One Year Blog Anniversary!

It's hard to believe that I've already been blogging for one whole year!

It has been such an exciting year for our family, and I am so glad that I created this blog to document and remember *most* of it (because, honestly, the first few months after Josiah's birth were a huge blur)!

I started Josiah's Nest when I was 34 weeks pregnant with Josiah for the purpose of sharing our adventure as new parents with friends and family. After a year of being a "blogger" I've come to know an entire community of lovely women that I now consider dear friends.  I've also been able to use this blog as a creative outlet to share my love for handmade products and meet other women who share similar interests as me! After becoming a stay-at-home mom, Josiah's Nest has been a wonderful way to connect, gain inspiration, and share our faith with others!

Through this blogging community, I've been able to ask for advice and help with pregnancy issues (remember my dreaded PUPPPS?), newborn issues (remember when I couldn't get Josiah to enjoy solid food?), and even reach out for prayer when life was just plain ol' stressful (like when Joseph got let go from his job).  There have been many ups and downs for us as a family (actually, the downs even turned out to be ups in disguise), and I am so glad I had this blog to document and remind myself of everything we've been blessed with this year. I am so thankful for all of my readers, family, and friends who have supported this blog and shared our first year of parenthood with us.

To celebrate my first year of blogging, I am having a huge giveaway that will last this entire last week of March! I'm sharing 13 lovely ladies and their handmade shops. These creative women are blessing 13 of my readers with handmade goodies from their shops! Be sure to check out each of their shops and take advantage of the special discount codes they have going on this week for Josiah's Nest readers!

So, let's get the party started:

{Fifteen Evergreen}Welcome to fifteenevergreen! My inspiration for my shop started when I moved into my first apartment after getting married. Finally- a living space I didn't have to consult 3 other roomates before decorating! (my husband had just one rule: don't make it look too girly. I can live with that.) After raiding Target, Macy's, Crate and Barrel, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx, I was still unsatisfied with the originality and quantity of our home decor. Plus, my creativity was begging me to go on an adventure. Needless to say, I gave in. Welcome to 15 Evergreen, my first address- inspired store! 

Each item is hand-crafted, designed and original. That's one of the many beauties of this shop. The totes are from organic cotton and many of my fabrics and accessories are made from upcycled materials (most recently a J.Crew men's suit and a Banana Republic merino wool sweater). For more Fifteen Evergreen, check out the blog!

Fifteen Evergreen is giving away $10 Shop Credit!
Use code: JOSIAHSNEST20 for 20% off your entire order until April 5th.
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{Addigail Designs} I live in Maryland with Mike, my husband of just over a year, and our two adopted dogs, Daisy & Jake. I was born and raised in Baltimore, I love coffee ice cream, I miss Lost, and know more Friends trivia than is probably necessary (or useful). Also, lately I'm obsessed with etching glass and making yarn-wrapped wreaths. 

Back in 1981, when I was an awesome, adorable baby - someone, somewhere, made an embroidered baby name print for my nursery, which hung on my bedroom wall until I went away to college - and when my niece was born last fall, I wanted to make one for her too. And then I remembered I didn't know how to sew... I came up with a digital design I loved, and showed it to a few friends for feedback, and before I knew it, they all wanted one too! A few weeks later in October 2010, I opened my Etsy shop full of custom baby prints. I've slowly been adding other items - calendars, party invitations, etc. - but the nursery art is by far my favorite! I love working with parents, friends or family to come up with the perfect design, and it's really exciting to create something that could hang on someone else's wall for the next 18 or so years.

Addigail Designs is giving away an item of choice!

Use code: Josiah for 15% off your entire order until April 5th.
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{WeePereas} I make modern handmade children items. I love making baby shoes, and also offer baby blankets and I am adding organic quilts to my shop. I offer items that will great addition to your little one's wardrobe and nursery. In 2008, after my second son was born I wanted to create unique baby accessories for him. As a stay at home mom, my desire to connect with others and create each day was essential to me to find some sort of outlet to still express myself. I became hooked once I started drafting my baby shoes pattern, and saw how much my little one loved wearing the shoes, and with how very practical they are. After receiving many praises from my friends, I opened up my Etsy shop.

WeePereas is giving away $40 Shop Credit!

Use code: Josiah20 for 20% off your entire order until April 9th.
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{Rhonda D Designs} I am a stay at home Mom to two fabulous girls. After helping in classrooms, assisting with homework, swim practice, volleyball practice, shopping for groceries, and running other misc. errands, I sew. I spend as much time as possible on my business and I'm striving to make it a profitable job rather than a hobby.

I take great pride in my products, and really strive to use different fabrics and different designs than other childrens clothing shops. Searching for the perfect, bright, fun fabric for each product is a big element to my creative process. I also hand stitch all of my appliqued shirts, using either thread or embroidery floss, which makes it stand out among the rest!

Rhonda D Designs is giving away $25 Shop Credit!

Use code: Giveaway15 for 15% off your entire order until April 5th.

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{Moxie Mandie} I've loved graphics and textiles for as long as I can remember, and last year I decided to learn how to sew to put my growing collection of fabrics to good use! I've had a blast learning and creating, and I strive to design fun and unique items with my collection of both new/modern and thrifted fabrics. Quirky and one-of-a-kind is my favorite. :) Oh, and smiling, too. Smiling's my favorite. For more Moxie Mandie, check out my blog, my facebook page, and follow me on Twitter!

