New Blog

I've been thinking a lot lately about how to handle my blogs and what I wanted on them. I would run into the problem of should this go on this blog or this blog and what would happen if I put it on both. In my thinking and in something I read today, I've decided to merge the 2 blogs and just have 1 blog. This will allow me to not stress over which blog to post something on and also streamline things for me. It will also allow my customers who are interested in products to get to know me and learn more about where their items are coming from.

The new blog address is http://meg-duffy.blogspot.com/ I will be updating on a regular basis, maybe not daily, but at least every other day. I am working on lots of fun recurring type posts. Right now I am doing a "12 Days of Christmas" Series. Nothing real involved, but just little bits of fun.

I hope you will add the new blog to your favorites, reader or even follow me over there.

Thoughts in my head

So I'm thinking about some different changes I want to make to Pink Owl. Well not really changes, but additions. Working on my product list, referral program ideas, sales, and so much more. Trying to decide what all I want to do with this blog; just projects and business updates is what I'm thinking, but at the same time I want you as the readers to want to keep coming back. I have another blog that I update all sorts of things on and am trying to keep it mostly non-business related.

Some of the things I am working on and hope to have in the Etsy store this week are custom banner listing, hair clips, card sets, and a wallet type thing I want to give my hand at sewing. As far as the custom banner listing, it will basically be a listing that you don't actually purchase, just gives the info on what type of banners could be created. Then you would be able to send me a convo and we would work out the details of what type of banner, wording, colors, etc you want.

Just something cheery to brighten your day. 

Card Sets

If you are still looking for gift ideas for teachers or friends, I'd like to suggest card sets. I think I featured them on the 25 days of Handmade Gifts, but just in case you forgot or didn't see them. Giving cards is like giving 2 gifts in 1. Think about, you give your friend/teacher a set of greeting cards, they then are able to turn around and use the cards to give to a friend, etc. We all have a ton of "stuff" in our houses and most of us if we are honest don't need more knick knacks(besides that just means more to dust around), so giving cards is great. How many times have you rushed to the store last minute to buy a card and stood there staring at the choices. You pick a card out, read it and after repeating that process about 20 times you finally find one that will work. You go to the check out and hand over $5.00 for a card. Seriously card prices are insane(or at least I think so). And where do those cards end up 9 times out of 10, recycle box(well hopefully if they get thrown out that's where they go, not the trash).

Small square cards. Great for kids birthday cards.

Regular size birthday cards. Great for sending to a friend.

Small mix greetings. Great for anytime you need a quick card.

Small mix greeting. I think these are great for kids.

I love making mixed greeting sets to give to teachers and friends. Aside from not spending a ton on 1 card, you might be more inclined to send a Thinking of You card to a friend who could use a pick me up if you already had them on hand. Who wouldn't love to find a card in the mail mixed in with all the bills and junk.

If you are interested in ordering a set shoot me an email or convo me through etsy and we can work out the details. Regular size cards come with envelopes even. If you would like envelopes for the smaller cards we can work that out, they just don't mail well and so I don't include envelopes. That is what makes them great for kids birthday's, a gift you are handing a friend, or even to drop in someones lunch box.

I Believe Wall Hanging

Full view.

Different angle of the reindeer to see the glitter and accent on antlers.

Check out the ribbon!

Listed in my Etsy shop, Here.

Coaster Clip Board Set

Office supplies can be pretty plain and boring. I think something as boring as office supplies would be a lot more fun to use if they were bright and colorful or at least better than plain black.

Looks intriguing doesn't it.

Great for grocery lists and phone messages. Can be made magnetic.

Personalized paper clips. Work great as bookmarks too.

Wouldn't these be a lot more fun to clip a bunch of boring papers together with?

 

 

Great gift idea for teachers, boss, secretary or anyone else on your list who loves office supplies(I know I'm not the only one out there).

Day 25 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

Today is the last day of the Handmade Gift ideas. I will still feature a few ideas here and there.

What a great idea for the little ones on your list. Found in Lemon Tree Studio

Edible Finger Paints!!! How cool is that. Found in WeeCanToo

If you have people on your list that you just aren't sure what to get them a handmade gift is always a great idea and Etsy is full of shops offering something for pretty much everyone on your list. As I was searching for ideas I noticed that many shops offered Gift Certificates too, so keep that in mind. And if you find a shop you love stuff in, but aren't sure what that special someone would like you might conversation the owner to see if they offer gift certificates. I don't have any listed in my shop, but will be making some digital designs up to offer them. I know gc aren't very personal, but if the recipient gets a handmade gift in the end, that is pretty awesome I think.

Back later maybe, tomorrow for sure with some finished projects.

Day 24 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

I love felt food. Found in It's the Small Things shop.

Adorable skirt!! From Lady out of Carolina.

