For Japan with Love

This stopped me right in my tracks today.  This touches me very closely.  You see I am half Japanese and my mother lives in Japan along with my Aunts, Uncles and cousins.  Luckily they are not directly affected with the disaster because they are in Southern Japan about 1000 miles away.  But still the anxiety and fear of this situation has been very troubling over the past week.  So when I saw FOR JAPAN WITH LOVE BLOGGER'S DAY OF SILENCE I just had to participate. 

All of the donations made on the For Japan With Love site will go to ShelterBox, which provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to the situation at hand but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children activity pack and other vital items. 

This will be the last thing you hear from me today in honor of this wonderful program please stop over to the above sites if you have a chance.

No blogging. No Twitter. No Facebook.

Please JOIN.

 My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Japan.

The Savvy Moms Guide: {Giveaway} SewTamz Designs & Artsy Canvas Girl Des...

Did you see the fun giveaway over at my favorite Mommy Blog!  Bri and Amy always have the best finds so definitely cruise around their site! The best thing about this giveaway is that it is with my wonderful sister Kathy!  Have you checked out her great shop?

Look at these great prints that just got delivered to my house.  Kathy really has a knack for topography - She took these great photos that my very talented photog friend Paula had taken and sprinkled them with love.  I absolutely adore them.  They are really cool because they are mounted on this mat board material and it kind of makes them look like a magazine cover.  Originally I had got them to go in each of my kids rooms but we love them so much we are trying to figure out a place downstairs for them.  Of course my husband and I don't agree on that spot!   So until then here they sit.

Photos courtesy of Paula Charchenko and Artsy Canvas Girl Designs

 To enter into the giveaway just click below

The Savvy Moms Guide: {Giveaway} SewTamz Designs & Artsy Canvas Girl Des...: "March 15, 2011 This week's Giveaway is from a talented Sister duo with a love for photography! We would first like to introduce you to Tamm..."

~ Brrrr ~

SewTamz Designs - Twice as Nice Giveaway at Iheartfaces!

Isn’t it true that you always seem to find the best items when you are holiday shopping for your friends?  Wouldn’t it be nice to get one for yourself too?  Sew (oops! I mean 'so' -- been super busy sewing these days!) in the spirit of giving during this holiday season, I came up with the perfect giveaway for you!  Pick a camera strap cover set for your friend and pick one for yourself!  And best of all, SewTamz will ship the set directly to your friend in time for Christmas (a $66.00 value including shipping)!

As you all know, I create personalized custom camera strap covers and camera straps for all you Diva Photogs who want to look good in designer fabrics.  My products are made from fresh and funky fabrics made by designers like Amy Butler, Michael Miller and Alexander Henry.  My concept is to couple fashion with comfort by pairing designer fabrics with luxurious plush minky to create a super comfy, padded yet durable product.  Fashion and comfort for those heavy cameras all in one!

I also came up with a unique dual lens cap sleeve that provides functionality with personality.  Simply slide the lens cap sleeve over your strap cover. It has dual pockets, one on each side so you can place your lens cap in one pocket and your ID, credit cards, business cards, SD/CF card, lens filter, USB or any other small goodies in the other pocket.

To enter the giveaway, visit my esty site and take a look around.  Pick a camera strap cover set that you would love to give to a friend and the one you would love to keep for yourself.  Then go to iheartfaces.com and leave a comment with your picks!  It's that easy!

Here's to a wonderful season of giving!

Happy Holidays!

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Fall

Starting Etsy Year 2 – with a Savvy Giveaway!

Wow I can’t believe summer is over.

It has been a whirlwind and with a blink of the eye it is over. Summer has been so busy with me trying to keep up with orders while also keeping up with the kiddos. Talk about a juggling act! I can’t believe it has been almost a year since I decided to start SewTamz Designs. 

I have been making baby blankets for friends having new little babies for several years. I love the little soft blankets with the satin trim and the special personalization. I love mix-matching fabrics and textures. Somehow I found my artistic medium in Fabric. I am a bit of a fabricholic.   So last September when the kiddos started school I registered for my Etsy shop.

I think it was November when I was brave enough to actually list something! Or was it that someone was brave enough to buy something! (hee hee) Getting started and waiting for that first sale is probably one of the most trying times for Etsy shop owners. On Nov 9, 2009 - My first sale! It was a sweet baby blanket lovee – fuchsia pink minky, brown satin trim and sweet paisley with pinks and mochas for Ann in Oklahoma – Thanks Ann for starting things off!!! 

I am constantly thinking of new creations.  It is just hard finding the time to experiment.  It was actually conversations with some of my photog friends that lead me into Camera Strap(s)/Covers.  With the help of my friends (Paula , Christina, & Vikki), I did some experiments with camera strap covers/ hipster camera straps and photo props.  

I sold my first Etsy Camera Strap Cover on Jan 21, 2010.  It has been a whirlwind ever since!  As well as, a learning curve of the ins/outs of having an Etsy Shop, blogging, & networking.  

Now with 400 + sales across the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, & Romania
over 10,000 hits a month from 40+ countries on my Etsy site

I think I am starting to get the hang of it. 

So what a better way to start Etsy year 2 off 

then with a wonderful giveaway 

with the gals at The Savvy Mom's Guide.  
If you have a minute check out their blog they have so many great projects and ideas - Making the Every Day Savvy The Savvy Mom's Guide

To win a Personalized DSLR Camera Strap Cover with a Dual Lens Cap Holder 
($30 credit)

Make sure you go over 
and enter in the
Savvy Mom's Guide - SewTamz Give Away.

Also check out these new designs that my sweet hubby helped me out with this weekend. 

(It is always nice to get a honest opinion) 

Silk Vintage Kimono 

Nature's Splendor

A Splash of Autumn Scarlett

Which is your Favorite?

Lovin the New Fall Colors

Love these colors from the fall color palette -

Thanks for the heads up Handmade Spark

Hand Made Spark is always so informative
with articles like new fall color trends http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/fall-2010-color-trends/

Michael Miller's Lagoon has been one of my favs for a while - it seems turquoise is not blue this year it is "Lagoon"! 

Some fabrics in my shop following the trends

Click Camera Strap Cover

You Pick your favorite Michael Miller Reversible Camera Strap Cover

So Funky Earth Tones Camera Strap Cover

&

Oh so sweet - Chocolate Minky Dots

My favorites are Lagoon and Woodbine. 

What is yours?

Thanks for stopping by
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