Merry Christmas!

We wish a Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Help!

Overview
We're all for strengthening the safety standards of mass-produced toys, clothes, and accessories made in China, and banning toxins like phthalates and lead. But this year, congress passed the ill-conceived Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, a law which goes into effect in two months and will absolutely decimate the small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters who have already earned the public trust. The very same ones that we often feature here and in our yearly special edition gift guides.
With this act going into effect February 10 2009 so many people we love will be affected: Moms who sew beautiful handmade waldorf dolls out of home, artists who have spent decades hand-carving trucks and cars out of natural woods, that guy at the craft show who sold you the cute handmade puzzle--even larger US companies who employ local workers and have not once had any sort of safety issue will no longer be able to sell their goods. Not without investing tens of thousands of dollars into third-party testing and labeling, just to prove that toys that never had a single toxic chemical in them still don't have a single toxic chemical in them.
How to Get Involved -- it only takes 5 minutes of your time!
-Find your congress personand senators and write a letter like the sample here.Particularly if they serve on the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection or the House Committee on Small Business.
-Send an email directly to the CPSC or contact chairperson Nancy Nord at 301-504-7923
-Vote for amending the law on Change.org, digg style: With enough votes it will be presented to President Obama in January!
-Place the Save Handmade! button on your blog or website to help spread the word to everyone you know who cares about protecting the little guy and preserving beautiful items made with love for our children.


... the complete article here...

This weekend...

Looking for something to do this weekend and get a little last minute shopping done?

Friday, Dec 19th, Art 500 @ the 500 Block of Clematis Street, Friday, 4:00pm until 2:00am Map here

There will be live music and paint demonstrations, food and shopping. Starbucks and the comprehensive AIDS program will also have non-profit booths to raise money for CAP and the (RED) campaign. Toys for tots will also be there collecting toys.

Saturday, Dec 20th, Sugar House Holiday Bazaar @ the House of Vintage 123 South Swinton Ave, Delray Beach, Fl. 33444, Bazaar 12pm-5pm

From the Makers of Stitch Rock and House of Vintage comes SUGAR HOUSE HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND PARTY! Think of it as a mini Stitch Rock at House of Vintage with lots of holiday cheer, hot coco, sugar cookies and vintage holiday party charm! There will be 25 of our favorite crafters and great vintage finds inside House of Vintage to help you fill those stocking and get your last minute shopping DONE! Skip the mall shop Indie and Vintage this holiday!

See you guys there!!!!!!!

We made a Treasury!

Yippy come by and check us out!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=36421

Our elephants on parade tote is available now!

mindyandlola.etsy.com

Only $15.00

Plush Monster Feed!

You must visit Plush Monster Feed!

No really you must...

Its so sweet! Kelli is featuring a diffrent plush every day! There are some of the most awsome plushies out there. If you love them as much as we do, then you must go here, and visit with the plushie maddness!

And (shameless plug here) our own Orange plaid girl is there, she is up for adption at only $15! She can still be yours in time for Christmas!

Mindyandlola.etsy.com

Quick Christmas Gift Tags!

What an awsome idea from a spoonful of sugar! And did you know that you can go to lowes or home depot and get some of these paint color cards for FREE.

I LOVE FREE! I can't wait to make these, I had stocked up on some really pretty colors over the weekend and didn't know what to do with them. You can check out her blog and instructions here

I suffer from the craft supply creed:

If you buy the supplies, the craft idea will come!

Juju bee!

You won the giveaway!

But we have no way to get in touch with you!

Please email us with your address.

Mindyandlola@yahoo.com

And the winner(s) is...

Hi guys! The moment you have all been waiting for! Because the amount of responses was so great, we dicided to send out 2 prizes! so with out much adu,

#22 JuJuBee won the Brooch

#31 Ginny won (something special)

Please look for an email from us asking for your address so we can send your suprises out!

And thanks for playing everyone! And stay tuned I think that there will be a Christmas Giveaway soon!

Thanks M&L

Toys for Tots

Did you know that for the whole month of December we are giving $1.00 from everysale to the Toys for Tots in Miami?

