Creatively Canadian: March 2011

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Spring Scavenger Hunt 1st Place

1st Place Grand Prize

Little Miss TuTu
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Miss-TuTu/166434056731887?ref=ts
Tutu, winners color and size choice, matching headband is included

Aliette Designs
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ALIETTE-DESIGNS/122580697764967
Barrette Holder Frame and Quartet!
Beautiful Barrette Holder Frame complete with a Quartet (four pack of clips). NO MORE LOST CLIPS! This Holder can hang on the wall or it can be displayed on a dresser, no clips should be without one! :)
Value of this prize: $32

Taby Banz
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Taby-Banz/153443438043526
Light pink tropical flower clip
Got Something to Say Vinyl Design
www.facebook.com/gotsomethingtosay
$25 Gift Certificate to spend in the store. Choose a completed design, or have me create something specifically for you. Your choice of color and vinyl type. This gift also includes a discounted shipping price of $5.00 for your TOTAL order.

Green Apple Danglers
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Apple-Danglers/157630414257713
Silver Swirl Bubble Pendant
Made of polymer clay and a silver charm.
Pendants comes on a silver ball chain

Green Line Diapers
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Line-Diapers/122411517039
Cloth diaper with 3 matching cotton and bamboo microfibre wipes
Green Line Cloth Diaper - winner chooses girl/boy or neutral
-all in two system with a lightweight and breathable waterproof cover paired with an absorbent and soft bamboo microfibre soaker
- one size fits all diaper with a unique drawstring and toggle adjustable leg
-fold down back helps adjust rise and also keeps the back flush to the skin to keep messed contained
-soakers are sewn as single sheets that you trifold then fold in half for use. This allows for better washing and quicker drying time

Petite Tuques
https://www.facebook.com/PetiteTuques
Winner can choose a custom child hat, or browse the shop for an item that is premade. Tuques series to choose from are Chic tuques, Classic tuques, Acorn tuques, Knotty tuques, Lace tuques and Visor tuques. Sizes are newborn, 3-6m, 6-9m, 1-2yrs, 3-4yrs, 5-teen.

Serenity Lane Designs
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Serenity-Lane-Designs/101802746560523
Serenity Lane Designs Custom Animal Beanie. Can be made in any Animal and Size.

Some Crafty
https://www.facebook.com/SomeCrafty
Two pairs of handmade baby shoes. Winner chooses size, style, and fabric

Pipestone Soaps
https://www.facebook.com/PipestoneSoaps

Nearly Natural Lavender Cold Process Soap
Olive Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Coconut Oil, Caster Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Water, Mango Butter, Cocoa Butter, Lavender Essential Oil & Colorants

Winner is...Anna Meeks

Congratulations!!! All of the shops will contact you for your mailing info.

Spring Scavenger Hunt 2nd Place

2nd place grand prize

Stacey Hanlon Photography & Props
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacey-Hanlon-Photography-Props/100866589959380
Yellow, purple and pink easter tutu! I can make it up to a size 4T. Below is an example of the tutu style

Band" Geek- Customized Headbands and Hair Accessories by Patience
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Band-Geek-Customized-Headbands-and-Hair-Accessories-by-Patience/198174492044?ref=ts
This is a small plastic Head Band hand made by myself. It is wrapped in satin purple ribbon with a pretty matching purple orchid and a bright purple stone for a little bit of sparkle. Also great for the Spring

Blackbird Moment
https://www.facebook.com/BlackbirdMoment
5x7 Fine Art Print of "Spring Thaw"

Hailey's Blooming Bowtique
http://www.facebook.com/HaileysBloomingBowtique
The winner can choose 3 custom bottle cap necklaces and 1 magnet set (4 magnets) with their choice of image! (Picture shown is an example of what can be done.)

TC Creations
http://www.facebook.com/www.tccreations.ca
Pink and Green garden diaper carrier! Comes with 3 diapers and a package of wipes! Great for those quick trips that you don't want to bring the diaper bag for! And it doubles as a change pad! MINKY inside

Itsy Bitsy Beanies by Brittany
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Itsy-Bitsy-Beanies-by-Brittany/176831065695573?ref=ts&sk=wall
Shell stitiched beanie any size to adult
size required and colour request can be made

Bumps Babies and Beyond
https://www.facebook.com/BumpsBabiesandBeyond
Crochet hat - Froggie
Size:
Toddler -12 months - 3 years
Hat height = 8"
Head Circumference: 18" to 20 "
Hats can be washed in the washer, but do not put them in the dryer! Lay them flat to dry

Beary Sweet Wrapz
https://www.facebook.com/BearySweetWrapz?ref=ts
1 Personalized Children Music CD, Friendly songs
Includes 8 songs that mention your child's name up to 4 times per song! Your child will love that sound like they are singing directly to your child

Winner is....Candace Kunstman

Congratulations!!! All of the shops will contact you for your mailing info.

