Blog Lovin Friday – “Calico & Co” and “Thoughts, Comments, Questions”

Moving on from Random Etsy Wednesday, I now declare Friday to be “Blog Lovin’ Friday”. For those that have been following my blog from the beginning you will know I am a newby when it comes to blogs. I am not sure how I have missed them before now, and it is a shame as I had 9 months maternity leave when I could have gone blog wild… anyway, I digress.

Blogs are a wonderful, addictive, informative, entertaining, enlightening and inspiring thing. So for “Blog Lovin’ Friday” I am going to spread the blog love about some of the blogs I come across in my websurfing.

First off the list is Calico & Co – the wonderful blog authored by the equally wonderful Amanda Fuller. I can’t even recall how I first came across Amanda’s blog – but once I did I was well and truly hooked. I would even go so far as to say it was Amanda’s blog that gave me the push to set one up for myself. As well as blogging, Amanda also does Graphic Design work and recently launched her own line of Stationery called lemon tree lane (etsy). Amanda’s blogs are full of beautiful homewares, indie, handmade, interior design, pretty things, stationery and generally she shares what I love on a day to day basis. Amanda also facebooks and tweets

So Ms Fuller – thank you for your blog. You make me blog happy.

Second on the list, is Sarah Allen Consulting’s blog, “Thoughts. Questions.. Comments...”. Now I should disclose straight off the bat that I have known Sarah for some 17+ years, I love her to death and our baby boys are BFF’s. But that aside – Sarah is somewhat of a guru (though she won’t call herself that) when it comes to Social Media. So much so she now makes a living running Social Media workshops and training sessions.

For any small or medium business out there (yes that means anyone with an etsy or made it account) – check out her blog (and website coming soon), follow her on facebook, twitter, linked in and audioboo and I promise you - you will learn something!

Ms Allen – you are a guru in my eyes and thank you for your ongoing coaching and support on all things Social Media!

So that is my first Blog Lovin’ Friday. Take some time – check them out and why not leave me a comment letting me know your favourite blog!

Everyone needs a pretty outfit - even if you are a piece of technology

It was my intention to do a feature on a whole myriad of laptop and ipad cases today, however I got distracted by two sellers in particular. I know not everyone has an ipad, iphone, or even a laptop – but that shouldn’t stop you from appreciating the beauty in these two seller’s products.

Byrd & Belle:

Handmade by Angie Davis from her studio in Minneapolis, the ipad, iphone and laptop cases are simply beautifully simple (if you catch my drift). Made largely of thick felted wool in shades of greys (you would never know it was her favourite colour!) and a touch of leather they ooze sophistication and make you just want to reach out and touch them.

 

1. laptop sleeve, 2. ipad sleeve, 3. iphone sleeve

Angie’s products are available to purchase on line either at her store or on etsy and you can follow her on facebook, twitter and her blog. For those starting out or even old pro’s at being a small business, make sure you check out the “business of being small” section of her website. Her writing is refreshingly honest and straight forward and I was immediately hooked.

Ambette:

Handmade by Liz in Melbourne Australia, the bright colours of these bags immediately caught my attention. Ambette describes her work as “Clean modern lines with a retro twist…. bold blocks of colour contrasted with natural fibres”. Constructed with german wool felt (apparently “the reason German wool felt is so much better is because it is much more dense (the fibers are packed closer together). This means the felt will stand up better to wear and tear, and be more durable”), tough hessin and durable cotton canvas.

 

1. laptop sleeve, 2. iphone sleeve, 3. ipad sleeve

There is something inherently cheerful about Ambette’s design that makes me smile every time I look at them – and that is not a bad way to start a day at your laptop!

Ambette’s products are available to purchase on etsy and you can follow her on facebook, twitter and her blog.

Welcome to me

OK - so my first ever blog post. Scary stuff, but as I am about to go back to work 4 days a week after 9 months off (to have my beautiful baby boy O) and launching a new line of greeting cards and gift tags - i feel it has to be done. Yes call me crazy. Making the most of social media i think it is called - my beautiful  friend, from the wonderful Sarah Allen Consulting would be so proud!
My aims of this blog

1. no fewer than one post per week
2. post only those things i love - in the hope you love them to.
3. be positive (it is all about karma!)
4. use this blog for good not evil
5. live a balanced life - sometimes you just need a little me time in this busy busy world we live in.

So to start things of - two things i came across today on the Urban Outfitters Blog which brought a smile to my face:

Marcel the Shell with shoes on - too cute and brought a smile to my face:
http://vimeo.com/14190306
 Written and voiced by Jenny Slate, and directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp. Marcel is kind of a shell, but she has shoes, an eye, no dog and a good heart. Take 2 minutes from your day to watch this gorgeous clip (sorry have yet to work out how to post video clips).

Ghetti Pencil Carvings Dalton Ghetti carves amazingly detailed miniature sculptures out of pencil tips: a boot, linked hearts, a tiny hammer and an entire tiny alphabet

For more go to: http://www.area4.at/blog/kleinste-schnitzereien/ (though you may need to speak German to follow it!)