Listomania! Download and Print

I love lists. Well, maybe I don't love them, but I do make a lot of them and feel good when I check things off of them. And despite the blackberry that rarely leaves my side, my lists are usually on folded pieces of used printer paper or post-its with a bunch of tiny writing that only I can decipher. There is just something so satisfying about taking a pen and crossing an item off that paper list! I know, I may have a problem :)  If you'd like your lists to say you're a little less crazy and a little more cute and goal-oriented, download and print this template from Julie Ann Art. Thanks Julie!

Free Printable Birthday Card

Looking for a last minute birthday card, I stumbled upon this little beauty from the always talented Susan Connor of Suzy Jack. Go check out her blog and then download and print this card for free. The design is about a year old, but still perfect. Thank you Susan!

$15 Gift Certificate Giveaway!

It's been too long since my last giveaway. To enter to win a $15 gift certificate to my shop, just leave a comment on this post. For (1) additional entry, follow my blog, for another (1) entry, follow me on twitter. Leave a seperate comment for each entry. Winner to be announced next Monday. Good Luck!

UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Tras el Secreto de Venus is the winner and will be contacted via email :)
Thanks!

Sarah

Win $50 Worth of Baking Supplies from Smidge and Pinch!

Theresa of Smidge and Pinch, your one stop shop for baking and posh party supplies, has generously donated a $50 gift certificate to one of my lucky readers. Just think of all the homemade goodness you can make with a new set of cookie cutters, cupcake liners, and let's not forget, lots and lots of sprinkles. Smidge and Pinch mixes your school colors and adds coordinating labels to make their famous School Spirit Sprinkles, perfect for school fundrasiers. Don't see what you're looking for? No worries, Theresa welcomes custom orders!

To win, just leave a comment on this post. For an extra entry, visit Smidge and Pinch and leave another comment with your favorite item. Following my blog will get you yet another entry (leave a comment stating that you are a follower). Winner will be announced next Wednesday. Good Luck!

It's Giveaway & Sale Time Again!

It's almost a new year, and that means it's time for new beginnings! What better time to have a clearance sale and a giveaway? Now through January 14th, save 10% on everything in my shop by entering the coupon code HAPPYNEWYEAR (all one word, no spaces)! AND enter to win one of my glass hand painted tiles in the color of your choice ($18 in my shop). Just leave a comment on this post. (1) additional entry if you are a blog follower and (1) additional entry if you follow on twitter. Leave a comment for each entry. Winner will be announced on January 14th.

Win $ Toward Craft Supplies and More at CSN!

Did you know you can buy craft supplies like the ones above over at CSN stores? And today you can also enter to win a $45 gift certificate to put toward anything from a barstool to craft supplies at CSN stores, just in time for your holiday shopping.

To win, just leave a comment here. Earn one additional entry for (1) following my blog, (1) following me on twitter. Leave a comment for each entry. Open to U.S. and Canadian readers only.

Happy Thanksgiving and good luck! I will announce the winner next Wednesday.

-Sarah

Zeppiprints Giveaway!

We are long overdue for a handmade giveaway, and how better to start up again, but with a lovely customized 8x10' museum quality archival print from up and coming etsy seller Robin of Zeppiprints!

To win, simply visit Zeppiprints and leave a comment here with your favorite item from Robin's shop. For additional entries, (1) follow this blog, and/or (1) follow SimplyFunStuff on twitter.  (Leave a comment for each of your entries.) Winner will be announced next Monday.

Now let's here some more about Robin of Zeppiprints:

Describe your perfect day:

My perfect day would be divided into family time and work time. I would start the day with design time on my computer, it's the first thing I think of when I wake up! My son, who is 18 months old, sleeps a couple of hours longer than I do, so it's time when I can really concentrate. Later, I would take my husband and son for brunch, my favorite meal. Then, we'd drive out to the beach and take photos. I consider myself extremely fortunate because I can actually have "my perfect day" if I choose.

Where/when so ideas hit you? Where do you find inspiration?

I come up with more ideas than I could ever actually create. This is my strong point and weak point all at the same time. At any point in the day, everywhere I look, I see ideas for new designs. There are countless notebooks and scraps of paper lying around my house, completely unorganized, full of ideas. The problem is focus. I love all colors and patterns, so it's very hard to create a cohesive style.