Spring Scavenger Hunt 3rd Place

3rd place grand prize

Sweet Tutu 4 U
https://www.facebook.com/SweetTutu4U
Custom made Tutu of your choice. You pick the colors and size!! Retails for $20+

Halden Accessories
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Halden-Accessories/153588968011403
grand prize winner will get an adult piece of there color choice

Darla Creations
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47659&id=188803194485824&saved#!/pages/Darla-Creations/188803194485824
Unique set of 3 plant sticks made from recycled cardboard and pages from old books. 2 Butterflies and a bird. So cute to dress up this seasons planting or to spruce up some exsisting plants. Value $5

Cutie Caps
http://www.facebook.com/cutiecapsnl
One set of inspirational words bottle cap fridge magnets. Free shipping

Quilts N Gifts
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quilts-N-Gifts/110715582337021
Oh So Soft Set of 3 Washcloths
100% cotton flannel top
100% cotton chenille botton

Sweetie Pea Boutique
https://www.facebook.com/pages/SweetiePea-Boutique/149882278380926?sk=wall
Free Hat of your choice in any childs size (0-3m, 3-6m, 6-12m, 1-5y+)
Tons of hats and colours to choose from

Family Funk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Family-Funk/162238307161104
This is lil monster #7.
She is 7 in tall, 7 in across.
Made from colorway "Melissa" on BFL hand dyd wool by Flower & Wax Essential Oil Company .
Crocheted by me April from Family Funk
Filled with 100% premium polyester fiberfill. Machine wash warm. lay flat to dry!!

A La Carte Designs
https://www.facebook.com/ALaCarteDesigns?ref=ts
A Set of Handmade Gift Enclosures. All Gift Enclosure sets come in groups of 8 Cards with fitted Kraft Envelopes. Everything is hand-cut and hand assembled.
Value: $12

winner is....Jennifer Ibell

Congratulations!!! All of the shops will contact you for your mailing info.

Spring Scavenger Hunt Daily Winners

First off we would like to say a BIG thank you to the shops who participated in the hunt, without you guys we would not have been able to have these fun giveaways.

Second off thank you to everyone who has participated in the hunt. We hope you all had fun and found some new Canadian shops for your next purchases.

To all the winners we will forward your email to the correct shops and they will contact you for your mailing info.

And the winners of the DAILY prizes are.....

Day 1
1.Bumps, Babies & Beyond***Patricia Pettipas
2.Sweet Tutu 4 U ***Anna Meeks
3.Hailey's Blooming Bowtique***Christine Cockcroft
4.Family Funk*** Sophie Cormier
5.Petite Tuques***Michelle Brown

Day 2:
6.Stacey Hanlon Photography***Natasha (tasha_od_17)
7.Aliette Designs***Tammy Moyo
8.Blackbird Moment***Kelly Reid
9.Serenity Lane Designs***Kristina Wolfe
10.Cutie Caps***Krista Smith

Day 3:
11.Taby Banz***Krista Smith
12.Beary Sweet Wrapz***Alicia McMahon
13.halden accessories***Stephanie Lavigne-Renaud
14.Green Apple Danglers*** Lisa Marshall
15.Pipestone Soaps***Sophie Cormier

Day 4:
16.Green Line Diapers***Melissa Hogg
17.Little Miss TuTu***Lisa Marshall
18.Got Something to Say Vinyl Design***April Porter Pitcher
19.Quilts N' Gifts***Cassie Wylie
20.Some Crafty***April Porter Pitcher

Day 5:
21.TC Creations***Andrea Chessell
22.Itsy Bitsy Beanies by Brittany ***Darlene Singh
23."Band" Geek- Customized Headbands and Hair Accessories by Patience***Terri-Anne Jones
24.SweetiePea Boutique***Patricia Marie Pettipas
25.Darla Creations***Chantelle South
26.A La Carte Designs***Stephanie Lavigne-Renaud

Congratulations everyone and please remember that each shop will be contacting you for your mailing info.

