Today's Finds + Black Friday Sales

This post is full of the usual Etsy goodness, only all of these shops are having Black Friday sales! :)

"Oh You" print by Ashley Goldberg
(Save 25% with the Promo Code "HOLIDAY14" 11/24 - 12/1)

Lulu and Juniper - small cushion set from Sleepy King
(Save 20% off all orders with code "HOLIDAYSPARKLE" + free domestic shipping + Buy 3 animals, get a FREE Liam the fox!)

Custom wooden initial necklace from Havok Designs
(Save 25% with coupon code "BFCM25" - Ends Dec. 4th)

Rain embroidered pillow from Aeropagita
(Save 30% on home decor items with code "BFS2014" from now until Nov 30)

Leather pouch from Leah Lerner
(Buy any 2 items, Get 15% OFF, Coupon: "15SALE" - Buy any 3 items, Get 20% OFF, Coupon: "20SALE")

All of these shops have lots of things that would make great gifts. :)

P.S. I am also having a sale! Save 20% on everything in my Etsy shop with coupon code "FOODCOMA" (now thru Friday 11/28). xo, Mary

Today's Finds

Sgrafo mid-century bear from Glittery Moon Vintage

Wool girl's dress from PABUITA

Ceramic tumbler from Noe Marin

Cards from Season Paper

Print from Ottilie Takes Photos

Today's Finds

Mobile from Patricija

Hand-knitted girls' sweater from Sweet Meadowsweet

Wooden Empire State building and Chrysler building from LaNiqueHOME

Pear greeting card set from deKanimal

Squirrel costume from opposite of far

Today's Finds

The Poppy shift dress from Zoe Miyori Fujii

Glazed earthenware planter from Barruntando

Octopus stuffed animal from BigStuffed

Sylvia cut out triangle bralette from ElmaShop

1940s steel medical cabinet from thewhitepepper

Today's Finds

Little ceramic cat from Barruntando

Business card holder from Starry Day

Pink oxfords from goodbyefolk

Rainbow flower pillows from Colette Bream

Handmade miniature teacups from clay and/or wood

Today's Finds

Pastel hearts from Sabahnur

Hand-drawn bird printed dress by ApartofmeAPOM

Blue stoneware mug from PotsbyNives

Vintage 1950s floral envelope clutch from Chaps+Rascal

Wooden mobile from FreyaArt

Today's Finds

Handmade art doll by MonkEyGstudio

Vintage ABC blocks wagon from msjeannieology

Vintage Ritz wall clock from MyGosh

Llama totem by HandyMaiden

Handmade pencil pouch by printsnpatterns

Cute Holiday DIYs

I was going to schedule this post for Monday, but it occurred to me that today is Saturday, the day when most people actually have time to do DIYs, and a lot of people are stuck inside due to nasty weather today, soooooo...here are a few good ways to pass the time and make cute things.

Mr. Printables does it again with this adorable Christmas tree dollhouse. I love everything about it.

How cute are the little peg dolls and furniture made to go inside the dollhouse? (This tutorial really makes me wish I didn't live so far from my niece and nephews. And I won't see them this year for the holidays either - boo.)

This crocheted string of Christmas lights is the best thing ever. (I really want to make this at some point. I probably won't have time until after the holiday rush is over, but I would happily hang this year-round, so I'm not bothered that it might be after the holidays for me.)

This reindeer tutorial is perfect should you find yourself trapped at home today without any craft supplies (the horror!). All you need are a couple of toilet paper rolls, some tape, and paint or markers. This one would be good for kids to help out with too.

And last, but not least, is this awesome video tutorial for soda can ornaments...another good one if you have few craft supplies on hand because all you need are a couple of empty soda cans and paper clips or wire. We aren't really soda drinkers, but I might raid my neighbors recycling bin for this one. There are a lot of bright and pretty cans this time of year.

I haven't done any DIYs (nope, not a single one) since my Halloween bat garland. But I'm going to rectify that soon because I really miss playing around with new materials. And I think one of the best ways to get new ideas for future projects is to experiment and make stuff that you don't usually make.

