Monday, November 30, 2009

Make It Myself Monday: Bulletin Board

NOTE:  Cyber Monday!  Giveaway for Mailbox Bliss Custom Design Digital Card ends TONIGHT at 11:00 pm CST.  Click HERE to enter!

I'm going to kick off 'Make It Myself Monday' with a tutorial (and confessional!) on a project I did with/for my daughter Lu Lu Berry last May.  She had been asking for a bulletin board for her to put up all her 'stuff' on, and I couldn't bring myself to nail up a standard drab brown bulletin board in her room.

So we made it fun and went to a store together to pick out a fabric we loved and that matched her room...and then we got ribbons and buttons and hot glue gun sticks and...well...you get the idea.  We went the frugal/conservationist route and used a frame that we already had, but weren't using around the house.  I think the glass had already broken out of it, which made it all the better of a choice! 


To customize the cork board size, I found cork tiles at Michael's Craft Store and was able to cut and hot glue gun them to size on the particle board that fit into the frame, so it would be a perfect fit.  That worked well, but I didn't think in advance about how the method that I used to hot glue gun the cork tiles on would affect my ability to neatly wrap the fabric around the particle board.  To get the fabric to fit tight on the cork in the front, I had to pull the fabric in awkward directions, cut it in strange ways to get it to fit into the frame (I also hadn't planned for those little metal clips that go into the frame to make it hold tight) and so I hot glue gunned the heck out of it to make it stay.



Thankfully the only one seeing the back of the frame is the wall...and now all of you!!!

After the fabric was properly affixed, I created a criss-cross pattern across the fabric with the ribbon.  Again, I didn't plan this out entirely, nor did I use rulers or chalk lines to make sure it all work.  I just guessed and eyeballed it (which is why if you look closely you'll see a few lines that are a teensy bit crooked.  Once the ribbon was on (hot glued, of course), I hot glued a button in each of the spots the ribbon crossed and made an 'x'.  



In the end the bulletin board turned out GREAT, and has served a wonderful function for Lu Lu Berry.  She switches out the pictures and mementos on it every other week it seems...it is like a visual diary for her...and so far all that hot glue gun work on the back has held up well!




 
Now for my NEXT "Make It Myself Monday", I would like to use the extra fabric from making the bulletin board to make a pillow for Lu Lu Berry's bed that matches the bulletin board.

I'd like to do a pillow like THIS ONE at Tiny Decor blog.  I've selected that one because it is simple and doesn't look too intimidating to me!  Plus, my tendency (as you discovered with the bulletin board) is to often forge ahead with a craft idea without planning it out.  Then I find myself without the right supplies (or enough of them), or with an unexpected 'snag' (like forgetting to leave room for frame clips on the bulletin board project!).  Tiny Decor gives a pretty simple but understandable tutorial...I'm excited to give it a try!

I will take pictures and will recap the entire project on the 7th (assuming I finish it by then!).
Shhh...if you know her, don't tell Lu Lu Berry...this is going to be one of her Christmas presents!


NOW...I would LOVE IT if you are a blogger and a crafty pants (or wannabe crafty pants) and want to join in with my "Make It Myself Monday" posts.  Within a few weeks we'll get a MckLinky going for it, but for now, if you write a "Make It Myself Monday" post, leave a comment with a link to your blog - I'd like to highlight it!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Handmade Open House: 14 Giveaways in One Spot!

Audrey over at Audrey's Country Crafts is hosting a Christmas Open House, featuring 14 handmade artisans and their products - great for holiday gifts - there is a giveaway for each store! 

There are multiple ways to enter...but the giveaway closes on TUESDAY, December 1st, so get on over THERE and get yourself signed up for a giveaway or two...you may just WIN some great gifts for you or someone else!

Don't forget the 4 giveaways going on RIGHT NOW, right here at Gonna Want This - Handmade! 


Click HERE for Mailbox Bliss Digital Card Giveaway (ENDS TOMORROW!)


Click HERE for Baby Peas & Bees "Baby in a Basket" Giveaway (Ends Tuesday!)


Click HERE for O2 Designs Beaded Origami Crane Earrings Giveaway (Ends Wednesday!)


Click HERE for TToz Designs Baby Loungewear Set Giveaway (Ends Thursday!)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Post Launch Week - What's Coming Up Next?

