The design of Carta Etc.'s greeting cards in the November edition of The Sampler may seem simple upon first glance.  But I think that just gives you extra room for your own personalized holiday greetings.

Why not draw a little doodle on the front of the card of your loved ones decked in those kooky reindeer antlers that everyone probably has a pair of by now?

Or pull out your watercolors and dazzle your friends with a soft, wispy winter landscape.

There is still plenty of room inside to dash off your "Verry Merries" and "Ho Ho Hos", and your own personal touches will make your holiday cards that much more cherished by the lucky recipient.

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Every month, Manic Trout's contributions to The Sampler wow me.  The Alegra Midnight Show Necklace is no exception.

Now normally, I am all about silver when it comes to my choice of accessories.  But I am totally willing to make an exception for this delicate necklace.

The antiqued patina of the floral pendant gives this necklace a vintage look and adds a sweet sentimentality to your outfit.

Manic Trout has some pretty cool vintage button rings , as well some equally gorgeous oil paintings and watercolors if you want to bring some of designer Sierra Bailey's signature sassiness to the walls of your humble abode.

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I feel so spoiled after receiving a 3-pack of Rachel Baum's hand-drawn illustrations in the November edition of The Sampler.

Each one is truly special and incredibly detailed, with such lovingly crafted scenes that evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue.

The Bee Queen is all about regality and sweetness, just as you would expect a Bee Queen to be.

The lightly flushed background of the Autumn Owl print gives the scene a subdued feeling, while the pale pastel space scene of the Rocket Science print sets a dreamlike mood.

Each of Rachel's prints create a fanciful world that shows off her enchanting illustrations and dreamy style.

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Is it wrong that when I opened up my November edition of The Sampler and saw the chunky baby beanie from Babai Alainn, I got a little jealous?

Or that I spent a good minute or two trying to figure out if it would stretch big enough to fit my own head?

Or that when I realized it would never stretch that big, that I thought maybe I could use it as a coffee cup cozy?

Maybe.  But that says something about these funky beanies and I am totally going to keep hoping that one day, Babai Alainn will make their earflap beanies in adult sizes!

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Remember to join our mailing list for your chance to win one of our IC Style Swag Bags full of items from The Sampler! 

There has been a lot of buzz lately in the indie world surrounding the art prints of Alicia Bock.  After receiving her Incomplete print in the November edition of The Sampler, it was easy to see why.

The photography superstar's incredible talent is displayed in dreamy photos and prints like the bird on a wire print with its vibrant blue sky and hazy scene that reminds of summer daydreams.

The Winter Red Note Card combines stark white with eyecatching cranberries, and would be the perfect way to set the scene for your holiday gatherings.

Think of how lovely these would look as place cards or framed prints to decorate the table at your holiday dinner!

From the packaging to the business card, Alicia's experimental spirit creates a fully rounded aura of joy and sense of suspended dream and memory you want to revisit again and again.

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Remember to join our mailing list for your chance to win one of our IC Style Swag Bags full of items from The Sampler! 

The holidays are nearly here, and The Sampler offers so many great gift ideas from some pretty talented indie designers! 

Ready to get shopping?  Click the links below to read all posts featuring the contributors of the November Sampler. 

When you look up the meaning of the word 'everyday' in the dictionary, you are given 2 different interpretations:

1.    of or pertaining to every day; daily: an everyday occurrence.
2.    such as is met with every day; ordinary; commonplace: a placid, everyday scene.

When it comes to the fine art photography from The Everyday Kumquat,  I think you would agree with me that Michelle Wyse's photos are something you would like to look at every day of the week.

Every photo has an atmospheric quality to it, and showcases both shadow and light in an interesting way. 

I also love the Montreal photographer's contrast of black & white and color photos in her shop - each one playing nicely off the next so you could literally choose any bunch of prints for your shop and they would all work nicely together on your wall.

I will definitely be getting a special frame for my Dead Bicycle Print, and I highly recommend you check out Michelle's new online gallery of stunning photography, interesting portraits and The Everyday Kumquat's custom photography for businesses.

The Monster Moustache buttons from Girlontherocks.com that were in my October edition of The Sampler are the ultimate in kitschy cute!  

With a vampire, zombie, pumpkin and Frankenstein rounding out the cast of creepy characters, one can't help but laugh at the idea of these creatures of the undead trying to scare up some screams on Halloween while sporting a silly moustache.

If you can't get enough of the kookiness of these pins, check out Girl On The Rocks' shop for similar button packs, such as the Trick-or-Treat Moustaches or the Stache-o-lanterns.

Photo: courtesy of Girl On The Rocks 

Although we may have left summer behind, there's no reason you can't whisk yourself away to your own private island - even if it is only in your mind.  

The Sarong roll-on perfume from Theme Fragrance that I received in the October edition of The Sampler is your ticket to the tropics, and you won't have to worry about bringing your sunblock.

The roll-on bottle is a brilliant idea, making it just as easy to pop your perfume into your purse as it does to quickly whip it out and roll it onto your pulse points. A little dab'll do ya'!

After slicking the scent onto my wrists, the scents of Creme de coconut, white sands, night blooming flowers and vanilla in the Sarong scent lasted all day, even after tending to a sink full of dishes.  The scent seemed to melt into my skin, making it seem as though I was lightly dusted with a powder puff of vanilla stardust.

With 3 other scents in the Theme Fragrance line in both 4.6 ml roll-on and half-ounce eau de toilette bottles, be prepared to be sniffed and savored by everyone within smelling distance!

Photo: courtesy of Theme Fragrance 

No, it's not the dance music DJ, but the Mini Mobi Mobile I received in the October edition of The Sampler from Leah Glass is just as colorful.  

With kaleidoscopic glass baubles, and it's free-form composition, Mobi will hang anywhere (like from your rearview mirror) and dance, spin, and twirl - kind of like that dance-music-DJ-of-the-same-name!

Designer Leah Pellegrini also creates larger mobiles, cool mini mobiles for your laptop or computer screen, and lovely glass sculptures.  How cute would this Glass Tree Sculpture look decked out in its red, green, and blue baubles for the holidays?!

Check out Leah's shop, or visit her website to find out about her art, to order a custom mobile or to find out about the classes she teaches at Aquila Art Glass.

Photos: courtesy Leah Glass