The Beauty of Handmade

There is hope in handmade.  It's that tiny piece of America that stands proudly on the art of craftsmanship and transcends the beauty of individuality with the work of fine minded hands.  As a small business owner and designer, it is my genuine intent that I support, indulge and furthermore, encourage my clients and friends to tap into these amazingly creative souls that make up the beauty of small.

I have written about her before here 4 years ago.  When looking for something special and unique for some people very dear to me, I found Juliet.  Simply put, I cannot say enough sweet things about this designer.  Although, we have never met, I can tell you that she is nothing short of wonderful.  Her talented hands give life to beautiful pieces that I have not only given as gifts but wear myself. I contacted her with an  idea I wanted to do for a necklace for my sister-in-law, Kim, and best friend, Arlene.  I wanted this gift to have meaning.  Juliet listened and heard my requests for these special designs.  She was so considerate and careful to be sure not to leave any part of my requests out in her work.  Above is the necklace she crafted for me 4 years ago from our client/artist design collaboration.  

Here I am wearing it 4 years ago when the this necklace was brand spankin new:

And, here I am still wearing it this summer, 4 years later:

I cherish this necklace as a part of my jewelry collection.  I wear it at least 2-3 times a week.  I cannot tell you the number of compliments I receive when I have it on.  It looks beautiful worn alone.  I've also been mixing metals with shorter and longer chains with it as of late, and I am very happy with the look it helps complete as well.

Like I said earlier, I have given Juliet's work away to Kim when Mollye was born. The poem I wrote with the necklace gift was just exactly what I wanted to give my niece's mom.  I so appreciated Juliet's hands in allowing this personal gift to come to life.

And, Juliet has been my go-to girl when it was time to add-on to Kim's necklace.  Once Mallory was born, I contacted Juliet to make the larger disc with Mallory's name on it to complete Kim's necklace.  Below is a picture of Kim wearing it this summer.  Here is Juliet's listing for this design.  Kim's words when she received Mallory's disc to complete her necklace: 

"I knew it!  I told Adam I knew that you would have this for me.  I am so excited to have it and cannot wait to wear it even more now!"

I did the same thing for my sweet friend, Arlene once her daughter, McKenzie, was born. I loved purchasing from Juliet knowing that I had the perfect future gift in mind when my loved ones' families continued to grow. McKenzie's disc was placed in behind her older's brother's disc to complete Arlene's necklace. 

I have also designed a set of 3 rectangular charms for my long time friend, Heather.  Juliet crafted these  with Heather's sons' names on each. I gave them to Heather as a baby gift when her 3rd son, Cooper, was born.  

Alison, one of my dear friends, loved my necklace and gifting ideas along with the meaning behind it so much that she contacted Juliet for her design expertise.  Alison has enjoyed her custom 3 disc necklace for almost 3 years now.  Here she is with it on this summer:

And the gifting from the work of Juliet's hands hasn't stopped there. Our sweet, long time friend, Taylor Raye,  was also a recipient of one of Juliet's designs.  Once again, Juliet collaborated with me to create a one-of-kind necklace just for her. Kenny had a bible verse on his heart he had chosen for Taylor Raye.  He wanted it to be something she carried with her throughout her life.  Juliet paired this verse with Taylor Raye's monogram on this 2 tone metal design.  We gave this necklace to her for her graduation from high school.

                  

Juliet's creativity is limitless.  She is conscientious in choosing pathways for all clients and their gifting needs not to mention budget.  Here are some of her unpersonalized designs for sweet gifting ideas:

Daisymay owner, Juliet, is a homeschooling mother of three who makes her home in California.  Her words regarding her business:

"Making jewelry is the perfect creative outlet for me. Creating custom pieces is my favorite part!" 

How do I  custom order from Daisymay's shop?

1.   Go here and begin shopping.  She is taking custom orders from now until the end of November for Christmas gifting.  

 2.   She is offering a discount to all readers of this post.  Please use the coupon code 10DISCOUNT to receive 10% off your final purchases from her shop.  How nice is that?!

