Featured on "This Mama Rocks"!

I am so excited! This mama Rocks has chosen to feature me this week! Check it out!

http://thismamablogrocks.blogspot.com/

Also, Etsy came out with a new way to search the Treasury to see if you are featured!!! YAY! I have been wanting to know if other etsians have picked any of my products for their treasuries. I HAVE BEEN! Check them out:

A Peaceful Calm

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4bd0b29bef816d91c8eb40be/a-peaceful-calm?index=0

Hammered

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/c485ea1d1196cf4bc1787e00/hammered?index=1

Color Feature of the Week: TEAL

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4be78fe3d0198eef892aab68/color-feature-of-the-week-teal?index=2

Can I Quote You?

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4bfac082023d6d919ade2b95/can-i-quote-you?index=3

It feels so great to know that others like you designs! If you would like to search Etsy Treaury for your designs, simple type in your user name in the search box! Here is the link!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/

New Giveaway Listing Service

Hello everyone! I have been doing a TON of updates lately. Also, I have just posted my Giveaways on The Giveaway Scout!

Giveaway Scout is a 100% free Giveaway search engine. They publish your giveaways on twitter, in their newsletters, on facebook, and they offer a free widget which will include your giveaway and others on a rotating basis. Check them out!

http://www.giveawayscout.com/

Oh...don't forget to enter my giveaways! They are ending soon!

FOLLOW ME FRIDAY SOCIAL PARADE

Hello fellow bloggers! I am participating in the Friday's "Follow Me" Social Parade. Please follow my blog and leave a comment here so I can follow you back!

Also, check out my current giveaways at: http://leksidesigns.blogspot.com/2010/06/june-featured-etsy-seller-snowdon.html

http://leksidesigns.blogspot.com/2010/07/200-follower-giveaway-adult-content-18.html

Have a great weekend and I am really looking forward to seeing some great blogs!!!

Some Great Giveaways to Check Out!

Some of you may have heard of Emmy's Boos and Rawrs. If not, you definitely need to go check her out. She does some amazing reviews and always has some really awesome giveaways going on! Here is what she has got going on now!

Wild Texas Wear Giveaway (7/23) ONLY 23 ENTRIES and 2 Winners!

Jenny's Treasures Giftcard Giveaway (7/25)

Smart & Sexy Giveaway (7/30)

Simple Green Giveaway (7/30)

Head Organics Giveaway (8/4)

Blog Awards!

What a suprise! I received two wonderful blog awards this weekend! It made my day to come home and see this wonderful suprise!

This first award came from Ruth of Underneath His Wrapping! Ruth is such a sweetie. Her blog is always so positive an deasy to read. Go check it out if you get a chance. You will love her! She awarded my blog with the Sunshine Award!

The rule of receiving this award states that the receiver is to pass it along to 12 other blogs...whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world. It is easy to pick out 12 blogs who inspire me and other blogggers, but definitely hard to leave it at just 12. But, here are my 12 for today...

Cleverly Inked

A Cuppy Cake Life

A Daily Scoop of Chaos

Belly Charms

Call Me Laura Jane

Clare Bare Underwear

Emmy's Boos and Rawrs

Hello, Palomina

Juicy Bits

Kate & Oli

Personalized Sketches & Sentiments

Katrinshine

Congratulations! I hope you pass this sunshine award on to other blogs that ispire you as much as you have inspired me!!

Blog Award!

My second Blog award come from an absolutely sweet and wonderful person! She has a great family and her son play beautiful music. Go check out Ruth at Personalized Sketches & Sentiments! She graciously awarded my blog with the Beautiful Blogger Award! Yay! My trophy case is filling up!

As a requirement I have to list 8 things about me. & pass this on to 8 beautiful bloggers.

1. My best friend right now is probably the track. When I run, my emotions come out. I feel like the track knows more about me than anyone else.