Launch Week was exciting here at Gonna Want This - Handmade!  Thanks for participating in it!  If you weren't able to sign up for the giveaways last week, see the end of the post for links to each one...and enter!

Even more exciting than Launch Week will be the results of the giveaways all week next week as winners are randomly selected.

Since we can't have "Launch Week", every week, here are some things you can expect from Gonna Want This-Handmade! and ways that you can participate in this blog evne more fully!

Gonna Want This-Handmade! will have daily posts Monday through Friday, with some occasional weekend posts for special information or occasions.  During the week, these are some of the features you can look forward to:

Monday:  "Make It Myself Monday" - on Mondays you will find posts encouraging the "crafty challenged" (ie...Me!) to try their hand at creating something crafty and handmade on their own.  I will set my pride aside and share on "Make It Myself Monday" about the projects I will be trying, the results (successes AND failures) and how-to tutorials.  Maybe we'll turn those of us that are "crafty challenged" in handmade artisans ourselves someday!

Wednesday:  "Win It Wednesday" - on Wednesdays you can expect giveaway feature posts where you can sign up to win the giveaway.  Since most giveaways will be scheduled to be a week in length, most "Win It Wednesday" posts will also include a brief congratulations to the winner of the previous contest. 

Friday:  "Feature Friday" - on Fridays I will be featuring a handmade artisan.  These features may include a special offer for readers to use to purchase products from the featured artist (ie - 20% off of products or free shipping).  These features are not reviews nor will they include giveaways, but will be a way to gain awareness of artists that may not have the ability to do a review or giveaway post. 

Tuesday & Thursday:  Posts on these days will be devoted to reviews of products and services of handmade artisans, pertinant information on buying handmade products, or other relevant information. 


How Can YOU be more involved in Gonna Want This - Handmade!?

1 - Sign up to receive posts via e-mail, but using the sign up tool in the left sidebar that says "Subscribe Via E-mail".  Posts will be e-mailed with embedded links that can bring you directly back to the blog to view posts more fully (and sign up for giveaways) or link through to other relevant links within the blog.  By signing up to receive posts via e-mail, you will not risk missing an important post!

2 - Become a follower of Gonna Want This-Handmade!  This tells me that Gonna Want This-Handmade! is a blog you are interested in keeping your eye on, and it provides you the ability to read up on posts in one of the many 'reader' programs that exist - including one set up by Blogger.  See sidebar for a quick link to become a Follower!

3 - If you have your own blog, you could add Gonna Want This-Handmade! to your blog roll.  Let me know in the comments if you do this - I would like to visit your blog too and thank you!

4 - My special days (ie - "Make It Myself Mondays", etc.) will have a thing called "MckLinky" embedded within the post - allowing other blog authors to put a link on Gonna Want This-Handmade! to take readers to their blogs if they are participating in the given theme of the day!  (for example, if Suzie Q at Blog ABC also writes a post about something she has decided to try to make herself, she can add a link to her post that readers will see on mine and could elect to read if they choose.  Still not sure what I'm talking about?  Make sure to visit on those theme days and you'll see.

5 - If you are a handmade artisan selling your own products, I encourage you to consider one of several options here at Gonna Want This-Handmade!  Briefly, those options include:  'Feature Friday', Giveaway, Review, Giveaway/Review and Advertising Spots.  Read HERE for more information, and contact me to sign up!


6 - Become a friend of Gonna Want This-Handmade! on Twitter, by following me @bloggymama!

7 - Bookmark Gonna Want This-Handmade! on your computer so you will always be able to find it!  (but better yet, do option 1 or 2...or BOTH and you'll have all up-to-date Gonna Want This-Handmade! activity and information!)

8 - Tell your friends and family about Gonna Want This - Handmade!


All for now...come back and see what I will be starting on "Make It Myself Monday"!


Click HERE to go to the post about Mailbox Bliss and enter the Digital Custom Card Giveaway (ends 11/30)


Click HERE to go the post about Baby Peas & Bees and enter the "Baby in a Basket" Gift Giveaway (ends 12/1)


Click HERE to go to the post about O2 Designs and enter the Beaded Origami Crane Earrings Giveaway (ends 12/2)


Click HERE to go to the post about TToz Designs and enter the Baby Loungewear Set Giveaway (ends 12/3)

Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday Recap & More!

