CRAFTASTIC: A Simple DIY Father's Day Gift

I've got Dad's Day on the brain this week as you may have noticed from yesterday's post on Easy Father's Day Artwork, and when I spotted this on Pinterest today (have I mentioned I'm totally addicted???), I knew I had to share it.

I know, I know, you're probably wondering what a necklace has to do with Father's Day.  Well, that's actually a DIY finger print pendant, and while a lot of dads probably wouldn't go for sporting it around their necks, it would make a fabulous keychain!   Am I right or am I right?

This is all you'll need to make your own:

Just roll out some oven bake clay and roll your child's finger in it to create the print:

Then bake it, paint it, seal it and attach it to a key ring.  Easy peasy!  

And if you've got more than one child (or want to make one from all of the grand kids for granddad) you could easily include a print from each one.

Talk about a simple, inexpensive and meaningful gift for any pop or grandpop! 

For the full how to, visit Sarah Ortega Photography, and thanks to Jennifer Post for pinning this tutorial.  You can follow me on Pinterest HERE.

Images: Sarah Ortega Photography

Mother's Day Gifts Galore from The Rusted Chain {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Beki from The Rusted Chain when she ventured from Kansas to NYC for Martha Stewart's Blogger Night Out.  She's as sweet as pie and we chatted about doing something together someday and lo and behold, that time has finally come!

Beki makes beautiful hand-stamped jewelry from sterling silver, pearls and semi-precious stones and I love the way they combine rustic with glam.  This Swirled Monogram necklace is one of my favorites.

And the Fresh Cut design is perfect for spring!

A lot of Beki's pieces also have an inspirational or sweet message.  This is something we should always remember.

And everyday would be better if we celebrated with one of these!

With Mother's Day just around the corner, whether you're looking for a gift for someone you love or something you might want to send a hint to your hubby about, The Rusted Chain is the place to look.  There's the perfect necklace for moms who like to shoot:

Or craft (or sew or bake or play soccer or whatever you want it to read):

For moms with heroic husbands:

Or for any mom or grandmother who wants to celebrate her family:

The Rusted Chain also carries bracelets:

Earrings:

As well as gifts for men, like personalized key chains:

And golf ball markers.

I could go on and on so head on over to The Rusted Chain and check out all of the goodies for yourself.  I bet you'll find something you have to have!  Personally, I have my eye on this little number:

 
And if you want to receive your jewelry by Mother's Day, be sure to place your order by April 23rd to ensure it will arrive in time.

And guess what?  I've got an early Mother's Day gift for not one, but TWO lucky AFOMFT readers because Beki has generously offered to give away two $25 credits to The Rusted Chain!  To enter, visit The Rusted Chain and post a comment here telling me what you'll put the credit toward if you win (this is mandatory). For additional entries:

• "Like" The Rusted Chain on Facebook
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook 
• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber
• Follow The Rusted Chain & AFOMFT on Twitter (@TheRustedChain & @AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway: #Win one of two $25 credits to @TheRustedChain at @AFOMFT - perfect for Mother's Day! http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here - - to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did. You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post. Comments on Facebook will not count as entries. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends April 24th at 11:59 pm EST. The winners will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on April 25th. If the winners fail to contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

And that's not all.  Readers of AFOMFT will receive 15% off all purchases from The Rusted Chain by using code FAV15 at checkout!  The discount does not apply to shipping costs.  Happy shopping!

Images: The Rusted Chain

Wishing on a Starfish {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

I host a ton of giveaways on this site and they usually keep me too busy to enter them.  But a few months ago, Freckled Laundry, one of my daily reads, was hosting giveaway for a necklace from Starfish Jewelry Design and I had to leave a comment.  The pieces in the feature were so unique, with a really cool vintage vibe, that I knew as soon as I saw them that I wanted one for myself.  So you can imagine how overjoyed I was when I won!  But my joy soon turned into confusion because having to choose just one necklace from the amazing selection from Starfish wasn't easy.

