size 0-3 months - 4T) plus a pretty headband (for girls 3 and up) with us. We've developed a great relationship with Amanda over the last year and have enjoyed doing a few photo shoots of her products. She is a fabulous graphic designer + crafter with great style sense. I'm so excited that she's finally started a brand new blog, full of (even more) eye candy.
There are 3 different ways to enter and win a shirt or headband. Do one or all 3 to up your chances of winning:

1. Leave a comment below sharing something sweet about childhood (either your childhood, or a story about a kid in your life)

2. Link to this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook--then leave a separate comment sharing your link.

3. Like My Little Dear on facebook. (And leave an additional comment stating you did so.)

Giveaway ends + winners announced Monday 3/7. Good luck lovelies! :)

giveaway: september house

Today I'm delighted to introduce Corinne of SeptemberHouse, the most lovely little etsy shop teeming with dreamy embroidery, patterns, and more. Corinne does all of her designing, embroidering, and pattern publishing right here in St. Paul, MN. Her work has also recently been featured in the holiday edition of Good Housekeeping mag. How nifty is that? I so wish I'd had one of her patterns in hand last weekend, snowed-in and cozy on the couch.
A SeptemberHouse project is the perfect thing to keep your hands busy during your long holiday travels. If not, wouldn't learning to embroider make a fine New Year's Resolution? This week, Corinne is kindly giving away a $20 gift certificate to her shop! {You don't even need to be a needlepoint whiz to enjoy it. There's something for everyone: from embroidered pendant necklaces ready to wear, to fabric calendar panels ready for embellishment.} Leave one or three comments below to win. Here's how:

1. Like September House on facebook. {Leave a comment stating you did so.}

2. Visit the etsy shop and leave a comment sharing your favorite item or pattern.

3. Leave a comment sharing how you unwind during the hustle-bustle of the season.

Giveaway ends Friday 12/17!


QA with Corinne:

1. Your embroidery projects are so fresh and lovely. Where do you find your inspiration?
Thank you! My inspiration comes from all around me. Some of my favorite pieces have been inspired by something in my own backyard, a vintage book found at a thrift store or my two young sons. You just never know when ideas will come. I keep a running list of potential projects going so when something finally arrives in my shop you can bet that it sat on the waiting list for months or over a year before it finally got it’s chance to come to life. I feel so lucky that I always have something to look forward to.

2. Do you create your own patterns? Or, can you share a bit about your creative process?
I love designing patterns almost as much as I love stitching them up. To me, embroidery is enjoyable and challenging but pattern design gives me a chance to also tap into my love for drawing and design which makes the whole process more rewarding for me. Everything I make starts out in simple sketches. Once I have something I’m happy with I scan it or sketch it on a wacom tablet so that I can make any further adjustments digitally. Once it’s cleaned up it’s time to stitch. Watching a design come to life in embroidery is probably my favorite part of the process.
I can’t even count how many designs made it through part of, or even all of those steps only to be shelved in the end. One thing I have learned, though, is to never ever throw those old ideas away completely. I’m amazed at how often they creep back in and evolve into something amazing.

3. Describe your perfect day.
First of all, my perfect day would have more than 24 hours in it! It would start with coffee and sunshine for sure. The rest of the day would be filled with an outdoor adventure, family, a good book, some chocolate and of course a nice BIG chunk of uninterrupted creative time.

4. Everyone loves to give+receive handmade goodies. What is your most cherished handmade possession?
This is a tough one. I’m lucky because I have so many talented and creative people in my family so a number of amazing items have come my way over the years. A crocheted bedspread made by my great grandmother, a quilt my grandmother made for my husband and I for our wedding, a knitted afghan from my mother, a coffee table made by my father, drawings from my sons – how could I ever choose just one favorite? I can’t even describe how lucky I feel to have these things that were made so lovingly by all these family members. "Cherish" doesn’t seem like a big enough word.

5. Where can we find more of your work?
My etsy shop
My patterns are also available on Magpie Patterns
My blog, So September is a good place to find out more about me and my creative process {and also some free tutorials and patterns!}

giveaway: armato design

If I could get married all over again, I'd take Amy Armato to be my stationer. Her Minneapolis-based graphic design + letterpress business is nothing but eye candy--beautiful papers and modern designs with a touch of whimsy. She creates the most lovely cards for each one of life's celebrations, from weddings to babies, and all of the regular old holidays in between. Much of her work is custom + customizable, tailored specifically to her clients' unique tastes. Plus she strives to keep her studio as eco-friendly as possible. Enough said.