2. I love the smell of lemon cleaning solutions, tires, and new shoes. When I was pregnant I made my husband not wear his new shoes for 6 months because I wanted to smell them...lol. I LOVED PAYLESS AND THE TIRE SECTION OF WAL-MART!!! ;~)

3. I hate it when people don't look me in the eye. If you can't give me the respect of looking me in the eye when you are telling me something important, I won't listen.

4. My biggest fear used to be spiders. I say used to be because this year I can smash them with no problem. Weird huh? I used to go as far as hyperventilate when I saw one, now...nothing. I think I have realized that there is bigger things in life to fear.

5. I know more about my enemies than anything else in life. Yes, I am finishing up with my MBA and carry a pretty good GPA, but when it comes to my enemies I study even harder...I ace that subject. Just like with the spiders, I can tell you just about anything you want to know about them.

6. I have a great sense of humor and love to be carefree if you get to know me. However, I am really shy around new people.

7. I don't like to judge a book by its cover, because I have had that happen to me and it sucks. But, I do get a sense of how people are usually within the first 10 minutes of meeting them. I think it is pretty good intuition because I have never been wrong, but always give myself a chance to be wrong.

8. One of my favorite things to do is snuggle with my family on the couch and watch a good movie.

Now my 8 Beautiful Bloggers!

Truth Be Told

The Answer Is Cholcolate

The Socialites Closet

The Scoop on Poop

The Sassy Beach

The Lingerie Addict

Sweet Nothings

Princess of Sarcasm

Congratulations and I hope you find time to pass this on to more Beautiful Bloggers just like yourself!

Need your Creative Crafting Minds!

It has been such a great day! First, I reach my follower goal today! I have over 200 and that is awesome! I promise I am going to do something extra special, but you will all have to wait until this weekend....so stay tuned!

Next, I came home to a wonderful suprise! My lovely husband spent all day making me a jewelry craft table. He is such a sweetie! He even thought to make a storage section for it. WOW! Now I get to decide how I want to decorate/paint it!!!! This is where you all come in. I NEED IDEAS! Is there some unique ideas out there for me...maybe some painting techniques or embellishments??? I thought about crackle painting it as well, but wanted to check out my options. Let me know what you all think!

Blog Bash 2010

I am officially participating in this year Blog Bash 2010!!! Yay! I have been looking forward to this event for a good month now! Part of the blog bash is getting the chance to win wonderful prizes, meet new friends and getting to know them, and telling other Blog Bash Bloggers about myself. Well, here I go!

1.) Why do you blog?

I started blogging after I opened my etsy shop (http://leksidesigns.etsy.com or www.leksidesigns.com). It was a way to get to know other estians and promote my business. After a little while, it became a very interesting hobby! I met a lot of fun people and love chatting with them.

2.) What do you blog about?

I mostly blog about other estians and crafters. I blog about unique finds and giveaways! Lately, I have been mixing in a little about myself and music!

3.) What do you find to be the biggest reward you get from blogging?

This one is super easy! I love my blogger friends. The support I get through rough times, the funny stories, the encouraging emails...THE ARE ALL WORTH THE WORK OF BLOGGING!

4.) How long have you been blogging?

Not long...I started a few months ago and it has taken off! I am getting better and better each month. Everyone is so helpful and encouraging!

5.) Let's hear the story behind your blog title! :) 

LeksiDesigns...This Handmade Life came about from my etsy shop, of course.

I think that's all! I am sooo looking forward to meeting all of the other Blog Bashers out there!

Exciting NEWS!!!

I have been keeping this Hush Hush for almost a year now, but it is FINALLY TIME TO REVEAL!!! I have my own website for Leksi Designs! I have been working and working at this design for a very long time and I am darn proud of it! Right now, the online store portion is just linked to my Etsy store, but soon there will be an even bigger suprise in that section!!! Add this new site to your favorites bar because you will not want to miss what I am announcing very soon!!!

www.leksidesigns.com

CHECK IT OUT NOW! The graphics alone are worth seeing!

Friday Social Parade!

