Potpourri of Pretty

I feel like part of my brain is still in Christmas mode while another is thinking New Year's and changing seasons.  My selection of "pretty things" seems a bit disjointed. I just wanted you to know that I'm aware of my seemingly odd selection.

Are you feeling this way too?

 

This weekly planner, $25 from  Lily Jane Stationery caught my eye!



 But so did this red tinsel string, $6 for 18 feet from Vintage Handmade by julie collings



Wouldn't this white statement necklace, $39.99 from
 Nueva Espana look so lovely on New Year's Eve?

 


Oddly, this autumn necklace entitled, Melody of Fall, $45
from Beauty Spot still appeals to me this time of year.



Browsing today, I couldn't help but stop and pause to gaze at these vintage
green Polish ornaments, $14.75 for one dozen.  They just ooze old-school charm!
Stop by Oodles and Oodles to view more of their vintage eye candy goodness! 

  

I love the saying on this nifty little pin from Beanforest, $1.
This sentiment is season less!

Have a cozy Wednesday evening all,
~Deanna

For the lover of lavender...a gift set from Nature's Edge Farm

Yet another reason to shop with Nature's Edge Herb Farm on Etsy... convenience{ and value}!

Just take a gander at this pretty Lavender gift set John put together for us....


A beautiful, natural gift for under $25 {including shipping to your doorstep}!

 

The gift set includes:

*1 Lavender Fields bar
*1 Lavender Lemongrass bar
*1 French Lavender lotion in a purple organza sack
*1 Lavender Fields body mist perfume
*1 cotton sachet of organic lavender buds

♥

This would make a lovely gift for a teacher, friend, Secret Santa, hostess gift or gift to yourself to enjoy after the holidays are over.

Head over to Nature's Edge Herb Farm to pick up yours! :)

Have a happy afternoon,
Deanna



Crafty distractions

Hello readers,


Boy is it chilly here this afternoon. I apologize for being a bit absent again from the blog. If you're like me you're busy too trying to get Christmas shopping/prep done. I have to sit down later this afternoon to get a handle on what I've done and what I have left to do. 


In typical fashion, although I tried not to do it...I've veered a bit off course and got myself involved in a Christmas "project". I'm really diggin' making "scrabble tile" necklaces. The ones I've been prepping to make are actually round and rectangular. I got the itch to make them after buying the one pictured below. I get so many compliments on it when I wear it.

There are various shops on Etsy selling them but I was fairly confident I could make them. So, I spent hours upon hours looking at the graphics, jewelry supplies and paper cutting tools both online and in the local craft stores. So this is my current obsession/creative outlet/time consumer in my life!  I'll post some of my work when I finish a few pieces. I'm even thinking of making one for my son for Christmas with a soccer ball and his team number on it.


If you'd like to join the madness, here are a few of the places I've found my supplies:

Michael's and JoAnn's both carry the Fiskars "round and round" paper punches in 1 and 1.5 inch diameter. Use a weekly 40% coupon and you'll spend much less than you can get them for online. Both craft stores (and Hobby Lobby) carry the 1and 1.5 inch wooden circle/disks that will be the base of the pendants. I picked up the bails and ball and chain necklaces at Hobby Lobby in silver but they're probably not the best quality and the price wasn't great.  I already have Mod Podge but there are other glue/glaze products made specifically for this kind of crafting. I'll be trying out a product called Diamond Glaze very soon and also have Paper Glaze.


I've looked at several Etsy shops*{see list below} for graphics that I may buy from in the future. For now I've been raiding my scrapbooking stash for pretty designs.


I bought the bulk of my supplies from Candy Tiles Craft and Jewelry Supply on Etsy. My goodies should arrive this week and I hope to be crafting shortly thereafter! I can't wait!

Have a warm and toasty night with your loved ones,
Deanna


*A few Etsy shops that sell pretty digital graphics in 1 and 1.5 inch circles:
Charmed Memory Collage

Sabine Sydney

Kitsch & Kaboodle

P.S. If you have any questions about crafting these pretty little baubles, please feel free to contact me!

