MiniMe BabyGear Blog

Last Minute Easy DIY Christmas Gift

2010-12-24T08:19:00.000-08:00

DIY: The Easy-as-Pie Pot Holder

Materials List:

Half a Yard Cotton Batting

Half a Yard Insul-Bright

(2) 8" by 8" squares of cotton fabric

(1) 3" by 6" square of contrasting fabric (for handle)

Total Time: 15 minutes

1. Cut out the Insul-Bright into an 8" by 8" square. Available at any fabric store, this runs around $3 a yard. It has two sides- one has a metallic covering, and the other is a soft cotton. The metallic side will be facing the hot dish.

2) Cut out the batting.

3) Fold the 3" by 6" contrast fabric into thirds, so that both seams are tucked in.

4) Assembly: Put the right sides of the designer fabric together and then the batting/Insul-Bright on each WRONG side of fabric.

Your pot holder sandwich:

Insul-Bright with metallic side on wrong side of designer fabric

designer fabric

cotton batting

5) Pin all fabrics together, and insert the contrast handle between the two pieces of designer fabric.

6) Make sure to sew through all layers, and leave a 4 inch split in the seam for turning.

7) Trim seams and clip corners

8) Turn right side out

9) Top stitch the outer seam, closing the 4 inch gap that was left open for turning.

Voila! An easy and quick potholder that will look great in your kitchen.

**Disclaimer: I generally use these for taking the quick and easy items out of the oven, or placing hot items on the table. I am not sure how well it would hold up to extreme heat over time.

Candy Cane Lane

2010-12-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

Just arrived- the most delicious Candy Cane sets ever.

Giveaway this week

2010-12-09T05:44:00.000-08:00

Please join us on facebook for this week's giveaway- a Padalily Car Seat Handle Cover.

These are life savers for when you have to lug around heavy infant car seats, and they are adorable and stylish to boot!

Winner announced Sunday evening.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-29T17:23:00.000-08:00

A little late:-)

I hope you all had a wonderful day visiting with family and friends!

As I approach the five year anniversary of my business, I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how thankful I am for YOU! This business has brought new friends, fulfilled my dream to stay at home with my kids, and challenged me in the most enjoyable way possible.

THANK YOU!

All you can eat for five minutes.

2010-11-05T13:18:00.001-07:00

This week, I am all about stealing ideas.

First, I stole the Thanksgiving Tree from Nilsen Life.

As if that weren't enough, I have gone and done it again.

For the last week, the words "One more piece, Mom?" have been whined all.day.long.

Even the little guy has started. "I have Candy, Mom?" he says, with his pacifier hanging half out of his mouth.

I took a hint from The Meanest Mom around, Jana Matthews. If you have yet to latch onto her blog, you are missing one great read. She is hilarious.

She set the timer, and let her kids eat all the candy they wanted for five minutes.

Except I changed one teeny little thing.

Our playroom was trashed. Toys scattered in the living room. Trucks and Cars lined my kitchen floors.

"If you pick up the entire house, I will let you eat as much candy as you can consume in five whole minutes. We will call it Crazy for Candy."

The kids were so darn excited that they picked up every last toy, and created a competition to see who could pick them up faster.

How much candy did they consume, you ask?

One piece of bubblegum and one pack of sweethearts for Bryce. Kayden picked out three pieces of gum, and was giddy for a half hour.

This Halloween candy laying around might not be so bad after all......

Callin all hunters!

2010-11-01T17:11:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! Time for the eleventh annual cloth diaper hunt!

MiniMe BabyGear is a proud extreme sponsor this year.

How does it work?

Register at diaperdecisions.com. Then, visit the participating hunt sponsors to find a hidden icon on their site to earn entry into the 90 great prizes, including two Grand Prizes, and One Ultimate Grand Prize. Did I mention they are giving away an iPad?

Happy Hunting!

Looking for a way to store your diapers?

2010-10-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Diapers, wipes, lotion, desitin...the never ending list of supplies for changing diapers.

We live in a two story house, and I hate running upstairs to change a diaper. These reversible fabric organizer bins make it easy and chic to transport your changing loot.

Want to know something rare? They have a ton of cute boy options!

I can't handle it

2010-10-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

I am adding ruffled bloomers tonight that are TO DIE FOR! Aren't they adorable???

Meet the Binki Bear!

2010-10-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

You know that old saying "Well, they won't go to kindergarten with their pacifier"?

Left on his own, I am pretty sure my strong willed 2-year-old would.

We are slowly transitioning from the pipe.

I wish we would have started him with this Binki Bear:

The nice part about it is that, when you are ready to get rid of the pacifier, you already have that transitional object for them.

It works with any pacifier on the market, and comes in a cute little yellow bag for gifting.

Have I been doing this that long? LOL

2010-10-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

I really do love feedback from you all. It makes my day.

A few days ago. I opened my inbox to read this:

My cousin received her Wet Happened pouch yesterday and loves it. I love your product! I have had one since my daughter was a baby (she's now 7 years old), and thought about handing it down but I still use it often for holding toiletries when we travel, or as a back up plastic bag. There are so many uses for it, and it's held up exceptionally well over the years and numerous washes.

7 years old, and she was a baby when they got it. I cannot believe I have been doing this that long! Time flies, I suppose.

Thank you for the awesome e-mail!

Giveaway this week!

2010-10-04T10:30:00.000-07:00

We are giving away your choice of a Minky Dinky this week, over at Facebook. Simply leave a comment for entry!

Please remember to check back weekly as we give something new away each week. Listed on Monday, with the winner drawn via Random.org on Thursdays.

I love to giveaway baby gear, and hope you will join us!

The pillow

2010-09-30T18:30:00.000-07:00

Remember the DIY pillow? The one with the gray ruffles?

Well, I have not had a chance to get to it yet. Or really that much else, either!

My son picked up a parasite, which set me behind quite a bit. He was sick for a full month, almost every night.

Thankfully, we have moved beyond that.

Houeskeeping:

I want to quick point out Katie's Great Giveaways. She has partnered with MiniMe BabyGear to giveaway a Made by Angie wipes case. Please hurry, if interested! That giveaway ends tomorrow, October 1st.

Also, I have a stack of new products to add that I am really excited about...mostly shoes! I have lofty goals of adding them all this weekend.

Thanks for your understanding during this month of illness!

Diaper Bag by Cara's Creations

2010-09-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

Have you seen these adorable diaper bags by Cara's Creations? I have had them on the site for a while, but just updated fabrics, and there are many adorable new options.

Each bag is handmade, and comes with durable handles and a magnetic closure snap.

I have the Mocha Stripes, and I honestly think this is the easiest tote to carry around. Sturdy and the perfect size, this is one great bag!