It's awesome when you see a shop that looks like a great magazine spread, or the front page of Etsy...but that's not my shop! I might create a conservative nature inspired acorn print one day and a nursery print covered with bright patterns the next! That's the beauty of design, the freedom.
Describe your perfect workspace
My perfect workspace would be an industrial loft in an urban setting with a great view of the Cliffs of Moher. Led Zeppelin would be off to the side playing "Tangerine" and my computer would be sitting among fresh flowers and gourmet chocolates. That would be perfect!

On a more realistic level, I would love an open space with tons of natural light, chic furniture, and less toys.
What drives or motivates you?

I'm motivated by my love of design. It's simple really. My husband has classic cars, my son has Christmas morning, and I have design.
Tell me a random fun fact about you.
I have an affinity for British...stuff! My favorite bands, tv shows, actors, and cars are British.

Thanks Robin!

$55 Giveaway!

CSN Stores is offering a $55 gift certificate to one of my lucky readers! In case you don't already know, CSN has a very large collection of stores with a wide variety of products. Above are is just a sampling of items I chose for their cozy autumn feel including an ottoman coffee table.

Get Cozy with the items shown above from CSN stores :
1. Safavieh Cocktail Ottoman 2. Le Creuset Tea Kettle 3. Jovi Home Scotch Chenille Throw 4. Hush Puppies Slippers
 
To win, just follow my blog and leave a comment on this post (prize available to US and Canadian residents only). AND PLEASE NOTE, THE $55 IS GOOD AT ANY OF THE CSN STORES, but does not include shipping fees. Winner will be randomly selected and announced next Friday. Good luck!

Giveaway at the Queen Bee Market!

Head on over to the Queen Bee Market for a chance to win this Personalized Ice Cream Bowl Hand Painted by me!

DIY: Turn Your Handwriting into a Font!

As returning vendors for the next Queen Bee Market, we've been asked to write guest blog posts on the Market's blog. This DIY tutorial by Marcie of Red Star Ink shows you how to turn your handwriting into a Font. Pretty Cool. Also cool are all the giveaways leading up to the event over the next 2 months! Head on over to enter the one going on right now!

Another Giveaway You Say?!

Why Yes! And this time you can win a lovely pair of earrings from etsy shop Sparkling Bliss!

To enter, simply visit Sparkling Bliss and leave a comment with your favorite item. For extra chances to win, follow Sparkling Bliss on Facebook, Twitter, and/or her Blog (One bonus entry for each you follow). To make sure you get credit, note which you follow in your comment!

And now more about shop owner Michelle of Sparkling Bliss:

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration all around me. It might sound cliche, but nature, music, sights and sounds all add to the design process. Sometimes while I'm browsing for beads, I envision how I can bring them together. I can visually create a piece and it's exciting when I bring the beads to my studio and they mesh, just as they did in my mind.

What are 5 things you want people to think when they see your product? I'd like people to see my jewelry as elegant, transitional, functional, romantic and fun.

What words do you live your life by/ what's your motto?
"Dance like no one is watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like no one is listening and live like it's heaven on earth."- William Purkey

Where else can we find you?
Blog: http://sparklingtwi.blogspot.com
FBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sparklingtwi/186281241828?v=wall
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sparklingtwi

Thanks Michelle, and Enjoy the Holiday Weekend Everyone!

$60 Giveaway!

Yay! It's giveaway time again! And this may be our biggest giveaway ever, a $60 gift certificate from CSN stores. To tie the giveaway into this week's cherry blossoms theme, I put together these coordinating bedroom items with cherry blossoms, along with one of the many headboards from CSNstores.com. And since this is such a great opportunity, I thought I'd extend it for 2 whole weeks!

Items shown above are:
1. Skyline Furniture Button Tufted Headboard in Red 2. Oriental Furniture 72" Cherry Blossom Decorative Room Divider 3. Muu Sam Dresser in Red Blossom Panel Design 4. Twinkle Living Cherry Blossom Rug 5. Sitcom Furniture Keiko Blossom Wall Art

To win, just follow my blog and leave a comment on this post (prize available to US and Canadian residents only). AND PLEASE NOTE, THE $60 IS GOOD AT ANY OF THE CSN STORES! Good luck!