BLACK FRIDAY RE-CAP!
This week there have been several great giveaways...and they aren't over yet!  If you haven't entered yet, make sure to click on the links below and enter to WIN!



Monday was the feature of Mailbox Bliss Custom Digital Card Giveaway.  There have been new products added to this site recently - check them out!  Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway.  Up to five entries possible!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 PM (CST) on 11/30/09!


Tuesday featured Baby Peas & Bees with a giveaway of the popular 'Baby in a Basket'!   Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway.  Up to five entries possible!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 PM (CST) on 12/01/09!


Wednesday, O2 Designs was featured, along with the plethora of holiday themed earrings and hair clips she has available in her online store.  There have been new items added to this shop recently - check them out!  Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 PM (CST) on 12/02/09!



Yesterday TToz Designs was featured, along with the ADORABLE children's clothing she has in her online store!  This giveaway is for the precious baby loungewear set - pants and coordinating hat!  Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 pm CST on 12/03/09.



MORE GIVEAWAYS !
Here are some that I've entered - all handmade artisans, of course!

These are some awesome giveaways being offered on other blogs that feature handmade items as well.  I am hoping I get one of the best deals of all that Black Friday could offer...to be the winner for one of these great giveaways!

RHB Designs features silver handstamped jewelry that is customized with family names and/or dates.  Love the simplicity of the designs and the the power of the message behind this kind of jewelry.  My favorite is THIS ONE.  Read more about it and enter yourself at Etsy It Up.  This giveaway is only open through 12/2!

Ink & Wit is a handmade artisan that creates letterpress art and I love pretty much everything under the Posters & Prints section on the website.  I also am thankful that these creations are environmentally friendly - created on 100% post-consumer recycled paper AND using soy inks!  The giveaway hosted at Kenzie Poo and is for an "A-Z Animal Poster"; go there to read more and enter!  this giveaway is open until December 4th.

Audrey's Giveaway Blog has a giveaway going on featuring "Pieces of Me", a handmade artisan who creates Scrabble tile style pendants (along with earrings, keychains, bracelets, buttons, mirrors & more).  The giveaway is for winner's choice of pendant and chain - and THIS is what I would choose if I won! (though I must say, it'd be hard to choose - there is a HUGE selection and so many options I like!) Click on the link for Audrey's blog (above) to learn more and enter!  Giveaway closes on December 8th.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Featuring TToz Designs & Infant Loungewear Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!  THANKS FOR ENTERING!

I have had the privilege of seeing the work of TToz Designs in “real life” before, as new parent friends of mine were lucky recipients of TToz’s work. And with every item I’ve seen, I’ve always been impressed! So I am VERY happy to feature the work of TToz Designs today - complete with a comfy infant loungewear set for a giveaway!

Andrea, of TToz Designs, has a touching story behind the name of her store - read her bio HERE and learn more about where the name came from! And though her creations are awesome in and of themselves, purchasing a product from TToz Designs goes beyond investing in quality workmanship. 10% of every purchase from TToz Designs is donated to American Cancer Society.

The Guitar Themed Applique Shirt & Shorts combo was designed in honor of the designer’s late father - a talented Mariachi! This is a celebrity-baby style outfit for a little musician-to-be! Available in sizes 6 to 24 months. Click HERE to learn more about this item!

For a more seasonal theme, the Let It Snow ensembles are cute and classic! The Ruffle Top & Pant Set are navy blue cotton with large white buttons and a triple ruffle on the top and another ruffle at the ankle on the pants. Available in size 18 months. The matching Let It Snow Ruffle Dress pairs nautical flair with perfect femininity for your little lady! Available in size 3T. Though both of these ensembles have sleeveless tops, they would work perfectly with a long sleeved top layered underneath for the really snowy weather! Click HERE to check this item out more!



This next one makes me think of ‘fashionista loungewear’...scaled down so your favorite toddler can be comfy AND fashionable! TToz Designs is all about the detail. Click on over to her Etsy site and see all of the creations posted. You’ll notice detailed decorative stitching, ruffles and cute appliques in unexpected places, like the one on the hood of this Purple Hoodie and Ruffle Pant set! Click HERE to take a closer look!


