It's Time to Celebrate! 500 Fan Giveaway

This giveaway has ended.  And the winner is.....

Linda Sheppard

Congratulations Linda!  You should have an email from me soon!

Christine & Company is so happy to announce that we finally have 500 Facebook Fans!  We appreciate each and every one of you and to celebrate, we've put together a pretty awesome giveaway valued at approximately $150.  One lucky fan will win the whole shebang!  And it's so easy to enter...just follow the directions below.  Everyone will have lots of ways to enter.  But first, I'd like to introduce you to some pretty special folks.  All of these very talented artisans have contributed something from their shop to be included in this amazing gift basket.  Take a look!

 

Christine & Company

 This two piece set including a quilted cosmetics bag and coin purse key ring, is donated by Christine & Company.  They are a part of a new wholesale line that will be launched in the fall.  Pssst....one of these sets is on it's way to HGTV's Genevieve Gorder!
  Retail value:  $30

Emerald Coast Boutique

Aren't these pink and crystal drop earrings by Emerald Coast Boutique lovely?  

www.emeraldcoastboutique.com
Retail Value:  $10

Bowz by Sheila

These funky bows and headband are donated by Bowz by Sheila

Retail Value:  $18
www.bowzbysheila.com

Beautiful Ewe

 Adorable!  
Beautiful Ewe is giving away a $20 shop credit!
And if you visit Aimee's Facebook page and tell her Christine & Co. sent you,
she's offering FREE SHIPPING in her Etsy shop! 
www.facebook.com/ewearebeautiful

www.aimee216.etsy.com

Jewelry by Toni K

This beautiful butterfly lamp work necklace and earring set is contributed by
www.jewelrybytonik.com
Retail Value:  $18

Tiny Dancer Designs

Tiny Dancer Designs is offering a Custom Tutu in your choice of colors (up to size 4T)
Retail Value: $25

Brina's Bowtique

 Check out this unique Bow Bucket by Brina's Bowtique.  

It includes 5 flowers, a snail, ladybug and bee.  Each of these is an adorable 

hairbow that can be removed for use and then put back on the stems for display.  

Retail Value:  $25
http://www.brinasbowtique.weebly.com

Posey Handmade

Posey Handmade donated this fun little pendant
Retail Value:  $18
www.poseyhandmade.etsy.com

To be eligible to win, pick 3 items that are your favorite and comment below.  And check all the shops...I wouldn't want you to miss a single thing from any of these great shops!  Plus, there are lots of other ways to earn EXTRA entries!  So, get to browsin'...this giveaway ends at midnight on August 8, 2012.  Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*giveaway only open to residents of the US.

Ask the Expert - Party Planning with Sweet Stella's

Please welcome Shannon Moyer-Szemenyei, Owner and Designer of Sweet Stella's for Day 2 of the Ask the Expert Series.    She is going to give us some great ideas for a party for a small child.

Dumptruck Themed Party

When Christine and I started chatting about her new Ask an Expert, I got really excited because it meant that I got to talk about my favourite thing…party planning!

Even before I became a mom, you could find me helping my friends plan their children’s parties and dreaming about my future childs’ momentous first birthday party. When it came time to throw it, I was able to set months and months of planning into action.

First and foremost, get a theme, and by that I mean an inspiration for the party. It can be…a colour, favourite toy, game, shape, cartoon character, or even just a feeling.  Once you’ve nailed it down to what you want your party to be inspired by, the rest should come pretty easily. For our purposes here, let’s take a dump truck and build a party around that.

Every party needs a food table, and what better use of a dump truck than to use them on your food table? Go to your local hardware or lumber store and get a 2x4 cut into a variety of sizes. Use these as risers on your table, and place two dump trucks on the planks. Fill the dump trucks with…salad…buns…burgers…really anything can go into a dump truck! Thank goodness for a party without rules!

 

Once you have the main course figured out, think toward dessert. If you want to forgo the fancy cake, consider baking one yourself, and making a wee bit of a mess with it. Fill up the dump truck with the cake, and drizzle over the icing, then sprinkle with cookie crumbs! Guests can take a scoop, and enjoy something a little less traditional, but something that fits so completely with the theme.

Another dessert option would be to take mini dump trucks that you can find at tour local party supply store in the favour section, and fill them with chocolate pudding. Place them out with toppings like cookie crumbs, sprinkles, chocolate candies and nuts (if there are no allergy concerns, of course!). For the spoons, get mini shovels! 

Incorporating elements of your inspiration into every party aspect is important, but it’s also important to not overdo it. You don’t need to have an actual dump truck on everything, but having cute little elements like the mini dump truck pudding desserts, using plastic shovels to serve the food, table linens in colours that match with the dump trucks that you choose…it all goes a very long way and you will notice a difference in the overall feeling of the party.

As a special treat to you party planning parents out there, I’m offering 20% off all custom party orders (as well as instock items in my Etsy shop) to Christine’s readers. Just use coupon code PARTY20 at checkout!

Please take a moment and visit Shannon here:

BLOG || FACEBOOK || TWITTER

Christine

www.christine-company.com

Exciting News! Hilary Duff to receive a Christine & Company original!

Thanks to The Artisan Group, a close knit community of talented artisans, Christine and Company, as well as 34 other super-talented members of The Artisan Group, will be filling a gift bag for the lovely Hilary Duff.  Hilary, 24 and her husband Tony Comrie are expecting their first child, a boy, in March.