You just cannot beat the price tag, either- $39.99 for the Evie and $49.99 for the Thallie. Pick from a slew of fabrics to create your custom creation.

Olive Striped Tie Onesie

2010-09-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

Isn't he to die for?

I just love it when customers send pictures of their kids in MiniMe BabyGear goods.

Little Braylon is a cutie. Thanks to mom Nicole, for sending it to me!

Happy Dance

2010-09-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

In January, it will be five years since I started MiniMe BabyGear.

Today I was cleaning out my desk and came across my goals from that first year of business:

~Create a job in where I can stay home with my kids yet still contribute financially
~Be creative and come up with a few innovative products
~Grow consistently, at least 20% a year
~Make new friends out of customers and other businesses

I would say I can put a big, red check mark next to each and every one of those. I am blessed.

Did I ever tell you that my original site was MiniMe Embroidery? Then I watched someone type in my URL address and realized embroidery is kind of hard to spell :-)

I made one product that took off right away:

A dedication/baptism/christening pillow (or blanket) with "God Bless This Child" and their name on it. Some days I think about bringing it back, but my husband is quick to remind me how much work is involved in personalization.

In late 2006, I introduced the Wet Happened? wet bag, and very soon after I commenced making all other products. I could not keep up with sewing, which was a wonderful feeling!

I remember the first time I received 10 orders in one day. I called my mom to take my kids so that I could get to work.

How exciting it was being featured on the Daily Stroll and subsequent 130+ orders that came through during the first hour. Also, how difficult it was to sew all of those in a short time frame.

The phone call I got from Target, wanting me to fly to Minnesota to be a part of the Parent Inventors program. Seeing it on the Target shelves the first time.

All of these were such great moments, this product was almost like a third child to me!

Feeling very out of my league during the year in Target, and stressed about the manufacturing process in general, I often prayed for some sort of change. Since my husband does not work during the summer, he became full time dad so I could tend to the business of Wet Happened?. 50-60 hours a week was spent checking over bags, ironing, reworking bags that were damaged, sewing, shipping, invoicing, and packaging. Being a one woman sweat shop was not on my goal list (see above), so something had to give.

Then I partnered with Itzy Ritzy. Their company vision, attention to quality and detail, chic style and fabric selections, strategy for growing the Wet Happened? wet bag....I just knew it was meant to be. What I had prayed for.

I won't pretend it was easy to let go of such a huge part of my life. But, on the other hand, it is really satisfying to see someone else have so much faith in a product you created. Because they are incredibly business savvy, a lot of great ideas have been implemented that I never even thought of (like the Wet Happened/Snack Happened fundraising program).

And then I see this picture, taken by one of their fans, at a Nordstroms. My heart swells in a completely different way.

Still as proud. Still a huge accomplishment.

They just look so pretty, don't they?

Giveaway!

2010-09-12T17:12:00.000-07:00

Please head on over to facebook to enter this week's giveaway- a flower applique onesie with ruffles on the tush.

Winner to be drawn Thursday evening. Good luck!

Meet Graphic Designer: Natalie Jelsema

2010-09-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have to admit- for the most part, I have been a "Do It Yourself" sort of business woman.

I did my best creating a postcard, but I always felt they fell short of how I wanted them to look. I would describe them as boring...lacking spunk. A good friend of mine, Natalie, offer to spruce them up a bit. The only requirement I had was that they had to match the magenta envelopes I ship orders in.

Aren't they awesome? I am thrilled with how they turned out. They are so much more put together than the ones I have designed by myself in the past.

If you are looking for a graphic designer, I would highly recommend her! I could not be more pleased. Please contact me if you would like her info, or look her up on facebook @natalie jelsema

Sneak Peak: DIY Pillow

2010-09-07T20:27:00.000-07:00

The Poke Box

2010-08-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

Last year around this time, I noticed my son had really puffy eyes. My husband and I attributed it to allergies, and started him on medication. The bags under his eyes continued to get worse, and a few other weird symptoms presented. Long story short, the day after Halloween we found out that he was severely anemic.

Because it is a blood disorder, his blood had to be drawn....a lot.

I remember back to the first day of trying to figure out how bad it was. By the third blood draw, I was bawling. Not pretty bawling either. Beat red face, nose running--sobbing.

One of the things that really helped get both of us through that first week was the "Poke Box". Every time you need blood drawn at the the Devos Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology unit, you get to pick something from the poke box.

All sorts of treasures line the drawers- dolls, matchbox cars, pencil and pen sets, tractors, stuffed animals. Not just your average gumball prize; the poke box is full of goodies that really helped get us through a lot of blood draws.

Ever since then, I have been meaning to donate some things to the poke box. From now until September 10, for every new facebook member I will donate one new matchbox car to the poke box.

Update: I am already at 15, thanks for suggesting me to your friends! I appreciate it!

iSuck

2010-08-23T14:32:00.001-07:00

I came across this joke pacifier today, and thought I would share.

Too bad it will probably be an invention in the near future! :-)

Re-usable Coloring Mat

2010-08-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Cars, Trucks, Trains, and Planes.

Whatever the flavor, my boys love them all.

This morning was turning into a rather loooonnngggg morning with lots of fighting, so I racked my brain on what we could do for a change of pace.

I had a bunch of PUL from the Wet Happened? wet bags leftover, so I unrolled enough to cover the kitchen table. Washable markers were put in front of the boys, with instructions to color while I drew some roads for them.

They were so excited to dictate where each road should be. I wouldn't say the Michigan Department of Transportation is going to hire me anytime soon (no Michigan U-Turns), but the boys appreciated having loops in front of where they were sitting and "rocky" roads.

A police department, an airport complete with runway, and some parking lots for their cars were added next to the Coloring Mat. They would run back and forth to the playroom to grab more and more planes and trains to play with on their special roads.

We did this for almost two hours! Even better, because they are washable markers, I can simply throw it in the wash for the next time we want to create.

Good drawing skills optional :-)

Side note: I think vinyl would work just as well, if you have that.

Aden and Anais is here!

2010-08-13T17:41:00.000-07:00

I have heard the Aden and Anais raves for the past few years. Loud and clear.

Let me be the first to say: I now get it.

I see what all the hype is about.

Soft, stretchy, large, lightweight.

I am feeling the aden + anais love :-)

Back to School

2010-08-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

My husband is home all summer.

Which makes it pretty hard to be excited about going back to school. If I lived in a state where the majority of winter wasn't spent holed up in my house, it might be different. But come January, there is nothing but time and gray snow for the next three months. It is my slowest season on the website, and my husband's busiest time at school. Time creeps by at a snail's pace, with some weeks feeling like they will never be checked off the calendar.

So to me, fall and school represents the onslaught of winter.

And I hate it.

I just bought a backpack, and even that is a hard task for me to accomplish. I want to wait til the last minute and savor every last sweet drop of summer.