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Right now Armato Design is stocked up with the most elegant and festive of holiday cards. (I must admit the portable mistletoe is my personal fav.) I'm so excited to share that Amy is generously giving away a 6-pack of each of these Christmas cards to TWO lucky readers. In math terms, that's 3 beautiful designs x 6 packs of each = 18 cards x 2 winners. Got it!? The giveaway ends Friday 12/10, at which point I will randomly select & announce the two winners. Please pop back to see if you've won!

There are 4 chances to enter this giveaway and drop the prettiest letterpress cards in the mail this year:

1. Leave a comment below sharing your favorite pre-Christmas activity.

2. Blog, tweet, or facebook this giveaway and leave a separate comment stating you did so.

3. Visit Armato Design's shop and leave an additional comment telling your favorite design.

4. Like Armato Design & Press on Facebook.
PLUS: this week everyone is a winner because you can use coupon code SwellLife to receive 20% off in the Armato Design & Press etsy shop for the rest of December!

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Q|A with Amy Armato:

1. Tell us a little about your creative process.
My creative process is dictated by research and my clients. A lot of talking, thinking, sketching and retooling.

2. Describe your perfect day.
I'm up early in a quiet house, coffee in had and no fires to put out. Just me and the task at hand whether it be blogging, marketing, designing. Then I have breakfast with my family followed by more work. The afternoon would be spent getting inspired either by another person or a new place or talking shop with another creative. It ends with a feeling of accomplishment and nothing hanging over my head.

3. What is the most challenging thing about running your business?
The money stuff and finding time for marketing. If I could just design and blog I'd be a happy camper.

4. We love how fresh and creative your designs are. Where do you find your inspiration?
My designs largely come from my art history back ground and my love of juxtapostion. So I love vintage artwork mixed with modern sentiments, typography, etc. I am also continually inspired by my clients and their interests.

5. Where can we find more of your work?
web | armatodesign
etsy | armatodesign.etsy.com,
blog |the wedding phile

giveaway: sweet & simple jewelry

Hello & Happy day to you. I can't think of a better way to kick off the cyber Monday shopping experience than with a friendly reminder to buy handmade and a super sweet giveaway! Allow me to introduce Kelly, a local Minnesota girl, mama of 3, who is also a nurse (!), and runs a darling jewelry shop called Sweet&Simple in her precious spare time. I absolutely adore all of the vintage, feminine details here. Her work is nothing but lovely eye candy--the words sweet + simple sum it up with perfection. A select number of items in her shop currently include free shipping, so be sure to snag them!

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This week, Kelly is kindly giving away this sparrow necklace to one lucky lady! Wouldn't it look splendid with a Christmas cardigan? Or wrapped under the tree for a sweet girly-girl in your life? There are 3 ways to enter:

* Visit SweetSimple and leave a comment sharing your favorite piece.
* Leave a comment linking to an irresistible cyber Monday/holiday sale. {Kudos if it's handmade stuff!}
* Become a follower of Living the Swell Life then leave a comment stating you took the plunge.

Giveaway ends Friday Dec. 12/3, when the winner will be randomly selected and announced.

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Q|A with Kelly:

1. How did Sweet & Simple get its start?
I started Sweet & Simple a few years ago after doing a few small craft shows with my jewelry . I decided to try Etsy and have been very pleased with it.

2. Describe your perfect day.
My perfect day is waking up to a quiet house before my boys and husband wake up and enjoy a cup of coffee while browsing Etsy and checking orders. I get my kids off to school and enjoy the day with my 3 year old son and work on jewelry that needs to be shipped. I love just hanging out at home and crafting away, especially on these cold Minnesota days. Oh, and I also love my other job, working as a part time nurse at the local hospital, my true calling.

3. Your jewelry pieces are all so fresh and lovely. Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere. I will wake up in the morning sometimes with a design in my head and have to quick draw a picture before I forget it. I LOVE to use vintage pieces as much as I can and if a piece can't be made with vintage components then I try to make it look old. My favorite metal to use is antique silver, it is so versatile.

4. What advice do you have for fellow crafters and small business owners?
Keep it simple and take your time. It takes time to build a business and it is very difficult sometimes to find a healthy balance....I am still working on this.
If you are going to sell online, invest in a good camera. Pictures are so important and help sell your item.