Click HERE to see the adorable applique shirt that goes perfectly with the Hoodie & Pant set.

While TToz Design’s online store highlights a number of adorable, quality, and original children’s clothing, Andrea at TToz Designs has been commissioned to do a number of custom orders that are equally exceptional. Here are some examples of custom orders that TToz Designs has done...






TToz Designs has focused on children’s wear in past and present work, but the designer is well aware that behind every stylish baby is a stylish mama! So check out a “sneak peak” at some of the things to come to TToz Design’s online store soon - fun stuff for the Moms!






Do you live in the Twin Cities area? YOU ARE IN LUCK! Andrea with TToz Designs will be participating in a Trunk Show Open House with a fellow handmade artisan on December 6th! The event runs from 1:00-5:00 the afternoon of 12/6/09 - so you can drop in anytime! The event will be held on Grand Avenue in Minneapolis - contact me if you’d like specific location information! At this event you will find quality original handmade fun gifts for girls, boys and adults along with yummy homemade caramels to pick up for your favorite sweet-tooth! Wine and treats will be served - what a great way to do some Christmas shopping!



THE GIVEAWAY

So without further ado - on with the giveaway! TToz has graciously offered one winner the CUTEST little loungewear set (affectionately known as ‘Monkey Butt’ pants and hat), as modeled by one adorable little fella!
How comfy does that little guy look?! The winner will be able to coordinate with TToz to have their loungewear set be customized for a little girl, little boy, or to be gender neutral if the little one’s gender isn’t known yet! This is available in sizes from 3 months to 18 months, winners choice! This comfy baby loungewear set is a perfect gift idea for a shower gift for the parents-to-be, or a wonderful holiday gift to the newest addition for you, your friend or family member!


To Enter:


You can get up to 5 entries for this giveaway. This is how...

The 1st Entry (noted below) must be completed FIRST before any further entries can be made. (NOTE: Make sure to leave an e-mail address that I can reach you at in EACH entry comment!)

1st Entry: Visit the TToz Design online store and peruse the fun selections! Complete the entry form here on the blog (below) letting me know which creation is your fave!

2nd Entry: Sign up to receive updates from Gonna Want This - Handmade via e-mail OR become a Follower! (this can be done through the link in the left column)

3rd Entry: Follow me (@bloggymama) on Twitter!

4th Entry: Post about this giveaway on your own blog and link back to it. Leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

5th Entry: Make a purchase at TToz Designs and let me know in your comment what the purchase was.


The giveaway will close at 11:00 pm CST on Thursday, December 3rd.

NOTE: When you complete the Entry Form below, your entry automatically is input into a spreadsheet online that I access with a password. It will NOT show up in the blog comments section. I utilize this Entry Form in order to protect your personal information from various forms of 'spybots' on the web! :)

Winner will be notified via e-mail and will be asked to respond within 3 days of e-mail. If the winner does not respond within the prescribed time period, an alternate winner will be selected and notified the same way.


GOOD LUCK!

Have you entered the Custom Card Design Giveaway by Mailbox Bliss from yesterday? Click HERE to read more and enter...only 4 days left to do so!

Did you enter the Baby in a Basket Giveaway from Baby Peas & Bees yesterday? Click HERE to read more and enter...only 5 days left before that giveaway closes!

One more giveaway you may have missed...Beaded Origami Crane earrings from O2 Designs - click HERE to get your entry in! Closes in 6 days!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Featuring O2 Designs & Origami Crane Earrings Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Shayna with O2 Designs likes to create something new every time she gets to creating. That’s why you can know that if you purchase an item from O2 Designs, it is truly one of a kind! Rarely are any of O2 Design creations repeated!


Right now the online Etsy store for O2 Designs is STOCKED with holiday accessories. Earrings and hair clips make up the bulk of the inventory - and the prices are incredibly reasonable...ranging from $3.50 for small decorated barrettes to $7.00 for long dangly festive earrings! At those prices even those of us hit hard by recession woes could give a fun, unique and colorful gift to a friend, mother or daughter. These would be equally original teacher gift ideas!

