Friday's Fancies {Give Thanks}

Living in the Midwest, USA, this time of year makes me ever so grateful to have a warm house to live in! I remember, growing up in a tiny town in upper Michigan, one year we got snow that STUCK on November 9th! I remember this because my mom lined all us kids up outside in our winter coats, holding a sign that said, "November 9, . . . {sorry, can't remember the year} and took our picture.

It's also the time of year {in the U.S.} that we celebrate Thanksgiving.

One year, I cut out leaf patterns from pretty scrapbook papers, and hung them on dried branches stuck in mason jars. This was our centerpiece. Our family would write something they were thankful for on a leaf and hang it back on the tree. At the end of the evening, we all read what our family members were thankful for.

Have a peek at these WONDERFUL Etsy items encouraging us to GIVE THANKS {and eat a little pumpkin pie} this Thanksgiving season:

{clockwise from top left}

Give Thanks Burlap Banner by sherisewsweet

Thankful Subway Art Print by iloveitall

Pumpkin Pie Many Purpose Solid Lotion by EpicallyEpicSoap

Give Thanks Vintage Silverware Serving Fork by WoodenHive

Team Challenge: Think of at least one thing every day that you are thankful for.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR??? Post your comments {and gratitude} on this post! :)

Friday's Fancies {blustery Autumn days}

It seems that I can always count on Autumn to give me a few REALLY blustery days. In fact, this morning, I awoke to mounds of red and orange leaves strewn across our front yard. The thing is, we don't have any trees in our yard that have red or orange leaves!

Yesterday, I watched the wind create tiny leaf tornadoes and make leaves "rain" sideways, whilst I sat inside my kitchen with a cup of warm cocoa, staying mostly warm. The wind rattles our 120-year-old windows at night, rustles the leaves on the trees, howling and howling through them, and brought in dark, low clouds all day yesterday.

It's amazing to me that something quite invisible can have such power!

Today's Friday's Fancies are a tribute to that very underestimated force of nature . . . 

THE WIND!

I just LOVE the motion and movement of all these wonderfully windy items! :)

{clockwise from top left}

Blustery Day Giclee Print by pattyabaker

Windy BamBoo Forest T by Ahpeele

Windy Recycled Paper Necklace by SugarbakerHepburn

Windy Shadow Fine Art Photo by DeemWave

Wishing you all a warm place and a clear window to watch the wind do its amazing work!


Fondly, Kate 




* * * Now it's your turn. Have a go at creating your own Friday's Fancies on your personal blog. When you have, come on back to this post and leave a link! We'd love to see what wonderful items you've found! :) * * * 

Friday's Fancies

Just a teeny bit early, as I don't think I'll have time to do it tomorrow. I'm going to the funeral of a close friend's father just before lunch, and in order to get there by bus and be sure I'll make it in time, I need to leave the village at 9.30am then have to wait in town for another bus to the venue. It's unlikely I'll remember to do this tomorrow!

Sometimes a label merely describes the item it's stuck to. Sometimes the label informs you of how the item is to be used. Or perhaps the label is all about status, making the garment or accessory more desirable than something without the label.

All of these labels are functional, imparting information and providing a service (although you could argue that the last ones are decorative only but I like them).
 

Gift tags from thequeenofcups

French apothecary jar from TheShabbyChicCottage

DIY sign kit from ourhobbytoyourhome

Merci ornaments from FrenchAffairs

Friday's Fancies

Sighhh!

Another Friday! Time to start thinking of kicking back, putting on those soft, fuzzy socks, and welcoming the weekend! . . . or maybe to put on the work gloves and finish those projects that are calling your name.

Time for another Friday's Fancies!

Not sure if it's just me, but I'm always curious as to what items people have in their favorites. I have a few favorite shops that I lurk in, checking to see what kinds of Etsy items they are in love with! I also like to check out the favorites of people who heart my shop.

So, in honor of curiosity, here's a collection of items I've found favorited by other people.

