Harlequin Baby Boy Security Blankie--"My 1st Wubby"

I know, I know, I'm kinda absent on here lately.....summer is just so busy on a farm, even a mini-farm...

So I'm just going to quickly show you my most recent custom order for a Baby Boy's Security Blankie--"My 1st Wubby".

The client asked for a baby blue color and the almond color, then asked for suggestions for a third color.   And since I absolutely love baby blue paired with chocolate brown, that is of course what I was hoping she'd go for....and walaaaa...she did! (I realize my amazing photography skills make the chocolate color look black, but it really is a deep, dark chocolate....still working on improving those amazing photography skills)

I kinda had a picture in my mind of how I wanted the design to look, but it ended up so much better than what I had envisioned....I think the border has a bit of a "harlequin" look to it....what do you think?

I again chose to use the organic cotton yarn I've been using on all my baby security blankies, sooooo very soft and cuddly...I'm still lovin' it....

And on a different subject...

My daughter is getting awfully close to her August 15th due date (I told her she has "popped" and "dropped" this past week)....and we managed to talk her hubby into some pics of his hands on her belly, too too cute....I'll be sharing a couple this week.  Her BFF suggested framing them to hang on the walls of the nursery and I LOVE that idea.   "Grammie" may just have to do that :))

GiveAway and Interview -- Freckled Laundry

The promised Giveaway is finally here!!!

Etsy seller and blogger, Jami of freckled laundry shop and freckled laundry blog has graciously agreed to an interview with moi and is offering a truly outstanding prize to the winner. 
(rules found at bottom of post)

I first found Jami through blogland, don't remember exactly where, but I am sooooo very grateful that I did!!!    Her blog is completely chock-full of gorgeous photography of her home decor, tutorials....and items she has made to sell in her etsy shop.  I am completely in love with every single item she makes....her items have such a dreamy, ethereal quality about them, you'll want one of everything as well.

I've just placed my first order with her....her number tags...and can hardly wait to get them, I plan to hang them on a few vintage clear milk bottles....I'll be sure to post pics when I can.

I cannot forget to mention what a total "sweetie" she is...I mean Total!  One of those peeps we "meet" on the internet but wish lived next door....seriously.   So take a quick moment and GO...check out her shop, then come back here and tell me YOUR favorite item...

Now onto the interview...(I am personally very inspired by every answer she gave)...

1. What is life like at your house? (husband, pets, children, etc)

Life is perfectly imperfect. With 21-month-old (boy/girl) twins and a high-energy 8-yr.-old son, life at home is a little...intense! My husband is a Corrections Sergeant on the 2-10 pm shift and is gone most days so it’s usually just me and my beautiful children. Blogging and designing wares for my Etsy shop keep me centered, especially on days when I’m leaning a little too far to the left!

2.  What is your morning routine?

I wake up at 6:30, make a pot of coffee or a latte and hop in the shower. At 7:00, I get the twins up, make them breakfast and put on Sesame Street while I get my oldest son ready for school. Dad takes him and I check emails real quick to see if I have any Etsy or urgent blog emails. The babies and I play for a couple of hours (go for a walk or trip to library, etc.) and then Dad takes over for a bit while I work in my craft room. (My baby girl follows me around like a duckling so she's usually sitting at my desk coloring or exploring the wonders of my craft room while I work). When they go down for a nap at 11:00, it's serious business and I use every bit of the hour and half to work on what needs to be done before Dad leaves for work. My morning routine is pretty flexible though, which is important when managing a family and a new business. Neither are predictable 100% of the time.

3. What hobbies do you enjoy?

I love decorating my home, sewing, photography, and reading a good book.

4. How did you become a designer?

I'm still getting used to calling myself a designer. It's just something that I've always loved to do. I've always followed a creative path and have a bachelor's in Fine Arts. For a short while, I veered off of my creative path (in terms of doing what I love to earn a living) so I'd have to say that making the decision to say home to raise my twins, an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and a dream made me a designer.

5. How did you start your etsy business?

I signed up. Plain and simple. I had been blogging for about 6 months when I finally decided to follow my dream of selling my handmade wares on Etsy.

First, I registered online for a federal tax ID (took minutes) and then registered my business and name with the state of New York (online). Once I had the particulars in order, I started designing and making my handmade baby shoes and added them to my Etsy shop.

My very first sale was such an amazing feeling. It really helped my confidence to know that somebody loved something that I made enough to buy it. My shop continues to grow and I'm growing right along with it. If you've ever considered opening an Etsy shop, just do it. You'll be so happy you did. And, I'm happy to help if I can.

