Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Focus On... Mamitosami And A Giveaway!

{{GIVEAWAY CLOSED}}

Mamitosami is a fabulous etsy shop I found a few months ago when I was doing my "omg-i'm-getting-such-a-big-tax-return" shopping. I haven't been able to decide though, which Jersey Lovey(s) I should get. These are so my style - I love scarves and I love statement necklaces and it's like the best of both worlds. Jessie, the fabulously talented woman behind Mamitosami, has been so patient as I've tried to decide which one I wanted! But today, I have chosen - this lovely beauty!

{the one I'm buying! -

These were my second choices, and grudgingly, I decided I couldn't buy all of them, so these will live in my favorites until I can snap them up!

{my other faves -

Read on for Jessie's interview and a fun surprise for readers!

Tell me some basic info about yourself.
I am a 37 year old stay at home mom; now, as of pretty recently, a work at home mom with a 2 year old girl and a 4 year old boy. I try to squeeze all my crafting in between all the busy-ness of life with kids. I love to quilt, I love picking the colours and I love quilting an almost finished quilt. I really accidentally started making my Jersey Lovey scarves--I needed something to wear one evening, to go out with my husband for dinner.... well, I pulled out an old baby sling and presto, I had a new scarf!! And everyone loved it, so I started making them... they are a blast to make and I love searching for new and fun fabrics for them... I have been married to my sweetheart for almost 14 years and we have a dog named Benni.

What kind of mediums do you use and why?
I use the highest quality quilting cottons possible, because they are simply delicious!! And I use cotton jersey fabric for my scarves because it is just so soft and an absolute pleasure to wear.

What made you decide to sell on etsy?
I needed to feel like I had a bit of financial independence and I felt that Etsy was just a wonderful way to be able to do as much or as little as I could afford to do. I really wanted to be a part of the crafting world and Etsy is the absolute best way to do that.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I love to work with colour in my quilts, meaning, I pick my colours and really only work with a couple of patterns, and play constantly with colour. It's actually the same with my Jersey Loveys, if I see a colour I love I grab it. And I listen to what other people talk about, what their favourite colours are and I try to work them into what I do. And making quilts for babies is very rewarding...


What is your favorite music to craft by?
Actually, I really like talk radio... so I listen to CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) or John Tesh!!!


If you were an animal, what would you be?
It sounds so cliche, but a bird... for so many obvious reasons... the flight, the getting away from the cold...

What's your favorite piece of your own?
Hmmmm... I have a really beautiful rainbow Bargello quilt... I think that's my favourite. And of my very first quilts--a king-sized quilt, it's really ratty now because I used a lot of recycled fabric and it's fraying, but it adds to its charm. It's super heavy and warm because I used two wool blankets for the batting!!

{rainbow bargello quilt} {jessie's favorite jersey lovey} {the mamitosami signature quilt - she's made over 10 of these!}

What are your favorite blogs right now?
I follow my Quilting Guild's blog and some of the blogs from there. And I follow QuiltLover's Blog, she is another Etsian who helped me when I first started selling things in my shop.

Mamitosami on Facebook

Jessie has offered a lucky reader the chance to win their very own jersey lovey!! The winner gets to choose any jersey lovey available in her shop!


- To be eligible for entry, you must be a follower of my blog through google friend connect or through your preferred RSS reader. -
- Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win. -
- Please leave separate comments for each entry. -

First entry (mandatory):
Head over to Mamitosami and tell me which jersey lovey you would choose if you won!

Extra entries:
1. Become a Facebook fan of Mamitosami.
2. Follow Kate & Oli on Twitter and retweet the following: RT @ichbinseins giveaway alert! win a jersey lovey scarf from mamitosami! http://tinyurl.com/yl47zvl
3. Add my button to your blog (you can find it in the left hand sidebar).
4. Become a Facebook fan of Kate and Oli.
5. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link
6. Post on facebook about this giveaway and leave me some way to verify.


Fine print: Giveaway begins when it is posted and ends at 11:59pm pacific standard time April 6, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on the morning of April 7, 2010 and will be emailed promptly. Mamitosami will ship anywhere in the world!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Win a Polaroid!


want to win a polaroid?
ruby from cakies is giving one away!!
go here to enter.
ends 3/31 at 8am, so enter now!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Cart-Worthy + Heart-Worthy: Clip-on Earrings Edition!



One of my fondest memories of my grandma's house involves sitting on her satin-sheeted waterbed pawing through her jewelry and trying everything on. She wore clip earrings and had a tremendous collection. A lot of them were Avon, which she sold, and most were costume jewelry, but they were TONS of fun. I still have a certain affinity for clip-on earrings, they are on and off so quick and easy, no fumbling with tiny clasps or losing backings, and they can change your whole look in seconds!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Cart-Worthy + Heart-Worthy: Under $10 Edition!


I went to dinner tonight with my lovely friend Kristine, and afterwards, we walked over to Old Navy. We each found a pile of tank tops we liked for under $4 each! I got two skirts for under $7 each and a necklace for under $10. These great finds inspired me to search for this collection of goodies - everything in this edition of CW + HW is under $10. In some cases, you can even get TWO for $10! Enjoy and I can't guarantee that when you click on these links, I won't have already purchased these fantastic deals. :)











Friday, March 26, 2010

Focus On... Flapper Doodle!

For Halloween one year, I desperately wanted to be a flapper. I found the perfect fringed dress, I had a wig styled like a sleek bob, I was going to wear black tights and black heels and be super cute. And then, I got sick. And Halloween went out the window. I'm pretty sad I never got the chance to dress up as a flapper. Although, I suppose I could. Who needs holidays to celebrate? It's Friday? Sounds like Flapper-day to me! In celebration of Flapper-day, I'd love to share with you a very cute shop I found called Flapper Doodle. Kate, the artist behind these creations, has such a great style - whimsical, fun, irreverent and totally influenced by eras gone by. Check it out!


What kind of mediums do you use and why?
Mostly pen and ink and acrylic, because I know how to use them, but I love trying new mediums, too!


What made you decide to sell on etsy?
It was just serendipity, I found the site when I was looking for a crocheted hat a few years ago and set up shop on a whim!


Where do you get your inspiration?
Classic films.


What is your favorite music to craft by?
Frank Sinatra.


Finish the sentences:
When it's cold outside...I'm happy!
When I'm hungry...I eat potatoes.
When I need a boost...I talk to my friends.
I wish I was/were...more dainty.
If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be...whatever makes them happy.
If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be...my internet friends that I haven't had the chance to meet yet.


If you were an animal, what would you be?
A cat.


What's your favorite piece of your own?
I don't actually have a favorite!


What are your favorite blogs/websites right now?
Way too many to list here! But I keep an updated blogroll of my favorite sites and blogs here.
 
 
 
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