The Toasted Coconut - Weekend Wonder

I really am trying to get back into the blogging groove!  Today is Sunday so let's do a Weekend Wonder post!  (I'm trying to feature an Etsy shop each weekend who has drool-worthy creations.)  This weekend, I've been crushing on The Toasted Coconut.  Etsy is getting SO BIG now that I often find new favorites based not so much on browsing, as recommendations from friends and fellow creative minds.  I discovered The Toasted Coconut on Twitter when my sister in law tweeted that she'd been to the farmer's market and fallen for this Etsy shop!  I LOVE finding funny connections like that.  So I clicked the link and picked some favorites that have been calling to me from my favorites page all week!  Who says potatos are the only yummy things that come from Idaho?!?!  (Oh, and also Farr's . . . . delish!)  Ok, on with the show! 


How adorable is this necklace?!?!  I started whining in my head when I saw it.  ("I neeeeeeed it!") 

And you know how homesick I can be for my damp, seaside childhood in Washington, so of couse, I also "neeeeeeeeed"ed the anchor pin.  

So, Stop by The Toasted Coconut for some crush-worthy, affordable adorable-ness!  <3 

The Toasted Coconut on Etsy

Weekend Wonder: YahBag

I feel like this is the PERFECT shop to choose to bring back my Weekend Wonder posts . . . I got reasons. 
1.  I actually OWN a YahBag
2.  Not only are these handmade, but they are also upcycled from vintage items, so its really all the best the Etsy has to offer
3.  Melissa is a sweetheart and a good twitter friend of mine. 
So let's get down to it -
I'm showing off the shop YahBag on Etsy:  http://yahbag.etsy.com/
I think Melissa says it best, so here is how she decribes her items: 
"Yah Bags are built with fabrics that have stood the test of time. Providing their loving owners with comfort, safety, and trust for many years. That's what I put into my bags, and what I want you the buyer to feel when you own one.

Please note that because the fabrics are not new... there may be inconsistencies in the color, small marks and spots. These only add to the charm and uniqueness of each bag. It's not they're fault, they've lived a long life and have earned every mark. " 
Adorable, right? 
And I have one!  I know, I know, HOW, you ask, did little old Mo manage to get her hands on one of those?  I won a gift certificate.  But honestly, I would have ended up saving my pennies for one anyway.  Here is mine: 

 I use it for my current "personal project" (a crochet item that isn't for sale - its a gift or its MINE!) and right now it takes care of Big Mac's sweater for this fall.  My all-time fav YahBags are the Canada Post ones (I lived in Canada for awhile so there's a soft spot there) but they're rare . . . if you're in love with a YahBag, you need to just go for it, because they're beautifully one of a kind.  But my mom used Ivory soap all the time when I was growing up, so this one became mine. 

I love all the pockets.  My YahBag is a simple one (you can choose pretty elaborate messenger style ones!) but it still has a handy inside pocket and a big outside one so sometimes I keep a couple projects inside at once.  Its great because it makes my projects portable.  

Also, the craftsmanship is SO good.  No loose threads or popped seams and I have really loaded this baby down a few times.  This is NOT ne of those handmade items that falls apart after a few uses (and we've all run across those, I'm sure!)  It's a great piece that will serve you well. 

Here's my fav from her shop right now . . . so gorgeous. 
Do you have a favorite one?

If life gives you crazy yarn . . . .

HAS IT BEEN 5 MONTHS?!?!  Sorry about that!  With Crazy Pants having autism and that hitting our little family like a hurricane, I just had to let some things go so that I could focus on getting back up and being proactive about helping him.  Sorry for the lack of posts.  Please love me anyway.  ;) 

ANYWAY, my mother-in-law invited me to a zumba class she takes with her sisters, daughters, a niece, some friends and my hubby made me go.  "Honey, its LIKE twitter and facebook, but its REAL LIFE!"  So off I went and it was actually really fun (and pretty darn hillarious).  I guess the trend in zumba right now is to add in some belly dancing moves, complete with the jingly hip scarves.  They're fun and all, and I have a couple coming, but they're just slave labor, really and that kinda breaks my heart.  So I checked Etsy for bellydancing hip scarves and found like, 10.  Some were just reselling the slave labor chiffon numbers (shame on you!) and others were really just scarves you *could* use as a hip scarf and none really suited me. 

I was at BigLots during my "mom break" yesterday and found yarn there.  Pretty, sparkly, barbie color yarn.  But I couldn't use it for a hat because of its ribbon-like qualities.  So I bought it anyway.  Because I'm like that with yarn.  And played with it last night and came up with this: 

(Excuse the thighs . . . I'm working on them, ok?  I've only been to a couple classes . . . )  Anyhow.  Its not really the finished product yet.  Today I ordered some jingly jangly gold coins to thread up and hang.   They'll be around the edge of the V and in the large open diamonds, ends of the ties and tassel . . . it'll be fab.  

 See?  Just imagine all the little jingly coins in the open bits.  CUTE! 

 I did the top kinda fun . . . added in some shells. 

