♥ Love is (Still) in the Air! ♥

With Valentine's Day on the 14th and the entire month being National Wedding Month, love is definitely in the air this month.

The ETC team was challenged to focus on all this love around them and create gifts and expressions of love.

We have a total of 25 entries this month submitted by 18 of our members, and the top 6 entries will be receiving prizes based on YOUR votes! So, please click HERE to see the amazing entries and vote for your favorite creation. And click HERE to join our Etsy forum thread supporting this project.

Voting will be open at 12:01am Monday, 2/22, and will close at midnight Wednesday, 2/24, with winners and their prizes being announced on Thursday. You may only select one entry, and only one vote may be cast per IP Address.

Thanks for supporting this project and all our team members who are participating by either entering or donating prizes for the winners!!!

Winners, Prizes, & Gifts!!!

What a great day this is turning out to be!!!

Winter's Wonders 1st Place Winner
A Winter Wonderland FavorCake

First, the winners have been announced and ribbons awarded for our Winter's Wonders Design Challenge! To see the list of winners and their prizes, just click HERE.

Second, it's time to start signing up for February's Gift Swaps! This month's themes are Orange You Glad It's Almost Spring (all gifts must use orange as their primary color) and Baby Presents. Sign-ups must be posted no later than Monday, Feb 8th! (Gift Swaps are only open to ETC team members.)

Finally, after a month off, we are holding our First Monday Sales Event again in February! Look for more information on this event to be posted to our blog on Sunday night, Jan 31st.

Winter's Wonders

Time for another Design Challenge! Our members have been working on their entries for this Challenge for the past two months, and they were given the following questions to inspire their creations for this Challenge:

What makes Winter wondrous to you? Is it the holidays that occur during this time of year? Or perhaps the miracle of snow in Texas? How about it finally getting cold enough to wear those scarves, gloves, & hats you love so much? Maybe long hot baths with your favorite handmade soap or bubblebath, or slathering on your favorite handmade lotion or body butter to fight off Winter's drying effects on your skin? There are so many possibilities!!!

We have a total of 40 entries this month (woohoo!!!), and will be giving away at least 6 prizes! So, please click HERE to see the amazing entries and vote for your favorite creation. And click HERE to join our Etsy forum thread supporting this project.

Voting will be open at 12:01am Monday, 1/25, and will close at midnight Wednesday, 1/27, with winners and their prizes being announced on Thursday. You may only select one entry, and only one vote may be cast per IP Address.

Thanks for supporting this project and all our team members who are participating by either entering or donating prizes for the winners!!!

Congratulations & Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Congratulations to our November Gratitude Design Challenge Winner, CraftyAngi for her Thankful Wooden Scrapbook Album! As her prize, Angela will be receiving Freshwater Pearl Earrings, donated by ViolaAndJean.

The remaining places and their prizes are as follows:

2nd Place = Pink Flowering Trees by NatureInPastels
Prize = $25 gift card to her Etsy shop, donated by Spluloacle

3rd Place = Appreciating the Audience by Carapace
Prize = Soldered Charm Necklace, donated by WrightHandy

4th Place = Sharon by TheIDConnection
Prize = Sm Bandana & Visor Set + Surprise, donated by EarlyBird454

Thanks, again, to all who supported this month's project, especially our entrants and our generous prize donors!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!

Time to vote!!!

It's the 4th Monday of the month, which means it's Design Challenge time again. This month's theme? GRATITUDE!!!

Click HERE to check out this month's entries and cast your vote. For those of you who have joined us in the past, voting is a bit different this time.... Since we only have four entries, we are asking folks to rank the entries in order from their Most Favorite to their Least Favorite. That's right... you get to cast a vote for all four entries!

Thank you to this month's entrants, Carapace, CraftyAngi, NatureInPastels, and TheIDConnection, as well as to this month's prize donors, ViolaAndJean, Spluloacle, WrightHandy, and EarlyBird454!

We also hope you'll take a few moments and join us in the Etsy forums and let us know what you are grateful for, how you express your gratitude, or simply what gratitude means to you.

October Design Challenge - Day of the Dead!