December giveaway sponsored by Nature's Edge Farm

My Handmade Addiction's

BIG

December giveaway 2010:

From Nature's Edge Farm


Regular readers know how much I love the handmade soaps, lotions and scrubs from Nature's Edge Farm. I've been shopping with Nature's Edge Farm since August 2009. I have never been disappointed with any of my purchases from John EVER!  ALL of his products are truly handmade. He doesn't use bases but rather blends all of his lovely bath creations with his own hands {not bare handed mind you, lol}.  He scrutinizes each ingredient as thoroughly as a scientist. I adore everything about his products from the ingredients to the packaging. Nature's Edge Farm also offers  very generously sized soaps (usually 5 ounces each) at very reasonable prices.  John makes using his handmade soaps an affordable luxury. Packages from Nature's Edge farm are shipped so fast I'd swear that we live in the same state.


Nature's Edge Farm first began in Canterbury, CT.  John recently moved to the gulf side of Florida. Boy those folks in Florida sure are lucky!  Local readers can buy Nature's Edge Farm soaps now at Kitty Deluxe in St. Clair Shores. Perfect for those of us who need "instant gratification".


If you've never tried handmade soap, do yourself a favor and buy a bar. I think you'll like the results. Please keep in mind that handmade soap is softer than commercial bars. Use a well draining soap dish and DON'T keep the soap in the shower. Soap lasts much longer when it can dry out between uses!


To view the details of the products in this month's HUGE giveaway, please click the following links:
holiday five pack
evergreen body lotion

snowflake soap

 +

  

bayberry soap

 +



citrus peel and pine

    +



Mistletoe soap

+

 

frankincense and myrrh soap

   +

evergreen body lotion

 

=
One thankful blogger,

One magnificent giveaway for December,

many people hoping to win,

One darn lucky winner,

&

{after using their prize}

One winner with soft, lovely smelling skin!!! 

HOW TO ENTER:

1) If you are not a follower of My Handmade Addiction please do so = 1 entry

2) "Like" My Handmade Addiction's Facebook site = 1 entry3) Comment below with your current email address = 1 entry

4) Check back here and on Facebook throughout the month of December for a few extra chances to win :)  

My sincere thanks to

John at Nature's Edge Farm 

for sponsoring this month's giveaway!

 You've made me a handmade soap snob!

December's giveaway will be announced tomorrow

Be on the look out for

My Handmade Addiction's

December giveaway 2010...

it's a great one!

November's giveaway winner announced...

The winner of the Sweet Potato Soap , a 5 ounce jar of Sweet Potato Sugar Scrub and a cream colored Soap Sack from Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium is.....Indira G!

Congratulations to you, Indira!!!!

More pre-Black Friday deals to share... savings from LouBird Handmade Jewerly

Hello Readers,
I have an exclusive offer for you! Karley over at loubirdhandmade.com just emailed me this special offer:

"I have a special code just for readers of My Handmade Addiction....enter code HANDMADEADDICT and save 15% on all orders now through 11/30 at loubirdhandmade.com! I even have a $5 sale rack to make room for all the new stuff going in this weekend, so there are some GREAT deals :) Karley"


Just a small sampling of the loveliness and great deals....


Gabrielle -- Dainty Yellow Rose Hair Pin Duo in Antique Brass, $5

Only  $4.25 with your 15% discount



Nathalie -- Jet Set Cluster Necklace in Black, $25

only $21.25 with your discount code

 

Gigi -- Green Vintage Olivene Dangle Earrings, $15

Just $12.75 with your discount code!!!


Head on over to www.loubirdhandmade and check off a few items from your shopping list or pick up something for yourself to wear over the holiday season!

♥Many thanks to dear Karley

for sharing this sweet deal with us♥

Let the deals begin.....

Everyone knows that Friday is in official start to holiday shopping. I have a few deals to share with you to get a head start on the Black Friday Madness. On Saturday posted about a fantastic product called Boot Buffers.


Boot Buffers shared a great 2fer deal with me.
Two pairs of Boot Buffers for $30.

 If you're extra, super nice to me, I'll let you in on another deal.........{is that you, being super nice.......thought so}.......Joan shared a super special coupon code with moi.  

use the coupon code "LOVEMYBOOTS" to get 10% off, starting immediately!

Be on the look out for more deals from some of my other favorite HANDMADE shops!

