Groopdealz giveaway!

What an awesome giveaway at Groopdealz for a Nikon....check it out at Groopdealz.com!

I've Been TAGGED!!

I was just "tagged" for the first time by my Etsy friend Joan. Visit her store for amazing stationary at Bitsys Creations. You can also visit her blog.

Okay, here are the rules for gettin' tagged:

~ Link to the person who tagged you

~ Post the rules on your blog

~ Write six random things about yourself

~ Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them

~ Let each person know they've been tagged

6 Random things about me....

1. I LOVE chocolate and everyone knows this about me and generously supports my addiction!
2. I love to watch college sports -- basketball and football are my favorites.
3. I still talk to my parents at least 1x per day.
4. I was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and was from such a rural area that the only culture I was exposed to was Amish. I am now married to a wonderful Serbian man whose family has taught me more about traditions and culture than I EVER thought I would know!
5. I create hairbow holders, hair accessories, tutus, etc because I can do it without thinking too hard about it and I relish in the satisfaction of actually making something since I was never a crafty person!!!
6. I never drink the last inch of liquid in my glass -- I don't know why but I think it has something to do with my mom's story that my g'ma used to put castor oil in her drinks to keep her "regular"! :)

I am tagging the following blogs:

Blooming Lily

Dennis and Kelli
Adele Hartlep Fabrics
On the Dot Creations

Help Save Handmade!

One of my New Year's resolutions was going to be to put more effort into promoting my handmade items. I truly think that I make something unique that is not only functional but pretty. I have thoroughly enjoyed creating these crafts -- it is relaxing, rewarding, and fun!

After browsing through Etsy this weekend, I realized that my craft is in major trouble! As of February 2009, anyone manufacturing a product that may be utilized by a child under the age of 12 must comply with stringent testing procedures to ensure that their product does not contain lead greater than 600 ppm. No one, including me, wants their children exposed to lead; however, this new law issued by the Consumer Products Safety Information Act, will not allow certification of testing of individual parts of an item -- for example, if I receive a certification that all individual pieces I compile for my hairbow holders are lead free, I still have to have the finished product tested. This testing must be performed on all batches of all designs. So, every one of my completely "unique" hairbow holders, clippies and headbands, must be tested. And, the testing is expensive!

This is not just about me. Thousands of moms and small business owners will be affected. It will even affect the Salvation Army, retail stores, and consignment shops. You will no longer be able to pass along your cribs or strollers or baby toys that do not have this specific certification.

Please help. Several sites and blogs are dedicated to protecting handmade. You can visit the CPSC's site for information.

Thank you!

Baby doll slings!

I was on a hunt for a baby carrier for my 2 year old. Her older sister has one and she HAS to have one. The fighting has begun over toys. "That's mine" echos through our house constantly! So, Santa is bringing Sofija a baby carrier. I found a really cute baby sling on Etsy (of course) and had to buy 2 (so we avoid the fighting). These are from Oh Boy and she offers a lot of pretty colors. Check them out!

A Great Review...

I just got word from Tracey over at The Mama Log that she posted a newsletter on her site with a review of my hairbow holders! So exciting! She has a wonderful site that is full of gift ideas and product reviews for babies and moms. Check it out -- you may even find a deal!

Handmade Christmas

I decided this year that I would purchase as many of my Christmas presents as possible off of my FAVORITE website -- Etsy. Here is the latest purchase that I am so excited about. My girls will love these adorable felt cookies! I think that after Santa eats his cookies that they so lovingly place on a plate by the fireplace, these cookies will be left in return! They are handmade by Posie and Me.

Cutest shirts EVER!!!

.....at least I think so!!!

These are something new at Princess MiMi Designs! I have yet to put them up on my Etsy shop but I tried them out on customers at my open house and they seem to have gone over well.



I am taking the fabric scraps from my hairbow holders, cutting out cutsie shapes and layering them to make the perfect statement on t-shirts and onsesies.

The best part -- the flower is removeable so that the shirt can be washed and/or the "blooms" can be changed to create a whole new outfit.

And, I know they are a hit when my little girls want to wear them! All of those clippies and headbands that I adore making -- they prefer to go without!! Now I just have to figure out how to get a good picture.