Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who participated in the funky stationery & paper goods giveaway! I think we can all agree that all the sponsors who donated items are fabulous. It's great to see so many indie designers & artists get the love & praise they deserve.

Without further ado, our grand prize winner is....Smilynstef!


And, since Doodle Bugs & Cardboard Safari so generously donated multiple items, I decided to choose a runner up. Congrats to...Angie (Quillysilly)!

Stay tuned for our next giveaway in February featuring independent jewelry designers!

Blue Valentine Press

Beth Carls loves paper & it shows! Her awesome Etsy shop, Blue Valentine Press, showcases her artistic talents in many forms. I love the On Your Left notebook that is screen printed with one of Beth’s original drawings. The Plain Jane notebooks are also lovely & could easily be decorated to your own preference. Beth has used her Gocco printer to create many beautiful items, including the cherry blossom tags. Learn more about Beth & creative endeavors on her blog Right Out Loud, as well as her website.

*Enter the paper goods & stationery giveaway by midnight CST for your chance to win tons of funky goods!

Good Thoughts Paper Co.

Good Thoughts Paper Co. is a fabulous source for unique & personalized stationery. Their products are completely customizable allowing you to choose everything from paper color & ribbon style to the font you want to use. Good Thoughts also creates custom monogrammed notecards making for a unique & personal gift. The new message bow pads are also adorable. And you can purchase all these wonderful items at a 10% discount when entering the code FUNKY when placing your order!

*Enter the paper & stationery giveaway by midnight CST for a chance to win three terrific products by Good Thoughts Paper Co., as well as products by other designers!

Oh So Suite

Oh So Suite, one of my funky giveaway sponsors, features pop culture inspired stationery designs that are fantastic. The French Rap Series is a glorious translation of raw flavored hip-hop lyrics into the elegance and charm of the French language. "Word to your Mother" just sounds more chic in French, don't you agree? And I love that they come with matching hand-lined envelopes. Oh So Suite also designs custom invitations & announcements if you are ever in need of such services. And be sure to check out Oh So Suite's virtual table at Poppytalk Handmade’s market where you can purchase the Hearts of Cheese cards perfect for your Valentine.

Please help!

Yes, it is still stationery & paper goods week here at Funky Finds. But I must post a reminder to help Bernie's A Place to Bark if you have not already. Read more on Claudine's blog.

*Here's the direct link to donate to!

Mew Paper Arts

Alissa Sampogna, the designer and illustrator behind Mew Paper Arts, started out doodling in a cubicle. Her dream has blossomed into a fantastic business highlighting Alissa’s strong artistic abilities. You’ll find lots of great Valentine’s Day cards, such as Dearly Beloved and Be My Valentine. I also love the writing kits, especially the Flower Girl kit, complete with cards, stickers & envelopes. And, being a major hedgehog fan, I adore the Hedgehogs are for Lovers cards! Alissa also designs customized invitations & announcements, as well as children’s items showcased in the freshly hatched Mew Baby collection.

*Don't forget to enter the stationery & paper goods giveaway by 12am CST Friday, February 1st!

Made By Girl

Jennifer Ramos, designer & owner of MadeByGirl.com, is dedicated to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Her paper goods are printed on recycled or post-consumer paper in hopes of spreading environmental awareness throughout the world. All of Jennifer’s designs are fun and colorful as seen in the Love Pack. I love the multi-colored Amor cards, as well as the UK flag designs. I especially love the pop art designs as seen on the Rococo Chair stationery. Broken, with Spanish translating to "You can have my broken heart," is a poignant design. Check out all of Jennifer's wonderful & unique designs today.

Amy Smyth Made It

Amy Smyth Made It encourages you to “write a freakin’ note” with sophisticated, funky and uncommon stationery. Amy Smyth’s 2008 collection is full of designs that are humorous & bold. I think we can all associate with the desire to recycle our 20s as seen on this birthday card. I love the humor seen in the When Eco-Friendly Goes Too Far card, too. My list of favorites continues with the get well cards & Miss You designs. Check out all of Amy’s unique designs & write a freakin’ note already!

*Enter the stationery & paper goods giveaway for your chance to win cards designed by Amy Smyth, as well as other funky products!

