My ongiong drama....

Well I am finally back...I think. So let me tell you what has happened in CRAZY life.

At the beginning of August, we found an awesome, or so we thought, house. We hadn't really been looking but knew that we wanted something new eventually. So, we decided to take house. We had exactly 30 days to pack and move into this house. There was some work to be done at the new house such as painting and refinishing the hardwood and laminate floors. However, I had no idea what a hell we were stepping into.

There was 1 entire week of August that we were preparing and then we went on an already planned vacation to FL. Once we returned home, we had 3 weeks...And don't forget both my husband and I work full time and have 3 kids.

So after we returned from vacation, we spent time everyday at both homes. Packing at 1 and cleaning and fixing at the other. Well....the home we thought was going to be perfect for us turned into a huge nightmare. The floors in 2 rooms ended up taking 14 hours to refinish with a barrel sander! Every room patched and painted 2 and sometimes 3 coats. The entire house had to be rewired cause I couldn't make coffee and toast a bagel at the same time. The plumbing in the basement busted. All the windows had to be replaced. Both the front and back porch ended up being rotten and required replacing. Not to mention cleaning cleaning and more cleaning. Plus packing and cleaning the other house...All in 3 weeks. Once we moved in here, things didn't get much better. 1 thing after another after another happened. My cable company said our new address did not exist and it took 2 weeks to get service only after getting REALLY ugly with a innocent operated. Then once we got service, I plugged in my laptop and the light socket zapped my computer! Ugh! I was ready to move out at this point. Topped off by my son falling off his bed and hitting his head on the heating radiator..not a pretty site.

So I know I dropped the ball on pulling the last of the giveaways. I haven't checked my emails or moderated comments since August. I am very sorry for all that has happened and I am doing my best to catch up and hope to be up and running totally by this weekend.

Thank you to all my followers and readers. I wouldn't have such a great blog without you guys!

Lots and Lots of winners

Well I want to start by saying I'm so sorry for the massive delay is drawing the winners. Several unforseen events have happened that have kept me away from my computer and my house for quite some time.

Some of the giveaways have VERY FEW entries. The ones with less than 50 entries will be open for 7 more days.

Ok so here are the results:

Snuggy Baby:

Chelsey said... 21
I entered the Mircea Bugs giveaway

July 31, 2010 2:21 PM


Girlfriend Made It:

Chelsey said... 12
I entered the Sew Lindsey giveaway.

July 29, 2010 3:54 PM

Cozy Toes:

Nell said... 54
I grabbed your button:
http://oldsockfarmer.blogspot.com/
#3
oldsockfarm At gmail D0t com

Darcey Lane Designs:

MidGaPeach said... 29
I love all of the garments on Darcey Lane Designs! I think I like the damask ruffle pants the best!

Oh Bay Bee:

Diane said... 50
I follow and I love the guitar onsie

July 31, 2010 7:14 PM

db By Designs:

Sara said... 9
follow dbbydesign twitter saramama

July 12, 2010 5:10 PM

No Paparazzi Please:

Tylerpants said... 65
I'm a subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

July 27, 2010 11:04 PM

This leaves 13 giveaways still open. Get those entries in ASAP. Thank you for being wonderful followers of Luvn Life.

Drawn to Letters Review and Giveaway

There are two aspects, as a preschool teacher and a mom, that I think are very important in the educational development of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Those two aspects are literacy and art. Not that all other aspects aren't important, but developing a love for those two almost guarantee a strong love for them in the future.

As most of my readers know already, I am many things but a decorator is not one of those things. So each year I truly struggle with decorating my preschool. Poor Emma has yet to have a completed nursery. I have a hard time with finding items to make a theme or style. I have used the same decorations in the school room since I started teaching 3 years ago. So I was very excited to review The Alphabet Print from Drawn to Letters Etsy Shop.

Here is a bit about Joanne:

1.Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I grew up in Vermont as the busy middle child with skinned knees and a habit of collecting precious finds like peach pits, colored leaves and buttons in jars under my bed. I loved school but spent my free time drawing, sewing or carving things and plotting to go away to college in a city, which I did. I majored in illustration and married a boy from the city who wanted to work in rural communities. We raised 3 kids in NH and I worked in various “art related”jobs in specialty food , fashion and marketing . Recently we moved back to Central New York where we originally met.