 3.   Juliet is also offering a giveaway!
A winner for this killer cute necklace will be drawn tomorrow afternoon.

How to enter to win this necklace?  Simply leave a comment on my blog or k.Mac Facebook page.  That's it! 

In this season of gifting and giving, I happily invite the art of handmade to nestle sweetly under your tree.  For in this package, hope and heart will surely be given.  And, because of this, the beauty of small makes America that much stronger.

.mac :)

Build-a-Bunny

An Easter party is going on here at k.Mac.  And, like any good hostess, I want to officially invite you to put your party pumps on and join in.  k.Mac's 1st Annual Build-a-Basket was all kinds of fun!  I can barely wait to showcase these couture Easter basket designs.  With that being said, I must tell you that I received the most disturbing phone call today from one Mr. E.B. Longears.  Yes, the Easter Bunny contacted me only to voice his concern for my handmade priorities.  It seems the bunny feels I am ignoring him and putting more emphasis on the egg. 

Well, I can't have him feeling that way this close to his time to shine now can I? 

If you can build-a-basket then of course you can build-a-bunny!  Check out these sample selections.

For the boy!  Here is a drafted sketch of a white furry bunny on a chocolate tee with argile ribbon bow tie.  I love the pale pink and cream ticking fabric for the ear's inset.  Black fuzzy nose too!

And, perhaps the white bunny isn't your style?

Well, how about a brown bunny? Chocolate corduroy with gray whiskers and yellow dot bow tie is drafted here.  The chocolate corduroy bunny is the unexpected choice for Easter, but one I adore epecially for a little boy.

Then, there's Miss Bunny.  She's cute and sassy with her double layered bow perched sweetly askew on that precious ear of hers.  Baby pink gingham ears atop white fur has me all kinds of giddy I tell you.

These drafted tee designs were offered in a pre-sale to clients on my email contact list.  The orders came in by the whazoo with glee.  Regular price of appliqued tees by k.Mac's {mollyemade} are $20.00 not including shipping.  I am offering these Build-a-Bunny tees on sale for $17.00 WITH FREE SHIPPING from now until the end of March.

Here are the choices of tees:


For the baby boy:

For the little man:

For the baby girl:

For the growing lassie:

For the growing lady:

So,  have you slipped your party pumps on yet?  If so, I'm so happy!  I'm wearing my coral peep toes.  What did you choose?  And, on the topic of choosing, you have more of that to do!  Once you choose your tee color and style of bunny, you can choose the font of your child's name as well as the colors you want for the bunny's coordinating ribbon.  

Here are the ribbon options for Mr. Bunny's bow tie:

Here are options for Miss Bunny's k.Mac Hair Happy {choose 2!}:

And, I need you to listen to all that I say here.  

Seriously. 

 You got your ears on?  

I adore being a creator of handmade items.  Allowing me the privilege to do this for a profession is like my feet having tap shoes on ALL.THE.TIME.  I get such joy from hand drawing each applique I create.  I like the eclectic twist and detailed features of hand drawn so much more than the quick turn out of a computer generated and stitched applique.  So, should you choose to invest in one of k.Mac's appliqued tees, I want your child to get the most wear and use out of it.  I want to encourage you to order a size larger than you typically do if you are the mama of a toddler, young lady or young man.  The 1st Easter season, the shirt will fit a little more loosely and the 2nd Easter season will be a fit that's just right.  For $17.00 WITH FREE SHIPPING and for 2 years use, I think you are getting a wonderful deal. Alright, I think I'm done mothering you with your order now. {grin}

So, now I wanna love on you!  With each Build-a-Bunny tee purchase, you will receive a {mollyemade} appliqued tee rewards card. I will keep track of each applique tee you purchase and your 13th one is FREE!  Applique tees are great for birthday celebrations, birthday gifts for friends' children and are so wonderful to have for all the holidays too. Before you know it, that #12 will be punched.