And the Winner is...

Ladytink !

You will be contacted via email. Enjoy your $10 gift certificate to my shop!

Happy Friday everyone!

Giveaway! and meet me at the Market this Weekend

This week's giveaway is a mystery prize from my shop. The only catch is, you must be a follower! I know, I know. But hey, I figure my loyal readers deserve a perk of some sort. So to win, just make sure you are a follower, and leave a comment here with your favorite and least favorite word (One of my favorite questions to ask during interviews).

???

Thank you, and good luck readers!!!!

-Sarah

Oh, and p.s. This Saturday, I will be at the Queen Bee Market in Carlsbad, California. Please stop by and say hi if you live in the San Diego Area!

Giveaway: Amy Butler Weekend Travel Bag Sewing Pattern

Someone gave me this sewing pattern (Thanks Melanie!), and since I don't sew, I thought I'd put it up for grabs on my blog. Leave a comment here with your contact info and your name will be entered into a random drawing. Happy Friday!

Giveaway: Kigis Boutique

This week's giveaway is a $20 gift certificate from Kigi's Boutique. Shop owner Jennifer is a mom who makes some really cute baby items and manages to capture some adorable shots of her perfect little models.


To win, just visit Kigi's Boutique and leave a comment here with your favorite item. Shop hearts, item hearts, and blog followers are not required, but always appreciated! Giveaway winner will be drawn next Sunday night at 8pm.
And now some more about Jennifer:

What word do you like? HaHa! I think I say "like" alot!

What word do you dislike? "Dude" It reminds me of the movie "Dude, Where's my car?" and I hate that movie!

Where/when so ideas hit you? It just depends...sometimes just when I see a certain product, or a type of material!

Describe your perfect workspace. My perfect workspace, would be to have a workspace! Right now I usually sit in the floor or unload all my boxes at the kitchen table.

What the craziest place you've ever been or thing you've ever done? It's not really crazy, but it's pretty cool. It's called "Lost Sea" and it's really interesting!!

What drives or motivates you? "My Family - 100%"

Tell me a random fun fact about you. I LOVE Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!! Like I'm addicted to them..LOL

See more of Jennifer and Kigi's at:
Website: http://www.kigisboutique.com/ - 20% off sale going on now!
Blog: http://kigisboutique.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kigisboutique?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KiGisBoutique

Thanks Jennifer and good luck to all!

Friday Giveaway: Sugar Chills

Ok, trust me when I tell you to enter this giveaway. I mean, you should enter all of them, but this one is all about pampering yourself with indulgent treats from Sugar Chills. You have to love shop owner Laura's product names: Face Slimes, Skin Sludges, Foot Gunk, and Body Dust. All in powder form, ready to mix with water, you get more bang for your buck!  I was lucky enough to try Face Slime #1 (Smoothing Cocoa) and Face Slime #5 (Cleansing Clay). #5 was a good exfoliant and smelled wonderful (like tea tree oil), but my favorite was definitely #1. Not only was it very gentle and smelled good enough to eat, but surprisingly it also left me with very clean pores. Just ask my husband. And no, I am not getting paid to say this.

Oh, and another good reason to enter. Laura has gracisouly agreed to donate 4 prizes!!! Two lucky readers will win a sample of the Face Slime of their choice, and two others will get $5 gift certificates! To win, just visit Sugar Chills and leave a comment here with your favorite item. Shop hearts, item hearts, and blog followers are not required, but always appreciated!

And now some more about Laura:

How/why did you get into this stuff?
I started SugarChills natural body care shop while pregnant with my third son - looking for a more natural and gentle way to care for my (our) body! I began experimenting with natural deodorant powder recipes and finally came up with one I really liked, worked well, and didn't irritate my skin... From there, I branched out into foot scrubs, then face masks and body scrubs!

What word do you like?
Krakatoa.

What word do you dislike?
spleen

Where/when so ideas hit you?
In the shower, while falling asleep, when nursing my eight month old son.... basically anytime when it's impossible to write it down.

