Mosaic Monday: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Hard to believe it, but Christmas is a mere 3.5 days away! That means the big guy in red and white is prepping for leaving the great white north and leaving gifts for all the good kids. Will you get what is on your wishlist this year?

1) Santa by seventytwostitches
2) Candy Canes Print by PamLefcourt
3) Pink Plaid Bobby Pins by NightLady
4) Headphones Tote by itsastitch
5) Vegan Altered Vintage Gloves by aprilevening
6) Variety Gift Ornaments by strawberryona
7) Burgundy Czech Glass Flowers from thegoodyshop
8) Romantic Red Silk Pillow by WhiteThistleBridal

To further encourage spending the holidays with your family/friends/people you care about, the team blog/twitter/flickr will be closed from 12/24-12/28. Hope everyone enjoys the holidays! 

Wishlist Wednesday - Eileen from CreationsByEileen!

Hi LabRats! LushBoutique here. I can't believe Christmas is so close. Today's featured member is Eileen from CreationsByEileen, and I wanted to give her a big Thank You for doing this during the busiest time of the year.


Here is her selection of favorites (all from LabRats!), in no particular order.


"I am a pretty "crafty" person, so I like things that I either couldn't or wouldn't do myself. This must take tons of patience and talent. I remember everyone trying to make things in this kind of pattern out of gum wrappers when I was young. Mine never turned out very well. My admiration of the art combines with two of my other favorite things: maps and re-purposing!

I am the most remedial drawer! I did not inherit my mother's artistic talent. I love this scene and envy the ability to create something like this.

So one day, several months ago, I bought a ton of clay, a clay oven, and many "tools". It is all still sitting in a corner of my studio gathering dust. My mind just cannot comprehend how you make something this gorgeous out of those packs of clay. I decided to leave it to people like Rolyzcreations (who does it so well)!

I have loved these little textured note cards from the moment I saw them. I know that if I bought them, I could not stand to send them out. I would just want to "feel" and admire them!

I was married in February of 1980 in front of a fireplace at a friend's house. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a wedding dress for the very small gathering. This dress is very much like the one I was married in. I sent the link to my daughter hoping she would love it. She did, but said, "Could you shorten it"? It would break my heart to shorten it, but I do hope someone finds this and loves it the way it is. It is so feminine and pretty. (By the way - still happily married!)"

Thank you so much Eileen from CreationsByEileen!! Happy holidays everyone!

Mosaic Monday: Mele Kalikimaka

Aloha! This song really reminds me of my mom's house at Christmas. I wish it was because she lived in Hawaii, but she really just likes Jimmy Buffet. Plus it's just a little change of pace in the land of red and green.

1) Celtic Moon Polymer Bracelet by celticmoonstudios
2) Sapphire the Sea Dragon by PlushWithAttitude
3) Turquoise Origami Star Ornament by SleipnirDesgins
4) Ornamental Sun Long Sleeve Shirt by rctees
5) Pugs Kissing Under The Mistletoe Stocking by cowboybunny
6) Blue Vintage Recycled Sketchbook by somavenus
7) Altered Domino Necklace by AmeRayn
8) Mod Grass Field Note Card by BirdcageCards

Try not to be too jealous of those Hawaiians during this chilly winter ;-)

Feature Friday - Welcome to New Members!

Hello! Allison from Allysattic here. This week, I thougt we'd do something a little new and welcome some of the newest members to our team.

And in no particular order, here they are:

bethanylorelle - From the shops profile information, "*bethany lorelle* specializes in fine, handmade fashion accessories. Since its founding in 2000, *bethany lorelle* has become known in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area for its popular headbands and hair accessories. In 2008, *bethany lorelle* expanded to boutiques around the country, as well as opening this shop on Etsy.com!"

gizecraft - gizecraft focuses on patchwork bags, and the shop's announcement reads that "Each bag is carefully designed by me using beautiful fabrics like popline, bombasine, felt, cotton, etc. Actually all fabrics are beautiful and when they are mixed together, they become really special."