2. What circumstances brought you to opening a shop and selling on Etsy
I have always done a bit of paid illustration but quite honestly, it was a combination of digital home technology, a lull in my teaching schedule and wanting to “practice what I preached” to my design students. I had been teaching college students about the resurgence of handmade customized products, telling them about Etsy and opportunities to live locally and market online. When I needed a baby gift, I thought about something that was individualized, interactive and memorable for both parent and child. Every child’s story begins with a name, so I designed the first personalized cloth book for Audrey. Then I wanted to create art for the whole alphabet and soon there was a clear business idea forming with my time being the only start up investment. Add to that my home workspace, which is an original 1838 hat factory, in a walk-able village setting and you see I had the recipe for a happy new independent work life.

3. How did you choose the name of your shop?
I wanted something that described my work and could allow for changes as the shop evolved.. I tried art&letters but then settled on Drawn to Letters for the double meaning. I like honoring the attraction to both art and words.

4. Where do you get your inspiration?
As I mentioned, art and words are powerful tools. I love to observe, remix and represent something that strikes a chord in someone else. Usually I start playing with words, then imagery and finally a unique design format. I am always thinking of layered themes to illustrate and new product designs. I like old rhymes and puns that usually revolve around domestic life. That’s how I came up with my popular knitting cards for grown ups.”Just unwind “seemed like a great sentiment for a knitting friend! Right now I am introducing an alphabet swag called “weekly snack breakdown”. It’s banner that celebrates healthy snacking with the inevitable donut day thrown in for humor.

5. Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Well, I do work pretty much all the time on something. I feel guilty if I don’t! But I have flexibility and distractions such as walking my dog daily in a village that includes a lakeside park and friendly shops on main street. There are daily business tasks associated with keeping orders flowing so I spend a lot of time online. I also teach as an adjunct in the fashion design department at Syracuse University one full day per week. I knit or read far less often than I would like and attend a few local concerts or lectures at surrounding colleges.I talk with a couple of family members during the day since I have begun working at home 6 days per week. I drink tons of coffee but I eat healthy foods in between. My husband leaves early but often comes home early and shares the evening cooking and news. We both often work into the evening. (It was only yesterday that I had three children to care for and learned to work at night wherever my drawing board would fit.)

6. How did you feel when your first item sold
Well, I was thrilled. It is great to know that someone chose your images to be part of their domestic space.

7. How long have you been selling on Etsy? About 7 months. I opened in July 2009.

8. Do you have a day job or is Etsy it for you?
Well, as I said, I teach fashion drawing Syracuse University part time. I really enjoy the students and it is a natural extension of the work I did in the fashion industry during the 90’s. It has also allowed me to inject some innovative eco fashion design curriculum at the college too which feels good.

9. Do you sell your products elsewhere, or only on Etsy?
I have a wonderful relationship with a local Children’s Boutique. The owner promotes my custom books to her customers and carries my notecards and alphabet poster framed in her shop. She knows they will not find my stuff anywhere else and I know I cannot reach her customers online!
What separates my alphabet prints from others is the child friendly illustrations. I try to create conversations and memories as well as fresh wall decor! Many nursery alphabets sacrifice literacy in their stylized graphics. I want these to actually be educational as well as entertaining which is why I chose clear type,realistic images and the black and white print for the outside covers of the books. I know smaller babies brains are stimulated by the pattern before they can differentiate letters and pictures.

10. What is your favorite item that you sell?
It would have to be the cloth books because they are so unique in structure. People give me great feedback. They are however, the most labor intensive and complex item I make ! A close second is the Poster with its rhyme…I used to quote that to my kids when they were restless!

11. If you could give any advice to someone aspiring to sell on Etsy, what would it be? Aside from being passionate about your works, I would say it is all about timing: marketplace timing , personal timing and resource timing. First you should feel confident that your idea is in sync with the market place and also know how that idea could morph into several updated versions as the business and marketplace change. Next you should look at where you are in your personal evolution or timeline. Creative people have marketable ideas all the time but not everyone can focus and put the time into getting the work out there. Read some of the advice on ‘life balance’ and see how you fair. Third, and this is related to the second one, check your resources. That means time, money and people who will donate support in getting your business organized, supplied and launched. You may have to maintain another source of income while you get started. If you can find these three things in reasonable alignment and you are a self-starter,self-soother, you will love having a business.

