HH Day #9 - WINNER!

#9 - A Simple Realist !!

Congratulations!!

You have won a Blair Bow Headband from Knots by Ashley

Frenchie & Flea has your prize....so email us to collect ;)

Thank you Ashley for hosting today's giveaway!!!!!

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HH Day #9 - Knots by Ashley

Hola, Aloha, & Hello!!
It's Day #9 of HH and we've got a winter warmer for ya!

Perhaps your remember our big Restyling Giveaway awhile back.
Well, Ashley was our winner.
We had such a fun time re-working her logo and getting our hands on her products!
Admittedly, it was hard to return her beautifully hand crafted pieces.
We were extremely partial to the Blair Bow Headband and Slouch Hats we were able to photograph.
Siiiiiigh.

So, lets get to know Ashley, eh?

{Blair Bow Headband, a 4 in 1 piece ~ $12.00}

1. One of my favorite holiday traditions is decorating for Christmas. My mom & I would always set up a little "winter village" with ceramic houses, fake snow, little ice skating figures, street lamps, the works! I'd love to have one of my own some day!

My other favorite is opening up the Christmas Stockings! We always start with our stockings first and open them together in bed. Each item is individually wrapped and we take turns opening them one at a time. It really makes Christmas morning feel as though it lasts a long time. All of this while delicious cinnamon rolls are baking in the oven! yum!

{Boho Necklace ~ $18.00}

2. I feel that it's important to support handmade because you know there is a lot of heart, soul, love, and creativity that goes into each individual item. Each piece is unique and usually of better quality than what you'd find in a big chain store. Plus, you're supporting an individual, or group of individuals as opposed to a large corporation. There's just something extra special about handmade items, which is why I love shopping Etsy and Artfire for my gifts.

{Winter Lily Cowl Neck Warmer ~ $20.00}

3. My favorite shop item are my headbands. I like both the Blair Bow Headband and the Kelsey Flower Headband. They are the perfect size for a stocking stuffer or small gift! They are so versatile, fun, flirty, and easy to match to your outfits. The bow/flower is on a removable snap clip which allows for so many ways you can wear them!

{Bohemian Chic Slouch Hat ~ $23.00}

4. creative,affordable, vivacious

Today Ashley is Giving Away:
1 Purple Blair Bow Headband
REMEMBER THE RULES!!
1. Visit today's feature shop & tell us what your favorite item is!
You must leave a comment TODAY + be a follower to win!
Winner will be drawn TONIGHT at 6pm PST and announced this evening!
we won't be bummed if you wanted to twitter/facebook/or blog this shop though ;)

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GIFT GUIDE: Etsy Gifts for Men

Is it just us or are guys incredibly H-A-R-D to shop for?!!!

Well, here are some fun ideas we've either found or purchased ourselves.
You know, we're just here to encourage you to stick to your Pledge! :)
Handmade Reinforcers
(by the way, that sounds really good when it's sung... "hand-made re-in-forc-ers!)

blythe king

{iPhone iPod Case ~ $25.00}

Foo*Ka Designs{Merry Christmas Coupon Book - $8.00}

Cosmic Firefly{Camera Cuff Links ~ $19.50}

BesemNaturalScents{bag of coal soap ~ $10.00}

ERia Designs

{Sterling Silver Personalized Ball Marker ~ $9.95}

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BLACK FRIDAY & Gift GUIDE: Etsy Gifts for Kids + Discounts

It's Black Friday, Friends!!
Stay away from the malls & hit the computer!

Yes, we know that Etsy does offer amazing Gift Guides however, isn't it great to know from people who have actually worked with the stores that the items are fabulous?

We have been busy shopping and we found that buying for kids can be a bit tricky.
However, here are some items we have purchased, loved the quality of, and are completely enthusiastic about!

Mention F&F if you purchase anything from the stores below at check out! Learning how your store is heard about is really a great networking tool for Etsy Store Owners!

In Honor Of Design
*BLACK FRIDAY SALE*
Buy 1 Item-10% OFF!
Buy 2 Items-15% OFF!
Buy 3 Items- 20% OFF!
Buy 4 Items- 25% OFF!
Buy 5 Items- 30% OFF!!{Holiday Baby Crochet Beanie/Bow Clip ~ $7.00}

Rock N' Rags

{Gray Courduroy Vest with Baby Blue Tie ~ $18.50}

Super Fly Kidz

{Custom Superhero Kids Cape ~ $15.00}

Fate Goddess

*BLACK FRIDAY SALE*
BUY 2 PAIRS, GET 1 FREE!
Purchase the special Buy 3 for $16 listings to receive the discount!
{Cralwer Covers ~ $8.00}

Small Beans Baby{Custom Cheetah Girl Canvas Shoes ~ $26.00}



And, a little shout out to our previously posted Handmade Holidays Friends who are ALSO having
BLACK FRIDAY Sales:

1. A Bushel & A Peck
FREE SHIPPING through December 13
& remember, if you mention you are an F&F Reader you get
10% off until December 1st!!


2. The Fancy Lady Gourmet
15% off to F&F readers IN ADDITION to her items already listed with Black Friday prices until 11/30!!

*CONVO these two stores first with items you want to purchase so we can set up a custom listing for being an F&F reader!!

3. Frenchie & Flea
$5.00 off any Holiday Card Template
$10.00 off any Alpaca Scarf.
*Items are currently listed with their sale price and ready for you to purchase!*

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BLACK FRIDAY ~ CYBER MONDAY SPECIAL

Frenchie & Flea will be offering

$5.00 off our Holiday Card Template .JPG's
November 27-November 30th at 5pm PST!

