{Wordless Wednesday} Some New Listings on Etsy

I rarely post about my Etsy shop...but I am so excited about these new listings. I have been busy with my brother-in-laws up coming wedding {since Hubby, Bug, both big brothers and myself are in the bridal party} and have been slacking in the crocheting area for the past couple weeks...but I managed to get some things into the shop.

Crochet Adjustable Bow Ties {from Baby to Adult Sizes}

Watermelon Beanie {with button "seeds"}

Crochet Lovey with Paci Strap {crochet button closure makes it safe for babies}

A photographer requested this set & I was so happy I was able to make it for them! I can't wait for the pics! Any of these can be made alone for sale.

Top Hat, Bow Tie & Diaper Cover Photography Set

My mom also makes some of these Snuggle Bunnies for my shop. She is a knitter. I wish I could knit, but it's just not happening...I've tried!

Purple & Navy Snuggle Bunny

Bug has two since I almost lost one once. We definitely needed a back up Snuggle Bunny since she WILL NOT sleep without it!

Hop on over to my shop to see all the other things I have over there. I posted some Halloween things and Fall/Winter hats that I'm psyched about. :) 

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

{Toddler Tuesdays} Puff Paint

It is supposed to be a rainy week here! Paint is a great indoor activity that can keep your tot entertained for either minutes, or an hour! Puff paint is super easy to make and it is so fun to paint with! Bug lasted a whopping 45 minutes with this stuff {normally she is done painting in 5 mins}. The texture also makes it a great sensory experience for your little one {if you let them touch it}. It is so easy to clean because it is made with flour, salt, & water. It basically rinses right off! 

Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

1 part flour

1 part salt

1 part water {more or less}

A drop of paint or food coloring

Cardboard or thick paper to paint on. {We cut a piece off an old box}

Pour your ingredients into a container {we save applesauce containers to put paint in}. We also saved formula scoopers from when Bug was a baby for simple measuring & pouring activities such as this one.

Choose your paint color and add it on in.

Mix, mix it all up.

 Some creative ways to paint with it {you may want to add a touch more water for these to make it a little drippy}:

First we used a paintbrush and since the paint is a little thick, it wasn't working out so well. I browsed through our drawers and came up with some other things to use instead...

Baby Spoons to scoop and drip.

Medicine Droppers {I just had to show Bug how to hold it and she loved this one!

Droppers

"Mommy, loooook!"

 This was toward the end...when Bug decided to get messy!

Let dry {for a few hours} until it hardens. Hang up and let your kiddo touch it and feel the awesome texture it dried to!

Like these picture hangers? Use this tutorial and hang them at your child's level to show off their art work!


Thanks for stopping by for...

{Mmm, Mmm, Mondays} Kid Pizza & Hot Dog Sandwich with Tiffany from Cupcake Dream

 Happy Labor Day! {do you even wish people a happy Labor Day?}

Being that it is a holiday and most people have off & are partying so it is the perfect day for one of Tiffany's quick and easy meals for your little one!

Tiffany is the author of Cupcake Dream, a lovely blog taking you through her life as a mom and a runner. You will just love reading about her little ones! She also has some crafts & other recipes for you all to try out so stop on over and show some blog love!

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Hi. I'm Katelyn's mommy and I still feed her jars of baby food. I know... horrible! When it comes to breakfast and lunch, I'm not winning any mother of the year awards. Most people would probably say, "well, she's eating so that's what matters". Yes, that is true but I realize Katelyn is almost two years old so the baby food really needs to go.

Kids will eat just about anything so coming up with good quick meal ideas shouldn't be hard, right? WRONG! I wanted to find something that was easy to make, somewhat healthy, not horribly messy and tastes good. I'm happy to announce that so far all of my quick fix kids meals are a huge hit!

If you are looking for some easy ideas, here is what I have so far:

Kid Pizza:
1 English Muffin
Marinara Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
Turkey Pepperoni

- Preheat oven to 350
- Cut english muffin in half and toast lightly (I stick it in the toaster on a low setting for one minute)
- Spread marinara sauce
- Add cheese
- Top with pre-cooked pepperoni
- Put in oven until cheese is melted
- Let cool and serve

Hot Dog Sandwich:
Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins (thin flat bread)
Ketchup
Shredded cheese
Hot dog wiener

Microwave hot dog for 20 seconds. Toast sandwich thins in toaster until lightly toasted. Spread ketchup on one side of bread. Cut hot dog wiener in half long ways and then chop into small pieces. Sprinkle chop pieces over ketchup. Cover with shredded cheese and place the other plain thin round on top (creating a sandwich). Microwave for 20 seconds or until cheese is melted. Cut into "pizza slices". Let cool and serve.