If you know of some great shopping deals, share the love either here in the comments section or on
 My Handmade Addiction's Facebook Page

Boot Weather

As the temperatures begin to flirt with the freezing mark, winter coats, scarfs, boots, knitted gloves and mittens all start making their way to the front of the coat closet. I like to be warm in the winter but not bundled up and sweaty hot {think of little Randy from A Christmas Story, bundled so tightly that he couldn't put his arms down }.  I prefer to wear thinner jackets or vests instead of big, heavy coats for all but the most frigid of winter's weather. 

Around mid-October I started getting the itch to buy a new pair of boots. If you too have been browsing boot styles recently, you've no doubt noticed this season's trend of above the knee boots. While I really like that look, I don't have the guts to purchase a pair. After much deliberation, I chose a pair of tall riding boots in an grayish taupe color.  The color coordinates well with browns, neutrals, charcoal, black and the pretty plums and peacock shades of the season. This versatile boot can be dressed up or down and therefore very practical and very "me". 



Under the knee tall riding boot



While watching a Piston's basketball game a few weeks ago I spied a casually clad, yet fashionable twenty~something wearing tall boots with woolly, warm socks peeking out of the top.  This look was simply adorable. Given my aversion to hot, sweaty feet, I suspected that translating it into a practical, everyday look for myself would be nearly impossible. Nearly! The next morning I scooted up to my keyboard and started browsing...where else but Etsy!  I didn't take long for me to hit pay dirt!

Boot Buffers are offered in a variety of colors, $16

 Boot Buffers knits up faux socks in an array of winter colors.

Marketed for ladies with small calves {not me} who need to "fill the gap" between their too big boots and their lovely little calves! These little knitted wonders are also just plain cute and give the illusion of wearing thick socks without the bulk! OK, I'm convinced...I "need" some!  My only "problem" is which colors of boot buffers will coordinate with most of my wardrobe... :) 

Pumpkin Pie



Nature's Edge Farm,  Pumpkin Pie soap, $4



I just realized that Thanksgiving is exactly one week away. This time next week I should be enjoying a slice of pumpkin pie with a cup of coffee.

My favorite soap shop sells a to die for, calorie free version of that traditional Thanksgiving dessert.  John from Nature's Edge Farm makes a Pumpkin Pie Soap that not only smells amazing, but is stunningly beautiful.

Why not order a bar to take as a hostess gift next Thursday. Your host or hostess may just slip you an extra piece of pumpkin pie to thank you for your thoughtfulness!

Have a lovely afternoon,
Deanna

De-stressing for the Holidays: Priorities vs. "shoulds"

Hello readers,
Today is the first installment in a series on maximizing enjoyment during the upcoming holiday season. Common sense tells us if we pare down on holiday obligations, we'll likely enjoy the activities we do partake in much more. So why is it that few of us actual do this? There are a host of reasons no doubt with guilt topping the list. As parents in particular, do we really want to be teaching our children to continue certain "traditions" that are obligatory, stressful and eat up precious time that could be spent elsewhere? The types of activities I'm talking about are very subjective and relative to your circumstances.  For example, several years ago when my son was but a mere toddler, baking cookies for Christmas was one of those nasty "shoulds" that jeered at me from my Christmas TO DO list. It wasn't feasible nor enjoyable at that stage in my life.

I stopped baking Christmas cookies for several years...not that I didn't get some "flack" from some who did not approve of my decision.  As my son got older, a nice family tradition has emerged in our house. My husband and I bake cookies with our son. I have to tell you, it's so nice having the extra hands in the kitchen. Eventually Cole's attention span and enthusiasm wanes, and Frank and I are left in the kitchen to bake those last few dozen cookies.  Even though the baking doesn't quite match up to the "perfect" scenario I have in my head, I still look forward to this annual tradition.

One reason why I actually look forward to it is because we've eliminated other less enjoyable "traditions", thereby  freeing up time and energy. By way of example, though decidedly beautiful and festive, our Department 56 Christmas village hasn't seen the light of a day in many, many years. It's not that I don't love it. It's just that the amount of energy and time it takes to set up isn't worth it to me at this stage in the game.