Peridot Press

Jessica Pope is a talented designer in Savannah, Georgia, who followed her dream by establishing Peridot Press. Jessica merges her training in textiles and printmaking to produce a variety unique items. The "Petit Fours" are tiny treats perfect for anyone you care about. These small cards are appropriate for a number of occasions, including birthdays and holidays. Jessica also creates beautiful journals that give new life to old Reader’s Digest books. These hand-bound books contain 120 pages of recycled craft paper & are durable and ready to be filled to the brim with creativity. Choose from a wide variety of cover styles.

*Enter the stationery & paper goods giveaway for your chance to win tons of funky products!

Red Cap Cards

Each time I see the illustrations at Red Cap Cards my heart skips a beat. I have always dreamed of being an artist who creates whimsical works of art, such as Piñata Party. The animals seen on these cards are all so sweet & innocent looking. I want to hug the giraffes on the Sweet Baby card! And how fabulous is Zebra Parade? You can even purchase affordable children’s & adult apparel featuring these terrific illustrations by artists Carrie Gifford, Francesca Montanari & Michael Morrison. If you’re anything like me, you will have a very hard time deciding which products you "must" have. I want them all!

*Enter the stationery & paper goods giveaway for your chance to win products by Red Cap Cards, as well as other funky products!

Giveaway - Stationery & Paper Goods

Today kicks off our first big giveaway of 2008! This week’s theme is stationery & paper goods. Thank you to all the generous artists & designers that have donated their wares that one lucky winner will receive!

Giveaway Guidelines:

Visit the businesses that have donated prizes (shown below) and pick your favorite product. Leave a comment on any post this week & include the link to your favorite item. You can enter multiple times, but you MUST link to a different product on each comment. Be sure to leave your name and email address or website link.

The winner will be chosen on February 1st by using a random number generator & will then be notified by email & announced on Funky Finds.

This month’s contest begins today, Sunday, January 27th & ends at midnight CST Thursday, January 31st.

A Very Mary Design
Amy Smyth Made It
Cardboard Safari
Doodle Bugs Stationery
Good Thoughts Paper Co.
Jane’s Apron
JJB Creations
Laura Gunn Studio
Lollipoop Designs
OhSoSuite
Pistachio Press
Razz Pizazz Boutique
Red Cap Cards
seed..
ETA: Lucid Dream Designs

Project 52

The Internet is overflowing with information, challenges and inspiration. Sometimes we feel overstimulated & flooded with information that doesn't seem easy to apply to our own projects. But Project 52 is a unique site that provides weekly step-by-step directions on how to make unique items, take photos, create original corners in your home, organize your supplies, write with your heart, capture you and those you love, and turn inspiration into reality. These guidelines & projects will inspire you to create your own little masterpieces & treasures.

Project 52's monthly guest instructors include lots of well-known artists, such as Rachel Denbow, Amy Tangerine & Ashley Wren. These creative women will lead you through various crafts, projects, gift ideas, photography, organization, inspiration, & techniques while sharing their philosophies on all things crafty.

Sign up before February 1st & pay only $52.00 for the WHOLE year. That is one dollar a lesson! (Membership will cost $78.00 after January 31st) You can sign up at any time & all lessons are archived so you can access them whenever you'd like. Give yourself this fabulous gift to yourself & start the new year with purpose in your crafting. Contact Courtney at projects52@yahoo.com with any questions.

Etsy Dallas Vanentine's Day Trunk Show

If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you'll want to make it a point to attend the Etsy Dallas Valentine's Day Trunk Show. The event, taking place Saturday, February 9th, will be held at South Side on Lamar in the Artists' Quarter. There will be over 40 booths featuring handmade items from local artists. I attended the first trunk show held in December & was impressed by all the terrific designs displayed. This show looks to be even bigger & better. Join us next weekend!

Saturday, February 9th
11am - 4pm
South Side on Lamar in the Artists' Corridor
1409 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX

Liza Corbett

New York-based illustrator and designer Liza Corbett creates hauntingly beautiful artwork. The characters in her illustrations are fantastical & dream like, creating a sense of whimsy upon observation. Liza has designed for a number of clients, as well as published a couple of illustrated books. She is also a fabulous children's illustrator as seen on her main website. Luckily, Liza has made some of her artwork available in various forms. Her Etsy shop is stocked with plushies featuring her illustrations. Via Cafe Press you can find much of her work adorning buttons, stickers, canvas bags & more. Learn more about Liza Corbett on her blog.

Maddog Leather

Maddog Leather, located in nearby Dallas, Texas, creates wonderful leather accessories. I love the handmade butterfly purse & the pink leather cell phone case is too cute. The leather tool bag looks much too beautiful to tote tools in! There's even the perfect accessory for any proud Texan - a Texas flag leather checkbook cover. Very nice! Have a look at all of Maddog's great leather accessories.