Especially if you purchase a Build-a-Bunny shirt as I AM PUNCHING #1 AND #2 FOR THIS PURCHASE!

Come on, build-a-bunny.  Because remember:  it's NOT about the egg; it's about the BUNNY. Contact meghan@kmaccreations.com to order.

Help me get back in ole longears good graces, 

.mac :)

p.s.  Would you like to be on k.Mac's email list?  If so, send me your email at meghan@kmaccreations.com.  I will be sure to include you in all pre-sales and early promotion deals.

p.p.s.  Congratulations Michelle Meacham!  You are the winner of k.Mac's cosmetic bag giveaway. Thank you for all who participated!

Quick and Sweet

That would be Eli and his learning as well as the announcement of the winner of April's k.Mac Sling Fling!

He wanted to help.
Stuck right by my side and figured out our total number contestants too. Then wrote the numbers.Waited patiently for mama to cut them up quickly and then it was showtime!

Congratulations, MysteryHistoryMom! Contact me at meghan@kmaccreations to hand over those 3 little letters and one nice address!

Thanks to all who entered this giveaway. I really liked hearing your answers to my questions of choice. Toenail polish, Halloween candy, and good books are totally some of my favorite things!

If you weren't the winner, no worries! You just keep right on playing. There will be several giveaways within the month of November as to gear up for Christmas and the season of giving!

Now off to tend to my little helper who has now a fever of 103. :(

My sweet sick little man...

.mac

~A Delightful Delay~

Ladies and yes, the ONE gentleman that have entered the BIG k.Mac handbag giveaway,

Blame the tardiness in my unveiling on these girls. They arrived a bit earlier than anticipated, and well, the boys and I have had to just scoop them up ever since.

Cousin lOvE never felt so good.

The winner will be announced Tuesday, October 20th FOR CERTAIN peeps!

Keep those fingers crossed until then!!

.mac :)

Spotlight

I started this business of designing handbags based on the joys of expressing who you are and on the beauty that comes with being the unique individual that God made you to be.
I wanted this business to be an outfit where fun, creativity, and personalization could be experienced by each and every client as well as myself in the designing process.

And the best part of it all to me would be the relationship I built with each and every individual I invested my time and craft with along the way.

And so far, I have done just that.

Meet April from Straight From The Heart. She was one of two lucky winners who won a 50% off design session on any size k.Mac "Sling Fling" from this giveaway. I cannot say enough sweet, wonderful things about this amazing mama and blog friend. She is kind, fiery, determined, a visionary, consistent, a perfectionist, and so upbeat.

And the crazy part about all of this is, I have NEVER even met her!

That's my impression of April from reading her blog daily as well as working with her in designing her custom handbag.

I truly enjoyed sending her fabric collections until she found just the right one. It was my pleasure to talk with her regarding the choices she was making with her purchase. The details are everything to me as I want them to be just right for my customers.

She was back and forth on whether to do a monogram or just a "W" for her last name. I love the bold and classy look the cranberry "W" provides.

After receiving her custom design, she had this to say about her purchase:

Oh, my goodness, Meghan...do I ever LOVE it!!! You did such a fabulous job and it's a million times better than I envisioned...which was pretty darn good! :) Thank you from the very bottom of my heart...

Love,
April

And that's exactly what k.Mac is about.

Giving people the opportunity to express exactly who they are in the handbag they carry.

Upon each and every bag design giveaway, I wanted to be intentional about celebrating the uniqueness of each winner in true k.Mac fashion.

So, I devised 21 questions. #21 being my lucky number.

21 questions for each winner to answer. These questions are based upon the every days of my life in a sorta silly way.

So, without further adieu, let's enjoy April, shall we?

What is one thing you do everyday and never miss?
I pray...and I eat a big bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast! What better way to start my day off right!

Approximately, how many pairs of shoes do you own?
Around 40...some of them I REALLY need to donate!

