The holiday season is just around the corner. I’ve been doing a lot of shopping already and while occasionally I get to choose having the “men in brown” deliver goodies to my door, often my mail carrier will leave a little yellow slip in the mailbox for me to trade in at the post office the next day. As the USPS starts getting busier with holiday cards, care packages and handmade goodness from your favorite artists, crafters and designers. Heck, maybe you even have a package from me heading your way soon! I thought I would share a few of my favorite mail-inspired pieces from some amazing artists who have adorable shops on etsy.com.

From the top: Postcard Pack from Egg-a-go-go • Air-Mail Studs from Rare Indeed
Queen Postage Stamp Brooch from and Smile • Sketchbook from Happy Dappy Bits

I’ve been on a search for some fun throw pillows to add some color to the bedroom but I was never able to find exactly what I was looking for. So instead of settling I decided to bring out the sewing machine and whip up a few envelope pillow cases of my own. The last time I made envelope pillow cases, I didnt overlap the back enough so I had to use velcro to keep them close. But thanks to an awesome simple tutorial from Anna, on her blog Take The Side Street, I had nothing to worry about this time.

She shows you how to make an easy painless pillow cover. And the best part about her tutorial? You only have to cut one piece of fabric! I love how the bedroom looks now with these little pops of color and it only took half a yard of fabric for each colorful cushion.

P.S. Those adorable wall hangings were made my the amazingly talented Anisa at Nonsense Institute.

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Since I just can’t decide what animal to turn into a snowflake for this holiday season, I thought we could put it to a vote! Click and vote for your favorite animal on the list or write in a new contender! There is also a little discount code once you Vote just a little way of saying thanks! Who knows you just might see your pick in our holiday lineup!

Have you seen these achievement awards from the awesome HandyMaiden? Seriously they are so gosh-darn cute i can’t stand it. And of course since I am a sucker for puns, I am loving the Badger of Honor. I really need this for my winter coat, hmm or maybe a cute blazer!

When I first started knitting I fell in love with the patterns by Tiny Owls Magic Attic. I even posted about the lovely patterns right here. Well I happy to say I finally had enough guts and experience to try out their Hopsalots bunny slipper pattern. I made these slippers as a Christmas gift for my soon to be sister in law and she absolutely loved them. They were really easy and fast to knit, but if you decide to try this pattern out for yourself a few words of advice. First make a gauge swatch, it really does matter. And secondly, the pattern suggests felting these by hand in the sink, It would have taken me days to felt these by hand because I had to go up about 3 sizes in needles, so I felted them in the washing machine and they came out great! Have fun!

First off, what a cute shop name! Hide the good scissors may only have a few items in their new etsy shop, but everything in it is super cute! I love these geometric animal embroidery designs. The color selections are perfect and the result of mixing organic shapes and geometric stitching is simply wonderful. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

I came across Pilli Pilli Handmade and couldn’t seem to wipe the smile off my face. Their little textile creations sure to brighten anyone’s day. My favorite handmade lovely has to be the fluffy cloud magnets, whoich look great on their own, or maybe holding up the corner of a long list of to-do’s. All of their goodies are just super cute, I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Professional book binder Abby Seymour and Jewelry artist Katherine Wheeler create beautiful pieces for their line Golden Ink. A mix of hand crafted porcelain shapes and fanciful drawings the two creatives are a match made in heaven.

Every wearable inch of their work is created by hand, and fired in their own little kiln, which means each one is a little different and remarkably unique. Their work would make anyone swoon and is sure to gather a few compliments from complete strangers as well!

This little fox pillow from KushKush always makes me smile. In fact everything in their etsy shop  turns my dreary day frowns upside down! Even their little rain cloud brooch would make me a little bit happier on a very rainy day.

Clockwise from top left: Espresso brownies from Whimsy and Spice $8, Beeraw honey flight of 9 honey varieties $78, Deluxe Cheese kit from Urban Cheese Kraft ( it’s simple & tasty) $50, Salt & pepper shaker from Romi Ceramics $36, T-shirt from happy family $16,

Clockwise from top left: Recipe box from Rife Paper Company $125, Herb chopper ( we have one and love it) by Al Stephens $32, Three months of croissants from willams-sonoma, $99, Bamboo state cutting board from aheirloom  $40, eco friendly reusable fork and spoon at thinkgeek $5, index chopping board at moma store $70, Reusable shopping bag from wonder thunder $12