Introducing: Stitched Tags

For a long time I've been living with guilt. Every time I would look at my sewing machine, I would have guilt for the very small amount that I actually use it. I've tried several different sewing projects, but it's just not for me. I think I must have a form of craft attention deficit disorder because I just can't work on any one craft for too long, and sewing projects exceed my limits.

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I might have found the best possible solution for my guilt though. I'm now sewing gift tags! No, they're not made of fabric, they're made of paper, but I use my sewing machine to pull all the pieces together!

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I'm so excited about these, I think the stitching adds such a sweet little touch to the tags. Here are my first three creations! Be sure to check them out at Cora Anne Designs!

I Couldn't Resist!

After days of kicking myself for not picking up the colorful pictures frames at Pottery Barn, I finally just headed back to the mall to get some.

They're so cheery, I love them! It was so worth going back!

I also picked up this fun green ampersand which really serves no purpose other than just being kind of quirky and cute! So worth it as well though!

Introducing: The Sunburst

I have always been drawn to the sunburst design. I love it's retro yet very classic feel. A while back, my husband and I purchased a large metal sunburst from Kindel & Company in Howard City, MI. We absolutely loved it in the store, but once we got it home, we knew right away that it wouldn't work, it was too big! So, we reluctantly returned it and the search continued for a smaller one.

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In the end, we didn't find another metal sunburst, but we did find this sunburst made of wood at Stonesthrow in Grand Rapids. It's from a company called Jeffan. We hung it in our front entryway, and I absolutely love it. The shades of the wood and the design tie so many different elements of our home together.

So, when I spotted the sunburst stamp, I had to have it. I love stamping it in copper colored ink. I think it makes a great stylish statement, and certainly sends the message that you give great gifts!

Enjoy!

Local Etsy Sellers

There was an article this week in the Grand Rapids Press about a woman from Grand Rapids who has started her own business on Etsy selling handmade clothes for Blythe dolls. Her shop is called morganannie and she has only been on Etsy since March of 2008, and has already had over 200 sales!
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It's so much fun to search and see what Etsy sellers are in your area...I did a search and actually found some people that I knew!
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Use this link to find Etsy sellers in your area!

Snazzy Desk Accessories

I hit the jackpot today! Actually, my husband hit the jackpot today when he spotted these fabulous desk accessories at Pottery Barn. This is the Emery line of desk accessories and while the picture shows them in green, they also come in magenta and orange. I got them in magenta and I LOVE them! To make the purchase even better, they were on sale...waaay on sale. I'm sure they will add a perfectly snazzy punch to my workspace!

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Here are some other great office and decor items that are on sale right now as well. I didn't get any of these, but sure looked at them a long time trying to decide if I should. The bright colors are just so fantastic, I may just have to go back and pick them up!

Glass Frames

Pop Color Catchall

Paperweight Clocks

Silver-Plated Grosgrain Mat Frames

Introducing: Four Playful Animals

I instantly fell in love with these four little animals. Each one is smiling and waving at you and I can't help but imagine how cute these would be on a gift for a newborn baby. Not to mention how adorable they could be if used in a child's scrapbook. So far these animals have made appearances on gift tags and on circle tags by Cora Anne Designs, but I have a feeling that's only the start for these fun little creatures!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Cora Anne Designs!

All the best to you in 2009!