New Addition to Halle Handmade

I'm so excited to share with you a brand new addition to Halle Handmade. I love creating my tags (even though there has been a bit of an unplanned break from my shop recently), but I felt that I had more to offer. I wanted to add something to the shop that was a bit more universal, and that is why I have started to create some hand lettered art work.

It's something I really enjoy doing and yesterday I released my very first piece of artwork in my Etsy shop! I'll be selling my art as a digital file - this way I can sell my work for less, and customers can also save on shipping. All you do is purchase the print in my shop and you will then be able to download the JPG file. You'll be able to print the artwork wherever you like - even at home if you are so inclined!

I hope you all love my latest addition and I hope to create some more art that I am really excited about!

So make sure to pop by Halle Handmade to check out my newest listings! I hope you love what you see, as much as I enjoy creating them!

Plan on Shopping?

I wanted to just give a heads up to all of my friends who may be interested in shopping on my Stella & Dot site, or Halle Handmade for this Christmas. 

If you wanted to pick up something great from Stella & Dot for someone in your life this holiday season, I would suggest ordering no later than next Wednesday December 12th, to ensure that all of your orders make it to you before December 24th.

If you are looking to purchase some of my tags from Halle Handmade, please make sure to place your order no later than December 9th (for shipping to Canada & the US), to ensure that your tags will arrive before the holidays.

If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to shoot me an email! I'm always happy to help.

So while I'm on the topic - how is your Christmas shopping coming along? Anyone finished? Anyone not started yet?

Head's Up!

Hi friends! No Fancy Friday Love this week since it's been absolutely crazy... and still is. I'm preparing for a shopping night tomorrow that I will be a vendor at, both with my Stella & Dot jewellery, and my Halle Handmade gift tags. As part of this, as of tomorrow my little Etsy shop will be "on vacation" for a week. Any tags that are not sold by the end of today will be coming with me to the shopping night and be up for sale! 

If you are interested in shopping my Stella & Dot site, feel free to do so at any time! It's a great place to grab some Christmas gifts, and have them shipped directly to your home! You can find some of my favourite picks for Christmas below. So why not cross some items off your list with my two little shops today? 

{1. Love Bracelet - Friendship Bracelet: $19} {2. Geneve Lace Bib Necklace: $138}

{3. Bryant Park Scarf - Poppy: $64} {4. Mercer Zip Wall - Poppy: $84}

{5. Joy Candle: $32} {6. Secret Garden Ring: $42}

Shoot me an email if you have any questions and I'd be happy to answer them, or help you find the perfect gift for the people on your list! Happy Shopping & Happy Weekend!

Other Little Shops

Since opening up Halle Handmade, it's fair to say I've been spending WAY more time on Etsy. I'm definitely not complaining though as I've come across some really great shops and have been finding some great pieces that may make it onto my wish list or gifts for others. 

I thought with all of the pretty stuff I've found recently, it was high time I did a quick round up of some of my new favourite items/shops - check these out...

I came across the sweet little shop of Layla Amber, last Thursday. These handmade creations were so cute and won me over immediately! Though everything made me "oooh" and "awww", this sweet little British Bunting Necklace was the star attraction for me. Adorable, don't you agree?

Last week I was lucky enough to win one of Sara's giftaway's that she is doing this month. I was extra excited that it was something that I myself could gift to Halle for Christmas. How cute is this sweet doll from the shop, Melissa Love? If you are looking for a sweet doll for a little one in your life, I highly recommend her shop! You can even customize your own doll, but I was able to pick a ready made one and this blonde hair blue-eyed Holly was perfect!

cabin + cub is another "wet coast" shop, and one you may recognize as Valerie was a featured seller the other week. Each piece in her shop is beautiful and fun, but my favourite piece has to be her Map & Pin set! This is something I've wanted to add to our home for ages, and I may have just found the shop to purchase it from! 

You may already be familiar with the stunning work from the shop of Eye Poetry Photography. Her work is beautiful and I would love her Wanderlust Calendar to adorn my wall for all of 2013...

