feature: sugar + spice

'Sugar and spice and everything nice,
That's what little girls are made of.'

...Well that's definitely the case if you're talking about Sugar and Spice by Christine Harling.

You might recall a sweet little doll named Lydia that I blogged about over Christmas. To say that my daughter A loves her is an understatement (I have to admit that I adore her too)! Since then we have purchased 2 more for the mini papercut, and a custom one for A that kinda looks like her:)





















You can see how much love was put into each doll, and they all seem to have their own little personalities and charm. We were very lucky to have come across Sugar and Spice while browsing on Etsy one day. Christine Harling is one of my favourite sellers, and a real pleasure to work with! Here's what she had to say when asked a bit about herself and her shop. Enjoy!























1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm a stay at home mom with three kids, ages 12, 9 and 22 months. I love to create...it helps me get through the long Minnesota winters. It's a lot cheaper than therapy! :)

2. What made you first want to create?
It's always been a part of my life. Ever since I can remember my mom was making things for around the house and for gifts. She always had us working on little craft projects and she even taught arts & crafts classes for kids during the summer.

3. How did you get started?
I started my first home-based business when my first daughter was about 18 months old. I loved staying home with her, but I was a little bored at the same time. I started making homemade dog biscuits and selling them locally. Long story short, that morphed into making dolls. I've been making and selling dolls since 2002. My style has evolved a lot since I first started.

4. What does your workspace look like?
My workspace consists of our kitchen table and my computer desk, which sits in the living room. I'd love to have a studio of my own, but we don't have the space. Plus, it's kind of nice that I'm around the kids even when I'm working.























5. What do you offer in your shop?
Mostly dolls, but also other things made of fabric. Right now I have fabric pears and yo yo and chenille pillows available as well. I love combining lots of colors and patterns in the things that I make.

6. What’s the one piece of advice you could give about starting your own business?
Be dynamic...be open to change. If something doesn't work one way try doing it another way....just don't give up!

7. What 3 words best describe you?
creative
introverted
optimistic



















Be sure to stop by Christine's shop on Etsy for more sweet dolls and other goodies!

four months old

I meant to post this on Monday and never got around to it. My mini papercut is 4 months and 2 days old today and just as sweet as can be. She's smiley and spunky, and even on her crabbiest of days she always has smiles for everyone. I can't believe how fast the time is passing and I wish she'd stay this small for just a bit longer:)

signs of spring?

Well, Groundhog Day came and went, and with it all our hopes of an early spring :( So we are trying to keep ourselves busy doing arts and crafts and having play dates (we are going to make our way to a friend's house in a few minutes) with school mates. We had planted veggies in a little kit my daughter received as a Christmas gift and as we watch all the little sprouts struggle to make it to the surface amidst the backdrop of a very grey wintry day, I have my fingers crossed that the groundhog was wrong. We are ready for sunny days, even some rainy ones, and being able to venture outside without layer upon layer of warm clothing. Where are you Mr. Sun?

gung hay fat choy

Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger for the lunar calendar and to celebrate this occasion we are off to have lunch at my aunt's house. So here's to a prosperous new year! Happy Chinese New Year! Gung Hay Fat Choy!

love

Happy Valentine's Day!! I hope everyone is enjoying a sweet day with their loved ones :) XOXO

tumbleweed

I knew this day was coming. From the moment she was born, the mini papercut's been turning on her side and for the last month or so she's come very close to flipping over. Well she finally made it over onto her front, and shortly after mastering that, she flipped back over onto her back! This one's in a hurry to catch up to her big brother and sister ;)

fanciful furniture

Image via Brocade Home

I am absolutely smitten by this beautiful media storage console! If the mini papercut had her own room, this would definitely be on my wish list for her space. The white would be so pretty against a dark wall. I would love to use one as toy storage or even in place of a dresser. Who says you have to use a piece of furniture for its intended purpose? Not me...especially when they would look so fantastic in a kid's room:)














Image via megan auman

This beautiful ottoman would work well as a small side table in a child's room, maybe with a tray on top so items won't fall through.






















Image via Modern Dose

And how cute is this footstool? So whimsical and girly, the perfect accent piece for a nursery. I'm thinking you could probably make something similar with lots of felt flowers and a slipcover over an old footstool/ottoman. That might just be my next project:)