Monday Fun Find #20

Crewneck bib with a cute birdie applique

A little while ago, I became the lucky owner of three of these bibs, made by SewSara. (You can see my cute bibs here). Sara is not only the talented seamstress behind the super successful Etsy shop, SewSara, but also a fellow dormie from my freshman year of college at BYU. She lived below us and we lost touch over the years, but recently reconnected through Facebook.

I love a bib that you can just slip over the baby's head, and Sara chooses such colorful, modern fabrics. Combined with her mad applique skills, this is just a great product.

Sara is celebrating her two year Etsy-versary, and is hosting a fun giveaway on her blog. Head over there for a chance to win. There are four prizes (one of them happens to be a limabeanhome special) and she is choosing the winners tonight. So be quick about it.

(P.S. Jess, one of my three bibs is heading your way for your babe. I kind of just spoiled the surprise, but I know you have been looking for bibs like this for a long time)

Monday Fun Find #19

The credit for finding this shirt does not go to me, but to Toni Coward of makeitperfect patterns (remember this post about the wrap skirt? She's the amazing designer). She is also pregnant and found some fun maternity t-shirts and recently posted them on her blog. This one in particular caught my eye because the screenprinting is something I've been telling myself these many months. Stay tuned for more on that tomorrow. . .

**The shirt is made by discobelly, fun and fresh maternity tees. (wish the picture wasn't so pixelated, but it doesn't seem to be hurting their sales)

Monday Fun Find #18

Scenic Four Seasons Quilted Oven Mitt

This Fun Find is what I would have given Alisa for her birthday if I had discovered it soon enough, and had she not had a special request for a birthday gift that is already in the mail.

What makes this oven mitt so awesome? Well, first of all that it is crafted by Bean of Coyote Craft. I discovered Bean's shop last year and bought this beautiful crochet/knitting needle holder for my mother-in-law for Christmas. She's a pretty awesome Bean, that Bean--and very talented, I might add. (for those who are not aware, Bean and I share that name--my siblings all call me Bean)

The other thing that makes this item so unique is that it is made of a thrifted vintage tea towel. Now that is my kind of crafting. This makes this particular oven mitt one-of-a-kind, but she has one other listed in her shop, also made of a gorgeous vintage tea towel.

Happy Monday, and Happy Birthday Lis! (on Tuesday)

Monday Fun Find #17

Mediumcontrol, the creator of this shirt, has been a great customer of limabeanhome, and I am a fan of this item in her shop.

The front of the shirt has a great sketch of the eiffel tower, an "original india ink drawing, pulled from the pages of my sketch book. inspired from the last trip thru europe."

Being that the hubby lived in France as a missionary for two years, we have Paris on our "someday we must visit" list. In fact, it's at the very top. When that will actually happen is a story yet to be told.

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #16

Food and Exercise Diary

This cute diary has been hanging out in my Etsy Favorites for a little while now. I can't recall how I came upon this little gem, but I remember thinking it would make a great Monday Fun Find for the new year.

So here it is--if you're trying to eat better and exercise more in the new year (who isn't?), this might be just the thing you should spend your Christmas cash on.

As the talented greenchairpress explains:

"[It's] 3"x5", just the right size to slip in your purse, with 100 writable pages. Each page is the same -- with spots for writing in the date, what you ate for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack, plus notes and 2 lines for exercise."

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #15

Monday Fun Find is back! Did you miss me? This tiny little picture doesn't do this little item justice. It is called a fork easel and can be found in the fabulous Etsy shop of DinnerTimeChimes. Make sure you click on the picture to see how it works holding recipe cards, note cards or little photographs.

Even better, you can win one of these by entering this contest. Just make sure you enter before Dec. 11th. But if by chance you don't win, I daresay the darling little fork easel would make a great gift for any teacher, colleague, or someone like me who still uses recipe cards when I cook.

Monday Fun Find #14 & Reduce what you use: cloth napkins

This is a combo post, as I've been meaning to do another segment of "Reduce what you use" for some time now.

So, today, reduce what you use by switching from disposable to cloth napkins for everyday meals. About six months ago we ran out of our trusty package of Zee napkins and instead of buying another, I decided to pull out the various sets of cloth napkins we received as wedding gifts and actually use them.

What is the point of having sets of cloth napkins in your cupboards waiting for a "special occasion" all the while filling the landfill with disposable napkins after every meal? We decided that in our house, every meal can be that special occasion and we've been using the cloth substitutes ever since.

We've even realized that they don't need to be washed after every meal--they are good for several. I promise I wash them when they need it--but even that isn't a hassle at all. I mean, you're washing dish towels and dish rags, right? Just throw in your napkins!

