Friday, March 25, 2011

Our First Fabulous Sponsor and a Giveaway!!!!

Today we'd like to give a big HUGE Twig and Toadstool Welcome to Rebecca of Handmaidencanada


Here are a few of Handmaidencanada's beautiful creations...


and oh...for the love of dolls!!!!


Please tell us a bit about yourself.
Rebecca: I live with my husband and 9 children in the "back woods" of Canada. I grew up here, and I love it. I love that I can sit out on my back porch in the early morning and hear silence. I love that I can walk down the road to a sparkling, clean lake to swim. I love the drama of the seasons. I love that I can see and feel God in His creation that surrounds me.


My father and mother both instilled in me a deep love for all things handmade. My dad was a luthier (built handmade guitars) until I was about 8 years old, and my mom was the type of mom who would make her own granola, hand-smock each one of us dresses for Easter, always had a knitting project on the go, and wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty in the garden. She had me sewing my first outfit when I was six years old. I'll never forget it...many seams sewn and then ripped out....and then sewn again. Did I mention she had the patience of a saint!?:)


Creativity was always encouraged. It was a very "organic" process. We had trunks of fabric scraps, yarn and craft supplies always at our disposal and we were encouraged to just try stuff. My mother would teach us the skills necessary, and then give us free reign to design and create. And of course she loved every single project even more than the last! A woman can always use another pot holder, right?!
Recycling or "upcycling" as some now call it, was and is just a part of life in a big family. Things are passed down...re-used and re-purposed. We often shop second hand. There is something so ultimately satisfying in taking someone else's "junk" and making it into something funky and useable all over again!
So my biggest passions in life, in a nutshell? My family, my God, the master creator, the beauty of nature, working with my hands and being creative and being a good steward with the resources I have been given.

What inspired you to open your Etsy shop "Handmaiden Canada"?
Rebecca: After six months of my husband being off work with ulcerative colitis and awaiting imminent surgery, and I with a little one still breastfeeding, I started to rack my brain, trying to think of a way I could continue to stay at home with my children and still make some sort of an income.
I have been a stay at home mom for the past 18 years, and though I'm so grateful I've had the opportunity to be home with my children during these tender years, I do feel I am a little behind, with very little "work experience" under my belt. Don't get me wrong...I have been WORKING...motherhood is definitely not for the faint of heart, but just not in ways that the world would necessarily recognize as valuable.
So what to do? I decided to start a business from the home. A friend of mine introduced me to the website www.etsy.com and the lightbulb went on!! This was something I could do! I opened a shop and called it Handmaiden Canada.
Now, what to sell? I started to experiment...I started knitting bags and then felting them, I then started making things with recycled, felted sweaters...then I sewed some things, then I discovered Waldorf Dolls!!


The ladies of Twig and Toadstool, Shanti and Maureen, actually gave me the idea to make Waldorf Dolls. I have always loved dolls. I think I actually played with them until I was about 12 years old. Shhh...don't tell anyone...everyone thought I was just dressing them for my younger sisters!
So I thought I'd give it a try.I ordered enough supplies to make 2 dolls, and I was hooked! What fun it was to dream up ideas for eye and hair colours, fabric combinations...oooh the possibilities were endless! I spent more than a few sleepless nights with visions of dollies dancing through my head. :)
I made those two, and then went on to order more supplies...and more and more dollies were born! Four have been sold to date. ;)


One beautiful thing that has come out of all of this, is that I am starting to see it turning into a family endeavour. My girls know how sew, how to attach the doll's hair and they can help with the stuffing, my husband does some of the shipping, my 14 year old son is great with the camera, all my kids are more computer savvy than I am (and love to give advice) and I have cute models of almost every size from age 1 to 17! It seems like a perfect fit. I look forward to seeing where things go.

Thank you Rebecca for telling us about yourself and your business...we wish you SO much success in this new endeavor of yours.

Now...onto the giveaway.  You can win this beautiful Waldorf doll, made with love by Handmaidencanada. 