Day of the Dead (or El Dia de los Muertos) is a holiday that focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

This month, the ETC team was challenged to create something befitting of the Day of the Dead. We had 15 entries this month, from 11 different members. To see all the amazing entries, just click HERE.

Thanks to some very generous members, we were able to provide some wonderful prizes to this month's top 4 finishers:

1st place & a Soldered Glass Pendant from Kym of KymVDesigns go to Anastasia of WildMoonDesign & her Dia de los Muertos Charm Necklace with Hand-painted Skulls entry...



2nd place & a Paperback Book Cover from Kelley of OwlSay go to Beth of BerryBlueCreations and her Vince Voodoo Doll Pincushion entry...



3rd place & a Skull Ornament from Shepherd of Alphabulous go to Ginger of GigisPurseCharms and her Skullkins entry...



4th place & a Set of 2 Luxury Washcloths from Laine of CradleAndAll goes to Carapace of Carapace and her Dance of the Bones entry...



Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks again to all the prize donors for their generous support of this event! Thanks, too, to everyone who voted and helped spread the word about our Challenge by Tweeting, Blogging, Posting, etc -- together, you ALL make this a successful and FUN event every month!

Next month's Design Challenge theme will be Gratitude -- ETC folks, get busy on your entries!

Design Challenge Winners

Congratulations to all the winners of our July Design Challenge.

1st Place goes to Suzanne of http://crazyforcollars.etsy.com/ for herSummer Magic Pet Collar; she will receive a pincushion from Connie ofhttp://refabulous.etsy.com/

2nd Place goes to Rena of http://spluloacle.etsy.com/ for herWatermelon Duct Tape Purse; she will receive a set of 3 Lip BalmCozies from Liz of http://lavenderlizard.etsy.com/

3rd Place goes to Connie of http://refabulous.etsy.com/ for her JuicyLittle Watermelon pincushion; she will receive a set of soaps and soapsock from Holly of http://edenessentials.etsy.com/

and because votes were so close between 3rd and 4th places, there'salso a 4th Place award this month....

4th Place goes to Laine of http://cradleandall.etsy.com/ for herEmbroidered Toddler T Shirt; she will receive a Li'l Taste of TexasSampler from the ETC Team shop

Ribbons have been posted to the Challenge page on our website http://etsytx.ning.com/page/july-design-challenge-summer. Check out the winners and the other great entries.

Pick Your Poison!

# 1--Design Challenge is Monday June 22, 2009--PICK YOURPOISON!!!

What things can you absolutely, positively CANNOT resist?

Createsomething to show your poison!!!! Just remember - IT MUST BEHANDMADE BY YOU!!!

All entries must be posted here by 12:00 midnight Saturday, June 20 inorder to participate.

That is THIS Saturday--tomorrow! Voting will begin at 12:01 AM, on Monday June 22 and end Wednesday,June 24 at 7:00 PM.

If you would like to donate a prize for this or any other challenges,please contact the coordinators: Holly (http://HeavenlySentiments.etsy.com) or Kate (http://KateCotten.etsy.com)Questions and comments go to them too!

Here's the link to the Sign-Up Thread: http://etsytx.ning.com/forum/topics/design-challenge-june-2009

Design Challenge - Absurdity Day!

Things not making sense today?? Feeling Odd and Unusual?? Then You're Celebrating Absurdity Day!!

Crazy or not, Absurdity Day is staring you right in the face. Some days are truly illogical and senseless, exactly the definition of Absurdity Day. Celebrate this day in an absurd manner. Don't sit back waiting for something absurd to happen. Rather, seek out things to do that are somewhat, if not wholly, illogical. Have fun with it. But, whatever you do, don't try to make sense of it.

Have a wonderful, mind boggling and absurd Absurdity Day!!