This picture, or any picture for that matter, does not do this piece justice. Each letter is watercolor drawn by hand. The letters are big and bright to catch the attention of your little one. Each letter is illustrated with a hand painted picture. The poster also contains a nursery rhyme at the bottom.

Emma has loved this piece from day 1. We have looked at this piece over and over. She is able to name each picture now and is very proud of herself, even after the 100th time. So now I have begun saying the letter and sound with her after she names the picture.

The work that Joanne does is above and beyond anything I have seen in stores or boutiques. Her pride in her work shows in the quality of her pieces from the matte paper, to the museum quality ink, to the care she uses during shipping.

After a long deliberation, I have decided to hang this in my preschool room after it is painted next week. I am strongly debating on purchasing another print for Emma's room. However, I have my eye on this...
I would love to have an "E" print to hang in Emma's room.

Bet you want one, huh?

Head over to Drawn to Letter and purchase your ABC poster.

Bet you would rather win one, huh?

Joanne is awesome so she offered 2 of my readers a personalized print just like the one above!!(Winners are responsible for shipping)

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a follower of Luvn Life and then head over to Drawn to Letters and tell me what you love.

Optional Entries:

~Heart Joanne's Etsy shop

~Subscribe to my blog

~Follow Joanne on Facebook

~Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway(can be done daily): @luvnlifeOO Enter to win Personalized Name Print from Drawn to Letters Etsy Shop http://tinyurl.com/26taqbm


~Grab my new button (5 entries)

~Grab my Birthday Bash Button (1 entry unless you grabbed early then it is 5)

~Enter another giveaway on my blog (1 entry each)

~Blog about my giveaway with a link to the giveaway here and to Drawn to Letters(5 separate entries if you blogged early, 1 if you blogged on or after July 1st)

~List my giveaway on a giveaway site or Mr. Linky and leave me the link (1 entry per listing)

~Make a purchase from Drawn to Letters before the Giveaway is finished (10 entries)


Each entry needs to be a separate comment. Also, please leave a valid email address for me to contact you unless it is in your profile. Drawn to Letters giveaway will end at 11:59pm on August 24th, 2010. Winners will be chosen via randomorg.com and the winner has 48 respond and to send correct mailing information or I will draw another winner.



**I received the above stated product to review. No other compensation was received. Receiving the sample in no way influenced my statements in the review. The opinions expressed are my own and your opinions may differ.**

Luvable Creations Review and Giveaway

Every little girl needs the perfect accessories, right? And not just any accessory. It has to be right one. However, I have struggled with the fact that Emma has very little hair and the hair that she does have is very fine. Most clips don't stay in and EVERY headband that I have used is too big. So when I was given the chance to review clips and headband from Luvable Creations Boutique, I was thrilled.




Here is a bit about Amanda:

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. I am a mom of 2. I started making bows when I was 10 and made them for all the kids in my neighborhood. After my daughter was born I turned my love of working with my hands into a way to be a stay at home mom.

2. What circumstances brought you to opening a shop and selling on Etsy. I loved making bows and decided to try to sell my creations on-line

3. How did you choose the name of your shop? My name is Amanda which means Loveable so I decided on Luvable Creations Boutique

4. Where do you get your inspiration? My sweet daughter Sarah

5. Apart from creating things, what do you do? Play with my almost 2 and 4 year old, Involved in my local church, craft shows.

6. How did you feel when your first item sold I was so excited and though that maybe this was going to be a good way of making a little extra for my family.

7. How long have you been selling on Etsy? I have been selling on etsy for almost a year and a half.

8. Do you have a day job or is Etsy it for you? Etsy turned out to be such an amazing thing for my business that I had to move my shop out of my house and into a local store front because it was taking my house over. I now have a two story shop with my work area and play room upstairs and store front downstairs

9. Do you sell your products elsewhere, or only on Etsy? I am currently on etsy, in my local store, and I also sell to many boutiques all over the world. I plan to try new avenues of growing my business even more in the near future.

10. What is your favorite item that you sell? I love the real feel peony flowers and huge curly ostrich puffs.

11. If you could give any advice to someone aspiring to sell on Etsy, what would it be? Love what you are doing and let it show in everything you do. Have great customer service. Make sure that you have really high quality so people will want to continue shopping with you in the future.