My good friend Amy makes beautiful cloth napkins--many people stopped to admire her handiwork when we tried our luck at the Eugene Saturday Market earlier this year. I would prefer to showcase her napkins for the Monday Fun Find, but she hasn't quite set herself up on Etsy quite yet. (hint hint, Amy). (If you click on that link and the bad picture of us in that post, you can catch a glimpse of her napkins, or you can see them close-up here or here)

It's interesting--there actually aren't an overwhelming amount of cloth napkin makers on Etsy right now--just a few select sellers whose napkins are all very different from each other.

I will showcase one set I really liked here:

This is a set of 6 napkins made of tan medium-weight cotton and accented with a blue batik. They are made by Bren of goodkarma, a fellow member of teamecoetsy. She has a variety of unique, and well-crafted items in her shop, all made with great attention to detail.

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #13

Monday Fun Find is one day late this week. . .

Since Halloween is just around the corner, I thought I'd suggest an idea for any little girl who wants wants to be a princess AND for her mother who wants a costume that will have a second life as a warm, cozy nightgown after Halloween.

The one pictured here is for a Snow White costume/nightgown, but Melanie also makes them in yellow (Belle), pink (any princess), blue (Cinderella or Wendy), or white (angel, Sleeping Beauty).

The nightgowns are made of flannel-backed satin, a unique, soft and silky fabric and are beautifully sewn. She has a variety of sizes available. Check out her Etsy shop for a sizing chart.

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #12

I discovered these when I was browsing the Etsy Handmade Kids Challenge. If you want to see some amazing art, furniture, toys and accessories for kids and their rooms, check it out. You get to vote for your favorites AND you might win a $350 shopping spree on Etsy. (I want it!). Hurry, because the voting ends today, Sept 8th at 11:59pm EST.

Alphabet Magnet Set

Jen Skelley's original illustrations are found on these magnets.
F is for fox, J is for Jellyfish, and my favorite--H is for helicopter (because Owen used to call them "topter-topters").

These would make your fridge so much fun.

If the whole set seems to be a little out of the budget, you can also buy your favorite letters individually.

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #11

Today's Monday Fun Find is a unique pair of earrings, made by kimquinndotcom.

3 Jump Ring Earrings

KimQuinn calls them clean and simple. I think the simplicity is what makes them so fabulous.

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #10

If you click on this Monday fun find and find that it has been sold, it's probably because I bought it.

The Versatile Wrap Sewing Pattern

I've wanted for a long time to purchase this pattern from makeitperfect , and featuring it here makes me want it even more. When I was a missionary in South Africa, I brought home a couple of wrap skirts in different styles--they are so comfortable and since being back in America, I have been searching for more, but to no avail. This one seems to be the perfect length and looks very easy to make.

Once I receive the pattern and make a skirt, I'll post pics and then you can all send me your favorite fabric to be made into your very own adorable wrap skirt.

**Just FYI--From today forward, Monday Fun Finds will be posted every other Monday.

Monday Fun Find #8

Because the $15,000.00 price tag on this Monday Fun Find makes it a little out of the budget, this one is mostly just for fun.

Anax Imperator Machina

If you're interested, you can read the fascinating description of this item below. JesseDanger is a truly remarkable artist, and as of today, this Machina has had 28,000+ views on Etsy. In her shop you will also find unique, eco-friendly jewelry.

Latin for, The Emperor Dragonfly Machine. Modeled after the largest modern species of dragonfly, this is a functioning creation whose wings flutter up and down when the very tip of the tail (really the abdomen, but tail sounds cooler) is turned. The inspiration for this complex mechanical insect originated from many of the fantasized gadgets of Leonardo Da Vinci and other mechanical creations once thought futuristic in times long before our own. Inspired by these designs I set out to recreate nature using classical engineering and an elegant form. My intentions are to develop and continue making more of these mechanical insects. The internal mechanisms, gears and moving parts were painstakingly hand-milled and hand-calibrated with absolute precision from 14k gold. The body, mechanical frame and wings were handcrafted from Argentium Silver, far superior to Sterling or fine silver. The body opens up to reveal the intricate inner movements, and fine details that just could not be left forever covered up! The eyes are each large 10 carat Swiss Blue Topaz cabochons and the 14k gold bezel on the tail contains a 4mm Amethyst bullet shaped cabochon.

Completely handmade (except two brass gears), this creation is the culmination of hundreds of hours of designing and redesigning, and even more hours of patient and careful construction. Size is 8" wide from wing to wing, 6" long and 3.5" tall. I can guarantee that you will not find a similar creation anywhere!


