Enchanted Leaves & Paper Gift Boxes

I love browsing Etsy to find new shops to follow. One of my absolute favorite shops is Enchanted Leaves. Find their Etsy shop here or view their website here. Since I had the opportunity to order a couple of gifts from them recently, I wanted to give them a little love by sharing my thoughts here!

The first thing that I found from Enchanted Leaves that I fell in love with is their Lord of the Rings "geekery." If you're looking for a gift idea for me, here it is! They have jewelry celebrating many different books, movies, and shows, including The Hunger Games, Arrested Development, and Harry Potter. If you're looking for a unique gift, this is a great place to start. Who doesn't want a Bluth banana necklace or Dirigible Plum earrings?

My absolute favorite: Hobbit Door Locket

Another favorite: Twilight Chess Piece Necklace

Of course, the geekery just reeled me in. I couldn't stop myself from exploring the rest of the site. They also have some beautiful items "inspired by the land, sky, and sea."

Cherry Blossom Necklace

Brass Owl Earrings

Saffron and Copper Acorn Necklace

I've been waiting for an reason to order something from Enchanted Leaves. The opportunity finally came and I was so excited to get gifts for my Mom and Grandma for Mother's Day (don't worry... they already got their necklaces, so I'm not spoiling their surprise).

My great-grandparents, then my grandparents, ran an orchard in eastern Utah. My Grandma grew up there and my Mom grew up there. I spent many weekends of my childhood and teenage years there, sorting apples and thinning peaches. So when I saw these beautiful apple necklaces, I knew it would be the perfect gift for my Mom and Grandma. 

My items arrived very quickly and they are beautiful and very well made! They came individually packed inside a tiny tarnish-proof plastic bag inside a larger tulle bag, along with instructions on how to care for the jewelry.

Since I wasn't able to deliver the necklaces personally (but had to send them with my brother), I decided to make some card stock boxes for each of them to keep them safe. I used a template I found on Easy Paper Crafts to make this 6-sided box. I used Stampin' Up card stock to make them pretty and feminine.

The flowers on top were made using a tutorial found on Whimsical World of Laura Bird.

{Linked on The DIY Dreamer, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, New Nostalgia, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Our Delightful Home, Ladybug Blessings}

Blogger Spotlight - Chelsea @ Get Your Crap Together!

**Sorry to anyone who has stopped by this week hoping for new posts! I've been sick and it's really destroyed my creative juices. I hope to back to business next week!**

This week's Blogger Spotlight is Chelsea from Get Your Crap Together! Be sure to click on the link provided below to see Chelsea's blog and other social media sites! Chelsea's blog is awesome and if you like sewing, definitely check it out. I am especially loving her "Fall Clothing Series" that is going on now. She is sharing a lot of great ideas on making, styling, and altering fall clothing for kids... and gives her readers opportunities to link up their own posts in the process! Anyway, enough from me... let's see what Chelsea has to say for herself:

My name is Chelsea and I blog over at Get Your Crap Together!  I have been blogging and "getting my crap together" for 3 years and I really love it.  One of my favorite series I have done on my blog was this summer doing the "Organize Me!!  Sizzlin' Summer" series.  I had loads of guest bloggers, some great free family binder printables and an organizing linky party.  My other favorite series is our "31 Days of Halloween".  I love Halloween so it is great to get ideas and inspiration with this series.

K: Describe yourself in 5 words or less:

C: Organized, fun, motivate, silly, happy

K: How and why did you start your blog?

C: I started my blog as a way to be accountable for keeping my family more organized.  It has evolved into a way to express myself and make new friends.

K: What are some of your favorite posts/projects you have done?

C: I have a lot of favorite posts.  But if I have to narrow it down, I would say my DIY Children's Bookcase and my Mail Organizer Tutorial.  Both of these projects saved me from going insane in my own house, but they also are so useful that I still use them daily.  My son and daughter both love to get books from the bookshelf and I keep my counters clean with my mail organizer.

K: What do you do when you're not blogging?

C: When I am not blogging, I enjoy spending time with my children.  I also tend to sew too much and read too many books!

K: Which craft supply could you be accused of hoarding?

C: I am not one for hoarding, but if I have to choose, I would say sewing patterns!  I love them.  I collect them, I use them, but I also enjoy making my own.

K: Tell us something random about yourself:

C: Something random about myself is that I can make balloon animals!  I know.  Totally random.  But true.

I'd love for you to stop by and say hi!  We love new bloggy friends!  Or check us out on Facebook, Pinterest or BlogLovin'.

Blogger Spotlight - Jody @ Homey Home Design

Time for another Blogger Spotlight!

This week, we're getting to know Jody who blogs at Homey Home Design. Jody has a fantastic blog, including some awesome organization ideas. I found three projects on her blog that I am excited to try out for myself. Check them out here:

Door Mat DIY

Monster Family

Bike Makeover

I asked Jody to share some things with us about her and her blog. Be sure to hop on over and leave her nice comments because she is great! I'm including her social media links at the end of the post, so be sure to become a follower.

