a fabulous giveaway with the little red door!

hot off of her resounding silver medal victory at the 2012 handmade olympics, i'm thrilled to welcome the brilliant artist toni, of *the little red door*, with a gorgeous giveaway!

i just love this shop. 
one of my very first handmaking faves on etsy, the little red door makes the absolutely most charming brightly hued little houses & ceramic miniatures. each creation is a whimsical wonderland! honestly - i think a little house or wee village is the perfect gift for pretty much EVERY occasion:

• how about writing someone's name in tiny houses as a birthday gift. 
• having the little red door custom create a special motivational word you love as a pick-me-up gift for a friend or a graduation treat! 
• having a custom name village crafted for a happy wedding couple or new baby.
• getting married soon or having a party? why not choose a set of minis as a custom wedding or party favour for the guests!
• or simply choose one of her beautiful wee ready-made houses or little tv sets for your modern terrarium, potted plant, curio shelf and more.

the adorable possibilities are just endless. and the woman behind the art: so very very genius! (and such a nicey too!) whimsical worlds await!

the little red door

etsy shop | twitter | pinterest 

and yay! one lucky rikrak studio reader will 

WIN a $60 USD custom name or word VILLAGE! (up to 7 letters) woohoo! 

just imagine the fun!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

..........................................

one way to enter is to grab one of my rikrak studio buttons,
like this one for YOUR BLOG! here they are!

<center><a href="http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the rikrak studio" src="http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/rikrakstudio/therikrakstudiorectangle.jpg" /></a></center>

<center><a href="http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the rikrak studio" src="http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/rikrakstudio/therikrakstudiosquare.jpg" /></a></center>

and add it to your blog!

{ ... just copy & paste the text in the box above onto your blog sidebar! thanks! }

...........................

:: RULES ::

a) it is possible to have a maximum of 12 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as its own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the little red door giveaway will be chosen on
may 11th @ 11:59 pm EST.
d) open to contestants worldwide.
e) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.

................................................

thanks so much toni!

 


Pin It

congrats (& a gift kick!)

::gorgeous custom name letterpress stationery::

:: top row :: 

 paperlovelypress + inhauspress + penelope press

:: second row :: 

bookhouathome + alohaletterpress+ dearlolaletterpress

................

ever get on a gift kick? 

like finding a gift you love to give & then giving it to everyone & anyone on your gifting list? 

well i'm on one!

it's so great in life that there's always an occasion to congratulate friends & loved ones. birthdays, engagements, new babies, new homes, it's wednesday, etc!

lately i've taken to ordering sets of personalized stationery for friends as gifts. i've tried a couple of different handmakers and LOVED the results from each! my current fave is the delicate, minimalist look of the blind embossed custom letterpressed name flat note. gorgeous!

on a gift kick? 

love to hear what you're loving!

{ and speaking of congrats: random.org chose lucky #168   - laarnie otomo of *to sew with love *  - as our latest winner! what great sewing tutorials you have, laarnie! congrats! you've WON the allisa jacobs prize pack giveaway! thanks so everyone who entered! }

Pin It

with thanks to style at home magazine!

...................

 

such a big thanks to the lovely editors at the beautiful style at home magazine for featuring my pet Christmas stocking with a paw print (this one in oatmeal & ivory coloured eco felt) in their latest issue * 100+ favourite holiday ideas !*

such nicies to work with! i'm honoured!

so fun to be alongside martha stewart's  cute pet food scoops & jonathan adler's adorable cat bottle stopper as fun * furry friends * holiday finds!

do you ever buy or make YOUR pet a Christmas gift?

ours get pretty cutely spoiled around here!

have a delightful weekend, sweeties!

Pin It

the etsymom blog hop & a sweet salt dough ornaments DIY

 photo by John Paul Urizar via taste.com

.................

morning, nicies!

today begins the EtsyMom blog hop, a chance to visit lots of great blogs by handmaking mommies, share in some fabulous festive recipes and craft ideas, AND win a bunch of amazing goodies while you're at it! 

so to kick things off, thought i'd share one of my family's favourite crafty recipes with you. 

it's a great chance to encourage little hands and their creative imaginations!

 

One-of-A-Kind Keepsake Salt Dough Ornaments Tutorial & Recipe

DIY family ornaments ideas at country woman magazine

Every year, one of our family's favourite Holiday events is the annual tradition of handmaking Christmas Tree Ornaments! As an adult, our tree is filled with those treasured keepsakes my hubby + I created as children alongside our own little one's festive creations! I just love it!