To enter all you have to do is go pay a visit to the Handmaidencanada etsy shop...
and let us know what your favourite item is.
For two additional entries, become a "follower" on Rebecca's new blog Heartfelt Mama, or "like" her on
facebook.  You have until this Sunday at midnight to enter.  We'll announce the winner on Monday.
Good luck to all who enter

The winner is Rachel...we'll be in contact with you for your shipping info soon.
Thanks to all who entered.
(fyi...we use random.org to pick our giveaway winners)!

Thank you for helping us support such a great new business!!
xo maureen and shanti

157 comments:

  1. fabulous interview :) love the photos and her dolls are so beautiful. thank you for this chance!

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  2. and I now follow her wonderful blog! thank you

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  3. Loving the Waldorf dolls and the felted purses!

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  4. Love the dolls! I especially like "Sadie". They are all so sweet.

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  5. What a lovely interview! I just visited the shop and love everything! The peasant dresses and the dolls especially!

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  6. Following, and looking forward to reading more!

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  7. wow, just fantastic. and what a great interview.
    not to mention a super gracious giveaway. the girls at my playschool would LOVE this doll.

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  8. Thank you for the giveaway! Great story!

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  9. wow! What a generous giveaway! Her shop is so varied and wonderful!
    thanks for sharing and thanks for hosting.

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  10. Her handmade creations are all so beautiful, it's hard to pick a favourite! The blue-eyed blonde reminds me of my own little one, but the pink one with the multi-coloured hair is super sweet too! And the boy doll -- love it! Thanks for introducing such a neat mama and a great business!

    P.S. FB page is now liked too!

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  11. Wow! I love the yellow crocheted beanie, and the red haired waldorf doll!

    Loved them so much I am officially a facebook fan!

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  12. I love the boy doll...you so rarely see boy dolls and my little girl was just pretending her poor doll was her new baby brother (there is no baby brother) and she was the big bossy sister. Following as well!

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  13. Such cute items!! You are very talented! My favorite are all the dolls and the felted slippers. Not my size though. :( Dang gigantic feet. :p

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  14. I also became a follower of her etsy shop!

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  15. I love that knitted rabbit! All her creations are wonderful. I can not wait to look at her blog. Go Canada. Thank you for such a thoughtful giveaway.

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  16. I like the Waldorf Doll Girl w/ blonde hair... she looks like my daughter. :)

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  17. Beautiful interview and giveaway (and shop!)
    I really like the peasant dresses, but also love the 'blond waldorf girl' and the boy waldorf doll is adorable as well!

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  18. I have NEVER wanted to win a giveaway this bad! I have loved waldorf dolls since I started blogging last summer and discovered them as I started to use waldorf teaching methods in our homeschool. I just bought a book about how to make them myself but I'm nervous. However, this week, my daughter saw and held a waldorf doll for the first time and she was in LOVE. I WILL make her one, but that little boy doll with brown hair would be amazing to have as well. Thank you!

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  19. Ohhh, I love this shop! I have been looking for a Waldorf for my daughters birthday this spring and these are so sweet. My favorite is the brown haired Waldorf.
    Thanks
    meangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com

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  20. I follow her blog too
    meangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com

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  21. My favorite things in her shop are of course the dolls. I also really liked the wool bags with blossoms on them. Very pretty.

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  22. Great handsome stuff!!
    Good luck everyone.

    Oona Nicholas

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  23. Now a follower on facebook! :)
    YAY second entry right here.
    Again good luck everyone.

    Oona Nicholas

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  24. What a great interview! I just love this little girl: http://www.etsy.com/listing/69178416/waldorf-doll-girl-blonde-with-pink-hair

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  25. liked her on facebook. :) What a great giveaway.

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  26. I am now a follower of her blog.

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  27. So nice to meet you. Love the fact you have 9 kids. We have six and it only gets richer as the years go by! Great name of your shop. I like the blondie doll the best, next to the redhead you are giving away. (My mom is a redhead!)

    artteajannell.blogspot.com

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  28. How have I never seen her Etsy shop before? I'm forever searching for boy waldorf dolls and rarely find any I like. But her 15 inch brown haired boy doll is *perfect!* Now if only I had some spare money... (:

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  29. I'm now a follower of her blog (and hearted her Etsy store for when I have money to spend!)