Hello fellow bloggers! I am participating in the Friday's "Follow Me" Social Parade. Please follow my blog and leave a comment here so I can follow you back! Also check out my new website at http://www.leksidesigns.com/!!

Also, check out my current giveaway at: http://leksidesigns.blogspot.com/2010/07/july-featured-etsy-seller-giveaway.html

Have a great weekend and I am really looking forward to seeing some great blogs!!!

MUSIC

2010 Mommy Blog Challenge + Some
I am sooo into music and always have been. I grew up in a family where most of the members were in bands. My godmother was a singer and I grew up on stage with her. I have pics of me with the microphone at her band rehearsals...lol

Yep...that's me on stage. I always wanted to be a singer, but the was never graced with the voice for it (thanks mom and dad!!!). Anyhow, later in life my stepdad played the drums (he was in a band too) and my uncle played the guitar. I am not talking about playing like in a church band or something. These boys rocked out to Van Halen, ACDC, Santana, etc. They played ALL of their songs and still can! My house was always the loudest house on the block (but the cooloest too) ;~)!!!

I always have a song that is special to me during certain times of my life. Sometimes I am sad, therefore I am listening to sad songs. This week I am a little feisty. I have been running at the track every night in this HORID humid weather, but this song keeps me going! It is #1 on my MIXPOD at the top left of the screen right now. It is a little harder rock, but truly motivating. It is truly defining me this week and I mean every word of these lyrics. There is this annoying little knat in my life...someone GIVE ME A FLYSWATTER!!! Here are the lyrics:

Headstrong by TRAPT

Circling your, circling your, circling your head

Contemplating everything you ever said

Now I see the truth I got a doubt

A different motive in your eyes

And now I'm out, see you later

I see your fantasy

You want to make it a reality paved in gold

See inside, inside of our heads, yeah

Well, now that's over

I see your motives inside

Decisions to hide

Back off, I'll take you on

Headstrong to take on anyone

I know that you are wrong

Headstrong, we're headstrong

Back off, I'll take you on

Headstrong to take on anyone

I know that you are wrong

And this is not where you belong

I can't give everything away

I won't give everything away

Conclusions manifest, your first impression's

Got to be your very best

I see you're full of shit and that's alright

That's how you play, I guess you get through

Every night, well, now that's over

I see your fantasy

You want to make it a reality paved in gold

See inside, inside of our heads, yeah

Well, now that's over

I see your motives inside

Decisions to hide

Back off, I'll take you on

Headstrong to take on anyone

I know that you are wrong

Headstrong, we're headstrong

Back off, I'll take you on

Headstrong to take on anyone

I know that you are wrong

And this is not where you belong

Where you belong?

(I can't give everything away)

This is not where you belong

(I won't give everything away)

I know, I know all about, I know, I know all about

I know, I know all about, I know, I know all about

Your motives inside and your decision to hide

Back off, I'll take you on

Headstrong to take on anyone

I know that you are wrong

Headstrong, we're headstrong

Back off, I'll take you on

Headstrong to take on anyone

I know that you are wrong

And this is not where you belong

Where you belong?

This is not were you belong

(I can't give everything away)

This is not were you belong

(I won't give everything away)

This is not were you belong

Admirer Monday!

This is my first Admirer Monday! Yay!

Question of the Week: How did you spend your 4Th of July?

I had a wonderful Fourth of July despite the many illnesses and surgeries we had the past couple of weeks. We had an amazing neighborhood fireworks show right on the water. It was great! Everyone drove their vehicles down and we all sat on the tailgate. After that, we went and watched the UFC fights. Again, it was awesome (although Brock won instead of Shane). Yesterday was my stepdads birthday. Both him and my mom came to visit and we grilled and had a great time! We watched fireworks again lastnight too!

Thank you TROOPS!!

On this Fourth of July I am grilling with the family, watching fireworks, laughing, swimming, and lounging. I would like to say a BIG "Thank You" to all of the Troops out there that are fighting for us to keep the all of the freedoms we have! I attached a video that always makes me think of the many families without a spouse at home, without a brother or sister at home, a father or mother at home, and the many friends we all have overseas that I know "Want to go Home".