I guess the upside is that the backpacks/lunch packs I have to offer are so darn cute, they make it hard to not be excited:

They are running out fast, so if you are interested, please hurry!

Babylegs, Babylegs, Babylegs!

2010-08-09T20:18:00.001-07:00

My eyes have gone Babyleg buggy.

Their new fall catalog came out, so I just spent the day updating my site. There are a ton of cute newbies, and I couldn't wait to get them uploaded...

Over 100 new babylegs.

Really Cute new socks.

Fabulous New Tights

Delicious Seasonal Babylegs, Tights, and Socks

and my personal favorite- newborn babylegs! All of the best selling babylegs, just mini.

Closed Thursday and Friday

2010-08-04T06:20:00.000-07:00

My little brother is getting married!

Can you tell I am excited?:-)

As such, I will be taking Thursday and Friday off to help with all the fixings- get the church decorated, set out the favors...you know, all the little details that take a while to complete.

Anything ordered during that time will be processed over the weekend, so you shouldn't notice any delay.

Thanks for your understanding and wish me luck- I am giving a speech! LOL

Huggalugs are here!

2010-08-02T06:15:00.000-07:00

Huggalugs are here, and they couldn't be cuter! Retail for $14.50 each, available in a bunch of colors.

Also, I am running a Cutest Kid Contest again for the month of August. Simply go to the MiniMe BabyGear facebook page and enter your child for a chance to win!

Weekly Giveaway going on over at Facebook

2010-07-23T07:51:00.001-07:00

This week on the facebook fan page, we are giving away a felt Steak Dinner Set. Simply leave a comment for entry!

Winner will be drawn Monday at 10pm.

While you are there, please be sure to vote in our July Cutest Kids contest! There are so many adorable kids- please "LIKE" the one you wish to vote for. Contest ends July 31st. If you missed out on entering your kids for July, stay tuned! The August Cutest Kids Contest will have special guest judges you won't want to miss!

Bad Mom Complex

2010-07-19T21:41:00.000-07:00

I was rummaging around the Internet tonight. I found Funky Lunch:

This is just the kind of site that gives me a "Bad Mom" Complex.

There are some really cool ideas on here, but lately I am having a hard enough time remembering to feed my kids, never mind making their sandwich into Nemo.

Sigh.

But oh, how I wish I could. I need to at least attempt this once school starts. What about you? Ever do funky stuff with your kids food?

Eye Candy

2010-07-17T19:26:00.001-07:00

If I am ever lucky enough to get to NYC again, I think I need to get to SweetiePie. Doesn't this look like the coolest place to have lunch?

From the menu: Candy S'creamer
3 scoops of ice cream, topped with a mountain of candy.

Even Buddy the Elf would be proud of that menu choice!

Organization

2010-07-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

Boxes, of all shapes and sizes, have lined my office space for the last few years. Stacked four high, all of them brown. My organization system worked well when my inventory was limited; as it has grown, it has become more of a challenge.

When an order for Babylegs or Made By Angie Wipes case comes through-- not a problem because those boxes are on top.

A perfect feeder? Not so simple. I have to remember which box those are in, and then unstack all of the boxes until I find the correct one. Inevitably, the box I need is always at the bottom in the way back corner.

Last weekend, I took a girls trip to IKEA. Four girls in a diesel truck with trailer.

My friend spotted this goodie, and I couldn't resist buying one myself:

Don't mind my kids LEGO table:-)

I can't say it has solved all of my storage problems, but it is a start!

I love being able to see all the goodies, too. Much more fun than in brown boxes.

Tie Onesies are back!

2010-07-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

Lime and Blue, looks great with blue dot babylegs

Olive Striped Tie, looks great with Folk Babylegs

Sage and Blue, looks great with Phinney Babylegs

Brown Striped Tie, looks great with pumpkin babylegs

Orange/Aqua, look great with orange/aqua babylegs

Tie Onesies are back, just with a new manufacturer!

I have to admit, when Very Kiki told me she could no longer manufacture the onesies for MiniMe BabyGear, I was really bummed. You all have loved those onesies as much as I do!

I searched many hours for the same quality onesie that you are used to, with the same attention to detail in the topstitching. I am thrilled to be offering these.

I hope you love them as much as I do!

Padalily Car Seat Handle

2010-07-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

Kashmir Karat

Hottie Tottie

Pink Coco Disco

Eyes Bright

While I was on vacation, a few new items arrived. I was so excited to open my box from Padalily.

You all have shown the Padalily love these days, so I decided to order a few more prints.

With tow HUGE babies (seriously, they were over 20 pounds in a few months), my arm could have used one of these with the infant car seat.

They are reversible and really easy to install. Retail for $25.95

Say Cheese!

2010-07-04T20:48:00.000-07:00

If I have time, I really love to have fun with food. Decorating cupcakes is my ultimate favorite, but cake decoration comes a close second.

Hamburger cakes are all the rage, so I thought I would take a shot at it.

2 yellow or white cake mixes

Round 8" pan

chocolate frosting

vanilla frosting

rice krispies

pastry frosting bags with a leaf tip and straight tip

Instructions:

Three cakes: Two for the buns and one for the hamburger patty.

I then frosted the bottom bun, making sure I went enough towards the center so the cake would not show.

I used chocolate frosting for the hamburger patty.

The lettuce was made using the leaf tip. Cheese and Ketchup was just a straight tip.

I then put the top on and iced that layer.

My future SIL was here, and took her hand at it.

I then put on rice krispies for the sesame seeds, and a little pick to add a touch of whimsy.

Level of difficutly: Easy.

Once I had the frosting colored and the cakes made, it only took me about a half hour to finish frosting it. I only hope it tastes good!

Happy 4th of July, friends!

Personalized Name Labels

2010-07-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

I only started offering the Bumpy Name Labels a few months ago, and already they have become a best seller.

While I was on vacation, the new colors arrived! Now available in kiwi green, pumpkin orange, wild violet, and ocean blue.

They come with either one or two lines of personalization, and arrive boxed in sets of four starting at 12.95.

Giveaway over at Facebook

2010-07-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

This thursday, at 10 pm, I am giving away a Snack Happened? bag, Simply leave a comment for entry!

STAY TUNED!

2010-07-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

MiniMe BabyGear is sad to say goodbye to one of my favorite vendors- the maker of the adorable striped tie onesies.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that I found another manufacturer, and I cannot wait to show you the NEW tie onesies. Stay tuned, because in TWO WEEKS I will be unveiling all the new appliqued onesies. There are a couple of brand new styles that I know you are going to just LOVE!

Vacation!

2010-06-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder that MiniMe BabyGear will be closed from now until July 5th for some much needed time with my family.

All orders placed will be processed on July 6th when I return.