There are just so many treasures to be found on Etsy - I could spend as much time on there as I do on Pinterest (usually pinning the things that I find and love). 

What are some of the great Etsy shops that you have stumbled upon recently? I'd love to hear what some of your great finds are (so I can check them out), and what's on your wish list for this Christmas season!

AND if you haven't already, be sure to swing by Halle Handmade. I've just added a new design and restocked the shop after my first couple of sales. I'd really love to hear what you think of my work!

A Monday Giveaway!

Happy Monday everyone! Once again we've been incredibly busy with some friends who have been visiting, and my brother just arrived yesterday. Still a lot more to see and do, but I do have more to share with you this week. Before I get to some of the stuff we've done around here, along with a look at how I prepared the guest room for everyone, I wanted to kick off this week with a giveaway. It's been quite a while since I've done one, so I was happy to hear from Monica over at Printique, who offered up TWO really great prizes!

Printique, is a fun Etsy shop, that has some really great ways for you to dress up your walls in a personal way. Located in New Brunswick, Monica does a great job taking your photos and turning them into beautiful Pop Arts prints.

{Set of 4 8x10 prints}

{Andy Warhol style 8x10 print}

I love that you have the option to get the four individual prints, or one print. She also provides the option to order them as a digital file so that you can print them anywhere and anyway you'd like. How fun would those digital files be to create your own birthday party invites for little one's?

You may also like to have a couple's photo done. Great for framing and hanging, or using for some funky wedding invites, save the dates or even thank you cards.

{Couples Pop Art 8x10 Print}

If you're looking for something a little different, you may be a fan of the custom silhouette portraits that Monica does. You can choose to have it made using the map of a city you love, or have one of the pretty scalloped frames around it. So lovely!

{Custom Silhouette Portrait with Map}                                        {Custom Silhouette Portrait}

So "What?", you may ask, is Monica offering up for my lovely readers today? Well, we're giving away TWO $20 certificates, to be used any way that you would like, to two very lucky readers! Excited? Well, here's how to enter:

1) You must be a follower of my blog! Just click on that pretty "join this site" button on the right hand side of the screen. 

2) Visit Monica's shop, and check out what she has. Then come on back and leave a comment letting me know what you would use $20 towards!

For Extra Entries (please leave a separate comment for each of the below for an extra entry to count):

1) Head on over to First Time Fancy's Facebook page and give me a "Like". Then come back and leave a comment letting me know (if you already "Like" First Time Fancy on Facebook, even better - just leave a comment and let me know!)

2) Head on over to Monica's Facebook Page and give her a "Like", then come back and leave a comment letting me know that you have done so!

3) Give a little tweet! "I just entered to win $20 from Printique over at @FirstTimeFancy!"

Make sure you enter by this coming Sunday, September 16th at 12pm PST. I will announce the winner (chosen at random), next Monday the 17th! In the mean time, if you just can't wait to find out if you've won, or you'd rather do some shopping on your own, Monica has offered up 20% off to all First Time Fancy readers! Just use the promo code FANCY20! Good Luck and Happy Shopping! :)

Etsy Love - trafalgar's square

While catching up on on my blog reading recently, I came across this post from Jenna Marie of design sparrow, and had to browse through her search for elephant artwork. As I browsed, I couldn't help but fall head over heels for the artwork from trafalgar's square! Such a variety of adorable prints and reasonable prices! How cute are these for a nursery, kid's room or playroom?...

Trafalgar Rabbit Catch Archival 5x7 Print - $8.00

Bunny Hug Print Archival 5x7 - $8.00

Baby Mine 8x10 Archival Print - $17.00

Bunny Parade in Bubblegum Pink 8x10 - $17.00

Golden Slumbers 5x7 - $8.00

This is a seriously small selection of the adorable artwork that is offered in this wonderful little shop! Make sure to head on over and check out more of what they have!

If Halle had a larger room, with more wall space I would gladly scoop up a whole bunch of these prints to hang in her nursery. Unfortunately, we don't even have room for a playroom for her... so these will have to remain on record as something to purchase a little further down the line. I just knew I HAD to share with all of you...

