Les Tricots Du Coeur Review & Giveaway

I am so thrilled to be posting today as I had the pleasure of doing a blog review for the lovely Etsy shop Les Tricots Du Coeur (Knitting From The Heart) which is based out of Port-Cartier Quebec, Canada.

Ninon is a stay-at-home mother of two special needs children who rediscovered knitting last year and her obsession for yarn. People started to comment on her knitting and she decided to sell some of her creations on Etsy. Being a stay-at-home mom "this was the perfect opportunity for me to try and turn this passion I have for creation and knitting into a business.".

Ninon Opened Les Tricots Du Couer (Knitting From the Heart) in September of 2009. "Les Tricots du Coeur came very naturally to me. I'm french speaking, and I wanted a french name for my shop. As for the Coeur part..... that one was easy as well. I'm a very passionnate person in life; when I decide to do something I put my heart and soul into it. Every piece I create comes from my heart, and is crafted with love. My packaging, promotional efforts, all is done with passion and love. So the name was easy to come up with.".

I asked Ninon to share what her favourite part about running her own business is.
"I love creating something new everyday. Of course knitting a piece takes longer than a day, but I'm always thinking about the next creation, or the next color shades I'd like to work with. Each and every piece in my store is OOAK (one of a kind), and that's what I like the most about my business; I constantly reinvent myself. Not to mention that each of my customers get a truely unique piece that they won't find anywhere else! I also love to be able to work at my own pace; I'm a definite night owl, and I work when everyone is asleep, sometimes until the sun comes up... that's my ME time, that's when I come up with most of my ideas and new designs. My work isn't work.... it's a story of passion and love.".

Ninon was kind enough to send me a sample of her work (see pictures below). I was thrilled when the Blue Jean Cowl arrived and especially when I saw the beautiful way in which Ninon gift wraps all of her products (see pictures above). The green and red wrappings with the lovely little heart were wonderful but then when I went a little further the cowl itself was also wrapped with a beautiful ribbon. And of course I loved the little mini moo cards. I'm a huge fan and they looked great with the pretty packaging. And I can't go any further without mentioning the beautiful thank you card that was also included!

"I take pride in my work, and I want my customers to know they are special and appreciated :-).".


And now onto the cowl itself! I have so many wonderful things to say about it. First off I love the two toned blue yarn that was used. It's so nice that it's not one flat colour. The cowl is made with Malabrigo Worsted yarn and is especially soft which is always important!

I especially like that the cowl isn't just one continuous pattern and is actually broken up with straight stitches and areas that allow air to flow through. This cowl could not only be used in the winter but also for the Spring and Fall. It would look beautiful with sweaters, blazers, raincoats, you name it!

I'm absolutely in love with the silver buttons! Not only are they beautiful but the way the cowl is made it allows you to wear it completely or particially done up and either in the front or to the side. It's very versatile!

I really can't say enough about how lovely this piece is and the quality. Ninon's shop has many different OOAK (one of a kind) creations in it, scarves, cowls, gloves, hats, the list goes on. It's a beautiful shop and very professional.

{Les Tricots Du Coeur Giveaway}
* And now it's your turn! Ninon is offering, for one lucky person, the chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate to her shop!
* All you have to do is visit Les Tricots Du Coeur, then come back here and post a comment stating which item is your favourite!
* The giveaway will run from today until Thursday, March 18th and the winner will be announced on Friday. Good Luck!
* This contest is open to U.S., Canada & International readers.
* Please remember to INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS with your comment. Thank you!

Thank you Ninon for offering this wonderful giveaway to our readers!

It's a Blog Baby Shower Giveaway for Lindy (CraftedbyLindy)

It's a 3 day Blog Baby Shower for Lindy! Come by and join the fun! There are 3 different giveaways (March 10-12), tutorials, and fun stories to be shared. Visit here for more details.

Billy the Boo Bear....

Isn't this the cutest...... I could see this lil bear being a long lasting friend at our house-


Please meet Billy! He is 15" tall and is made from a cute arctic print and white chenille. This bear is a design that I made for my son while he was sick to cheer him up. Everyone calls him Boo Bear, so of course I had to make him a bear! He is made to be loved and is suitable for little ones since he has safety eyes. Little ones should still be supervised when playing with him though. He would also make a great friend for an older preschooler and his legs are just great for lugging him around. Billy would look so cute hanging out in a nursery or a little boy's room or if you still play with dolls like me, then he would be great for you too!