I will have limited internet access while I am away. Thank you for your understanding and have a GREAT 4th of July!

New Snack Happened Bags

2010-06-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

Just arrived: new Snack Happened? patterns.

Ideal for little hands that need silent snacking. Why rebuy when you can reuse--and something so cute!

Done and Done.

2010-06-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

Whew. That was a crazy rush, and I thank you for it. As of 5:30 this evening, I am caught up on orders! Yahoo!

Just a reminder that there is still a little bit of time for the clearance Wet Happened? bags. Thursday at 3pm will be the last they are available.

I just threw a couple up there that I miscounted, so if you had your heart set on a blue zoo or dotastic, there are a couple available still.

Thank you again for all the Wet Happened? love! :-)

Designer Bloomer and Tie Giveaway!

2010-06-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

I love me a contest. I really do. There is something so fun about giving stuff away. You're excited; I'm excited. It just works.

These items might be hard to part with, though. I simply adore the tie from KBellaBambino. I think one of my son's would look quite dapper in it, don't you?

Then there is the designer bloomer diaper cover. The little ruffles on the bottom are just the cutest thing ever. K Bella Bambino sure knows how to do stylish and cute all at once. There are four other prints to die for. Check out the zebra- love!

How do I win, you might ask?

This one is simple- just become a fan of MiniMe BabyGear on Facebook and you are automatically entered. Double entry for also becoming a fan of K Bella Bambino.

Contest ends Thursday night at 10pm. Good luck!

Stroller Liners

2010-06-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

BV Kids just updated all of their stroller liners. Here is what I love: cute boy fabrics! It is so hard to find anything related to boys that does not include cowboys or space ships.

Although I must admit that I drooled when I saw this last fabric.

Comes alone or with a matching blanket.

Yummy.

2010-06-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

Not only are these designer bloomers incredibly delicious, but they have just been marked down from $26 to $20.

Going from a V to a B

2010-06-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

My maiden name was Vander Ploeg. Growing up, there were two things I hated about it.

I was always last for everything. Most school related activities are sorted out in alphabetical order, and there was only one person after me. She got the unfortunate W name. School pictures were the worst. By the time my turn rolled around, my hair was a hot mess from waiting so long.

The spelling of Ploeg. NO ONE ever guessed it right. After countless times spelling it out for take out ("nope, that is P-L-O-E-G, not P-L-U-G-E"), I officially changed my "take-out name" to Post. It saved me hours of spelling my name over the phone. Countless, as I ordered out a lot in college:-)

As I got older, I came to really appreciate the name. Specifically when my grandfather passed away. I felt great pride in being one of his. Similarly, with my own parents. I am pleased to be associated with them.

If I ever get pregnant again, I have decided that I will pay hommage to my maiden name with one of these maternity tees from Mitetees:

I just hope (and pray!) that I never, ever have to wear one of these:

I Do.

2010-06-05T05:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the big bridal shower for my future sister-in-law. A few pictures of the details:

These wedding dress cake toppers were what I alluded to in my previous post.

The directions said I could make twelve in 1.5 hours. I have no idea what kind of superwoman was making them, but it took me WAY longer. Just cutting out the bodice and hot gluing the pearls took about two hours.

I really love how they turned out, though. If I did them again (which would have to be for a very special occasion:-), I would probably do the cupcakes in a white cake. I think it would look cleaner.

Favors for the guests.

Have I mentioned that we have a cotton candy machine? My husband's parents actually own it, but we store it here. Kind of a fun way to celebrate special occasions:-)

Overall, it was a great time! I love planning showers and weddings. It only makes me wish they did "anniversary showers" after ten years of marriage. After seeing all that new stuff, I could use some new towels and kitchen accessories!

Last Day for Ellie

2010-06-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the last day to use code ELLIE for the 50% proceed fundraiser.

Thanks for all your help in raising money for this deserving family!

No more boring blocks

2010-06-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

A local artist created these, and I am in love.

When I first saw these, I wondered why I was so drawn to them. I am a sucker for great craftsmanship, but that wasn't it.

Then it hit me.

My house is overrun with toys that do something.

Sirens, music, lights, talking, beeping. One of my son's toys is so loud and annoying (thanks V-Tech), I sometimes have dreams about it going off in church.

So, I adore anything that gets the creative juices flowing for children. These blocks are expertly covered with your choice of paper and then sealed with a non-toxic overlay.

Available in sets of 6, 15, or the entire alphabet.

Party Planning

2010-05-31T19:11:00.001-07:00

Speaking of parties, thanks for all the party planning advice and websites.

My brother is getting married on August 6th, and the big bridal shower is Friday. Come on over if you want some cake:-)

I have been working hard on something all weekend (the directions say it should take 1.5 hours to make 12---pffiff!), and can't wait to share it with you.

That is, if I ever finish. I have five completed so far and am running out of steam.

Thanks again for all your suggestions. I was able to get some great ideas!

Party all the Time, Party all the ti--ii--iime.

2010-05-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

I don't yet own one of these galvanized tubs, but just one look at them makes me want to party all the time.....

party all the time.

party all the tiiiime.

I can just see one filled with ice and topped with cold cokes in the summertime.

Or better yet, I could find some really useful purpose. Like to store neatly folded bath towels or stack magazines.

I could even see it in a playroom, full of toys. I mean, not my playroom because that would mean my kids would actually have to pick their toys up and goodness knows that ain't happening anytime soon. But you get the point.

They come in three different sizes and ship for $4.

I Love These

2010-05-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to one of my customers for sending these adorable pictures of the tie onesie.

Argh!

The two boys in that chair....melts my heart!

Ellie

2010-05-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

This is Ellie.

She is adorable.

I am not sure I have ever wanted to pinch cheeks more than when I see these sweet, chubby ones. Oh, the ooey, gooey-ness of sweet baby chub. Love it.

Back to the point. Sorry.

Ellie's family has been on my heart many times over the last few months. First, Ellie went through surgery to receive cochlear implants. Then the day after surgery, her dad went into the hospital for an unexpected two-week stay.

Want to know the most amazing thing about this family?

Every time I see Joe or Julie, they are smiling. Looking at the positive side of life. I think I would be eating lots of chocolate ice cream, hiding under my covers, and feeling sorry for myself. And yet, they aren't. They never complain. In fact, they did not even ask me to do this fundraiser.

Because my mom has been through a few ear surgeries, I know that anything surrounding health and hospitals is just plain expensive. And with those bright blue eyes looking up at me, how could you not help this little one?

I would love your help to raise money for Ellie. 50% of the proceeds will be donated from now until June 5. Shopping isn't your thing? That's okay-please pray for Joe and a kidney match. You are welcome to read more about the story here.

Thank you to all who have shopped thus far!