I was immediately drawn to the styles with key charms like the Coco.

 
And the Betsy.

But then I saw the pretty aged rose and grey saltwater pearl on the London, along with the cool wider link chain, and started leaning in that direction.

I really couldn't pick!  Lucky for indecisive me, Amber, who makes all of these beautiful necklaces by hand, offered to create a necklace that combined all of my favorite features.  How sweet was that, especially considering she was giving me the piece for free?

Amber ended up taking the key from the Coco, the tab with the initials on it from the Betsy and the longer 24-inch funky chain from the London.  And I love the end result!

Isn't it pretty?

The tag has my, my husband's and the girls' initials on it and I love the length of the chain because it's so different from my other "mother's" necklaces.  Maybe that's why Amber calls them "Mommy Couture."  If I only I were more adept at taking self-portraits so I could show you how cute it looks on!

In addition to the Mommy Couture necklaces, Amber just introduced a new collection, all priced $32 and under, that are guaranteed to ship within 72 hours.  

They are perfect gifts, especially for last minute shopping!  You can check them out HERE.  And if you'd like to get a Starfish piece at a steep discount, be sure to sign up for their Sample Program.

If you're looking for a truly distinctive piece of jewelry, you have to visit Starfish Jewelry Design.  Don't see exactly what you want?  Amber will work with you to create a one-of-a-kind design like she did for me.  And that's why Starfish is an AFOMFT HOLIDAY GIFT PICK.

And guess what?  Amber has generously offered to give away any necklace in her shop to one lucky AFOMFT reader!  That's right, there are no restriction on which one you can choose so with pieces that run up to $96, that's a mighty fine prize.  To enter, visit Starfish Jewelry Design and post a comment here telling me what you'll choose if you win (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber.
• Subscribe to or publicly follow the Starfish Jewelry Design blog
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook 
• "Like" Starfish on Facebook and leave a comment that A Few of My Favorite Things sent you.
• Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.  
• Follow Starfish & AFOMFT on Twitter (@starfishsd & @AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  It's the Holiday Happening on @AFOMFT with a giveaway-a-day all month! #Win any personalized necklace from @starfishsd! http://bit.ly/bUACw4
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Grab our HOLIDAY HAPPENING button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and ends November 26th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on November 27th. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

And I've got great news!  Amber is offering readers of AFOMFT 25% off any Starfish Jewelry Design purchase through November 23rd with code FAVORITE.  Happy shopping!

Images: AFOMFT & Starfish Jewelry Design

In Honor Of Cuteness {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

We had a Christmas miracle come early in our house when earlier this month, Gabrielle and Alaina decided they would sit still to get their hair done.  It's such a relief knowing that they go out and about with cute hairdos now, instead of with the bed-head-like mullets they were sporting for a while when just a glimpse of the brush sent them into massive hysterics.  Thank you baby Jesus for understanding the importance of good hair.

Always one to push my luck, I decided to order some headbands to see if the girls' newfound appreciation for accessories would extend to them too.  I'm a huge a fan of the fabulous blog In Honor Of Design and knew that Anna, the lovely lady behind it, also has an Etsy store so I headed over to check it. There were so many sweet headbands to choose from that I was overwhelmed by the cuteness!  The Little Miss Lovely style was the first to catch my eye.

But the Little Miss Tweet is just darling too.

And the Little Miss Schoolgirl is perfect for the holidays.

The stretchy designs are so fun too.  Just look at the Little Miss Polka Dot!

But what really blew me away were the prices.  Nothing I posted above is more than $6!  Can you believe it?  Considering I had no idea whether Gabrielle and Alaina would even wear headbands, I was taking a risk ordering, but for $12, I was okay with it.

