awww, i'm gushing for alexis...so bear with me. i'm so proud of her for finally starting her very own etsy shop! we featured alexis's blog " my mama made it" a while ago and have been following her everyday since! i can't wait to see what she comes up with next and still can't figure out how she does it all with 3 little ones! congrats alexis!!!

oh my gosh! i am so in love with the coffee table that chez larsson has up this week! her hubby & son made it for her! could you imagine! insert my drool here please....wow! i'll take one! she easily has one of the most organized homes i have ever seen - needless to say, i am an avid reader of her blog for her how to's and great tips for keeping things clutter free.

vanessa over on v&co shows how to refashion a skirt into a dress for the little girl in your life.

learn how to make one cute little manicure kit cover! what a great gift this would make! {via craftgossip}


take a peek over at the celebration shoppe to make up some of these owl softies for that special little someone in your life! these look like fun! {via craftgossip}

check out the great school lunchbag roundup that whip up's got going on! some great ideas there as well as this post with some helpful links for machine quilting how to's!

learn how to make a cute fabric poppy boutonniere over on grosgrain.

tired of sewing or knitting your grocery totes? why not try crocheting one instead? purl bee has a great little pattern to whip up a few of these lovelies.

here's some promos/contests going on this week that i couldn't miss out on telling you all about:

is your child a budding artist? interested in taking the family on a free cruise? go check out the virtual book of dreams contest held by carnival cruise lines to celebrate their newest ship "carnival dream". kids of ages 7-12 get to draw out their dream to get a chance to win lots of fun prizes for them and the family! click here for more info on rules/regulations and to enter! i love the creativity involved in this giveaway!

i wish i had heard about the site www.babysafetravel.com a long time ago - i think it's fabulous! what a great idea! i could have used this site many a time when we have travelled with mackenzie. bonus is they also have an online boutique with some sweet gear to make travelling with your wee ones a bit easier. enter the promo code 'summertravel' for 10% off baby travel products in the baby boutique.

i've written about chalkboard tees before so i figured i couldn't get away without mentioning the special promo they have going on right now just in time for xmas. get your pre-orders in before december 1st 2009 (they get shipped out 12/12/09) and you receive 20% off! just use the promo code chalkyhood - how sweet is that?!

things i'm luving this week:

-satch & sol is having 15% off everything in t heir online store this week for back to school till sunday, september 13th. use the promo code "school15". i LOVE this store!
- learn how to make a pediment from a picture frame over on the shabby chic cottage.
- i enjoyed the interview over on gathering sprigs with leslie shewring of "a creative mint".
- i'll take one of everything over on bliss's annual boots roundup - *warning* shoeaholics beware, this is a dangerous, dangerous post! i had to hide my credit cards!
- craftypod's got a new e-book out called " creating a blog audience". you may remember her first one making the rounds entitled "making a great blog: a guide for creative people".
- you a fan of the blog darling dexter? make sure to check out her newly launched etsy shop " whitney deal".
- check out the catalogue from tine k home and be prepared to drool and want to print out everything for your inspiration board - lovely, lovely things. {via decor8}
- great roundup of tea cosies over on " meet me at mike's".
- digging the site poladroid after reading about it over on the lil blue boo. it's fun and easy to use! so dig up some pics and polaroid the heck outta them!
- katie from the blog katie did is back with the cutest sprinkler suit i have ever seen.
- we've all been pondering making our own undies so why not our bras too? here's a tute over on instructables if you wanna give it a shot!
- i'm all over this sweater refashion for the fall/winter season! find out how to refashion one of your own over on smashed peas and carrots! too cute!
- i'm going to making up some of these adorable diaper straps from calico to help keep all those stray diapers from flying around in your bag - great idea!
what are you luving from this post? what projects are you linking this week?