Happy Birthday, My Dear Blog!

Well, it's been one year since I started Emerging Em!

I can't believe it's been that long. My main inspiration for blogging came from my dear friend Mandy of Mandipidy fame, who was my first follower. Her blog, then called Mandy's Yellow Corner, was so cute that I wanted to create my own blog for sharing the things I love to make. She helped me through the (somewhat overwhelming) beginning stages of creating a blog, and I am forever thankful for that.

Here's my first post about my first forays into blogging and my first project.

About a week later, I opened my Etsy shop, and my rosette hairpins have become my most popular item!

I am so thankful for the sweet blog friends that I have made over this past year. You all have been so supportive and encouraging! My little blog has grown from one follower to over 80 followers, and I hope it continues to grow. My blog has now become a place to share not only my crafts but my adventures in life as well!

Thanks for reading along as I found my incredible boyfriend (or rather he found me)...

... and ran a half marathon...

...and graduated with my Master of Music degree.

To celebrate you, my wonderful readers, I would like to giveaway a $30 shop credit to Emerging Em!

To enter:

Please visit my shop and leave a comment telling me your favorite item.

Extra entries:

1. Follow my blog.

2. Become a fan of Emerging Em on Facebook.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you!

This giveaway will run through Friday, July 22nd, and I'll announce the winner the following day!

Your Favorite Color {A Winner}

Just popping in to announce the winner of the giveaway!

The winner of the necklace and hairpins and items from Mandipidy and Moonbeamwishes is...

...comment number 32, Gina from Hiya Luv!

Congrats Gina!

Disappointed you didn't win? Use the code BLOGFRIENDS30 for 30% off your purchase from Emerging Em until Wednesday, April 20th! Don't forget that I'm participating in Handmade With Purpose, and 50% of proceeds this month go to the American Diabetes Association. Please consider shopping for a worthy cause!

:)



Your Favorite Color {and a giveaway}

Remember how I told you that I would host a giveaway for reaching 50 followers?

Well, here it is!

I've teamed up with two other bloggers to give you a whole lot of cute stuff!

First up is the very sweet Ms. Megan, who blogs over at moonbeamwishes and sells her beautiful paper magic on Etsy.

She is giving away a $10 credit to her shop!

Here are some of my favorites.

Next up is the adorable Mandy from Mandipidy, who sells fun prints (and now cards!) on Etsy.

She is giving away the winner's choice of print!

My favorite right now is this...

...and I own one of these.

Lastly, I'll be giving away items from my Etsy shop.

The winner will receive a Rosette Necklace...

...and a set of hairpins, both in the winner's choice of color!

(They don't have to be the same color, of course.)

That's 50 dollars worth of delightful items!

To enter:

Leave a comment telling me what color or colors you would choose for the necklace and hairpins if you win.

Extra Entries:

1. Follow my blog.

2. Become a fan of Emerging Em on Facebook.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you!

The giveaway will run through Friday, April 15th, and I'll announce the winner next Saturday!

:)

Handmade With Purpose

I'm participating in Handmade with Purpose!

For the month of April, over 20 handmade shops and blogs have joined together to give back. Each of the particiating shops and blogs will be donating proceeds to the charity of their choice.

Please help us give back by:

-buying handmade goods from participating shops

-sponsoring participating blogs

-donating to designated charities

-spreading the word on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter

{#handmadewithpurpose}

Please visit Handmade With Purpose, and specifically this post, to receive updates and to learn about the participating shops and blogs and the charities to which they are donating.

Thank you to Lindsay, of Paint Me a Picture, for organizing this exciting event!

Emerging Em's charity is the American Diabetes Association and the movement to Stop Diabetes®.

Join the Millions^SM in the fight to Stop Diabetes. Help build the momentum needed to put an end to diabetes once and for all. To learn more visit stopdiabetes.com.

"Our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes."

Every 17 seconds equals a new case of diabetes, and I have several very important people in my life affected by the disease. My boyfriend, Daniel, has had diabetes since he was three, and my little cousin Chris has also struggled with the disease for a few years. Both have been hospitalized from complications. I want to help them as well as the over 25 million people affected by diabetes in the United States.

That's why I'm donating

50%

of the proceeds from Emerging Em for the month of April to the American Diabetes Association to Stop Diabetes®!!

You can buy one of these...

or these...

or these...

...and shop for a worthy cause!

I'm so excited about this opportunity, and I'm hoping you'll consider helping me give back!

New to Etsy

I recently listed some new items in the shop. Did you see them?

I added new hairpins in a variety of colors.

My favorite colors are Sky Blue...

...and Dusty Rose.

I also listed this Cream Rosette Hair Clip.

How about I give a discount to you lovely readers?

Use the code BLOGFRIENDS30 for 30% off your order from Emerging Em!

p.s. Discount code is good through March 22nd.



Making Memories

While I was in Milwaukee, Daniel and I visited Alterra, the coffee shop where he works. I, of course, walked out with a pretty cup and saucer and a t-shirt.

The bag they were placed in had such a pretty design that I didn't want to throw it away, and it was a fun keepsake from my trip. However, I didn't want a random bag just sitting around in my room.

So I decided to make it the background for one of my favorite pictures from the trip!

I bought an inexpensive 5x7 frame from Target and cut the portion of the bag without writing to fit. I then printed the picture from my computer slightly smaller, glued it to the bag, and put it all in the frame.

Here we are at The Bean in Chicago!

:)



Happy Black Friday!

As promised, I'll be having deals today and throughout the weekend!

Peach Bowtie Headband

I added new products to my shop yesterday, and I'll be adding more today!

Opera Rosette Bib Necklace

The first HUGE doorbuster deal of the day is for my blog followers.

Be one of the first three to leave a comment on this post, and I will send you a code for 50% OFF any item in my shop!

Be sure to leave an email so I can contact you with the code!

Country Peach Knitted Scarf

Not one of the lucky three? Not to worry!

I'm offering 25% off my entire shop and free shipping from now until November 29! Use the code SHOPPING25 at checkout.

Amethyst Rosette Hair Clip

Happy Shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for...

...surviving my 8K Turkey Trot this morning.

It was fun - despite the rain!

(But I may not be able to walk in the morning.)

On a more serious note, I am deeply thankful for all that God has provided for my family and me, and I am thankful to have such wonderful friends, both near and far. I spent a lovely afternoon with my family eating turkey, macaroni and cheese, green beans, biscuits, and my mom's incredible chocolate pie.

(We southerners know how to cook a [delicious] heart attack on a plate!)

My sister and I then took photos of some new products for my Etsy shop. It was great to pretend that we were models and just laugh together. Here's a sneak peek:

Be sure to check back here early tomorrow for some holiday weekend deals! I'll be giving away huge (earlybird!) discounts to my blog readers and Facebook fans as well as offering 25% off any purchase from Black Friday until Cyber Monday.

Have a great weekend!



I'm Back.

Here's a sneak peek at something new coming to my Etsy shop!

I'm in love with this country peach color...

...I think I may have to make one for me.

I hope you all have a great start to the week!

Cheers,



Giveaway Winner

The winner of my rosette hairpins is...

...comment number 5 - Hallie!

Congrats!



Indie Craft Parade

I'm off to the Indie Craft Parade!

I'm so excited!

Michelle from blue moss will be there, and I'm looking forward to actually meeting another blogger in person!

Isn't their banner so cute!?

If you're in the Greenville, South Carolina area tonight or tomorrow, come check it out!

Giveaway Winner

The winner of the rosette headband...

...is comment number 12, which was Jamie at The Riplets!

Congrats to Jamie!

Look for new items in my Etsy shop soon.