tutorial + sew and tell tuesday

tutorial tuesday is back again, but this time with some lovely summer tutorials. i learned from hosting my last garden party, that a schedule and deadlines are too demanding, not to mention quite overwhelming. and so, please bare with me if i do not publish a tutorial or "finding joy friday" every week. :) 

:: how to sew a zippered pouch :: 

{with ruffles not to mention!} 

if you ladies adore Gussy's beauteous {yet, might i add expensive} pouches, well, she's revealing a few of her secrets on how to make lovely ruffled clutches which you can view by clicking the link above.

:: gathered ruffled pouch :: 

:: end of the summer wristlet ::

and yes, i know i have posted this tutorial probably thousands of times, but i love it so much and is it not fitting with the name "end of the summer" in front of it? *smile* somebody please sew this for me!!!

alright, now for the "sew and tell" part of the post. when {if} you read this post, you probably noticed a little different title. this is because i have decided to host a link up during my garden party in which i hope a few of you will participate in. all you have to do is post on your blog either a tutorial or a craft project that you have been working on, linking up your post to the bottom of this one so that i may view {along with many others} what you are working on. 

next week, i will post another "tutorial tuesday" and link up while also "featuring" my favorite post out of the ones in this week's link up. now, i know that things will be slow at the beginning, but if all goes well, i should like to host these link ups as a weekly thing. 

for instance, i hope to work on this project soon ::

{click the picture to view tutorial} 

now it's your turn. post something that you've been working on. you can post it on facebook, blogger, flicker, etc., just be sure to link up back here so i can see!:) 

happy crafting!

-Grace

let's celebrate!

Good day! How lovely 't is that you have joined me in my garden on this lovely summer {albeit a wee bit hot :)} afternoon. Well, since my May Garden Party was such a success and since my little garden o' mine has been very quiet as of late, I decided to host an August Garden Party! Although, 't is not to be as grand an occasion as my past garden party, I still have ten wonderful people who are sponsoring some lovely giveaway and have gathered a few craft tutorials and guest posters lined up for you as well, since I shall be away for a week during the festivities. 

Let's start this end-of-the-summer garden party with another garden party tag, shall we? Pictures would be quite wonderful in your post as well. 

{one} can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

{you can list a few of your favorite things, pastimes, and an insight to your daily life etc.} 

Well, most of my readers know me pretty well. If you are new to my blog, stumbling upon my garden through the garden party, first off welcome! I am so delighted to have you here. 


Secondly, I am a fourteen years of age Christian young lady {turning fifteen the 25th of this October}, an avid reader of historical fiction {I simply cannot obtain enough!:)}, aspiring writer and photographer, dreamer of whimsy, lover of vintage and any old-fashion, baker of sweets, gardener, inspired by beauty, and daughter of the King of kings. I am 100% of Chinese heritage, but my heart belongs in Europe where I hope to travel one day. I am a crafter, most definitely, loving to knit, crochet, embroider, hand/machine sew, and make cards. To learn more about me visit "about the keeper of the garden" at the top of the page. 

{two} what are a few of your favorite summertime activities?

Swimming is a big part of my daily activities. I am usually found either at the local pool, teaching little ones how to swim, or at the waterpark as a jr. camp counselor.

I also enjoy a great deal of reading, blogging, baking, crafting, gardening, and things that I do not have time for during the school year, although, sadly this year I did not complete everything on my "to do" list. 

{three} tell us a few of your fondest past summer memories.

Hmm...well, I do remember going on a lot of vacations with my family during the summertime and to this day I am still traveling with family during the summer. My family and I have been all over including Hawaii, Los Angeles, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe {Nevada} and more.

I also cherish the memories of swimming in the river in Yosemite, climbing the rocks at Happy Isles, and listening to the chirping of crickets in the crisp evenings.   

{four} what was your favorite memory of this summer?

Well, relatives from all over the country came to stay in our  little "neck of the woods." My aunt and uncle of Oregon as well as Washington, my cousins from Virginia, my aunt and uncle and cousins from Arizona as well as my recently-moved sister spent a day at the beach, which was more like an "unofficial" family reunion. I saw people that I hadn't seen in years which was so nice, besides, spending a day in the cool water of the ocean was quite refreshing!:)  

{five} one summer you would like to travel to ________ for a week {or two :)}

If I had a choice and money was no object, I would most definitely choose Italy. I yearn to walk up and down the cobblestone streets of Italy, and hear the waves lapping against the shore of the Mediterranean. 

{six} a few things that bring joy to your heart during the summer.

Well, the beach, first of all. Spending time with friends and family. Hot days and cool, breezy evenings. Starry skies and listening to concerts from the fair. :P Swimming. Golden sunsets and the buzz of bees pollinating lavender. *happy sigh* Summer is one of my favorite seasons...   

{seven} what is your favorite summertime treat? favorite scent?

That has to be...fresh fruit. As much as I LOVE ice cream, root beer floats, cupcakes, etc. I am so in love with fresh, farmer's market fruit. Watermelons, cherries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines - it all suits my taste. Lavender is my favorite summer scent, to be sure, oh, and the scent of BBQ's and campfires. Ahhhh.... 

{eight} of the places you have traveled to, favorite summer vacation destination?