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Thank you for sharing Tiffany! I can't wait to give Bug that hot dog sandwich! She just loves hot dogs! 

Not only is Tiffany a blogger, but she has an Etsy shop too where she has tons of party invite designs & accessories! Check out her shop here.

A Pinteresting {Linky} Party - #3

Woo hoo for the weekend! I hope everyone enjoys it! Come join me for a Pinteresting Party and link up your blog post/shop for others to see and pin! The rules are posted below. I am so addicted to Pinterest and if you have not joined yet, you should! 

Last week we had 4 link ups! I hope some more come to link up your blog posts so we can all discover new blogs and help promote each other!

I love these boots that were linked up at last weeks party:

{source}

On to the party for this week! All are invited to link up. Please spread the word.

Here are the rules:

• Add a direct link to a blog post you would like pinned along with it's title {not the title of your blog}.
• Two links per blog please. 
• Pin at least 2 other blogger's posts. {if you are one of the first 2, come back and pin please}
• Not required, but I'd love for you to spread the word and post my Pinteresting Party Button on your blog. {& be sure to follow my blog to see when the next party is & if you were featured the following week} :)

Want to know how to check if you were pinned? 
Copy this link into your browser and add your blog URL {does not work for Etsy shops}:

http://pinterest.com/source/YOURURLHERE

Get pinned on Pinterest by linking up!

Nursery Art Print from MossyRockDesigns WINNER!

Thank you all for entering in the MossyRockDesigns Nursery Art Print Giveaway! I have chosen a winner using random.org and the winning comment is #32, Joanie!

Joaniesaid... 

Done--3.} Follow MossyRockDesigns blog.
realityaddicted
=-) 

Congrats! 

Look out for an email from me {totshop728@yahoo.com}. Please check your spam folder too.

Didn't win? That's ok! Check out these other great giveaways:

Jolynn's Hobby Shop - Tutu & Headband Set {Ends 9/9/11} Open to US & Canada

 Tzburps - Custom Princess Owlet {Ends 9/16/11} Open to US & Canada

{Sponsor Spotlight} Rebecca of Athenianaire

I am so happy to introduce to you my very first sponsor! Rebecca is the shop owner of Athenianaire, a beautiful shop full of real butterfly wing jewelry & displays. I'd love to share some info about Rebecca and her shop.

Real Ornithoptera Croesus Lydius, Female in 8 x 8 Framed Shadowbox

Philosophy:
My Philosophy is simple; everyone should have access to inspiration. Butterflies are a source of inspiration, a symbol of hope, change, or a memory for so many people. Be it a simple single framed specimen to inspire you or comfort you (or a loved one) on a wall or a jewelry piece that allows the wearer to carry that inspiration or strength with them, everyone should have access to inspiration. Many times sales come with a personal message about the reason why the piece is being purchased, a memory, a remembrance, a moment… Those messages sent to me are motivation and inspiration to me and for that I have to thank YOU.
 

Experience and about me:
I relax mount and spread ALL the specimens myself.
I studied Entomology and Botany at Michigan State University (after obtaining a degree in horticulture from State University of New York), where I created insect displays for education and museum displays. I worked at the Bug House, a university outreach center to teach children and young minds about insects. I lived and worked in Costa Rica for 2 years studying the insects, biodiversity, and ecology.

I have been working with insects for over 12 years and care deeply about nature and the insect world, which is why I donate to conservation. I have a toddler who is my heart, world, and inspiration. I work full time with Greenhouse soil media as a consultant. 

I use my artist eye to create displays, jewelry and one of a kind Winged Art (from abstracts to dresses made from wings), Custom Orders are always welcome, and often they act as fuel for my creative engine. Can I work with other insects? YES! Butterflies just seem to speak to people the most but I have the ability to work with many other species, contact me if you have a vision!

About the Butterflies:
The Butterflies used to create these pieces are bred on farms all over the world; I legally purchase them creating revenue for the farms and protecting the ecology by only using clean specimens. The specimens are exported in a preserved manner to generate some of the financial resources required to maintain and protect conserved land. I receive them un-spread and un-mounted, I do that work myself. Relaxing, spreading, and mounting the insects takes days.

