Would you like one of my dolls for FREE? Enter my contest here!

Welcome to my first giveaway!! The item that I am giving away is this little man named Peter. My son Reed named him for me. Reed has both a cousin and a friend Peter. However, this doll looks nothing like either of those people:)

I started making dolls last summer using a combination of new, vintage, and my hand printed fabrics. The dolls with moustaches have been very popular with the ladies! Peter's tie is one of my screen prints. I love geometrics. This one was inspired by the concrete block walls of mid century modern fame. Unintentionally, it looks a bit like funky caning too:)

If you think Peter would look nice sitting on your couch...or maybe he would be a welcome addition to your child's doll collection...or maybe you just love him...please enter my giveaway.

It's going to be pretty simple. Answer the question below to enter. The draw will take place on Friday, January 27th.

The question is...What is your favourite handmade item? It could be something you made, bought, or were given as a gift. It could be something you use everyday. Or maybe it is something you have up on a shelf. Perhaps it is framed on your wall. It could even be tucked away in a trunk somewhere.

Thanks for entering my giveaway! If it goes well, I will do more in the future for sure.

Heidi

facebook.com/heidivanveendesigns

Studee - O

It's that time of the year again...My studio looks like a hurricane went through it. I am trying to organize and purge and sort...and it's completely overwhelming. I am a fabric and notions hoarder. It's best to just come clean and admit it.

I went to buy more bins and decided against it. No point in having more places to pack things away where I can never find them.

I think instead I should invest in some cork board and make a spot to hang up my scissors and rulers? haha

I was just trying to go onto Pinterest so I could see some beautiful studios and get movitated...but Pinterest is unavailable...I guess I will just have to tackle the mess on my own.

Both kids are napping. No time like the present to get down there and get to it!!

A year in review:)

My top ten highlights of 2011....in no particular order....
1. Finally got to meet my friends Nora and Jill (and lots of other lovely ladies who I adore!) in DC. I had a great weekend and it was so nice to get away, see a new place, and meet up with some amazing friends.



2. Tommy and I spent a long weekend in New York. It was our five year wedding anniversary trip and the first time we had left the kids and gone away like that. It was definitely a highlight of my year...mostly because I got to reconnect with Tommy and spend some time in a city I love.



3. We went to Nova Scotia for our annual summer vacation. We rented cottages with our some of our best friends. All of the kids got to spend time on the ocean in the east coast..and spend time with our fantastic families who we don't get to see often enough.



4. Reed turned 3 and Penny turned 2...Both of the kids potty trained this year which was full of ups and downs:)



5. Reed has really changed and turned into a little boy with a huge imagination. He started preschool and loves it. It is a co-op so I go and help out a couple of times a month. I really enjoy the time with the kids too.



6. I started looking after my niece Summer during the day while my sister in law is at work. It was chaotic, and hilarious, and really a whirlwind...my kids are lucky to be able to spend so much time with a cousin. We were always with our cousins when we were growing up and I loved it.



7. Penny started talking in full sentences and never stops talking...she gets that from me...



8. I was an exhibitor in the One of a Kind show again. I was really lucky and they used my work in the marketing campaign for the show. I got some great exposure and the show was wicked. I sold out of several of my products and accepted orders for after the show. I had my work in some newspapers, on TV, on blogs, and in Today's Parent magazine. Honestly, it was insane!!!



9. I went to the ballet for the first time in Toronto with two of my best friends. The ballet was cool...but spending the day shopping and then spending the night in a really nice hotel with them was what made it awesome.



10. And to cap off the year, we had a really nice Christmas at home with the kids, and Tommy's immediate family.





And 2012's list is going to be amazing too....