5. Where can we find more of your work?
If you live in Minnesota, I will have jewelry displayed at Tis the Season Boutique in Chaska during the first two weekends of December.
I have jewelry in a few shops in Northern Minnesota and will be at Little Falls Craft Festival Next September.
Also on facebook!

giveaway: numsi

This week I'm delighted to feature Helen Jerlach and her design-savvy kids' goods at numsi. Her philosophy is good design should surround us from the start--a mantra with which I wholeheartedly agree. A true mom-trepreneur, Helen features stuff kids love: animals, vehicles, simple words, and pretty patterns. And although the items at numsi are 100% kid-friendly, they will also exist harmoniously among parents with even the most discerning tastes. Clean, colorful, and absolutely unique imagery defines her lovely line of modular wall art, t-shirts, prints and other delightful objects. The best part is that you don't have to be a kid [or] have a kid [or] know a kid to love her stuff. Oh, and she digs custom orders that are as unique as you.

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Lucky day, Helen is kindly giving away the super cute gift set (above)--including a green apple paper suitcase with a 5" x 5" panel, plus a matching mini mirror and card with a fun giraffe graphic. Wouldn't this be the perfect complement to any gift for the kiddos on your list this year? Or perhaps even more fun to keep for yourself!

There are 4 ways to enter:

1. Visit numsi and leave a comment below stating your favorite item.

2. Share a link to this giveaway on your own blog, twitter, or facebook. Then leave a comment stating you did.

3. Become a fan of Numsi on facebook or follow on twitter. Then leave a separate comment if you did.

4. Leave an additional comment telling what your most treasured Christmas gift was as a kid...

Or do all 4 to quadruple your odds of winning!! The winner will be randomly picked and announced on {black} Friday 11/26.

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Q|A with Helen:

1. Your designs are such a breath of fresh air in a Sponge Bob Square Pants world. How did you find your creative niche, and how do you keep your ideas so fresh?
Well thank you! Like so many people who start a business aimed at babies at children, I was inspired to start numsi after the birth of my first daughter five years ago. I couldn’t find any wall art that I liked, and as a very picky visual artist it suddenly occurred to me one day that I could actually make some myself! It took a couple of years and another baby to get numsi up and running as a business, but I haven’t looked back since! I have an MA and an MFA in Fine Art from Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland, and have been working collaboratively as an installation artist with my husband for the last ten years. Creating art for kids was a bit of a change of pace, but I took my love of clean, crisp, minimal things and tried to apply it to bright, appealing uplifting imagery. A lot of my designs are based on daily life with my kids. We spend a lot of time at the zoo, for example. I’m always looking for new inspiration, and it’s great to try and re-view and re-frame the world through the fresh, excited eyes of my children.

2. Describe your perfect day.

My perfect day would be waking up to find that I am mysteriously transported to a seaside town where we can walk along the beach, play in the sand and go for great fish and chips for dinner. Ideally somewhere temperate, not hot, and in fact a rainy day at the beach would be just fine. Growing up two minutes from the coast in Whitley Bay, in north east England, means that living in the Midwest has me longing for the sea. But aside from that, we love living here. So a perfect day in Minneapolis means the whole family waking up without the screech of the alarm clock, a leisurely breakfast (my five year old has just started making us breakfast, which is amazing) followed by art and craft time with the kids. A walk in the neighborhood, a stop for coffee and cupcakes with the kids and then some quality time in the studio designing new products sounds lovely. Some good, productive uninterrupted work time (well interrupted only by a flood of shop orders!) followed by dinner out and an uneventful bath and bedtime for the kids would be great. On a perfect day it would be wonderful to do something fun with my husband, like go and see a film, but on a normal day it’s back up to the studio to begin the night-time shift.

3. What is one tool you couldn't live without?
The one tool that I couldn’t live without is coffee. Seriously! Running a business, working as an artist, sometimes teaching, and having a young family means something has to give, and alas it’s usually sleep. But, as a real actual tool, I would have to say my wide-format printer. We have a very tempestuous love-hate relationship but I suppose deep down we need each other.