Thank you everyone for helping make this hunt run smoothly and for it being such a big success!!!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Something Crafty

In the Spotlight this week is Susan from Something Crafty. In Susan's words:

	"I make & hand paint kids table & chair sets, toy boxes, growth charts, glass block night lights, and anything else you might have in mind. I also make diaper cakes for baby showers." Q & A CC:What inspired you to start your business? Susan: I can’t say that one particular thing inspired me to start my business but strong will and circumstance played a big role. My husband and I had just had our second child in August of 2009 and I was unable to get maternity leave because I had been self employed running a home daycare. I didn’t want to reopen the daycare, it just wasn’t for me but I had a strong desire to be able to stay at home with my 2 little boys and was looking for answers on how to go about doing that. In the mean time I sold things from around the house that we no longer used to help make ends meet. I had a bunch of old wooden chairs that I used for my home daycare, I didn’t have any use for them so I stripped them down and repainted them so I could sell them (If you look in my facebook album called “refurbished items” these first sets of chairs I made are all in there). When my friends and family saw how they turned out they suggested that I make more chairs and tables to match and try selling them. I already had a good working knowledge of a lot of power tools as I have delved into a lot of home renovations so that part didn’t worry me. I had a love for crafts and a head for math so I thought “why not?”. I got to work drawing up plans and crunching numbers to figure out what my costs would be and how to price things. By February of 2010 “Something Crafty” was an officially registered business and things were picking up quickly and haven’t slowed down since. CC: What's your favourite part of your job? Susan: My absolute favorite part is being able to be at home with my 2 boys, now ages 18 months and 3 years. I also love the creative outlet the business gives me and the challenges it brings. I love designing new products and doing the calculations for the blueprints. I’m kind of a nerd when it comes to math, I love it. CC: The most challenging? Susan: The most challenging part would be finding the time to work on things between diaper changes and housework. As time goes on and my youngest becomes more independent it is getting a little easier. I also have a hard time taking time off for myself; separating myself from the business. I work work work and sacrifice a lot of time to grow the business but it is necessary at this point as my business is still in it’s infancy. Another challenge is space, I am currently doing all my cutting and sanding in a spare room in our basement. Manitoba winters aren’t too nice for working outside but once spring hits I can get back outdoors to do those things and minimize the mess inside. CC: Tell us what you envision and dream for the future of your business? Susan: One day I dream of having a large heated shop where I can comfortably work. Beyond that I dream of having a store front where I can have a shop in the back with a window looking into the front room of the store. After I take the kids to school I will spend my days there. It’s silly but I can even picture myself wearing an artists apron chalked full of my paint brushes and splattered with all the different colors of paint. After school I can pick up the kids and bring them back to the store where they can work on homework and paint pictures until it’s supper time. I think having a separate work place would allow me to separate work from home and give me some “me” time apart from the business. CC: Tell us about some new products you are excited about? Susan: I want to create some new things that can be easily shipped. Toy boxes and tables and chairs aren’t exactly affordable to ship and does limit my customer base. So I am currently working on some cute book ends for kids and some name plaques for kids and inspiration plaques for grownups. CC: Do you have a favourite inspirational quote? Susan: My best friend gave me a plaque when I got married, it reads “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”. I love it. It reminds of where this all got started, to slow down and enjoy today, and to not worry about tomorrow but instead dream about the future and all the potential it holds. I also love the quote “Keep calm and carry on”, something I need to remember when orders start piling up like they did at Christmas time when I was practically painting in my sleep just to get them all done in time. You can find Susan and her shop Something Crafty over at... Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SomethingCrafty Etsy http://www.etsy.com/people/SomethingCraftyBySue Featured Items

"I make & hand paint kids table & chair sets, toy boxes, growth charts, glass block night lights, and anything else you might have in mind. I also make diaper cakes for baby showers."

Q & A

CC:What inspired you to start your business?

Susan: I can’t say that one particular thing inspired me to start my business but strong will and circumstance played a big role. My husband and I had just had our second child in August of 2009 and I was unable to get maternity leave because I had been self employed running a home daycare. I didn’t want to reopen the daycare, it just wasn’t for me but I had a strong desire to be able to stay at home with my 2 little boys and was looking for answers on how to go about doing that. In the mean time I sold things from around the house that we no longer used to help make ends meet. I had a bunch of old wooden chairs that I used for my home daycare, I didn’t have any use for them so I stripped them down and repainted them so I could sell them (If you look in my facebook album called “refurbished items” these first sets of chairs I made are all in there). When my friends and family saw how they turned out they suggested that I make more chairs and tables to match and try selling them. I already had a good working knowledge of a lot of power tools as I have delved into a lot of home renovations so that part didn’t worry me. I had a love for crafts and a head for math so I thought “why not?”. I got to work drawing up plans and crunching numbers to figure out what my costs would be and how to price things. By February of 2010 “Something Crafty” was an officially registered business and things were picking up quickly and haven’t slowed down since.