Moxie Mandie is giving away Sweet Matryoshka Coasters!

Use code: Josiah10 for 10% off your entire order until April 5th.
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{Giggles, Glitz, and Glam} My shop was created to make all things glitzy for your little girl! Currently in the shop: tutus, tutu leggings, hair bands & applique onesies. I am always up for a custom order so don't hesitate to ask. Plus I am constantly brainstorming new items for the shop. For more Giggles, Glitz, and Glam, check out my blog, my facebook page, and follow me on Twitter!

Giggles, Glitz, and Glam is giving away a pair of Tutu Leggings!

Use code: Josiah20 for 20% off your entire order until April 5th.

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{K. Davis Creates} First and foremost, my primary gig is my photography... but because I LOVE to sew, and create new things all the time, I decided to open up shop last March. I have a few items in my shop, most of the time, Reusable Journal covers (with composition notebook), clutches, and for my "little" friends-crayon rolls! For more K. Davis Creates, check out the blog!

K. Davis Creates is giving away $25 Shop Credit!

Use code: LOVEJOSIAHSNEST for 15% off your entire order until April 5th.

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{Brittany's Buttons} This adorable handmade boutique specializes in knitted goodies for you and your child! Brittany creates the cutest crocheted hats, hair accessories, and other hand crafted items! For more of Brittany, check out the blog and the facebook page!

Brittany's Buttons is giving away an adult crocheted hat and a children's crocheted hat!

Use code: JOSIAH2011 for free shipping until April 5th.

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{Two Lilies Boutique} I sell mostly handmade hair accessories. My passion is to make women of ALL ages feel beautiful one accessory at a time. Even if you are not dolled up, just throw an accessory in your hair. It will make you feel like a million bucks. 

I started my shop officially in November 2010. But for years I have made bows and headbands for my own girls, which lead to making accessories for myself. Many friends and strangers began approaching me and asking where I purchased my hair pieces, which in turn gave me the idea of starting Two Lilies Boutique. Now I can offer them to everyone. For more Two Lilies Boutique, check out my blog and follow me on Twitter!

Two Lilies Boutique is giving away $15 Shop Credit!

Use code: JOSIAHSNEST for 20% off your entire order until April 5th.

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{Alexandra Rose} The perfect handmade shop that specializes in a mix of eclectic handmade items for you and your baby! This adorable Etsy boutique is filled with beautiful products made from the brightest and happiest colors and fabrics. Spring is in the air!

Alexandra Rose is giving away a Cuddly Taggy Blanket!

Use code: JOSIAHSNEST for 15% off your entire order until April 5th.

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{The Nutmeg Tree} Jenny Guerra is a Registered Dietitian by day, and a diligent crafty individual by night. With some encouragement to do something she has always loved, she launched The Nutmeg Tree in August 2010 in a little cottage in San Antonio, TX. After sewing a suggested creation of “a little corduroy coat” by her grandmother, she began to specialize in miniature baby outerwear crafted from wool, corduroy, and flannel. Jenny also creates vibrant clutches with rustic wooden buttons and embroidered felt partridge bird ornaments which were a hit on ETSY during the holiday shopping season. 

The Nutmeg Tree is soon to launch a spring 2011 outerwear collection which will feature tiny designs constructed from beautiful twill and lightweight colorful knit. Vintage inspired baby Tea Party dresses are in the works as well! For more about The Nutmeg Tree, check out the blog!

The Nutmeg Tree is giving away $20 Shop Credit!

Use code: TATORTOT for 15% off your entire order until April 5th.

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{Burlap & Blue} Linda's Etsy shop is filled with vintage-inspired, hand crafted goods for your home! She makes one-of-a-kind dessert stands, coasters, wreaths, and other handmade decor that is meant to create inspiration for your life and home! For more Burlap & Blue, check out the blog, the facebook page, and follow them on Twitter!

Burlap & Blue is giving away $20 Shop Credit!

Use code: JOSIAHSNEST for 10% off your entire order until April 5th.

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{Fountain Top Creations} My shop was inspired mostly by my daughter. The name came from our favorite hairdo we like to put in her hair, the fountain top ponytail! I have such a love for crocheting and I wanted to share it with others. In the shop you will find colorful hats for your little ones. Recently I have been adding other fun crocheted items to the shop. My favorite new item is the Fat Birdie. I am always looking for new items, yarns, and patterns to try so new things will be popping up more and more. 

My goal is to provide a quality item for you or your little one, using the best quality yarn. I'm all about the soft and cozy to keep their noggins nice and toasty.

Fountain Top Creations is giving away $15 Shop Credit!
Use code: JOSIAH15 for 15% off your entire order until April 5th.
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There you have it, everyone! Here's how to enter My 1 Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway:

- Leave a comment.

That's it! But, make it a fun comment, okay? Like, maybe let me know how long you've been following the blog, or let me know one of your favorite posts I've shared. Get creative!

The Blog Anniversary Giveaway will run this entire week and end Sunday, April 3rd. The 14 winners will be announced Monday, April 4th! Thanks again for reading Josiah's Nest!

Will you vote for us to help celebrate the blog anniversary?