In fact, I've found so many items I loved, I created a Treasury!!!

FOUND while snooping through other people's favorites {<--Click here to see it}

Now it's your turn! Create your own Friday's Fancies on your personal blog. Then come back and post a link in the comments!!!

Can't wait to see all the items that you love too!!! {Like I said, I'm a bit curious}

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, lovelies!!!

Fondly, Kate

Friday's Fancies - relaxing evening (oops - a day late!)

At the end of a hard week, all we want to do is relax,

and here's the perfect Relaxing Kit to get your evening started.

Light this vanilla and lavender soy candle, made by BazilEssentials, to add a soothing aroma to your room, before relaxing those tired muscles and aching feet with this pretty hot and cold therapy pack by theferriswheels. Once these have begun to work their magic, wrap yourself up cosy in this stunning green wool tunic from sandmaiden before indulging in some delicious cinnamon and strawberry cookies courtesy of saoirseangel.

A good book, a comfy sofa (feet up, of course!) and a purring cat,

and that's the the perfect end to the week all sorted!

Ahhhhhhh.................

xx

Apologies for the delay - I had this all written on Thursday ready to post quickly on Friday....and I forgot to. I was out all day at an exhibition and then in the evening we went to a slide show and presentation by Chris Bonnington, one of the first team of climbers to successfully scale Everest by the South West face. Alas, in all that excitement I totally forgot my obligation. Oops........

Friday's Fancies {In the Night Sky}

In the northern hemisphere, the days are getting shorter . . . 

Autumn is coming . . .

And the moon is lighting the night sky.

Enjoy these moon-themed items found browsing Etsy:

{clockwise from top left}

Moonage Daydream Fine Art Print from Catherine Nunnally Photography

Silver Moon Clock from Cyber Moon

Moonbeam Rainbow Moonstone Earrings from PoleStar

Looking Through Glass Fine Art Print from Little Shop of Photos

See the full treasury on Etsy here:

moonbeams and dream puddles

Happy Night Sky Watching!

Fondly, Kate

***Now it's your turn! Create your own Friday's Fancies on your blog, then come back and post the link in the comments to share with us all! Can't wait to see what you all come up with!!!***

Friday's Fancies {back to school}

I woke up to a cool, crisp morning today, which can only mean one thing . . . it's back-to-school time! My mind's eye is conjuring images of small children running out to school busses, their red lights flashing. My ears are longing to hear the laughter of children on the playground. My nose is already smelling the warm, pungent earth that Autumn brings. And my tastebuds are anxiously awaiting the first cider of the season, as my kids gather around me after a long day at school!


Here's a sampling of the WONDERFUL back-to-school items to be found this season on Etsy:

{clockwise from top left}

Send your kids back to school in style with this beautifully-made Roll Up Pencil Case in Autumn Stripes from See Anna Sew . Such a great organizational tool! And with room to hold 23 pencils, your kids will never be able to say that their homework didn't get completed for lack of a pencil.

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Any child {or adult, for that matter} would look forward to lunchtime {or a lunch break} with this Eco-Friendly Insulated Lunch Bag by Farfalla Gialla. Just pack full of fresh fruits and veggies and a homemade sandwich, and you're ready to send your kids on their way with a nutritious lunch.

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Wondering what to pack all those nutritious food in, while avoiding those plastic sandwich bags??? Here's the solution! This Reusable Sandwich Eco Bag from Zummi is the perfect little eco-friendly bag. Just pop in your sandwich, fruit, or snacks and press closed. Also great for storing toys, makeup, and crafts!

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An apple for the teacher? This adorable little Hand-Crocheted Apple Cozy from Unravel Me  will keep your apple warm and bruise-free! Practical, and yet, still SO SWEET! I'd love to buy a set of six, wrap them around my apples, and set them on the shelf in my front entryway!

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Happy beginning of Autumn {for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere}! May you enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of this beautiful time of year!