Considering the frugal side of things, O2 Designs is currently running a FREE SHIPPING offer on her online store - so any paid order shipping to a Continental US address ships for FREE! WAY better than braving crowds at the mall to flip through rack after rack of commercially made holiday accessories. So get your Christmas list right now...scroll down and identify one, two or MORE people on your list that would love some of these fun accessories for a gift this year! Perfect for stocking stuffers or the holiday gift exchange with the girls at work too!

I did an impromptu poll of the girls in our house...about which of O2 Design’s were their favorite.

Miss Sassafrass (age 4) ooh-ed and aah-ed over these two:

Red Snowflake Barrettes
Red ribbon affixed to metal clasp barrettes with dangling ribbon and snowflakes

Red Lollipop Earrings
Glitter coated lollipops look good enough to eat and measure 2.5 inches long


Lu Lu Berry (age 10) was very methodical about selecting her favorites...painstakingly narrowing down her absolute favorites to this:

Funky Christmas Tree Earrings
Fun show-stopper hot pink and lime green Christmas tree earrings that dangle 4 inches long!



Gold Glitter Star Earrings
Glittery gold stars add sparkle and class to any holiday season outfit!


And then there’s me...(age 30...something!) and I think the Red & White Candy Earrings add just the right festive touch!

Red & White Candy Earrings


Though the O2 Designs online store is stocked with holiday accessories, that is not all that is available - more selections will be added to the online store soon, so bookmark her site! O2 Designs is offering beautiful origami and beaded crane earrings for today’s giveaway!

Beaded Origami Crane Earrings

THE GIVEAWAY!


Handmade from recycled paper, these earrings are not only beautiful, but environmentally friendly too! Nothing like reducing your carbon footprint while still sporting fun, original accessories!

I am awed by the accurate mini-origami folding that goes into creating perfect little origami cranes for these earrings! The earrings dangle with blue/purple beads interspersed throughout. The lucky winner of this giveaway will receive these earrings directly from O2 Designs - perhaps even in time for holiday gift-giving!

To Enter:

You can get up to 5 entries for this giveaway. This is how...

The 1st Entry (noted below) must be completed FIRST before any further entries can be made. (NOTE: Make sure to leave an e-mail address that I can reach you at in EACH entry comment!)

1st Entry: Visit the O2 Designs online store and peruse the fun selections! Complete the entry form here on the blog (below) letting me know the name of your favorite O2 Designs accessory!

2nd Entry: Sign up to receive updates from Gonna Want This - Handmade via e-mail OR become a Follower! (this can be done through the link in the left column)

3rd Entry: Follow me (@bloggymama) on Twitter!

4th Entry: Post about this giveaway on your own blog and link back to it. Leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

5th Entry: Make a purchase at O2 Designs and let me know in your comment what the purchase was.


The giveaway will close at 11:00 pm CST on Wednesday, December 2nd

NOTE: When you complete the Entry Form below, your entry automatically is input into a spreadsheet online that I access with a password. It will NOT show up in the blog comments section. I utilize this Entry Form in order to protect your personal information from various forms of 'spybots' on the web! :)

Winner will be notified via e-mail and will be asked to respond within 3 days of e-mail. If the winner does not respond within the prescribed time period, an alternate winner will be selected and notified the same way.

GOOD LUCK!


Have you entered the Custom Card Design Giveaway by Mailbox Bliss from Monday? Click HERE to read more and enter...only 5 days left to do so!

Did you enter the Baby in a Basket Giveaway from Baby Peas & Bees yesterday? Click HERE to read more and enter...only 6 days left before that giveaway clo

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Featuring Baby Peas & Bees & "Baby In A Basket" Giveaway!

 THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS FOR ENTERING!



A Rose By Any Other Name...

Linda at Baby Peas & Bees is a talented mama with tons of creativity! With a four month old baby at home, she knows exactly what those little ones really need...things like socks, washcloths, burp cloths, onesies and bibs! These are the items that make up the creative baby gift presentations offered through Baby Peas & Bees...the things those little babies will really use!

How fun would it be to bring a single stem 'rose' (above) to a new mom and babe when you make the trip to visit the barely-born bambino in the hospital? Baby Peas & Bees can take the rose idea from single stem to an entire dozen 'roses' bouquet! The Teapot Bouquet (below) is a variation on the roses theme..one that would make a GREAT centerpiece for a baby shower or other special baby celebration or event!