I challenge each one of you to identify one tradition you want to make time for this year as well as identify one that you'd like to ditch.  And please, please, please, do tell so you can inspire the rest of us!

Have a fine day editing your Christmas to do list,
Deanna

What's the deal with giveaways?

Good evening,
The thought occurred to me the other night as I was announcing the November giveaway that some of you may be wondering why I'm hosting them. I mean I'm not a shop owner trying to promote my products. The reason, dear readers that I do host these giveaways is to give you the opportunity to try some of the handmade products I rave about here on My Handmade Addiction. As you may have noticed, the shops that have donated their products are all shops that I buy from and love.

I suspect you'll love them as much as I do. If along the way you find that you like what I have to say here on my blog, it is my hope that you'll comment from time to time and share a bit of your own wisdom as well! 

That's all. I promise!  I'm not secretly peddling Ginsu knives (not that there's anything wrong with that, lol)!

~Deanna

Announcing November's Giveaway

Good evening all,

It's mid November....but November nonetheless. I'm SO excited about this month's giveaway!  Last year about this time I first "discovered" Bathhouse Soapery on Etsy. Founder Charlene Simon handcrafts her bathing luxuries in her lovely shop, Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium, on Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, AR. In addition to her brick and mortar and Etsy stores,  Char maintains her successful primary website  www.bathhousesoap.com.

I purchased...ahem...several products  from Bathhouse last year for Christmas.  Two of those items are up for grabs this month. I can attest to the incredible, mouthwatering smell of this scent. You'll feel pampered as your drift off to visions of the sweetest Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole that ever passed your lips!

 

Without further ado.....

The winner of the November giveaway will receive a 4.5 - 5.0 ounce bar of Sweet Potato Soap , a 5 ounce jar of Sweet Potato Sugar Scrub and a cream colored Soap Sack.

How to enter:

1) If you are not a follower of My Handmade Addiction please do so = 1 entry

2) "Like" My Handmade Addiction's Facebook site = 1 entry


3) Comment below with your current email address = 1 entry


4) Share a link this giveaway post on your blog = 1 entry 
* please comment again to let me know you did*

Many thanks to

Char for providing this month's

giveaway products!

♥♥♥You're a sweetheart!♥♥♥

Have a blessed and beautiful weekend all,

~Deanna

a new look for the winter

Hello Readers,
I hope you like the blog's new winter duds. It took a bit of time but it's the kind of tinkering I like to do. What do you think????

Have a lovely evening,
Deanna

Christmas Carols: Part I: Etsy treasury: Silver & Gold

This is a little something I pieced together this morning to get you into the holiday spirit....yes, I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet ;)

Christmas Carols: Part I

I'm back, baby!

Hello Readers,

"Nobody puts Baby in the corner", lol! Well, I put myself in the corner to attend to a few much neglected areas of my life. But I'm back now!

As you may have noticed, I've been missing from the blogosphere. I was wrapped up in end-of-the-season soccer activities, Halloween and household "stuff". Part of the household "stuff" I worked on was a major, and I mean MAJOR office cleaning and organizing task. I'm not exaggerating when I say the space was looking like a scene from "Hoarders".  I didn't plan to tackle this particular task on this particular day. Oddly, this is a strategy that has always worked very well for me. One day I walked into my office at about 11:00 AM and didn't make it outta there until I picked up my son from school.  It was very unplanned yet highly productive. I got through piles that have been in here for as many as seven years. This room has never, ever been this clean. A strange thing happened the following day.  I was drinking my morning coffee and I started peeking in the 3 hanging file cabinets and the drawers I keep my greeting cards, envelopes, stamps, address book...you know, the usual stuff in a desk. I could NOT help but start cleaning out and organizing there too. That is NOT like me. Now my office is actually a peaceful and inspiring place to be.

During this time off I've also been "percolating" on some things I want to share with you. Way back when, I used to practice mental health counseling. This was many, many moons ago. The clinic I worked for put together a kind of "how to survive the holidays with your sanity in tact" type of seminar that never came to fruition. Sadly, some 11~ish years later, the message is one that I believe many families, in particular mothers, would like to hear.  Instead of merely "surviving" the holidays, I'd like to take a much more positive, and upbeat approach, focusing instead, on ENJOYING the holidays. Don't laugh, it IS possible even for those of us who aren't Pollyannas! In the following weeks I will be sharing with you some ways to help you and your family enjoy the upcoming holiday season. I invite you all to weigh in on my ideas and to please, oh please, share some of your own personal wisdom on the subject!

