What a great idea!

The other day I received an order for embroidered Key Fobs. Little did I know that my customer came up with a brilliant idea!! She was helping to decorate the table that she would be sitting at along with 7 other people for a particular event. Instead of using plain white name cards to inform everyone else of where they would be seated, she used embroidered Key Fobs! I thought this was a great idea. This would be something that the other people would be able to bring home with them and every time they looked at the new Key Fob they received, they would think of that special event.

The pictures I have are ones that I set up at my home to try to picture what they would look like as name cards. :)

Holiday Key Fobs

So today I was out at one of the craft stores and ran across a few Christmas Ribbons. I could not help but buy them and race home to make a few Key Fobs out of them!! One of the ribbons is a sweet green snowflake and the other is an adorable Gingerbread design.

I sent my mom the pictures of the new Key Fobs that I made and she said she might just have to have a basket of them by the front door to give to anyone who stops by around the Holidays!

Our Apartment...

Thought I would post a few pictures of our apartment since I have made a few changes and added a few things around the place. :)


That is our bedroom and the handmade duvet cover that I made a few months ago, along with the bed that my grandpa made, the nightstand he made, and the curtains my mom made for her house a while back and gave to us when we moved it. Can you tell our family does not like to buy much, unless we absolutely can not make it!?!?

Bedroom dresser along with a few pictures and other goodies.

Kitchen table, shelving unit and storage basket/draws. That is the area I attempt to keep all of my key fob supplies in, although it overflows around the rest of the apartment!

Living room. We redid that chair with the help of my mom. There were at least a million staples holding the old chair fabric in place. Phew! What a task that was for us!

Kitchen area.

Thanks for looking! :)

I will donate one dollar.

I have decided that now until Wednesday (that is when the contest is over) I will donate one dollar(1 vote) to Hound Haven for each Key Fob I sell. If you are not sure what this voting is, check out my blog post below. All you have to do is buy a key fob from my store, PuppyDogsNPolkaDots.Etsy.Com and I will donate a vote for Ramsey on Hound Haven. Let's try to raise some money!! So if you are thinking you might want to buy a few key fobs as Christmas gifts, now is the time to buy! :)

Calling all dog lovers....

I am stealing my mom's post from http://keetacollection.wordpress.com/.

"Yes, that’s our sweet dog Ramsey. We have had him since February, and what a loveable fellow he is. Ramsey was just one day from being put down at a pound and was rescued by HoundHaven in Minneola, Florida. We had been stalking them and their dogs for quite some time, but didn’t find just the right dog for us…. until we met Ramsey.

Houndhaven is putting together a calendar for 2010 and they are holding voting for the dogs to be published. It’s a great fundraiser for a great group of people. It amazes me how many dogs they rescue and adopt out to just the right homes. I was overly impressed when we adopted Ramsey. So come on… give a vote. It’s easy, and only $1.00 and you can pay easily through paypal. Just go to Houndhaven.org I am partial the photo of Ramsey, but feel free to vote for any of the cuties on that page. Let’s help those kind people help the dogs!"

And The Winners Are......

The winners for the free Key Fob drawing @ EtsyItUp are:

Crytal A.

Jennifer I.

They will be receiving their new Free Key Fobs in just a few days. For everyone else who entered any did not win, I will offer FREE shipping on 2 or more Key Fobs (regardless if you entered or not, you can use this promo). All you have to do is email me @ CRay729@hotmail.com with the link to the Key Fobs you want from my Etsy Store (PuppyDogsNPolkaDots) and mention that you saw this on my blog. From there I will set up a listing minus the price of shipping. This promotion will continue through October 18th.

Thanks to all of my new followers!

Breast Cancer Awareness

This month, in order to support Breast Cancer Awareness, I will be donating one dollar from every sale of my "Breast Cancer Awareness Key Fob" to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Please help me to spread the word.

Brevard Zoo

As I was looking through my pictures on my camera I ran into these few pictures from when Matt and I went to the Brevard Zoo about a month ago. We had never been before so decided to take a day trip over there. It was so much fun, I think I could have stayed forever and watched all of the animals!

