Weekly Featured Artist - Karen of Lilybella Boutique

Wow! what a busy lady Karen is making all her gorgeous items!! Thank you for taking the time out to let us in on your world.

Tell us all about yourself and your craft?
I am a wife, homemaker, grandmother to five great grandkids, a "just moved to the country" girl, and I love to be creative. When we moved to the country from the city, we built our dream home and now I have my very own craft room where I can be crafty all day! My daughter, Allison and I started Lilybella two years ago, making cloth diaper bags and changing pads. One day, we came across this great fabric, oilcloth, and it inspired us to change our whole concept! I love working with it, and remain inspired everyday to come up with something new to do with it. Allison, who has three of my grandchildren, (picture on my "about me" page), had to go to work full time, so now it is just me, myself, and I running the business.

How long have you been creating your craft?
I make everything by hand, including the embroidery work. There are several oilcloth sites out there, but my little niche is adding the embroidery designs, and personalizing, as I think these two things just really bring out the cuteness. I am currently working on adding some new designs to my line of products.


What is one of the biggest lesson you have learnt about your craft & selling it?
My biggest lesson I have learned in my business is to never put anything before customer service. Your customer IS your business, and if you are making them happy they will come back again and again, and tell all their friends about you.

Which of your items did you have the most fun creating & why?
I don't know that I have a favorite item I make. My husband says I have too many products. It is hard carrying such a variety, but the great thing about that is, that you are always doing something different everyday, so you never get tired of one thing. I just love to do the monograms, because once I put their name on something, it just becomes so special, and all kids love having their names on things.

Is there a basic ‘household’ item you use when creating that seems to work just as good if not better than the actual ‘tool’?
The basic household item I use the most is "freezer tape". I use it instead of pins on the oilcloth, because the less holes you put in it the better. The tape really works well holding things together, and this particular tape comes off very easily. I also use glue sticks to lay the appliqué fabric onto the oilcloth, (instead of fabric spray). It works great and is not sticky.

What is your favourite candy bar & why?
My favorite candy bar?!!! Is this a trick question? Are you going to analyze me in some deep way! Ha! Ok. My favorite candy bar is Reeses Peanut butter cups because I loooove the peanut butter in the middle. I crave peanut butter every day! I have at least 3-4 peanut butter sandwiches a week! (I am plain and simple girl.) No jelly either! EEWWW! Just plain.


If money, responsibilities, and time were no issues where in the great wide world would you go & why?
If money, responsibilities, and time were no issue I would get into an RV and travel the country going on every back road there is, looking for any little antique shops and flea markets I could find. I love junk and antiques and never get tired of finding things to do with it. Also, I live in the greatest country in the world, and I have not even seen a lot of the famous site that people from other countries come here to see! That is just un-American. So I would be sure to do that as well.

Head over to Lillybella at www.lilybella.com today where I can guarantee you'll find some thing you like!! and with Christmas only months away what a great place to grab a unique gift for almost anyone on your gift list!
You can also follow what's new by Karen at her blog - lilybellaboutique.blogspot.com

I think I've got an addiction!

Hi, my name is Amy and I'm a clip-oholic.... this is where you all together reply with "Hi Amy".

At the end of my pregnancy with my little girl, Milla, I had terrible heart burn. No matter what I ate or how long I took to eat it I would get pains right across my chest. I was complaining about this to a girlfriend one day who said she heard an old wives tale that heartburn means bubby has hair.... well a few month later when Milla was born we proved that old wives tale true - Milla had a mass of hair.



This is when my addiction began.... I started with just a few little clips just to keep Milla's hair out of her eyes, then a few more to match outfits, then a few more just because they were too cute, then a few more and a few more and a few more..... the latest one's I purchased arrived just a day or so ago and when i went to hang them on the clip holder I realized just how out of control my addiction had got!!!



I"m pretty sure with this addiction I can keep Etsy running all by myself! There are clips from all kinds of wonderful Etsy sellers like Holy Craft, Vanilla Pixie, Chloes Cuties, Karma Box, Everyday Clippies, jordanalisa, pammydawn, TipTop Lollipop, Curly Girl BowTique and of course from Milla's Grandma Barbara. I've just remembered too that I am waiting on one for Milla's first birthday party in November from kenzie klips that is a cupcake with the number 1 on it...... I'd think about stopping but I'm just not a quitter hahahahaha!

My girl is on the move!!

I just grabbed the video camera in time to catch my daughter, Milla, at the end of her first wobbly crawl!!
WARNING!! Proud mum moment ahead....

Weekly Featured Artist - Macaroni and Glue

Thank you Kelly, for taking the time to share a bit of your gorgeous stationary world with us!!

Tell us all about yourself and your craft?
My name is Kelly. I’m a stay-at-home mom, political activist, and a long-time entrepreneur. As the face behind Macaroni and Glue, I make custom invitations, handcrafted greeting cards and vintage-inspired blank note sets.

How long have you been creating your craft?
As of the start of this summer, I’ve been in the stationery business for about a year. I’ve actually never been particularly “artsy-craftsy,” but I started making cards and gifts after my daughter was born and money was tight without a second income. I was surprisingly ambitious with my little “projects” (looking for a creative outlet, I suppose), and I tried lots of different mediums and techniques. For my sister’s baby shower, rather than buy an expensive gift from the registry, I created some fairly elaborate thank you cards and put them together as a set for her. People seemed to love them, and I started getting orders for more custom cards – announcements, holiday cards, cards for political fundraisers… you name it. I spent the last half of 2007 filling custom orders, and once the holidays were over, I realized that paper had become a bit of an obsession. I decided to open the shop in February after discovering Etsy and spending a month or so in design heaven working on my vintage-y notecard designs.