6. How does your creative process work (where do you find inspiration?)

I find inspiration everywhere...blogs, websites, magazines, flea markets, photographs, music; you name it.

I have a sketch pad and sometimes I'll staple a photo of something that inspired me. As ideas come to me on how to rework it in my own style, I'll sketch them out. It could be something specific (like clay tags) or just a photo of a room with a shabby style that appealed to me. It inspires me to think of something that would look lovely in that space, etc. Often times, I'm just working with a blank page and scribble out ideas (written or illustrated) that come to me. I love working with laundry (textiles) so sometimes I'm inspired to create something to fit the laundry. My mind is constantly in mommy, blog or business mode so it's when I just stop and reflect, that I'm most creative...usually in my dreams.

7. What one thing do you keep close to you at all times?

Sketch book. (I'd say my children but that's 3 things.)


8. Since starting your etsy store, what one thing are you most proud of?

That I believed in myself.


9. What is one thing you would do differently (in your etsy business)

Everything is made to order at the moment. Although my wares typically ship within three days, I wish I would have built up enough of an inventory before opening my Etsy shop doors to ship immediately (aside from custom orders, of course).


10, Is there anything new you have an idea for or are currently working on to add to your etsy store in the future?

Yes. Several. I plan to add my Lavender Dipped Letters to my shop as well as several lavender-inspired wares (laundry wrapped bundles, petite pillows, homemade laundry soap;and linen spray, etc... I'm working on a lavender bunting/banner. I'd also love to sew more ruffled linens, shower curtains, cotton jersey throws and chair hugs, etc. are in the plans. I have ideas to combine textiles and silver metal (i.e. rabbit wire and oxidized steel wire) to create shabby and vintage-inspired hat holders, wireliers (wire-chandeliers), wall pockets, storage baskets, photo clotheslines, etc.

11. Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny? (why)

Mickey Mouse. I lived in Florida for a year after college and weekend trips to Disney World were frequent! Also, Mickey is just a happy lil' mouse whereas Bugs Bunny has a bit of a mischievous streak. Ha!

12. Handmade vs Manufactured (your thoughts)

Oh, my. Handmade. I have such an appreciation for handmade things. Something manufactured on an assembly line doesn't even compare to the heart that goes into making something by hand. Handmade tells a story. It reflects someone's dream or passion whereas manufactured reflects the dollar bill. Manufactured usually ends up in land fills but handmade is loved for generations from both quality and emotional aspects.


13.   What is one piece of advice you'd give to other women who are fortunate not to have to work outside the home?

I guess I would say follow your hearts. Dreams inside your home matter just as much as dreams and goals chased outside of it.

Jami
www.freckledlaundry.com
www.freckledlaundry.etsy.com

Okay, now tell me, did you learn as much as I did???   Are you inspired to make something???

Here's what the winner will receive...

-1 set of hand-stamped White Clay number tags 0-9 in the winner's choice of petite or large size

AND

-1 set of (3) Vintage-Inspired Ticking Stripes Tags in winner's choice of Red or Gray

The photos of the items are posted above.

Now for the rules:   As you know, I like to keep them simple...although it would be nice if you became followers of my blog and Jami's, that is not a requirement...all you have to do is go visit her etsy shop, choose a favorite item, then come back here and let me know what that item is in this posts comments section.  The giveaway will end Monday, July 19th at 9pm est.

The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced next week!!!!! 

Baby Shower Gift and Favor Guide

This will be my last baby shower posting, if you missed the other baby shower postings and would like to see them...here they are...

Princess Baby Shower PreView
Baby Girl Shower Topiary DIY Tutorial
Baby Girl Shower Table Decor
Baby Girl Shower Invitations and Branch Centerpiece Tutorial
Baby Girl Shower Menu featuring Strawberry Truffles, Edible Butterflies and Pearls

I thought it appropriate to end the shower series with some shower gift and favor ideas.

For my daughter's shower, we had planned to make the favors, but my little sis found some online... cheaper than we could make them (as seen in the photo at the top of this post, the image below is from beau-coup.com, where you can check out ALL their favor ideas for ALL occasions).

Egg Soap Baby Shower Favors

My sister was very impressed with how fast the favors shipped (they were delivered much sooner than the site stated) and they are always offering deals, I think she purchased them for 20% off.

They were delivered already assembled, all we had to do was remove the cellophane wrap each one was encased in.

Now on to some gift ideas...

I just happened to find these adorable baby cowboy boots from one of etsy's bns treasuries and knew I had found our little princess her first pair of cowboy boots...