Simply LOVE the Rose Cupcakes (below). The presentation, in a cupcake box with cellophane window fools the eye. Is it a treat to eat? Flowers? Or a wonderful gift for a new baby? The Rose Cupcakes are made with baby socks and washcloths.


Twins anyone? How cute are these Babies in a Basket? Baby hat, burp cloth, onsie, pacifier and washcloth, all x2! I love the extra touches that round out each product - beautiful flowers, lively butterflies, curious ladybugs - FUN!

Baby Peas & Bees has more creations at the online store (click HERE or on any 'Baby Peas & Bees') to go to the store and check out ALL the options. Linda at Baby Peas & Bees takes color requests for her creations...whether needed for a baby girl, baby boy or baby we-are-going-to-be-surprised! These gifts are assembled in a smoke-free home. All of the products are machine washable and are available in sizes 0-6 months.

Venture over to Baby Peas & Bees now to check out the selection and think of all the new mamas or mamas-to-be that these products would be PERFECT for! Purchase one from Linda today! Or...try your luck in the AWESOME giveaway that Baby Peas & Bees is offering below!

THE GIVEAWAY

Baby Peas & Bees
has offered a FREE "Baby in a Basket" (complete with your color choice(s)) to one lucky winner! What a GREAT gift for the new mom, the soon-to-be mom, as a centerpiece or decoration at a baby focused event! With the holidays upon us, Baby Peas & Bees' creations would make a very fun and original gift! Thinking of others, wouldn't it be awesome to be able to deliver such a fun and cheerful gift to a struggling pregnant teen or a domestic abuse shelter...the ideas are endless!


To Enter:

You can get up to 5 entries for this giveaway. This is how...

The 1st Entry (noted below) must be completed FIRST before any further entries can be made. (NOTE: Make sure to leave an e-mail address that I can reach you at in EACH entry comment!)

1st Entry: Visit the Baby Peas & Bees online store and peruse the fun selections! Complete the entry form here on the blog (below) letting me know the name of one of your favorite designs.

2nd Entry:
Sign up to receive updates from Gonna Want This - Handmade via e-mail OR become a Follower! (this can be done through the link in the left column)

3rd Entry: Follow me (@bloggymama) on Twitter!

4th Entry:
Post about this giveaway on your own blog and link back to it. Leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

5th Entry:
Make a purchase at Baby Peas & Bees and let me know in your comment what the purchase was.

The giveaway will close at 11:00 pm CST on Tuesday, December 1st


NOTE: When you complete the Entry Form below, your entry automatically is input into a spreadsheet online that I access with a password. It will NOT show up in the blog comments section. I utilize this Entry Form in order to protect your personal information from various forms of 'spybots' on the web! :)

Winner will be notified via e-mail and will be asked to respond within 3 days of e-mail. If the winner does not respond within the prescribed time period, an alternate winner will be selected and notified the same way.

GOOD LUCK!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Mailbox Bliss Card Designs AND Giveaway #1!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  TO SEE THE WORK OF MAILBOX BLISS, CLICK HERE!


It’s the start of Thanksgiving Week - the LAST week of November! Do you know where your Holiday cards are coming from this year? What sounds more appealing:

A.) In the name of frugality, sending out the leftover hodge podge of discount store box set cards you have leftover from years past...
B.) Picking a design from the local photo shop for your photo cards (and getting 20 cards from family and friends with the same design)...
OR
C.) Have a unique holiday card design that is made with your needs and requests and mind and is VERY AFFORDABLE (or better yet, FREE!)

I’m sure you all got the right answer for that one! (for those of you who like to check your answers, the correct answer is “C”)!

Here’s how you can have it!

Marcy with Mailbox Bliss is a talented graphic designer whose Etsy store is stocked with nearly 50 digital card design choices! There are a ton of creative holiday card designs that range from traditional and classic to artsy and whimsical!

