Feature Shop: My Sweet Potato 3

I dare you to look through this week's feature shop and not say, "Aww!" From hats to photography props, Christine of My Sweet Potato 3 crochets it all! Keep reading to learn more about this busy mom of three. -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

What is your name?
Christine

Where are you located?
Boise, Idaho

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a SAHM of two boys (6 and 3) and a little girl (almost 2), they keep me busy, along with my husband! I love being outdoors whether it is running, biking, hiking, playing with the kids, or just enjoying an after-dinner cocktail!

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop?
Crocheted hats for babies and children

Flower Hat - Cream 3-6 months

How/why did you get started?
When I had my daughter, I made a cute hat with interchangeable flowers. Everyone loved it and I had many requests to make and sell them. After making several and enjoying the process so much, I decided to give Etsy a shot. Now, six months later I am still here and keeping busy. I love the fact that I can have my "business" but still be home with my children, which is my top priority!

How long have you been crafting? Who taught you crochet?
As a young girl, my great grandmother taught me the art of crocheting. I have been developing my skills since, I guess I would have to say 20 years (boy that makes me feel old).

Soccer Beanie

What is your favorite thing to make?
Newborn hats for photographers! Mostly because they share their images, and I just melt everytime I see them.

What inspires you to create?
I have to say my kids!

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
Other than the obvious (yarn, hook), I would say my coffee!

Zoo Collection Elephant Set

What are your favorite materials to work with?
Any yarn! It is what you create with it that makes it exciting.

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
Some days this is a struggle, but I try to keep my "creating" time in the evenings while the kids are in bed.

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?
Children's items!

Soft Shells Vintage Hat with Flower

When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
Playing with kids, cleaning, cooking, cleaning, exercising, cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning (it just never ends).

Where can we find you?
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/MySweetPotato3
Blog: mysweetpotato3.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MySweetPotato3
Email: MySweetPotato3 [!at] gmail.com

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
Dirty Deeds Soap!

Spring Flower Headband with Double Bands

Feature Shop: Bows by Emily Grace

The bows made by Lorie of Bows by Emily Grace just make me smile! Meet this SAHM of Etsy Team member and check out her adorable creations! -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks


What is your name?
Lorie

Where are you located?
I am located in Northeast Pennsylvania

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a stay-at-home mommy to my two children, my three furkids (and my hubby), and I THRIVE on being a mom!!!!

Summer Tuxedo Bow Hair Clippie Set

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop?
We have hair accessories for children and recently started carrying "crumb catchers," which are fabric placemats that children can roll up and put in their lunchboxes or moms can use in the diaper bag for use in restaraunts, etc.

How/why did you get started?
I got started like alot of moms who make bows: my daughter wanted bows for her hair, and I couldn't find bows to match her outfits, so I started making them myself. After a while, people started commenting on my bows and suggesting I make them to sell, and I did!

Gingham Flower Clippie Set

How long have you been crafting?
Since I was a child. I come from a very crafty family.

What is your favorite thing to make?
Hair bows, of course! But I also love to crochet for relaxation.

What inspires you to create?
My children.

Adorable Ghost Hair Clip

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
My Golden Retriever, who lays on my feet while I make bows :)

What are your favorite materials to work with?
Grosgrain ribbon, there are just so many colors and prints to use, the possibilities are endless!

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
My family comes first, always. I usually make bows while the kids are in bed or visiting Grammi and Poppie.

Boutique style bow

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?
Children's items and Kindle accessories.

When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
Playing with my kids and dogs and reading. I'm a big reader!

Where can we find you?
www.etsy.com/shop/EmilyGraces

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
HookinAround. She makes the best swiffer covers and I love to clean!

Navy Blue and White paws Headband/Bow set

Feature Shop: MegOri Girls

The adorable doll dresses and fabulous shoes at MegOri Girls make me want to be a little girl again. Meet Lang, the artist behind this week's feature shop! (And don't miss the photo of her awesome workspace at the end of the interview!) -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

What is your name?
My name is Lang

Where are you located?
I am located in Schaumburg, IL

Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Vietnam. I am married to an Irish man, and we have two girls. I graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago, class 1997, with a concentration in Accounting. I had worked many years in the corporate accounting field before becoming a full-time stay home mom in 2005. 

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop?
I sell handmade clothes and shoes for 18" dolls like American Girl dolls.

How long have you been crafting?
My mom taught me how to sew since I was a young girl in elementary school. She also sent me to sewing school in my teens. In college, I tried some clothes designing classes but had no interest to be in the volatile world of fashion design. Most of my sewing background was on women's and children's clothes. I had also done a few bride maid dresses for weddings and my own wedding dress. Sewing 18" doll clothes is relatively a new interest for me. In fact, I did not know or hear about AG dolls until my oldest daughter turned 4.