Bill along with so many aother cute lil friends can be found on etsy
What a cute lil shop bitofwhimsyprims is :)

Tie me up with this corset belt!

This belt is not only fashionable, it's functional! It will cinch your waist and add structure to your outfit. It even has polyester bones sewn inside for added support! Love this! You can find more information about this lovely corset belt and more at Duende's Etsy Shop!

Nice and Cozy

I think I've found a new love. The Egg Cozy! Oh my goodness these little creations are so funny! I love them. I think I would eat hard boiled eggs everyday if it meant I could look at these cuties.

The awesome cozy pictured above can be found in the shop Locket and Pocket on Etsy. They also over lamb and chick cozies. So fun!

Hippity Hoppity Easter's on it's way.....

Easter's on it's way and what could be cuter than a hand stitched, dusty lilac wool bunny? Um, not much. This lovely bunny is 3.5" tall x 6" long, is stuffed with lambswool and can be found in the beautiful shop Tiny Warbler on Etsy. Hop on over and take a look see! : )

Pssst - be sure to click on "sales" to see some of the adorable creations that have found a new home.

For the Ladies

Colette Madeline Mini Bloomers

Download Free Pattern

Made for nieces' birthday jammies.
All curved seams are french seamed, the waist and leg openings
were finished with a cover lock machine. The pattern and instructions in
itself were a dream to work with, wish all patterns were made like this!
Purchased lace camis from Old Navy to go with.

Happy Sewing!

Yum, yum!

It doesn't get much cuter than Sushi Baby Booties! When I first saw these I thought, "no way, seriously!? These are awesome!". They can be found in the shop Sushi Booties on Etsy along with many other great items like the Fortune Cookie Baby Booties. Also be sure to check out the sister shop Sushi Ornaments. Get ready for some Sushi cuteness!

Brassy Apple Giveaway!

I'm so happy that Megan, the creative force behind Brassy Apple, contacted us recently about offering our readers a giveaway. Thank you so much Megan! I had a great time looking around the Brassy Apple website and blog and seeing so many amazing creations!

Below you'll find info on the giveaway and a wonderful interview by Megan.

1. When did you start your business?
I dabbled around for a few years working to find my niche but really established myself and company name about 3 years ago.

2. Why did you start your business?
I started my business to continue my love for the arts and to fuel my love to be creative. I felt it was important to continue pursuing my own goals and dreams while still being an example for my daughter and being able to stay at home and raise my children.

3. What is your favourite thing about running your own business?
I love the flexibility of setting my own schedule, being able to keep things fresh and new and changing all the time and seeing my ideas created in a physical garment or pattern.

4. How did you decide on the name for your business?
I have always favored colors and style that are a bit more bold and edgy and loved how the word "brassy" portrayed that. I also love how the symbolism of the apple can be related to "tempting" from the bible story of Adam and Eve. I combined the two for "style so tempting.....it should be forbidden"....and Brassy Apple was born!

5. What is the most valuable piece of advice you've received or tip you've learnt that's helped your business succeed?
Network and ask questions! There were a lot of other business women I asked various questions too here and there and luckily they were all willing to share their knowledge. I also try to keep in the mind a quote a few favorite quotes. I love this one by Oscar Wilde, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken." It reminds me to stay true to what I love and love to do plus celebrate my own successes.

{Brassy Apple Giveaway}
* Megan is offering, for one lucky person, the chance to win a SET OF 3 PATTERNS which include, the Lucy Apron Pattern, the Kitschy Corset Apron pattern and the Bunchy Scarf Pattern booklet (all pictured above).

* All you have to do is visit the Brassy Apple website, then come back here and post a comment stating which item is your favourite!
* The giveaway will run from today until Thursday, February 18th and the winner will be announced on Friday. Good Luck!
* This contest is open to U.S. & International readers.
* Please remember to include your email address with your comment.

