Sand & Starfish + a giveaway!

I've recently connected with Stephanie through twitter + instagram,

and I have to say, she is just the sweetest!

Keep reading to learn more about her story & to win an adorable garland!

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I am captivated by the beauty of the emerald colored waters that roll in on this beautiful white sand that is 3 blocks from my house. There is this little bundle of love and joy and creativity that runs around my house. She's imagine she's everything wonderful and beautiful that God could have blessed me with in one amazing package. My heart still feels the little fluttering butterfly wings when I hold my husbands hand... and we've been together as a couple for almost 8 years now! I garden, I sew, I cook, and I clean... my name is Stephanie and I am the owner/creative designer for the blog and shop Sand & Starfish. When I first opened my shop back in April, 2010, I didn't really have a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve with the products that I sold. It was a hodge podge of things... fabric covered composition books, appliques, reusable snack bags, appliqued towels... just things I loved to make all put together in one place. I loved what I sold individually but as a whole, there was no connectivity and it was very much a mirror of what was spiritually going on in my life at the time.

   

 After being open for a little over a year, I had a life changing experience that really opened my eyes to the world, my world, and my shop's world, that surrounded me. I was baptized! After that experience, my eyes opened and I started to realize that this shop, this thing that I was trying to pour my heart into and yet feeling no real connection to, was missing the biggest ingredient of all... the Lord! My beliefs and love for the Lord have always played such a big part in my life so it was astounding to think that I didn't carry them over to my shop! So after lots of prayer, I decided to close the shop and reopen with a new vision that was directed from Him. So I took the old, and made something new and it felt wonderful! I was making and creating things that I didn't plan on making, with things I didn't plan on using. The love that I have for the things I do create is is passionate and my heart just overflows with joy for them. And I honestly believe that it's because I do them for His glory.
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One of the first things I started to sell after I reopened was carefully constructed. After weeks of sketching while at the beach, praying and sketching some more, and then putting together my first ever design... I knew it was meant to be, and the Vintage Dresden Clutch was born! After that, I started to branch out and added purses, totes, pleated pouches, and the vintage fabric garlands. Total connectivity, total love and passion, totally me! Optimistic, gentle-hearted, daydreamer are definitely 3 of the best words that can be used to describe me and I use the most every day as well! I really pull from a lot of different inspiration when I'm creating new things. I think about the beach, the colors that are on beach towels, beach balls, the sky and water mixed. I think about flowers, the different levels and layers that each one has. I think about favorite memories and the colors that stick out in my mind. All those things are such a big part of my life that I really like to tap into those first before I move on to other sources... and normally those do the trick. I'm so in love with the Vintage Dresden Clutches that are in my shop. They're so bright and colorful and are perfect for running those quick errands or for giving your larger purse a little more organization. A seriously close second place would be the Vintage Ruffle Bags. I made one for myself and it completely captured my heart. The ruffles mixed with the vintage fabrics make my heart melt! It's so roomy and has a couple pockets on the inside for my phone and keys... it's been my "go-to" bag and I get compliments on it every single time I go out! Let's connect and be friends!! I blog here, and I'm on twitter and facebook as well! I'd love to connect with you, even if it is just through a screen! Thank you so much Jacky for allowing me to share a little bit of what makes me, and Sand & Starfish, special!

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Jacky here again!

I got a package covered in washi tape earlier this week {we share a love of that, hehe!}

& found a sweet mini fabric garland. I hung it up in the corner over my piano right away,

and I love the cheerful color it adds to our living room. Even the Mister likes it!

Plus, unlike the DIY garlands I've seen, she actually sews each piece so they're extra sturdy.

And...Stephanie is giving away a mini garland, too! Hurray!

enter using the Rafflecopter widget below;

feel free to email me if you have any problems.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

currently loving...

this sweet little tangerine wallet from Peggy Ann Design

{psst! Hannah is closing up shop,

so you can get a 40% discount with the code CLOSEOUT}

this ranunculus print from Mandipidy

these lovely new headband/bracelet combos from Cotton Lane

gorgeous embroidery from Take the Cannoli

the knotted statement necklaces from Marine Parents

{although I don't know how I would choose which color/design!}

and the adorable hair wraps from Little Penelope Lane

what are you really loving right now?

{sponsor love} Mandipidy

Another edition of {sponsor love} for you today...

I personally love this sweet shop & the lovely lady behind it!

I'm Mandy, and I blog over at Mandipidy. I love to share my life as it unfolds through my craft projects, life with the hubs, and what God is teaching me throughout the week.

I also have a shop on etsy where I sell illustrated prints.