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  30. I am not sure which I like better. The felted purse (pink) or the felted slippers.

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  31. What a lovely interview! The little knitted Easter bunny is charming (who am I kidding, everything in her shop is sweet!)

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  32. Gorgeous things, I particularly love the dolls bed, but would also love a doll. Loving the yellow crochet beanie for my yellow loving girl (might just pop back and snap it up!)

    Thanks for hosting such a fantastic giveaway. My fingers are crossed!

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  33. I have just liked Handmaiden Canada on FB for an extra chance. Oooh this is one giveaway that I would really love to win...

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  34. I love all of her dolls and the bed is to sweet and so whimsical.

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  35. I now follow her blog and liked her on facebook. Her work is amazing

    Thank you for this opportunity

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  36. A love bunny? With pockets for love notes? Can't get any cuter than that! You are soo talented! Congrats on your etsy store!

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  37. Beautiful shop! All beautiful work, I especially love the green felted bowl and the beautiful red headed doll. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  38. The boy doll, and all the dolls are lovely, cheers from New Zealand, Marie

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  39. i reall like the glowing sunset felted purse!

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  40. i'm following her blog in google reader!

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  41. My favourite is the red hair doll - I had the same skirt when I was a little girl :o) Lovely shop !!!

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  42. Weeeee! I am so excited for ALL of you! Okay, so I had already drooled over Rebecca's Etsy shop and wasd delighted to pop back and see NEW things already. While everything is scrumptious, I gotta say that it is the very doll featured here in the giveaway that has won my heart. Must be the red hair :-)

    Yay!

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  43. Hello, the little red hair doll is my favorite (although I do like the boy doll too. There is a little girl in the UK soap 'Eastenders' who my hubby an I think is the best thing on TV
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/characters/tiffany-dean.shtml
    The little dolly reminds me of her, and should be called Maisie (her real name).

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  44. And yay again - I'm already a follower!

    And for the first time ever, I'm now frustrated that I don't do the Facebook thing :-(

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  45. I love the felted wool bunny in his sleeping bag! All of Rebecca's stuff is beautiful. I am finding so much inspiration from your blog!

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  46. I really enjoyed the interview, Love the waldorf doll with red hair. also became a follower to Heartfelt Momma blog! glad I came across the new blog!! erinevans995(at)gmail.com

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  47. Beautiful dolls and lovely mama - thank you for sharing this wonderful business! Exactly the kind of enterprise I'm happy to support :-)

    Wonderful!

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  48. And I'm now (happily) following Heartfelt Mama :-)

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  49. And I "like" her on facebook - and added her to Simple Kid's favorites, too just because :-)

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  50. Oh everything in the shop is just dreamy! But I do like the dolls the best!

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  51. I'm now following Heartfelt Mama's blog!

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  52. I love the dolls in the shop! They look like a lot of love and care went into them. Fabulous interview too!

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  53. I love the Waldorf girl with brown hair. She looks just like my daughter. :) I can appreciate how much work these dolls take. What a generous giveaway!

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  54. I am now a follower of Heartfelt's blog. :)

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  55. I am a fan of Handmaiden Canada on facebook.

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  56. I like the Waldorf Dolls. I would really like to learn to make them. They are so nice.

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  57. Oh, a givaway for one of Becky's dolls! How delightful. Having known Becky for many years, I can honestly say that these lovely dolls are a work that stems from one beautiful and joy-filled woman. I am always inspired when our paths cross! I love the little red-haired doll with the heart on the sweater. Wouldn't my girls love to play with her for hours!

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  58. I love her waldorf dolls. they are just so unique and precious.

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  59. I am now following her blog as well.

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  60. I love the slippers - though I realize we're at the end of slipper season :)

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  61. Ok, not sure if this is totally over or not, but I'm commenting anyway, in hopes of winning. I've never won anything before, so maybe this is my lucky day.
    We couldn't pick one favorite doll. We were torn between the blonde doll, the BOY DOLL (my daughter's favorite) and the red-haired doll. I guess since I'm entering for her, we'll have to go with the BOY DOLL. She says her dollies all need a brother. She says this bc SHE wants a brother bc our friends are all having babies, however, this doll would be her only sibling. We have to have IVF to have more babies. But she doesn't understand this.

