spring dreaming

I day dream about spring shoes, or maybe, I just daydream about shoes in general. Spring is finally here, though not sure if that says very much seeing that I live in southern California and the differentiation between seasons are not that great, but nevertheless color (or is it shoes?) is on my mind. I seriously want these...

from dear golden vintage

from marais usa

from indigo by clarks

I should have a sign that says, "Will work for shoes!" Now, if only those retailers would do a little trading, etsy-style... that would be a dream! Surely, some of them would want some clips or crowns.

To any secret admirers out there (okay, Ben), I love these things. Don't forget I am a size 6, though I think the yellow shoes would fit me. I know, I know (Ben is rolling his eyes as he reads this), you have been more than generous lately. Just thought I would share... you never know.

Happy Monday everyone! 

p.s. care to trade anyone?!!

small excitement

Well actually, more like BIG excitement for something Small...

So, what did I do when I saw one my crowns in the wonderfully inspiring Small Magazine?!!

I jumped for joy!!!

This is a dream come true... yipee!!!

the midday omelet

The husband didn't know what he wanted for lunch, so I threw this together for him...

Left over pinto beans and chopped up broccoli sauteed in some extra virgin olive oil and red pepper. Cook the egg whites with cheese, stick the sauteed veggies and beans in the middle, fold it over, then flip it over and "tada!" Now you've got a midday omelet. Omelets are my Ben's favorites.

Shop has been updated with the once in awhiles. Each Lela is wearing an extra special something, ready for her cold trip home, wherever that may be...

True's announcement

Once in awhiles shop update this Wednesday...
There will be only 10 Lelas (none of which are exactly the same) and all of whom are lovable and huggable. Also, for a little extra lovin' True has hugged each one and said, "I love you Lela. You are my best friend!" Now, who can resist that?!! Cause I certainly can't.

I can't wait to get them in the shop. My goal is to have a once in awhile shop update next week for mushrooms and the week after some bags. Then, that will be it for the once awhiles for the rest of the year!

There is so much to do and so little time. I have a gazillion crowns to make, Thanksgiving dresses to think of, and some gift making for Christmas. I feel like I am running out of time! Does anyone feel that way too?

Well, happy busy Monday!

homepage goodness and a new stack

It is always exciting to make it to the etsy homepage, even more special is that it's my littlest seester wearing Cakies...

Also, I have a wonderful new stack of vintage fabric, which consists of some european linen and more tablecloths...
I love new stacks of fabric. I love to fold, and re-fold and look at them cause they are darn pretty! Now, if I can just get orders done to make something for my girls and more once in awhiles to put in the shop.

Yippee!!!

Also, check out a friend's new etsy shop and another friend's contest... both rock! And don't forget to enter to win the Free People inspired bag (see post below)...

Free People (and a bag giveaway)

So do you remember my Free People inspired bag? Well, because of that bag I had the pleasure of being found by Free People (thanks Heather!). I worked for them to develop instructions on how to re-create the bag and am so honored to be interviewed by them and featured as their first featured craft blogger.

Now, if you read my blog consistently, you know my love for Free People, particularly the Urban Outfitters Co. as a whole! I love Urban, Free People, and Anthropologie... all of those places rock!!!

Also, with their feature and this post, I am giving away the bag (pictured above) that I made while writing the instructions. The bag is made of a vintage tablecloth on the outside, Amy Butler fabric on the inside and with scraps of fabric to make the braided handles, which are my favorite part of the bag.

To be entered, just leave a comment on this post including the following items:

1. Your favorite crafter/craft site (I love learning about more inspiring people.)

2. Your favorite item in my shop

3. Your email address, so I could contact you should you win.

*Those overseas are welcome to join in.

Then, a week from now, the morning of Friday, October 3rd, I will randomly pick a winner!

So, if you want to learn more about me, learn how to make the bag, and just check out another cool blog... hope on over to Free People's blog (and do some shopping on their site while your at it)!!!

Thank you Free People for this wonderful opportunity! You are so inspiring and your site, clothes, and blog continue to give me inspiration!!!

***UPDATE***

More excitement because all those who subscribe to Free People emails (including me) just received this one...

We really are excited over here and as my friend Krystin put it, we think it's "rad, rad, rad"!!!

Good luck everyone!!!

***I just did a minor shop update and included is once in awhile items, more to come***
Once in awhile items are sold out, there will be some coming again, keep checking back! Thanks everyone!!!

trying something new

So, I (especially my Benny) have never been too keen on baby headbands. I just never found any that I liked and weren't too baby-like, so we never bothered to have our girls wear one. 

I figured I have been making hair clips, why not try to turn them into a sort of headband. This is my take on it and there is still some tweaking to be done... 
It still has the dimension that I like from my little Rosy Posies, but now it is headband form...

 

What do you think?

fridays are nice

The end of the week is here and so is the end of my giveaway and as chosen by the random number generator, the winner is...
Yes, a very lovely blog, by a very inspiring Erika, who lives an ocean away. She even has a most wonderful etsy shop full of goodies that you should most definitely check out!

Congratulations Miko Design!

Oh and I had to share that you could win a Cakies Crown from a giveaway that is being done at Mammalicious Finds, so check it out!!!

Now I am off to finish a few orders, work on a few new things for the shop (I just did a massive shop update and I am liking the cleaner background), and spend more time with my girls and my Benny (when he finally comes home).

I will be back next week to share a cool project we did, the results of my decorating frenzy in Brave's room and just loads of more happy creating, but until then...

