April Team Happenings!

Here we are again, approaching the end of April. So many things have happened in the team this month!Amysfunkyfibers' scarves were included in a 'Spring in to Spring' fashion show held in Indianapolis. Amy's fibers do indeed look funky!CelesteCraft submitted her first patterns ever for publication at e-patternscentral.com, remember her name! Her Etsy shop also passed the 300 sales mark, congratulations!Mylittleaura has added two more collections to her Etsy shop - Organic and Upcycled, my favourite is the Upcycled Angora Sweater! ... Her new collections are a lovely follow up from Earth Day a couple of weeks ago.

Kristensteinfineart has been a real busy bee! Her painting 'Welcome Spring' was included in one of the top 5 decorating trends for Spring 2009 on ImageKind and was chosen to represent Nature. It's perfect! She also signed on with two Philadelphia galleries to show her artwork (Square Peg Artery near Rittenhouse Square and the Mew Gallery on 9th in the Italian Market District.) and she still has a few pieces at Moderne Life Interiors in Jenkintown, PA. Make sure you check her out if you're local! But I haven't finished there yet, she was invited to show her work in a gallery in Canal Fulton, Ohio and received an invitation to show her work at the Picasso Restaurant in Media, PA, for their 2nd Saturday Art Stroll which will be on display throughout May! AllThingsPretty reached the 100 sales milestone, congratulations!Eikumpel released a new line of pins called 'Kumpel Dolls' that you can take anywhere you like, they're adorable!

She also has a stall at a Flea market being held at the Bristol Folk House in the UK on the 9th May.Norakaren opened a new shop on Etsy called HerenciaVintage .. good luck with it!Capitolagirl broke the 150 sales mark and got a small press mention in her local paper, The Santa Cruz Sentinel.And lastly, thirdfloor is officially the original Superwoman (sorry, FDL team joke! - will share eventually!)

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day from the Fashion, Design and Lifestyle team. We had a special challenge to create something Earth friendly. As a global team we may live in different places, have different customs, speak different languages. But together we have a common thread. A likeness. We all have the same home. Her name is Earth and she is beautiful. She needs care just like anything else. It is our responsibility to care for our home. To band together and nuture and love her. This wonderful global team has created some stunning items that are eco-friendly, though provoking, inspirational, and artisitic. So today, even if it's only for 5 minutes, stop what you are doing and look around you. Breathe in the air, glance at the trees, marvel all that is living around you. Be thankful for your home, treat her kindly. This lush painting is by Furiousdreams, proving that she does indeed dream in color!

First up we have a lovely market bag from Thirdfloor designs. This is perfect for trips to the grocery. Just say no to those plastic bags.

This stunning vest from Allthingspretty, so bohemian! I love it very in fashion, and what a great use for all those old school doilies!

This lovely eco and organic bag from Atelierdesoyun. I am in love with this! Perfect for toting whatever with you.

All the girls were raving over this awesome redo of a t-shirt from Lovetosew. Very cool! Release your inner wild child!

These shoes from Norakaren are to die for! Have those leftover dyeables from that wedding? Convo Nora, she'll turn them into something worth keeping! Lovely!

This piece of art from Kristensteinfineart sums up Earth day in a lovely way. Beautiful work Kristen!

Wedding season upon us and Nuvonova has some awesome bridesmaid, shower gift ideas. Lovely Clara!

Cuffs are very fashionable and Mylittleaura has created a pretty and feminine wrist decoration!

I (Happiknits)made this little Earth Friendly flower brooch from a recycled denim skirt, vintage lace and buttons and some fabric scraps.

This awesome necklace from Daintycrochetbyaly Lovely work Aly! What a great use of camo!

To find more earth friendly challenges pieces search fdlearth on Etsy.

Paper Dolls (April Edition - The Reveal)

Paper Dolls April 2009:

The Reveal

It's time to reveal what readers picked for this month's virtual fashion game--where readers and FDL Team Members help to coordinate an outfit based on an inspiration piece. This month's shop round up started off with a bold, black and white graphic print tube top from FDL Team Member jinxydv8.

CBGB Top
from Jinxedasposed Clothing
(jinxydv8.etsy.com)

Her tube top (made from an upcycled black and white printed shower curtain) has been fabulously finished off with these suggestions from FDL blog readers and FDL Team Members...

