Too many beautiful and fun things...

...on Etsy!

I am eyeing VieModerne's flower hairclips with serious lust! I really really really like this one:



If I can get my order in within the next two days, I can have it by x-mas!

I think something weird is going on inside me. I was never really a "tom boy", but I've never been super feminine either. Over the last 12 months I've bought sundresses and headbands and necklaces and retro party dresses...it's really quite odd and out of character for me. But I LOVE it. The girlier, the better! =) In the last month, I even bought lots of different eyeshadows and eyeliners. Sooooo girly.

I want to always have a flower in my hair, cute flats on my feet and a smile on my face. I secretly want every single hair item that VieModerne sells. =)

<3 Always,
--Taina

New baby shoes!

Hooray! I sold a pair of dragonfly baby shoes and made another pair. I also just listed these really fun and colorful yellow shoes:


(Click photo for more info)

I cut the fabric for 3 more pairs of shoes and another pillow last night. I plan on sewing another pair of shoes tonight and the pillow tomorrow morning. I have a Showcase date on Etsy starting at midnight EST tonight. I hope it generates some good views and maybe even a few sales!

<3 Always,
--Taina

One behind...

Well, I'm one behind as for listing one item each day. I neglected to list something yesterday. eeps! That means I have to make two items tonight for my shop.


(Click photo for more info)

I made a pillow on Sunday night and just listed it today. It's made with a new print I purchased about a month ago. I think it's a really great print, both colorful and subtle, the contrast of the flowers on a white background reminds me of Winter. I may make a couple of these for my couch.

I love making envelope-backed pillows because the covers are so easy to remove and wash.

Okay, off to sew!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Doctors Without Borders

I try to pick a different organization each month to donate 15% of my Etsy Shop's gross sales to.

This past Friday I met a Sudanese refugee named Wassie. He is incredible, soft-spoken, strong, a survivor. Upon meeting him and listening to his story, I decided that December (in connection with World AIDS Day) should be donated to Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres.

I have donated a couple months to DWB/MSF in the last 12 months but really felt it was necessary to end the year on this note. The Fistula Foundation was a close second, so perhaps in January. I worry that something so blatant might be off-putting to potential buyers.

In case you are wondering what Doctors Without Borders has done in Sudan, here's the link: MSF in Sudan.

I wear an AIDS Awareness ribbon every Dec. 1st. I have lost quite a few family friends due to HIV/AIDS and would love a cure but would settle for economical treatments worldwide. DWB/MSF has done quite a bit of work in countries where many have been suffering from AIDS with no cost-effective treatment. To read more about it click here:


So December in Taina.etsy.com will be dedicated to Doctors Without Borders. Tell everyone you know! =)

<3 Always,
--Taina

Heart To Heart

I just threw down ::gasp!:: $110 for a portable GPS system for my dad for Christmas. It's all he wants, he expected to buy himself one and I had to tell him to trust me and not buy one for himself, which sucks because I really really wanted it to be a surprise. I'm hoping he forgets over the next month or at least feigns shock.

If you know my dad, please please don't say anything to him! Pretty please? I bought him the Magellan 3250, refurbished from TigerDirect.com. It was $89.99 plus a $17.99 extended warranty and $1.99 shipping. Egads! I always question myself repeatedly when I spend that kind of money on something. Looks like I will be eating whatever is in my cupboards until I get paid on Thursday.

I bet you are wondering what this post has to do with "My Handmade Life". I am getting there... =)

I just listed my new item for today, not a minute too soon, as there's only 5 mins left of "today".


(Click photo for more info!)

The fabric I used is called "Heart To Heart" which I thought was a great name and fun colorful pattern for baby shoes. My hope is that I can post at least an item a day through December, hopefully generate more sales and be able to sponsor more underpriviledged children through "Operation Santa" this year. Last year I sponsored 8 letters from children and parents, 11 children in total and it felt AMAZING. I really hope to sponsor 12 children's letters this year.

So many of these kids write just asking for a winter coat or new shoes because their single parent has no money for them. It's heartbreaking but heartwarming to know I can help. Last year I had a letter from a single unemployed father who couldn't afford warm clothes for his 3 young daughters. It was fun buying coats, gloves, scarves and toys for them and knowing I was making a difference.

So here's to hoping I sell more items! Tomorrow before work I hope to finish a pillow out of new fabric, photograph it and list it.

<3 Always,
--Taina