The boots are made by Megan of meganesass etsy shop, I would have included the link for these particular boots, but Megan is on vacation until the 18th....she makes them in different colors as well and I debated whether or not to get them in pink/brown, but thought the cream/brown looked more like cowboy boots.  They were truly a hit at the shower when they were opened.

While browsing Etsy, I found sooooo many shower and gift ideas, I couldn't possibly list them all here, but I have made a few treasuries with some of my favs....so if you are going to be planning a shower or in need of baby gift ideas, take a look at some of finds in the following treasuries.

I have 2 AWESOME giveaways coming up within the next two weeks, so stay tuned!!!

And past treasuries...

Princess Baby Shower PreView

Well, I'm finally back with a sneak peek of my daughter's baby shower (which is what has kept me so busy for the past two weeks)!!!

All the decorations were made, the guests invited and arrived, and gifts were opened with appropriate "ooh's" & "aah's" uttered...


And with my first blog post, blogger is already giving me grief....ugh. What the heck! I can't change the font to the one I like...oh well, here goes anyway... I plan to add a couple tutorials on decor items that I made in future posts. I'll also include some links for items that were purchased from some more amazing etsy artisans, so maybe you'll get some ideas if you are planning a baby shower in the future

I still don't have all the pics edited, and today is another busy day, so let me just give a quick shout-out to the absolutely fabulous women in my family that helped make everything come together exactly as I envisioned it...

My

Mom Jeanette

Mom-in-Law Joy

Sister Amy

Sis-in-law Kelly

Sis-in-law Kim

Miranda's Sis-in-Law Abby

(my sis-in-law Christine would have loved to help, but works full time, has a new baby of her own, so I'm thanking her anyway just cause I want to)

 

 

and I can't leave out

Miranda's BFF Hannah for taking the pics so that I could enjoy the shower

 

 

andddddd my son-in-laws family that took the time to stay afterward and help with the clean-up....ALL of you ROCK!!!!!!!

 

 

If anyone has any advice for me on how to deal with the probs I'm having with blogger, I'd love to hear it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I normally upload my pics, then add the text....could this be the problem???)

One Very Satisfied Customer -- Organic Cotton "Wubby" Baby Security Blankie

Jen of My Sweet Baby Love etsy shop custom ordered this blankie for her baby Abigail and sent me these wonderful photos of Abigail enjoying it. Here's the comment she left for me when I first blogged about this blankie...

"I love my daughters Wubby! I get compliments everywhere I go, you did such an amazing job, I actually had bought another "wubby" for her the same day that I talked to you about making this one and theirs was a little less expensive, but when I look at the two of them, I see why. Yours is like art! The pictures really did not do it justice. It is something that I am sure that my daughter will pass down to her duaghter someday. I can't thank you enough for your attention to detail and making this so lovely!"

I'd say she's one very satisfied customer, wouldn't you?!

Jen's comment was one of the nicest I've ever received about my work. I really appreciated it.

Isn't Abigail adorable....I wish she lived close enough to me so she could model ALL my blankies...

I have been finding more colors of the yarn for these blankies and am really enjoying coming up with different color combinations to make! I'm sure I'll be posting more pics as I finish them.

This posting is entered in a few of linky parties...go check them out!

My Favorite Things -- Baby Girl Gifts & Baby Shower Decor

I figure if Oprah can recommend her favorite things, then so can I...of course, I can't GIVE away to everyone everything on my list, but I can at least do the shopping for you.

The plan is to try and do this as a weekly feature, with a different theme each week. And since babies and baby showers are uppermost in my mind right now, that's my theme...AND since the doc "thinks" she's having a "girl", that's what I featured.

So scroll down for some truly awesome baby gift ideas for new moms and baby showers, and if you're planning a baby shower, there's a few ideas for that as well. Check out the sellers shops as well for lots of other ideas.

(You'll probably notice that I'm having trouble getting my fonts and spacing even, I'll keep working on it, but I do apologize for the "messy" look)

Bella Tutus

from

FireFlyTutus etsy shop

Custom Hospital/Maternity Gown

from

itsMyDesigns87 etsy shop

Natural Linen Baby Sling Carrier

from

lilpeeperkeepers etsy shop

It's a Girl Banner

from

Partyson etsy shop

Tweet Little Bird Cupcake Toppers

from

10candles etsy shop

All-in-1 Changing pad Clutch

from

mod momME

Butterfly/Dragonfly Baby Mobile

from

Magical Whimsy etsy shop

Petit Fours

from

MiniatureDesserts etsy shop

Light Pink Glittered Birds

from

Linda's Paperie etsy shop

Felted Baby Ballet Slippers

from

sammysgrammy etsy shop