If you could only choose 3 words to describe yourself, what would they be?

spontaneous, creative, joyful

{I actually got this print for a friend's birthday, and I kinda wanted to keep it myself...}

As you work on lovelies for your shop, how do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in all sorts of places, but they usually are very practical. My shop's best sellers are the "Place I Love" prints, and the original idea came about when my husband and I were driving from VA to CO a few months ago. When we crossed the Georgia border, I decided to draw the state with the phrase "Georgia on my Mind." I never would have dreamed that my car ride entertainment would blossom into a whole print series!

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?

I love the Bushel and a Peck print... I'm 9 months pregnant and have been singing that song to my baby ever since we found out that we were expecting. I can't wait to sing it to her face-to-face!

*****

Don't you love it?

Be sure to check out Mandy's shop & visit her adorable blog!

{discount + giveaway!} seek first

this giveaway is now CLOSED.

thanks to everyone who entered!

I met Lauren recently through blogging, and today I'm excited to share her shop & more about her. She also wants to give something to one of you, so keep reading!

{ shop } { blog }

Hello!  My name is Lauren Battershell, and I am a lover and follower
of Jesus. I am also crafty DIY thrift-a-holic, wife, blogger, and
cancer researcher. I love crafting and sharing my adventures along the
way on my blog...where you can see my perspective on life, faith,
love, marriage, and crafts. I married my best friend last December,
and am so honored to call him my husband!

I started crafting as a creative outlet from research (I love science,
but a girl needs some frills), and my shop has come out of the
abundance of my love to craft. It is now my way to fund raise for
going back to school.

What are three words that describe you?

blessed, given much grace (that's really 3
but I'm going to count it as one! =)), and happy!

How do you find inspiration?

my inspiration for work in my shop comes from the beauty of creation.
I love sipping coffee sitting outside, and many of the colors I choose
come from the original creator.

my favorite item in my shop is the yellow and white gingham headband.  It reminds
me of childhood days of playing by the beach, careless and free.

Lauren sent me a sweet purple headband...

{sorry, it's a little hard to see...}

...and I really enjoyed wearing it!

My sisters even complimented me on it, which is a big deal. ;)

It is larger than the headbands I usually wear,

but once I put it on, I really didn't notice it.

Thanks, Lauren!

{ discount code! }

Want to go shopping?

Use the code SWEETEST for 10% off your purchase!

{ giveaway! }

Lauren is giving this cute headband to one of my readers!

Love the colors of this one.

To enter, check out Seek First and tell me what your favorite item is!

{extra entries}

- follow Lauren's blog

- follow my blog

- spread the word! {blog, tweet, etc.}

Open to US only, please.

This giveaway will end 8/1 and winner will be randomly chosen.

Lauren sent me a headband to review; opinions are my own!

{sponsor love + a discount!} Rags to Stitches

Happy Tuesday to you!

I'm excited to be sharing about one of my new sponsors today, Alissa.

I hope you'll read on to learn more about her, see her cute products

and leave her some comment love!

*****

Hi! My name is Alissa and I blog over at Rags to Stitches. I'm married to the love of my life and we've been together for almost 7 years. In that time we've had our fair share of adventures and I'm so excited for the many more to come. My career began as an elementary and middle school teacher and shifted after the birth of our beautiful baby girl Miss K in 2008. Miss K is now two and a half and is one of the most precious joys of our lives. Her smile and laughter can brighten anyone's day. In late 2009 we were blessed with another bundle of joy, who we lovingly refer to as Buddy. He is my sensitive, cuddle bug and already looks up to his sister. Being 17 months apart, I'm not going to lie, they keep me on my toes, but I'd rather dance around on my toes all day, then miss a single moment with them.

{yellow vintage iPad snuggie}

Rags to Stitches Boutique, the shop, was born in 2009. I had begun sewing when I was pregnant with Miss K. You know that constant urge to create, organize and nest.... well that's where it started for me. A self-taught sewer, not perfect, but learning, I began sewing things for my little girl and suddenly others began asking me if I would make those things for them. First it was burp cloths and nursing cover ups, then wipes cases and infant car seat canopies. After some nudging from my husband, the loving entrepreneur, I created Rags to Stitches. I could have never imagined it would grow into the business it has and I'm so blessed to be a work at home mom.

{custom car seat canopy}

How do you find inspiration for your work?

Lately I've been finding a lot of inspiration on Pinterest. I find colors, styles, words of inspiration that spark new ideas to create. My biggest passion though is my blog. I love sharing my family's adventures.

{ruffled checkbook cover}

What is your favorite item from your shop?

It would have to be my Custom Crib Bumpers!!

{cute!}

{ discount! }

use the code RAGSTOSTITCHES for 10% off your order!

connect with Alissa here:

{ shop . blog . twitter . facebook }

{sponsors!}

You may have noticed a few new buttons on the sidebar this week...