These are the awesome clippies that Amanda sent us. They are so stinkin cute! I love the crochet clips. Amanda added slip resistant pads to the clips so that they are extra secure in her hair.

Emma, however, thought that the flowers were very "petty." That means pretty in English. She even attempted to smell them and said they smelt good. HAHA. I was very impressed with the quality of the flowers. They are very realistic looking. The petals are attached very securely to the clip, which is very important with 2 year old fingers.

This headband has to be the cutest thing ever. This will go perfect with several church dresses. But I can also dress it down by removing the puff and adding a less frilly clippy. The puff is awesome. The quality is above and beyond anything similar that I have seen. Amanda takes great care in constructing her headbands. In addition, it fits her head perfectly.

Bet you want one, huh?

Head over to Luvable Creations and pick out your favorite clips and headbands.

Bet you would rather win one, huh?

Amanda is awesome so she offered 1 of my readers a $10 Gift Certificate to her shop!!

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a follower of Luvn Life and then head over to Luvable Creations and tell me what you love.

Optional Entries:

~Heart Amanda's Etsy shop

~Subscribe to my blog

~Follow Amanda on Facebook

~Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway(can be done daily): @luvnlifeOO Enter to win $10 Gift Certificate to Luvable Creations Etsy Shop http://tinyurl.com/2e3l9wp



~Grab my new button (5 entries)

~Grab my Birthday Bash Button (1 entry unless you grabbed early then it is 5)

~Enter another giveaway on my blog (1 entry each)

~Blog about my giveaway with a link to the giveaway here and to Luvable Creations(5 separate entries if you blogged early, 1 if you blogged on or after July 1st)

~List my giveaway on a giveaway site or Mr. Linky and leave me the link (1 entry per listing)

~Make a purchase from Luvable Creations before the Giveaway is finished (10 entries)


Each entry needs to be a separate comment. Also, please leave a valid email address for me to contact you unless it is in your profile. Luvable Creations giveaway will end at 11:59pm on August 22nd, 2010. Winners will be chosen via randomorg.com and the winner has 48 respond and to send correct mailing information or I will draw another winner.



**I received the above stated product to review. No other compensation was received. Receiving the sample in no way influenced my statements in the review. The opinions expressed are my own and your opinions may differ.**

Pillow Sew Cute Review and Giveaway

What do you pack in your diaper bag? Diapers? Wipes? Tylenol? What do you carry after you no longer need a big diaper bag? Smaller wipes and less diapers? What about when your little one gets a boo boo? I have always had a first aid kit in the car but I've never carried anything in the diaper bag. Until recently that is. About 2 months ago, I was playing with the kids at the park when Emma, my graceful kid, fell on the gravel and skinned her knee. Since we parked at the duck pond and walked to the playground, my car was quite a distance away. I felt like the worlds worst mom...That was until another mom brought her medical kit over and offered me her supplies. I vowed right then to make a kit to put in my diaper bag. Not long after, I had the chance to review the Ouch Pouch from Pillow Sew Cute.




Here is a bit about Karen:

My name is Karen. I've been married 26 years, have
2 grown children (1 cop, 1 student) and am a San Diego Native. I was previously a Creative merchandiser for beautiful Home Decor/Garden Art Shop.

When I found out the shop I work for was closing it's doors, the thought of going out canvasing for work was very unappealing... I needed plan B!

The "Ouch Pouch" came to me in a dream. I woke up at 2am one morning last July shaking my husband...Honey, wake up!! I have an idea!! and the Ouch Pouch was born. I have been selling on Etsy since the creation back in July 2009 as a full time job. I am one of the very lucky ones who got to "quit the day job"! Have sold over 2300 Ouch Pouches to moms all over the world.

I get my inspiration from the wonderful feedback from family, friends and now customers. I love love love buying fabrics...now I get to scout for and find the newest most fun designs.

I didn't sell any the first week I listed. I was worried that this product wasn't going to be a success. My husband insisted that I keep at it and told me that my idea would catch on, it just needed to be seen! Now I am being featured in Child Style Magazine!

Here's some advice for artists wishing to sell on Etsy...don't give up, be unique, be friendly and open to custom work, and relist as often as possible and get your "avatar" (icon) out there.

