Hurry! Hurry! Last Day! August 29, 2008

Today is the last day to enter to win a $20 gift certificate to 2monkees.  It is sooo easy to be a winner.  Just browse through 2monkees, decide which piece of jewelry you like best, and then go to the Handmade Showcase to leave a comment on the post.  You have until 12 est tonight.  Good luck!!!  I can’t wait to see the winner’s choice!

EcoWorks August 28, 2008

I am seriously lamenting the end of summer!!  I cannot believe the boys go back to school next Tuesday.  I know most moms are gleefully counting the days until freedom but I love the lazy, sun-drenched days of summer.  The thought of getting back to a schedule with zillions of soccer games, homework and packing lunch makes my eyes cross- not another P, B & J.

I guess if I have to make lunch, it might be more exciting if I was packing it in these eco-friendly lunch bags from EcoWorks on etsy.  Made from 100% certified organic cotton canvas and then decorated with an orginal design, these bags are super cute!  Rebecca, the talented artist behind these bags, is involved with PEACE (Protection, Education, Animals, Culture & Environment), an organization in the Bay of Banderas region of Mexico. 

According to their website, PEACE “works hand in hand with communities to develop and implement appropriate community programs to enhance the quality of life for all. English classes, after-school programs, recycling initiatives, and a free mobile spay/neuter clinic are among the various projects. “  Rebecca is helping this organization  launch  a new line of eco friendly market bags and totes to use for fundraising.  Checkout both websites for more information.

Ole Blue August 27, 2008

On the day my husband and I moved into our old, beat-up house 12 years ago, there was a police car parked in front of the neighbor’s house.  What we came to know, is that this visit with the authorities was about a once a month event.  While at the time I vaguely questioned our decision to buy the house, it was not until our first son arrived that I really became concerned.   

By this point, there was fairly regular drug dealing going on.  Even in the middle of the day, I would be outside with my toddler and cars would be coming and going.  Just as we became convinced we need to start searching for another house, the house across the street went on the market.  Over the next few years, almost every house on the block turned over.  What was once a street of older couples with no kids, is now a rollicking, baseball- tag- Barbie- kickball playing mass of children.  I LOVE it!  It is EXACTLY what I hoped for when we bought our house.

My boys are now part of a “gang” of eight little boys who roam from house to house engaged in good fun!  (Now I know, they all have their devilish moments but for the most part it is amazing to see them all wrestling, tagging and kicking their way through the neighborhood!)

Yesterday, I was granted a very poignant reminder of how blessed we are.  I have been helping plan the block party for a few weeks but was running out of time to get the invitations out.  I asked the ”gang” if they would go deliver them to all the surrounding blocks.  They immediately grabbed them and took off.  

 About 30 minutes later, they were all back- screaming, laughing and having a good time.  I could tell by their excited voices that something monumental had happened.  When I went outside, they had an old, run down bike that was missing its back tire, taped to its side was a “FREE” sign.  They boys were heatedly discussing how to put a new tire on “Ole Blue” (so dubbed by the boys).

They had decided that Ole Blue was going to be a community bike……everyone from the lowly third grader to the exaulted eight grader would have equal dibs on this bike.  I loved seeing the joy in their faces and their excitement over something that to someone else was trash.  Best of all, however, was witnessing the community the boys have built for themselves with very little help from the adults.  It made me remember how the little things can make life so sweet.

Krug’s Eco-logic August 25, 2008

After fours days without a real shower and no hot water while camping, this Java Mint soap from Krug’s Eco-logic on etsy would have been a welcomed addition to my shower last night.  Made with  a blend of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils to freshen my skin, this would have felt soooo good.  It even has real coffee for exfoliation!  If I had this vegan handmade soap last night when I showered, I probably wouldn’t have needed the two showers  I required to actually feel clean.  Visit this former teacher’s shop on etsy to select your own handmade yummy soap!

Relive

Everytime I go camping, I struggle with this issue.  I hate dousing myself and my kiddos with deet filled bug spray but if we don’t use something then everyone is a miserable itchy mess.  If I had been more organized before I left I would have taken more time to find a natural solution.  Of course, all I needed to do was turn to etsy to find an answer.