American Girl Dolls 18" Dolls Sandals -Italic Gold

Why did you decide to make clothing for this size doll?
I love the sweet and innocent image of girls that the 18" dolls represent! Looking at them I can really relate to my own girls.

What is your favorite thing to make?
Right now, I am into making doll shoes. I love shoes in general, so it is a perfect place for me to be.

American Girl Doll 18 Inch Dolls Dress Handmade 3 PC Set

What inspires you to create?
Knowing that the things I make help brighten someone's day.

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
My cup of coffee is a must, sometimes soft music, most of the time I prefer to work in quietness.

American Girl 18" Dolls Bow Sandals Handmade - Lemons and Limes

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
I used to think that working from home is an easy thing but not anymore. It has been a challenge trying to keep up with everything when you have children at home. It has been tough to balance everything but deep in my heart I know that there is nothing else I would rather do.

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?
I love looking at cute art works that have short funny sayings that make me giggle.

American Girl 18" Dolls Sandals Handmade - Bow Style

When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
House cleaning, time with girls, and gardening.

Where can we find you?
https://www.facebook.com/MegOriGirlsBoutique
https://twitter.com/megorigirls
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MegoriGirls

18" Doll Tank Tunic-Dress 3 pc Set

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
I came across this art shop the other day, http://www.etsy.com/people/hjmart and love it. I like the whimsical, cheerful color compositions.

Lang's craft space. Raise your hand if you're jealous!

Feature Shop: KayaLu Creations

Good morning! Meet Amy, a busy mom of five and the creative force behind KayaLu Creations. She's also an active member of our team. Nice to meet you, Amy! -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

What is your name?
Amy Oswald

Where are you located?
Albion, Michigan

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a stay at home mom to five kids. My oldest will be 15 at the end of this month and my youngest will be 3 at the end of this month. Things get pretty crazy sometimes but this is seriously the life I dreamed of. As a kid whenever people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said: "A mom!" I love every age and stage of childhood so far--most of the time anyway. When I am not chasing kids or transporting them to one activity or another, I am also involved in my church and community. I love to read just about anything. I am crazy about all sorts of crafting but have always felt pretty mediocre at just about everything I try. I do it because I love it and it makes me happy when once in awhile other people love my work too!

Snowy White Polar Bear Hat with Ears

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop?
I sell mostly handmade crochet hats for kids but you'll also find adult hats as well as scarves, crochet headbands, washcloths, kitchen towel holders, purses and floral hair accessories. I love trying new things, so I'm always adding new items.

How/why did you get started?
For the past few years I have been a babysitter in my home to try to bring in grocery money but still be at home with my kids. Then last summer, plans fell through at the last minute and by that time most people already had their childcare arrangements set. I was scrambling to come up with something when I remembered years ago, a friend of mine had seen a scarf I was wearing and told me I should sell my things on Etsy. At the time I had so much going on that I didn't really think much of it. But this time I decided to investigate and decided to give it a go. I'm learning that building a business isn't a quick thing, and so far all the money I have made has gone back into my supplies! But I am having so much fun with it and I love being able to make something and then actually have it go to someone rather than pile up here at home. (That makes my husband happy too!)

Green Frog Beanie

How long have you been crafting? How did you get started crocheting?
When I was nine years old my family took a road trip to California and my grandmother came with us. On the way back, with nothing else to do, I sat next to my grandma and watched her crochet. I remember watching her wrap her yarn around and insert her hook into the stitches to catch another loop and thinking, "I could do that!" After awhile, I asked her if she would teach me how. She was happy to show me and from that time on I was "hooked"! I made little things like pot holders and baby afghans for the most part, but I didn't learn to read a pattern until after I had my first baby. Once I figured that out, I felt like I had so many other possibilities. I still only worked at it off and on though and It wasn't until the birth of my second daughter and fifth baby, that I really started to crochet a lot.

What is your favorite thing to make?
Definitely hats. I love a project that produces the end result rather quickly. Afghans are beautiful, but they can take a long time and often I end up taking a break when I get tired of working on the same thing for so long. Hats can usually be done in a couple of hours, but they can look like they took much longer.

What inspires you to create?
My daughters for sure. My oldest daughter is always asking for more hats and headbands, and my youngest loves to always have a flower clip in her hair. I also enjoy seeing something in a magazine or store and then going home to see if I can create my own version of it.

Girls Crochet Purse--White with Blue and Green Flowers

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
Scissors. And I can never find mine when I need them usually because one of the kids needed to "borrow" them for something.

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
I'm honestly still trying to figure that out! I usually crochet at night after the kids are in bed while watching TV with my husband. I also go to a knitting group once a week and usually am amazed at what I can accomplish there. I try to make hair accessories and do computer stuff during nap time, but a lot of times I have my daughter sitting on my lap "helping" or playing with toys nearby. There are some days If I'm trying to get something created and shipped that the TV is on for my daughter more than I would like it to be. And there are days where I do nothing on the business, because I always want the mothering part to come first. It just goes SO quickly--I will never regret letting go of some things to spend time with my children.