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*Now it's your turn! Create your own Friday's Fancies on your blog, then rush back and post the link right here in the Comments! We can't wait to see what LOVELY items you've found on Etsy to showcase this week!!!*

Friday's Fancies - Liberty

As I've just spent two solid weeks gazing at some gorgeous Liberty of London tana lawn whilst making two bridesmaid dresses from it..........I thought I should look at some more! I found lots of stunning items on Etsy, but these were the ones that really caught my eye.

First off, we have ElisaLou's padded gadget pouch, suitable for cellphones, cameras etc. Next I chose these gorgeous patchwork postcards from AnniesPatch, making letter writing a bit more fun than just plain paper!

The fabric bunting is made by Ravenhill, and is perfect for summery decoration, whilst lastly I selected these stunning handmade fabric beads from MavisandFrank, in a gorgeous fresh blue and mint green colourway.

If you fancy making your own Friday's Fancies, please add the link to the relevant blog page / flickr page in the comments section below. Go on - have a go!!!!!

Lois
xx

Friday's Fancies {Sea Treasures}

Some gorgeous sea treasure-inspired items to fuel your creativity for this month's team contest! :)

{clockwise from top left}

Any mermaid would be proud to wear this flowy green Mermaid Wrap Skirt by thaitee {which comes in many different and equally-as-lovely colors}

Washed up on the shore with a bit of shiny treasure, these Sea Urchin White Earrings from Star of the East have a wonderful seaside feel

The gorgeous, soft feel of the muted rocks on this Shoreline with Round Rocks fine art print from Rocky Top Studio sends my soul to a peaceful daydream

X marks the spot on this Path Pirate Ring from Ardent 1, a reminder to dig deep for the treasure you come across along your path in life

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Now it's your turn!!! Post your own Friday's Fancies on your personal blog. Then come back to the team blog and leave a link to your Friday's Fancies here!

Can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

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Friday Fancies - Citrine

This week's Friday Fancies is all about Citrine!

All these lovely items were found by typing 'Citrine' in Etsy's search engine...It's so much fun to look through all the wonderful items Etsy has to offer! Take time to do your own search, you never know what you'll find!

Enjoy :)

xo Nickole HardLoveApparel

Steampink Jewelry Ring by CatherinetteRings

Citrine Natural Point by GreenEarthStones

The Scene Wire Wrapped Tree and Flower Necklace by true2u

Handmade Organza Blossoms by supplier

If you don't have a blog, you can still join in!

Did you know that you can contribute to the Friday's Fancies feature, even if you don't have a blog?

The principle is basically the same, you just need to put the "collection" you've assembled somewhere online where we can all look at it.

The ideal location is a photo sharing site, such as Flickr. I've tested this tonight and am delighted that it works perfectly. It's quick and easy to do. I presume that all photo sharing sites will work, although Flickr is the only one I've tested.

1. Create your mosaic using this magic wee programme (http://bighugelabs.com/mosaic.php) and save it to your hard drive.
2. Open your Flickr account (or whatever photo sharing site you prefer) and upload your saved file onto your "page" there.
3. Add details to the text box, such as what items you've chosen and the name of the shops they're from - and save.
4. All you then have to do is add a link to that particular "photo" in your collection to the list shown on the team blog........et voila!

I really hope that this will encourage some without blogs to participate in this, as it's a lot of fun looking at other people's collections!

Friday's Fancies - Dresses

Seeing as I've spent the last few days sewing toiles for bridesmaid dresses.......take a look at these lovelies!

7 ways to wear dress by Lirola

fiji dress by modaspia

purple cotton quilted dress from outofline

fringe dress by MyLolaFashion

I absolutely love them all!

Have you done a Friday's Fancies treasury? Add a link to your
appropriate blog page below and let us all take a peek!

We really want our team members to have fun with this feature and do
their own ones, and to be able to tell us all about it.



However, PLEASE don't add unrelated links.