This day is the inspiration behind our November Design Challenge, and the entries for this month's Absurdity Design Challenge are:

Cowgirl Fairy Heirloom Lace Purse - Texas Tree Fairy
Created by AngelsAndOutlaws

Like a Bicycle Needs a Woman Postcard
Created by Carapace

Show Some Legs Postcard
Created by Carapace

Fairy House for Texas Tree Fairies
Created by FindersKeepersThings

Absurdity Celebration Necklace
Created by ItsMeCheri

Green Fuzz Jacket
Created by JinxyDV8

Baby Pinhead
Created by SweetWolf

Time Flies
Created by SweetWolf

Please join us in the Etsy Forums and help us celebrate this most absurd day!

Note: Poll closed on Monday, Nov 24th -- Thanks to all who voted!

Congratulations to the Design Challenge Winners!

Thank you to everyone who participated in October's Design Challenge!

The top six finishers and the prizes they selected are:

1. ByBethStudios - selected the quilt by FattyCornerQuilts
2. Thistlecraft - selected the book by ByBethStudio
3. Fattycornerquilts - selected the record bowl by SweetWolf
4. Carapace - selected Lamp #1 by SweetWolf
5. LavanderLizard - selected the belt buckle by PinupPixie
6. MotsDots - selected the UFO Pendant/Cellphone Charm by PinupPixie

Congratulations!!!

October Design Challenge - The War of the Worlds!

What would you do if you scored an awesome vintage record of the story of The War of the Worlds -- one that comes with a book/magazine with lots of incredible images, as well as a pretty amazing album cover? Frame it? Sell it on eBay? Put it on a shelf with your other vintage treasures?

Not if you are Christine of PinupPixie! What did she decide to do with this awesome find? Offer it up to the ETC team for our October Design Challenge!!!

Christine scanned the pages of the book/magazine and posted them to one of our team sites, and members were challenged to create something using these images or their own interpretation of The War of the Worlds.

In Christine's generosity, she also made the record and album cover available to ETC members to create the prizes for this Challenge. Beth of ByBethStudio, Cindylee of FattyCornersQuilts, and Cathie of SweetWolf were the first three to correctly respond with the original radio air date of The War of the Worlds (Oct 30, 1938) and were thus selected to create the prizes for this Challenge.

Entries for The War of the Worlds Design Challenge include:

War of the World Bot - Sterling Silver Pendant
Created by ApacheMoon

Sterling Silver Bird from Outer Space Pin (Take Me to Your Feeder!)
Created by BeachcombersCove

War of the Worlds Mixed Media Canvas Book
Created by ByBethStudio
NOTE: This item is available as one of the prizes for this Challenge!

War of the Worlds Digital Art Print
Created by Carapace

Black & White Print Bracelet
Created by FabFrills

War of the Worlds Mixed Media Quilt
Created by FattyCornersQuilts
NOTE: This item is available as one of the prizes for this Challenge!

Crochet (& Glow-in-the-Dark) Spaceship & Aliens
Created by LavenderLizard

War of the Worlds Halloween Earrings
Created by MotsDots

The War of the Worlds Wallet/Card Holder
Created by ReFabulous

War of the Worlds Upcycled Lamp #1
Created by SweetWolf

War of the Worlds Upcycled Lamp #2
Created by SweetWolf

War of the Worlds Record Bowl
Created by SweetWolf
NOTE: This item is available as one of the prizes for this Challenge!

War of the Worlds Charm Necklace and Bracelet Set
Created by Thistlecraft

For more information on each of the above items, as well as more pictures, be sure to click on the title of each entry to transfer to its Etsy or Flickr listing.


Two addtional prizes (for the 4th and 5th place finishers) have been provided by Christine of PinupPixie -- she was unable to get them ready by the deadline to be included in the Challenge poll, as she was "caring for two cootiefied kids" this past weekend. Here are Christine's prize offerings:

War of the Worlds Wallet

Sparkling UFO Pendant/Cell Phone Charm

Thanks, again, to everyone who has participated, and special Thanks to all our voters!


NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the voting deadline has been extended through midnight, Thursday, Oct 30th.

Design Challenge - Summer Delights!

Originally posted on July 28, 2008

As part of our team's Spend Your Mondays with ETC program, we would like to take today to show off interpretations of our monthly Design Challenge. This month's theme was Summer Delights!

