Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

After much anticipation, we have a winner! I am thrilled tO announce that the winner of our Bookland Bundle is... Ruth McLoughlin! Can't wait to work with you Ruth! Thanks so much to everyone that entered. Even though only one could win we'd like to offer you a coupon good for 15% off your order from our Etsy shop. Just use code BUNDLE15.

Custom Bundle Giveaway!

We've made it to 100! In honor of our 100th like (thank you to Christine from Jades Closet) on Facebook and a new offering on Etsy, we're doing our very own giveaway through our very own blog! All you need to do to enter is comment on this blog post with the name of your favorite childhood book. Then, you can always share on Facebook to give your friends a chance of winning too!

We've just started offering them in the Etsy shop and now, you get the first chance at our new venture: custom designed Bookland bundles for baby bibliophiles. Winner will receive a custom gift set from Babes in Bookland valued at $99.  You will get to choose a book from our stash (or let us know if there's one you'd REALLY like us to find for you) for a custom made book mobile, coordinating fabric for three cloth diaper burp cloths, paper garland, washi tape clothespins, a hand embroidered pennant, three puffsy sticks, and three reusable felt gift bows. All in the color scheme and style of your choosing!

A winner will be chosen at random and announced via the blog on Monday, April 30 at 9:00pm. Good luck to all, and we can't wait to work with you designing your Bookland Bundle!

Check out the listing for Bookland Bundles on Etsy.

London Calling

Having been struck by the sudden realization that this summer is not only an Olympic summer, but that it is also the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, I've got Britain on the brain! Visions of union jacks are swirling in my head as I attempt to visualize the perfect summer get together. A few Cornish pasties, some tea (iced, this is America, hot tea does NOT cut it in the summertime here!), a little Olympics, and a lot of Beatles tunes on the old record player.

There are so many ideas for decorations on Etsy. What's funny is, I don't think there's much of a call for Union Jack themed parties in America because ALL of the sellers that I found, were in England. Makes sense, I suppose. That's the beauty of Etsy. It's worldwide and enables us American folks to have access to all the things that British crafters and artisans have to offer.

Here's an assortment of things I found that I just fell in love with, and a shout out to our friends across the pond! Links to items after the jump.

Home Is Where the Hope Is

I loved decorating my kids room before Fletcher was born. I spent so much time wandering the antique stores looking for just the right items to add to the mix. It's easier doing a room for a boy and a girl than you might think. Not everything for girls has to be pink, and not everything for boys has to be blue! With a mixture of vintage and handmade, it all came together wonderfully in the end.

I don't have pictures of my own kids room to share right now (it's NEVER clean enough to photograph and the lighting is terrible in there) but my latest treasury has tons of things that I love for kids rooms. It's all about vintage charm and adorable but educational elements such as the maps and letters. How about a big shout out for the alphabet? It's so in right now...

Measure for Measure

I am so excited to have ordered some pieces from this wonderful designer and I cannot wait to get them in the mail. Time to pay a little lip service to Kiki from The Measure!

Kiki Fluhr of The Measure makes some of the most unique and special little girls clothes I've ever seen (and I do my fair share of browsing for little girls clothes). Her use of fabrics and addition of vintage materials makes for beautiful pieces that every little girl and her mother will love.

Her designs strike the perfect balance between "my daughter is being swallowed by ruffles and bright patterns" and "not only are there 6 Peyton's at Sunday school but they're all wearing the same dress". The benefit of buying handmade from Etsy is that, you know without a doubt that you are supporting someones small business that they worked so hard to build. There is something to be said about that kind of creativity and ingenuity.

Another bonus is that she accepts old oxford shirts and vintage doilies in exchange for store credit. I, of course, ran right down to the local antique mall that I frequent daily (no joke, I'm there almost daily some weeks). I knew that they had doilies on sale for excellent prices and a great selection to boot. Hope she likes the ones I sent! I'm even considering taking a page out of her book and sending out a request for some of the vintage children's books that we love so much at Babes in Bookland. Such a good idea!

So go check out Kiki's shop on Etsy, and like it on Facebook. She's always adding super deals for Facebook fans!

Photo credits go to Shannon Sewell. Check her out at www.shannonsewell.com

She's the Salt of the Earth

It's Thursday. Also known as the day I peruse the Sac Etsy Team listings in an effort to find a selection of items that inspires me enough to put them all together and think of a clever title. ALSO known as my turn to create a team treasury. What started out as an attempt at compiling items with earth tones, turned into a song reference from way in my past, which resulted in me having lots of warm fuzzy memories of high school (something that nothing in the treasury has anything to do with). I swear, I never wore a girdle in high school and I definitely didn't know how to embroider yet. Treasuries seem to be a pretty important part of being successful on Etsy. Without them, you have no chance of getting recognized on the front page. Seems that all anyone does on Etsy is either try to make money, or try to be on the front page. Myself? I'll take the money. Treasuries are just for fun. PS Anyone out there who reads this. I swear I will give you a 50% off coupon if you can write me the lyrics to the song I'm referencing in a comment. Anyone. This is a test to see if anyone is reading. Ready, Go.

