The Story Behind Tortoise and Hare Designs {plus a special giveaway} CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
Good Morning all, today I have a very special Etsy mom that I am thrilled to be able to introduce to you. Cassie Payne is the amazing mom behind Tortoise and Hare Designs, a shop filled with quintessentially cute baby shoes, bibs and burp cloths.

Cassie also makes some very lovely and oh so feminine purses and pouches.

Cassie's love of sewing spawned from time spent with her grandmother working at the local craft shop, where they taught children and adults alike the art of sewing. Besides her love of sewing, Cassie's heart is also filled to the brim with love for her daughter Olive. Little Olive is the reason behind Tortoise and Hare Designs, and she is very much Cassie's inspiration. While Cassie was still pregnant with Olive, she and her husband Devin were informed that Olive's kidneys were not functioning properly and had been blocked, with this news came a tough decision for the young couple. They could induce labour 5 weeks early to treat the now infected kidneys or wait for Olive to be fully developed and run the risk of further damage. Cassie and Devin chose to induce labour and soon after a three day old Olive was rushed in to her first surgery.

Although Olive's kidneys were now on a slow road to recovery there were still recurring infections which kept Olive in the hospital for the better part of her first four months, until a Dr. Feng said enough was enough and began planning for Olive's second surgery.

This surgery was a success and Olive was cleared to go home, although Cassie had to quite her job in order to be a full time mommy as Olive is still prone to infections. Olive is now your typical little angel of mischief and wonder, but she still needs one last surgery, which has been scheduled for June. Cassie would love for her husband Devin to be able to take the time off from his two jobs to be there with his daughter, but medical bills make that seem like just a dream. That's why Cassie started Tortoise and Hare Designs, as 100% of the proceeds go towards covering the expense of Olive's surgeries.

Buy It

If you are looking for a baby shower gift this summer, or would like to get a little gift for that new mom I would highly recommened taking a moment to look through some of the amazing handmade items at Tortoise and Hare Designs. All of Cassie's items for babe are machine sewn and she makes sure there are no unfinished seams, so you won't have to worry about those little-big itches!

Win It
Cassie would love to spread the word about her shop and has generously offered to give one lucky reader a pair of loafers or ballerina baby shoes in their choice of fabrics and size !!!

Open To: Worldwide

Closes: May 23, 2010

Mandatory Entry

To enter please visit Tortoise and Hare Designs, then come back here and let me know which pair of Loafers or Ballerina shoes you would choose if you were the winner.

Please remember to include your email address!

For one (1) extra entry you can...

- Heart Tortoise and Hare Designs on Etsy (please leave your screen name in the comment)
- Follow The Candid Reviewer via Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Twitter
- Become a Facebook Fan of The Candid Reviewer

For two (2) extra entries you can...
- Tweet about this giveaway (please leave a link in your comment) (can be done once daily)
 You can tweet this ...

Enter to win a pair of loafers or ballerina baby shoes in your choice of fabric by Tortoise and Hare Designs here http://tinyurl.com/2cujzg7

For five (5) extra entries you can...
- Purchase something from Tortoise and Hare Designs

- Blog about this giveaway (please leave a link in your comment)

Please remember to leave your email or a way I can contact you if you are the winner. I will be emailing the winner May 24, they will then have 48 hours to respond or I will choose another winner.

OPEN TO: Worldwide.
CLOSES: May 23, 2010

I received no monetary compensation for this write up or for hosting this giveaway, all opinions expressed in this post are my own.