Designing Diva

Designing Diva has a new limited-edition collection debuting just in time for Valentine's Day. Spirit of the Heart features beautiful heart-shaped fused glass pieces. Each purchase comes with a free heart shaped tin while supplies last.

Gollyg

Gollyg is also in the mood for Valentine's Day. The handmade cards, such as Love is in the air, are fabulous. And the cupid on Love Story is just too cute! In addition to all the wonderful cards, Gollyg also creates beautiful jewelry. I really like the hummingbird & Give Me a Hand earrings. And I know that I would love to receive the beautiful Fly Into My Heart necklace from my Valentine. Check out all the terrific wares Gollyg has to offer!

Spills Her Coffee

Heather Bella of Spills Her Coffee has quite the sense of humor that comes across in her designs. I think we can all associate with the cranky cupcake occasionally. And, according to Heather, when a cranky cupcake declares "eat me" they certainly mean it! I love the hand puppet silhouette displayed on the Make Bunnies Not War tees. The purple guitar on the pin stripe shirt is also cool & unique. See more of Heather's work on her website, Spills Her Coffee.

Sweet Things by Mara May

Sweet Things by Mara May oozes Valentine's Day goodness. You'll find several paper kits & projects perfect for showing your love. Smitten Kitten comes with eight K&Co. papers, as well as lots of trinkets & embellishments. Girlie Things is another lovely kit featuring one of my favorite products, Thickers. In addition to the wonderful kits Mara May has put together, you can also purchase beautiful decor pieces she has created. The scalloped Valentine wall hanging would be hard to put away once Valentine's Day has passed. I love the glittery XOXO wall hanging, as well. Check out all the Sweet Things Mara May has to offer.

Will you be my Valentine?

Love is definitely in the air...at least online! I have found so many fabulous shops who have numerous items perfect for your Valentine. I love red & pink, so Valentine goodies are among my favorites.

Cherry Heart Boutique has created several beautiful Paris chic Valentine pocket tags. These would look terrific hanging on your wall or adorning a package for your special someone.

Popalicious creates a variety of ceramic heart pendants. I especially love the hand-painted pink & brown design, as well as the elegant black & white pendant. pictured here

Nesta USA is a great source for unique Valentine's Day cards. And I love the tattoo style heart on this candle holder.

You may prefer a sweeter look for your Valentine. If so, check out Sweet n Shabby Roses. The glittery cupid ornament & pink rose card are nothing if not sweet.

What chickadee wouldn't want to sport an adorable tote bag (pictured) or tee declaring that you are feeling frisky? Melissa Vest's Cupid is My Homeboy & Love, Love, Love are also fabulous designs.

Geek + Nerd, one of my favorite Etsy sellers, has created adorable felt goodies for your Valentine. The mushroom of love & knotty heart are the perfect way to say I Love You!

SanFran 67 is an extremely talented paper artist. The heart garland is a beautiful paper sculpture I'd be proud to display year-round. Although not exactly Valentine themed, the doggie sculptures are also fabulous!

Lily Bay Soap & Sundry has an adorable Valentine's gift set available. The set includes four heart shaped soaps & is packaged in a cute take-out style container.

Stay tuned for more great Valentine's Day finds. And don't forget, the January giveaway kicks off this Sunday, January 27th.

Crimson Cat Paper Arts

Crimson Cat Paper Arts offers a variety of cool items created using unusual papers, vintage finds, fabric, & sewing. The decoupaged domino key chains are my favorite products, especially the weathered looking Journey piece. Crimson Cat also creates felt pins, such as the adorable shiny happy butterfly. Check out all the unique items this Etsy shop has to offer.

B+J Greene

I recently read about furniture designers Ben and Jessica of B+J Greene on Bernie's blog. This couple, who recently adopted an adorable doggie named Lexi, designs functional art using recycled materials. Jessica's piece, First Chair, is one she created for Ben in 2002. She utilized pieces of a broken skateboard to create the chair's back. I really dig the loveseat they created for Jess' parents a few years ago. The glass-top table shows skateboard pieces used as tile on the top. Very cool! B+J Greene create other items as well, including artwork & apparel. Their currently available products can be purchased on Etsy.

