The September Chirp

Crickets. They are out in full force, rubbing their legs together, singing sweet songs to their mates. I hear it's good luck to have them in your house. It is fun running around the yard trying to catch them, but it can be tricky hunting them down when trying to get them to hush.

Check out this crafty fellow

Tic-Toc-Chirp!

(this is a grasshopper, but they are related)

Food for frogs, pets for some, signs of fortune for others. Art for you?

hello September 

here I am chirp chirp chirp - chirp 

goodbye Summer - CROAK

Contest Time!

PRIZE: free favorite etsy shops ad space on The Handmade Gift Guide for one month

Entry: write a haiku poem inspired by this post
Winner: I will choose my favorite haiku submitted 

• you must comment here for your entry to count
• you must use the correct number of syllables in your haiku poem (5 on top line, then 7 on the middle, 5 on bottom)
• you must post your comment by September 10, 2010
• winner will be announced September 17, 2010

Good Luck and Have Fun!
Need help writing a Haiku?

Make It Yourself Project Kit: Gulf Coast Cottage PDF

If you are crafty, and looking for a new project that would be great for the holidays, you MUST check out Gulf Coast Cottage PDF. It is a fantastic resource for fabulous DIY felt patterns for kids! Now you can know exactly what your children are playing with- because YOU made it!

Get ready for the holidays now...

I know... super cute, right??

A pretend backyard bbq set will 

entertain your little one for hours!

Tea party anyone???

Princesses love tea parties...

OH, and your little-mister/miss-fix-it 

will just love this toolbox set.

Take advantage of Gulf Coast Cottage PDF's sale: 

buy 4 patterns in one purchase - get a 5th FREE!

 

**Do not put 5th pattern in your cart. Just state which one you would like at checkout in message to seller. (Does not apply to 10 pattern bundle, individual patterns only)

All patterns are original, hand drafted patterns. They include a supply list, color photos, full size patterns, and detailed instructions. Patterns will be emailed in PDF format to the email address you have registered with etsy within 24 hours (usually less) of payment.

Join their mailing list to find out about new pattern arrivals and special promotions! Send request to join to GulfCoastCottagePDF [at] comcast.net and you will receive a free sushi roll pattern.

Connect with Gulf Coast Cottage on Facebook and their blog.

Organization 101 - The To Do List

Whether you're a blogger, an artist, a mom or a student, good list making is crucial.  In a world where we're bombarded everyday from every direction, it's so easy to lose focus.  If you can set aside five minutes in the morning to write out a well thought list of tasks for the day, you'll be surprised how much you can get done.  And the feeling of accomplishment from checking off those items is a real motivation booster!  Getting those mundane, every day things done will also give you more free time to enjoy other things - family, friends, crafting - whatever!  For some really good list writing tips, check this article over at lifehacker.com.

While your list, notepad, journal (or whatever else you use) doesn't have to be fancy, why not have some fun with it and be stylish?  These handmade artists offer some really creative ways to put a little style in to your list writing.

SewMerry on Etsy

anArtfulAgenda on Etsy

picciolo on Etsy

boygirlparty on Etsy

downstairsDesigns on Etsy

ThePenPlace on Etsy

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions!

♥ Lauren@thehandmadegiftguide.com

At Summer's End

Emma here. You know, I think these last few weeks of summer might be my favorite of the whole season.

The heat starts breaking, things which lay drowsy all summer, flit about, happy to be active once more.

And while amusement park season ends, county fair season is just beginning.

So find an excuse to put on your favorite summery sundress one last time.

And spend these last couple of weeks the best way I know how...slowly.

Sit under a tree to read, go for a hike, take a bike ride with the kids, go garage sale-ing, and soak it all in...

...because before you know it...

Faerie Moon Creations

As a child I was fascinated by faeries, elves, and angels. I, for one, still hold onto my love of them, and have passed that on to my children. When my older daughters were small, they collected books on faeries and dragons, their rooms were covered in pictures of other worldly creatures, and of course they wanted to be pixies for Halloween for years.

I recently found Faerie Moon Creations on Etsy

Theresa MacNaughton, proprietress of Faerie Moon Creations, lives in central Connecticut with her husband and co-collaborator, Chuck. Their inspirations are drawn from a love of nature, fantasy, faerie tales, and folklore. Faerie Moon Creations, which officially opened for business in August 2009, features affordable and fun mixed media art pieces, handcrafted knit accessories, and OOAK jewelry.

This pendant is so pretty...

Faerie Moon Creations also makes custom pieces as well. Contact Theresa and let her know what you are looking for. She is very friendly and helpful!

Mention you are a reader of The Handmade Gift Guide in the notes to seller upon checkout on Etsy using the code "theguide-freeship"and your shipping charges will be refunded via Paypal!

Connect with Faerie Moon Creations on Etsy, Facebook, Twitter, and their blog.

Etsy Buy Handmade faerymoongoddess