RING IN THE 4th!!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY BLOGGERS!!!

I wanted to do something SUPER SPECIAL for all of my great blog followers...I just love you all! So, I thought I would RING IN THE 4TH right! I will be giving away my SUPER SPECIAL SPARROW RING!!!

How do you get it? Well...it is super simple. Just enter my July Featured Etsy seller giveaway and you will be entered to win the ring as well! I will announce the winner at midnight on Wednesday, July 7th!!!

Just enter my giveaway at this link: http://leksidesigns.blogspot.com/2010/07/july-featured-etsy-seller-giveaway.html and leave me a comment here!

July Featured Etsy Seller - GIVEAWAY!!

Oh Yeah!! We are on to July! This is one I am truly excited about. Her shop is super amazing and she has some really great summer items!

INTRODUCING LINDA FROM HAUTE CONFECTIONS!!!

My creative side started with the love of music. I learned to play guitar...I was the girl in college who played endlessly in the dorm bathroom because the acoustics were so good.I would knock on someone's door so they could hear the song I just wrote.I'm sure I drove everyone crazy. I have always had an artistic interest of some sort. Being creative is just something that's hard to hold in.

My name, HauteConfections,(aka Linda) came about as a result of creating upscale children's clothing. One day I made a comment about an outfit looking so cute you could eat it. I think things that appeal to our senses are like beautiful desserts or confections.

I started selling on ebay about four years ago. When I discovered ETSY (www.etsy.com), I knew that was where I belonged. I changed from children's clothing to vintage upcycled slip dresses, then experimented with statement necklaces and zippers as jewelry and as clothing. I love the unique and will take a stab at just about anything that speaks to me. You never know what I might be doing next! I would love to be able to do some type of avant garde clothing in the future but I'm not sure if there's a broader audience for it.

I love the creative process. When someone looks at my shop they might see a slip dress, but to me I see something that I spent hours arranging and rearranging and rethinking before it was completed. I start most projects not knowing what I want the end result to be. It sort of tells me what it wants to be as I go along.

My favorite pieces in the shop right now are the laminated handbags and the slip dresses. Wow are those fun! I love adding text to the things I make, clothing especially. It gives you identity and a certain uniqueness.

Although my college degree is in Psychology I have made a full time career in Advertising. I live in a small town (Spinach Capital of the World) with my firefighter husband and my beloved cat Eli. My passions in life are speaking to people about the devastation of drunk driving ( my brother was a police officer killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver) and breast cancer (my sis). Of course I love my shop and really appreciate all the artisans who sell there. I am really blown away at some of the items that are found there.

I invite everyone to look around in my shop at www.hauteconfections.etsy.com ! If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me. Thanks for taking the time to look. I appreciate it!

Linda at Haute Confections has graciously offered one of her super unique and fun ICICLE DOLLS for the giveaway this month!!! It is 'icicle' shaped and softly stuffed. It has pink Chenille sprinkled with iridescents, aqua mesh, animal print as well as chocolate and aqua feathers. She will add a short line of text to the back if the winner prefers ex: Happy Birthday, I love You, Get Well....)$30.00 value!!!

HOW TO ENTER:

In order to enter, you must follow these simple rules.

Rules:

1. Follow this blog.

2. Enter the Featured Etsy Sellers Store at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HauteConfections

3. Choose your top three items

4. Comment on those items HERE!

5. Make sure your email is in the comment so we can contact you should you win!

I will choose the winner via random number generator!


It is that simple!! GOOD LUCK!!

June's GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Congratulations to KADY L. of "Take a Mom's Word for It"!!! She won my June's Featured Etsy Seller Giveaway!

I would like to say thank you to Snowdon for sponsoring the giveaway! If you haven't done so, please check out her shop at: www.etsy.com/shop/Snowdon. She has some really great stuff and the Lotus Flower is Super "in" right now!!!