Our Handmade Gifts Review

When our son died in 2004, my husband wanted something that was his, that was also Harvey's.  He wanted that connection.  The hospital gave us a two piece heart (clay I think).  We put the larger piece in the grave and bought a chain for J to put the other piece on to wear.  We talked a lot about getting me something that had the same sentimental value.  I never decided what I wanted.  I wanted a charm bracelet with his name or initials or even a mother's ring that included his birth stone.  We never ended up purchasing anything.  (I think I would still love to purchase a charm bracelet of some sort that I can keep adding children to as we have them.)

When I found and was able to review something from Our Handmade Gifts, I choice their custom photo pendant.  The picture I chose was one of J and Harvey just after we'd removed Harvey from the life support.  There is such love and tenderness in J's face.  I don't have many pictures of the two of them.  We don't have many pictures of Harvey at all.  Had it not been for my aunt and uncle, we would have even fewer.

I received my pendant on a nice black leather cord.  The clasp is well attached.  My 3 year old boy did get his little paws on it and tore it apart.  I was not impressed.  However, my dh has put it back together and it's as good as when it arrived.  I love things that are easy to put back together or have parts that are easy to replace!

The pendant size is approximately 1.25 by 1.25 inches.  I find this a little big for my taste in jewelry and wish I'd gone with the key ring option instead (the directions for this option are on the site).  The picture is clear and seems to be well protected by whatever process they used.

I am very pleased with my photo pendant and I will cherish it and wear it for years to come.  Thank you Our Handmade Gifts for a wonderful product.

I just recently started wearing dangling earrings.  My mom had made a few out of old chains and gave me a few.  When the package arrived from Our Handmade Gifts, there was a couple of bonus items included and one of those was a set of earrings also from Our Handmade Gifts.  I can't find the link to them on the website, but they are three blue beads of different sizes separated by tiny tiny beads.  I love them!  They hooks don't hurt my ears, so they are a good quality and they are just my color!  I was so excited to have a new pair to wear with so many different items.

Our Handmade Gifts does not only carry earrings and custom pendants.  They also have necklaces, bracelets and rings.  There are themes for teams, or holidays, and those who are patriotic (US).  Very fun and affordable gifts for you or for someone else.

*****
Along with this pendant, Our Handmade Gifts sent a couple of coupon codes for my readers and friends!

Our Handmade Gifts is offering 25% off any order.  You may us this coupon as often as you like, and share it with friends.  Use coupon code: REVIEW.  Expires 6/31/10 so as to cover Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Cool Butterflies (I reviewed some photos in this post) is offering 25% off any order.  You may use this coupon as often as you like, and share it with friends!  Use coupon code: REVIEW.  Expires 6/31/10 so as to cover Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Watch for more reviews to come from this great "family" of companies.  Thanks to Deborah Carney and crew for some great affordable products!!!!

Disclaimer: These products were given to me in exchange for my honest opinions.



Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Birthday Party Pics

So, you wanna see some birthday party pics???

Cat in the Hat Birthday Cake in her "color".
My friend Tammy-Lee helped keep everyone organized and pose for pictures.

Cat in the Hat Birthday Cake in her "color", too.
She loves the Cool Butterfly Prints.
I plan to paint the frames black, but ran out of time before her birthday.

A Cat In The Hat Birthday Cake in her "color"!
I did blow out the candle.
She got three baby dolls that night.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

WINNER - Cool Butterfly Print

Thanks to Deborah at Cool Butterfly Prints I hosted a giveaway here on Just Our Thoughts. Tonight before supper, my kids and I picked a winner. There were only 9 entrants and so I didn't use random or anything like that; I did it the old-fashioned way. I wrote each name on a slip of paper. (Now it gets a little different.) I held the 9 cards out to my five kids (one of the older ones picked for the baby) and they each took a card. I placed the other four cards aside. Next I had the four oldest each pick another card. The one left in my hand (which would have been Baby R's card) was the winner.

And the winner is: JULIE!!!!

Julie said:

I once had a butterfly land on my finger for a quick moment-beautiful

Julie, I will send you an email shortly. Congratulations!


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Cool Butterfly Prints Review and Giveaway

I have been working with Deborah Carney at Cool Butterflies. She has been so wonderful to work with, very patient. :)

The Cool Butterflies Butterfly Shop has over 2000 prints of butterflies. She wanted me to choose what I wanted to review. (Insert shocked smilie face here!!) I said, would you consider picking for me? I have a little girl that LOVES butterflies and pink. She said, sure, I'll pick.

She sent the package via USPS. It arrived in EXCELLENT shape, although it took a little longer than we'd expected, I assume due to coming over the board. I was so excited to finally receive these prints. They were better than I expected! They are so very beautiful and clear.

Deborah included three prints of a butterfly on a pink flower, a similar print with a message on it and a note card print of flames.

The flame card says,
"People have ideas all the time,
ambition is just the stubbornness to follow through."
- Daniel Fogg

The quality of the colors are rich and bright. I can't wait to get these framed (in black frames) for my CJ's wall. I know that she is going to love them. The "distracted by butterflies" is so like her! If she sees a butterfly she is off running, trying to catch it.

The paper is excellent quality. I've handled the prints very little; only pulled them out of their envelope and protective plastic a couple of times to view them. (Partly to keep them from CJ who's birthday is coming up, and partly because I don't want them damaged.) They have held up well to any handling that has been done.

The flame card was a great pick for us as well because my dh is a fire fighter. It's just fun; I plan on framing it as well, for my dh's desk.

I definitely recommend Cool Butterfly Prints to my friends and family. You can purchase these prints and many, many others from coolbutterflies.com.

Deborah has offered a print as a giveaway for my readers! One reader will win the print of their choice.

To enter: Simply visit Cool Butterflies and pick your favorite from the many available. Come back here and leave the link in the comments.

Bonus entries:

• Leave a comment telling me a butterfly story from your life.
• Get up from your computer, do a dance with a child and come back and tell me what song you danced to, or if it was just music in your head, tell me that. No child to dance with? Pretend! Have fun with it!

Make sure you leave your email or have it accessible on your profile so I can contact the winner. Giveaway ends September 18, 2009. Open to US and Canada.

Note: I intend to update this post at the end of October, when CJ receives these beautiful prints in their frames. Watch for it! I can't wait to give you her response!

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,