K: How and why did you start your blog?

J: I named it "Homey Home design" because my kids call our house our "homey home". 

I started my blog almost exactly 2 years ago as a creative outlet. I love to do craft/diy/home improvement projects and having a blog was a great way to share what we're up to. Having a blog also encourages me to follow through on these projects too! Nothing like accountability! 

K: What are some of your favorite posts/projects you have done?

J: Some of my favorite projects include the redo of our kitchen, striping the bathroom ceiling, and the updates to my entryway. 

K: What do you do when you're not blogging?

J: When I'm not blogging I am hanging with my four kiddos and hubby, working part time as a geriatric social worker, and living out my faith as best I can.

K: Which craft supply could you be accused of hoarding?

J: As for craft hoarding......hmmmm.....I am a bit OCD when it comes to organization and cleanliness. I am not apt to hoard anything but I sure do love drop cloth fabric and have quite a stash of that!

K: Tell us something random about yourself!

J: On a random note, we just got a new puppy, and let me tell you, its just like having a newborn all over again! 

Here's a link to Jody's latest series on back to school:
http://www.homeyhomedesign.com/2013/08/back-to-school-organization-part-4.html

Follow Homey Home Design here: Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Twitter

Blogger Spotlight - Stephanie @ The Tip Toe Fairy

Blogger Spotlight time! I am searching for fellow crafty bloggers who have fewer than 1000 followers to spotlight. If you fit the bill and would like to participate, please contact me at hotcommodityhome{at}live{dot}com!

Today, we're getting to know Stephanie from The Tip Toe Fairy. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, click over and follow her! Stephanie posts a great variety of recipes, kid crafts, book reviews, and sewing projects. She even has a section of free tutorials! It doesn't get much better than that, in my opinion.

K: Describe yourself in 5 words or less.

S: Mother, wife, artist, baker, dreamer

K: How and why did you start your blog?

S: I actually began a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.  Way back in 2006, I began blogging as Sewing Chick.  I started right around the same time that some of the other bloggers who seem rather famous to me now began their blogs.  Before that, I was an active member of a sewing/mothering discussion website for years and years.  I lead sew-a-longs there and posted lots of projects and patterns and tried to help other mamas learning to sew.  But, as my children got busier as they got into school and activities, I just couldn't find the time to keep up.  I wanted to keep sharing things with other moms, so I thought starting a blog would be a great way to keep it all in one place.  It was fun.  Soon, I was getting projects published in magazines and getting sponsorships.  Then, life upended itself a couple years later, and I had to put it all on the back burner.  Just in the last couple of years I've been able to come back and restart my blog again.  

K: What are some of your favorite posts/projects you have done?

S: One of my favorites was a project to make your own shopping cart cover.  You know those adorable little things you see moms put in the front of a grocery cart? I wanted to make one of those so bad to use for myself, so I looked to buy a pattern.  But, I was too impatient.  I did not want to wait for it to arrive in the  mail.  Then, one night while playing around in my sewing room, a light bulb went off.  I realized I could make one of those things without a pattern, and it was so easy to do I had to share it.  I remember being just giddy at it all coming together.  

Some others I love are my machine applique tutorials - the cupcake and ice cream onesie came out just like I imagined.  I have a new machine applique project coming very soon that I'm guest blogging for someone else.  I'll give you one hint -- it's Disney themed!  I can't wait for everyone to see it.  It is just so adorable!  

My other faves are the cupcake recipes.  I love designing weird cupcake flavors.  The coke floats, bubblegum, grape soda,  the cotton candy, etc. --  I'm always surprised that they come out the way I plan, and that my taste testers like them so much.  

K: What do you do when you're not blogging?

S: I love to read, so we go to the library a lot.  My older children are on a swim team, so I like to take the little one swimming while they go to swim practice.   I love to engage my children in creativity, so we are always making something weird.  Recently, we were using lollipop molds to make brightly colored chocolate mustaches and monster mouths.  

K: Which craft supply could you be accused of hoarding?

S: The more appropriate question might be which craft supply am I "not" hoarding.  But if I had to narrow it down, it would probably be fabric.  I could probably start a fabric store out of my house.  

K: Tell us something random about yourself!

S: I'm a lactivist, which means I am a big supporter of breastfeeding.  With all three of my children, I've nursed for more than 10 years of my life.  It's something I feel very passionate about, and I have taken active roles to promote breastfeeding in public as well as in legislation.   Prior to having my third baby, I worked at the Mother's Milk Bank of North Texas, which is a local human milk bank.  I was in charge of the laboratory where we pasteurized donated breast milk to send to premature and sick babies.  Apart from being a mom, I think it was the best job I ever had.