Use of this box for anything other than links to your own Friday's Fancies blog posts means that we will delete the entire section. Unfortunately we cannot isolate rogue posts so will have to delete every link.

Lotsalove
Lois
x

Friday's Fancies - Love All

Even though there's a soccer World Cup going on, there's something even

more important happening here in the UK (for tennis fans, at least).

So, we're in the throes of Wimbledon mania here in the UK.  We have

a Scottish player doing quite well (Andy Murray fever is reaching new

heights, even as I write) and it's all about centre court, the game and, of

course, the strawberries!

Stitch markers by fripperiesnbibelots

Soft stuffed strawberries by aebaby

Wimbledon earbud cosy from WonkyGiraffe

Tennis love zippered pouch by rachelwhelton

Have you done a Friday's Fancies treasury? Add a link to your
appropriate blog page below and let us all take a peek!

We really want our team members to have fun with this feature and do
their own ones, and to be able to tell us all about it.




PLEASE don't add unrelated links.
Use of this box for anything other than links to your own Friday's Fancies blog posts means that we will delete the entire section. Unfortunately we cannot isolate rogue posts so will have to delete every link.

Lotsalove

Lois
x

Friday's Fancies {an eco-friendly summer}

Happy Friday, Team!

My Cottage philosophy aligns with the well-known adage coined in the Great Depression era: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."

In honor of this philosophy, this week's Friday's Fancies is a tribute to all things eco-friendly.

 {clockwise from top left}

I just love this newsboy-style upcycled Kinn Jones hat by Sparky Jones. Super-cute style, and created with upcycled fabrics! Perfect for keeping sun off of your face in the summer, whilst feeling environmentally responsible!

Wow! This organic tangerine toothpaste from twig & leaf botanicals is SO much more appealing than brushing your teeth with plain baking soda! This toothpaste just looks beautiful! Packaged in a recycled glass bottle, and created with natural ingredients that I can pronounce!  And the tangerine flavor sounds so refreshing!

I've never seen anything like these lavender laundry sachets from SubEarthen Cottage. Just toss one into your washing machine. The laundry soap inside the sachet cleans your clothes. Then you pop it into the dryer with your clothing, where the lavender buds are heated, scenting your clothes with the lovely smells of summer! The nice cotton sachets can then be reused in many ways! Very clever!

I just love reusable bags, and these great organic reusable vegetable bags by Wonder Thunder are so cheery! Made with organic cotton and screenprinted with a happy motif, they are sure to turn a few heads at your local farmer's market! 

Wishing you all a very happy and eco-friendly weekend!

Fondly, Kate

Now it's your turn! Post a link to your personal Friday's Fancies below, and share them with the rest of the team! Don't forget to leave a comment about your Friday's Fancies!

Friday's Fancies - feeling fruity!

Peaches and apricots are piled high at the greengrocers, glowing like little candles. The sweet scent of baskets of ripe strawberries wafts over the market. A lusciously ripe mango, dripping with juice, fills the air with sweetness. Heady, claret coloured raspberries glow like stained glass, while currant bushes are swathed and garnished with tiny red and black jewels that hang in heavy clusters to the ground.

Start the day with delicious strawberry-jam-and-sweet-vanilla-cream soap from solsticescents.

That's the outfit chosen. Now the accessories...hmmm. How about this? fruit-tart pendant from PetitPlat?

Now for a bit of crafting and I've got just the wool to work with. This yummy looking fruit-cup merino/tussah silk blend from CorgiHillFarm is just what I want! 

A new piece of inspirational photography for my mood wall - luscious cherry photograph  from sixthandmain will add a splash of colour to my day.

Have you done a Friday's Fancies treasury?

Add a link to your appropriate blog page below and let us all take a peek!





We really want our team members to have fun with this feature and do their own ones, and to be able to tell us all about it.