3rd Saturday Spring Craft Fling

April 21st from 5-8 pm at Craftology in Fair Oaks, we will be participating in a small craft fair sponsored by Craftology and Jewelry by Charisma. There are going to be refreshments, music, and a wide assortment of local artisans showcasing their wares. We are looking forward to it and are going to spend some time this week hopefully putting up fliers in the local coffee shops and stores that we frequent. Hope to see you there!

3rd Saturday Spring Craft Fling

The Spring Market and Additional News

We're getting more and more geared up for this years Spring Market in Curtis Park. New product lines, displays, and packaging. We even got a HUGE vinyl sign for a screamin' deal from vistaprint. I have a feeling it's going to be a very busy month around here!

Go ahead and check out The Spring Market online and see links to some of this years vendors!

101 Woonideeen

In other news, we've been chosen to be included in a two page Etsy ad in the June/July issue of Netherlands home design magazine: 101 Woonideeen. Check out their website, and don't be alarmed when you can't read it! I just enjoy looking at the pictures. We'll be sure to post updates on that as we receive them!

New product coming soon

Very excited about this new product we've decided to add to our shop. Coming soon, hand embroidered felt pennants! We love the way our kids vintage pennants look in their room and I love embroidery, so why not mix the two?

We are going to spend the next couple weeks on creating several premade options to post in the shop, and will also have the option to make them completely custom just for you! Your words, your colors, your choice!

Shown in the picture from left to right are: my own hunger games/chorus line inspired design (I'm a little obsessed, it's beginning to show in my work...), our babes in Bookland shop pennant, and a cheery yellow and peacock blue "shine" pennant (probably wont be doing one like that again...I do NOT like how it turned out!).

For updates on new items and to be notified when the pennants are in the shop for sale,like us on Facebook! Making a purchase? Convo us for a 10% off coupon!

It's the Jane Show!

PB&J

     Today is my lovely mother's birthday, although I won't be telling you which one (which birthday not which mother, I only have one mommy). That wouldn't be polite! In honor of her, I scouted Etsy for items that represent certain things I know she loves like her Hermi cat, her fancy shmancy new job, and her gosh darned favorite stinky candy.

     Always the practical influence on my life I know that she will appreciate knowing that instead of buying her a present, I've posted pictures of virtual ones. So, mom, enjoy oohing and ahhing over the awesomeness. Hope you enjoy being featured on the blog on your special day, mom! I love you!

Links to products after the JUMP!

Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue

     I recently joined up with the Sac Etsy Group through Etsy. It's a team for us local Sacramento folks to support and help each other out and I love it! It's a great group of people who are all so helpful and really know their stuff.

     A group of us committed to doing a treasury every week including items from team members, so hopefully there will be a Sac Etsy Treasury everyday which is a great way for everyone to get seen. I know I get a TON of views when someone puts my items in a treasury.

     I volunteered myself for Thursdays and here is my first treasury using Sac Etsy Team members. Enjoy!

Why embroider?

Little bit of a close-up

Because I love that there are at least 20 different colors of pink thread to choose from...and twice the options for green. I've always wanted to learn how to embroider, and I decided that now is a good a time as any. Heading to a baby shower this weekend with some Babes in Bookland goodies in tow and I am so excited to embroider the babies initials on the burp cloths. Maybe soon I'll be able to offer this as an option in the shop!

Bought a book and some thread to match my burp cloth cotton last night and started practicing with different stitches. Back stitch, split stitch, cross stitch, hook stitch, sticky stitch, witch stitch...I don't know...I can't remember the names so I may be making some up. Point is, I did a lot. Oh yeah, french knots. Those are harder than they look...

I practiced a different type of stitch on each letter of the babies name. It did not turn out very well...so I've decided to stick with just doing her first initial, and doing it big. Here's what my practice looked like last night. More experimentation than practice I suppose.

"Giada"

If the picture is a little blurry...it's because I'm no photographer. And apparently...no master embroiderer! You probably can't even make out what the name is...but that G looks pretty good yeah? I'm pretty proud of it as it was my first letter ever of that stitch. I also like the way the satin stitch on the dress turned out.