So here's a festive handmade Holiday ornament for you and your child to create! The project is a perfect make-together activity  filled with lots of opportunities to be creative in the kitchen. Using a classic salt-dough recipe, we'll add modern abtsract painting fun! The result is a gift-giving collection of beautiful, original ornaments featuring one-of-a-kind abstract artwork by your budding little Picasso! It's fun for artists of all ages and it's a wonderful, hands-on introduction to the world of modern abstract painting, too!  The ornaments are fun to give individually, in small sets of 3, or why not wrap up a whole set for grandma or grandpa! Don't forget to save some for your own tree - those little artworks will be treasured for many Happy Holidays to come!! Happy creating!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
2 cups flour + a bit more for dusting
1 cup salt
1 cup warm water
mixing bowl or food processor
rolling pin
cookie cutters
straw
baking tray
oven
child-friendly paints
paint brushes
ribbon or string
thin tip marker
your delightful imagination!

  .................

 ornaments by little rikrak :: photo by me

making fun 3D shapes on diynatural.com

HOW TO DO IT
*It's the most fun if your child can participate in all of the steps along the way! Making a BIG mess is half the fun! *

1. Mix salt & flour.

2. Add in half the water, mix, then gradually add the remaining water.

3. Knead mixture until the dough is smooth (up to 10 minutes by hand; about 2 minutes on low via food processor.) Add pinches of flour to create a pliable dough that isn't sticky.

4. For flat dough ornaments, roll out the dough on baking paper or a floured surface. Aim for a dough thickness of about 1/4 -1/2 inch. This will be sturdy enough for little hands to help transfer to the baking sheet, and not too thick for even baking.

5. Using fun cookie cutters or your hands, create fun shapes. Remember, the top surface of the *cookie* shape will be your child's canvas - so aim for a greater surface in the shapes you choose. It will be easier for young hands to create their masterpieces! (Circles, stars, snowflake shapes work well!)

getting the ornaments ready for baking on e-how.

6. Once cut, use a spatula to transfer cutouts to a baking sheet.

7. IMPORTANT: BEFORE BAKING  --> USE the STRAW to make a hole near the top so you can hang the ornament later.

8. Bake the ornaments at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the ornaments - or until dry. While the ornaments are baking, this is a great time to talk with your little one about the fun & freedom of abstract painting. Experiment on paper before working with your ornaments so your child can get a feeling for freestyle  painting. Share fun modern art books or websites to enrich the experience. Chat about the terminology of artistic experimenting: dots, lines, colours, curves, shapes, feelings. etc. and encourage your child to paint freely to various emotive words: happy, sad, excited, etc. Practice these for fun on paper. Paint with your child! They'll love seeing how you interpret the emotions, too! Remember - there is no right or wrong in abstract painting!

9. Let ornaments cool before you begin decorating.

10. Let the creativity begin! Turn on some festive music and let your little picasso enjoy splattering and splotting and decorating the tiny ornament surfaces with a variety of paintbrushes! Children 3 and up might love using 3-D puffy paints once a base coat is painted. They add extra texture and dimension to the sweet ornaments. Try painting some of the surfaces a solid colour, letting those dry, and adding new delights on top! Try gluing on beads, buttons, or any fun goodies you can think of. Let your creativity soar!

11. Optional: to preserve, coat with a child-safe paint varnish once everything is dry!

12. Loop string or ribbon thru dried ornament. Wrap in eco-friendly paper your child has decorated, and your handmade Holiday ornament is ready to give!

13. This recipe makes an ornament collection of approximately 20 2-inch wide ornaments, although it's much funner when each ornament is it's own unique size!

FUN NOTES:
- Older children might enjoy making 3 dimensional shapes with greater details.

- Experiment with using various fun kitchen *tools* to add texture to the top of the ornament dough before baking. try finger prints, child-safe kitchen utensils, etc.  Play with the patterns and shapes they create!

- Use the marker to have your child print their name on the back of the dried ornament (or adults can help!) and add the year for extra keepsake fun!

Happy handmade holidays!

Kristal Davis a.k.a. rikrak
my handmade shop: www.rikrak.etsy.com
my handmade blog: www.rikrakstudio.blogspot.com

and now....

off to see the rest of the fabulous blog hop!

Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful EtsyMom Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!

www.crazyadorable.blogspot.com/
www.thecountrychiccottage.net

http://www.shereesalchemy.typepad.com/

www.signature-sterling.blogspot.com/
www.allyouneeddesigns.blogspot.com/
www.tctliebel.typepad.com

www.rikrakstudio.blogspot.com

www.singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/
www.camelotstreasures.blogspot.com
www.stoneymistdesignetsy.blogspot.com/
www.aloniacreations.blogspot.com/
www.homemadebyamanda.blogspot.com/
www.annavirginiafashion.blogspot.com/
www.mylavenderave.blogspot.com/
www.babyjives.blogspot.com
www.babyswank.blogspot.com/
www.babysindulgencebyjocelyn.blogspot.com/
www.handmadewhimzy.blogspot.com/
www.katekatenyc.blogspot.com

www.caramagic.blogspot.com/
www.onlyterrastreasures.blogspot.com/
www.silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com

www.quirefly.blogspot.com
http://www.cinnamonspicecrafts.blogspot.com/

Here's how it works:
1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration and leave a comment. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, start back at the EtsyMom Blog.
2. Leave a comment on this post between now and December 11, 2010.
3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:

~Leave a comment on this post between now and December 11, 2010.
~Leave a comment on the Holly Day Blog Hop posts for any of the blogs listed above between Dec 5 and Dec 11, 2010.
~Join our email list (fill out the form in the right hand column).
~Become a follower of this blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column.
~"Like" the EtsyMom Facebook Page.

Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to this page.

To let us know you've done these things, please GO to 

--> the ETSYMOM Holly Day blog post. 

sorry - you cannot enter the giveaway here on my blog.  

 and leave a comment for each thing you did, i.e. one comment for posting on your blog, another comment for posting on facebook, and another comment for joining our email newsletter. If you post it all in one comment, it will count as one entry.On December 11, 2010 we'll choose a winner using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. The winner will receive this super sweet gift basket full of handmade holiday goodies, including

a pair of Turquoise Earrings from http://www.stoneymistdesign.etsy.com/

a greeting card from http://www.homemadebyamanda.etsy.com/

a lampwork bead bracelet by http://handmadewhimzy.etsy.com/

sterling silver and Swarovski pearl/crystal holiday earrings by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/signaturesterling

a cream colored cotton scarf given by http://www.zoegirldesigns.etsy.com/

a raincloud ornament from http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyjives

a matching splat mat and baby bib from http://www.babysindulgence.etsy.com/

two pair of earrings from http://quirefly.etsy.com/
a gift pack of over 30 pages of vintage paper ephemera by http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrychiccottage

a lovely sustainable stocking from http://www.rikrak.etsy.com/

a set of holly jolly gift tags from http://cinnamonspice.etsy.com/

a set of toddler pajamas in a style of the winner's choice from http://heatheregley.etsy.com/

a $15 gift certificate from http://camelotstreasures.etsy.com/

A gift certificate from http://babyswank.etsy,com/

have a great day, cuties!

Pin It

a giveaway with helen rawlinson!

 

i'll admit it.

i love beautiful fabric. 

love love love it.

so i'm swooning-away everytime i visit the online studio of artist & designer extraordinaire, helen rawlinson.

join me in a love-fest thru her shop, filled with gorgeous screenprint fabrics,  handmade lampshades, bags and more! it's really really gorgeous! just look!

and now.. you can WIN a helen rawlinson original alphabet sack, personalized with a letter of your choice! woohoo!

that's right!

one lucky rikrak studio reader will WIN

--> an Alphabet Sack <--

personalized in the letter of your choice on the reverse.

in your choice of pink, green or blue!

woohoo!

1. visit the lovely helen rawlinson shop.

...  tell us about your favourite goodie & why you love it!

=   1 entry

2. heart/fave the lovely helen rawlinson shop. 

...  & tell us

=   1 entry

3. become a fan of helen on facebook.

...  & tell us.

=   1 entry

4.  follow/ subscribe to helen's blog. 

...  & tell us.

=   1 entry

5. follow BOTH helen { she's @helenrawlison } AND the rikrak shop (that's me! @therikrakshop)  on twitter

... & tell us.

= 1 entry

6.  follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog

... & tell us.

= 1 entry

7. share with us about your favourite piece of fabric!

= 1 entry

8. tweet on twitter

... about this giveaway and come back here and tell us! be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! 

= 1 entry

9. blog about this giveaway

... come back and tell us.

= 1 entry

10. grab one of my rikrak studio buttons,
like this one from the left hand sidebar, for YOUR BLOG!

<center><a href="http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the rikrak studio" src="http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/rikrakstudio/therikrakstudiorectangle.jpg" /></a></center>

<center><a href="http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the rikrak studio" src="http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/rikrakstudio/therikrakstudiosquare.jpg" /></a></center>

and add it to your blog!