*****Megan is also generously offering all Girl Indie readers 10% off any purchase made in the Brassy Apple Shop from now through the end of February. Use - GIRLINDIE - as the coupon code at checkout!*****

CONGRATULATIONS Molly!! YOU ARE THE WINNER OF a SET OF 3 PATTERNS from the Brassy Apple Giveaway! Please send me an email at info(at)craftedbylindy.com so I can forward the information for your prize.

Thank you so much Megan!

Due date question answered once and for all!

This is such a great idea! How fun!

"Stamp your tummy with a due for delivery date! This will answer questions about when that baby is coming out and with pink or blue ink, the question of sex too.".

Love it! This great tee can be found in the awesome shop Culpeper General on Etsy. Be sure to give it a visit to see some of the most adorable creations!

Give and Get

If I actually kept up with my own blog then maybe I would do a little posting on there...but, I don't. So you are the lucky recipient of my ramblings. ;)

Do you know how lucky you are? No, not because you get a glimpse into my wonderous world, but because YOU have a roof over your head, you have family that surrounds you, you have clean water to drink, fresh air to breathe. We are so blessed.

I wish that my pockets were overflowing with money. Sadly, the money tree out back isn't working out right now. So, I am giving the only way I can give, through Kind Living Designs, by selling my wares. Each item below will provide a monetary donation to the efforts in Haiti.

Purchase my necklace, You Gotta Give a Hoot and 100% of the proceeds will go towards the Haiti relief through the etsy site Hearts for Haiti. They are taking care of the donations for the sellers and monies will go directly to the Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. You can find the listing here.


You can find my Pillow People here, on my etsy site. Created because that ugly C-word has come crashing into my life, a pillow that keeps those dearest to you close to your side. I'm in PA and my Aunt who is battling brain cancer is in MD. She can't always have all of us right there with her, so in this way, we're with her all the time. Sometimes we laugh with her, sometimes we cry - sometimes she gets to stick a pin in my Uncle Bernie's pillow...you know how it goes! ;) Even better when she goes for chemo she can bring any one of us with her. Right now a portion of the proceeds will go to the relief efforts in Haiti. I am personally writing a lump sum check from the proceeds that will go directly to a missionary effort through my church (they are working with the For His Glory Outreach). You can trust me - if not, I can send you all the particulars. Eventually the proceeds will benefit cancer research, but for now my Aunt Vicky would like the funds to go to Haiti.

I hope you all have an extra moment in the day to give a big hug to someone you love. Smile at someone you don't know. Help that elderly woman get her groceries to her car. Whatever it is, do it, because if we don't give a hoot...who will?

I may have to take up a new hobby!

I don't sew but I find that I'm completely smitten with pincushions. They're just so cute especially these ones from the shop pinpinn on Etsy. This shop is so great that even though I don't sew I want to have some of these creations just to look at! Click here to see more great products from pinpinn.

It's my Etsyversary!!!!

Psst....I have a secret! Well it's not really a secret at all but it's more fun to me mysterious! It's my Etsyversary and I'm having a giveaway on my blog. Today only! More details here.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Cute lil find......

I just ordered a couple of these bracelets for my girls- They are at the age they are learning our home phone with area code but now a days they have to learn our cell #'s too - I got these thinking they are perfect to put on them not only out and about but for play dates- The are perfect because I am usually out and about when they are at play dates and I always worry about what if something happens - This is perfect no more writing my cell # down to pass it along to the mom I know they have it-



They can be found here for $1.49 WOW what a deal!

I also love her bracelets because they are made stretchy with heavy-duty elasticized cording - My girls have so many fancy clasps that get broken- I love these perfect for them to take on and off and make them feel proud they can do it! Also I must say the customer service was wonderful I sent my girls ages and they were at our house with in a couple days!

A Joyful Vision Giveaway

I'm happy to bring you all a great interview and fun giveaway from the shop A Joyful Vision on Etsy.

Whitney is a stay at home mom with two kids, ages 2.5 and 10 months. "It can be difficult to get sewing done with them around, but I try to be disciplined with my time. When they nap, I work. When they go to bed, I also do some work. And a little in between, if they are being really good. God has blessed me with wonderful children and a way to make extra money. It's hard work to have your own business, but I love it".

