Etsy Treasury Feature

Well lil' ole me made it into an Etsy Treasury. Yay!
It's a lemon-lime theme, and will get you craving lemonade. Take a look here.

Etsy Feature ~ Secret Lentil

Lentils, in any form be it red, green, mini, or secret are my favorite legume. Secret? Oh I could go on trying to be clever, but I'd rather get to the business of talking about Helen, aka Secret Lentil, and all of the perfectly yummy garments she creates that somehow would be more appropriately named after desserts if you ask me. But since nobody is asking, and she comes up with her own very clever names....
Let's just start with the fact that she deconstructs and reconstructs, calling her creatiions "protective gear for your internal revolution". I'm all over it!!!

She doesn't so much sew as she sculpts with fabric. She even uses the word at times when describing the shape of some of her garments, and rightly so. Her ecclectic style includes lots of what she calls "pod pockets" (love 'em), outside serged edges in colorful threads, asymmetrical lines and mix of colors that is rivaled only by a bowl of all my favorite ice creams put together.

Helen works out of her warehouse studio in Syracuse, NY, plays bass guitar, and has a self-proclaimed loud and strange laugh. She just added a dressing room and welcomes visitors who will get first dibs on whatever she has in stock. As I'm in MI, I don't think I'll be visiting soon, but when I do I'll bring her a cake and some coffee, and we'll sew and eat cake and drink coffee all day long...and then I woke up, cuz my kids would wipe their jelly and pizza crusted hands all over everything!

Here are some of my favorites. Let me just say, narrowing it down was no small task.


1. Know Your Carmen Miranda Rights, 2. air-conditioned hepburn, 3. Homage to Dr. Zoidberg, 4. the grass is greener (reconstructed sweater), 5. langoustina, 6. earthenware reconstructed shirt, 7. morning glory dress, 8. Daphne Is No Shrinking Violet

No go and show lentil love. Visit her Etsy store here, her website here, her blog here, her flickr photos here, her Facebook Page here, and if I'm missing anything...shame on me.

Etsy Feature ~ The3Maries

Triple Maries, double the fun...she has 2 Etsy stores! Vintage Treasures from The3Maries has a delightful collection of vintage books, sewing patterns, and other household do-dads. My favorites are this vintage copy of Lassie


and as if that's not enough of a blast from the past, check this out! I have never seen and H.R. Pufnstuf book. As an aside...my 4 year old can sing the song...we've watched it on You Tube.


Here's where the "double" comes in...she has another store too. Created by The3Maries
This store features handmade arts and crafts where she does...and I can't believe I'm saying this..."custom work on sawblades". Yep, she paints lovely pictures on sawblades. I know...I couldn't believe it either, but what the heck!

Here's one of an autumnal nature...



Jennifer together with daughter Mallory, and mother Marie scavenge the flea markets and thrift stores on a regular basis searching for vintage goodies. It sounds heavenly to me, as my flea market and thrift store experiences are always with 2 unruly little boys! She's married to her high school sweetheart, together now for 17years.

When asked to name 3 of her favorite Etsy stores and why, this is what Jennifer had to say:
1) Freckles and Friends - Her creations are adorable. Each little critter is created with love. Cindi is one of the nicest people you will meet!

2)Aunt Sue's Old New Lovely - This lady has an awesome vintage shop! She knows her stuff! Also a very genuine and helpful person.

3)Dutch Touch Beads - Her jewelry is so beautiful!

It's hard to pick just three!

Jennifer is offering a 20% discount if you mention this blog post at checkout. Just say "GaGa Bum".

Etsy Feature ~ Boutique Stitches

Can you say cool? Jennette from Boutique Stitches is bringing some Punk and Rockabilly to baby's wardrobe. The mother of three, she and her husband own a tattoo shop where she also has her tattoo-themed mom and baby items for sale.
I think this is my favorite...

She's running a promo right now. Anyone who signs up for her newsletter will receive a 5 dollar gift certificate to Boutique Stitches,
20 % OFF all items. Use coupon code BABY at checkout.
Be sure to visit her website, and her blog

I asked Jennett who her favorite Etsy sellers are, and here's what she had to say:

Lucky Kaeru Fabric and Supplies
I love this sellers fabrics!!!!

PunkyMonkeyKids
Have to check out this sellers baby onsies,wow they are amazing!

baby momo
Love these baby items,what great fabrics!