Not all of the butterflies bred on these farms are sold as specimens many are released into the wild to mate and maintain healthy species populations

Rebecca also does lots of good for her community and organizations. Currently, she is donating 10%  of August & September sales to a local organization that is out of funding to build a community Butterfly Garden. Not only that, but $5.00 for every "pillar" necklace sold will be donated to this organization as well! 

Real Monarch Butterfly Limited Edition Necklace Jewelry

Rebecca is also creating jewelry for a silent auction of a local Children's Center in NH.She participates in 4 auctions annually at this time. 

Here are some other organizations she has donated to in the past:

xerces society (protection of invertebrates)
darkness to light (child protection advocacy)
Sophia's Hearth
Breast Cancer Research
2 fund raisers for Cancer patients who could not afford treatment

Doesn't she sound amazing?! Stop on over to her Etsy shop {Athenianaire} and take a look around. You will be amazed at how beautiful her pieces are!

{Freebie Friday} Win a Custom Princess Owlet from tzburps

Giveaway Closed.

It's Friday! And not just any Friday...it's Freebie Friday! I am so excited to introduce Tara from the Etsy shop tzburps. Her shop is full of adorable plush toys as well as bows & bibs. Today, Tara is giving one lucky winner a Custom Princess Owlet! They look so adorable! Lets learn a little more about Tara first.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a mom to an almost 4 year old daughter, 5 year old Boxer, wife, and teacher. I love animals and outdoors.

What made you want to become an artist?

My daughter and I thought it would give me something to do when my daughter napped.

What is your favorite item to create?

Owls and bird, but my newest favorite is the crinkle owlies because my daughter helps.

What advice would you give to new artists on Etsy?

Join a team, get on Facebook and network together with others. Great way to meet new people and have fun.

How do you promote your work?

Teams, blog features, Facebook, BNR’s on Etsy and promoting other shops.

Do you have any websites connected to your shop?

www.facebook.com/tzburps

http://www.tzburps.blogspot.com/

What is the inspiration for your work?

My daughter inspires everything I do. I started with bibs and burp cloths when she was 2 months old and as she has grown, so have my products. They tend to match the stage of life she is in. I went from bibs to blankies, changing pads, hair clips, fairy wands, to last summer…plush owls and birds (her newest fave)!

Do any of your items go toward a special cause?

Autism Awareness Owlet goes to the Autism Society. {if you purchase one of these it will get you 3 extra entries in the giveaway! Woo!}

Do you have a job outside of Etsy? How do you handle both?

I am a part time teacher. It used to be easy to handle both, but now that my daughter isn’t napping, late nights is when I do most of my Etsy work. Good thing I am a night owl!

Where do you create?

Ha! Currently in the middle of the family room!! No joke. We moved last summer and I was so excited to finally have a sewing room all to myself. I have such great visions for the room; however, it is a work in progress. It just recently got painted in the Caribbean colors I selected, but with a four year old, teaching, and everything else, setting up my sewing room falls to the bottom of the list. One day though, one day it will be all done, until then the family room it is!

 

What are your goals for your shop?

I just want to share my plush owls and birds with everyone. I want everyone to see how special and soft they really are.

 One lucky winner will get a custom princess owlet from Tara's shop, tzburps!

Mandatory Entry:

{You must complete this first before submitting any other entries}

Visit tzburps and comment your favorite item from her shop.

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Extra Entries:

{Leave a separate comment for each that you complete}

1.} Heart tzburps on Etsy.

2.}Follow tzburps RSS Shop Feed.

3.} Purchase an Autism Awareness Owlet. {3 entries - leave 3 separate posts with the transaction number}

4.} "Like" tzburps Shop on Facebook. 
5.} Follow tzburps blog.

6.} Become a follower of my blog.

7.} Enter in another giveaway on this blog and let me know which one you entered.
8.}  Blog, Tweet, and/or post on Facebook about this giveaway using the "Sharing is Caring" buttons below  & post the link where we can find it. {one entry for each you complete}

 

Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2011. Sunday, September 18, 2011 a winner will be randomly drawn from eligible entrants and notified by e-mail, and the winner's name will also be posted here. If no email is listed I will choose another winner. Winner has one week to respond to my email to claim his/her prize after initial contact.  I am not responsible for the shipping of this prize.

Contest open to US & Canada.