4. What would you say is Numsi's biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment with numsi has got to be attending the All Baby and Child Expo in Vegas last month. It was my first ever trade show and ABC is the biggest juvenile product event in the industry. The event was insanely huge, almost too big to walk around. I got a spot in the Modern Child Pavilion alongside favorites like Skip Hop, DwellStudio, Oeuf etc and had no idea what I was letting myself in for. When I arrived to see my small pile of stuff in a 10’ x 10’ ugly booth, surrounded by constructions which looked like design museums dedicated solely to one (beautifully-lit) brand, I almost cried. But, I just had to get on with it and set up the booth as best I could. I built walls and put up vinyl lettering and assembled a bunch of Ikea furniture... And with lots of coffee and very little sleep I got it done. I have to say I was pretty proud, all in all, even when the next day I had to move my booth. Overall, the Expo was an amazing experience; I met some great people, hung out with some peeps I only “know” online, saw some amazing brands that once upon a time were just one person and their dream, and learned a lot. Going to the expo was a giant leap out of my comfort zone, but it was one of the best things that I ever did for the company.

5. Where can we find more of your work!?
You can find more of my work online at

www.numsi.com

www.purlmama.com

Shop for numsi goodness locally:

i like you | Minneapolis

Rochester Art Center Gallery Shop | Rochester, Minnesota

Twinkle, Twinkle Little One | Chicago

Stephanie’s Little Luxuries | Scottsdale

Em + Me | San Diego

WAIT!
We can all score 20% OFF our numsi Christmas shopping! Enter the coupon code SWELL at the checkout now through December 15th and put something legit under the tree for the kiddos in your life. :)

giveaway: colette paperie

Hope your Monday is off to a great start! If not--then I have a feeling that meeting today's maker may help turn things around...
Fine paper + stationery fanatic Keli Catalano has dabbled in a bit of everything. Her creativity blossomed at an early age in her mother's flower shop, she then studied fashion in college, later started selling soap and now successfully runs Colette Paperie, a design boutique and paper art studio based in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Her designs are all thoughtful, unique statements. She stocks everything from gourmet soaps, screen printed dish cloths, to lovely custom stationery for every occasion. Do stop by and admire all the pretty Christmas cards, tags, and stocking stuffers!

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Today Keli is kindly giving away the perfect Christmas gift (everyone needs one. every year.) one of her brilliant 2011 calendars! {Happy Early New Year!}

Today there are 4 ways to enter & win:

1. Visit Colette Paperie and leave a comment telling which calendar is your fav.

2. Give Colette Paperie your thumbs up on facebook (then leave a comment to let me know you did!)

3. Spread the word by sharing a link to this giveaway on your own blog, twitter, or facebook. Leave a separate comment if you did.

4. Leave an additional comment sharing something special on your 2011 calendar...

Do all 4 to quadruple your odds of winning! The lucky commenter will be randomly selected and announced on Friday 11/19.

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Q|A with Keli:

1. Name your biggest source of inspiration.
I am a paper lover at heart, so it is so easy to be inspired by so many things. I love all things paper and textiles. I constantly look at Etsy and about a million little boutiques as well as bigger stores like Anthropologie. I'm also inspired by nature and make a lot of botanical designs. I want everything in my shop to have a point of view; a reason to buy it. You can get pretty cards anywhere and for really dirt cheap. I want to make a lasting impression with very special and unique items.

2. What do you love most about Colette Paperie?
I love the cutting, the folding, the wrapping, the tying up and the packaging of everything. I actually like the production of my items more than the actual designing. I also love that it is small enough that I can give all of my clients 100% of my attention and get them exactly what they are looking for. It's really fun building friendships online through a custom project.

3. What is one tool you could not live without?
My bone folder, of course. :) You can't get the plastic ones, they never fold well. It has to be real bone, which is pretty creepy - I know.

4. Any advice for other crafters and small business owners?
Oh, advice. I don't know if I would have listened to any advice. I have to learn all my mistakes the hard way! But you do learn, and you are a better businessperson as a result of it. Something I wished someone had told me (and they probably did and I didn't listen) is that you should really be prepared to spend a lot of money marketing your product. You can create wonderful products all day long, but you have to get people to look at them!

5. Where can we find more of your work?
All of my work is through my website www.colettepaperie.com.
Right now I sell primarily on Etsy, but we're working on a custom storefront through the website. We have a growing Etsy business and will never give up our little shop on there.

***Edit: Now through Friday 11/19, enjoy 20% off your etsy purchase if you mention Living the Swell Life in the notes to seller section***

giveaway: ekate

So excited to kick off the handmade holiday season around here by introducing Erin of ekate designs & the Orchard Art House. Based in Excelsior MN, Erin is an amazingly talented jewelry maker, designer, and wife + mother to a sweet little girl. (Aren't they the most darling family you've ever seen?) I am so honored that she has agreed to be a part of the festivities around here. Her jewelry pieces are loved by locals, inspired by faraway places, and destined to be wrapped beneath your Christmas tree.