What is your signature color?
Now, that's a tough question! I like so many different colors, it's hard to say! I'm a huge fan of red, but I don't really like it on me. I love burgundy A LOT, but I'd probably have to say black because it's such a versatile color...goes with just about anything.

If you were stranded on an island and could only take one make-up item, what would it be?
Well, if I were stranded on an island, I don't think I'd care too much about how I looked, so I'd have to say that it would be my Eurcerin Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30. I've got to protect my skin, you know! I wear it every day under my makeup.

Have you ever played in the rain?
Yes, on several occasions. However, I don't particularly care for how it feels when your clothes are soaking wet and they stick to your skin. Ugh!

What do you love most about your husband?
Simply put, I love that he loves me...and he's short, too! It's not easy, at times, when I'm suffering from PMS and pre-menopausal issues, but he understands and accepts me just as I am. He even tells me that I'm beautiful when I roll out of bed in the morning with no makeup on and my hair going every which way! I think he's way past due for an eye examination! :)

What are your children’s biggest strengths?
Abby, my 13 year old, has the sweetest, most sentimental heart. She never fails to say or do just the right thing whenever I need it most. Brittany, my 17 year old, is a talented athlete and has an amazing sense of humor. She makes me laugh about something every single day!

What is your favorite season?
I love Fall! That's when my hubby and I got married almost 20 years ago (our anniversary is next week!). I love all the changing colors on the trees and how the air is so crisp.

Best vacation you ever took was:
Sedona, Arizona. It was so relaxing and laid back. We spent our days exploring and hiking. We made some of the best memories as a family! I would definitely have to say that it's one of the prettiest places I've ever been in the US.

Peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese sandwich? Which do you pick?
I'm a huge fan of good ol' PB &J.

What are you passionate about?
LIFE! I lost my mom, brother, and dad in a period of 6 short years beginning in 2000. It taught me to never take a single breath or day for granted...and to cherish those I love with all my heart and soul. You just never know what tomorrow might bring.

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
My wedding ring. It's a constant reminder and symbol of the vow I took nearly 20 years ago before God, and family and friends to love, honor, and cherish my hubby forever and always...and I DO!

Name one dream that has come true for you.
To be a stay-at-home mom. I have a Master's degree in speech-language pathology, but I gave up my career 17 1/2 years ago to raise my girls. It's a decision that I can honestly say I've never once regretted. HOME is where I want and need to be.

You can only pick one: watch TV, read a book, take a nap, or go for a walk. Which would you pick?
Well, normally, I'd choose to go for a walk. I'm a huge nature lover and I enjoy being outdoors, especially this time of year. However, being that I get up every morning at 5:15 AM to see Brittany off to school, I think I'll go with a nap. I'm so sleep-deprived, it's not even funny!
In my spare time, I : exercise, organize, or blog!

What’s the best advice you have ever given?
Well, Abby went through a period when some boys on the bus were picking on her. She tried to handle it on her own for awhile, but I ended up having to get the vice principal involved and the issue was resolved in a timely manner. However, I sat Abby down and had a long talk with her. I told her to "never allow anyone to make you feel less than what you are." I explained that she had to believe in herself and to always remember that God was watching over her.

What makes you unique?
I might be short, little, petite...whatever you want to call it. However, if someone hurts my family or anyone I love dearly, I'm a spitfire, as my dad would say!

One thing people would probably NEVER guess about me is…
I'm a Broadway musical fanatic! Ever since I saw "Cats" with my mom years ago, I've been hooked! In fact, I know just about every song from "Cats" by heart! It's my ongoing lifelong dream to sing on Broadway one day. It isn't that I have the set of pipes to, actually, pull it off, but I'd love to stand up on that stage and be in the spotlight. Oh, what I'd give!

Favorite room in your house is? Why?
I'd have to say our basement because it's the place where we have "Family Movie Night" and play the Wii together. We're a very competitive family!

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right-handed.

What do you love about your k.Mac design?
It's so ME! I love the pretty Fall colors and the mixture of polka dots and stripes. It's so roomy inside, too!