Team members who accepted this Design Challenge and listed items pertaining to this month's theme include the following:

EtsyTexasCrafters - ETC Team Shop, loaded with Texas Goodies
AngelsAndOutlaws - A place for the romantic cowgirl in us all
ApacheMoon - Unique & Custom Silver Jewelry for a Joyous Spirit
AWPhotography - Cards & Prints from Original Photography
ByBethStudio - OOAK art quilted items such as fabric postcards, ATCs/ACEOs, bookmarks and journals
CarolBradley - Bead and wire jewelry
CarylsCreations - Novelty embroidered items: magnets, dish soap bottle aprons, squares for quilts, "glass slippers", flour sack kitchen towels
Chido - Fused glass pendants, earrings and bowls
ChristinasMagic - Wearable Art, Paper Goods, Paintings, & ACEOs
CindyJoy - Unique, High Quality, Stylish Baby Gear
EcoFab - Fabulous fabrics and finds
ElephantDreams - Photographs from around the world
FabFrills - Unique handbags, sassy art dolls & other fab things
FandangoMoon - Greeting cards, notes, bookmarks and tags
FindersKeepersThings - Inspired Charms, Repurposed Jewelry & Original Art
FriendlyBanter - Cute crochet accessories
GreerDesign - Whimsical Pet & Wildlife Art
HandmadeWhimzy - Unique Jewelry, Beaded Bookmarks, Painted Items
ItsMeCheri2098 - Handcrafted jewelry, home decor, gifts and more
KillerBeeDesigns - Business Card Holders, Purses, Textile Art, Wine Bottle Carriers, and ACEO's
MayzBeadz - Handmade Lampwork Beads
MiaSophia - Stained glass panels and jewelry
PumpkinsBoutique - Custom Accessories for Your Little Pumpkin
RevolutionArtPhoto - Fine Art Photography
SerendipityRose - All kinds of Jewelry and Beaded Gifts
SimplyCynful - Custom Bows, Headbands, Socks, Flip Flops, & Tutus
SpiritMama - Spiritual and Nature Inspired Art & Jewelry
SweetWolf - Funky Handmade Accessories for You and Your Home
Thistlecraft - Handpainted glass & window clings, CD collage cards, crochet scarves, & other fun stuff
TimelessDesigns07 - Wire Sculpture & Custom Jewelry
TinaLewis - Handmade pottery and ceramic art
Tulip36 - Beaded Jewelry
UnkamenGifts - Jewelry and Dolls

Here are just a few of our Design Challenge Creations...

June Design Challenge - All Things Texas!

Originally posted on June 22, 2008

As part of our team's Spend Your Mondays with ETC program, we would like to take today to show off interpretations of our monthly Design Challenge. This month's theme was All Things Texas!

Team members who accepted this Design Challenge and listed items pertaining to this month's theme include the following:

EtsyTexasCrafters - ETC Team Shop, loaded with Texas Goodies

AmberCripe - Baby Wipes Cases and More
AngelsAndOutlaws - A Place for the Romantic Cowgirl in Us All
ApacheMoon - Unique & Custom Silver Jewelry for a Joyous Spirit
AWPhotography - Cards & Prints from Original Photography
CindyJoy - Unique, High Quality, Stylish Baby Gear
ElephantDreams - Eclectic Artful Photos: Color, Black-White, Unique
FindersKeepersThings - Inspired Charms, Repurposed Jewelry & Original Art
GreerDesign - Whimsical Pet & Wildlife Art
HandmadeWhimzy - Unique Jewelry, Beaded Bookmarks, Painted Items
LavenderLizard - Crocheted accessories, scrubbies, and more
LindaGJ - Whimsical Sculptures & Prints
PreciousLinks - One-Of-A-Kind Custom Jewelry, & Doggie Jewelry Too
SimplyCynful - Custom Bows, Headbands, Socks, Flip Flops, & Tutus
SweetWolf - Funky Handmade Accessories for You and Your Home
Thistlecraft - Handpainted glass & window clings, CD collage cards, crochet scarves, & other fun stuff
TiddlyInks - Original Watercolors of Whimsical Animals & Kids


Here are just a few of our Design Challenge Creations...