Bumble Bee-Knees: 2012

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Avonli Cottage - Giveaway Winner

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the giveaway sponsored by Avonli Cottage!

And the winners are:

Lace Bonnet - Tami Thompson!

Toile Headpiece - Shay Delbrugge Sanchez!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, July 20, 2012

Pay It Forward Friday - Avonli Cottage

It's that time again! I'm SO excited about this week's edition featuring Camilla of Avonli Cottage and CioCo Photography. She's definitely mastered the art of creating gorgeous bonnets, fabric canopies, headpieces, and crowns. You can visit her shop here.

Here are some of my favorite items from her shop:

Let's get to know Camilla a little better with Five Fast Questions!

1. Could you tell us a little about yourself and what inspires you?

Hello! I live in the blistering heat of Salt Lake City. Okay, it's not terrible, but I am strongly considering moving to Canada. Or Antarctica. Or having a summer home in both places! :) I am the mother to one darling and very strong willed 18 month old girl and the wife to my equally strong willed 25 year old man. We have lived in 2 countries, 4 states, and lots of cities - not always together. I speak Spanish, Spanglish, English, and the occasional 18 month jabber. I adore books an am pretty sure I was born a century late and should have been friends with Jane Austen. Plus, my husband would have looked super hot in those old outfits! He politely disagrees. I draw my inspriation from old books, regency era inspired films, from nature, from all pretty things. I am SUPER girl at heart, which is why my shop leans heavily to the feminine side. (I did break down and made some cute boy things, so don't worry!) I love art and all forms of it.

2. How long have you been in business, and when did you start crafting?

I opened Avonli Cottage on Etsy back in October, but I never added or did anything with it mostly because I wasn't sure what I wanted to sell. I am a wedding photographer by profession and thought that I wanted to venture into newborn photography. So, I scoured the web looking for things for the little ones, and while my enthusiasm for newborn photography as a profession faded, my interest in props never did. I adore gorgeous newborn photography, and I knew that I could help the images be unique. In February of this year, I decided to pursue making newborn props. I contacted some photographers that I admire, sent out some work, and voila, here we are almost six months later. I have been sewing (sort of, does a hem count?) since high school. My real passion for sewing, however, started when I was pregnant with little Eva. I made pretty much everything in her nursery, and I learned so much while doing it. I love that I can have an outlet for creativity through the things I make.

3. What is your favorite item in your shop?

Currently, it's my Strawberries and Cream Bonnet. It's so sweet and girly and incorporates a vintage inspired dusty rose with linen. My daughter's nursery is in similar colors, and it sort of inspired the combo.

4. What are some of your favorite materials to use?

Currently, I am in love with lace and corduroy. Especially corduroy. I LOVE the texture and character of it. I also love linen; it feels and looks so peaceful. Is that possible? LOL!

5. Tell us a little about your work space. Feel free to include a picture if you would like.

My work space used to be a small office on our top floor. But, after much protesting, I finally took over the entire family room in the basement. (We don't miss it, since we live in this great townhouse but really only on two of its levels). Now, I have this great area with my desk for photography and orders, a sewing area, my husband's desk, a reading couch and comfy chair, and LOTS of storage. I'd send a picture but the mess would probably diminish any loving feelings you were perhaps sending my way...and we wouldn't want that! Unfortunately, I never changed when I moved into the basement for work. I just have a larger area to clutter now. And sure, I could clean it and then take a picture, but let's be honest, I am not that motivated! ;) I love being able to do what I do, and I love those who have made it possible.

Thank you so much, Camilla, for taking some time out of your busy schedule to visit with us today!

As a special thank you to all my amazing fans, Avonli Cottage will be offering a prize to TWO lucky winners in our easy to enter giveaway below. One person will win this gorgeous lace bonnet and another the beautiful headwrap in the second picture.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Itsy Bitsy Prop Shop - Giveaway Winner

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the Pay It Forward Friday giveaway featuring Itsy Bitsy Prop Shop. Don't forget, you can use code BBK20 to receive 20% off your order until Friday, July 20.

And the winner is...

Jeni!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please contact me at bumblebeeknees@gmail.com within 24 hours to claim your prize - your choice of one of three hats below.

Hope you can join us again next week for another edition of Pay It Froward Friday!