This is the yarn.  It feels like velvet and has gold, sparkly squares in it.  (Hence, the gold coins.)  I have enough of this exact yarn to do another and some light pink for one more.  I also have some recycled sari silk I want to try out.  But it is not cheap big lots yarn and would be pricey.  I'm thinking the ones with the big lots yarn I'd charge about $20 for.  Cute, right?  (and yes, you can claim this one and I'll list it for you as reserved after I get the coins and add them.)  Crazy Pants just waked in with an armful of toilet paper, so that's my cue to go parent.  Nice seeing you all again!
Hugs!
Mo

Its giveaway time again!

We've reached 1000 fans on the facebook page! What a milestone! I appreciate everyone's support and enjoyment of my hats, headbands, and more. To celebrate, its giveaway time!

PRIZES
One person will win a $15 gift amount to spend on the ready to ship items at http://moandozzy.etsy.com
Three people will win a $5 gift amount to spend on the ready to ship items at http://moandozzyetsy.com

MANDATORY ENTRY
Comment below with your name and way to contact you (email, twitter @, whatever)

EXTRA ENTRIES Please comment each time you do one of these - that's how you get your extra entry! You can do each only once unless otherwise specified.
Tweet the link to this giveaway. (You can do this 2x a day)
Share the link to this giveaway on facebook (You can do this 1x a day)
Share my facebook fan page on facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/moandozzy )
Share my Etsy shop on facebook ( http://moandozzy.etsy.com )
Share my Etsy shop on Twitter ( http://moandozzy.etsy.com )
Comment and tell me your favorite item in my shop right now
Share a picture of a Mo & Ozzy item you own on facebook
Share a picture of a Mo & Ozzy item you own on twitter
Share a link to your favorite item in my Etsy shop on facebook
Tag yourself in a photo of an item you love in one of my albums on my facebook fan page. (You can do this twice)

WINNERS WILL BE PICKED using Random.org on December 16th, 2010. 1st number drawn will win $15. The next 3 #'s will recieve $5. You can ONLY win 2 draws. If you win 2 draws and are drawn again, I will just redraw.

ENTRY DEADLINE 10am MST on December 16, 2010.

WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED December 16, 2010 via the method you left here with your comment.

Thanks so much! I love you guys!

800 Friends!

We've reached 800 "likers" or fans on Facebook! To say thanks (for all your helpful comments, purchases, support, and kindness!) I'm giving away three prizes. Winners can choose a custom made prize - either a hair accessory or pair of baby booties.

To enter - comment with your name and a way to contact you.
Extra entries (comment for each, please!)
- visit my shop and tell me which item in there is currently your fav
- tell me what item you'd like to see back in the shop or new to the shop
- tweet about this giveaway with a link to this post
- share this giveaway (with link) with your facebook friends
- share this giveaway (with link) with your facebook fans

Thanks so much and good luck! You have until 10 am Monday, Nov. 15 MST to enter. I'll be using random.org to select 3 winners and notifying the winners Monday.

Its my Etsyversary! (Giveaway Time!)

I listed my first item on Etsy around September 15, 2009. Its already been a year . . . and what a year its been! I've learned listing strategies, started using twitter, learned about and complied with CPSIA guidelines, discovered that I don't make enough to be a business (great news at tax time . . . lol!), bought too much yarn, made tons of friends, started my fan page, and bought lots of homemade goodies! Its been super fun! I can't wait to see what this year brings!

So, in honor of my first year, lets do a giveaway! The 1st place prize is super fun . . . are you ready? . . . its 20% off all your orders until September 15, 2011. Woo hoo! 2nd place is free shipping to the US and Canada on all your orders until September 15, 2011 (international customers will recieve $2.00 off shipping costs on each order instead). 3rd place wins a free hair accessory or pair of booties . . . your choice of item and color scheme.

In addition, there will be extra listings this week, sales, and more! Ready to enter the giveaway? Here's how. (each option is worth one entry - please comment with each entry)

1. Comment below with your first name & last initial and a way to contact you (a twitter handle, email, whatever you're comfortable with . . . I just need to be able to let you know if you win!)
2. Comment below with your favorite item I make.
3. Tweet a link to my giveaway and then comment below. You can do this once a day.
4. Share a link to my giveaway on facebook and then comment below. You can do this once a day.
5. Tweet a link to my Etsy shop and then comment below. You can do this once a day.
6. Share a link to my Etsy shop on facebook and then comment below. You can do this once a day.
7. Share a link to my facebook fan page on facebook and then comment below. You can do this once a day.
8. Blog about this giveaway or my shop and share the link to your blog below.

All comments made before 9 pm MST on Saturday, September 18 are valid as entries! Winners will be choosen using Random.org. Thanks for playing!

Oh, as always, if blogger is being pesky and not letting you comment, you can contact me on twitter, facebook, or via email to comment and I'll add it here for you.

A baby gift . . .

Some of you know, its the year of the baby in my extended family . . . so many babies! I think (haven't heard for sure - other than they were being induced!) that my cousin and his wife had a new baby boy last week! They live in a place known for cold winters, so I made him this little hat.
The front

The back

A close up of the stitch detail.

Love, love, love little baby hats!