The Sunshine Patch

Chandra, the creative force behind The Sunshine Patch, is a woman of many talents. The butterfly Celtic garden halter dress is beautiful. I especially love the detail work on the back of the dress. The patchwork paisley dress is another great piece. Chandra also creates the cutest felt brooches, such as the sexy seamstress dress form. And I love the pretty 'n pink mod pin. The felt rings that can double as pin cushions are funky and fun. And all of that is just on the first page of this terrific Etsy shop! Continue perusing Chandra's wares that include cool coasters and attractive accessories.

Yarnplayer Arts

I must admit that my knowledge about knitting, weaving, and yarn in general is limited at best. However, one thing I do know is that creating intricate designs in these areas cannot be easy. Marilee of Yarnplayer Arts creates works of art using various threads & other materials. The tatted Sweetheart earrings are a perfect example of her talents. The pink tatted necklace with beads is another gorgeous design. And check out the Dream earrings...aren't they fabulous? Marilee also sells various hand dyed fibers. You can see the interesting process she uses to dye them here.

Little Cookie

Little Cookie is a local designer I had the pleasure of meeting at the Urban Street Bazaar in Dallas. This designer specializes in making Kanzashi which are hair ornaments used in traditional Japanese hairstyles. Each petal in these delicate designs are hand dyed, hand folded and hand mounted one at a time. The Double Periwinkle hair clip is beautiful, as is the Sunny Kanzashi comb. Little Cookie creates other fabulous accessories including the super apple messenger bag which I love. The adorable Mona messenger bag is another favorite!

Petrie Point Designs

Susan Petrie-Badertscher has a unique take on home decor. Her company, Petrie Point Designs, makes what is old new again. Susan takes everyday, vintage items and turns them into art. The PPD collection consists of beautifully framed vintage clothing & other various items. One of the vintage bathing suits would be perfect displayed in a beach house, hotel or even your own home. I love the rasberry & black Kennebunkport piece. And the Red Cross lifesaving suit is fabulous in its unique design. Susan's newest addition to her collection are the Petrie Pint Designs, which feature one-of-a-kind vintage infant & children’s clothing & framed collectibles. The infant 1920s white lace booties are of exquisite design. Any of these would be a unique addition to one's home or business.

Girl Land

Girl Land is a happy place for all the girly girls of the world to escape to. This shop's banner alone makes me giggly & happy. The product designs are equally charming, especially the sweet little suitcases. These are perfect for storing or transporting all sorts of goodies. This shop also has trinket boxes featuring images reminiscent of one's childhood. I especially love the baby onsies & bibs accented with vintage images. Have a look at all the vintage-inspired cuties Girl Land has to offer.

Wild Crochet 24-7

Jodi of Wild Crochet 24-7 puts a fun spin on this craft form. I love the fuzzy fingerless gloves that would keep my hands warm while I blog. The crocheted cradle purse, complete with a little mouse & his blankie, will be a great treat for any little girl. While these items are cute & G-rated, Jodie has another Etsy shop that is a bit more risqué. Kinky Crochet (the name says it all!) features unique items such as crocheted boobie hats. A friend of mine recently ordered one of these & it truly is a riot. Not sure what words describe the boobie pillow. You can decide that for yourself.

Lucy Blue Studio

Lucy Blue Studio is an awesome Etsy shop run by fellow Texan Jenifer Bryan. I knew this shop was a funky find the minute I saw her fabulous banner. The belt buckles are among my favorite designs. Featuring images found on vintage matchbook covers, these accessories are unlike any I've come across before. Isn't the gypsy buckle too cool? As a self-professed gnome-aholic, I went crazy when I saw the Garden Gnome ring. Such a unique & fun design! Jenifer designs lots of creative jewelry pieces, including the silver black-eyed pea necklace and Ruby Branches. See more of Jenifer's work in her online portfolio.

*I hope you have noticed (and enjoyed) all the new features I have added to my sidebars. Be sure to check out the giveaways page for a preview of designers who have already donated products. The January giveaway will be held the last week of this month.

Scribbit Crafts

Michelle Mitchelle is a crafty mother of four living in Alaska. Her Etsy shop, Scribbit Crafts, features a variety of her handmade goods. Any little girl who loves dolls will want to have the beautiful knitted doll basket. Michelle has created many different styles of handbags, including the spring-like pink & yellow woven ribbon purse. I also like the neutral placemat purse. This bag really is created using placemats, as well as stylish wooden bead handles. Also, don't miss the adorable hats such as the felted pillbox hat. Keep up to date with Michelle's latest designs via her blog.