Have a lovely Thursday,
Deanna

October's winner is....

I'm so sorry for the delay in drawing the winner for my October giveaway. My computer has a "bug" and is still "ill". On to the good stuff.

We finally have a winner....and the winner is:

A Greener Upstate

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you shortly!

Have a lovely evening,

Deanna

Technical difficulties briefly delay giveaway drawing

Sophie's Autumn Attire

I'm head over heels for our new puppy, Sophie. I'm sure you've probably noticed.  A few friends think I'll be buying dog clothes for her though I deny it vehemently.  I WILL be buying her cute, seasonal collars for certain.  Last week I bought this pretty paisley, autumn-hued collar from Creature Collars over at Etsy.  Shop owner, Anna was so sweet and got the collar to me very quickly.  She's based in Orlando, Florida so the fact that I bought this on Tuesday and it arrived in Friday's mail really impressed me. If you're in the market for cute, classy collars you should click on over to Anna's Creature Collars and browse her vast selection.



Sophie posing with her  Warm Autumn Spice Paisley Collar, $12



Another view of Soph in her pretty collar that she'll wear up for the entire fall season.

Enjoy your day!

October giveaway

Good Monday morning to you, 

Fall is here! It's hard to believe it's already October. This month's giveaway is absolutely sweet and you're sure to enjoy it! I decided to end October's giveaway a bit early this month so that you can enjoy your lovely soaps in time for Halloween!

From  Monday 10/4- Monday 10/25 you may enter to win by doing one or more of the following:

1) If you are not a follower of My Handmade Addicition please do so = 1 entry

2) "Like" My Handmade Addiction's Facebook site = 1 entry

3) Comment below with your current email address = 1 entry

4) Share a link this giveaway post on your blog = 1 entry

Enough already, right???? This month one lucky person will win a trio of soaps from Capricorn Soap Company!!!! You may recognize these soaps since I blogged about them back at the end of August when I was starting to get "fall fever"! Many thanks to dear Christina for donating these lovely soaps!!!! ** Please note, cute little jack 'o lantern is not included**



Petit noir guest soaps in Cider and Harvest scents, 2 oz. each



Full sized, 4.5 oz. Cider bath soap

I will draw the winner on Monday, October 25th so you can share these soaps with any little ghosts or goblins that may happen by your house on Halloween!!!!

And the winner is.....

The winner for My Handmade Addiction's first giveaway is ......

Slyraccoon

Congratulations!!!!

Please contact me ASAP so I can get your 

gorgeous LouBird Handmade lovelies in the mail to you!!!!

Later today I'll let you all know what October's giveaway will be.....I'll tell you this....it's screams autumn!!!!

Stay tuned...♥

Abundance of Autumn: Harvest Day at The Lamb's Tail Antiques

The weekend began with temperatures in the low 80's on Friday afternoon where I live. By 8 o'clock that evening it had dropped to the 60's. The remainder of the weekend weather was decidedly fall. It was the ideal time to go to a harvest festival. At 10:00 Saturday morning that's exactly what my good friend and I did! One of our beloved places to shop is in a small town about thirty minutes from where I live. The Lamb's Tail Antiques in Armada, Michigan is housed in a red barn that is quite literally "filled to the rafters" with all the types of needful things I like...

Handmade, re-purposed, french country, primitives,

antiques, locally harvested botanicals, pumpkins and gourds,

 bittersweet, Sweet Annie, local honey and specialty tea blends...

sigh... I declare... it's a little slice of heaven!

Harvest Day 2010 at The Lamb's Tail Antiques in Armada, Michigan.



One of the gorgeously decked out tents



The fabulous finds my good friend Angie and I left with.



Now that it's Thursday and another soccer-free weekend, I know where I'd love to be going....

If you're in the area stop by The Lamb's Tail Antiques and tell Bonnie hello for me!

Have a great weekend!


P.S. Here are a few more pictures of the cute things I bought last weekend....

I bought this vinatage wool blanket at Harvest Day 2009.