Par-tay

2010-05-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

With my brother getting married this summer, I have a slew of parties to plan.

I am not complaining. I love to par-tay. And call me strange, but I really love to plan.

In my former life {aka: before kids and gumballs and barely getting a shower in each day. You know, back when I said I would never feed my kids McDonalds} my mom and I really wanted to start a wedding-planning business. Then I took a turn into the baby aisle, and have never gone back. Sorry, mom!

Anyway, I would love to know YOUR favorite sites for party goods- decorations, paperware, great tips and ideas.

Oh, and have a fabulous weekend!

One Man's Junk

2010-05-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

The base

While I was out with my mom the other day, we stumbled across an elderly couple's garage sale. We debated stopping, because for the most part I like to look for kid's clothing and they obviously did not have any.

I am not sure if you can read the price tag, but it says "Hutch, $2"

I wasn't specifically looking for a dresser/hutch, but that deal was too good to pass up.

"Is the price of the hutch $2?" I asked.

"Yup", said the seller.

"Does it include the base, too?"

"Includes that as well", he said.

"Sold!"

He went on to tell me it was a hand-me-down from his mother and had been in the family for years and years. Bought originally for their kitchen, they then had repainted it for the living room before he acquired it. They were clearing a few things out, and included it in the sale.

I guess they don't put a high price on sentiment.

I was thrilled to walk away with my new hutch/dresser for $2.

More great finds:

50 cents for two glass bowls

$35 for the tramp. Delivery not included.
The neighbor at the end of the street was selling this beauty. Hardest part was walking it down the street and into our backyard.

I got a few other great deals- a brown short jacket, a few shirts, some kid's clothes. Josh got a new high priced hanging system- a SoloFlex:-) I spent less than $60 and came home with a slew of new goodies to be proud of.

Reminds me of the old saying: One Man's Junk is another man's treasure.

Do you garage sale? Find anything good?

Pregnancy and Newborn Mag

2010-05-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

It is an absolute honor to be featured this month in Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine! They featured our breastfeeding buddy in the lust vs. must category. Thanks Lacey and everyone at Pregnancy and Newborn!

Out of Town Notice

2010-05-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to let you know that I will be out of town next week, through Friday May 7th.

Any orders placed will be processed when I return.

Thanks for your understanding!

Some of my New Faves.

2010-04-25T19:39:00.000-07:00

Momma needs a New Bag

2010-04-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

The first diaper bag I ever carried looked something like this:

No lie.

It was before I owned a children's boutique. My taste level was questionable, to say the least.

I graduated to this bag style:

What is so great about this is that it does work perfectly as a diaper bag, but it does not have to be used as one. Better yet, it doesn't look like one.

Now that my little one is only using ONE diaper per outing instead of five, I find that I use this more and more as a purse and less as a diaper bag.

And that is just perfect, because all the pockets designed for baby stuff are great for the mass amounts of matchbox cars and snack I now need to bring.

Mothers Day: Part 3

2010-04-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have one blanket in my house that I really love. I call it the yellow blankie. Because it is yellow. Original, huh? It is soft and cozy...the perfect weight. Not too cold, not too hot.

The problem is, I never can use it because one of my son's is always taking it from me.

This Mega Zabba is a great gift for mom, although I am sure it will also be stolen by children of all ages. It is silky smooth dots on one side and super fluffy minky on the other.

It is a good thing our kids are so cute, huh?

Mother's Day Necklace

2010-04-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

You can barely see it, but it is there.

Matter of fact, you will rarely catch me without one or the other on.

The first one I got is the Galleria:

with both of the boy's names around the circle.

Then this is the one pictured above:

with the boy's name on one side and "To the Moon and Back" on the other. Have you ever read about Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare? Great book.

This is the one I am currently lusting after. Isn't it so cute?

Last day for Mother's Day ordering is April 26th.

Sneak Peek

2010-04-22T18:02:00.001-07:00

One of my customers just created the cutest photographs using a tie onesie and blue dot baby legs.

Please click here to check out her adorable pictures. Then click here for even more fantastic photos.

That's all for now:-)

Mother's Day::Part Two

2010-04-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

Mom Shirts from Luna B Tees!

Choose from either a heart in the center or simply a name: mom, grammie, grandma, or whatever you call your special lady.

The personalized names around the outside edge of the circle is sure to be a big hit!

Mother's Day: DIY Footprint Tile Gift

2010-04-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

These footprint tiles are super easy to make and really cheap to buy. My parents have loved getting them for gifts. Even though they don't look all that expensive, I love walking by them every time I go into my house. It reminds me of how tiny their feet were once!

This was the first tile that we did. You can buy the tiles from Home Depot for $1.34 each, so they are really cheap to do if you have washable paint around.

The first few tiles I made, we used washable paint and then put a waterproof sealer over them to keep the paint strong through the elements.

Now, we actually stamp the tiles with waterproof, washable paint and then I take a brush and paint over them with acrylic paint. Either way works, but I find that they tend to fade over time, so I usually repaint them at the beginning of every summer.

What about you? Any fun projects you do for Mother's Day? I always love new {cheap} ideas!

Mother's Day Week!

2010-04-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

It's Mother's Day Week at MiniMe BabyGear!

Each day this week, I am going to feature something exceptional to give Mom for her big day.

Circles of Sentiments was one of my first vendors when I started MiniMe BabyGear four years ago. I have always loved the looks of this necklace and how beautiful it is when worn.

Inevitably, when a customer orders this necklace, two things happen:

1) I get an e-mail telling me how much they LOVE the necklace.

2) They almost always come back for more.

I love the classic lines, the beautiful hand stamping, the little charms. This really is one great necklace for mom on Mother's Day.

Get yours for $45, but order soon! Last day to order is April 23.

My Favorite Everything

2010-04-17T19:47:00.001-07:00

Let's face it. I have had my fair share of product reviews here at MiniMe BabyGear.

This one, written by Shanna of My Favorite Everything, takes the cake. I could not be more honored that she wrote such an awesome review, and said so many wonderful things.

It feels good to be loved:-)

While you are over there, check out a few other posts. Her writing style is easy to read and full of whit and humor. What sets her apart from other "review sites" is that she inserts her whole person into the products she loves and recommends. It feels like your just reading a good friend's e-mail. Oh and one look at her "About Me" section had me cracking up, especially the pole dancing reference.

As you can tell, I love back.

A few NEW items

2010-04-14T20:01:00.001-07:00

I am slowing trying to add new items to the site--I hope you love them as much as I love finding them!

If there is anything you feel is a good fit for MiniMe BabyGear, I would love to hear about it! I am always on the look out for the next "must-have".