Knitting4Ewe - Knitting4Ewe, as the name implies, centers on knitted goods. When talking about knitted goods, the shop's announcement reads that "There is nothing better than a soft, warm knit during the long winter months. Doesn't it seem to last forever? Scarves, cowls, hats,and gloves are a real comfort against the cold."

thecheekyprincess - This shop offers handsewn baby goods. In it you can find various baby-related goods such as slings and onsies, and other handcrafted items like crocheted wrist warmers!

mountaineercountry - mountaineercountry offers a mix of items from a woodern toy boat, handmade bath scrubbies, kaleidoscopes, and wood pens. The shop is "An eclectic mix of hand-knitted and crocheted, sewn, and hand-crafted wooden items inspired by the simple life of the Appalachian region."

Welcome to our new members! We look forward to getting to know you all.

Wishlist Wednesday - Alison from Glassali!

Hi Rats! Wednesday already?? LushBoutique here with another great Wishlist Wednesday list from one of our fabulous members.


Today's featured member is the fabulous Alison from Glassali.


Here is her selection of favorites, in no particular order.


"I absolutely adore these earring despite the fact that I have a sneaking suspicion that they are heavy and my earlobes would end up on my shoulders if I wore them for any length of time, I'd be willing to take that risk for these beauties.  Yes, that's me in the grocery store with the large earlobes.

I love the juxtaposition of an ancient craft, like pottery, and contemporary sensibilities.  And I love how smart that last sentence makes me sound even if it makes no sense at all.  Basically, I like this
if for no other reason than it's colorful.  And contemporary.

Kristin may be the first artist I stalked on Etsy.  Not in the weird way that the term "stalker" implies.  No, in a much more benevolent, "I want to make things like she does!" kind of way.  Which is still actually a little weird, I'll admit.  I make glass beads and I aspire to silversmithing, and she does both so well.

I don't think I even have to say anything about these.  I have absolutely no use for them, whatsoever.  My children are 11 and 13, it's nowhere near Halloween, and my house is cluttered.  So why do I have to use all my willpower to resist tapping that "Add to Cart" button when I see these guys?

I kind of love my Great Dane, Holy Moly, a lot.   And event though she's black, this pendant captures that Great Dane spirit so well:

All it's lacking is the drool."


Thank you Alison from Glassali!

Mosaic Monday: I'll Be Home For Christmas

Ah, one of my FAVORITES. It's pretty, warming and slightly sad all in one, I'll Be Home For Christmas is exactly how I am feeling this year (except I REALLY will be, it won't be in my dreams) so while everyone's gearing up for to big day, let's get excited for seeing friends and family at this time of year.

1) Two Red Ice Skate Ornaments by ScrapHappieAZ
2) Crimson Drop Earrings by meredithfenwick
3) Italian Fashionista Baby Carrier by BabyEtte
4) Georgette Auburn Headband by bethanylorelle
5) Books Fabric Garland by imfromthewoods
6) Red Plaid Harness Coat/Vest by TerrierTrousers
7) White Garland Tree Ornament by AuntKarensCreations
8) Leather Attache Case/Diaper Bag by missprettyperfect


Enjoy!


PS: It was really hard selecting a version of this song, there are, seriously, at least 100 different covers. I picked one I had never heard before (doesn't hurt that I am a sucker for A Capella versions of songs). Here is another for you fans of the classics.

And The Winner Is...

NIGHTOWLCRAFTWORKS!

Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who entered and voted! We will be having another challenge in the Summer, and we're planning a Giveaway for the spring! Keep your eyes peeled :)

Wishlist Wednesday -- Shelley from EvenAndy!

Hi everyone! LushBoutique here with another great Wishlist Wednesday list from one of our fabulous members.


Today's featured member is the fabulous Shelley of EvenAndy.

The first pick is from SimpleWoodenToys. "I think this is a great gift for a little girl or boy.  Since it made of genuine wood, it will last forever.  (I like that the owner is a grandpa who knows nothing about the internet.  I think that it is sweet that his kids sell his stuff for him). 

Her next pick is from fellow LabRat BabyEtte . "I have a 10 month old and slings are the greatest for doing everyday things with a baby.  I love BabyEtte's slings.  I think they are adorable!

 

I think this is a really cute bag.  I love that rainbowswirlz offers it in a variety of colors.

 

I think this is a creative use of photography to create name art.  Lovely and unique piece by artofwhimsyphoto.

I love jewelry.  I think that this is a cute vintage style piece by ghostlovejewelry.

Thank you Shelley from EvenAndy!!