What is one of the biggest lesson you have learnt about your craft & selling it?
Focus focus focus. Laser focus is so important when you’re starting a business, and even more important in design. I have really struggled to find a point of view as a designer. If I approach each project from a completely neutral place, I become frustrated very quickly trying to bring a design into focus. I have to be honest with myself about what works and what doesn’t, and refuse to sell anything I don’t love. After a year, I feel like I'm finally able to come to the table with a strong sense of my own capabilities and my individual style.

Which of your items did you have the most fun creating & why?
Great question. I honestly love the process of creating all of my cards – if I don’t have fun putting something together, it doesn’t make it into the shop! As far as my printed cards go, I probably had the most fun with my kitschy 50s girl notecard. She’s so cute! I also really love an excuse to use a hammer, so I had a particularly good time with my newest congratulations card. Eyelets just make me happy.


Is there a basic ‘household’ item you use when creating that seems to work just as good if not better than the actual ‘tool’?
I’m super cheap, and scrapbooking gadgets cost a fortune, so I’ve used anything and everything in my kitchen to help with cards at one point or another. Ultimately, though, I find that there are certain things I just can’t accomplish without a trip to good old Hobby Lobby. I do, however, use a light cube for my photographs that consists of a few pieces of flimsy cardboard, two desk lamps, and two coffee cups. There were also trash bags, coffee cups, a yardstick and a lighter involved in the assembly of my most recent invitation project, but I don’t want to give away all my secrets…

What is your favourite candy bar & why?
$100,000 bar, hands down! Love that combination of crispy and gooey at the same time. Mmmmmmmmmmm…..


If money, responsibilities, and time were no issues where in the great wide world would you go & why?
Anywhere with a beach, sun, crashing waves, no freeways, and no power lines in sight.

Take a wander through Macaroni and Glue at www.macaroniandglue.etsy.com and be quick because Kelly has a great deal running - "Shop for the 2008 holiday collection early and save! Get a $1 Paypal refund when you purchase any boxed holiday card set before October 1st!". You can find out more about the world of Macaroni and Glue at Kelly's great blog http://macaroniandglue.com

Boys will be Boys

What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails
That's what little boys are made of!"


I'm a mum of two girls so when it comes to 'boys stuff' it's a bit tricky thinking of themes, patterns and colours that a little man would like for his very own set of Giggleberry flags. Just recently I have found a great answer..... while online shopping (an addictive pass time of mine) I came across an ebay 'shop' that sells fabric in themed bundles of fat quarters and right there was a handful of boys selections - PERFECT and SOLD! I'm now a very loyal customer and I return every so often for a new selection.


The latest bundle arrived late last week so I have been busily sewing up new sets of fun boy flags all weekend and I think you'll agree they turned out great! There are dinosaurs, racing cars, firemen, plastic army men, and still to come are trucks, work men and much much more!!

Weekly Featured Artist - Jen of All Things Ribbon

It's amazing that even in the great big internet world you can come across something or someone particular again and again and it seems that Jen of All Things Ribbon is one of these people for me. I have seen her gorgeous bows, clips, headbands and dresses pop up in all kinds of places and when Jen agreed to be featured here on Giggleberry I was thrilled - and had a blast floating through her website trying to choose pictures to use.....

Tell us all about yourself and your craft?
I am a SAHM/WAHM with 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys. Being a Mom is by far my greatest accomplishment. We home educate & I love being a part of their education. We live in "small town" USA and we are surrounded by nature. In our house we have 2 pianos, 1 flute, 1 piccolo, 1 alto saxophone, 1 clarinet, 4 violins 3 penny whistles and a marimba, never too quiet around here but almost too much fun. I love making bows, even when I have to do it into the morning hours, I love new ribbon and the challenge of creating new and unique designs.

How long have you been creating your craft?
Allthingsribbon is only 6 months old, I originally started with a different company name 8 years ago "bowsnthings" and have officially been making and selling hair wear for over 14 years.


What is one of the biggest lesson you have learnt about your craft & selling it?
One of the biggest lessons I have learned I think is patience, believe it or not, especially with a new website, it is like having a store front in the middle of no where and there is a lot to do on the marketing end.


Which of your items did you have the most fun creating & why?
I had a lot of fun creating our froggy loves pink headband set, it is such a cute set and the name makes me smile. I have a fun creating the korker flowers, in the summer my teenage daughter works with me and we do these together, she also runs the etsy side of our business and her shop is called mandikinzklipz.


Is there a basic 'household' item you use when creating that seems to work just as good if not better than the actual 'tool'?
I do not think I can call this a basic household item heehee but I use a power drill-my husbands! I use it to make my korker ribbon and to roll my ribbon.


What is your favourite candy bar & why?
Favorite candy bar TWIX I love chocolate and caramel, the cookie crunch is a bonus!



If money, responsibilities, and time were no issues where in the great wide world would you go & why?
If I could go anywhere I would love to visit Jane Austen's England, I am a big Jane Austen fan/reader and I would love to see that part of the world.

Thank you to Jen for letting us in on her life a little! Pop in to her shop at www.allthingsribbon.com say hi and take a look at her HUGE collection of stunning handmade boutique accessories and matching dresses. You can even sign up to receive promotional offers and coupons exclusive to All Things Ribbon mailing list customers!

Spring has Sprung!

Today is the first day of Spring for me in Sydney, Australia and what a stunning day it has been to see in the new season!! After a rainy and dark weekend this morning the sun was beaming and the heater didn't go on all day - a rare thing lately. I even took the electric blanket off the bed!
To celebrate the spring season I listed three new sets of flags in my Etsy store today that couldn't be more 'Spring' like if I had tried. Colourful, bright, and cheerful are the words I'd use to describe them..... what do you think?


"Hearts A Flutter"


"Star Light, Star Bright"


"Dragonfly Sunshine"