Day 23 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

Sorry about the sudden break in Handmade Gift Ideas. I had planned to get posts ready to go up last week, but time just kept getting away from me.

Back to catch up for the next 3 days.

Makes me think of Atari and my childhood. From The Art of Amy C Nelson

And 2 hats from Rak J Patterns

Adorable Rainbow Sock Monkey Hat!

I know Thanksgiving is over, but this hat is just too cute not to show.

She has some really neat things in her shop.

Under the Cabinet Jar Opener

While I was at my mom's this weekend I decided to take some better pictures of the under the cabinet jar opener. I don't have one hanging up at my house because we rent and our landlords don't want holes put in the cabinets.

Here are pictures that will give you a better idea of how this thing looks and works.

How it looks mounted under your cabinet.

Another view of it mounted.

Opening a jar of salsa.

2 liter bottle of pop.

View from under neath. Not sure you would ever look at it like this, but just an idea of how it goes up.

Back to

work tomorrow. Will be back to finish the 25 gift ideas. Also better pictures of the under the cabinet jar opener. Working on lots of projects this week and can't wait to share them. Hard to believe December is just around the corner.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. So many things to be thankful for even during tough times.

Handmade Gift ideas will return and finish next week.

Gobble Gobble.

Day 22 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give.

For today's gifts I'm featuring the entire shop. Elise is one of those people that I follow her blog, twitter stuff and her etsy shop. I love her stuff. Simple and amazing. Her shop Elisejoy is full of amazing paper stuff.

I love the cover of this book. Would be neat for so many events. 
 

I love this quote and would love to have this hanging where I can see it as a daily reminder.

Day 21 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

Today's gift ideas are jewelry. I'm not a big jewelry wearer, I do love funky rings though. As for earrings and necklaces, but when it comes to bracelets I'm really picky. I don't like really chunky ones, too hard to work with them. I have a few bracelets that are more charm type that I love and wear.

I found this necklace on etsy in Chain Link's shop and love it.

This is totally a ring I would wear! Although I think first I'd have to keep Audrey away from it. From McKinley Designs

Love this pendant. Would love one for each kid with their initial. From E. Ria Designs

If you have a jewelry lover on your list check etsy out. There are tons of amazing designs for every jewelry lover.

Day 20 of Handmade Gifts to Give

After day 19's post about cookies I figure in order to do all that amazing baking that happens at the Holidays, one must have a cute apron to go with it, so that's the ideas for today.

I love the oven mitt pockets. From Delaney's Closet.

How cute is that?!! From Pig and Company
She has an adorable owl apron.

How cute would that be for a little baker in your life? From GranmaShirley


Back tomorrow with more gift ideas.

Day 19 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

So for the last few days of the gifts to give posts I'm going to feature things I find that I love.

I don't know how I came across this shop, but OMG! her stuff is AMAZING. Yes I know that's a lot of caps in one sentence, but look at her stuff. Batches is the name of the shop.

I love that she has pink owl cookies.

More cute cookies. This time from KindredSpiritSweets

How cute are those doggies?

I love these cookies from TSCookies

There are some really cute school bus ones in the same shop.

Being a former tennis player I would have loved these when I was playing(well I'd still love them). From Ruthie's Cookies

She has some that I know my brother would love to have. She has some running shoes and running jersey's.

Didn't mean for this idea list to be all about cookies, but once I found one they just kept appearing.

Just listed

Just listed this item in my Etsy store. Snow Banner/Garland

Listed these a couple of days ago and working on more.

Gift Card Matchbook holder

Gift Card Matchbook Holder

If you are interested in anything in my etsy store, but need a larger amount than listed or would like it in different colors or words please do not hesitate to contact me and we can work out the details.

Back later with the Handmade Gift ideas posts.

Day 18 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

First of all I want to say Happy Birthday to my mom. She is the best grandma to my kids and an amazing mom and friend to me. For a long time it was just the 2 of us after my dad died and I know I wasn't always the easiest child, but she has always stuck by me and been there for me.

Today's idea is one of the things at the holiday's that really seems to stress people out more than even shopping...cards. I love getting handmade cards, but I also really love photo cards, so I'm going to feature both. I know photo cards aren't technically "handmade", but the ones featured on etsy are at least designed by individuals instead of mass produced. I will feature both don't worry.

First up digitally designed cards:

Found in the shop Starlite

I love the trees on this card. Found in LNZart

I love the non-traditional feel to this card. Found in Announcing In Style

Now for non-digital cards.

I love polkadots and these cards are simply adorable. I love the polka dots and the simplicity of these cards. Found in of course Polkadot Shop

Love the owl couple. Found in 1313 Designs

Sorry for the bad picture here, but this is a set of Christmas cards I made for a friend. I love the simplicity of them. Have an order for 25 more. MUST GET BUSY!

If you have anything you'd like me to feature please leave me a comment. Only 6 more days left, I can't believe it.