Pacifiers with cute saying on them: Retail:$6.50

Flower Backpack: Retail $44

Fast Track Lunch Tote: $44.00

Free Range Chicken Lunch Tote: $34.00

Monkey Do Lunch Tote: $34.00

Spring Break

2010-04-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

It has been a little while since my last post, and for that I am sorry!

We were on Spring Break last week. That, coupled with my son's second birthday, left little time for blogging.

I have some great new products and sales coming...details soon!

I hope you had a fabulous spring break as well!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

My kids are at their third Easter Egg hunt today, with one more tomorrow. Target tempted me with their great Easter section, so they also have an Easter basket this year full of goodies.

If this holds, they are going to love Easter almost as much as Christmas.

In all seriousness, Kayden made Resurrection Eggs in school, and it is one of my favorite preschool projects ever. Twelve plastic eggs are in an egg box, and each egg holds something that represents a part of the death and resurrection of Christ. For example, there is a flower for the Garden of Gethsemane (try saying that when you are five), a cross, a sponge representing the vinegar, a sword, etc.

We have hauled that box all over town showing grandparents and aunts. He is so proud of it. I love it when he gets to the last {empty} egg. He always gets a great big smile on his face and says "Ah-ha! He is not here!"

As you go to celebrate tomorrow, may you also feel blessed by the true meaning of Easter!

"He is not here, He has risen!" Mark 16:6

Another Wet Happened? review

2010-03-29T08:28:00.000-07:00

I got the sweetest e-mail this week from April, who said:

"I know it has been ages since I ordered the wet bag from you, but I still love it! It is one of the best purchases I ever made! I take it on every vacation and every time I take the kids to the pool."

Thanks so much for e-mailing me, April! I am so happy you are pleased with your Wet Happened? wet bag!

Drool

2010-03-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

that is really all I can do over these new crocheted shoes.

These are on my ABSOLUTE must have list if I ever have a girl. I need to talk her into doing a few boy pairs, huh?

Update: Finished Wall

2010-03-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

Easter Cupcakes

2010-03-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

I have a little party that we have to go to for Easter, so tonight I was trying to figure out what I want to bring.

I have this little egg mold, so technically I could make these:

I could be wrong, but somehow these look like one of those projects that go incredibly off tilt. You know the type. Martha makes it look so darn easy, and then when I attempt it looks all Suzy Happy Hands at Home:-)

So then I found these simpler versions, and I am leaning towards the top cupcake basket because I love coconut at Easter.

Can you guess what those carrots are made out of?

Orange Starbursts! Ingenious.

Prayers for the Taylors

2010-03-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

I got a really sad e-mail from Seana, the mom that makes the personalized pacifier clips for me. Her five-month-old son died suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday morning.

Please join me in praying for this family during this difficult time. I cannot imagine the anguish and pain she must be going through.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

A few Easter goodies

2010-03-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Luna B Personalized Bunny Tee, $28.

Is it just me? I am obsessed with recycled crayons lately. I just got these in from a new seller to MiniMe BabyGear:

Lil Easter Bunny Crayons, wrapped for gifting in Easter Basket Grass $5.50

Lil Easter Set, $6.95

Easter LEGO Men, $4.95

Easter LEGOS, $4.95

Perfect for tucking inside that special Easter Basket:-)

Baby Legs+ Baby Sweet Treats

2010-03-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about these new creations by Baby Sweet Treats! Tina, the owner of Baby Sweet Treats, so graciously offered to create some of her famous cupcakes out of baby legs.

They are spectacular, no?

I only have a few in stock, retail for $16.95. Makes a unique baby gift!

Easy and Quick St. Patty's Day Gift

2010-03-13T22:16:00.001-08:00

My husband's favorite holiday is St. Patty's Day. Nope, he isn't even Irish. He did marry a red head though.

In honor of this Lucky Day, my son and I (okay, Kayden left to watch the basketball game long before these were finished) set out to create something fun for his teachers.

What you will need:

One pc. of 12 by 12 green paper

8 four leaf clover felt stickers (I got mine at Joanns for $1)

Half Yard Thick, striped ribbon

Half Yard Thinner, Dot Ribbon

Candy for the middle, preferably something with enough room to punch hole

Difficulty Level: VERY easy and quick

Step One: Cut your paper in half

Step Two: Fold

Step Three: Add Ribbon

Step Four: Add Stickers

Step Five: Add hole punch to top of candy and both layers of paper. I made two punches because my ribbon was so thick.

Lace ribbon through paper then through the candy and then the other side of paper. Yup, your ribbon ends will look all frayed.

Tie the ribbon, then clip the ends to cut off frays.

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. May your troubles be less and your blessings be more.

Facts and Figures

2010-03-12T18:58:00.000-08:00

I am getting ready for taxes currently. Of course I always wait until the week before my taxes are due to start getting receipts together.

As you know, I love random facts and figures, so I thought I would share some with you.

1.7% of my business comes from the State in which I live (Michigan).
I have to pay $97 in USE tax, meaning I have to pay 6% for the supplies I purchased out of state.
I spent $5300 at the post office.
My husband does postal runs almost every week day, so that is an average of about 250 trips.
I paid $1200 in business insurance.
That was way too much to pay for business insurance:-)
I just read on Itzy Ritzy's twitter account that Jessica Alba picked up a snack happened bag at the ENK children's booth this last week. FUN!
April 2009 ushered in my most amount of hits- 400,000. Meaning, that each website visitor that month clicked an average of 30 pages.
I currently offer around 500 items.
My favorite thing to do: find new items. I love the "hunt for handmade".

It is always fun for me to sit back and compare figures to see if I am growing and what areas can be improved.

Goals for 2010: double website traffic, work on SEO, find more charitable organizations to be involved with, run interesting giveaways/contests, be more consistent with my newsletter, carve out "business hours", and be better at recording for 2010 taxes (okay, that's not gonna happen, but a girl can dream:-)

Cupcake Sets

2010-03-10T17:47:00.001-08:00

My baby turns TWO next month.

I cannot believe it.

Thank God he still has cute baby cheeks that I can squeeze.

I have been looking around at party stuff, and found these cupcake sets. Aren't they to die for???

Palindrome

2010-03-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

Reads the same forward and backwards....or does it?

Very cool.

A Wet Happened? review

2010-03-09T21:07:00.001-08:00

A review of the Wet Happened? wet bag:

"This bag is very well constructed and I like the chic material. The size is perfect for traveling with a cloth-diapered baby. I am able to fit 10 Gro Baby inserts plus 3 or 4 shells into the bag easily, and there is no smells nor worries about leaking. In general I am a penny-pincher, everything else I purchase for my son from clothes to toys are all second hand, so this was a major splurge for me. I'm glad I splurged. This bag is worth every penny I spent on it."