---------------------->

That's right, The Sweetest Petunia is now accepting alimited number of sponsors each month!
I've decided against charging money for these spots,and instead doing an ad swap {like Laura}.That way, we both win!
UPDATE : spot is filled! Thanks, ladies. ;)I still have one spot open for July, so please email me if you're interested!{first come, first served}
And stay tuned to hear more about these lovely ladies, Alissa & Laura. ;)

sew ewe-nique designs {review & giveaway!}

this giveaway is now CLOSED!
Congrats to Vicki S!
{winner has been emailed}

*****

Happy Monday, everyone...

I'm excited to be sharing a sweet shop with you today!

{shop} {blog} {twitter}

Kelly is the designer behind sew ewe-nique, and her shop is full

of cute little accessories to dress up your outfits.

cute button earrings...

fun headbands...

even cute clutches!

I asked Kelly to tell me a little about herself...

Well, I am a 25 year old dreamer and creator. I have always loved art and coming up with new ideas. Crafting has always been in my family, my Mom, Grandmother, all the way to my Great-Grandmother, so I would say I have the genes for it. I live with my fiance Tom and two adorable kitties Hamlet and Nanaki in Northern Lower Michigan. I decided to start my own shop when I needed a creative outlet from work. I started to knit last fall and fell in love with it. I then got a sewing machine for Christmas (from Tom) and went to town! But what I love most about starting my own shop is being able to then support other shops. {Yes, I love this!} I try to put my 'sale' money towards purchases that will also support other small shop owners. I appreciate those who buy handmade and try to do the same.

...and what inspires her!

Life, nature and fashion. I say life because, I have found that my style has changed with the seasons. I am huge into earrings, and sewing items right now, come fall I will pick up knitting again. Nature because of the area that we live in. Though there is a semi-medium size town around us, N. Michigan is covered in nature, so what better to inspire a person than what surrounds me. And fashion which has always inspired me. I try to be thrifty, and when certain styles cost more than what I would pay for something that is mass-marketed, I try to recreate them myself. There is nothing better than hearing “where did you get that?” and answering “I made it!”

Kelly sent me this adorable headband, and I love it! 

I wore it this week, and it was a nice little piece to dress up my hair.

I love the covered button, it's well made, and the fabric is so sweet. :)

{Thanks so much, Kelly!}

{ giveaway! }

One of you will win a $20 shop credit

to sew ewe-nique designs!

{open to US/Canada only, please}

To enter, check out the shop and leave a comment

telling me what you would buy with your $20 credit.

Leave your email so I can contact you if you win!

extra entries:

follow Kelly's blog

follow Kelly on twitter

the fine print:

leave separate comments for each entry

open to US/Canada

this giveaway will remain open until 6/20

the winner will be randomly chosen

Kelly sent me a headband for review,

but all opinions are my own!

burlap + blue {feature & discount code!}

I'm so excited to share a sweet shop with you today! 

Be sure  to check the end of the post for a discount code.

{shop}  {blog}  {twitter}  {facebook}

 

burlap + blue is a shop filled with lovely things.

dessert pedestals {seriously need some of these!}, coasters, pretty things for your home...

Here's what Linda has to say about her shop:

My shop features vintage-inspired, handcrafted goods,

including dessert pedestals and personalized children's matching games.

I started burlap+blue a couple of years ago so that I could stay creative

while staying and home and raising my 2 year old son.

I love the online community and the constant inspiration

I receive from my fellow bloggers and shop owners!!

Love that!

I think this sweet birdie stand is my favorite! 

Linda even has some of these adorable shabby blooms,

perfect for dressing up a plain top.

See something at burlap + blue that you just have to have?

Use the discount code

sweetestpetunia

for 15% off your next purchase!

Have fun shopping! :)

*****

I love sharing handmade shops here on the blog.

If you'd like to see your shop featured, you can find more info right here.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Pepper & Her Pup Designs {giveaway!}

A giveaway - celebrate the weekend!

Pepper & Her Pup Designs

{shop} {blog} {twitter} {facebook}

If you chose 3 words to describe yourself, what would they be?

Sassy, Fun, and Creative.

As you work on lovelies for your shop, how do you find inspiration?

I draw the majority of my inspiration from our soon to be one year old daughter, since I enjoy creating pieces with her in mind.

 

{Liz will soon be carrying mini necklaces,

perfect for the toddlers in your life!}

 

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?

My favorite item right now would have to be the mustard blue necklace, perfect for this spring weather we've been having.

 

{giveaway!}

Liz is giving one of you a $20 credit to her shop!

To enter, just visit the shop & let me know what you'd buy.

Please leave your email address so I can contact the winner!

{extra entries}

leave seperate comments

follow Liz's blog

follow Liz on twitter

spread the word!

{the fine print}

US only, please!

this giveaway will end 3/30

winner will be randomly chosen

I recieved no compensation for this feature post.

Opinions are my own. :)