Summer Salt Design

Summer Salt Design has lots of goodies in store for you ranging from home decor to jewelry. The beautiful hair accessories are among my favorite products. The hand-enameled trinket boxes are perfect for storing small tidbits you want to keep track of. Summer Salt Design also stocks beauty products every girly girl can appreciate. I absolutely love their fragrance packaging! Another clever item is the lovely little bird night light. Have a look at all the great items Summer Salt Design has to offer & don't forget that all beauty & jewelry products are currently 35% off!

Pay It Forward

Check out Bernie Berlin's blog, A Place to Bark, and see how you can make a difference. If everyone donates just $10.00, we can help Bernie win a grant from the Six Degrees foundation! Tim Holtz, a very popular scrapbook designer & artist, is even offering up some of his original art as an incentive for those who donate.

ETA: Bernie's badge is now in the Top Five! That is awesome...but A Place to Bark needs to be in the Top 4 to win the grant money. Please spread the word to everyone you know. Animal lovers unite! Read more on Bernie's blog.

Elle's Studio

Elle's Studio is a wonderful source for lovely paper goods. The Sweetheart journaling circles will come in handy while scrapbooking, and the doodle heart tags are perfect for Valentine's day. I also love the adorable Candy Shop journaling tags, as well as the wood grain tags. There's many more great products that will charm any Valentine, including the red & pink true love coupons and cute little love birds.

Crafty Leftovers

Crafters often feel guilty about the waste created by their projects. We all have those bits & pieces that are leftover, but we have no idea what to do with them. Most times they go unused & eventually are discarded. But Kristen of Crafty Leftovers found a great way to share those odds & ends with others. Her Etsy shop is stocked with various project kits ranging from knitting to sewing projects. These kits make it easy for crafters to complete a fun project without the hassle of tracking down all the various materials. And, inevitably having leftovers that could potentially go unused. A new kit is introduced each month & monthly subscriptions are available. Be sure to check out Kristen's blog that is full of project ideas, tutorials & interesting crafts she is working on.

The Slumber Factory

I love when I come across an independent designer who creates items I wouldn't expect. For instance, Ingrid of The Slumber Factory creates fabulous handmade sleepwear & loungewear. The duvet slumber slippers are available in a variety of cute prints. Also available are sleep shorts and pajama capris that are comfy AND stylish. There's even sleepmasks that come in a variety of beautiful prints! Check back often for new designs or contact Ingrid if you're interested in a custom order.

Annie Oakleaves

Annie Oakleaves has to be one of the most clever shop names I've come across. And Annie's creations are just as endearing. The Martha mushroom softie, complete with apron & kitchen utensils, is my favorite. I've mentioned before what a sucker I am for a smiling acorn, and you'll find one of those in this shop, too. Annie is also a talented artist as proven in the Tragic Forest print set. And currently all prints are marked down 50%! This shop also stocks vintage fabrics, trims & other supplies.

DaWanda

DaWanda is an online marketplace that allows artists, designers and artisans across Europe to set up their own shop & sell their handmade products. As a consumer, you can purchase unique, customized and handmade products created by many talented people. DaWanda also has features, such as "My Pinboard," that enable users to connect with others. Even if you’re not buying or selling, DaWanda encourages all users to interact by leaving comments regarding products or user profiles. There's tons of terrific items for sale on this site. One of my favorite finds is the classic cable tank tube top that was hand-knit by seller kitfig. The Pink Her illustration by aliette is another favorite. I also love the black & grey button bracelet created by user kraplap. Take some time & peruse the endless products DaWanda has to offer.

pictured is Zaha by user essimar

Hearts and Laserbeams

Hearts and Laserbeams, a unique phrase meaning to fall in love, is a great shop run by Steph & Josh. Their products have a comical quality to them that I love. The pastry pasties are a perfect example of this. The acorn unicorn painting Dracula's school picture are two hysterical pieces among many works of art you'll find in this shop. But the plates have to be my absolute favorite products. The illustrations on these pieces are fantastic and are also available in stationery form. Check out all the funky goods Hearts and Laserbeams has to offer.

Poppytalk Handmade

Poppytalk Handmade, a monthly online street market, currently has a wonderful showcase of goods perfect for Valentine's Day and spring weddings. You will find fabulous items created by a variety of independent artists & designers from all over the world. Below is a list of upcoming markets that will be featured on Poppytalk Handmade.