You can help to you can go to our website and get something for yourself and we'll dontate $1.00 of that sale! Go get your shop on! mindyandlola.ets.com

Or

You can donate online here:

December Giveaway!

Did you remember to enter our December Giveaway?

You still have time! Don't wait go now! Here

We will take entries untill tonight at midnight!

M&L

Flickr

Hi!

Here is some Friday Eye candy! Is it just me or does everyone flock to flickr when the are killing time that should be spent working? But then again I’m sicky… so its ok that I take a little daydreaming time, besides look at the cool stuff I found!

These are so cute how could you not love these blue buttons from Kup, Kup Land, and you can check out the rest of her photos here


And this is for the 13yr old boy in all of us. Seriously who does not enjoy this? The mark of a true artists he even cut himself for the shot!

You can check out the rest of Digg Pirates photostream here…

Now back to work is still not 5pm...

Lets Say Thanks

Hi,


For those of you that don't know... 1 of our boys is already in the Military, and graduating bootcamp in January (we love you BEAR! STAY SAFE!!!) And the other one is going to start Bootcamp in January ( we love you too MIKE!) WE ARE SOOO PROUD OF YOU!


In honor of our brave boys we ask you to say thanks with us to all of the Brave men and women that are fighting everyday for our Freedoms and our GREAT Country! Just go to the lets say thanks website (here)

More on Art 500

Super exciting news on ART 500, read on...

The ARTRx group gives West Palm Beach an alternative from the malls and department stores to break the monotony of yearly spending. On Friday December 19th, the first annual ART 500 will take over Clematis for a night of Fine Art exhibition, live music and paint demonstrations, eclectic food and shopping, and the answer to your entire gift giving needs. ART 500 will be the first “Pedestrian Cultural Event” to take place on the west end of Clematis Street. Art 500 will also offer attendees the chance to observe live art demonstrations at the two “Wet Paint” tents. These demos will offer a shorter and more intimate version of the Wet Paint nights that take place every Wednesday at the Lounge. They will include demonstrations of Painting, Silk Screen, Stenciling, Photo Transfers and other mediums. All art produced during their time period will be available for sale at the ART Rx Merchandise Booth following their demonstration. In addition, many local South Florida musicians will be performing live, both inside and outside, throughout the evening. Local independent artists and designers have signed on to create solo booths up and down the 500 block, offering event goers the chance to buy one of a kind art and hand crafted jewelry, clothing and accessories. Local radio station, 103.1 The Buzz will be conducting their annual toy drive for Toys for Tots during the event, and hosting a live auction of a painting by morning show host Randy Razor. Starbucks Coffee Company and the comprehensive AIDS program will also be erecting non-profit booths to raise money for CAP and the (RED) campaign that promotes AIDS research in Africa. More than a block party or art fair, ART 500 promises to be a multifarious event that combines visual arts, live music, food and drink, and solidarity of the businesses on the 500 block of Clematis. It has the power to be an enriching and positive confluence of our West Palm Beach Community, and the artists who work and live within it. ART 500 will transcend the average “Art Walk” and become a premiere cultural event. It will be a substantial aid to the emerging artist community, as well as a step in the right direction to bringing the Arts back to Clematis Street.

More info on the official ART RX site and MYSPACE.

This is a perfect night to come out and support!!!!!!!!

Xerox - Let's Say Thanks

Weekend Wrap Up!

Thanks to all of you that went to the Miami Springs Dog Park show this weekend. Here are some pics of the event. Santa was there taking pictures with the kids and doggies. Our *Princess Aurora* was so excited to get her picture taken with Santa, and even more excited to get to play with one of his little helpers....

Here is the princess playing with one of our dollies...

This little girl was not happy we woke her up to model our hair clippies. Isn't she just precious?

Who was walking who?

Sneak Peak...

Hi Guys!

Check out what we have been working on! Actually I was working on them last week but they were for a shower gift for a friend that reads our blog so I couldn't show them before! But now they can be seen! They are Super cute Baby BLOOMERS with the matching bibs that will be in the store along with all kinds of snazzy stuff this week!