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  62. HandMaidenCanada is one of my favorite Etsy shops. Although her dolls are fabulous I do also like her wool purses. Lots of great items!

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  63. What a great interview! I love the love bunny with pocket for love note! How cute!

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  64. i love it all, and the breastfeeding mama - best way to work (and our best work)! my favorite is the felted bowl and the bunnies, but my daughter loves the dolly with red hair! i am glad to be following your blog now

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  65. I love the waldorf dolls, especially the red heads, and the crochet beanie!

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  66. I seriously cannot pick a favourite between the felted purse, the wooden doll bed and the red hair girl Waldorf doll. I just love them all!

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  67. I love the blond doll and the current custom doll she has with the pink and green multi color hair!! Can't pic a fave!

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  68. I really enjoyed the interview, from beginning to end. Awesome that you chose to include a nursing picture! Wishing you many, many sales- I love the boy doll and the bunny with the felted sleeping bag!

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  69. My favorites are the dolls. I especially like the red hair girl with the red heart and plaid skirt. The twig doll bed is equally cute! Consider yourself Faved!
    Snowflake Day Play at gmail dot com

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  70. I'm google friend following her blog as SnowflakeDay (Audra)
    Snowflake Day Play at gmail dot com

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  71. Liked her on Facebook as Audra Lynn W.
    Snowflake Day Play at gmail dot com

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  72. and now I am a fan on facebook! Thanks for the chance to win-

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  73. I loooove this gorgeous red-haired doll (looks like my daughter!) http://www.etsy.com/listing/63420751/waldorf-doll-girl-red-hair-15-in-all

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  74. AND I like Handmaiden Canada on FB. :)

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  75. What a beautiful story. I just love the doll bed, red felted wool slipers and her felted bags are fabulous. Can you really ever have enough bags? Thanks for the chance.

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  76. awe lovely! It makes me so happy when small businesses flourish! I love her dolls! the ones with the pink hair! I'm totally going to like this on FB! fun!

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  77. Go Canadian Mamas!!! I love all of your stuff, the dolls and bed but my favorite are the ponchos.

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  78. The doll bed has GOT to be my favorite item!

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  79. Ella and I like the red haired waldorf doll (heart sweater) and Ella really likes the Easter bunny too.

    All the dolls are beautiful.

    Good luck with your business.

    Paula

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  80. All the items are lovely, but the dolls bed is beautiful and so unusual. I did think wow those purses are big and then I remembered that what you call purses, we call bags and what we call purses, you I think call wallets. It made me laugh anyway.

    Good luck with the shop

    Michelle

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  81. I like the doll bed too! I'm already a follower of the blog...count me in for one comment!

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  82. I love the red slippers ! okay I also love the green bowl ☺ okay I actually love it all ☺
    I joined Rebecca's blog yesterday but I cannot friend her on fb til after lenten season is over .However being a fellow Canadian I think we are probably friends at heart already ☺
    I loved this post and reading about Rebecca and her family .
    Thanks for sharing
    Rox

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  83. Loved loved loved all of the dollies AND the red wool slippers. Liked her on facebook. I'm new to your blog - thank you for sharing so many wonderfully fun ideas and for introducing us to other inspiring mommies!

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  84. i LOVE the pink felted wool slippers!! they are super cute AND my size to boot!! thanks for introducing us to rebecca. she is such an inspiring soul!! neeleymartin(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  85. congrats guys on sponsorship! the girl in the chair looks just like ME!! i even thought for a minute it was me...x

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  86. i followed heartfelt's blog via google reader

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  87. well, i would think the waldorf dolls would be my favorite...and then i saw the twig bed! now i'm totally torn!

    thank you, heartfelt mama and twig and toadstool for such a great give-away!