Friday, July 13, 2012

Pay It Forward Friday - Itsy Bitsy Prop Shop

Welcome to the inaugural edition of "Pay It Forward Friday" featuring Itsy Bitsy Prop Shop! I know that my shop would not be what it is today without the help of some amazing people, so I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of my favorite new shops.

Vanessa is the designer behind this wonderful shop which features whimsical beanies, vintage inspired pillbox hats, and beautiful headpieces. Here are some of my favorites from her collection.

Isn't this little alien hat amazing?!? A must have for your newborn boy prop collection! Let's get to know Vanessa a little better with five fast questions.

1. Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspires you?

I now live in Ottawa, Canada although I grew up in Southern Alberta. I actually lived in Ottawa for a little while when I was a baby, so moving back here after finishing school feels like coming back full circle - although I miss my parents, my brothers, the Rocky Mountains, big skies, and wide open spaces.

I have a 10 month old baby girl who is the loved of my life and who inspires me on a daily basis. I'm also inspired by nature, 1920's flappers, Victorian England, science fiction and fantasy (Doctor Who anyone?), my wonderful husband, superheroes, graphic novels, and the work of the amazing photo prop makers that I've discovered on the Internet since starting to make props of my own.

Fun facts about myself: although I have a spider as part of my logo, I'm actually deathly afraid of them and have been known to shriek for help whenever I spot one in the house. And something that most of my friends and work colleagues don't know about me -- I can, while on horseback, rope a fence post -- which is perhaps not the most useful of skills. :)

2. How long have you been crafting, and when did you open your shop?

I have been crafting, painting, drawing, and knitting ever since I was a little girl. my mother and father taught me some of the fundamentals of drawing and origami -- I remember my father drawing endless ducks and making paper cranes to entertain me. my mother also taught me how to knit and recently showed me some of my first efforts that she's kept...some VERY lopsided dishcloths filled with holes! I have also benefited from the instruction given to me by the many lovely women I've met in the yarn shops I've frequented over the years.

I was inspired to start making photography props after seeing the variety of cute hats and headbands that the fabulous Fulton Photography used for my daughter's newborn session in August of last year. I opened by shop in March 2012.

3. What is your favorite item in your shop...or should I say "favourite." (Love my Canadian friends!)

My favourite item in my shop is the very first photo prop hat that I made - a little frog hat. I came up with the idea for this hat after visiting my local yarn store and coming across this lime green, super chunky yarn. Frogs immediately popped into my head, and I spent the next few weeks experimenting with different stitches and a variety of ways to make eyeballs.

4. What are your favorite materials to work with?

I love natural fibers like wool, cotton, silk, and feathers. I also use recycled yarn, lace, organza, tulle, silk flowers, and netting.

5. Tell us a little about your workspace.

I don't have a dedicated workspace...yet! I bring my work to whatever space I happen to be in (family room, kitchen, living room, etc.), and I also tend to leave my current project in whatever space I've just left so my crafting is starting to take over our house. :)

Vanessa, thank you so much for sharing your shop with us today! Feel the need for some retail therapy? Head on over to Itsy Bitsy Prop Shop from now until Friday, July 20 and enter code "BBK20" for 20% off your entire order. Also, make sure you enter the giveaway below for your chance to win your choice of one of her beautiful pillbox hats. Submit your entries today from 9 AM to 11:59 PM.

See you next Friday for another edition of Pay It Forward Friday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, May 7, 2012

Birthday Bash Giveaway Winners

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in my Birthday Bash Giveaway! Winners have been posted below. If you have won, please do not contact your vendor directly. They have been sent your information and will contact you soon.

Vendors:

Bumble Bee-Knees - $100 Gift Certificate
*WINNER - JENNA GRANT
Use Code "BIRTHDAY" for 15% off any item in the shop (excluding buddy blankets).

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Avonli Cottage - Giveaway Winner

Friday, July 20, 2012

Pay It Forward Friday - Avonli Cottage

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Itsy Bitsy Prop Shop - Giveaway Winner

Friday, July 13, 2012

Pay It Forward Friday - Itsy Bitsy Prop Shop

Monday, May 7, 2012

Birthday Bash Giveaway Winners

Monday, April 30, 2012

Birthday Bash Giveaway

How to enter:

Fine print: