Soap Opera

What could be fresher after a long, hot day than a cool shower and an extra-chunky bar of Daisycakes Soap's bamboo soap? It's made from scratch, and blends the clean scents of bamboo, ginger, citrus and cedar. Aaaaah! (Limited Edition Elements of Bamboo Soap, $4.50)

Best Dressed

Summer's coming, and this darling little sundress from Le Bouton is just the ticket for those balmy August days. It's made of cool, natural linen and is available in sizes 2T - 8. Sweet! (Easy Dress, $38.00)

You Saw It Here First!

Yep, you saw it here first! A few months ago, we were the first to feature these beautiful dish towels from PataPri. Well, now she's featured in this month's TimeOut Chicago and we get to say we knew her when! You can pick up the issue on newstands right now, or you can take a look at the article here.

A Lotta Fluff

This big rectangular pillow from joom measures 12" x 18" and features a cardinal and agapanthus flower in the cheeriest of oranges. Great for resting your weary head or perking up any corner of your room! (Orange Full Print Cardinal on Agapanthus Rectangle Pillow, $28.00)

Paper Paper Everywhere!

Well, after much deliberation and hemming and hawing and wondering whether the mess was gonna be worth it, we spent the whole weekend creating handmade paper!

After hunting down every last scrap of junk mail and newsprint and construction paper we could possibly find, we were ready to begin blending, swishing, screening, patting, pounding, and hanging it out to dry. It took the better part of two days, but we did it; and we sure are pleased as punch with the results!

As you can see, we got some really beautiful pics out of the deal as well. There's something about stacks and stacks of colorful paper that just begs to be photographed! You can find some of the paper we created this weekend for sale here in our Etsy store. But we're keeping most of it for ourselves. We're stingy like that.

Scrap Book

This stunning blank book from KupoKiley's shop has been constructed with genuine Japanese kimono remnants and is, as she says, "ready to hold your sketches, dreams, desires, or dirty little secrets!" (Stars and Silk Book, $18.00)

Rice Is Nice

Set the Asian mood with Montezuma Mudd's handmade rice bowl set. Each set includes two 4" tall bowls and two pairs of chopsticks. (Stoneware Rice Bowls with Chopsticks, $21.00)

As Featured On The CRAFT Blog...

We'd just like to send a great big thanks to Natalie for featuring our little blog at CRAFT last week.

If you haven't yet experienced the fabulousness that is Craft (and their sister magazine, Make) this is where you drop everything you're doing and hightail it down to the local bookstore. Find them and read them from cover to cover. They're seriously awesome and filled with tons of crafty goodness!

Anyway, this blog got a mention, as did both YoakeUK's Etsy shop and our own Sugarcube Design shop. What a rush!

Did You Heart Your iPod Today?

We just found this fabulous little iPod case in YoakeUK's shop! It will keep you happy with it's brilliant colors, and it will keep your iPod happy with it's snuggly protection. Definitely a win/win situation! (Lime/Orange Felt iPod Shuffle Case, $9.00)

Buckle Up!

This sleek Frame Buckle from 20VoltHand is handmade from 1/2" by 1/8" steel, is TIG welded and measures 2 1/2" x 4". And if that's not heavy-duty enough for you, it comes with your choice of a black or brown belt. (Frame Buckle With Belt, $45.00)

Orange You Glad?

Bake something warm and yummy! The beautiful, brightly-colored casserole dishes from Cinderelish are all the inspiration you'll need! (Orange Casserole, $20.00)

To A Tee

Toge means "thorn" in Japanese, but this comfy-soft handscreened tee from Ahpeele looks anything but prickly; we think it's just perfect! (Toge Sheer Top, $38.00)

Wash n' Dry

These lovely, modern kitchen towels by PataPri are hand silkscreened on 100% linen. But there are so many beautiful designs, you're going have trouble choosing just one. (Shippou - Kitchen towel, $14.00)

Don't Worry, Be Happy...

The prints from ArtofAndrewDaniel always make me happy. No more room on your wall? Don't worry -- he's got greeting cards, too! (Imaginary Floral Landscape Print, $15.00)

"Show Me Your Etsy" Photo Contest Results

Well, the first-ever "Show Me Your Etsy" Photo Contest is over, and it was loads of fun! We think we had a good run for our first try at a contest (hopefully, we'll have even more entries next time). You can take a look at all of the entries here.

Since there was only a total of six entrants (c'mon people!) and five prizes, we've decided to award everyone who entered. So, a big thanks to abitabite, heavenhelpus, highlyAtomic, ThePaintedTiger, allisonsphotography, and tangerined for all of their hard work and Etsy goodness. You'll be receiving your notecards soon!

Red-y Or Not

This fire-engine red band from Marstinia is a-ma-zing! It's made of copper and fully enameled on the interior and exterior of the ring. Rustic and elegant, all at the same time! (Red Enamel Ring, $40.00)

Show Me Your Turtle's Belly!

Here's a look at another entry to the "Show Me Your Etsy" contest. Thanks, heavenhelpus!

There's only two days left to get your photo in! Hurry!

Yippee!

Yes! We've got our first entry to the "Show Me Your Etsy" Photo Contest! It's from abitabite and it's quite, er, cheeky!

Jealous much? Want to enter your own photo? What's stopping you? See below for details.

No Purple Dinosaurs!

These hemp washies from Lookitmama are so sweet and un-fussy! One side is hemp fleece, the other side is a pretty cotton print. (Hemp Washies, $8.00 for three)

The First-Ever Sugarcube Design "Show Me Your Etsy" Photo Contest

Okay, here's the deal: I'm looking for pics of the Etsy logo stuck on the craziest, craftiest, most subversive places you can think of. Use your imagination, because pretty much anything goes. Wallpaper your room with it. Stick it on your dog. Plaster it to your mama, for all I care. Just don't do anything illegal, and don't tell them I sent you.

If you don't already have one, you can find a copy of the logo here. Pics should be .jpg's no larger than 500 x 500 (that's pixels, folks, not inches), and must be submitted by 7:00 pm DST on Sunday, April 8, 2007 (it was going to be earlier, but lots of you asked for extra time) to me at entropymail@yahoo.com.

Enter as many times as you like. All entries will be posted as I receive them. Five winners will be chosen at random, and will be announced on Tuesday, April 10th. Each winner will receive a free Sugarcube Design Trifold Notecard Set. Now get going!

>>NEW! Now you can also post your entries directly to the "Show Me Your Etsy" Flickr Group! Now it's easier than ever to enter!<<