Follow The Tip Toe Fairy: Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Bloglovin'

Blogger Spotlight - Danielle @ Sew Much Crafting

It's time again for a Blogger Spotlight! I am searching for fellow crafty bloggers who have fewer than 1000 followers to spotlight. If you fit the bill and would like to participate, please contact me at hotcommodityhome{at}live{dot}com!

This week, we're getting to know Danielle from Sew Much Crafting. Danielle hosts a monthly Share the Love Blog Hop and a weekly Pinterest Power Party, so be sure to check those out and find some new blogging friends! My favorite things to look at on Danielle's blog are her Snapshot Saturday posts because it is a quick and fun way to get a glimpse into her life. I'm also intrigued by the idea of freezer meals, so I will be following her Freezer Cooking Series, too.

(Be sure to click the links provided below to follow Danielle on all the social media sites!)

Danielle answered some questions for me to share. Enjoy!


K: Describe yourself in 5 words or less.

D: Wife, Christ-lover, Blogger, Planner & Organizer {is that five words!?}

K: How and why did you start your blog?

D: We moved 2000+ miles from home and I got to become a stay-at-home wife! I started blogging to keep our family updated as well as to keep myself busy with things I love! I also wanted to share some of the things I'm passionate about with other: my personal relationship with Jesus Christ, organization, diy, crafting, meal planning, saving money and more!

K: What are some of your favorite posts/projects you have done?

D: How can I choose?! My Blog Planner Series has been a huge hit! I also created some free meal planning printables - like I said before, I like being organized! I'm also a washi tape lover - so any of my posts with washi tape are favorites in my book!

K:What do you do when you're not blogging?

D: I love cooking, making my house a home, and spending time with my husband!

K: Which craft supply could you be accused of hoarding?

D: Washi... No, baker's twine... Wait, ribbon... Ha! I love 'em all!

K: Tell us something random about yourself!

D: I've never broken a bone!

Visit Danielle's pages here:

Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | Bloglovin' | Instagram | Google+ | Twitter

And here are the links to Danielle's favorite posts:

Blog Planner Series:
http://www.sewmuchcrafting.com/p/create-blog-planner.html

Monthly Meal Planning Printables:
http://www.sewmuchcrafting.com/p/meal-planning-grocery-shopping.html

Weekly Meal Planning Printables:
http://www.sewmuchcrafting.com/2013/08/free-weekly-meal-planning-printables.html

Washi Binder Clips:
http://www.sewmuchcrafting.com/2013/01/more-washi-fun-binder-clips.html

Washi Phone Charger:
http://www.sewmuchcrafting.com/2013/01/washi-charger.html

Proof that I'm a Craft Supply Hoarder:
http://www.sewmuchcrafting.com/2013/01/my-crafting-closet.html

And one more favorite - How to Do Once a Month Grocery Shopping:
http://www.sewmuchcrafting.com/2013/02/once-month-grocery-shopping-revisited.html

Blogger Spotlight - Trine @ Creative Pink Butterfly

I am starting a new series here on my blog: Blogger Spotlight! I am searching for fellow crafty bloggers who have fewer than 1000 followers to spotlight. If you fit the bill and would like to participate, please contact me at hotcommodityhome{at}live{dot}com!

My first blogger spotlight is Trine, blogger extraordinaire at Creative Pink Butterfly! I discovered Trine's blog fairly recently, but I love going back and checking out her older posts. She has done some wonderful tutorials on blog design for So You Want To Be A Blogger, where she is a weekly contributor. My favorite project she has posted is her Purple TV Unit. It makes me wish for purple furniture!

Trine from Creative Pink Butterfly

Now on to Trine... She answered the following questions just for me to share with you today! Enjoy!

K: Describe yourself in 5 words or less.

T: Creative Soul.

K: How and why did you start your blog?

T: You can check out my first post: http://creativepinkbutterfly.com/2013/01/30/happy-belated-new-year/ where I say a little about why I started.

K: What are some of your favorite posts/projects you have done?

T: Here are four of my favorite projects: 

• http://creativepinkbutterfly.com/2013/06/05/marble-cupcake-recipe/
• http://creativepinkbutterfly.com/2013/06/07/simple-red-maxi-dress-tutorial/
• http://creativepinkbutterfly.com/2013/06/03/golden-bliss-bracelet-tutorial/
• http://creativepinkbutterfly.com/2013/05/15/grey-tray-with-coral-butterflies/

K: What do you do when you're not blogging?

T: I have a part time job. I also have a dog and that takes time. I love going on walks. I read.

K: Which craft supply could you be accused of hoarding?

T: FABRIC! I have so much of it I have no idea what to do with it. And I always want more. Every time I am in the fabric store I have to talk myself out of getting new fabrics.

K: Tell us something random about yourself!

T: I love water, not the drinking kind but lakes and oceans and rivers and stuff. There is something about it I find so beautiful. But I hate swimming in it. 

Be sure to click through and visit some of her links! She has done some wonderful projects. And thanks to Trine for being my first Blogger Spotlight!