**Stay tuned for next week's MFF, which will feature my first guest finder, Alisa's favorite handmade item.

Monday Fun Find #7

Today's fun find is made by Jessica of weelittlemousie.

3 burp cloths - blue/yellow flowers and bees

If you're going to a baby shower and need a unique, handmade gift, check out Jess's Etsy shop. "The name of my shop was inspired by a little tickle game my aunt used to play with me and my sisters. The rhyme goes:

Round a bit, round a bit
Wee little mousie
Up a bit, up a bit
Into wee housie!

The burp cloths are made with absorbent Gerber cloth diapers and accented with a panel of 100% cotton flannel. She's a great seamstress and I'm especially lucky to have her as my sister-in-law.


***If you're looking for a reason to surf around Etsy and fill up your favorites (or perhaps you already do that), I would love to have you as a guest finder on the Monday Fun Finds to share your most favorite item. Just leave a comment on this post with your email in this format: limabeanhome [at] gmail [dot] com (to avoid spammers) and I'll email you soon to set it up!

Monday Fun Find #6

Here is another fun find for young kids.

Baby Bug Flash Cards

My sister gave James a set flash cards when he was small, and he had such fun with them--they make a great activity for church, quiet time, or car rides.

This set is colorful cards has been "lovingly illustrated over the course of several months" by secretagentjo, and come in a handmade, cotton muslin bag for easy storage. (Notice the cute pair of smiling underwear for the letter U!)

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #5

I've never actually met the maker of this Monday Fun Find, but I've slept in her bed. What? (For the story, read on.)

Custom Hand Stamped Necklace

PamelaSusan, a jewelry maker extraordinaire, makes these unique necklaces from sterling silver discs and a fabulous oval ball sterling silver chain. She hand-stamps the name of your choice (most often the names of your children, or the children of your gift recipient). If you have more than one child, she offers additional hand-stamped discs for $6/each.

Pamela is not only a jewelry maker, but a busy mother of two girls, and a generous hostess. She is a friend of one of my dear friends, and offered her house to us last April when we came down to Medford to run in the Pear Blossom 10 mile race, even though she and her family were out of town. She has a beautiful house filled with handmade pottery and we were grateful for her hospitality.

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #4

This Monday Fun Find would make a unique gift for a child.

Personalized Crayon Set

MyKangaroo has a fun shop full of great kid items. This crayon set will come in the name you request up to nine letters, and is a great deal for under $9 including shipping. Her shop also includes other crayon sets in all shapes--trains, flowers, stars and rockets, and more.

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #3

All Natural Vegan Laundry Soap

I have a personal love for this Monday Fun Find, because I bought it several months ago from LoteTree and it has made me enjoy folding laundry again. The reason? The scent is a mixture of lavender and patchouli and it just leaves the clothes with a hint of that scent. I have a secret love for patchouli (as my family will attest) and this one is earthy without being overpowering.

I originally bought this detergent to wash my cloth diapers, as traditional detergent doesn't treat diapers very well. I have since abandoned the bottle of Tide in my cupboard meant for other clothes and use this on everything.

If you're not a patchouli lover, they also have two other scents available--Needleleaf, which is an evergreen scent, or Citrus Bliss (which isn't listed in their shop right now, but perhaps would be available if you contacted them).

The price is right on this item, as it sells for a little more than $20 including shipping and lasts FOREVER. When you use the cute little wooden scoop they send with the soap, you can wash 100 loads of laundry. If you're doing the math, this figures out to be around 20 cents per wash.

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find #2

Since Father's Day is around the corner, I thought I'd post this funny, awesome item as Monday Fun Find #2:

Floppy Disk Notepad

Joe, the mastermind behind GeekGear, claims that "sometimes it's cool to be a geek". He describes himself like this: "During the day I'm a network engineer, fixing and designing computer networks and making sure all these machines play nice with each other. By night I'm a craft making geek that is trying to come up with interesting ways to keep some of our discarded computer and electronic items out of the landfill.

I think it's an admirable idea and I appreciate his efforts and his creativity.

Happy Monday!

Monday Fun Find

In the spirit of making Mondays fun days instead of what they usually are, I'm starting a new feature where I share my favorite handmade item of the week. I'll call it the Monday Fun Find.

Here is the first:
KeyChain Lip Balm Holder

Even though BeaG lives in Belgium, the total on this cute little lip balm holder (including international shipping) is less than $12. She makes several sizes of Lip Balm Holders in all colors to fit all sizes of lip balms, and each is an original design hand-crocheted by BeaG.

Happy Monday Everyone!