How Sweet IT Is: Close2myArt.com review and giveaway

I love handmade stuff. Why? Handmade products are unique and we get a piece of the artist in every creation. Michelle Allen of Close2MyArt.com and Allen Designs is definitely one of my favorite artists. I’ve been following her blog for sometime now and I’m envious of her skills. She’s so talented! Michelle’s creations are adorable, colorful, funky and are just plain ‘ole fun! I can’t think of a better business to end our How Sweet IT Is theme than with Close2myart.com. I was lucky enough to review a few products and I’m just giddy about it!

Children are always reminded by parents to wash their hands and what a better accessory than Soap Spitters to make hand-washing fun! Soap Spitters ($25) are soap dispensers shaped as animals such as wacky cats, retro sock monkeys and zany squirrels! The dispensers are cast in resign and finished by hand. I chose the adorable Lamb Soap Spitter and my daughter, Teagan, has named him Shaun (after Shaun the Sheep). The quality is superb and his features are lovable! He looks like he’s snoozing! His eyes are closed, he has a large nose and a puckered mouth. I smile every time I look at him. Teagan helped me fill Shaun up with hand soap and proceeded to push down on the sheep’s head making Shaun “spit” the soap out of his mouth! So much fun just washing away germs! The Lamb Soap Spitter (Shaun) measures 4” x 6” which is the perfect size for my kitchen countertop. I love, love, love the Soap Spitters. They have character and really brighten up any kitchen or bathroom. Michelle’s Soap Spitters is definitely one of the sweetest products that I’ve reviewed on That’s IT Mommy.

Michelle’s original acrylic paintings are also available on the site. One of my favorite prints is the Dessert Art Print. “Don’t Mess With My Dessert”. That’s Teagan’s mantra. LOL. The combination of warm and cool colors creates a whimsical “girl” holding her desserts. My daughter loves her desserts and she thinks it’s quite funny that the girl is wearing a cupcake on her head. This print would be perfect hung in your kitchen, dining area or even a little girl’s room! It’s printed with archival inks on high quality matte artist paper and Michelle signs each print.

Close2MyArt.com is a gorgeous site full of creative art at reasonable prices! Check out the Treasure Boxes. What a special place for your daughter to hide treasures! I have to get one for Teagan. Any one of their items would make a one of a wonderful visually appealing gift! Please buy handmade whenever you can. It’s so satisfying to support an artist or crafter directly. You also embrace the skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Michelle Allen is an amazing artist who lives in Washington. She’s a mom and you can follow her blog at http://allendesigns.typepad.com/. She has great tutorials and her talent inspires me!

– Tee

GIVEAWAY: One lucky That’s IT Mommy reader will win a Frog Soap Spitter, A Love First card (1), and a magnet from Close2myArt.com. Ends 4/2/11.

REQUIRED ENTRY – Visit www.close2myart.com and tell us which other product is your favorite! Come back here and leave a comment below this post.

Remember if this MAIN ENTRY is not followed then no other entries will count.

Optional Bonus Entries – Each entry MUST BE in a separate comment and are worth one point unless otherwise noted.

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• Leave a comment on a non giveaway post
• Feel free to enter any of our other current giveaways that interest you, but you will receive a maximum of three extra entries only, no matter how many of our other giveaways you enter (Comment #1, #2, #3)
• Tweet about this giveaway (Copy – Win a hand made Frog Soap Spitter & more from www.closetomyart.com via @ThatsITMommy @allendesigns http://thatsitmommy.com/?p=10473). Come back daily and leave us the link to the tweet (1 extra)

THIS GIVEAWAY WILL RUN THROUGH MIDNIGHT ON April 2, 2011 (PST). WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN USING RANDOM.ORG FROM ALL VALID ENTRIES AND NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. WINNER WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO CONTACT US BEFORE ANOTHER WINNER IS CHOSEN. GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY (18+).

* WE DID NOT RECEIVE MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR THIS REVIEW. THAT’S IT MOMMY RECEIVED THE LAMB SOAP SPITTER and PRINT  TO FACILITATE THIS REVIEW. WE ALSO RECEIVED A FROG SOAP SPITTER, CARD AND MAGNET WHICH WILL BE SHIPPED TO WINNER OF GIVEAWAY. THIS WILL IN NO WAY SWAY OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE. THE REVIEW IS IN OUR OWN WORDS AND IS OUR OPINION. YOUR RESULTS AND OPINIONS MAY DIFFER.