Fun Friday Finds ~ What's in your Easter basket?

By Maggie Schultz ~ BodiceGoddess by Maggie

Hope you don't mind that I went a little non-secular this week, but "springtime stocking stuffers" just didn't sound right :D

(Click on the image to go to the Etsy Treasury!)

Visit these HandmadeMN shops to see more:

Click on any of the names below

First Row (Left to Right):  UniqueArtPendants, wayfaringart, ShaggyBaggy, oodlesofcolor

Second Row (Left to Right):  lindenleaf, AuntieBsWax, HandmadeBits4u, AnnaTereDesigns

Third Row (Left to Right):  eleanorestreasures, aliciastulen, Twistmo, ArtyDidact

Fourth Row (Left to Right):  relaine, priya123, Palettepassion, AHandmadePrincess

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HandmadeMN Giveaway ~ Anna Tere Designs

By Mara Olden of Dragonfly Adornments

Congratulations to our latest giveaway winner! Thanks to all who entered and we wish you good luck with this week's giveaway!

This week's giveaway is from Valerie Anderson of Anna Tere Designs. Valerie is giving away this stylish Utility Apron.

Valerie designed this particular apron for her teacher friend who needed a safe home for her teaching tools and continued to create the useful design for crafters, vendors, farmers, gardeners and anyone who had a need to store their tools and supplies. This stylish utility apron measures 10 inches long and 20 inches wide. It features eight fully lined pockets, extra long ties, and a handy loop that snaps.  The fabric is 100% cotton, pre-washed in water and dried with medium heat. Aprons are easy to care for: machine wash (no bleach), tumble dry on low heat and iron as needed.

Open US and International.

How to Enter:

Please make sure you include your email address so we have a way to contact the winner! 

Visit  Anna Tere Designs, pick your favorite item and leave a comment on this post about it. (Scroll to bottom of post and click on Comments) 

Bonus Entries: 

Please leave each in a separate comment, as each comment is an entry (Remember: To qualify for extra entries you must visit the shop above and leave a comment). 

1. Visit other HandmadeMN team members shops (listed in the sidebar here) and leave a comment(s) here with your favorite pieces.

2. Blog about this giveaway with a visible link back to this posting and comment here with a link to your post.

3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment(s) with a link to your tweet(s).

4. Follow our blog (you want to do this anyway to learn about upcoming giveaways!). Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry.

5. Follow HandmadeMN on twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.

6. Become a Facebook Fan of HandmadeMN. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.

7. Become a Facebook Fan of Anna Tere Designs. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.

 

8. Contest ends Saturday, April 7th, at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Good luck!

HandmadeMN members are not eligible to win.

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Fun Friday Finds: In the Pink

By Sharon Parker ~ Arty Didact

I've been trying to feel bad and worried about this odd and unprecedented early spring, and remind myself that March isn't over yet, and wonder how this is going to affect the native species that aren't acclimated to these strange conditions, and so on ... but then I notice that the magnolia tree up the street is blooming, and the forsythia too, and my windows are open, and the air is moist and balmy, and soon we'll be awash in pink crabapple blossoms and pretty flowering shrubs and ... ***sigh***

Oh, what the heck. In this moment, we're in the pink. Let's revel in it!

(Click on the image to go to the Etsy Treasury)

Visit these HandmadeMN shops to see more:

Click on any of the names below

First Row (Left to Right): Mary Foster Creative, Rainy Day Yarn Shop Palette Passion Pogtotes

Second Row (Left to Right): Mary Littfin, Stella and Hodge, Cayenne Peppy, Lolly Bop Boutique
Third Row (Left to Right): Green Squirrel, Miss B Accessories,CIndy Lindgren, Chased by Beauty

Fourth Row (Left to Right):  Upcycled and Found, Sacred Suds, Julie Meyer, Bath & Beads

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HandmadeMN Giveaway ~ Penguin Palace

by Monique Parent of Glass Garden Designs

Congratulations to our latest giveaway winner! Thanks to all who entered and we wish you good luck with this week's giveaway!

This week's giveaway is from Erin of Penguin Palace. She is giving away this lovely pair of Photo Art Earrings.

How fun to wear original artwork! These pretty post earrings feature original photo art of trees during a gorgeous sunset. The jewel-tone colors are sure to be an asset to your wardrobe. The photo is secured to the setting and covered with resin, and the posts are glued to the setting with a durable jewelry glue.

Open to US and International.

Contest ends Saturday, March 31st, at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

How to Enter:

Visit Penguin Palace, pick your favorite item and leave a comment on this post about it. (Scroll to bottom of post and click on Comments)

          Please make sure you include your email address

                so we have a way to contact the winner!