Round scrabble tile necklace, $6...I know, 6 bucks!

Colorful long skinny scarf, $17.50

Re-purposed purse/tote made from a man's woolen suit coat, $29

About Face

One of the most difficult things about switching from conventional beauty products to greener ones is knowing what to buy.  I went through a long period of trial and error.  Not knowing which ingredients to avoid and being uneducated about ingredient "lingo", I wasted so much time and money. In no way are my following recommendations meant to imply that I'm an expert on skincare. Rather, these are some products I've found to be beneficial for me and my skin type (which alternates between combination and normal(ish). I notice these variations depend upon outdoor (and indoor) weather, as well as hormonal fluctuations. I again encourage you to use cosmeticsdatabase.com as a resource for learning which products and ingredients to avoid.  Many books have been published about natural/organic/green beauty. Check out a few from your local library to start educating yourself!

I've had a few people ask me what I use to wash my face. To be honest, I switch up my facial care routine slightly when the seasons change. As the seasons change, so too does our skin's moisturizing needs. One of the most dramatic changes I ever made was using face lotion on my whole face, even the oily T-zone.  It amazed me that my T-zone slowed it's oil production once it received the correct amount of moisture. Similarly important, but often ignored, is moisturizing the skin on your neck. But I digress, I meant to discuss facial cleansers. I'll save the topic of facial moisturizers for a different day.

Some facial soaps that I recommend:



I {heart} Calendula, 5 ounce bar, $4



Calendula Castile soap, $3.35** for 5 ounces

Nature's Edge Farm's "I {heart} Calendula" is a nice facial bar that works equally well on your entire body. Unfortunately, this soap is NOT currently available. It's on the curing rack and will available in a few weeks.  This soap is worth the wait as it's neither overly drying nor does it leave you feeling greasy. Keep a close eye on Nature's Edge Farm new website for the I {heart}Calendula as well for some tempting autumn soaps that will debut very soon!

In the meantime, try a new formulation that's extremely gentle on your face, Calendula Castile. It's available now at a ridiculously low, moving sale price on Etsy**. This palm oil free soap is made with olive oil that has been infused with calendula. Calendula petals also add to the "pretty factor" of this soap as does the fleur-de-lis stamp. Packaged very "greenly", this bar features a handmade lotka paper label.  **I've been using this bar for the past week so that I could give you my honest opinion about it as a facial bar. I have to tell you, it's very nice. The bar isn't a high lathering bar which makes it particularly well suited for the face. It has left my face very soft and well cleansed.



Rose Clay soap, 5 ounce bar, $5.50



In the winter months I like to use Aunt Nancy's Rose Clay Fragrance Free Facial bar. This gentle bar gets it's rosy pink hue from rose clay. This soap is so mild that I've used it to remove mascara  without any irritation whatsoever!

 Baby Face soap, 4.5-5 ounce bar , $6

 Michigan-based Relic Soap Co. makes another mild facial bar that I adore for washing my face each morning and night. I used it for most of the summer but think it would be an ideal bar in the winter months as well.   Baby Face  artisan soap is so gentle that I actually use it to wash off my mascara. Baby face does contain lavender essential oil, but it is not overly fragranced in the least! Other key ingredients include goat milk, french rose clay, chamomile and calendula flower extracts.


Some soaps that I would LOVE to try:


Alchemic Muse's Sublime Skincare Complexion soap.  Alchemic Muse offers 6 different formulations to choose from. 



Sublime Skincare Complexion soaps,  2 ounce bars, $6

 Botanika: "to balance and refresh oily, acne-prone skin types"

Nectar: "excellent for any skin type"

Paradox: "brighten and revitalize dull skin"

Oceania: "to nourish and purify the skin"

Elixir: "to rejuvenate and restore mature skin types"

Panacea: "to soothe and restore problem skin types"



Rosehip & Geranium facial soap, 3.5 ounces for $6

Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium makes a Rosehip & Geranium soap for normal to combination skin that sounds divine. I've purchased plenty of items from Charlene's Etsy store and have had loved all of my purchases. This facial soap is currently only available on her main website, bathhousesoap.com. Please visit her main site or her Etsy shop for other indulgences for the bath.