PLEASE don't add unrelated links.
Use of this box for anything other than links to your own Friday's Fancies blog posts means that we will delete the entire section. Unfortunately we cannot isolate rogue posts so will have to delete every link.

Friday's Fancies

There's no better sound at 6 a.m. than sweet birdies singing to their little hearts' content!

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So this Friday's Fancies is a tribute to all the little songbirds who sing every morning outside my kitchen window and start my day on a hopeful and cheery note!

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{clockwise from top left}

I just LOVE this sweet Baby Bird in Nest of Threads by Cotton Bird Designs! I'd love to find a little corner in my home for him to brighten up!

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These sweet little lovebirds all snuggled up close together in "Lemon Chiffon Sky Print" from enrouge remind me of all that is good and right in the world.

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The smooth texture of these papier mache Blue Birds with Wire Feet from Middleburg Folk Art Studio is intriguing! I'd love to set one of these on the shelf in my front entryway to greet guests as they enter our home!

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Every seamstress needs a good pincushion! And this cheery Bird Pin Cushion from The Shabby Chic Cottage is the perfect little helper to do the job!

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Give a listen today to all the little songbirds in your life who brighten the day and give freely a bit of music to anyone who will lend them an ear!

Fondly, Kate

*****Now it's your turn! Post your own "Friday's Fancies" on your personal blog. Come on back to the Team blog and leave a comment with a link to your own Friday's Fancies for all team members to see! :)*****

Friday's Fancies: Time for a Picnic

Happy Friday! We've had WARM, WARM weather here in Michigan for the past week or so!

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It's put me in the mood for watermelon, running in the sprinkler, catching fireflies and of course . . . PICNICS!

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Summer just isn't summer without a weekly picnic! Since my husband is a teacher and has the summers off, we are always packing up the car with the picnic essentials and heading to a park to enjoy an afternoon of fresh air, sunshine, and yummy food!

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Here are some lovely picnic picks from fellow Etsians.

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{clockwise from top left}

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You need a good picnic basket like this lovely vintage one from Laurie Rohner Studio for any real picnic! Just beautiful with sweet little strawberries painted on the top lid. Ready for filling with some vintage china and all kinds of good treats!

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Any good picnic deserves a quilt as lovely as this beautiful bright lap quilt from Chasing Lightning Bugs. The colors are so vibrant and cheery! You couldn't help but have an enjoyable time wherever this blanket might land!

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Every picnic needs an ant, and this Ant Picnic Ring Pincushion from The Finicky Frog was perfect for this Friday's Fancies! This cute picnic-inspired pincushion ring, with the necessary ant would remind any seamstress of happy days picnicking under blue skies!

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The perfect picnic includes delectable food! And these Edible Sugar Strawberries from Andie's Specialty Sweets are the perfect summery addition to any yummy cake! These sweet confections conjure up images of garden-fresh sun-ripening strawberries, and are both cottagy and elegant!

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Happy picnicking! :)

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Fondly, Kate

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{Don't forget to leave a link to your personal blog's Friday's Fancies when you comment!} :)

Friday's Fancies

Well, lovelies, time for another Friday's Fancies!
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My mind and heart are longing to get out to my garden and get my fingers in the dirt! So today's Friday's Fancies are all Garden-related!
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Vintage Silverware Garden Marker Set from Wooden Hive!
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2. This original signed photographic print entitled "Traces" by alice b. gardens is so soft and romantic, it makes me wish I had a lovely, distressed wrought-iron fence as beautiful as this one!
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3. Everyone needs a sweet little gardening apron such as this pretty linen and doily pocket apron from Prairie Seed! So lovely and practical at the same time!
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{clockwise from top left}

1. I absolutely love and need some charming little herb garden markers! And what could be better than this

4. All the little birdies in your garden would love this White Shabby Chic Distressed Birdhouse from Cottage Rose! Great for all your feathered friends and so pleasing to the eye!
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Well, lovelies, I hope you will enjoy this gardening season as much as I will! And I hope these little fancies have inspired you!
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Fondly, Kate

{pop on over to my blog: http://www.katescottage2.blogspot.com/ to read the entire post . . . I had TOO MUCH of a fun time with this and have 7 more "Garden Party" picks posted}

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Now it's your turn! Post your own "Friday's Fancies" on your personal blog. Then pop back over here to the Positivity Team blog and leave a comment with a link to your personal blog letting team members know about your "Friday's Fancies"!