For Bonus Entries:

Please leave each in a separate comment, as each comment is an entry (To qualify for extra entries you must do step one above).

Visit other HandmadeMN team members shops (listed in the sidebar here) and leave a comment(s) here with your favorite pieces.

Blog about this giveaway with a visible link back to this posting and comment here with a link to your post.

Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment(s) with a link to your tweet(s).

Follow this blog (you want to do this anyway to learn about upcoming giveaways!). Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry.

Follow HandmadeMN on twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.

Become a Facebook Fan of HandmadeMN. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.

Become a Facebook Fan of Penguin Palace (aka Foster Photography). Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.

Follow Penguin Palace on Twitter.  Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.

Follow Erin's blog.  Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry.

Contest ends Saturday, March 31st, at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Good luck!

HandmadeMN members are not eligible to win.

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HandmadeMN Fun Friday Finds ~ Miles of Irish Smiles

By Mara Olden of Dragonfly Adornments

Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers—

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours—

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through! 

-Irish Blessing

 (Click here to go to the Etsy Treasury!)

Visit these HandmadeMN shops to see more:

Click on any of the names below

First Row (Left toRight): 

AndMorePaper,  MyLittleChick, STELLAandHODGE, eleanorestreasures

Second Row (Left to Right): 

KnitNax, AimeesHomestead, Lucky Nielsen, Kellybean Kreations

Third Row (Left to Right): 

ChasedByBeauty, RiyahLiDesigns, Harvest Moon by Hand, ArtyDidact

Fourth Row (Left to Right): 

Luann Danzl Designs, Cindy Lindgren, Western Art Glass, Twistmo

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Featured Shop - Gingham Life

By Sara of Auntie B's Wax

If there's one thing that inspires me it's nostalgia. I usually romanticize the past, thinking how marvelous it would have been to live in those times. OK, so I don't know if I could ever live without some of today's conveniences, but there is definitely a comfort in "the good old days," even if those days were before my time.

I'm so glad I found the Etsy shop of one of my fellow HandmadeMN members; it takes me back to those good old days in the form of textiles. Gingham Life caught my attention and my admiration. I'm completely in love with the aprons!

Handmade Smocked Apron, 1960s Pattern and Vintage Gingham

How much do I love the smocking? Much! And smocking paired with gingham has got to be the cutest thing there is. Such fanciness for such a useful accessory!

Floating Hostess Hand-Smocked Half Apron, Vintage Gingham and Hankie

Gingham Life is contributing to the rebirth of American-made aprons and clothes and uses vintage and repurposed textiles. This next apron is cute enough to be a dress! (Except don't do it because the back is completely open and you'd embarrass yourself terribly in front of your guests.)  How wonderful, the pink and brown, the buttons and pockets ~ I think it's just adorable.

Handmade Apron, 1960s "Country Calico" A-Line Pattern, OOAK, Vintage Fabric

Not only does Gingham Life offer aprons, there are vintage linens and patterns, clothes, and other accessories made from repurposed fabrics. The things at Gingham Life make me feel nostalgic, and even inspire me to do the vacuuming in one of these great aprons and high-heeled shoes, just like June Cleaver would.

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HandmadeMN Giveaway - Aimee's Homestead

by Monique Parent of Glass Garden Designs

Congratulations to our latest giveaway winner! Thanks to all who entered and we wish you good luck with this week's giveaway!

This week's giveaway is from Aimee McAdams of Aimee's Homestead and she is giving away this adorable Sheep Tea Cozy.

This is Samuel, a serene and happy tea cozy to keep your tea nice and hot! He promises not to eat all of the tea leaves. Made with a wooly faux fur fabric that is just slightly off-white, wool face and ears, and lined with a sweet brown and white print fabric; sandwiched between is a layer of batting. Approximately 9 inches high, 12 1/2 inches wide, it will fit a 4-6 cup teapot (it's about 9 inches tall, 12 inches wide).

Open to US and International.
 

How to Enter:

Visit Aimee's Homestead, pick your favorite item and leave a comment on this post about it. (Scroll to bottom of post and click on Comments).

Please make sure you include your email address 

so we have a way to contact the winner!

For Bonus Entries:

Please leave each in a separate comment, as each comment is an entry (To qualify for extra entries you must do step one above).

1. Visit other HandmadeMN team members shops (listed in the sidebar here) and leave a comment(s) here with your favorite pieces.

2. Blog about this giveaway with a visible link back to this posting and comment here with a link to your post.

3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment(s) with a link to your tweet(s).

4. Follow our blog (you want to do this anyway to learn about upcoming giveaways!). Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry. And don't forget, you can't win if we can't contact you!  

