Today we say goodbye to the Year of the Rabbit and welcome the new Chinese Year of the Dragon. I have chosen the Chinese dragon as the theme for today’s Etsy shopping pick. Here are just a few of my favorite hand made items created by Etsy sellers.
Top left: Asian Dragon Crochet Pattern by Edafedd
Top right: Chinese Dragon Tshirt by Happy Family
Bottom left: Dragon Necklace by Jaunebleu
Bottom right: Chinese Dragon Dog Collar by Day Dog Designs
Today is National Popcorn Day in the United States and Cananda. Popcorn makes a great party treat that is fun to make as well as fun to eat. Try serving one of the following recipes in plastic cups or paper cones at your next party.
Top left: Sticky Popcorn Pots from Good Food Magazine
Top right: Popcorn Party Mix from Whole Foods Market
Bottom left: Caramel Popcorn from Waitrose.com
Bottom right: Popcorn Trail Mix from Good Life Eats
If you are hosting a party this New Year’s Eve or even if you are celebrating quietly at home then you might like to try one of these cocktail recipes. They all use champagne or sparkling wine and would be perfect for toasting in 2012.
Top left: Orange-Cherry Champagne Cocktails from Country Living
Top right: Cranberry-Lemongrass Martini from Oprah.com
Bottom left: Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail from Martha Stewart
Bottom right: Elisa’s Champagne Cocktail from Country Living
This month, the Movember campaign is encouraging men to grow a moustache to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. You can find out more about the campaign on the Movember website. The moustache or mustache has also inspired Etsy sellers to create some fun handmade items. Here are just a few of my favorites, that would also make great christmas gifts.
Top left: Mustache Necklace by Mustache Glass
Top right: Two Mustache Low Ball Glasses by Bread and Badger
Bottom left: Mustache Love Keyring by Yummy Pocket
Bottom right: Mustache Glasses Stand and Key Hook by Art Akimbo
Today is the first day of National Baking Week here in the UK. The National Baking Week website has lots of Halloween Party ideas as well as some great Halloween recipes such as these Scary Halloween Cupcakes.
Pumpkins are not just for Halloween. Here are just a few of my favorite pumpkin inspired creations from Etsy sellers.
Top left: Hand Painted Pumpkin Mug by Laura Lee Designs
Top right: Cross Stitch Mini Pillow by Stitch Crafts
Bottom left: Pumpkin Hat Knitting Pattern by Daffodil Baby
Bottom right: Sock Pumpkin Set by Little Miss Loolies
As many of you will probably already know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I have designed these pretty circles for you to use to at any fundraising events that you may be invloved with. Just download the FREE printable PDF file by clicking on the link below. Print the file on bright white paper or cardstock, trim the squares and then punch out the centre of each square with a 2 inch circle craft punch. Of course the circles can be used to make cupcake toppers, but with a little imagination they can also be used to create tags, stickers and many other items for your fundraising events.
This Little Monster invitation is a new design which is now available in the Paperspice Etsy shop. It is available in two different colour schemes to make it suitable for both boys and girls. Hopefully this monster is cute and not really scary, despite the sharp teeth!. Let me know what you think.
There is still time to plan a late summer or autumn picnic. A picnic is great way to celebrate anything from a birthday or anniversary to a family reunion. Take a look at this inspiration board for some great picnic party ideas from Etsy sellers. Why does food always taste better when eaten outdoors?
Clockwise from top right: Picnic Invitation by Paperspice; Gingham Bunting by Goodwill Bunting; Red Gingham Napkins by Sewn Natural; Vintage Pie Basket by Cosy Cottage Chic; Assorted Cupcake Liners by The Bakers Confections; Picnic Dress by Sweet Sophia Bowtique; Vintage Children’s Picnic Set by Our Little Blue Cottage
Are you heading to the coast for your summer vacation this year? As I have just returned from a week at the seaside, I decided to prolong my holiday mood by choosing beach huts as the theme for today’s Etsy shopping pick. Here are just a few of my favorite beach hut creations from UK Etsy sellers.
Top left: Beach Hut Pin by Giraffes Kiss
Top right: Appliqued Tea Cosy by Loup Crafts
Bottom left: Beach Huts Embroidery Canvas Art by Gillian Bates
Bottom right: Beach Hut T Shirt by Munchy Monster