Describe your perfect workspace.
Well, any workspace to call my own would be great! Right now we're in a two bedroom condo so my "office" is basically a nook of the kitchen. But we're moving to a house soon, and then I get my own space!!

And even more info about SugarChills:
http://www.seabirdchronicles.com/adc/sugarchills-20-a-shop-is-born.html
http://www.seabirdchronicles.com/about

Friday Giveaway!

This week's giveaway prize is a lovely photo from Casey of Casey McArdle Photography. Casey is a young and very talented photographer from Brisbane, Australia who is generously offering a print of photo called "The Gift". She is also including a matte, so it's ready to frame when it arrives at your door! To win, just visit Casey's shop, and leave a comment here with your favorite item. Shop hearts, item hearts, and blog followers are always appreciated!

And now a little more about Casey:

How did you get into photography?

I've always loved photography - I especially loved going through old family photographs when I was a little girl. I took a short photography class in high school and I guess that's when things really took off! I was taking photographs all the time and got lots of compliments. That's when I decided to save up for my very first DSLR camera and I haven't looked back since!

What is your favourite genre?
My favourite genre would definitely be portraiture - I love being able to take photographs for families that they will continue to look back on for the rest of their lives. I've recently shot for my first wedding too - that was an amazing experience.
Describe your perfect workspace.
I'm really messy, so my perfect workspace would be clean and completely clutter free - I'm working hard on achieving this! I have lots of photographs pinned up around my desk - they keep me motivated and make me laugh from time to time hehe. I also make sure that my lolly jar is always full - just in case I get one of those pesky sugar cravings haha.

What are your goals for the future?
I'm only 19, so I have many goals and dreams for the future. Professionally, I plan to promote my etsy store like crazy so I can get some more sales flowing. I also want to work on getting my name out there and developing a client base for my portrait sessions. At the moment I am working hard to complete my university degree (Primary School Education) so that I can move out of home! I would also love to write a book, get married, have 2 little children and travel the world!!

Thanks Casey, and Good luck!

Giveaway: Earrings from SmileForSuzy

This week's giveaway prize is a choice of earrings from etsy seller SmileForSuzy. Suzy is a fun girl whose works are self admittedly funky, oddball, a little weird, and slightly offbeat. To win, just visit SimleForSuzy, look around, read her entertaining item descriptions, and then leave a comment here (by next Thursday at 8pm PST) with your favorite item and a way to contact you. Easy as pie.


Want to know more about Suzy? Read her blog, check out her professional portfolio here, and read my interview with her below.

How/why did you get into this stuff? I didn't discover shrinkydinks till I was already in college. And I felt so cheated from my childhood because I totally missed out on all this color and baking glory. So once I discovered shrinkydinks, I really just started doodling on the plastic and baking things and it just went on from there.


What word do you like? sweet! I know the word I like and the word I dislike aren't far off from each other. To each his own.

What word do you dislike? score! when used in place of a high five. I don't really know why.

Where/when so ideas hit you? Usually I'll try to sit down and consciously think of ideas. But every now and then I'll just see something while I'm out and it'll spark something and I'll have to write a note on my hand to remember.

Describe your perfect workspace. Sitting outside on a lounge chair in the sun with a board on my lap coloring and drawing.

What the craziest place you've ever been or thing you've ever done? Bonnaroo Music Festival 2 years in a row. It's four days of standing 12-18 hours in the sun with thousands of other people all for the music. Did I mention you camp on the premises?

What drives or motivates you? I love the feeling of creating. Sometimes I'll get anxious if it's been too long since I've made something out of nothing, I'll have to stop and do something then. It's a great feeling of release and I love the idea that people out there are wearing something I've created.

Tell me a random fun fact about you. I'm left handed, and so are my brother and mom. When I was growing up I didn't realize it was an unusual thing until they started teaching writing in school.
 
Thanks Suzy and good luck!

Free Stuff: Printable Parisian Calling Cards

I've been on a little trip to Seattle the last few days. Couldn't find any Space Needle related posts, but check out these downloadable Parisian Caling Cards from Three Kisses Studio. Enjoy!