Light Blue Crochet Headband with Removable Flower

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?
I love looking at all the things I can't do-- sewing projects, woodworking, art prints, jewelry, soaps, etc. I am in awe of the amazing things that people can create!

When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
reading, scrapbooking, gardening, watching movies, playing cards and board games, playing with the kids, camping, going on walks, and doing lots and lots of laundry.

Where can we find you?
www.kayalucreations.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/pages/KayaLu-Creations/197158590297419
www.kayalucreations.blogspot.com (although I've been a TERRIBLE blogger lately!)

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
I recently found this amazing shop that sells scrapbook embellisments that are absolutely gorgeous. The paper flowers look real and are so stunning. The shop is called Layouts From The Heart. You can find her here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/layoutsfromtheheart

Newsgirl Hat Blue Organic Cotton with Attached Flower

Tutorial Tuesday: Embellished Hand Towels by Little Birdie Baby Shop

I have new towels for my kitchen!

Maybe that doesn't sound like a big deal, but I can never find anything that I like that matches my kitchen. First of all, it's cherry red {already painted when we moved in} with kind of a hodge-podge of mismatched appliances, and ugly cabinets to top it off... so I have trouble accessorizing. Secondly, truth be told - I'm picky. It can get ridiculous at times. I still don't have a matching set of bath/hand/wash towels for the master bath because nothing I've come across speaks to my splishy-splashy side. 

Eh, all in good time I guess. HAHA!

I'm getting off topic, sorry! 

So I'm excited about my little kitchen towels! 

There's only one thing that could make this whole scenario better, and that's if I had made them. 

Oh wait! I DID! Yay me!

P.S. The whole project cost under $2 to make {that's less than $1 per towel!!} 

Now that's a winner in my book!

And because I love you all so much I whipped up a little tutorial so you can make your own fancy pants towels using a couple of scraps and your pocket change. Let's get started!

~ Dressed Up Hand Towels ~

Wal*Mart, 2 pack, $1.68. 

SCORE!

My fabric was a little scrap left over from a jelly roll, ribbon was a scrap from my white felt wreath, and the lace stuff a scrap from a ribbon scrap pack I bought at Hobby Lobby ages ago. You don't need much of anything to do this project, these particular towels are only 15" wide to give you an idea.

First, lay your pieces out across the short side of your towel to make sure they are long enough with a bit leftover at each end to fold under and hem. I left about an inch on each end.

I started with my fabric since I knew I wanted it on the bottom. I planned to sew the ribbon and the lace over the top of the raw edges of the fabric so I wouldn't have to do any more hemming than necessary.

I folded under and pinned the edges down first, then used the wonky little zig-zag stitch 

to attach it to the towel. Clean edges, pretty little ziggy zaggy.

Next, I pinned and basted down the long edges. I know I'm going to be attaching the ribbon and lace 

over the fabric, so I mostly just need it to stay down and in place. The real reinforcing will come later.

Now more pinning for the lace...

{what is that stuff? Seriously, I have no idea what to call it, so I'm just going with lace for now.}

And again with the wonky zig zag stitch to make sure this stays in place and can be machine washed.

I did the same thing for the ribbon on top that I did for the fabric: 

Pinned and basted on both the top and bottom long edge. 

Somehow I managed to miss taking the pic on this one so you'll just have to use your imagination, haha!

Iron out any wrinkles, and ta-da! Pretty little dish towel!

They're SO easy, and you already have an extra towel, so why not make it two?

 Two is better than one anyway, I think. :)

Since I made these two, I've been digging around in my scrap box for other coordinating colors to make more. I could seriously solve my entire house-wide towel problem with what I find in my scrap box. :) 

But wouldn't they make great gifts? Housewarming parties, hostess gifts, wedding shower... 

Now let's see what you've been working on this week! I'm excited that our little linky party is growing, thanks to you all for participating and spreading the word. Don't forget, once we have at least 10 link ups I'll do a Saturday post featuring my favorites from that week. 

Grab yourself a button if you're linking up this week, and you can find all the parties I'll be linking up to this week up top under the "linky parties!" tab. There's lots of great spots on that list so definitely go check them out, and let me know if you have a party that I can add to my list!

<a href="http://littlebirdiebaby.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_p9bvaD6CdwiCFXPbz0MGh6kEkqVzzr2ovopohVMwd4Dq_ZncBIUKVweV-jGuarGp2q-Da53DpMKiNimRXIgDDy9FPAZPWRTu3GGUiql1KLR2eg5codRy9Nl7lblV05jCn-HGRKu65KQ/s144/Tute%20Tues%20LB.png" height="144" width="144" /></a>

XOXO