I picked a more traditional style with the Paper Holiday Ornaments design and submitted individual pictures of my kiddos to be inserted into the photo slots. I decided on our greeting and Miss Mailbox Bliss (aka Marcy) sent me a proof. Not much needed to be changed...in fact the design was perfect...I just decided to change the punctuation from what I had suggested before. End result:



There are many notable features of Mailbox Bliss designs...but some of my favorite are:

1 - The frugality! Digital files that include a personal photo (or two or three) are typically $14 regardless of whether you choose the 4x6 design file or the 5x7 file. Digital files that are design only (no personal photos) start at just $6! This includes design, revisions and gives you all rights to the file!

2 - The permanence! The design that you purchase becomes yours FOREVER! Though you can purchase the actual prints through Mailbox Bliss, you aren’t bound to. You can choose to have your 4x6 or 5x7 file printed at any retail photo place (think Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, etc.) simply by uploading it to their online sites or putting it on a flash drive and take it in to the store to have it printed. You could even pair your digital file from Mailbox Bliss with a deal like THIS and SAVE BIG! Or you can skip printing all together and send it out as a personalized E-CARD!

3 - The originality! You will not have a holiday card that you will receive from your friends as well...multiple times. Yours will be original, different, unique...MEMORABLE!

4 - The options! Though we focus on the idea of using the talent of Mailbox Bliss for holiday cards given the season that we are in, Mailbox Bliss has options for graduations, moving, baby announcements, save the dates, party invitations, and more. And really each of her designs include a ‘design your own’ element within them - you can change any wording, and can often change colors or other elements. So personal!

So without further ado, a few more glimpses of Mailbox Bliss’ handiwork!

Some of the nearly 20 holiday card designs Mailbox Bliss has in her online store include:






Do you have a recent addition to the family? Here’s a fun two-in-one idea...birth announcment coupled with a holiday card, like these (NOTE: all of these can be modified to be JUST a birth announcement too):



But maybe you have your holiday cards already all taken care of this year. Consider Mailbox Bliss for other announcement needs, like:

Graduation


Moving

Save the Date



Party Invitation

(how CUTE is that little babyface peeking out of the dragon costume? LOVE IT!)




THE GIVEAWAY

Miss Mailbox Bliss has offered a FREE photo card design of YOUR CHOICE to one lucky winner! This includes all design and proof revisions and the provision of the digital file for the winner to use to print or e-mail however they wish! Perfect for holiday cards, but equally useful for your child’s upcoming birthday party or to FINALLY get those birth announcements out, or to get Save the Dates out to friends and family for that upcoming wedding or reunion! So many options - this is a GREAT giveaway!

To Enter:

You can get up to 5 entries for this giveaway. This is how...

The 1st Entry (noted below) must be completed FIRST before any further entries can be made. (NOTE: Make sure to leave an e-mail address that I can reach you at in EACH entry comment!)

1st Entry: Visit the Mailbox Bliss online store and peruse the awesome selection. Complete the entry form here on the blog (below) letting me know the name of one of your favorite designs.

2nd Entry:
Sign up to receive updates from Gonna Want This - Handmade via e-mail OR become a Follower!

3rd Entry: Follow me (@bloggymama) on Twitter!

4th Entry:
Post about this giveaway on your own blog and link back to it. Leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

5th Entry:
Make a purchase at Mailbox Bliss and let me know in your comment what the purchase was (I will confirm with Miss Mailbox Bliss!)

The giveaway will close at 11:00 pm CST on Monday, November 30th
- so get your entries in now! If you are the winner there will be plenty of time to get your design ready to print, mail AND be received before the holidays (Miss Mailbox Bliss works fast)!

NOTE: When you complete the Entry Form below, your entry automatically is input into a spreadsheet online that I access with a password. It will NOT show up in the blog comments section. I utilize this Entry Form in order to protect your personal information from various forms of 'spybots' on the web! :)

Winner will be notified via e-mail and will be asked to respond within 3 days of e-mail. If the winner does not respond within the prescribed time period, an alternate winner will be selected and notified the same way.

GOOD LUCK!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Kick-Off is COMING!!!

Though it has been a long time coming, the OFFICIAL KICK-OFF to "Gonna Want This - Handmade" will be starting NEXT WEEK!

Expect to hear about a new handmade vendor DAILY, along with announcements of wonderful handmade giveaway contests to enter...ALL STILL IN TIME FOR THEY HOLIDAYS!

Stay tuned...KICK-OFF WEEK will...ahem...kick-OFF on Monday, November 23rd!