I would have to say...a little town nestled in the Colorado mountains by the name of Durango. Oh, it was SO sweet; we spent a week out of our two week vacation in this little town. We walked downtown quite often, eating at this delicious restaurant that served blue cheese coleslaw, shopping in the little used book stores, and since we were staying during the fourth of July, the fireworks were amazing!!! I remember tasting the best barbecue chicken at the town's annual BBQ cook-off. :D *sigh* Fond memories {a lot having to do with food ;)}...      

{nine} photographer or writer of summer? 

Both, really. I am a writer at heart, but photography is my passion. 

{ten} when summer finally ends {and believe me its coming all too quickly}, what will you miss the most? 

Probably, waking up at 9:00 in the morning, the sweetness of the summer air, and the freedom that this short season brings.

{Copy and paste the above questions. Once you have completed the questionaire, copy your direct post link, and link up to this post for all to see. :) Simple enough, no?} Cannot wait to read your answers. 

I think that we shall get along splendidly during my garden party, and oh what fun it shall be! :) 

Oh, and do stay for a spot of tea, for a giveaway is coming your way. :) 

Much Love,

Postscript ~ Please paste one of these buttons on your sidebar to spread the news :: 

<center><a href="http://gracesgardenwalk.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/1v3IH.jpg"/></a></center>

garden giveaway {no. 1} :: etsy chat with olive tree designs

Let's open this garden party with a giveaway, shall we? To-day's sponsor is... 

A lovely little boutique filled with the cutest {and most colorful :)} hair accessories 

'round. Ya'll will adore the lovelies that she sells in her shop! 

the interview

Me :: How delighted I am to have you here in my garden. Thank you so much for joining me. Would you mind starting by telling my readers a little bit about yourself?.

Christina :: I married my high school sweetheart. I have a 4 year old daughter and 2 year old son. I love Jesus, books, music, and I like a little coffee with my milk in the morning.

 Me :: What encouraged you to start and Etsy shop and when was it opened?  

Chrstina :: I just happened to stumble upon Etsy and thought... I can do this?!

Me :: Are there any particular Etsy shops that inspire you? 

Christina :: I amazed at all the talent on Etsy...I buy most of my supplies from Etsy and I love love love the little boy neckties.

Me :: Name a few of your top-selling items.

Christina :: I usually sell out of baby wipe cases as soon as I list them and of course anything holiday themed is a fast seller :) 

Me :: What is perhaps, the most enjoyable part about owning your own shop? 

Christina :: The freedom of making my own schedule...If I want to work, I work...If I need a break I take a break.

Me :: What inspires you as a crafter? 

Christina :: Everything...mostly color...In case you couldn't tell I like a lot of color. :)

Me :: I love your shop’s name! Is there a specific concept or story behind it? 

Christina :: My shop name came from Psalms 52: 8-9 : "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you..."

{This is why I ask questions like this...it's SO neat and inspiring to find shop's names with motives and a concepts so pure and God-honoring!} 

Me :: For the new Etsy shop owners out there, do you mind sharing a few of tips or things that you have learned through your experiences?

Christina :: Re-list often and renew often this is a lot of competition out there so if you only list once a week or so...no one will ever see your shop. Visit the forums, chat, join teams, and don't be afraid to do giveaways!! 

Me :: Is there any thing else you would like to add?

Christina :: Learn a little more about me @ www.treeofolive.blogspot.com

Thank you so much, Christina, for allowing me to do this interview with you! I pray that the Lord bless you and your home business.  

a peek into the shop

Christina sells the loveliest little hair accessories...

{click pictures to view listing}

and tooth fairy pillows...

baby wipe cases...

and the cutest fabric onsies...

Whatever you order from Christina will be lovely and bring a little color into your everyday life. :)

the giveaway

Christina has generously offered to give away this cute, feminine little headband to-day...

Is it not darling??? So feminine and summery. 

SPECIAL thanks to Christina for generously contributing a prize towards my garden party. 

:: important information ::
{please read carefully the following information}

{one} You must complete the mandatory entry before completing extra entries.

 {If you fail to complete the mandatory entry, all other entries will not count, thus, you will not be entered in the giveaway}. 

{two} You must leave separate comments per entry you complete. 

{I use random.org when choosing the winners of my giveaway. If you leave all of your entries in one comment, it will be accounted for as one entry}. 

{three} Giveaway ends at 12:00 Noon {Pacific Timing} on August 8th. Late entries will not be accepted past 12:00 Noon. The winner will have 24 hr. within the time of the announcement to contact me about her prize. 

{four} Giveaway is open to young ladies in US only. 

{five} Please leave a way for me to contact you whether it be an Etsy username, blog address, or e-mail. I WILL not accept separate comment for your e-mail. I apologize for this, but I simply cannot have e-mail address comments cluttering my inbox, for it is quite confusing and I sometimes delete them on accident. 

Alrighty, here's how to enter :: 

:: mandatory entry ::

Visit Christina's shop, look around, and come back here telling me what catches your eye.

{click banner to visit shop}

:: extra entries ::

Heart Christina's shop. 

Add Christina to your Etsy circle. 

Follow Christina's blog. {It's a lovely blog, and quite - as you guessed it - colorful!:)} 

Be or become a follower of my garden. {please follow only if you like what you see posted here, not just as a giveaway entry}.
{worth two entries; leave two separate comments}

Be or become a follower of my crafting blog. 

Post about this giveaway on your blog. {Be sure to include a garden party button}. 

Complete out my garden party tag, and add a button on your sidebar. 

Purchase an item from Christina's shop. {worth ten entries; leave ten comments} 

You may begin entering...NOW!

Love,
Grace