IT'S COMPETITION TIME!!!

The first HOST members' competition closed yesterday, 30 September 2008. Participants were asked to create an item - or items - for a Mother/baby contest, with a maximum of two entries per person to allow for baby boys and baby girls!

Participating members have all donated their competition entries to the HOST store and these have all now been listed for sale in a special new Mother/Baby contest category.

HOST members have a wide variety of craft skills, and this is certainly reflected in the range of items entered. Each of the entries is showcased below for you to view, or you can visit the HOST store to read about them in more detail.

We would like your help to choose our competition winner! Please make your choices for first, second, and third place, and vote by leaving your comments here on the blog, or convo us with your choices privately via the HOST store.

Voting will close at 12 noon - Etsy time - on Sunday 5 October 2008 and the winners will be announced here the same afternoon!

Don't forget: these competition entries are all available to purchase through the HOST shop, and as with all HOST sales, the proceeds will be used to help Etsians in need.

If you need a Mother/baby gift - or if you are tempted to do some early Christmas shopping - now is the perfect time to visit HOST, where your gift will go even further :)

Note: click on each photo to view a image, or follow the Etsy link to view the item directly in the HOST store...

ENTRY #ONE http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15707084

Adorable baby bonnet, donated by ArretsPlace

ENTRY #TWO http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15706714

Feline "FEED ME" bib, donated by DownTheStreet

ENTRY #THREE http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15706517

Five Star bib, donated by DownTheStreet

ENTRY #FOUR

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15707317

Practical in pink mini bag, with pretty in pink scarf extra, donated by soulinchains

ENTRY #FIVE http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15774626

Teeny tiny crocheted baby shoes, donated by BStep401

ENTRY #SIX http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15774401

Hot baby butt pants, donated by LazyButtPants

ENTRY #SEVEN http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15749880

Loveable lavender baby beanie, donated by CrochetMaggie

ENTRY #EIGHT http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15740028

Too cute little pumpkin baby hat, donated by KnitrGal

ENTRY #NINE http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15739639

Dancing dragonfly earrings for Mother, donated by maisyh

Oh, for those of you who are wondering... there are no prizes! We all did it for the love and extra team hugs :)

And by the way...

...the next HOST competition is already open and Etsy-wide participation is invited! Now is your chance to get extra creative and push your own creativity beyond your usual comfort zone.

Details will be announced here shortly but for now, you can read all about it and register your interest in participating here:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5832552

Fairy Tale Sweepstakes

We are very proud that HOSTie Drew of fairytalefibers is participating in The Handmade Kids Sweepstakes on Etsy!

There are seven different 'Handmade Kids' categories to vote in and our Drew has her wonderfully whimsical fairy hoods under TWO different categories:

• Eco-Friendly, and
• Clothing

Voting closes on September 8, 2008 at 11:59pm EDT - so go check out the sweepstake NOW if you haven't voted already - and chance your luck at winning one of fourteen $350 Etsy Shopping Sprees! To review all of the finalists and categories, follow this Etsy link while it is still active: http://www.etsy.com/voter.php

Creative minds for charity

Two Etsy street teams decided to make HOST the beneficiary of their cross team collaboration project. CGGE members created glass beads and pendants for use in jewelry to be made by the etsyBEAD team. The two teams paired up and made some awesome creations! All items will be for sale in the HOST shop with the proceeds going directly to help fellow Etsians in need. We are honored to be able to receive these donations and are excited to be able to help more people in need as a result!

The teams are holding a vote starting tonight at midnight and lasting until Wednesday night at midnight. You can see the awesome jewelry and vote for a winner here: http://creativemindsforcharity.wordpress.com/

You can also learn more about the teams who made this possible. All the items will be listed for sale in the HOST team shop at http://host.etsy.com So be sure and stop by for a little retail therapy :)

Brenda