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

Great Kid Gifts

2010-03-08T04:57:00.000-08:00

1. Recycled Crayons

2. Crowns

3. Art Travel Bag

4. Cute Backpacks from Dabba Walla

5. Play food

6. Dwink Box

Housekeeping

2010-03-03T05:26:00.000-08:00

A few new products added this week:

The Art Travel bag

Onesie and Sock Lollipops

Set of Four Bumpy Name Labels- perfect for daycare, church, or just keeping your own kid's sippy cups apart.

A Onesie and Sock Cupcake!

A big thanks to Skip to My Lou for the awesome giveaway, and also Raechel Myers for her most excellent shout out for the Rufflebutt Bloomers:-)

Finally, a special little girl has been on my mind constantly, and I hope you will join me in praying for her.

Layla Grace is a 2 year old, fighting for her life with Neuroblastoma. Please pray for a miracle!

Fabric Squares

2010-02-27T08:29:00.000-08:00

My kitchen needed a face lift. Beige walls were dreary and boring to look at.

Last weekend, I had the crazy idea to paint it teal with one red wall. About halfway into trimming, I turned to my husband and told him I absolutely hated it. He told me to finish painting, and if we still hated it we could always get a new paint color.

I am so glad I listened, because I love it. One of the things I really wanted was a place for my son's artwork from preschool. A good friend of mine, Natalie, had these fabulous squares of varying fabrics in her kitchen, so I thought I would give it a try.

**Tips:

They sell a set of four 12 by 12 cork boards at Michael's for around $6.
Each square takes around 16 by 16 inches of fabric for covering.
Having too much fabric made it more difficult to give the corners a smooth and finished look.
A staple gun was my device for holding the fabric in place, but I have also seen other's use hot glue.
One nail dead center keeps them in place perfectly.

I love how much color and vibrancy they add to my kitchen wall. I plan on adding an Uppercase Living wall art above it--I will snap a picture of it when I am finished.

Happy Weekend!

Winner is...

2010-02-24T10:38:00.000-08:00

the winner of the guitar onesie is #23

Champagne Wisdom

I am contacting you now to get your address! Thanks to all who participated! I have another great giveaway coming up soon (hint: from the makers of K Bella Bambino- one of my favorite kid's clothing lines), so please stay tuned!

WIN IT

Over at SkiptoMyLou.org , I am giving away a Wet Happened? wet bag, your choice of either a tie onesie or bird applique onesie, and a sock diaper cupcake. Retail Value $46.

See details there for entry. Good luck!

A new hat

2010-02-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

Could this hat be any cuter?

Didn't think so.

From the same mom manufacturer that makes the crochet baby shoes, this adorable crochet hat come with a variety of flower options. Retails for $28.

Off to the Big Apple

2010-02-16T07:05:00.000-08:00

I have always wanted to visit, and this week I will get my chance.

As such, I will be closed for the rest of the week. Any order placed after Tuesday will get processed when I return on Sunday.

Thanks for your understanding!

Dylbug:: Personalized Onesies

2010-02-14T18:46:00.000-08:00

I am just loving the new onesie line I added from Dylbug. I wish I would have know about these when Bryce was born, because I would have loved to put him in the Baby Name onesie with a pair of cute babylegs. Many styles to choose from, see them all here in the new product section.

Tip of the Day: For Moms of Boys

2010-02-13T19:33:00.000-08:00

We have a problem here at the MiniMe BabyGear house.

One of epic proportions.

Try as I might, day or night, I cannot get the little boy stink out of my bathroom.

I clean and clean, and the smell remains. There is some pee somewhere, I just can never find it to eliminate the smell. The walls, base of the toilet, even under the toilet have been scrubbed, and still I cannot ward off that smell.

Enter: Scrubbing Bubbles.

I hosed down the entire bathroom yesterday, and it is the first time in two years I cannot smell pee.

Just in time for me to start potty training boy #2.

:-)

Rock it like The Who

2010-02-09T17:47:00.001-08:00

...or maybe not.

Some halftime show with 64 year old rock stars, huh?

WIN IT

Your little rock star will look adorable in this Appliqued Tee by Very Kiki (size 6 months):

To enter, leave a comment with your favorite band of all time. Is it the Beatles, is it Aerosmith, or is it someone obscure like Sister Hazel (my personal fave)?

Funny answers appreciated, but winner drawn randomly.

Rock on, friends, and good luck.

Last Day for Free Shipping

2010-02-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

Just a friendly reminder that today is your last day for free shipping with code FREESHIP.

Valentine's Cupcakes

2010-02-06T21:55:00.000-08:00

For as much as I hated Valentine's day when I was growing up, I really like it now.

Kayden heads off to school to receive little notes and treats from all of his friends.

Just seems like fun, doesn't it?

Although I must admit, it scarred me forever when the boy I had a crush on spelled my name Gummie in fourth grade.

Cupcakes

2010-02-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

I made these cupcakes for preschool a while back. My mom was watching the boys, so I had a little extra time.

**Tip: Having black and white icing in cake decorating bags handy from the beginning. I tried to do that step last, and had to take candy off which was a mess. Supplies Needed:

Lion Face

String Licorice, cut into varying lengths

Two Plain Green M & Ms for the Ears

One Peanut Orange M & Ms for the nose
White and Black frosting for eyes and mouth

Turtle

One Green Peanut M & Ms for the face

Three Plain M & Ms for the spots on the shell

Four Plain M & Ms for the feet

This was one of the last ones I completed. I considered using black icing to draw out a shell, too, which would be cute.

White and black frosting for eyes and mouth

Bee

One York Peppermint Patty, cut in half

One Yellow Peanut M & M for the face
Black Icing for the Lines and Eyes

Ladybug

One Reeses Peanut Butter Cup for the Face

Five Brown Peanut M & Ms for the spots

Black icing for the line down the center

White and Black icing for the face

Fishing Pole

One Pretzel Stick

One Goldfish

Black icing for the fishing line

Pig

One York Peppermint Patty for the Nose

White Frosting for the nose holes

Two small red licorice pcs. for the ears

Black and White frosting for the eyes

If you do decide to make them, send me a picture! I would love to see your creations!

All my LEGO lovers

2010-02-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

While searching for cool molds, I came across these:

They usually retail for $7.99 at the LEGO store, but online is sold out. I was really wanting to try a few things- Jello, ice, gummy candy, crayons, so I did some digging and found them on Amazon for $24.99.

Triple the price? Not happenin'.

I then stumbled upon the coolest place. Thank God Kayden is not old enough to surf the net, or I am sure my credit car would be maxed.

Brick Link is the unofficial marketplace for LEGOs. I ended up finding two of the ice cube trays on there for $9.00 shipped. One word of caution- some of the sellers are international, so the shipping can get pricey. Any and all LEGO set you could ever dream of is on this site.