I told you she was just THE best!!!

You want a stab at these 21?

Okay!
What's up for grabs?

Well, in honor of April...how about we say....April's bag!

No, we aren't taking April's bag from her and no, you don't need to be bummed if your last name doesn't start with a "W"!

The winner of this giveaway will receive 1 medium k.Mac "Sling Fling" in our "Freshly Fallen" fabric collection WITH your monogram.

To enter: Leave me a comment answering one of the following:
{cause I like it when I have choices}
1. I like your handbags because ___________________.
2. My favorite Halloween candy is ____________.
3. My favorite toenail polish color is __________________.
4. A good book I just finished reading was ________________.

To be entered 3 times in addition to your 1st entry, you could mention this giveaway with a link to this post. You could. Just me me know if you do!

The winner of a replica of April's "Sling Fling" will be announced, Monday, October 19th!

It feels good to be in the spotlight every now and again.

Good Luck!

.mac :)

~turned up~

Your mouth just turns up quick-like when the mail lady drops this off on your door step.

And then when you open that cutey-cute box, well, it happens again.

And again.
And again.

Turned up.

Curled up.

Chompers are out in full force when you get a box stuffed full of the essentials for relaxing and pressing the gas pedal of girlyness down for a bit.

And the icing on top?

It was from a friend that I have never met but totally love! Ruby Red Slippers has a blog that I really enjoy following. Lions, and Tigers, and Boys Oh My is, without a doubt, one of my favorites.

Chalk it up to her raising boys like me, being a SAHM like me, enjoying decor and design like me, being an educator like me, I don't know. Let's just say I feel at home reading her.

She is one of my blog blessings as I like to call them. Kinda like this sweet friend too. Our paths have never physically or officially crossed, but I can say that my life feels richer just having their words around to read. Their comments left and words posted are sometimes just exactly the right inspiration or laugh that I need.

Ruby Red just had a super fab giveaway in which I was one of the winners.

Crazy, I know.

The Cranberry Bubble Bath is beyond yummy.

The People magazines were devoured cover to cover by me sitting next to my mother-in-law with feet propped up and wine in hand on her back deck. The boys were nearby pummeling one another in the back yard in a game of 1 v 1 football action. {Larro, their grandfather, was the referee}

Coffee was delish.

The CD is perfectly laid back and easy.

I still have the nail polish and novel to dive into and I will.

I am trying to obstain from the kid-in-the-candy-store inside of me who wants to "eat it all at once"

Pampering takes time, ladies.

So do friendships.

Even when you've never met.

Thanks, Ruby~

.mac :)

Tucked

Ties look great with a nice crisp oxford all tucked in the waistline, don't you think? Or who can resist a little guy like Lincoln with his hip untucked look.

Tucked in is what we have been with our little visitor since Tuesday evening. Tucked in with our B's (blankets are called this at our home), our cousins, and uncle for night time snuggles before bedtime. Tucked into days upon days of a steady streamline of pitter-patters on our roof leaving creativity at an all time high indoors.

Tucked in with Mollye. Blocks, books, "bawls" (Mollye's word for balls), and mEoWs at the sharpest pitch you can say it. The boys have loved her here. Uncle Kenny too. Aunt Meghan probably most of all.

Whether it be collared shirts with the perfect tie, bed quilts wrapped around you snuggled up with the ones you hold dear, or the love you have tucked in your heart for the the littles ones around you, tucked is a good thing.

Kinda like these conestants all tucked in waiting on a winner.

And I wonder how our winner will choose to wear his shirt with his matching k.Mac tie?

I can bet anyway he chooses he will be ultra hip, totally cute, and completely unique compliments of k.Mac. Contact me at meghan@kmaccreations.com to start your design session on this great little prize!

Thank you to all who entered. I appreciate new followers whom which I can visit and learn more about their place in this life through their written words. I appreciate all of your responses as to what makes a birthday special too. Birthdays each and every year are a one-of-a-kind in decoration, guests, and a new round at another 365 set.