January 7 - February 8, 2008 - Love Transforms, A Valentine's & Wedding Market

February 11 - March 8, 2008 - Peeps & Hoppity-Pop! An Easter & Spring Market; Submissions Deadline - Jan. 21/08

March 10 - April 11, 2008 - Green Pop! An Eco-Minded and Green Market; Submissions Deadline - Feb. 21/08

(card pictured is by Magnolia Moonlight)

Jelene's Pop Shop

Upon first look at Jelene's Pop Shop, you know that this is a fun place you want to be. Jelene's pop art is so vibrant & happy. The smiling ice cream cones are a perfect example of this. There's a wide variety of children's tees available, such as the mushrooms tee, and they are currently on sale for $5. What a steal! An ode to the king of pop art, Andy Warhol, is the hilarious Warhol in a can plush toy. Jelene's fantastic work is available in many mediums, including tote bags & lip balms. Yes, I said lip balm!

Etsy Texas Crafters

I was just reading Designing Diva's blog & learned about an exciting event hosted by Etsy Texas Crafters. Today is the ETC First Monday Sales Event. You'll find lots of great deals at close to 50 ETC shops. Hurry! These sales & special offers are only available from 12:01am through 12:00 Midnight Monday, Central Standard Time. Designing Diva is also participating in this great event. Each purchase will include a free gift with a retail value of $25!

Little Girl Pearl

I have several pregnant friends who will be having little girls very soon, so I'm a bit more aware of children's shops as of late. Little Girl Pearl is a great Etsy shop specializing in modern clothing for wee ones sizes 1 to 8. These quality pieces are absolutely adorable. The Sparrows & Dots swing jumper is beautiful, as is the Princess Pink Twirly dress. Also available is The Antidote dress, the perfect solution for a girl whose closet has been overrun with pink. I love the unique, multi-colored jumper and the birds & butterflies dress is the cutest! Have a look at all the fabulous pieces Little Girl Pearl has to offer the beautiful child in your life.

ikc. design

It seems like a lot of my posts lately have dealt with goods created by recycling various materials. I suppose that's a good thing given the current state of affairs in modern day society. ikc. design features fun checkbook covers created using reclaimed children's books. There's a wide variety of styles to choose from ranging from Star Wars Ewoks to Dr. Seuss characters. I love this one made using a page from Richard Scarry's "Busy Workers." These quirky products are a fun accessory that might make bill paying a tad less painful!

Tasha McKelvey

Tasha McKelvey creates pottery that is as functional as it is gorgeous. The three piece sushi set, complete with chopsticks, is an exceptional design. I especially love the purple & tan color combo. Tasha also designs fabulous porcelain jewelry, such as these long earrings. And the bird nest adjustable ring is the cutest! Take a look at all the terrific designs created by this talented artist.

The Green Glass Company

My friend Carey, who I lovingly refer to as my Funky Street Team, sent me a link to The Green Glass Company. This glass studio, located Wisconsin, takes recycling to a whole new level. These environmentally friendly products are eclectic & unique, ranging from decorative vases to beautiful goblets. Created using an old beer bottle, the Cactus Tumbler would be a fun addition to any home bar. The Royal "Yin Yang" candle holder is an interesting piece which utilizes reclaimed wine bottles. The Shades Coat Rack and wall art are two fascinating designs among many fabulous products. Have a look at all the exceptional designs The Green Glass Company has to offer.

Crochet Cabin

Shelly Caine of Crochet Cabin is one talented lady! Her adorable pooch Millie entered the Etsy costume contest modeling the delightful SpongeBob dog sweater Shelly designed. My Chihuahua Abby isn't too fond of wearing sweaters, but I think she would like a Doggie Poncho since her legs would be free. Shelly has created many other terrific items that are for humans, including sock monkey slippers. You can purchase the pattern & create your own fun pair. I also love the hats, especially the Chocolate Cupcake. See more of Shelly's work on her website.

Magnolia Moonlight

Magnolia Moonlight is a great Etsy shop I came across today while reading Indie Fixx. This shop is currently having a huge holiday sale with all 2008 calendars & holiday cards marked down. This is a great opportunity to stock up on cards for the holidays in '08. I love the playful wall calendar that leaves plenty of room to write down important events. Also available are the lovely Jardin desk calendars that come in a jewel case which doubles as a stand. And don't miss the Merci shout cards that will come in handy this month thanking everyone for your holiday gifts.