Paper Cuts!

Ever since I was a little girl, coloring has been a passion. I was the kid that went to recess late because I couldn't just stay inside the lines, I had to make a statement. I filled that empty space with rainbow stripes or polka dots. I still love to color, and Bitty (like her mother) is a coloring fool.

So you can imagine how excited we were to find PaperGlitter.com's printable, ready-to-color paper dolls! I couldn't remember having this much fun coloring since my sister and I last played with our "Kimberly Cut-Outs." For the very reasonable price of 2.50$ US, I purchased the PDF file and printed out a stack of dolls, hairstyles, and clothes. Bitty filled hers in with crayon, but I swiped her watercolor set and painted mine, yay!

If you aren't the coloring type, there are two additional styles of full color printable paper dolls available in the shop. Just print, cut & play, they are priced very reasonably as well. And stay tuned to see how Bitty's PaperGlitter Princess Party turns out!

Express Yourself

I am addicted to Treasuries, can't help it, I have to express myself! Respiratory issues have me temporarily separated from my sewing machine, so I have turned to "art appreciation" the Etsy way. Check out my treasuries and make one of your own!

Sweet Velvet Bliss - Dreaming of cashmere, soft pretty scents, flocked foil wallpaper, pink icing, and flushed cheeks.

SubLyme - An unexpected (and posh) twist on citrus.

Newsy Bluesy - 1 part news + 1 part blues, add a dash of journal, a pinch of text, and dip in ink (if you're feeling saucy)

P.S. - Couldn't help making another! Enchanted Woodland Wedding - Amid the sound of flutes, glow of fireflies, scent of moss and dew, a game of hide and seek between the trees... deep in the forest, love is in the aire.

Love Stories

It's wedding season, and so love stories will be told in churches, parks, and grand hotels. I love the warm and hopeful feeling you get watching a couple start their journey together.

That said, I am especially excited for wedding season this year as my little sister just got engaged in Paris, ooh la la! And my cousin is getting married today! To celebrate their happiness I am giving away a set of two pairs of "Melody Shines" earrings in silver lining and gold dust!

Leave a comment telling me who your favorite fictional couple is by Midnight Sunday May 23rd for a chance to win! My favorite fictional couple is Ronald Miller & Cindy Mancini, because my love just can't be bought!!

Is Art A Luxury?

A question posted by Scoutie Girl here:

http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2010/04/we-scout-wednesday-is-art-a-luxury.html

that made me ponder the definition of "art" and weather all things that fall into the category of art (as I define it) should be considered a luxury.

Let's start with the definition of ART! To me Art doesn't have to be something tangible like the scrap of paper that my toddler hands me with her lovely scribbles, though I do consider her carefully made pictures "abstract" art! Art can be an idea, words, or something with physical mass like a painting or sculpture. To me, art can be a carefully considered compliment given to someone who truly deserves it. Art can evoke a spectrum of emotions, and is a part of our lives every day in so many forms.

So, do I think that Art is a luxury? Yes, I do! But, it is a luxury that can be afforded by many... all you have to do is look around, appreciate the beauty in nature, in your realationships, and in the creativity of your friends or self! You may find that you are blessed with a lion's share of Art in it's purest forms :)

A "Sprinkle" of Inspiration

I love to trade, collaborate, cross-promote, or just be inspired by fellow artists and artisans. A recent trade with a wonderful etsian "SweetSillySprinkles" inspired this hairbow display that would be perfect for a children's boutique, or hanging in your favorite little girl's room! Please note that while the clippie display is a "BittyBenny" original, the adorable & creative hair clippies are handmade by Emily at www.SweetSillySprinkles.etsy.com

Thoughts From The Workshop

This lovely pair will be on it's way to a new home tomorrow. I love made-to-order and custom order sales, they are extra special because while I am carefully cutting, stitching, and ironing I can't help but think of the new owner and where they might take my latest work of art. And then I often wonder if my customers {or anyone who buys handmade goods} knows how special they are for supporting an artist?

Monsterbites365 Feature!

Don't forget to leave a comment for Kimmy & Ash at MonsterBites365 http://monsterbites365.com/2010/04/16/b-b-b-benny-and-the-stash and tell them what song gets you on the dance floor! Submit your comment by April 23rd for a chance to win the "Green Eyed Medallion" eco-friendly coin purse!

Gearing Up For Giveaways

Stay tuned and spread the word: Giveaways and Spring Promotions are coming soon!

When we get 25 followers here at the Handmade Gifts & Goods blog, there will be a Giveaway to celebrate!

And our first Spring Promotion is part of the Benny & Stash feature on MonsterBites365, Friday, April 16th. MonsterBites readers will find out how to get a gift with any soft goods purchase! MonsterBites features handmade & enviromentally friendly items, join today at http://monsterbites365.com/

! UPDATE !

MonsterBites will be giving away the coin purse shown above. It is made from previously loved jeans, a repurposed zipper, and is trimmed/lined with "Green Eyed Medallion" cotton fabric. This case is the perfect size to clip onto your keychain when you just want to carry a couple of small essentials.

Do you miss the good old days when tight rolled jeans were all the rage, your hair just couldn't be big enough, and dressing like Madonna or Cyndi Lauper was not just for Halloween? If your answer is yes then you are going to LOVE this sneak peek at the new B&S fabric cuff bracelets!!!

The joy and excitement of waking up to an e-mail from Etsy & finding a picture of your very own handmade creation staring back at you can not possibly be explained. It can only be imagined, until it really happens! I didn't even have a speech prepared... (are you getting the idea?) It's almost as great as the day I made my first sale on Etsy. Someone liked a picture of something I made enough to *buy it from me, *write about it, *feature it in an article.

If I were the blushing type, that is exactly what I would be doing right now.