Contest Announcement!

I haven't blogged about it too much of late, but Handmade Harvest (our first ever Holiday Craft Show) is fast approaching.

Colleen, I, and our ever helpful jury have made all of our vendor selections, and we're getting pretty revved up about the show.

For a sneak peak at some of our participating crafters, visit www.handmadeharvest.com and check out the Participating Crafters section.

So that part is taken care of.

We've got some amazing talent lined up, and we owe it to them to promote the poop out of the show and bring on the shoppers.

We'll have a full page in October's Humm and have been handing out postcards left and right in the shop. We'll have a few articles written about the event in other publications as well but, if there's anything I've learned in my going-on-four-years as a business owner, the best advertising is word of mouth.

And so it came to me.

A contest.

Help us promote Handmade Harvest and you could win one of THREE $50 Blackbird gift cards.
All you have to do is...well...something!

Talk!

I know you're good at it.

If you think Handmade Harvest is a worthwhile event (I'll tell you right now that it is), something you'd like to support, maybe even see happen again sometime, then you're the perfect candidate for this contest.

Some suggestions...

• "Like" us on Facebook here
• Write about the show on your blog
• Add our button to your website (you can find it on the top right of this page)
• Put up one of our posters in your office or neighbourhood (next time you're in the shop, pick one up!)
• Tell your buddy at the newspaper they should write a story about us
• Tell a friend to come to Almonte for the show November 6th
• Send out a mass email
• Tattoo our logo on your forehead
• Whatever!

Just let us know what you've done to spread the good (crafty) word by sending an email to hello@handmadeharvest.com or commenting on this blog post and we'll put your name into a draw to be held at the show November 6th.

Enter as many times as you'd like.

There's no limit to the number of times your name could go in the hat.

Thanks for your help!
xo Emily & Colleen

Something in the air

It's fall.

Officially.

It's my favourite season both in the shop and out. The colours are beautiful, people are going back into their homes to cook things like chili and stew and looking at their doors and thinking "Hey. I need a new wreath for that sad looking thing. I'd better go to Blackbird and see what Em's got in store."

There's really no time of year that I don't feel like sprucing up my home, but there's nothing like cooler weather (and the knowledge that I'm about to get ridonculously busy in the shop) to make me want to get things done around the house.

I'm flip flopping on the idea of moving Clemmie not only into a new bed, but into a new room, and I'm starting to lean toward the idea of leaving her where she is and making the changes to her space while she's still in it.

See, the guest room - which I was thinking about moving her in to - may not be a great choice.

It's kind of smack in between our bedroom and her current room (the one I was going to make the new baby's nursery).

And as much as I would love to count on this new kid being one of those sweet little swaddler babies you just tuck under your bra and go about your business, if life has taught me anything these past 31 years, it's that you really can't count on things like that.

Unless, of course, you enjoy being sorely disappointed.

In the interest of keeping the crying babies to a minimum, I think I might just leave the Clembot right where she is.

This isn't really a problem per se.

It just means I'm going to have to consider decorating both kids rooms.

And that's, well, that's okay.

For this gender neutral nursery, I'm thinking of a Woodland theme.

I know. Not very original as far as trends go right now, but what's it to ya.

That just means there's loads of inspiration to take from.

And lots of product to dream about...

Baby bedding...

Patchwork bearskin rugs (I could make this. Heck. You could make this!)...

Via

Toadstool play tables to die for...

Via

There's just so much cuteness in the world don't you think?

Here's just one more reason I wish I wish I wish I could crochet.

I know I said I wanted a chenille blanket for Clementine's room, but this would also do.

For what it's worth, here's the tutorial. Maybe you could teach me.

Via

So, this has nothing to do with home decor, or babies, or learning a new skill, but I am just so gobsmacked that this could happen that I had to write about it.

A woman was just in the shop with her husband.

Harmless enough.

I told her she looked like a ray of sunshine in her yellow dress on this grey day.

She thanked me politely, and then...well then she farted.

Not so politely.

She let rip one of those real snap crackle popper toots that I generally save for the bedroom (too much info?) and then she just went on her merry way.

She didn't even miss a beat. We were in the middle of a conversation.

And her husband didn't flinch so this is obviously part of this woman's M.O.

I, on the other hand, am still flinching.

Ray of sunshine.

More like field of livestock.

Anywho.

I don't know why I shared that with you.

I'm sorry if you would have preferred I didn't.

Frankly I would have preferred to stick to the nursery theme myself.

Until next time.

Em

NEW Workshops!

I really missed doing workshops over the summer.

I like to perform.

And without an audience it's just not the same.

And you just know Clemmie is totally stealing my spotlight at home.

I don't have much time to chat today, but I wanted to let you all know about our first fall workshop.

We have 9 of 12 spots left as of this very moment so if you want to join in the fun, send me a comment or give us a call at the shop at 613-256-9669.

This time we'll be making (and baking) funky accessories using shrinkable plastic, pencil & ink, jewelry findings and your imagination.

The cost is $40 per person and includes all materials as well as snacks, refreshments and a $5 Blackbird gift card.

Wednesday September 15th from 6pm to 9pm at Blackbird (79 Mill Street, Almonte)

$10 deposit or credit card number required at booking.

Cash or cheque only. Payable to Colleen Hewitt.

Not quite sure what the heck I'm talking about? Here are a few inspirational pics to get you dreaming of all the lovely things you could be making...

Via

Via

Via

Via

Okay so this last one might not be doable in a 3 hour workshop, but at least it shows you what's possible with shrink plastic!

To tempt you, we'll be sure to have plenty of DIY Take Home kits ready for you to purchase.

Sneaky sneaky.

Hope to hear from you ALL! :)

Em