And we are giving $1. from every sale to the Toys for Tots Miami, this month so get your shop on! It's for a good cause!

M&L Mindyandlola.etsy.com

Check out these great sites for some ideas on how to make "green gift wrap", how to make a gift bag out of manila envelopes, how to re-use old magazines for gift wrap, or have the kids join in on the fun for a great gift wrapping idea for the grandparents use their art work or photocopy pictures.

These are Martha's choice.

1. Child's art with ribbon bow
2. Calendar page with ribbon bow
3. Shopping bag with yarn bow
4. Kid's homework with ribbon bow
5. Magazine page with thread bow
6. Paper towel with rickrack bow
7. Phone book page with rubber-band bow
8. White kraft paper with hand-drawn bow

So feel inspired go out and re-use, recycle. Together we can all do our part and help the environment and save money!

M&L

3rd Annual Holiday Dog Park Extravaganza Saturday

Hey guys,
Remeber to pass by the 3rd Annual Holiday Dog Park Extravaganza. Its this saturday from 9-2pm.
This craft fair is all about the dogs and proceeds will go to an agility course. There will be a silent auction and raffle. Dogs can hear it humans can't; so give your human a nudge. While you relax in a pet spa, your human can visit the 30+ vendors displaying at the fair.

3rd Annual Holiday Dog Park Extravaganza
Saturday, December 6, 2008
9AM - 2PM
Miami Springs Dog Park on the corner of Dove & Poinciana,
Next to Miami Springs High - 751 Dove Avenue.

See you there!!!!!!!!!!!!
M&L

December giveaway!

This is going to ONE lucky winner! This is an awesome brooch is decorated with a vintage button is ready for the holidays. Its lively red adds a splash of color. You can wear it on your coat, sweater, scarf or bag. Great to keep or as a stocking stuffer… So, wha'cha waiting for? Enter now!

TO ENTER
Click and explore our Etsy site. Find an item you love, and then leave a comment on this post letting us know. Easy peasy, just share one link per comment! We will have new items up all week, so check back often.

The drawing will take place on the 12th, and we will announce the winner on the 15th.
(Sorry no international for this giveaway)
GOOD LUCK!

Ribbon Candy Twist Ornament

What You Need
Spray adhesive
Wide, medium, and narrow ribbon
Water-soluble marking pen
Long-eye beading needle
White embroidery floss
Eleven 10-mm-round pearls

How to Make It
1. Glue the medium-width ribbon to the center of the wide ribbon.
2. Trim the length to measure 16 1/2 inches.
3. Using the pen and a ruler, mark dots down the center of the ribbon at 1-1/2-inch intervals on both sides of the ribbon.
4. Thread the beading needle with an 18-inch length of embroidery floss.
5. Slip a pearl onto the floss.
6. Carefully remove the needle, and then rethread it with both ends of the floss. The ends of the floss should be even.
7. Push the needle from one side of the ribbon through the other side at the first mark (the first pearl is now at the bottom of the ornament); add a pearl.
8. Push the needle from the one side of the ribbon through to the other side at the second mark; add a pearl.
9. Continue until you have 11 pearls on the string.
10. To finish, secure the thread and attach a hanging ribbon.

You can find this and other cool holiday crafts at Better Homes and Gardens website or here

SUGAR HOUSE HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND PARTY!

Guys check this out!
From the Makers of Stitch Rock and House of Vintage comes SUGAR HOUSE HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND PARTY!

Think of it as a mini Stitch Rock at House of Vintage with lots of holiday cheer, hot coco, sugar cookies and vintage holiday party charm! There will be 25 of our favorite crafters and great vintage finds inside House of Vintage to help you fill those stocking and get your last minute shopping DONE! Skip the mall shop Indie and Vintage this holiday! MindyandLola are going to be there in all f there with all of their holiday cheer this is not one to miss!