Have a LOVELY, LOVELY day!

Friday's Fancies Clarification

Good Morning, Team! :)

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It seems as if there is a bit of confusion as to how to participate in our new Team feature: "Friday's Fancies".

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Here is a bit of clarification:

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We thought we'd start up a fun little feature called "Friday's Fancies" for all team members who would like to participate. Participation is, of course, not required!

Bluebell posted a BEAUTIFUL example of a collection of some of her favorite items on Etsy. Please see the "Friday's Fancies" post below to see what she's done. She has also posted some instructions on how to achieve the layout.

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To participate in the Team's Friday's Fancies, here's what to do:

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1. Each Friday, select a few of your favorite Etsy items. {These can be any items you just love! They do not have to be items from Positivity Team members, although they CERTAINLY CAN BE! :)}

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2. Make a quick blog post titled "Friday's Fancies" on your own blog including these favorite items. This is kind of your own little personal treasury. {This needn't be anything elaborate, and is just for fun!} I made a post early Friday morning so that it would be available to view all day long. {You could even set it up on Thursday, if that is more convenient}. *Unfortunately, the only way to participate is if you have a blog. If you don't have one yet, maybe this is the little nudge need to start one up! ;)

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3. Come on over to the Positivity Team blog and post a link to your "Friday's Fancies" blog post. This link will re-direct viewers to your personal blog, and allow them to see your "Friday's Fancies" post. Please only post a link if you have created a "Friday's Fancies" post on your blog. This will help Team Members see all the wonderful collections others have come up with.

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4. Leave a comment about your Friday's Fancies collection telling Team Members a little bit about your mini-treasury.

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5. Positivity Team members can come to the Team blog, click on the links and view other Team members' "Friday Fancies" mini-treasuries!

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We want this to be a fun "sharing" opportunity for all Team members!

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If any of you are still confused, please leave a comment and we will try to clear them up. We want all members to be able to understand exactly what the "Friday's Fancies" are! :)

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Have a LOVELY weekend!

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Fondly, Kate

Friday's Fancies

Waves and Sand necklace by garbedesigns

Seagull by enchantedpond

Porcelain brooch by seaurchin

Seashore yarn by pancakeandlulu



Now for the fun part - the tutorial!

First of all, you need to find software that will let you make "mosaics" from your selected images. I use Big Huge Lab's Mosaic Maker.

http://bighugelabs.com/mosaic.php

Once you've joined (it's free) you select your items on Etsy that you wish to feature. It's important to remember that it's the filename of the PHOTOGRAPH not the URL of the item that you need for this.

To get the filename of the photo, simply double click on it to get it to open as a seperate item. All you then need to do is copy the filename at the top.

Back to mosaic maker - the intention is to make these 2 x 2, so featuring 4 items altogether. Simply paste the filename of your selected photograph into one of the openings and complete the mosaic in the same way. Then click on "create" and wait for it to work. If it doesn't work, you've done something wrong, and the chances are it's the URL that's wrong - remember to take the url of the photo, not the etsy item reference.

Once done you can save the mosaic to your own pc, and then set your blog page up like this, using "Friday's Fancies" as the title and adding links for all the items you've featured.

I've not used Positivity Team members for this, and I see no reason why we should feel the need to limit this feature to member's items. I do however feel it's important to inform Etsy artists that we've featured them, so I tend to convo each person with the link to my blog page. We may even get new members this way!

All you have to do then is add a link to your blog PAGE in below and we're off!