{Plaid Holiday Card Template}

**You must convo us with order request first!
Mention BLACK FRIDAY .JPG DEAL so we can create a custom listing for you to purchase!**

{Houndstooth Holiday Photo Card Template}

How do these work?
1. You purchase your favorite Holiday Card Template
2. Tell us what custom message you want on the card (Font colors customizable. Can change saying to Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, etc.)
3. Email us the High Resolution photo you want highlighted on your Holiday Card.
4. A custom proof will be generated and sent to you for approval.
5. Once approved you will receive your custom Holiday Card Template .jpg and you can print it!{Peppermint Stripes Card Template}

Where can you print these cards?
~Through a local paper printer...like Kinkos, Poor Richard's Press (cards will be sized to 5x7)
~Through Costco, Wal-Mart, Target, Snapfish...anywhere with photo printing (just note your cards will be on photo paper)
~Through Frenchie & Flea. Additional fees will apply.
Please convo us through our store or email that you want this option with your initial order:

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What Are You Thankful For?

One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories is writing down what we are all thankful for on little notes and putting them in a jar and passing it around the table, reading them aloud. I think it's really intimate and special to share gratitude together as a family...and to not forget the reason for this holiday! In honor of that, here are some printables for YOU to download and print! Cut them out and place them around your table for your family and friends to fill out and share!

DOWNLOAD HI-RES PRINTABLE PDF HERE

What are YOU thankful for?

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THANKSgiving

Ohhh the holidays...
how we adore them!!

This year my family (Allegra) celebrated Thanksgiving on November 1st.
As my sister will be off to Hawaii, my brother works retail, and my lil' family will be on vacation,
my Mom did what all good Mom's do...
create an alternative day and excluded the guilt trips :)
She has taught us well that the Holiday is not about the day, it's about being together.

This year it was simple and focused on food & togetherness.
The table was covered in beautiful lace and adorned with fine china, but the centerpieces were understated and elegant.
Glasses of Mint Leaves & Green Apples.
Perfect and not an overwhelming task to complete!The family favorite in our house is the coconut-sweet potatoes.
Surreal how simple the recipe is!

I think one of my favorite Thanksgivings was the one where Emily's family all came over.
Full of laughter--mostly at my wildly inappropriate Uncle--and of course, good wine!

What are YOU doing this Thanksgiving?
What are YOUR favorite dishes?
How do YOU eat your food--blending bites together or each portion on it's own?

We are thankful for friendship, health, dreams, and love this year!

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Last Minute Thanksgiving Decor Ideas...

Here are some TOTALLY doable, affordable, quick and easy Thanksgiving table decorating ideas...

{image from here}

Use foliage from your back yard and produce from your fridge to fill an empty Oatmeal Container (or another cute can or jar) for a totally homegrown look. I love this! For more instructions and pictures on how to make this yourself, click here.

{image from here}

Ok so Sweet Paul did this for the "Kids Table" but I think this would be ADORABLE for any table!! Grab some butcher or kraft paper for a super cheap and easy-clean table cloth. Draw some lovely "chargers" with your sharpie pen and set the table! Add some pears, pomegranites, flowers, or candles...and little containers of crayons...and wallah! You have a table! Would be awesome to have each person write what they are thankful for at their place. Don't you love it?

{image from here}

Dress up your wine glasses with phrases of gratitude and thankfulness! This is so easy...cut strips of paper, write your favorite phrase, verse, or whatever and then use double-stick tape to wrap them around the wine glass! For more instructions, click here.

{image from here}

Place cards are SO easy! All you need is a little imagination, perhaps a walk in the park or in your own backyard! Find some acorns, fruit, fallen goodies from trees, leaves, whatever! Attach a little snippet of ribbon and a handwritten name tag and you have place cards!

{image from here}

Gather up some sticks from your back yard and put them in jars or carafes you have lying around the house. Tie the jars with ribbon or raffia. Jen Elisebeth (the creator of these) then made paper rosettes and wrapped them around some of the sticks. How cute, right?

{image from here}

Gather a bundle of Indian Corn from the supermarket and tie with a big ribbon, fabric strip, or some raffia or jute twine (wrapped around a bunch of times) for an adorably chic and inexpensive centerpiece!

{image from here}

Wrap hurricanes with layered tissue paper strips in fall colors...how easy is this?!?! You can also do it to votives or mason jars for candles on the table!

Happy Table Decorating!

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Week #2 Handmade Holiday Round Up!

Here is a look back at our amazing 2nd week of the Handmade Holidays Features!

Monday: A Bushel & A Peck gave away 1 Ruffle Tote + 10% off ALL of YOUR purchases just by being an F&F reader through Dec. 5th (*convo Jeanne first so she can discount the items you want!)
Tuesday: SunshineAnne gave away 1 Tiny Hand Stamped Initial Necklace
Wednesday: Mimi Charmante gave away 3-8x10 Prints of her Photography
Thursday: Maisy's Market gave away a $25 gift certificate to her store

{a bushel & a peck}

How amazing are these women, you guys?
If you run an Etsy store you know how much work it takes.
It's SOOO much fun and it is definitely a labor of love.
All of these women take the time to stage and photograph their items, create their items, ship the items with beautiful packaging...it really is awesome and amazing.

{SunshineAnne}

So, with this week's round up, we want to know...
HAVE YOU PURCHASED ANYTHING FROM THE STORES FEATURED IN WEEKS 1 & 2 OF THE HANDMADE HOLIDAYS?
If so, leave us a comment and tell us--what did you buy and who from!

{mimi charmante}

Also, with Thanksgiving next week, we're postponing week 3 to give the upcoming featured artists proper attention and you adequate opportunity to win!
Giveaways start back on Monday 11/30 but we better still see you around these parts :){maisy's market}


A VERY BIG THANK YOU to all of our featured stores this week!

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