And it is with a special place in my heart I wish k. of k.Mac a happy belated birthday. Her bash last year was outstanding. I can only imagine how her country breakfast dinner treated her this year!

Lastly, a special thank you to Kacey from Chronicles of a Mommy for featuring my work. I consider it a prviliege to have been a small part of the BIG bash happening tomorrow for the twins!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

I do hope you find time to find yourself tucked some place happy!

.mac :)

Future "Present"

I see these in her future.

Cause these are in my pReSeNt!

YEEE-HAAAAWWWWWWWWW!

Oh, by the way, she's here.


.mac :)

p.s. Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway here as it ends tomorrow!

Tongue Tied

That's what Kacey from Chronicles of a Mommy and I have been. Tongue tied in cyberland. We have done nothing but bond over projects for her twins, photography dreams, and fashion. I can't tell you the amount of late night emails this girl and I have exchanged over shoes, girls.

This is exactly why I love blogging. I have never met Kacey. Only talked with her once on the phone to be exact, and I feel like through our words written and my help designing for the twins, we have a friendship. Just the simple comments she leaves on my blog, make me smile, perk up my day, and at times have me rollin' in the floor laughing. Blogging is a good thing.

Kacey had a problem awhile back. She found a wonderful dress for Ruby Jane that needed something. She wasn't sure what, but definitely something. So she called out for help on her blog.

One simple comment later, and she and I were in full blown tongue tied design sessions for the twins birthday party!
And gladly, k.Mac whisked Kacey off her SAHM feet and came to the rescue. Her twins, Lincoln and Ruby Jane, will celebrate their 2nd year of life this Thursday. On the hunt to plan the perfect party, Kacey inquired about k.Mac services. She wanted her twinkies to look outstanding for their Owl themed birthday party.

For Miss Ruby Jane we added a brown ribbon bow to her pink Ralph Lauren seersucker dress and finished it off with a beautiful monogram in chocolate to match. Now that. That's something. Just look at this cutie pie!

There's crinoline under that skirt. This picture makes me anxiously await the twirl I can only imagine she's about to do.

Then there's Mr. Lincoln. Debonair doesn't fully cut it for this guy at a mere almost 2, wouldn't you agree? Kacey wanted a trendy look for her little man. She opted for a k.Mac handmade tie complete with a masculine monogram to suit this guy up for the BIG 2!

Our child sized ties come in any fabrics you choose with over 60 fonts to select from. Lincoln is ready set to dive into some hooty-hoot cake come Thursday.

And these 2 are on their way. On their way to their next year of life. Loved up beyond measure, side by side along with their big brother, Ryder, they are completely fearless in living life to its maxim.

And so is their mama. The photos of the twins in this post is just the start of her big dreams. She is currently gearing up to begin her journey into photography. It is her passion; her heart's desire. As you can see, she is quickly skilled with the click of the camera. I look forward to watching her business unfold and find the success it is destined for.

And me? Well, I'm happy as punch to be able to have been a part of the twin's birthday celebration, for a new found blog friend who is guaranteed to keep this mama here hip to the game in fashion, and for the opportunity to give something away!

Yes, sisters.
You heard correctly.
In honor of the twins turning 2, I am giving away Lincoln's tie!

No, not HIS actual tie, but a replica of his with any monogram you wish on the front in your choice of color threading.

How do you enter?

1. Leave me a comment on this post letting me know who this tie will be for should you be the lucky winner. Will it be for your son, a nephew, a cousin, a grandson, a Christmas gift?
2. And don't forget to tell me one more thing: What's your favorite part about birthdays?
   
   

Want to be entered 3 times instead of 1?

No problem. Just follow my blog and consider it done!

I will announce a winner Friday, 9/18.

Tie sizes range from 3 months to 12 years.

Now go find someone new today in blog land to get tongue tied with!

You never know who is just a click or comment away from a connection that could last forever!

.mac :)