A little more info:

The Ouch Pouch(TM) For all your monkey's scrapes and boo boo's..... is a hand held pouch using the most updated designer fabrics, both "mom fashionista" and "child-friendly " with a clear view front pocket. Snaps closed with a colorful cowgirl snap. It holds all necessary first aid supplies for your toddler's little boo boo's and emergencies that happen while out at the park, beach, or anywhere on-the-go! Small enough to fit in your purse, backpack, stroller, car but large enough to hold: Neo-to-go, bandaids, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, headache meds, an inhaler, travel sized sunblock, (for us California babies), a small thermometer, It also has room for a lollipop...which of course makes the boo boo go away! With an Ouch Pouch(TM) you will no longer be scrounging at the bottom of your purse for a bandaid! The clear vinyl front pocket makes everything visible so you know right where to find your supplies in a hurry.

This is a New Mommy "Must-Have".

My Ouch Pouch is in Trademark/Patent process. Each pouch is handmade to order. I try to keep up on the latest styles of fabrics to keep it fresh. They sell for under $6 (empty) + shipping. They also come "Basic-Loaded" & "Super-Loaded" for more instant gratification.






Aren't they cute!! And they were just what I needed. These pouches are perfect sized for all we need them for. I carry bandaids, antibiotic ointment, gauze pads, forehead thermometer, chapstick, orajel, and handy wipes...and a cherry sucker to make all the boo boo's better. Emma is now making up boo boo's in order to get a bandaid and sucker :)


Karen offers her wonderful Ouch Pouch in several sizes and tons of fabric designs. Karen offers deals often such as buy 3 pouches and get 1 small pouch free. Karen welcomes custom and wholesale orders so just convo her to work out the details.

Bet you want one, huh?

Head over to Pillow Sew Cute and pick out your favorite size and design.

Bet you would rather win one, huh?

Karen is awesome so she offered 2 of my readers the Ouch Pouches in the picture!!

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a follower of Luvn Life and then head over to Pillow Sew Cute and tell me what you love.

Optional Entries:

~Heart Karen's Etsy shop

~Subscribe to my blog

~Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway(can be done daily): @luvnlifeOO Enter to win an Ouch Pouch from Pillow Sew Cute Etsy Shop

http://tinyurl.com/2a4xy7z

~Grab my new button (5 entries)

~Grab my Birthday Bash Button (1 entry unless you grabbed early then it is 5)

~Enter another giveaway on my blog (1 entry each)

~Blog about my giveaway with a link to the giveaway here and to Pillow Sew Cute(5 separate entries if you blogged early, 1 if you blogged on or after July 1st)

~List my giveaway on a giveaway site or Mr. Linky and leave me the link (1 entry per listing)

~Make a purchase from Pillow Sew Cute before the Giveaway is finished (10 entries)


Each entry needs to be a separate comment. Also, please leave a valid email address for me to contact you unless it is in your profile. Pillow Sew Cute giveaway will end at 11:59pm on August 20th, 2010. Winners will be chosen via randomorg.com and the winner has 48 respond and to send correct mailing information or I will draw another winner.



**I received the above stated product to review. No other compensation was received. Receiving the sample in no way influenced my statements in the review. The opinions expressed are my own and your opinions may differ.**

Snuggy Baby Review and Giveaway

As most of my readers know, I am a big cloth diapering, baby wearing advocate. I have cloth diapered and baby wore since Emma was first born. She still loves to be in the sling even though she is really only able to sit up at this point. For many months I would catch Emma sticking her babies in the bottom of her shirt hem as if she was wearing them too! As cute as that was, I knew I had to find a sling for her babies. So I was very excited when I was given the chance to review a child's toy doll sling from Snuggy Baby.

Here is a bit about Jo:


1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a mom to 2 amazing little girls (3 y/o and 18 months). I will have been married for 6 years in July. I am an ex English teacher for alternative schools and at risk kids. As much as I loved working with those kids, I love what I do now even more, and I get to stay home with my girls.

2. What circumstances brought you to opening a shop and selling on Etsy.
When my girls were born, I was not able to find any slings to carry them in. The only thing that I could find was a very sorry excuse for a sling and it broke after only 2 months of VERY light use. So I learned how to make my own. The first slings were not the greatest designs, but after several tries and years of people telling me that I should sell my slings, I finally came up with a design that I really wanted to share with other moms, making it easier for them to have a beautiful, comfortable sling. Etsy was the perfect venue for me do that.