5. Follow HandmadeMN on twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.

6. Become a Facebook Fan of HandmadeMN. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.

7. Become a Facebook Fan of Aimee's Homestead. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.

8.  Follow Aimee's blog.  Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry.

9. Contest ends Saturday, March 24th, at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Good luck!

HandmadeMN members are not eligible to win.

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Fun Friday Finds ~ Birds and Trees, Greens and Browns

By Maggie Schultz ~ BodiceGoddess by Maggie

(Click on the image to go to the Etsy Treasury!)

Visit these HandmadeMN shops to see more:

Click on any of the names below

First Row (Left to Right):  cayennepeppybags, SaturatedPalette, jackielehmann, Twistmo

Second Row (Left to Right):  ArielSimone, westernartglass, AnnaTereDesigns, SmilingTreeToys

Third Row (Left to Right):  sparkflight, sacredsuds, lightreading, StudioNorthernLights

Fourth Row (Left to Right):  luckynielsen, lightreading, Dovecotedesign, mirasolfarm

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HandmadeMN Giveaway ~ Seedling Design

Mara Olden of Dragonfly Adornments

Congratulations to our latest giveaway winner! Thanks to all who entered and we wish you good luck with this week's giveaway!

This week's giveaway is from Anna Hewitt of Seedling Design and is giving away this Orange Cloth Napkins.

This is a set of four orange cloth napkins, each appliqued with a different vegetable. The radish, broccoli, eggplant, and yellow pepper napkins will brighten you kitchen and dining table. Cloth napkins are ideal for saving resources and making every meal special. Since each napkin is different, your diners will know which napkin is theirs to use until they need washing. They are made of two layers of soft and durable orange cotton which is completely machine washable. Each napkin measures approximately 13 inches square.

Open US and International.

Please make sure you include your email address 

so we have a way to contact the winner!

How to Enter:

Visit  Seedling Design , pick your favorite item and leave a comment on this post about it. (Scroll to bottom of post and click on Comments)

Please make sure you include your email address so we have a way to contact the winner!

For Bonus Entries:

Please leave each in a separate comment, as each comment is an entry (To qualify for extra entries you must do step one above).

1. Visit other HandmadeMN team members shops (listed in the sidebar here) and leave a comment(s) here with your favorite pieces.

2. Blog about this giveaway with a visible link back to this posting and comment here with a link to your post.

3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment(s) with a link to your tweet(s).

4. Follow our blog (you want to do this anyway to learn about upcoming giveaways!). Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry. And don't forget, you can't win if we can't contact you!   

5. Follow HandmadeMN on twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.

6. Become a Facebook Fan of HandmadeMN. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.

7. Become a Facebook Fan of  Seedling Design . Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.

8.  Follow  Seedling Design on Twitter.  Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.

9.  Follow Anna's blog.  Leave a comment here letting us know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry.

10. Contest ends Saturday, March, 17th, at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Good luck!

HandmadeMN members are not eligible to win.

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March Challenge — Firsts

by Lori Lee Sampson
Twistmo Wall Decals & Starglow Studio Pet Art

This month's challenge theme is Firsts.
Check out the great entries below, then scroll all the way to the bottom to vote for your favorite! Voting ends at midnight on March 15th.

 

Geometry Bowl
(a first of its kind in my shop, made from vintage math book pages)

Submitted by:
Arty Didact

First Art Yarn
(wrapped with yarn from the first skein of art yarn I ever made!

 

Submitted by:
Kibbles 'N Knits

Baby's First
Wall Decal
(you're never to young for your first personalized decal to 'mark your territory')

 

Submitted by:

Twistmo Wall Decals

Vote For Your Favorite Now!

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Fun Friday Finds: Crazy Weather

By Sharon Parker ~ Arty Didact

Just when we were getting used to this whole unwinter thing, along comes March to slap us upside the head and shout in our faces: It ain't over yet! No surprise that HandmadeMN artists find plenty of inspiration in our Minnesota weather, then, is it?

(Click on the image to go to the Etsy Treasury)

Visit these HandmadeMN shops to see more:

Click on any of the names below

First Row (Left to Right): Fantastic Miniatures, Riyah-Li Designs TC Witchcraft Factory Auntie B's Wax

Second Row (Left to Right): Penguin Palace Photography, Laura Jean Bergren, Bath & Beads Etc., Pixie Spit
Third Row (Left to Right): Ododo Originals, Palette Passion, Ivory Moon, Twistmo

Fourth Row (Left to Right):  Dreaming Tree Creations, Marilyn Lamoreux, Mirasol Farm, From the Homestead

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