CC: What's your favourite part of your job?

Susan: My absolute favorite part is being able to be at home with my 2 boys, now ages 18 months and 3 years. I also love the creative outlet the business gives me and the challenges it brings. I love designing new products and doing the calculations for the blueprints. I’m kind of a nerd when it comes to math, I love it.

CC: The most challenging?

Susan: The most challenging part would be finding the time to work on things between diaper changes and housework. As time goes on and my youngest becomes more independent it is getting a little easier. I also have a hard time taking time off for myself; separating myself from the business. I work work work and sacrifice a lot of time to grow the business but it is necessary at this point as my business is still in it’s infancy. Another challenge is space, I am currently doing all my cutting and sanding in a spare room in our basement. Manitoba winters aren’t too nice for working outside but once spring hits I can get back outdoors to do those things and minimize the mess inside.

CC: Tell us what you envision and dream for the future of your business?

Susan: One day I dream of having a large heated shop where I can comfortably work. Beyond that I dream of having a store front where I can have a shop in the back with a window looking into the front room of the store. After I take the kids to school I will spend my days there. It’s silly but I can even picture myself wearing an artists apron chalked full of my paint brushes and splattered with all the different colors of paint. After school I can pick up the kids and bring them back to the store where they can work on homework and paint pictures until it’s supper time. I think having a separate work place would allow me to separate work from home and give me some “me” time apart from the business.

CC: Tell us about some new products you are excited about?

Susan: I want to create some new things that can be easily shipped. Toy boxes and tables and chairs aren’t exactly affordable to ship and does limit my customer base. So I am currently working on some cute book ends for kids and some name plaques for kids and inspiration plaques for grownups.

CC: Do you have a favourite inspirational quote?

Susan: My best friend gave me a plaque when I got married, it reads “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”. I love it. It reminds of where this all got started, to slow down and enjoy today, and to not worry about tomorrow but instead dream about the future and all the potential it holds. I also love the quote “Keep calm and carry on”, something I need to remember when orders start piling up like they did at Christmas time when I was practically painting in my sleep just to get them all done in time.

You can find Susan and her shop Something Crafty over at...

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SomethingCrafty

Etsy http://www.etsy.com/people/SomethingCraftyBySue

Featured Items

Photo Props

Toy Boxes

Table and Chairs

Photo Props

Play Forts

Games

Chalk Boards

Glass Block Lights

Flower Pens

Growth Charts

Bookends

REVIEW

I had the opportunity to review a hand painted chalk board from something crafty. I was to choose the colors but could not decide, I let Susan know that we had 2 boys and 2 girls and gave her free rain over the finished product.

Both the kids and I were super excited when it arrived. She had painted it a very sparkly green and placed green bling around the edges. There is sparkly ribbon attached so it can be hung up. It is perfect for either a kitchen or kids bedroom or really any other room in the house.

Because of all its sparkle my kids have decided to call it their window to fairy world. They spend hours everyday drawing pictures of their fairy friends and the best part about it other then I get hours of quite time is that its great for the environment. Before getting this chalk board we went through package after package of paper, my kids love to draw and write and create and this has helped save on paper and in return save money!!!

The blackboard wipes clean with just a dry cloth and every night I give it a quick wash down with a damp rag. This product is truly money well spent!!!

DISCOUNT

Something Crafty is offereing 10 of our readers a great discount. A mini chalkboard (the same size as the one I reviewed) for $15.00 and FREE SHIPPING with in Canada (This is a great discount as shipping cost's approx $15.00) You the customer gets to pick the border color. It will be first come first serve with payments being via paypal or by personal check. Boards will be shipped when payment is complete. Contact Something Crafty and let them know that Creatively Canadian sent you!!!

Thank you Susan from Something Crafty for being this weeks In The Spotlight!!

You can find Susan and her shop Something Crafty over at...

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SomethingCrafty

Etsy http://www.etsy.com/people/SomethingCraftyBySue