3. How did you choose the name of your shop?
My Husband and I sat down one night and brainstormed for hours. We wanted something that was fitting for babies, but not too cutsie. Something that said sling but was not limiting to babywearing. When I made up the word "Snuggy" we both knew that it was the right answer.

4. Where do you get your inspiration?
I spend way too many hours in fabric stores wandering around looking for the right fabric that I know other moms will LOVE

5. Apart from creating things, what do you do?
A great day is one where I get to take my girls to the Zoo. It is defiantly one of their favorite spots. My life pretty much revolves around my girls and Snuggy Baby. If I am not enjoying one then I am enjoying the other.

6. How did you feel when your first item sold
It was great! My first sale was to a wonderful mom in England. So not only did it confirm that someone was actually going to buy my slings, but we also were able to start joking immediately that I was an "International Seller" :)

7. How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I started selling in July of 2009. I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary.

8. Do you have a day job or is Etsy it for you?
Between Snuggy Baby and my girls, I don't have time for anything else. This is defiantly a full time job.

9. Do you sell your products elsewhere, or only on Etsy?
I have my own website www.SnuggyBaby.com

10. What is your favorite item that you sell?
I love everything, or else I would not sell it. I will say that Snuggy Baby was started as a sling company, so the slings will always have a special place in my heart. My current favorite slings are the linen ones since they are so cool for summer. But I am also really excited about the new Prestige line. It is just so hard to choose.

11. If you could give any advice to someone aspiring to sell on Etsy, what would it be?
Branding is important, so choose a great name. List and renew several times a day. Unfortunately it can get expensive, but you make it back in the increased exposure and sales. Sell things that you are passionate about. Etsy should be fun and it is a lot more fun when you are passionate about what you are doing.

Emma is in love with her new sling. It took her a few trys to be able to get the sling on all by herself but now she is a pro. She has actually mastered putting 2 babies in the sling, one on each side and then putting it on. She often asks to go on walks, which is what I do with her in her sling. It is very common to hear Emma singing "Rock A Bye Baby" to her doll while rocking on her bed. Too CUTE!

I was very impressed with the quality of the doll sling. It is a very soft flannel fabric and all the stitches are also soft so there is nothing to rub Emma's skin. It also is a great size, fitting her well. But there is room to grow in the sling which is nice.

I have my eye on several other items in Jo's store too...



I am in love with this ring sling. This sling is so much easier to use than others I've seen and can be used between different sized people. A definite of mine with the next papoose.

This is the cutest wetbag on the planet. And very reasonably price I might add. Available in 2 sizes.

Jo is on Etsy and owns the website Snuggy Baby.



Bet you want one, huh?

Head over to Snuggy Baby and pick out your favorite patterned baby sling. Use the code LUVNLIFE for 10% off.

Bet you would rather win one, huh?

Jo is awesome so she offered one of my readers a $15 Gift Certificate to her store!!

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a follower of Luvn Life and then head over to Snuggy Baby and tell me what you love.

Optional Entries:

~Heart Jo's Etsy shop

~Subscribe to my blog

~Follow Snuggy Baby on Facebook

~Follow Snuggy Baby on Twitter

~Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway(can be done daily): @luvnlifeOO Enter to win a $15 Gift Certificate to @SnuggyBaby http://tinyurl.com/29qmq6f

~Grab my new button (5 entries)

~Grab my Birthday Bash Button (1 entry unless you grabbed early then it is 5)

~Enter another giveaway on my blog (1 entry each)

~Blog about my giveaway with a link to the giveaway here and to Snuggy Baby(5 separate entries if you blogged early, 1 if you blogged on or after July 1st)

~List my giveaway on a giveaway site or Mr. Linky and leave me the link (1 entry per listing)

~Make a purchase from Snuggy Baby before the Giveaway is finished (10 entries)


Each entry needs to be a separate comment. Also, please leave a valid email address for me to contact you unless it is in your profile. Snuggy Baby giveaway will end at 11:59pm on August 19th, 2010. Winners will be chosen via randomorg.com and the winner has 48 respond and to send correct mailing information or I will draw another winner.