1. When did you start your business? I actually started by selling photo cards, announcements, and invitations. I started doing that in February 2008, after hearing about etsy through several different people. I really enjoyed designing the cards, but I mostly ended up doing them for family. And while I still design cards, I am phasing them out of my shop. I've been sewing for over a year now and decided to start selling girls' boutique clothing in November '09. I am having a blast doing it, too!

2. Why did you start your business? After viewing a website for a popular boutique clothing company, I realized the clothes were way too expensive for me to afford. The styles were right up my alley, though, so I thought, "I can make this!" I started with a Sandi Henderson pattern for a knot dress, and fell in love with the process of picking fabrics and creating unique and beautiful garments. I smile whenever I see my daughter in them! Friends told me I should sell my stuff, so I decided to try it out. Since November, I have had over 30 sales, and it picks up every week. God has blessed me so much!

3. What is your favourite thing about running your own business? So many things! Working from home so I can be with my babies, having creative control, deciding my own hours and when I can take a vacation, and hearing from customers how much they love my clothing!

4. How did you decide on the name for your business? When I was making cards, I wanted to use the word "vision" since photo cards are primarily a sight-oriented thing. Joyful, because God has given me so much joy. A Joyful Vision came from that, and it also works for the clothing. I definitely think little girls (and boys!) are such a joyful sight!

5. What is the most valuable piece of advice you've received or tip you've learnt that's helped your business succeed? This is a hard one. I think making connections with others, promoting your business any way you can, and excellent customer service. Promoting is tough, because you either have to spend a ton of money, time, or both to make it work. As for customer service, that might mean making exchanges if something doesn't fit, locating the perfect fabric for a customer's order, or giving a small discount to returning customers. I love all my customers, and it's so important to maintain a good relationship with each one!

{A Joyful Vision Giveaway}

Whiney is offering, for one lucky person, the chance to win a pair of brown single ruffled pants in any size, capri or regular (pictured above).

All you have to do is visit the A Joyful Vision shop, then come back here and post a comment stating which item is your favourite!

The giveaway will run from today until Tuesday, February 9th and the winner will be announced on Wednesday. Good Luck!
* This contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents only.
* Please remember to include your email address with your comment.

CONGRATULATIONS Whimsical Creations!! YOU ARE THE WINNER OF the Brown Single Ruffled Pants from A Joyful Vision Giveaway! Please send me an email at info(at)craftedbylindy.com so I can forward the information for your prize.

Thank you Whitney for this wonderful interview and giveaway!

THANKFUL

I know I don't get over here near as much as I wish I could so I wanted to take a moment to thank all of our awesome Bloggy chicks for their contributions to Girl Indie.... you girls rock!

I updated the sidebar which now includes links to all of our Bloggy Chicks shops! Check them out and show them some love today. :)

I also finally added our domain over here so everyone can now find us at girlindieblog.com.

From Lithuania with love

Right around the holidays I ordered this brooch from VaivaNat on Etsy. I got my package yesterday (it shipped from Lithuania) and absolutely adore it!! It's bold and beautiful. I can wear it on my lapel, belt, or even headband. What a lovely accessory! I know I'll be planning my wardrobe around it for weeks to come. J'adore!

Bracelet, I love you

Embroidered clothing and accessories (think big chunky purses) makes my heart go pitter-patter. The fact that this bracelet is made from what looks to be embroidery thread (I believe it is high-quality cotton fibers) makes me want it. The fact that it is so unique, multi-layered...I really want it. Is it one whole bracelet? Is it 4 different bracelets? Oh, look how well it goes with my favorite thing in the entire world - a pair of jeans. I want it. Hint, hint, hubby. Hint, hint. Oh wait, will he read this? Hmmm...who wants to pass the post onto him? ;)

You can find this delicious crocheted cuff bracelet from Jollity on etsy here. Be warned, you will fall in love with almost item in her store. I dare you not to.

Lovely Hearts

So many hearts! Where to begin. The shop, appropriately named, ilovehearts has a huge variety to choose from! Hearts made with numerous colours, hearts with letters, hearts with flags, so many! Be sure to check out this lovely shop. Perhaps you'll see something just right for this Valentine's Day.

Shutter Blue

My super adorable sister-in-law, Mary is getting married this April and we've been busy getting ready for the special day.

Just had to share my beautiful necklace made by Marissa of

Shutter Blue Gallery