When my two choices arrived in the mail, I was so impressed with the quality!  The headbands aren't only adorable but they're also really really well-made.  To my pleasant surprise, the girls loved them but they also loved to pull them out and throw them around.  The fact that they're still holding up weeks later after being put to the test by two toddlers is impressive.  And look at how fabulous they are!  Here's Alaina modeling her Modern Circles headband.

(Excuse the potty seat but we just got it yesterday and both girls have decided it's their new TV-watching spot.  Lovely, right?)  Let's get back to her headband - I adore how the ribbon, felt and button look together.

And here's Gabrielle showing off the Little Miss Tweet style.

In Honor of Design carries accessories for ladies of all ages.  From newborns:

To moms:

There's something for everyone.  I know Gabrielle and Alaina would love these Flower hair elastics that can double as bracelets.

And I love this Lock & Key necklace:

The best part?  I could buy two of the flower elastics and the necklace for just $15!  I told you the prices were great!

For being well-made, well-priced and super super cute, the accessories from In Honor of Design are going on our HOLIDAY GIFT PICK list. 

If you're looking for a little something as a gift or stocking stuffer for a lady or little miss in your life, you know where to look!

And the holidays are going to come early for one of you because Anna has generously offered to give one lucky AFOMFT reader any one item in her store!  To enter, visit In Honor Of Design and post a comment here telling me what you'll choose if you win (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber.
• Subscribe to or publicly follow the In Honor Of Design blog
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook 
• "Like" In Honor Of Design on Facebook and leave a comment that A Few of My Favorite Things sent you.
• Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.  
• Follow In Honor Of Design & AFOMFT on Twitter (@inhonorofdesign & @AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  It's the Holiday Happening on @AFOMFT with a giveaway-a-day all month! #Win any item from the @inhonorofdesign shop! http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Grab our HOLIDAY HAPPENING button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open worldwide and ends November 25st at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on November 26th. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

And I've got great news!  Anna is offering readers of AFOMFT 15% off any In Honor Of Design purchase through November 26th.  Enter AFOMFT in the message to seller box at checkout and your discount will be refunded via Paypal after you checkout.  Happy shopping!

Images: AFOMFT & In Honor Of Design

Give Yourself a Little Something {GIVEAWAY}

This time of year, I spend so much time shopping for other people that sometimes it would be nice to buy a little something just for me.  You know, something with a little sparkle.  A little sass.  And a whole lot of heart.

Enter The Vintage Pearl.  If you're on the hunt for a unique and meaningful piece jewelry, look no further.

Run by Erin, a mother of four, The Vintage Pearl has designs for every taste and style.  You can create exactly what you want with the build-your-own Dainty Eclectic necklace:

Or opt for something simpler like the sweet Family Nest design I recently bought as a gift for a friend.

I adore the vintage-inspired pieces, like these silver initial charms.

And the beautiful aged baby feet pendants.

But I think my favorite style of all may be the photo charms.

What an easy way to keep your little ones near your heart all the time!

When you finally get around to putting together your holiday wish list, make sure you visit The Vintage Pearl.  You deserve something as special as you are!

One lucky AFOMFT reader is going to get to treat herself to a special something because Erin has generously offered to give away a $75 credit to her store!  To enter, visit The Vintage Pearl and post a comment here telling me what you'll put the credit toward if you win (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber.
• Subscribe to The Vintage Pearl newsletter
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook 
• "Like" The Vintage Pearl on Facebook and leave a comment that A Few of My Favorite Things sent you.
• Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.  
• Follow The Vintage Pearl & AFOMFT on Twitter (@thevintagepearl & @AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  It's the Holiday Happening on @AFOMFT with a giveaway-a-day all month! #Win a $75 credit to @thevintagepearl - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Grab our HOLIDAY HAPPENING button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents worldwide and ends November 18th at 11:59 pm EST. The winners will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on November 19th. If the winners don't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

And that's not all.  Get 5% off your purchase from The Vintage Pearl with code FAVETHINGS5 through November 30th.  Happy shopping!

Images: The Vintage Pearl