I'm off to embroider now...possibly on anything and everything. I caught myself practicing on my pillowcase last night while I was laying down feeding Fletcher...you know you're some kind of crazy crafter when you have a needle and thread on your bedside table within arms reach and you pick it up and just start going at your bed linens. I need to be stopped.

UPDATE: Check out finished embroidery after the jump!

You Found Me

Today a challenge was posted in the Etsy forums, and I think I rose to meet it quite nicely. The challenge was to create a treasury based on the theme "Get Found". The parameters were to make a front page quality treasury and use as many possible items from shops that aren't usually seen in treasuries and especially not on the front page.

That was harder than I expected as when an item is photographed well and great quality, it usually gets recognized for that! So, I've got a few that I know have had their fair share of visibility, but I tried my best to choose items from shops with fewer sales than others that I saw with similar items. This treasury makes me want to have another wedding, I really was that inspired!

So here it is, a treasury all about being found and finding the one you love. Complete with up-cycled, vintage, and map themed items.

Mistress of My Domain!

We are officially the new owners (at least for this year) of our own domain name!

Unfortunately...www.babesinbookland.com was taken, so we had to get creative. Not really too creative as we didn't want to stray TOO far from the familiar, so our new domain is officially:  

www.booklandshop.com

Plus, to add excellence to awesomeness, I figured out how to add a shopping option to the blog, so now, instead of only having one shopping option, my one or two readers will have TWO! Now I'm just going to go enjoy typing my own url into the address bar and watching it go to MY page! How fun is this...

There Ain't Nothin' Like a Dame

A fellow Etsian, Levi Emerson of Shoji Shoji and Gypsum Rose, has to be my latest Etsy crush. His latest treasury, "warrants out for my head", features a selection of vintage photographs and items that I like to think tell the thrilling story of a sexy siren on the lam. I love vintage inspired treasuries, especially cheeky ones like this!

Hippest Kids in Town

Thanks to Netflix, we've been watching as much Portlandia as we can get our hands and eyes on. When I say we, I mean me, and when I say watching, I mean trying to figure out why we don't live in Portland. It's where young people go to retire! I mean, where else do a bartender and an Etsian belong? Well, besides San Diego...our one true love.

Hipster-ness is one of those things that I don't pretend to FULLY understand...especially since they are a people who, not unlike the many other subcultures of my generation, ridicule you if you do. Enter hipster kitty.

So since this is primarily an Etsy blog, meant for promoting my Etsy shop, I thought I'd give some love to fellow Etsians who represent all things hipster that I love. Here's to mustaches, old school nintendo, nerd glasses, and turning your babies into mini hipster versions of yourself. After the jump of course.

The Spring Market

We were recently invited to participate in the upcoming second annual Spring Market in Curtis Park. It's a local craft fair that coincides with the Curtis Park home tour and we could not be more excited! Finally got around to reserving a spot this morning.

It was especially flattering to be invited specially by the lovely woman coordinating it. It's always good for morale to get that kind of recognition (just ask Sally Field). Link to website, directions, and some links to last years vendors after the jump!

A Birthday for Husby

I'm one of those people who loves gift giving. I go in stages as to who I feel like shopping for. Sometimes I'm always finding things for my kids, sometimes my sister, lately it's been my husband. He's a fairly simple guy who is typical in every way. His likes include sports, burritos, beer, sports, and beer. But I like to try and be more creative with the things that I get him.

When it comes to men, I have to assume they get really bored with ties and picture frames with their kids in them. I know mine does. So I've compiled a list of things I think he might like (since his birthday's coming up and all), and that others husbands might like as well. Could also be for a brother, father, uncle, cousin, nephew, nice waiter or bartender. Any male you know well enough to buy a gift for!

Links to these products after the jump!

Treasuries

The past few days some of my mobiles  have been featured pretty heavily in treasuries on Etsy, thanks to a game we're playing in the Top Treasury Team. It's been really fun seeing what themes people find to put the books in. Most of them have been just gorgeous, I can't help but feel like I don't deserve to be in them...but I guess they think otherwise!

I'll continue to add and switch out treasuries for all to look at as they happen. Maybe I'll even add some of my own. Check the side!

I Have A Blog?

As Peyton would say. "Oh there it is! You ok?" Yeah, blog, you ok? You seem to have been left to fester for quite some time. I mean, last time I posted I was nowhere near having a baby and now I have a chubbawubby 6 month old...time flies when you're having anxiety attacks, opening an etsy shop , your sister has a baby, your parents get separated, you start nannying for your sisters baby, you discover pinterest, and get a dog that subsequently eats all but two pairs of your shoes leaving you to wear the same flats and ugg boots with EVERYTHING. Not necessarily in that order.

Welcome back self. Lets see how long goes between now and the next post...