Upcycling Crayons:: making crayons into fun shapes

2010-02-02T19:38:00.001-08:00

First, I must give credit where credit is due. I got this idea from here, and thought it would be an easy and cute Valentine's project.

We had quite a few crayons shoved in every nook and cranny of the playroom. This lot was yielded from about 100 crayons.

Directions for Upcycling Crayons:

1. Gather Crayons. Half Chewed ones are still okay to use.

2. Peel off paper. Be prepared for your fingernails to look like you work at Muffler Man.

**Helpful Hint: around crayon 85, I finally got smart and realized the trick to successfully un-peeling crayons. Take a sharp knife, turn it upside down, and slip the tip right inside the seam. It leaves a small slit in the crayon, but the peelings come off in one big hunk.

3. Separate by Color

4. Melt Crayons. This was the trickiest part for me.

I tried:: Styrofoam cups in the microwave and oven, six ramekins (also melted in the oven), shattered two glass cups in the microwave, and generally made a huge mess.

This small pan above (with Bryce's paci as a reference point) is the perfect size for crayon melting. I lined it with aluminum foil and changed the aluminum foil with each color change. It was small enough that I could still pour the melted crayons into the molds.

You are going to want to watch the crayons closely. The liquify quickly.

In the microwave, it took around 5 minutes on high for all particles to be fully melted.

In the oven, it took around 8 minutes at 350 degrees.

5. Stir. How much stirring needs to be done depends of if you would rather have one solid color or a swirled look to your finished crayon. I did some of each and like both.

6. Pour into the mold.

**Tip: a VERY light coating of non-stick spray makes the entire process run a whole lot smoother. The crayons and extra splatters pop off so much easier.

**Tip: Speaking of splatters....at first, I was very careful to not drip. Dripping is okay, and can easily be fixed with a sharp knife. Once the hearts had hardened, I took the edge of the knife and cut off all of the imperfections.

**Tip: Find unique molds at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Walmart, or here. Most run about $1.99.

I also got this tractor mold and a few others to try out.

7. Let harden. I am not a patient person and I only had a few molds, so I put them in the refrigerator to quicken the hardening process.

8. Cut off any excess.

9. Make sure your two year old doesn't mistake it for candy and try to eat it.

10. I like to separate them again into colors before assembling. I know a few little girls that would be pretty upset if pink was missing from their goodie bag.

11. Testing is important and sticking out your tongue to concentrate is a very distinct family trait.

11. I then made this little graphic on the computer.

12. Divide crayons into the bags (I got 100 for $1.50 at Hobby Lobby in the Cake Section) and attach a special tag. Tie off with ribbon.

Final Thoughts: This was a fun project, easy to do, and I like that I had most of the supplies in the house already. Although it took far longer to finish than I thought, the lingering smell of the Crayola crayon spilled inside my oven will remind us for weeks of the fun shared while making Valentine's for Kayden's preschool class.

My SUPER FIND (so excited) is coming tomorrow.

Just added....

2010-02-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

Little Red Mary Janes!

Please order by February 4 for Valentine's Day Arrival. Retail for $20, and worth every penny!

A question::

2010-01-28T15:24:00.001-08:00

I would love your feedback: is there anything you would like to see on sale?
Anything you have been dying to get your hands on? Please let me know! I love your input!

Winner

2010-01-28T14:41:00.001-08:00

Congrats to Shimmala for winning the Ellie Bellie Kids Messenger Bag!

I just sent you an e-mail, so please respond back to claim your prize.

I will announce the new prize up for grabs later! :-)

This and That

2010-01-25T20:05:00.000-08:00

There is still time to enter the Ellie Bellie Kids Giveaway (see below). The winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon, so leave a comment to win this adorable messenger bag in your choice of pink or blue

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I am so excited about this blanket from Ally Zabba. So many of you have been asking when Ally Zabba would personalize again, and here it is. The Cuddle Zabba, personalized with your choice of name, font, and color.

Ally Zabba Blankets: On Sale TOMORROW only, 15% off with code ZABBA

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Also, a customer recently e-mailed me and asked if I would group like-fabrics together. She wanted to buy a few different baby items, but had a hard time knowing which items were offered in what fabrics.

I created a new category this weekend, called "Shop by Fabric". Now all you have to do is look for your favorite fabric, and everything I sell will be in that one spot for easy coordination.

A Giveaway:Ellie Bellie Kids Messenger

2010-01-19T19:48:00.000-08:00

To kick off the birthday celebration, enter to win {your choice} an Ellie Bellie Kids Messenger Bag!

I really, really adore this bag. Most kid bags are either plastered with an annoying licensed characters, or lack any color whatsoever.

I love the whimsy of the robot and the bright colors. Then again, everything Jen does is classic and chic.

Simply leave a comment here for your chance to win this awesome prize from Ellie Bellie Kids.

Please check back later this week for more giveaways!

It's my Birthday!

2010-01-18T18:15:00.000-08:00

Four years ago, I embarked on a journey.

My first web site took $100 to create. I told my dad that if I made that money back in the first year, I would be thrilled.

Who would have thought?

Sewing crazy hours for many years, adding retailers, selling in Target Stores, partnering with Itzy Ritzy on the Wet Happened? wet bag and Snack Happened bag, building such great relationships with my customers....I just love it.

I am blessed and honored.

From the bottom of my heart- I thank you! Thank you for your business, your partnership, and most of all your belief in me.

I have some great giveaways planned, starting tomorrow. Please check back for your chance to win! Also, as a small way to say thanks, please use FREESHIP for free shipping through Feb 6th.

Thank you again! Sincerely, Jamie Bird

Fun Fact: I started my website January 15, 2006. Any guesses as to when I received my first order?

I {heart} Valentine's Day

2010-01-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

and with personalized plates, bowls, and placemats like these, what is not to love?

Order by February 4th to ensure Valentine's Delivery.

Made by Angie Special Discount Code

2010-01-14T08:13:00.000-08:00

If you are a mom, maybe you have been there.

At the grocery store with a child who, well, doesn't want to be at the grocery store. I did what any self respecting mother would do.

I bribed. "Stop crying, and I will get you a candy bar" I said.

Sidebar: What's funny to me is I was one of those people who said they would never give their child candy of any kind. My kid will not eat junk. No McDonalds, no candy bars, no soda...nothing! Phsssssh. Parenting was so much easier when it was hypothetical.

Delighted with his new found sweet treat, my son proceeded to get everything in a half mile radius sticky and smudged with chocolate.

I pulled out my Made by Angie wipes case, and felt stylish and hip.

I just love these things. I have this one, among others:-)

If you have been looking at them for a while and just waiting for the perfect opportunity to get one for yourself, Angie has offered a special discount code for my readers. Simply use JAMIE during checkout for 20% off.

Cleaning up is inevitable, we might as well look good doing it!