My plans for the day include packing up orders, wrapping presents, and possibly making a few new things for the shop while watching a Christmas movie or two. What are you guys up to?

Stocking Stuffers and Small Gifts

Clockwise from top left: tea cup brooch by Sketch.inc; small hand-painted jewelry dish by prettylittlethieves; songbird coin purse by Louise Brainwood Textiles; and bear soft sculpture by MountRoyalMint.

Clockwise from top left: 8 mini geometric stamps from Hunter & Co; small rose gold triangle earrings by Meltem; tea light holder by paulova; and business card holder by Allisa Jacobs.

P.S. Check shop announcements for order deadlines and shipping times if you want to receive by Christmas. Even if it's too late to give as a Christmas gift, you could always order one of these beauties as a present for yourself. :)

P.P.S. Everything in my shop is ready to ship and there's still time to order something cute if you're in the U.S. :))

IKEA Mini Furniture

Have you guys heard that IKEA is releasing miniatures? The set is called Huset and features the Klippan sofa, Lack table, Expedit shelving unit, Vago chair, Stockholm rug, and Famnig Hjärta pillow. As someone who loves miniature anything and also loves modern furniture, I am super excited about this launch. I suspect a lot of design-nerd parents are going to rush to buy these for "the kids." (If you own miniature Vitra furniture, yes I'm talking about you.)

I also love that they photographed the miniature furniture in handmade, diy dollhouses, as those are my favorite kind. It reminds me of being a little kid and making furniture and rooms for my Barbies, which incidentally is how I "played" with them. I never acted out scenarios between the dolls. Instead, I made them furniture, styled their clothes, and sometimes cut/colored their hair (with markers). Clearly, whatever this design bug is that I have has been there from the beginning. :)

(via dezeen)

Easter Centerpiece

If you're looking for something fun to do with all those Easter eggs you've dyed and decorated, Mr Printables has a cute diy: egg sculpture centerpieces.

How cute is that? I think it would be a great activity to keep kids busy too, especially if you're expecting rain tomorrow, as we are in DC.

I personally am looking forward to Monday, as that's when all the Easter candy goes on sale. ;)

Cat Things for Birthday Girls

It's my niece's birthday today, so of course that means I've spent the past few weeks scouring Etsy for cute presents. I kept coming across the most adorable cat things for little girls (and big girls) and thought it would be a shame not to share. I know I have some cat-loving readers who just might see something they like.

Cat dress by Costumini.

Clockwise from top left: Upcycled wool kitten from ouistitine; black cat costume for kids from BHBKidstyle; Kitty Sunset print from A Cat-Like Curiosity; and kitty brooch from andsmile.

"Follow the Leader" greeting card from Sophie Parker.

I didn't actually get any of these things for Maddie, though I did favorite several of them to maybe treat myself! :)

What have you been buying (or browsing) on Etsy lately? I always love to discover new shops so feel free to share in the comments.

Making Valentines

Last week, I made some heart valentines for my nephews and niece (well, the ones who are old enough to know what Valentine's Day is and aren't likely to swallow small toys, anyway).

For the boys, I made these little heart envelopes using this tutorial from the Purl bee, only instead of filling with candy, I included some tiny toy treasures (pictured here: a metal knight I brought back from the Tower of London years ago and a blue bear pencil topper).

For my niece, I made a heart hair clip in her favorite colors: pink and pink.* There's a bit of lavender in there too on the embroidery thread, but it's hard to see in this photo. I didn't use a tutorial for this one as I was just doing my regular thing.

In other news, I will be shipping out a heart garland today to a lucky someone who ordered it from my shop. It feels good to spread so much love around. ;)

Have you guys made any valentines yet? If you have, leave a link in the comments. I'd love to check them out!

*Whenever I hear "pink and pink," it makes me think, "My colors are blush and bashful" from Steel Magnolias. Anyone else remember that movie? It's one of those films I saw when I was very young so I can't even evaluate whether it is a good movie or not, but certain lines and scenes will probably stick with me forever.