**I received the above stated product to review. No other compensation was received. Receiving the sample in no way influenced my statements in the review. The opinions expressed are my own and your opinions may differ.**

Girlfriend Made It Review and Giveaway

Even though Emma is 2, she doesn't have much hair. What she does have is fine and quite short. We have tried several types of hair products but only small rubber bands have been successful. Emma wants her hair done like her big sister's hair and often cries when I can't give her those hairstyles. So, I was very excited to be able to review headbands and clippies from Girlfriend Made It.

Here is a bit about Dametria:

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a 31 year old Auntie who loves to create!

2. What circumstances brought you to opening a shop and selling on Etsy
After many years of making for my friends and family, they finally pushed me to
take my creative juices to the masses!!

3. How did you choose the name of your shop?
The name of my shop came directly from my nieces. They call me "Girlfriend." So,
whenever they had some that I made them and someone asked where they got it, their
response was always..."Girlfriend made it!" It just stuck!

4. Where do you get your inspiration?
I am totally inspired by the children in my family! They range in age from 9 months to
teenagers. They all love to have the things that no one else has and they usually
come to me for that stuff.

5. Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I love to spend most of my free time creating, but I am also an avid reader. I love
to watch movies and spend time with my family and friends.

6. How did you feel when your first item sold
I was super excited when I saw my first item sold. It actually sold about 3 hours
after I opened the shop. My initial response was, "Did my family go and buy something
to make me feel better!" I was sooo happy!

7. How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I have been selling on Etsy for a little over a year. It is been an amazing year.

8. Do you have a day job or is Etsy it for you?
By day I am an income analyst for Wells Fargo bank. There is no opportunity to let
my creative juices flow. By day I think about all the things I can create at night!

9. Do you sell your products elsewhere, or only on Etsy?
Currently, I only sell on Etsy. Everything else I sell via word of mouth. My direct
sales are a large portion of my sales.

10. What is your favorite item that you sell?
My favorite item to sell are bandana dresses. They look so cute on the little girls!!

11. If you could give any advice to someone aspiring to sell on Etsy, what would it be?
My advice would be to go with your gut. Don't be intimidated looking at other
sellers who have a lot of sales. Check them out for tips, but don't be discouraged!
Success can be yours!!

We were also sent a pair of flip flops. However, they are a bit big so we haven't been able to review them yet.

We love Dametria's hair clips and head bands. The clips were very dainty with small small ribbon bows. The metal clippy was covered with ribbon, making the clip visually appealing. The head bands are awesome. They are created with a weaved pattern ribbons. They are very strong and sturdy, standing up to Emma's brute strength. These are the first headbands that I have found that are small enough to fit Emma's head. Also, she wore them for several hours and didn't complain of them hurting her head, which is problem I have found with my oldest daughter.

Dametria also offers sippy cups, plates, bowls, wipe cases, and stretchy headbands. She also loves custom orders. We are very happy with the quality and design of Emma's hair products and will use Girlfriend Made It in the future.

Bet you want one, huh?

Head over to Girlfriend Made It and pick out your favorite hair clips and headbands.

Bet you would rather win one, huh?

Dametria is awesome so she offered one of my readers a pair of flip flops and matching headband!!

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a follower of Luvn Life and then head over to Girlfriend Made It and tell me what you love.

Optional Entries:

~Heart Dametria's shop

~Subscribe to my blog

~Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway(can be done daily): @luvnlifeOO Enter to win a pair of Flip Flops and matching headband from Girlfriend Made It Etsy Shop http://tinyurl.com/2g23ms9

~Grab my new button (5 entries)

~Grab my Birthday Bash Button (1 entry unless you grabbed early then it is 5)

~Enter another giveaway on my blog (1 entry each)

~Blog about my giveaway with a link to the giveaway here and to Girlfriend Made It(5 separate entries if you blogged early, 1 if you blogged on or after July 1st)

~List my giveaway on a giveaway site or Mr. Linky and leave me the link (1 entry per listing)

~Make a purchase from Girlfriend Made It before the Giveaway is finished (10 entries)


Each entry needs to be a separate comment. Also, please leave a valid email address for me to contact you unless it is in your profile. Girlfriend Made It giveaway will end at 11:59pm on August 17th, 2010. Winners will be chosen via randomorg.com and the winner has 48 respond and to send correct mailing information or I will draw another winner.



**I received the above stated product to review. No other compensation was received. Receiving the sample in no way influenced my statements in the review. The opinions expressed are my own and your opinions may differ.**