Gothica Couture Wrap

from lolashowgirl.etsy.com
~~~

Vintage Textile Cuff/Black Chantilly Lace
from greavesdesign.etsy.com
~~~

Cute Black White Mini Skirt and Petticoat Tutu Gothic Lolita
from 11tyone.etsy.com
~~~

Love Ribbon Bracelet
from onstage69.etsy.com
~~~

Homage to The Exploited Punk Style Purse
from Evillillys.etsy.com
~~~

Vintage Classic Black Mary Janes
from DearGoldenVintage.etsy.com

About Paper Dolls
Paper Dolls is a new virtual fashion game being hosted by the FDL Street Team blog. In each edition of Paper Dolls, an FDL Team member picks a fashionable inspiration piece and writes a blog post seeking coordinating item suggestions by readers. Reader suggestions can be from ANY seller's shop on Etsy, and are left in the Comments area of the blog post along with links to matching items. Then, when the author has a completed outfit (based on the inspiration piece and the author's picks from the comments), the author writes a follow-up blog post to reveal whole outfit.

Come join the FDL Team again, the May Edition of Paper Dolls is coming soon!

This edition written by FDL Street Team Member Susan of Capitola Girl Jewelry and the Capitola Girl blog.

Paper Dolls: Time to Play! (April 2009 Edition)

Paper Dolls (April Edition):

Do You Play Paper Dolls?

Welcome to April. It's time for another round of Paper Dolls here on Etsy's Fashion Design & Lifestyle Team Blog. This month's virtual fashion game (where you help us coordinate an outfit based on an inspiration), starts off with an uber-hip, punk-inspired, eco-chic tube top with a bold, black and white graphic print. And, since the top is upcycled from an new shower curtain, its been lined with grey taffetta for wearable comfort.

CBGB Top
from Jinxedasposed Clothing
(jinxydv8.etsy.com)

Now... its your turn readers. Put on your most fabulous fashionista and help coordinate a memorable outfit based on the inspiration piece.

Do You Want to Play Paper Dolls?
If so, here's how the Paper Dolls game works:

1. Check out this week's inspiration piece.

2. Browse ANY shop on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com) and hunt for coordinates to complete the fashionable look, using the CBGB Top from FDL Team Member, jinxydv8. You may look for boot/shoes, jewelry, accessories, bags, and any other items any Etsy shop (including your own).

3. Once you've found some items that match, come back here and leave a comment with an item listing link.

We will be selecting the items you list in the Comments below and revealing a complete outfit in two weeks-- so be sure to come back to the FDL Team Blog then for the outfit reveal.

This edition written by FDL Street Team Member Susan of Capitola Girl Jewelry and the Capitola Girl blog.

SPROUTS

The March challenge for the team was Sprouts where we assembled a moodboard of inspiration including a colour palette that we could all follow. Photos courtesy of peertje, Lala, and gareth.barlow.
We thought of green and spring and new wonderful life sprouting in the earth. As always, this exceptionally talented team was inspired to create amazing pieces! Here are just a few.

Daintycrochetbyaly always creates beautiful crocheted items, no matter what the season.

This challenge inspired CelesteCraft to create a whole new line of Sprouts hats.

Even from the southern hemisphere, AllThingsPretty was able to create this exquisite headpiece for the challenge.

The colors of this felted scarf by Amysfunkyfibers makes you feel the warm air.

Knittingguru created this lovely spring floral piece to wear, regardless of the weather.

Leave it up to Kristensteinfineart to bring spring to your home with her nature inspired paintings.

For your little sprout, Barbaralousboutique has created this absolutely adorable dress.

These earrings by capitolagirl just scream spring.

Nuvonova uses gorgeous spring colors in her journals.

Here's my new favorite t-shirt from Octopedalarts.

Love the Victorian style of these wrist warmers from Happiknits.

And I have to sneak in my own creation for the challenge, from ThirdFloor.

Well, maybe that is more than a few but this team created so many amazing things, I has to treat your eyes to more than a few! Search "fdlmarch" on Etsy to find more great Sprouts challenge items from this team. Search "fdlteam" to see all of the team's wonderful creations.

Till next time,

Beth

Third Floor Designs