Mariposa at Rest - Monarch Butterfly Wool Felt Pin

Mariposa - the inspiration for this mini felt sculpture, is butterfly in Spanish. It is also the home in which I grew up, in the rolling foothills approaching Yosemite Valley. Sadly, you don't see as many majestic Monarchs there as in the past, but it is still one of the most beautiful places I know come Spring and the blush of wildflowers.

Mariposa is made-to-order, and hand-crafted using 100% wool felt. Each piece will be hand-cut and stitched, making this butterfly as unique and without duplicate as it's fluttering inspiration. (Photo is an example only, your butterfly wing pattern will be similar, but unique to your pin).

Wing details are carefully stitched to the front and back of the wings, and the wings gracefully arch in a resting position. Below the body in the center is a 1 inch bar pin, securely stitched to a base layer of felt. Nearly life-sized, Mariposa is 3 inches across, and about 1.5 inches tall.

Snow Much Fun Collection

Darcy at Chew Chews Closet has really outdone herself for the upcoming 2010 holiday season! Her new line of tops, blouses, and skirts feature fun, bright, colorful fabrics, and adorable cuts and designs.

I love the way the snowman pleated blouse has sweet pleated details at the neckline and elastic arms and neck for easy fit and comfort. Layer it with a long sleeve T underneath, or for warmer climates, wear it alone with jeans or leggings.

I dare you to find a cuter holiday outfit than the Snow Much Fun twirl skirt and penguin or snow girl appliqued T ensemble! The skirt features three fun layers, and fantastic colorful fabric. Between the top and bottom fabric layers (made even cuter with the rik rak trim!) is a layer of fluffy green tulle -giving the skirt a tutu like feel. Happy twirling for the holidays!

Peace Baby Tunic

Fantastic detailing and fun fabric make this lovely tunic from Chew Chews Closet a must-have for fashion-forward chicas. My daughter loves how it fits and feels, and we all know that is the most important! It doesn't matter how cute something is, if it doesn't feel great on, my daughter will not wear it for more than a couple minutes.

Adorable over leggings or jeans, layer it with a fun long-sleeve T-shirt, definitely adorable any way you go!

Apple Corduroy Dress by ChewChewsCloset

This dress is fantastic! The baby wale corduroy is velvety soft, and I love the colorful array of apples. The details in this dress make it quite possibly one of the sweetest little back-to-school dresses I've ever seen. Cinching the back is an attached belt with a natural wooden button closure. Elastic looped natural buttons secure the back of the dress to the neck and open wide enough for easy on and off by a toddler with clumsy fingers.

Superbly made, the stitching is impeccable and reinforced to last for generations of use. I can't wait for the cooler weather so Julia can show it off! Thank you, Darcy, for another amazing creation.

Back to School Essentials

Today I became a cliche... I dropped off my baby girl for her first day of preschool (yeah - I know, not even Kindergarten yet...) and I cried. At least I waited until I was back in the car. She was totally ready - extremely excited and confident. She smiled, gave Mommy a hug, and went to sit on the carpet with the teacher and the other kids. Apparently she is way more well-adjusted than I am... *pat self on the back*

Here are some of my favorite Back-To-School essentials:

Goodbyn Lunchbox

Back-to-school wouldn't be the same without a new lunch box! Julia loves her Goodbyn purple lunchbox (the main website was back-ordered, so I got hers on Amazon), and so do I. It is made in the USA, and is ecofriendly. It is also convenient and fun. The little compartments keep all the foods separated without having to use baggies or little tupperwares that easily get lost. Pick from a multitude of fun colors, and it also comes with many fun stickers so kids can personalize their box.

Backpacks and Book Bags

Messenger Bag by LilliansBags on Etsy

Carry All Tree Rings Bag by mediumcontrol on Etsy

New School Clothes

And my personal favorite for going back to school.... the new clothes!

Pink and Brown Flowered Corduroy Jumper by ChewChewsCloset on Etsy

Chocolate Suede Desert Boots by Naturino on endless.com

For the Boys...

CSL Boutique Real Tie in Jax by CandyStickLane on Etsy

Awesome Pencils!

Kawaii Koi Pencils by maoiliosa on Etsy

Harvest Pumpkin Winner!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Harvest Pumpkin hair clip giveaway. The winner was Rebecca Nunez of Florida.

Here is my daughter (straight from her nap time....) drawing out the winning name. Become a fan to stay on top of discounts and future giveaways!

New! Avocado Wool Pin

Lush, ripe, ready for guacamole.

Made of layered 100% wool felt and merino wool roving, which was needle-felted to form the mounded two-tone pit and bumpy brown skin.

There are 4 layers of 100% wool felt, 2 deep brown, one dark green, and one avocado green, hand drawn and cut to form the body. The pit was made of merino wool fibers in 2 tones of warm brown, sculpted and needle-felted securely to the body. After securing the layers with cotton embroidery floss, the brown skin was given a layer of merino wool fiber to give it a bumpy avocado texture. Securely stitched to the back is a 1 inch bar pin.

This one-of-a-kind pin measures 2.5 inches tall.

Last Week for the Fall Giveaway!

Only SIX days left to get in on the action! July 31st is the last day to be entered to win my Harvest Pumpkin hair clip or pin. Comment here with your favorite pammydawn creation or something you'd like to see in the shop.

You don't want to miss it!

Halloween Witch Hat Hair Clip or Pin

New for Halloween 2010! Halloween Witch's Hat - make it a hair clip or a pin.

By pammydawn

Crooked little Witch's hat made of 100% wool felt and embroidered with 100% cotton green embroidery floss. Whimsical and fun, this clip or pin would be the perfect accessory to put you in the mood for Halloween tricks and treats. Available as a hair clip, or a pin brooch. As a hair clip, the hat encloses a 1.5 inch snap clip, completely hand-stitched securely in place. The hat measures approximately 2 inches tall.

Only 9 Days Left!

Ooooh! Free stuff!!

Only 9 days left to get in on the action! July 31st is the last day to be entered to win my Harvest Pumpkin hair clip or pin. Comment here with your favorite pammydawn creation or something you'd like to see in the shop.

Don't miss out!

Frog and Water Lily Hair Clip Set

Freddy Frog Hair Clip or Pin - by pammydawn

Frog and Water Lily Set of TWO - by pammydawn

Bring out your inner PRINCESS!

A lovely blush and cream water lily blossom and lily pad is floating just for you. It is made of 100% wool felt blossoms, each individually cut and assembled like a little petal puzzle. About 2 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide, it will enclose up to a 1.5 inch snap clip, but is also available as a French barrette or pin brooch.

Freddy Frog is made of 100% grass green wool felt and accented with merino wool roving that I needle-felted. Adoring googly eyes are wet-felted natural wool balls, securely stitched to his fat little head. Detailed needle-felted warts and underbelly are in a lime green. He sits atop a deep forest green 2 inch lily pad and rises about 1.5 inches high. Freddy encloses up to a 1.5 inch snap clip, but is also available as a French barrette or pin brooch.

Fall Giveaway!

Hooray for giveaways! In honor of the approaching autumn months, I'll be giving away a Harvest Pumpkin hair clip or pin to one lucky Facebook fan or Pammy Dawn blog reader.

To be entered in the random drawing, become a fan on my Facebook page and comment on the giveaway entry posting letting me know your favorite Pammy Dawn shop item or something you'd like me to make in the future. You may also comment on this blog entry with the same information. For a second entry in the drawing, blog or link to this page and give me the link in the comments.

Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you in the comment, or become a fan on Facebook so I may send you a happy winnings message! Drawing will take place August 1st. All comments and entries must be posted by July 31st.