Sew Midwestern Etsy Shop

Today I’d like to share with you my newest favorite Etsy shop, Sew Midwestern.

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Why’s it my favorite?  Probably because it’s co-owned by the lovely Kim {NewlyWoodwards} and myself. Funny how that works.  Both of us had been wanting to open a shop but neither of us had gotten around to it.  So why not do it together? 

Our shop combines our love for classic and quirky hand-made items.  Items that we make because we love them ourselves.  It’s impressive we got this shop rolling because we kept wanting to keep all of the items that we made.  Seriously.  It’s a problem.  Both of our husbands kept making joking about the opening date of Sew Midwestern.  Guess we showed them?  (Okay, so we started back in February.  We just didn’t want to rush things.)

Our shop items will change along with our ever changing obsessions.  And trust me, they change faster than you can say Sew Midwestern.  I think we dreamt up 20 new ideas during our latest sewing session.  Check back often for new products!

Here’s a sampling of what we are currently offering:

Multi-purpose clutches

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Whimsical custom quilts

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And adorable custom onesies

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Head on over to Sew Midwestern.  Maybe you’ll find that next baby shower/bridal shower/just because gift.  Be sure to follow Sew Midwestern on twitter and facebook for updates on new products!

What’s your favorite item currently in our shop?  Any suggestions for things you’d like to see available?  Who needs an extra push to get that handmade shop started?

Gallery Wall: Change of Art

Reading blogs pays.  You heard it here first.

Awhile back, I won a giveaway from Kelly’s blog (View Along the Way).  The giveaway was for a set of six frames from Change of Art

I was super excited about winning this giveaway. I started a gallery wall in our guest bedroom approximately two years ago.  I wish I was over exaggerating. It was missing frames and photos.  My dad would make smart comments about not recognizing the people in the stock images.  Hardy, har, har.  I couldn’t decide what photos to put in the frames. I needed to buy more.  Excuses, excuses.

I took down the ratty attempt at a gallery wall.  I wish I had a photo. It was good. I patched and painted holes.  I was left with this big, blank wall.

Gallery Wall Change of Art

My Change of Art frames arrived about three months ago. I hung them on Sunday. I don’t like to rush things.  In about 15 minutes, we had our entire gallery wall hung.  Patience pays off.

Change of Art Gallery Wall Guest Room

I was super impressed with the Change of Art frames.  The frames are different because you can easily change out the photos/art you want to display. Which is awesome for someone as indecisive as myself. I’m also accident prone and end up stabbing myself with those stupid black tabby things on the back of most frames.  No blood was shed in this gallery wall.  There is also a spot in the back to store additional photos.  Handy!

Gallery Wall Change of Art

The frames were super easy to hang.  Each frame came individually boxed (all materials are eco-friendly).  In the box was the frame, a hanger, a nail and a paper template to use to assist in arranging/hanging the photo.

I arranged the paper templates on the wall.  I had Nate help me ensure that I had them evenly spaced/level.  I don’t see straight.  Minor problem.  After that, I was on my own.

Gallery Wall Change of Art

Well, I had Ike to help me out.

Gallery Wall Change of Art

All I had to do was place the hanger onto the appropriate spot on the template and hammer away.  (Excuse the look of fear in my eyes.  I hate putting nails in the wall.)

Gallery Wall Change of Art

Once the hangers were installed, I ripped down the templates.

Gallery Wall Change of Art

I then gently placed the frame onto the hanger.  There is a little notch that allows it to rest gently and self-level.

Gallery Wall Change of Art

Gallery wall hung.  And to think it only too me two years.

Change of Art Gallery Wall

Gallery Wall Change of Art

For the first gallery wall set-up, I used some black and white Chicago photos from Decor and the Dog Photo.  *shameless plug*

Guest Room Gallery Wall Change of Art

I’m a big fan of the Change of Art frames. Easy to hang, eco-friendly and made in America.  The only downfall I see is that they are a bit pricey for my cheapskate self. Having said that, I will be purchasing another set in the future because I really like how professional they look and how easy they are to hang.  As the old saying goes, sometimes you get what you pay for!

Are you a gallery wall fan?  What’s your longest running project?

***I wasn’t compensated for this post.  I won the frames in a giveaway and was in no way obligated to post about them. Ike and I just thought the frames were pretty awesome.***

Don’t forget to enter the Method Cute Pet Contest!

Method’s Cute Pet Contest

This post is sponsored by Method.

Today I have a quiz for you my dear Decor and the Dog readers.  There’s a potential prize at the end.

Q: Who is the cutest dog on the planet?  A dog that is arguably the happiest dog around.  A dog that has endless energy and is a fantastic snuggle buddy.  A dog that brings endless smiles even when he’s up to no good. A: Ike.

Method Cute Pet Photo Contest

Okay.  That was easy.

Q:  Who makes an entire product line that is pet friendly, not tested on animals and contains no animal by-products (that’s dirty!)?  A product line that suckered me in years ago with their amazing packaging and kept me around with their great performing products and inspiring do good mission.  A: Method.  I’m a big fan of their granite cleaner, bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, hand soaps and laundry detergent! Okay, so basically all of their products.

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Q: What do you get when you combine a cute pet and Method?

Method's Cute Pet Contest

A:  A Cute Pet Photo Contest and support for a good cause!

To highlight pet appreciation week and their own policy against animal testing, Method is supporting the ASPCA. Method and soap.com are teaming up create a photo contest on Facebook and Instagram.  The contest will begin on June 11 and end June 30. Method will select one winner each week to receive the two “designed for good” soaps and a $50 gift card to soap.com. The “designed for good” soaps were designed to help raise awareness for the fair treatment of animals. Cute with a cause. Method gets me every time. (Only residents of the US and Canada (excluding Quebec) are eligible to win.)

To further support the cause, Method and soap.com are teaming up to donate 15% of Method product sales on soap.com in June to the ASPCA®, whose mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.

Buying your Method products at soap.com? Use the code PAWPRINT at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase. This offer is only available to first time soap.com customers.

How To Enter Method’s Cute Pet Photo Contest:

Step 1: Take a photo of your ridiculously adorable pet. Or one hundred ridiculously adorable photos if your pet is as cute as the Ike man.

Method's Cute Pet Contest Runners Up

Step 2: Choose how you want to enter the contest: Facebook (desktop), Facebook (mobile) or Instagram
  • Facebook: Find the ‘pet photo contest’ tab on Method’s Facebook page and follow the instructions on the tab for uploading your photo.
  • Instagram: Post your pet’s photo to your Instagram account using the hashtag #methodcutepets. You must also follow @methodhome in order to be eligible to win.
Super easy and lots of fun!  Ike and I can’t wait to check out Facebook and Instagram to look for familiar furry faces!  Ike is super excited about helping out such a great cause!

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What’s your favorite Method product?  Does your dog get super excited about helping out a good cause?  Did you enter your pet?  Let us know so we can “like” or “heart” your photo!

This post is sponsored by Method.  All thoughts and super cute dog images are my own.