Etsy Love - Lana Stepul Dresses

Yeah, I know you haven't seen much in the way of projects around here for a little while... but I'm sure you understand. As I write this I have a newborn nestled up against my left leg (thankfully she's so calm and loves just laying around staring at things). So today, I have something a little different for you! 


I don't often do posts on fashion, but after coming across the Etsy shop of Lana Stepul, I just couldn't help myself! I could've easily put her shop into a Fancy Friday Love post, but her work deserves it's very own mention for sure - so that's what it's getting.


The minute I saw one of her dresses on the front page, I was instantly in love! All of her dresses are custom made to fit your body, and with all things considered, her prices are fantastic. Her styles are exactly what I'm always looking for and can never find. Once I'm back to my pre-baby body - I may have to invest in some of her gorgeous work! 


What thrilled me even more was that even though she is located in NYC, her shipping to Canada is less than it is within the US! Unheard of! Check out these gorgeous frocks...

{Low Back Multicolor Cotton Dress - $169.00}

{One Shoulder Ruffle White Linen Dress - $239.00}

{Oversize Bow Linen Dress with Side Pockets - $179.00}

She creates more than just stunning dresses though. Take a look at some of her other creations...

{Silk Charmeuse Trimmed Tank Top Adorned with Bow - $45.00}

{Black and White Giraffe Print Skirt - $29.00}

{Full Circle Short Polka Dot Cotton Skirt - $42.00}

Seriously - I die! These are only a sample of my favourites - I think I would take one of everything in her shop if I could! So head on over and check her out. If you loved these pieces, you will not be disappointed.

Have you discovered any great Etsy shops recently that we all must know about?

Etsy Love - Cats Paw Pottery

I don't know how I've held out on all of you for so long!? Well... no more! Today I absolutely must share with you one of my new favorite Etsy shops... Cats Paw Pottery. This shop sells the most beautiful Handmade Victorian Stoneware Pottery, and at incredible prices too. All of the glazes that they use are food safe, so you can happily make use of all of these gorgeous pieces when having guests over. They would most definitely make a great conversation piece. 

I will waste absolutely no more of your time and will share with you some of my favorites (even though I wish I were buying them and not sending you to buy them... but we have other priorities at the moment)...

Set of 4 Starburst Lotus Bowls with Spoons - $32.00

The shapes, the colours - they are all so perfect! Imagine using these for serving condiments or garnishes at a party? What a great touch they would add to any table.

Ruby Rose Snack Tray - $14.00

Everything about this piece is perfect. The pattern, the colour, the shape... the PRICE! Whether you decide to use it as a serving piece, or hang it on the wall, it will surely make a statement. My favorite however is the same tray in French Blue. Absolutely stunning.

Square Celtic Spoon Rests - $7.00

I'm pretty sure that $7.00/spoon rest, but still well worth it considering how beautiful they are. Much better that your basic store spoon rest, and you can request other colours. Would definitely add a little something special to your kitchen countertop!

Victorian Brocade Cinnamon Cutout Clock - $48.00

Not only do they make incredible pieces for your kitchen, how gorgeous is this clock with it's little cut outs? Just like all of the other pieces, you can order in other colours to better match your home decor. I am absolutely in love with that gorgeous pattern (and those incredible hands on it!).

Straw Weave Lotus Bowl - $10.00

I adore the pattern on this little bowl. Would love to see it in a front entry to collect keys or pocket change, or next to your bed for jewelry.

And that's just a small sampling of some of the beautiful pieces that they have on offer. Head on over and check out the shop - so many cute pieces, I know you're bound to find something that strikes your interest.

Have you come across any Etsy shops recently that you just absolutely adore?

Fall In Love...

In any city you choose! When I came across these fantastic screen prints from artsharkdesigns, on Etsy, it was love at first site! B and I first met and fell in love in NYC - so what better way to give a stylish nod to the city that brought us together than through one of these gorgeous little prints! There are tons of great cities to choose from... I may even pick up a Boston one, afterall, our love did continue to grow there as well!