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This week, Erin is graciously giving away a $25 gift certificate to ekate designs + the Orchard Art House. The perfect place to begin your holiday shopping!

Three chances to enter & win:

1. Visit ekate designs and leave a comment telling your favorite piece.

2. Spread the word by sharing a link to this giveaway on your own blog, twitter, or facebook. Leave a separate comment if you did.

3. Leave an additional comment sharing any handmade holiday project/ideas you may have brewing...

Do all 3 to triple your odds of winning! The lucky commenter will be randomly selected and announced on Friday 11/12.

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Now onto the best part,
Q|A with Erin:

1. How long have you been making jewelry and how did you get your start?

I started just like the rest of the world with friendship bracelets and seed beads. But I kept on going. My parents took note of my prolific creations and the apparent joy it brought me and found a silversmithing apprenticeship for me when I was 14. I've always made jewelry on the side for weddings, gifts, and holiday open houses. But just started creating full time a year ago.

2. Describe your perfect day.

Oooh, that's a toughie. I'm pretty easy to please. I really enjoy time with my immediate family and family of origin. Any time everyone agrees to come out to our place for a long day together, I'm in heaven. Especially when there's music.

3. What inspires you most?

Creation. The Creator. The brevity of life. And my insignificance in the grand scheme of things.

4. Where can we find more of your work?

My current Twin Cities locations include:
Picky Girl in St. Paul
Parc Boutique and I Like You in Minneapolis
Petunia's, Cottage Chicks, and Mama's Happy around the Lake Minnetonka area

BUT! The very best place to find all things ekate is The Orchard Art House, which I just opened on September 25!

5. Congrats on turning your business into a brick & mortar shop! What was the hardest part about taking this step?

The hardest part was coordinating all the fabulous local artists/art that I wanted to include. But it was really rewarding too. The whole process could have been a lot harder, but I married my best friend and biggest fan. He gave me the gallery/studio as a 30th birthday gift and sacrificed a lot to make it everything I wanted.

giveaway: lovely nest decor

Today it makes me really happy to introduce Amy, a talented graphic designer with some wicked photography, crafting, and decorating skills on the side. Her cheerful blend of vintage and modern style leaves me smitten again and again and I can't seem to get enough of her pretty home + projects over at Shutterly Lovely. Amy recently launched Lovely Nest, an etsy shop devoted to cozy and colorful home decor.

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This week Amy is inviting us along on a tour of her hip first home in St. Louis, where she stylishly lives with her husband and dog.
PLUS I'm so excited to share that she is sweetly giving away one of her cozy yarn wreaths! (You pick!!!) Her designs are perfect for fall, holidays, or year 'round. There 3 ways to enter:

1. Visit Lovely Nest Decor and leave a comment below telling which wreath you love most.

2. Share a link to this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook and leave an additional comment stating you did so.

3. Become a follower of Shutterly Lovely blog here OR twitter here (then leave a separate comment here if you did!)

The winner will be randomly picked and announced Friday morning 10/ 29. Good luck!

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Q|A with Amy:

1. What is your favorite space in your house & why?

It would probably be our master bedroom. I love our new bedding and I think it feels the most finished of all the rooms in the house. Plus, our bed is super comfy! There's also something nice about retreating to a room that doesn't have a TV in it, unlike the living room where we spend most of our time. 2. What is your favorite piece of furniture?

I don't feel like we have anything really unique, so probably our dining room buffet. It was our first major purchase after getting married and it made me feel like an adult. Nevermind the fact that the house purchase came first, but somehow that's seemed a little different. 3. What is your one design pet-peeve?
Purchasing a room right out of a catalog. It seems like an easy thing to do, but I like the idea of acquiring pieces over time to make the room feel collected rather than copy and pasted.

4. Is there a specific brand or designer that has most influenced your taste?

There are a lot of brands and designers I like, but I can't pinpoint one specific that has influenced my taste. I take a lot of inspiration from blogs and I think that gives me a variety of ideas and I go from there. If I had to pick a specific brand though, I love pretty much everything Dwell Studio does!

5. We non-graphic designers are always envious of well-designed blogs like yours. Any tricks of the trade to help us beautify our blogs without drowning in complicated html?
My web design secret is Squarespace. I love design, but like you, I don't want to get overwhelmed with code. Squarespace is super easy to use and you don't have to have a background in design to create something awesome.