After spending four beautiful days camping in the Oregon forest swatting bugs, I would have killed for a few squirts of this stuff over the weekend.  Relive’s natural organic That Bugs Me bug spray would have been a welcomed relief.  

I also love this company’s attempts at running a more eco-friendly business.  From recycled packing materials, eco-friendly cleaning products and using CFL light bulbs, this company does what it can to have a positive impact on the world.  Look at this quote from their etsy profile.  “Change starts with one person. Jump in there and before you know it you’ll be living greener each and every day!”  If every person in the world followed this motto, the world would be a much healthier place!

Stellazh August 20, 2008

What is up?  It is the middle of August here in Oregon and the weather is a total bummer…. rain, wind, and even a little thunder and lightening.  I feel like we have fallen into October!  It is a total drag! 

To combat my weather blues, I found myself searching etsy for a little trinket to brighten up my day.  I feel in love with this pink floral charm bracelet featuring vintage enamel and lucite flowers from Stellazh’s shop on etsy.  It is sooo cute and definitely adds a touch of springy color to any outfit.

However, if you are ready for fall, this talented artist from Edinburgh also has many amazing pieces in beautiful browns and greens.  Checkout her shop to see all she has to offer.

Handmade Showcase August 18, 2008

This week, I am on Handmade Showcase with a giveaway for a $20 gift certificate to my 2monkees shop on etsy.  All you have to do is enter a comment on the Handmade Showcase post and $20 of handmade goodness could be yours.  Handmade Showcase is a relatively new blog that posts interesting articles about different artists.  Most of the featured artists offer a giveaway of some their beautiful work.  It is a a great way to win a little something for yourself, while learning about the individuals who created the products. 

 After checking out Handmade Showcase, visit the author’s shop, Cozy Sister, on etsy.  She makes beautiful copper and gemstone jewelry and through the end of August has a Buy one, Get one Free Sale….. so even if you don’t win the contest, you can still pick up a little something for yourself!!

Revival Ink August 15, 2008

Since I am still up here in the beautiful old Emerald City of  Seattle, it seemed appropriate to feature a Seattle designer.  I fell in love with these beautiful t-shirts from Revival Ink.  All the designs were created by Tara Smith, hand drawn,  and then silk screened on sweatshop free, organic and vintage items.  I love the Twisted Tree design of this t-shirt at the left- perfect for all you hip  girls and boys.  She has clothes for big boys, big girls and baby hipsters.  Check her out to see all that she has to offer.

CD Childs August 14, 2008

As I am sitting here relaxing in the sunshine at my in-laws house in the Seattle area, I feel a little  like I am cheating at this whole blogging thing.  It is hard to feel like I am actually working when the weather is in the upper 80’s, a cooling breeze is blowing and I am getting ready to dive into a glass of vino.

When I hit etsy’s search button with “recycled” as a keyword, it seemed prophetic that this beautiful cutting board made from a recycled wine bottle would pop up.  CD Childs, the talented artist behind this cheese board has been involved with painting and other arts since the age of 10.  She lives by the creed:  “I live to create.  If I am not creating, then I am not living.”  Check out her beautiful glass creations on etsy.  (Sorry for such a short post but I’ve got a date with a new wine bottle.)

Alphacatmom August 13, 2008

The other night I was standing on the sidelines of the soccer field waiting for my son’s practice to end.  All of the parents were chatting about summer and lamenting the fact that it seems the weather is beginning to change.  Don’t get me wrong, it is still scorching during the day but the nights are coming a little earlier and they feel a little cooler.

With the weather changing, it started me thinking about fall fashions.  There is nothing I love better on a cold winter day than to snuggle up in a big oversized sweater.  However, I am usually not one to choose the traditional fall colors in my wardrobe…. I like bold, in-your-face kind of colors.  This beautiful, vibrant yarn from Alphacatmom looks like it could become the perfect sweater for me (if only I knew how to knit!).

Alphacatmom is a mother and daughter team from New York who takes old, out of style garments and creates new yarn for all your creative needs.  The garments are de-constructed, the yarn then hanked, hand washed, hung to dry, weighted, and labeled.  They also offer already knit garments for those of us who like the idea of sweaters made from recycled yarn but have no idea how to create one for ourselves.  They even have tote bags made from old jeans.  What a great use for unwanted clothes!   Visit their etsy shop to see all they have to offer.