Photo by David Shankbone

To say I'm excited is quite an understatement.  It's every artisan's dream to have their products end up in the hands of a celebrity.  C&C will be including a fun appliqued diaper clutch completely made by hand. 

Does this mean I'll get lots of orders from Hilary and her friends?  Who knows?  But, it never hurts to dream....

Stay tuned for pictures of Hilary's new diaper clutch!

Christine
www.christineandcompany.etsy.com

The Artisan Group's Holiday Gift Guide - 2011

 The Artisan Group, an exclusive juried community of talented artisans, collectively provides a lovely sampling of handcrafted products to celebrities and members of the press at major award show luxury Gift Lounges leading up to The Academy Awards*, The Golden Globes*, and The Primetime Emmys*. Most celebrities even pose for a professional photo with our artisan's products!


Recently, I was invited to join this talented group of folks.  I am so excited to be a part of such an amazing group, and although I am not able to participate in the events this year, the knowledge and support from the members has been worth it!

Valerie and Nikki of The Artisan Group have created a Holiday Gift Guide on Pinterest.  There is sure to be something for everyone and if your goal is to Gift Handmade...then this is the place to start your Holiday Gift Giving search.

I hope you enjoy browsing the Gift Guide and ...get ready to start pinning! I hope you find something you can't live without!

The Artisan Group's Holiday Gift Guide - 2011

Alegria

This beautiful treasury was created by Alexis, a fellow member of The Artisan Group. Click on any of the items for more information. Enjoy!

 

'Alegria!' by alexisstudiodesign

Alegria...joy in Spanish...that's what the work of the amazing artists in The Artisan Group evoke in the hearts of all who cherish their treasures, like me!

large texture impressio... mattsart $399.00	House Shoes, Slippers W... GoodLittleThin... $40.00	Carved names in Aspen T... WyomingCreativ... $55.00	Lemonberry Pinwheels (s... sweetstellas $25.99
Spa Quality Cotton Wash... TinaDeanDesign... $18.99	Black and Gold 5x7 Spir... Studio827KC $23.00	Yellow Rose - ColdPorce... ColdPorcelainA... $69.00	Happy Birthday Flowers ... enchantingdrea... $3.00
Yellow & White Vintage ... jewelsforhope $90.00	Atutudes Circus Fun Tut... atutudes $24.95	Lemonade - Fine Silver ... butterflybeads $45.00	yellow rainbow scarf ... dbkdesignarts $75.00
Bridget the Elephant So... LittleFreeRadi... $15.95	Vegan CoQ10 Anti-Aging ... edensong $65.00	Hand Painted Silk Satin... Joyflower $70.00	Crochet stuffed animals... DoodlebugCroch... $17.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Christine
www.etsy.com/shop/christineandcompany

Back to School Part 2 - Just My Size

A few days ago, my Toddler Backpack was featured on dana-made-it.com.  I was trilled to say the least.  Thanks again Dana!  My Backpacks have been very popular for just the reasons stated in Dana's blog post - little people, HUGE backpacks.
 
These little guys measure approximately 10 inches across and 9 1/2 tall and although they are PERFECT for a toddler up to about age 3 or so...I get so many requests for larger backpacks!





So, VOILA!

Enter the Big Kid Pack!  It's a great size for elementary school kids, tweens, teens and would even make a great purse or diaper bag for mom!  It measures 10" wide x 13" tall x 4" deep.  It's still available in all the fun fabrics that I use for the Toddler Backpack and I'm happy to shop around to find something extra special if you don't see something you love on my Etsy site.

School is starting soon and orders are backing up, so get your order in today!  



Christine
www.etsy.com/shop/christineandcompany

Back to School

So, I'm checking my Etsy shop stats today...and the views keep going up...and up...
Weird, I say. So, I do a little research and find that my Amy Butler Toddler Backpack is featured on dana-made-it.com!

Wow! What an honor!

Toddler Backpack - Amy Butler's Lotus Wallflower

See her blog post here:  http://www.dana-made-it.com/2011/08/getting-ready-for-school-backpacks-that.html

This leads to a future blog post - Just My Size - stay tuned!

Christine
www.etsy.com/shop/christineandcompany

Autumn Daughters

I'm excited to be a part of such a lovely treasury! Thanks GatheringNest!

'Autumn Daughters' by GatheringNest

My favorite time of year with my favorite little lovelies.

Prairie Girl Wee Bonnet... IvyandOtis $30.00	BAMBOO Baby Kimono - Fu... SweetMemoriesQ... $39.00	Simple Little Yellow Wo... TillyWhistle $26.00	The Citrus Bird Family ... theflashbulb $85.00
In the Nursery apron kn... Rachuel80 $68.00	Double flower (raspberr... MayCrimson $5.00	Toddler Backpack - Amy ... christineandco... $30.00	Baby Doll Sling Toy Pou... SnuggyBaby $13.00
Reversible Mei Tai Carr... twirlybirdbaby $70.00	Chenille Burp Cloth - W... noahbabyboutiq... $7.00	Illustrated Animal Alph... gobirdie $12.00	Wee Woodland Baby Blank... liltulip $45.00
Amelia HomeWithHarvey $20.00	3D Wall Butterflies, 20... hipandclavicle $36.00	One-Size Darlin' Ap... BabyBeeBop $19.00	Posh Legs PoshPipsqueak $7.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.