Complete home tour | here
Furnishing sources | here
Lovely Nest shop | here
Shutterly Lovely blog | here

meet the maker: paper + twine

This week, I am so excited to have the chance to feature Paper + Twine, home of Casey Baudoin's simple, modern craft and design. I am proud to say that Casey and I have a history--she was one of my first blog pals and I do believe the very first person to ever leave a comment here. (How crazy that we remember such things!) I really admire how Casey seems to balance her faith, family, and career as a work-at-home mom. It's such a delight to connect with someone thousands of miles away and to see her business (and little family!) blossom over time. Q|A with Casey:

What do you love most about Paper & Twine?

Paper + Twine gives me a creative outlet. I have always been crafty, and love making gifts for friends and family, but I love that Paper + Twine is something just for me, I can create things I like and share it with other people!

What are the most important tools/supplies in your craft room?

The tools I can not live without are my exacto knife and straight edge triangle, and trace paper and sketch pens!
Name your biggest source of inspiration right now:

My son, Noah, is a big inspiration to me, and is where I have come up with anything baby in my shop.

I am also really inspired by other printing techniques, and graphic patterns. My favorite books right now to get inspiration/learn are Lena Corwin's Printing By Hand, and anything Lotta Jansdotter!

What advice do you have for other up & coming crafters and small business owners?

I don't know if I have any good advice, because I am still learning, but, I would have to say, in my experience, start small... and expect trial and error. Make things for yourself, for friends, and family, and grow from there!

Where can we find more of your work?
Blog | My Life as a Sugar Lander
Etsy Shop | Paper + Twine
Facebook | follow me for updates and other inspiration!

Sugar Land | I plan on participating in some craft fairs around Houston this year, so keep updated with Facebook or my blog, if you live in the area, I would love for you to come introduce yourself!

{edit: Check out Paper + Twine to stock up on your Christmas cards! She has stacks and stacks of fun, fresh designs.}

* * * * *Casey is kindly giving away one of her lovely stab-stitched note logs (above)! These little books are perfect for grocery lists or your daily to-dos. There are 3 ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment sharing something on your to-do list today.
2. Become a fan of Paper + Twine on facebook (then leave a separate comment here.)
3. Share a link to this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook (then leave an additional comment here saying you've done so.)

Or do all 3 to triple your odds of winning. The winner will be announced Friday morning. Good luck!

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guest post & giveaway: sheena jibson

Am mixing things up a bit this week. Today's Meet the Maker is in the simplified form of a guest post + giveaway with Sheena from The Little Red House. It was love at first sight the day I stumbled upon Sheena's awe-inspiring photography and fabulous foodie blog and have been hooked ever since. She has the cutest style, don't you agree? That's why I'm so thrilled that she has agreed to share a guest post of one of her (and now my!) favorite recipes:

Sheena's Browndies!I made these up one night when I was craving something super chocolaty, but I wanted to mix it up a bit. I LOVE browned butter, (I may have a slight obsession) and if you've never tried it, put it on your to do list right away! The flavor is amazing and it perks up anything you add it to. So I thought.....why not brownies? And this is what I got!

Browned Butter Brownies
10 TBS butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp pure vanilla extract (I used Mexican vanilla)
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt

Heat oven to 325°

To brown butter:
Heat pan on medium heat.
Cut butter in to pieces and melt in pan.
Stir continuously. Butter will foam up.
After foam subsides, small brown flecks will start to appear in bottom of pan.
Continue stirring, until butter has reached a nice brown color, and nutty aroma.
When you want to lick the spoon, you know it's ready.
Turn the heat all the way down.

Add sugar to browned butter and stir until well combined.
taste this. it is insane.
Add the cocoa and stir until well combined.
Remove from heat and let it cool down a bit (not cold, not hot, just warm:)
Add the vanilla.
Add the eggs, one at a time.
Continue to stir--the mixture will be thick and shiny.
Add flour and salt and stir until just combined.

Bake for 20-25 minutes in your favorite tart pan until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Top with vanilla bean ice cream and fresh berries!

enjoy!

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To sweeten the deal even more, Sheena is treating one lucky reader to any fine art print or postcard set from her etsy shop--your choice my dears!! To enter the shopping spree giveaway:

1. Simply pay her sweet store a visit and leave a comment below saying what you'd choose if you won.
2. Blog, tweet, or facebook a link to this giveaway and help spread the news!

Giveaway ends Friday 10/15.