Free Cookies and Hot Coco

Vintage Clothing and Accessories 25% off Handmade Indie Crafts

Saturday, December 20th 2008

Bazaar 12pm-5pm

at the House of Vintage

123 South Swinton Ave

Delray Beach, Fl. 33444

Give-Away Day, 2008

We will be participation in Sew Momma Sew's Give-Away Day, 2008. To participate you need to come back on the 3rd and comment... More details soon!

Sneak peek...

Just a little preview of some new products we have been working on. What do you think?

START YOUR SHOPPING ENGINES...

Start your engines, MindyandLola are having a Thanksgiving day sale! Everything at our Etsy store is BOGO (buy one get one half off), Friday till Tues midnight. Check out our store for great gift ideas, and remember that we love custom orders. Also for every purchase made from Dec 1st until Dec 20th, we will donate $1 to our local Toys for Tots. So shop till you drop and remember to have a happy, and safe Holiday season.

So start shopping! To to our store now!
M & L

THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tiny Toes Pin Cushion

Hi Guys!

Come and check out the latest item added to the shop! We have alot of things that we're working hard to get on the store so check back often!

Tiny Toes Pin Cushion

This is a fun way to keep your pins in order when you need an extra hand/foot. It's a 3" x 3" Tiny Toes pin cushion made from a play doll (not a real baby)its weighted so it stands up. The fabric is a black velvet and lace, with a gold and red bow to finish it off. Comes with pins to get you started!

Get yours here

Remember we take custom orders!!!

Thanks

M&L

Modish scavenger hunt... MATILOU @ etsy

These are beautiful. They remind kind of remind me of my sister. Check out more at MATILOU etsy shop.

Modish scavenger hunt... Tanis Alexis @ etsy

This little guy is to cute for words go check him out! Visit Tanis Alexis's
Etsy shop. Oliver is well-traveled and FULL of stories about his tour as an all-recycled critter. He is supper supper cute!

Modish giveaway...

Hey Guys check this out Modish is having a great giveaway!

For those of you who've been waiting for a 2nd chance to score some handmade awesomeness, the time is now my friends! It's the November November giveaway, part two! This wonderful batch of handmade goodness is worth $805, even more than last week! And again, it's all going to ONE lucky winner! This is an awesome way to score some gifts for yourself and to hand out to others this holiday season! We entered, so wha'cha waiting for? Enter now! Click here!

La Leche League

Hi Guys,

Last weekend I met a wonderful group of Moms from the Miami chapter of the La Leche League. I guess if you guys aren't preggers or Nursing this post really doesn't apply but it here for those of you who are. They really are an aswome organization, and this is the Greenest you can be! Their mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. For those that want more info you can get it here

Palmetto Bay Farmers' Market Sundays

An open-air farmers' market will set up shop in Palmetto Bay for the duration of the fall and winter growing seasons. Locals looking for a farmers' market will no longer have to trek north to Pinecrest, Coral Gables or Coconut Grove on weekends for fresh produce. The market will be held outdoors every Sunday through April. Vendors will line Southwest 97th Avenue -- also known as Franjo Road and Perrine Avenue -- from 173rd Street (Banyan Street) to 174th Street (Datura Street) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In front of the Antique Mall Y'All & Tea Room, 17430 SW 97th Ave, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157. Come by and support! There is a great selection of farm fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. There will be an arts and crafts area, and a section selling antiques and collectibles.

Dinner Key Cruising Club Flea Market Saturday

Mindy and Lola will be at the Dinner Key Cruising Club Flea Market Saturday from 8-1pm.

The Dinner Key Cruising Club will be hosting its 1st Annual Flea Market inside a historical US Coast Guard Hangar. Proceeds from the event will benefit Shake-A-Leg Miami programs and allow them to keep up their great work. Shake-A-Leg Miami helps children and adults with physical, developmental and economic challenges; liberating them from the realm of imagination into the realm of experience. We have successfully created an inspirational haven, where people of all backgrounds and abilities find common ground. Come by and say hi, do a little shopping and feel great knowing that you are helping this great organization.