{ ... just copy & paste the text in the box above  onto your blog sidebar! thanks! }

11. :: PLEASE NOTE: 

each entry must be its own comment.

thanks! ::

..........................................

:: RULES ::

a) it is possible to have a maximum of 10 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the ika bags giveaway will be chosen on december 2nd @ 11pm EST.
d) open to contestants worldwide.
e) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.
 

................................................

Pin It

a giveaway & a recipe: with the june bride

mmmm...

'tis the season for sharing!

sharing joy.

sharing gifts.

sharing a batch of homemade cookies.

sharing kindness.

and here to help us out with all of those today is the amazing karen of *the june bride*.

the kindest of souls, i'm a longtime fan of *the june bride's* warmth and community-building in the handmade world. karen is a master textile artist and an encouraging advocate for good things in life. add master baker { look at this  cookie recipe she's sharing with us today!} and gosh... isn't she amazing?

so let's make a batch of these delightfully artisan sugar cookies for family or friends this weekend, AND... read on to see how you can WIN some of *the june bride's* beautiful brooches, too!

{ps: karen's so generous... she's doing a November charity event (which will likely continue into December)... $1 USD from every single item sold in her shop this month will be donated to local charities that benefit families in need (full details and updates are in hershop announcement). If any RIKRAK STUDIO readers write "i heart rikrak" at checkout, she'll donate $3 USD for each item you  buy! so wonderful! so let's do it!}

RECIPE for Sugar Cookies

{ by The June Bride }

This is the sugar cookie recipe of my childhood Christmases, and every time I make them, the aroma takes me back to baking with my mom on a day filled with carols and sugary messes. The cookies were ostensibly for parties and neighbors, but we always looked forward to gobbling up the ones that turned out a little less than perfect. It makes me so happy that now my own little ones look forward to the same things!

Traditional Sugar Cookies 

(we usually quadruple this, at least!)

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture. Cover dough and chill for at least one hour. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets, if necessary. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4” thickness. Cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 1/2” apart onto cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (I like these soft, so I only bake them for 6 minutes). Remove cookies from baking sheets to cool on wire racks. Cool completely before icing.

Sometimes I use a simple mix of milk and powdered sugar for an easy icing to top with sprinkles but, for the cookies shown here, I used Martha Stewart’s recipe for royal icing . Ice and decorate if desired. Place on waxed paper until icing is fully set. Enjoy!

.........................

oh YUM!

and so beautifully decorated, nicey!

thanks so much for sharing!

you'll just love the june bride's beautiful shop of creations, too.  it's an oasis of eco-forward style and creativity. beautiful, luxurious handcrafted brooches; wonderful tutorials and more!

and NOW... 3 pins can be yours!

--> ONE lucky rikrak studio reader will WIN <---

  3 reclaimed cashmere flower pins

           :: Large cashmere crimson camellia, 4.75”

           :: Cashmere vanilla cream dahlia, 3.75”

         :: Cashmere moss green aster, 3.25”

 

Value :: $49.50 USD

1. visit the lovely *the june bride* shop

...  tell us about your favourite goodie & why you love it!

=   1 entry

2. heart/fave the lovely *the june bride* shop. 

...  & tell us

=   1 entry

3. become a fan of *the june bride*  on facebook.

...  & tell us.

=   1 entry

4.  follow/ subscribe to the june bride blog.

...  & tell us.

=   1 entry

5. follow BOTH the June Bride { she's @theJuneBride } AND the rikrak shop (that's me! @therikrakshop)  on twitter

... & tell us.

= 1 entry

6.  follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog

... & tell us.

= 1 entry

7. share  your favourite thing to cook or bake for the Holidays!

= 1 entry

8. tweet on twitter

... about this giveaway and come back here and tell us! be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! 

= 1 entry

9. blog about this giveaway

... come back and tell us.

= 1 entry

10. grab one of my rikrak studio buttons,
like this one from the left hand sidebar, for YOUR BLOG!

<center><a href="http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the rikrak studio" src="http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/rikrakstudio/therikrakstudiorectangle.jpg" /></a></center>

<center><a href="http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the rikrak studio" src="http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/rikrakstudio/therikrakstudiosquare.jpg" /></a></center>

and add it to your blog!

{ ... just copy & paste the text in the box above  onto your blog sidebar! thanks! }

11. :: PLEASE NOTE: 

each entry must be it's own comment.

thanks! ::

..........................................

:: RULES ::

a) it is possible to have a maximum of 11 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the ika bags giveaway will be chosen on saturday november 27th @ 11pm EST.
d) open to contestants worldwide.
e) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.
 

................................................

have a great weekend, nicies!

Pin It