Win a Happy Hapa Apron!

(Happy Hapa? What is that? Well, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for friends of mine that had no idea that I sew) it is my Etsy shop! I also have a shop Facebook page too. Come say "hi!" Keep reading to see how you can win something from me!)

My girlfriend from Sew Fierce Boutique and A Pocket Full of Buttons is celebrating her shop anniversary with a giveaway! Several shops have donated items to win, including myself! Here is your chance to win not one, but possibly several beautiful, handmade items!

Here's what you can win from my shop: 

 

Other items up for grabs include beautiful dresses, headbands, gift certificates and much more!

The giveaway is open until Monday, August 6th so go enter! Be sure to read the rules first, then start commenting to win! Good luck....and congratulations to Sew Fierce Boutique!

PS - Planning on updating my own shop very soon. Have a bunch of stuff to sell but still need to upload pictures! ACK!

Why, Hello There!

Thanks for stopping by! 

I am alive and well, just been incredibly busy. I've been wanting to blog but every time I log on to do so I start thinking to myself,  "You really need to be sewing!" The other thing that prevented me from hopping on here is that I am a very chronological-thinking person. I didn't even want to publish my last post about voting in the DIY Halloween costumes (thank you to those that did, BTW!) because I hadn't blogged about my Halloween crafts! But at this rate I am never going to catch up....so there! I will let it go! (Well, for the most part. I haven't even put away all of our Halloween stuff because my intention has been to blog about it!)

So where do I start? How about I work backwards and start with the most recent project? Getting ready for Christmas! 

While there are 12 days left till Christmas (YIKES) there are only two more days of school left before Christmas vacation starts! What to get for the teachers? I really loved what I did last year for my daughter's teacher so why not do it again? I also made some for a dear friend:

Oh those dirty little kids!

Last year I made a set including one extra large bottle (hand sanitizer) and two small bottles (hand soap):

And then sets for friends: 

Truly fun and unique...and EASY to do! Want to know how to do it? Click on this link for instructions: Personalized Hand Sanitizer & Soap Bottles.

Whew. I did it. I blogged! Hoping to get back into the groove of it! Meanwhile don't forget, you can find me on Facebook under "Happy Hapa!" I check in there at least once a day!

*Post shared with:

 

Check out Katie's Nesting Spot's "A Crafty Soiree" for fun, Christmas crafting ideas!

Have a great week!

Check out Etsy!

I recently went into a boutique and found a set of three baby burp cloths selling for $30.00. Really? You know darn well I pretty much dissected them: studied the fabric, design, workmanship, etc. only to come to the conclusion that (excuse my lack of humbleness) they are no better than mine or the other 28,000 (yes, you read that right!) burp clothes listed on Etsy! So the next time you're in need of a unique boutique type gift why not give handmade a try? You can find just about anything handmade on Etsy without the boutique price! You are bound to find something that you like!*

Speaking of burp cloths, a family friend recently had a baby. Instead of spending *cough-cough* $60.00 on two sets of three burp clothes I made a total of six with fabric that I already had on hand:

Laura W., recognize the fabric? :)

In addition to the burp cloths I've been busy sewing other things like camera straps, nursing covers, etc. And with my daughter's birthday coming up as well as Halloween I think my sewing machine is going to be running at full capacity! Thanks to all my fans, supporters and repeat customers for keeping me busy and for referring your friends! You guys are the best! 

Another note: While I haven't been blogging as much you can always find me with status updates, one-liners and pictures on my Happy Hapa Facebook page. Come say "hi" to me there! Here's the link: Happy Hapa.

Have a great week! And east coast friends.....be safe with Hurricane Irene on the way!

*In no way do I mean to bash boutiques as many carry beautiful, handmade items! Just wanted to give a shout-out to all the wonderful Etsians out there! <3 

Crayon Apron - Full and Reversible!

After the holiday craziness I was finally able to get some sewing done yesterday. YAY! A friend had asked if I could make a boy-friendly crayon apron. When I asked if she had a theme in mind she mentioned dinosaurs.

Whoa.

Just two days prior I ordered some Michael Miller dinosaur fabric and was waiting for it to come in the mail! It was definitely a sign!

So here's how it turned out. One side has the crayon pockets and the reverse has a chest pocket. My model was snoozing at the time so I had to take the picture on "Addie" the dress form:

When Momo woke up from her nap she reluctantly put it on for me so I could take a picture. Oh the drama!

By the way - you can catch my blog on Facebook if you like! It's joined up with my "Happy Hapa" Etsy shop. Clear here to follow (or you can do a search for "Happy Hapa" - local business and it will take you there!) Thanks for being a follower and helping me get started! :)

Want more homemade inspiration? Check out:

Market Bag, Facebook and a Giveaway!

So what to start with first? How about the market bag?

Have you heard of "artsy- crafty babe?" Maybe you've seen her link on my side bar. Talk about a talented lady! Recently Rebeka had a sale going on in her Etsy shop and I took advantage of it and bought her market bag pattern. I love the simplicity and the roominess of  the bag! You can fit tons of stuff in it! And it's so much prettier than some of the recusuable/recyclable bags you see being sold in the stores (that I always forget at home or in the car!)

I made one using a Tokidoki-inspired print and added a splash of red with white polka dots for the lining. Here it is:



Market Bag





Lots of room on the inside. Love the splash of red! 



Close-up of the print....

Can you say, Christmas presents? Oh yeah.

And maybe one for my Etsy shop.....

And maybe one for a GIVEAWAY?

Perfect timing for a giveaway, don't you think? Especially with the holidays coming up! But another reason is I'm setting up a Facebook page for my Etsy shop - "Happy Hapa." Just jumping on the bandwagon of social networking!

Sooooo.....let's do this!

Here's how to win. Read carefully please!

Mandatory Entry: Leave me a comment. Please be sure to include your email address if it is not easily found on your Blogger profile.

Once you have completed the mandatory entry you can earn more chances to win! Please leave a separate comment for each:

1) Become a follower of my blog. Already a follower? Just let me know!
2) "Like" Happy Hapa on Facebook.

3) Earn FIVE extra entries by blogging about this giveaway! Post about it on your blog and link back to this thread. Let me know where to find it on your blog! Be sure to comment five extra times for five extra chances to win!

International entries welcome!

One winner will be chosen via Random.org at midnight Eastern Standard Time on Monday, December 13th. Winner will be announced here on this blog, the Happy Hapa Facebook page as well as be sent an email notification. Response is required within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Cannot guarantee Christmas delivery but the sooner the chosen winner responds the sooner the item will be shipped!

Can't wait for one? Want one NOW? I'm putting another in my Etsy shop! Check back soon!

Best of luck...and thanks for spreading the word!