Featured...

I have been featured for a giveaway on a lovely blog called Etsy it up!. What a coincidence, the owner of the blog is from the same home town as I am!! What a small world. I didn't even realize this until we got to talking. Anyways, if you want to win a free key fob be sure to check out her blog on how to do so. There are many other great Etsy artists that have been featured on the blog too, be sure to check them out as well. :)

What I have been doing all day...

I am exhausted, but happy for the business! Had a few larger orders toward the end of the week, so I wanted to make them and ship them before the week is over. Needless to say, I have been sewing sewing sewing all day!! :) And now I want a new Key Fob for myself after making all these cute new ones! Many of these new ones are in the process of being listed on etsy @ PuppyDogsNPolkaDots.Etsy.Com.

Animal Prints

The other day I bought this new animal print fabric that I love! I decided to try a key fob out of it and think it turned out pretty cute.

While I was making this key fob, I drifted over to Etsy and looked for animal print items. What I found were these great chairs by fabulousmess on etsy.

I also found these shoes that I am totally in love with!! Couldn't pick which was my favorite, so I posted both. These animal print converse are from dara43 on etsy.

I hope you love these items at much as I do!

What can I say...I am addicted!

So recently, I have been keeping an eye on the blog "Who Said Nothing In Life Is Free". This blogger posts coupons for many things, as well as how to combine the coupons at the grocery store in order to save the most money! I have become completely addicted to FREE FOOD!! I can honestly say that I have never been able to purchase so much food for such a little price. My boyfriend thinks it is sort of crazy at first, but when he goes to pay that grocery bill at the checkout line, he feels good paying under ten dollars for a cart full of food. These coupons range from one dollar off baked lays, to buy one get one free cereals. It is so easy, this blogger will put together a list of what she bought at the grocery that day, which coupons she used, and where the coupons came from (Sunday's paper, coupons.com, smartsource.com, etc.) Below are a few items I got and the prices I paid for the entire order.

Publix Trip: $1.14

Target Trip: $4.34

Another Publix Trip: $7.23

If you are looking to eat cheap, visit her blog and it will help!

**PuppyDogsNPolkaDots - 1 Year Anniversary Sale**

PuppyDogsNPolkaDots one year anniversary of opening is coming up on August 28th. To celebrate this one year mark, there will be a sale going on now through September 1st. Anyone who purchases a Key Fob through my etsy store and "convos" me with the coupon code "Anniversary Sale" will receive FREE SHIPPING on **2** or more Key Fob Wrist Key Chains. If you are doing any early holiday shopping, now is the time to buy! Key Fobs make great stocking stuffers and gifts for coworkers. Buy 2, get free shipping, buy 10...still get free shipping! Hurry in to take great advantage of this sale!!

(You can also email me a @ CRay729@hotmail.com with any questions, and also to place an order. Shipping will be refunded through paypal after the purchase.)

Grrrr....

Just when my key fob business was picking up and I felt like I had the whole "money issue" under control, classes are starting next week. I just got back from the bookstore a little while ago. I was able to purchase one book online through amazon, but the rest had to be purchased through the local bookstore. Why must books be so expensive for college!?! I am taking 6 classes, 18 credits this semester. This leave me with paying for 9 different books. I don't understand how a used textbooks that are not even that large can cost over seventy dollars!

Anyway, enough about my books and school..

Onto the next important issue. Coming up in the week or so, my etsy store will have hit it's one year mark! How exciting. I can not believe it has been open a year already. Thank you to my great customers. I hope to keep this shop up and running for much longer. I am glad that etsy has given me the opportunity to create and sell my products. So, be on the lookout, in the next week I will be posting about my shops "1 year birthday sale". :)

Two Newbies/Favs

Recent Purchases From Etsy

Etsy has so many talented sellers, but I have to say currently these three are my favorites. I either bought these items, or received them as a gift for my birthday over the last month.