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  88. I think the blonde waldorf doll is fabulous. thanks so much for the chance to win. Ourjewel@hotmail.com

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  89. Of course the dolls are great but the slippers...right up my ally! Thanks for sharing!

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  90. My daughter was born in South Africa. The dark skinned waldorf doll would be the most perfect addition to our family :)
    Amazing shop!

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  91. I was intrigued reading about Rebecca and her family because also live in Canada. After looking at her Etsy page, it seems she lives in Ontario like me.

    Anyways, I love the felted purses and the legwarmers and the dolls - pretty much love all of it!

    Thanks for the chance!

    Tricia

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  92. P.S.

    I also "like" her FB page and became a follower on her blog too. Wonderful stuff!

    Tricia

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  93. Well the wooden doll bed is just divine... Hands down is my favourite thing there BUT I quite fancy tge green bowl too.

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  94. How beautiful is everything handmaidencanada has in her shop. I love it! My favourite would be the bed stick furniture though not sure how well something like that could transport. Beautiful red slippers. I am inspired!

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  95. What a beautiful shop. I just love the red upcycled dress, I know my little one would just love it. All of the dolls are amazing it is so hard to pick just one favorite item. I love them all! Thank you so much for a chance to win :)
    Peace and Love!

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  96. I "lked" the facebook page !

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  97. I follow her blog too!

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  98. Oh I was just saying to my husband that I wished we had bought our daugther a Waldorf doll when she was younger. I don't think it's too late yet so I hope I win!
    I just love Sadie and Oliver! And the green felted bowl is very cool too!
    Nice to see a fellow Canadian artist!
    Many thanks to you all!
    ~ joey ~
    joeyvo@telus.net
    ps I don't have a URL so I have to post as anonymous.

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  99. My 6 year old is a redhead with crazy out-of-control hair, so the giveaway doll is perfect!

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  100. I just became a follower of this blog and her blog!

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  101. I just subscribed to Rebecca's blog! Here's hoping that my little red haired girl will win that beautiful dolly!?
    ~ joey ~
    joeyvo@telus.net

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  102. I have been a secret fan of her work for a while now so it is SO hard to choose a favorite. I think my heart goes to the Waldorf Doll with Brown Hair ( http://www.etsy.com/listing/63917098/waldorf-doll-boy-brown-hair-15-in-all ) for my son right now though! She is so talented!

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  103. I just "liked" her on facebook! Can you tell that I REALLY want to win!

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  104. LOVE the dolls! The felted bunny is adorable too!

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  105. I am now a fan of her on FB:)

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  106. and I am DEFIANTLY following her blog!

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  107. I'd like the peasant dress for my daughter

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  108. This is my favorite :)

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/69267290/hand-knit-wool-easter-bunny

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  109. ABSOLUTELY GREAT GIVEAWAY! My little one would adore her! Good Luck with the business!

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  110. I would like to enter!

    My favorite item from her etsy shop is the blonde doll! So cute!!!

    I'm following her beautiful blog!

    And I liked the facebook page!

    Thank you!

    Katie
    jewelsfromkatie@hotmail.com

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  111. I have admired her shop for awhile now. I really like her peasant dresses and of course, the dolls are great! I have 2 girls and they both love, love, dolls!

    Lisa

    loko6 at peak dot org

    www.etsy.com/shop/lisawith4

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  112. I like the felted wool bunny the best.

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  113. I'm following her blog now as well.

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  114. I also liked her on facebook.

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  115. I like waldorf doll boy brown hair 15"

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

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  116. I follow on gfc: domestic diva

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com
    1

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  117. I follow on gfc: domestic diva

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com
    2

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  118. Thank you for the introduction! I loved the knit bunny and upcycled red purse.

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  119. Her dolls are so lovely! I must say that rustic dolly bed is gorgeous. Your very talented:-)

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  120. Wow. What a great interview and lovely items. My favorite is the felted green bowl. Thanks for sharing!

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  121. I have just been awarded the Stylish Blogger Award - and I, get to award it on. So here it is from me to you, to recognise that I love your work. And am fully aware that this might not be "your sort of thing" (or that you already have it!)
    http://dreamingaloudnet.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-thank-you.html

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