***Don't forget my silent auction for Nie Nie is still going on and everywhere else until Sunday midnight.***

thank you and a blog-versary giveaway

It has been a wonderful first year blogging in this space...

I have made so many good friends through here and I appreciate all the love and encouragement that I have received thus far. To think it all started with a friend, who owned a baby boutique, liking my handmade goodies, and then another friend, encouraging me to blog about it! Through this, I have been able to help my family a bit and I just thank God for this opportunity!!!

To celebrate, I wanted to give away some Cakies clippies, which is what started this all! A lucky winner (those overseas are welcome to join) will receive 3 Cakies clippies of their choice...
The giveaway will end and be announced sometime Friday morning and in order to be part of it, just leave a comment on this post. 

I love making things, learning from and being inspired by others, and being able to share this love for creating with all of you, so thank you!

So, happy blog-versary to me!!!

Also, I had to share some new Cakies stockists:

• Babylegs Singapore - I am so excited about this because it is one of my first international spots and being sold along side the famous Babylegs is such an honor!
  
• Ava and Ashley - If you are going green, this is another place to go!
  
• Genes - Totally a rockin' place to shop and check out their look book because you could be a queen, king, or just rock a Cakies clip!
  
• Lilliputians-NYC - Famous for their birthday outfits, they also carry an exclusive line of Cakies crowns that can only be found on their site.
  
• Green Little Beans -  Perfect place to shop for that cute, little, organic baby you love and they have the cutest handmade stick ponies I have ever seen!
  

Thank you Lord for giving Cakies these opportunities!!!

A new builder...

Has come into our neighborhood. This builder's home has state of the art upgrades and is loaded with character. The new builder is Mummysam and her homes are one of a kind...


There was a little package waiting for us as soon as we got back from SA. When True opened it, she was glued immediately and was saying,"Townhouse! Townhouse!" She was excited there was a new little home to add to her neighborhood. Now every nap time and every night, she takes her "townhouse," house, and her baby "oso" and baby "elefante" to bed with her...


And in commemoration of her little houses, she has a new pillow that she sleeps with too...
It was a lovely find on etsy... a perfect little, vintage, cross-stitched piece now turned into a tiny pillow for my tiny girl.

Thanks Sam! True loves her townhouse so much...

Have a lovely weekend all!

All day...

Spent slaving away and working...

I have gotten pricked by lots of pins...


I have poked my lovely pin cushion lots of times...


Some little sweets somewhere will soon be enjoying some Cakies...
This all just makes me happy!

A break was needed, so we went to the nearby park to have dinner. We picked up some sushi and just enjoyed the fresh air (as fresh as southern California air can get)... True even got her own roll!

I see the carrot dangling ahead and I look forward to a little break. I have so many new ideas that I want to try out that I can't wait to give them a go... to create for the sake of creating! And oh lots of projects to do around the house... decorating! I love decorating!!!

Something's a bit different...

Can anybody guess?


And exciting news for Cakies...

Neatostuff, a place that finds a nice collection of items from all around the web, has featured the Bolt of Thunder Cakies Crown, which can be found on Cakies retailer Bellasymphony!

Thank you to Neatostuff and Bellasymphony!!!

Almost forgot...

Thanks so much to Cool Mom Picks for their wonderful write-up on my Cakies crowns. I was very excited to wake up and see them there this morning...

This is also True's second time on their site... the first time was sporting a PGB doll and now for Cakies... yay!

Come on every kid needs a Cakies crown!!!

Look!!

My Sweet Mum in Ocean Sun was on the homepage of etsy today... a lovely turquoise treasury list put together by Fofiko. Thanks Fofiko!!!

Kristen from Shabby Vintage Mom was kind enough to send me a message and tell that I was on the homepage... thank you so much!

It was so exciting!!! I had to call my Ben...

Sweet words...

There have been sweet words in blog land today and some Cakies love comes from Varenia and her wonderful blog... Play is the Thing. She also has a cute little etsy shop with an absolutely delicious name Whole Grain Baby. Thanks Varenia and I can't wait to send off your delicious order of Cakies!!!

Also, there is a great interview done on another one of my absolute favorite etsy shops and dolly makers (I know I talk about her a lot, but she is one of my absolute favorites) Shannon of Project Grab Bag. It is also exciting because sometimes where PGB goes, so does True!!! Check out the interview here and learn more about the mastermind of these fabulous dollies...

I interrupt my Friday evening to tell you...

One of my fave sellers Bellasymphony is having a fabulous giveaway on her blog... a $50 gift certificate to her shop!!!

You just have to comment on what items you would use the gift certificate for...

Go now... hurry!!!

Read about Bellasymphony...

Shop Bellasymphony...

Stunning in black...

In the past, I have had a couple blondes request their Cakies in black and I think it looks simple and dramatic. So finally, it is available in the shop... you don't even have to be blonde!

Makes me happy...

That some princes and princesses somewhere will be crowned king and queen...


Walking to get some yummy yogurt... can you guess which is mine?!!

Where does your imagination take you?

True thinks she is a princess...


Or you can be a butcher, a baker, or even candlestick maker... well, why can't all of them wear crowns too?!! Come and explore imaginative play with our Cakies crowns...

Really... everyone wants to be royalty of some kind (Benny and I have crowns too! Really!!!), so visit my shop for another mini-update...

The Simple Bow...

Is now up in my shop... and a few more colors to come!

Shop my Cakies...