Shake-A-Leg Miami
2620 South Bayshore Drive
Coconut Grove, Fl 33133
305-858-5550 x113
info@shakealegmiami.org

FREE SHIPPING Get your shopping done EARLY

GET YOUR SHOPPING DONE EARLY

FREE SHIPPING in the US on all the items in our shop now thru Nov 30th 2008! Get yours now! Mindyandlola.etsy.com

We have great gift ideas for all the members of your family! Brooches, toys, totes, and pet collar covers!

No need to go stand in line at the mall! Have the presents come to you!!!

We take CUSTOM Orders!

Hi guys!

Do you know that we make custom orders? Do you love one of our sunggly toys but wish it was in a diffrent color? Do you need 13 tutu's for a party? Do you have a friend that NEEDS an Owl Tote bag for christmas! Well we have news for you! We now take custom orders!!!! Just email us at mindyandlola@yahoo.com and let us know what you need. We'll work with you to get you EXCATLY what YOU want, not just some mass produced thing off the shelf that everyone else has! You can pay thru paypal and we'll mail it out to you right away! We can even help Santa by wrapping and mailing it out for you anywhere in the US!

Remember to check out the shop! Mindyandlola.etsy.com

Matt Raffa Photography

Hi Guys!

Check out this cool photographer we met at Pink Ghost! His shots are amazing! Check him out here
Can you spot us?

Weekend Wrap Up!

Hi guys! Wow what an exciting weekend we had! So many things happened my head is still spinning... My sister was up in Georgia visiting family, and I was a the Green Family Festival with mom. What a great time! A BIG THANKS to Kristin for inviting us! We battled the heat Saturday, then the wind and freezing cold (yes i'm one of those that is wearing a coat when its 70 degrees outside.)We made lots of GREAT friends!

We also had our first sale on our online store mindyandlola.etsy.com so if you haven't had a chance to check it out you should definetly!

And our first custom order request!

All in all i was a success! Yahoo...(now come everybody and do a little dance with me!!!!)

Ciao,
Julie
M&L

The BEST farmhouse Bread Recipe

Everyone that knows me, knows that I have a small obsession of making homemade Bread. I make it at least every 3 weeks, My husband loves it! I've even used it as a base for Cinnimon Raisin & Garlic Basil Bread! Or rolled it out as bread sticks & buns instead of loaves. The best part is that it Freezes sooo well! Its soo Easy Peasy that I thought that I'd share it with you! If you make it let me know what you think!!! ENJOY!

Ingredients
• 2 (1/4 ounce) packets yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons shortening
• 3 1/3 cups warm water
• 10-12 cups flour
Directions:
Dissolve yeast and 1 cup warm water in a large mixing bowl. Let rest 10-15 minutes.
Add salt, sugar, shortening and 3 1/3 cups warm water.
Gradually mix in 10 cups of flour. Add up to 2 more cups until dough is no longer sticky.
Knead for 10 minutes. Cover the bowl and let rise for 1 hour until dough doubles in size.
Punch down dough, form into 4 loaves, place into loaf pans and let rise again until double in size(about an hour).
Place in preheated oven at 375 degrees and bake until golden brown (about 35 Minutes).

I freeze the extra loaves for later.

Green Family fest

If you are in the area don't forget to come by today!!!


The Great Green Family Festival
10 am to 5 pm
Fruit & Spice Park
24801 S.W. 187th Avenue
Homestead, Florida 33031
305-247-5727

Wedding Pictures

No! not our wedding! I just wanted to share some photos I took a week ago at a friends wedding! I’m not an expert by any means, but I really got lucky with a couple of cool shots. It was at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.It served as a hospital during World War II and as a VA Hospital and campus of the University of Miami medical school until 1968. Ohh! And did I mention that it’s haunted!!! Just take a look at my proof!!!

Don’t forget to come by the shop! Mindyandlola.etsy.com

New items listed on ETSY!

Hi Guys!

Remember to go and check out out new items listed tonight!!!
Great gift ideas! Everything at the shop is Introductory priced. Check them out while they are still available!
Mindyandlola.etsy.com