The Pup Cup and Pup Magnets are all by the same seller, TheLab. My mom purchased the three yellow lab magnets for me. As soon as I got them, I had to explore more items from the same shop. I found the Pup Cup and couldn't resist buying it! I love how it looks on my desk!!

This wooden ring made by MnMWoodworks. I wear a lot of brown and tan colored clothes and prefer the natural colors. I have never been much of a ring person but I saw wooden rings and really wanted one because they go with my wardrobe so well. I seared on etsy for a seller who would be able to create the perfect custom ring for me. This one is perfect!! This seller will create a ring in the size and color of your preference.

Months ago, I found this print by suzannaanna on etsy. I saved it in my favorites. I told my mom about it and she surprised me for my birthday by purchasing the print and having it custom framed at Hobby Lobby. I love it!! I really think it completes our bedroom. This seller has other great work available but this was my favorite! Enjoy browsing.

What do you think?

I don't like to brag, but I have to say, this might be my favorite Key Fob that I have made so far! This was a scrap of "Deer Valley" fabric that my mom sent my way by Joel Dewberry. I saw a purse, "Deer Valley Sling Bag" that she made on listed on KeetaCollection that had this fabric in it, and wanted some of it! The only problem I have with this key fob is, keeping it put away. I keep thinking to myself, well I could use a new key fob! But then have to put it away and keep it for sale. LOL On a serious note, I have been working on my etsy shop to restock and fill the shop with many new fabrics from Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, and Jennifer Pagenelli. Off to list more key fobs!

Mail Time! What a Great Surprise!

Jennifer Paganelli Fabric Key Fob

Jennifer Paganelli Fabrics

Jennifer Paganelli Fabric Key Fob

So just the other day, I got a wonderful surprise in the mail! I couldn't believe my eyes, I was so excited. I was buried in Jennifer Paganelli Sis Boom Fabric Scraps. Meaning only one thing, new key fobs. I couldn't believe my eyes... Jennifer Paganelli made my day, no, my week by sending me that special box of goodies.

Beach Vacation Pictures

So after 5 nights at the beach, I am back to sewing away on key fob orders!! Thanks to my great customers who waited until I got back to get their key fob packages shipped out. :-)

These pictures are just a few of the many from our vacation to Indian Rocks beach with my parents, brother and his fiancee. Can't wait for the next trip! :-)

Mrs. Fields Peanut Butter Cookies

I wish I remembered where I found this recipe so I could credit the person who helped me to find the recipe, but I can't. So instead, I will share it with you all! I made this recipe for the first time the other day, I put this plate on the counter and the rest of the dough in the freezer. According to my boyfriend they were pretty tasty. Considering between the two of us, this plate lasted about 2 days at most! LOL Anyways, as far as the recipe goes, here it is...

2 ts Vanilla

1 c Peanut butter -- creamy

3 Eggs1 c Butter -- softened

1 1/4 c Sugar

1 1/4 c Dark brown sugar

1/4 t Salt

1/2 t Baking soda

2 c Flour

Preheat oven to 300ºF.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, soda, and salt. Mix well with a wire whisk.
In a large bowl, blend sugars using a mixer at medium speed. Add butter and mix to form a grainy paste.

Add eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the flour mixture and mix at low speed until just mixed. (Do not overmix).

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet, 1 1/2 inches apart. With a wet fork, gently press a crisscross pattern on top of the cookies.

Bake for 8-22 (I personally baked mine for about 15 minutes, so keep an eye on them the first time) minutes until cookies are slightly brown along the edges. Transfer cookies immediately to cool surface with a spatula.

Lastly, Enjoy! :)

I hope yall like this recipe, we sure did!

Irresistable Etsy Items

Great Etsy Finds

I couldn't resist posting this cute Labrador Cup from Etsy made by thelab.

This "Golden vs. Golden Card" might just be the cutest card I have ever seen! Made by
Lindentreephotograph on Etsy.






This dog bowl is beautiful! It would be the perfect touch to any house with a pup. :) This was created by WoodinYou on Etsy.