Showing posts with label 20besttwenty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 20besttwenty. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

It's Raining Babies, or what to give for a shower

I have been attending an unusually high amount of baby showers these past few months.  It seems like all of my friends are having kids again - or for the first time.  So I thought it might be fun to share a few of my favorite baby shower gifts and tips with you today.

I know when I had my little guy a few years ago that I registered for all sorts of things that after he was born ended up gathering dust like the diaper wipe warmer, really?  My tip is for baby gear get the essentials - bottles as always needed, bibs are great, diaper pad covers will be used in abundance! You can also throw in a little something extra to make your gift of bottles a little more special, like Le Bibble which helps clean up the milk that doesn't quite hit it's target.

Le Bibble in Le Lime $12 found via 20BestTwenty

I also received a slew of baby clothes that were sized 0-3 and 3-6 months which meant my 8lb 6oz and 21 1/2 inch boy wore them exactely once before growing into size 6-9 month clothes by the end of his first month.  So now if I buy clothing for my friends I buy 6-9 month or up to make sure their little one will actually get the chance to wear it.  I absolutely adore this handmade romper by the Measure,  I mean is there anything cuter than a ruffled bottom?

Chevron Stripe Romper by The Measure $49 found via 20bestTwenty



When I show up at a shower I know the best way to get some oohs and ahhs is to buy a handmade gift for my friends.  Something that you cannot find at Babies R Us which will become an heirloom item that the family holds on to for the next child - or even passes along through the family.  Of course since I make mobiles most of my friends want a little mobile so they usually get something like my 2 lovebirds mobile or little raincloud, both of which are perfect for over the changing table or placed in a corner of the room by a rocker where you will spend lots of time!  If I don't know the sex of the baby I will usually give this, since everyone needs a little rainbow in their life:

Dreamy Rainbow Mobile by baby Jives $49 

Some other items which I love are the handmade wooden teethers rattles like this one by Smiling Tree Toys, handmade by parents using organic wood so your baby is set to rock, rattle and chew to their hearts content.

Organic Guitar Rattle by Smiling Tree Toys $26 via 20BestTwenty



Another great idea is a handmade growth chart to measure how quickly that little person will grow. I love this one by Love From Nora featuring Vintage VW buses handmade from felt and personalized with your little ones' name (if you know it).

VW Bus Growth Chart by LovefromNora $52 via Etsy

Years later we still use some of our favorite handmade items on a daily basis, like the knit blanket my friend made for my son and the wooden chair that my dad made for me is now my son's favorite place to sit and of course my son says good morning to his bird mobile every day. So what about you - what is your favorite baby shower gift to give?

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Shared Studio

Like many Etsy sellers I started my business so I could work from home while raising my son.  That means many days my work time is limited to naptime and after bedtime but as my business gets busier I am finding I need to squeeze studio time and little man time into the same space.  Literally, my studio is becoming his play area and it's actually pretty fun to have Gavril in there with me.  So I thought it I would show you around the scenes in my studio and give you an inside glimpse to my business.

Where the magic happens - my Bernina Record
Gavril's driveway / my fabric shelves
piles of dragonflies and butterflies


 Ok, I guess these are more of studio vignettes because if I showed you what my real studio looked like your jaw would drop in horror - it's a mess!  Sharing a space with all my fabrics and my son is not ideal.  He really needs to get a little bit of his own space in there so I have been daydreaming about the perfect studio for both of us.  For him it would include this:

 
The deskhouse by Nine to Nine, found via TwentyBest20
and for me it would include this:

Alphabet Drawers by Kent and London found via TwentyBest20

Friday, April 29, 2011

A little home for here

I think it may be the fact that spring is finally here but somehow I am stuck on the idea of a nice neat house, which mine is NOT!  So I am embarking on a virtual spring cleaning - meaning I found nice things that I would love to bring into my home to impart a little more order into my chaos.  I don't have the time to clean up yet since I am getting ready for my booth at Art Star Craft Bazaar in 2 weeks but after the show maybe I will reward myself with a clean house and a new goodie to help keep me organized and comfy.  Here's a few of my ideas...

Wolf Den Coat Rack by Cantilever and Press $245



Animal Index by Charles and Marie, $27





  
Log Pile Cushion by Roddy and Ginger, $40


So now I need to go clean my house so I can get myself a nice little reward to spruce it back up again. 
Items found via 20 Best Twenty

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Mama wants...

Mother's Day is fast approaching and I thought it would be nice if I assembled a collection of things that would make me happy. This way my husband can avoid the stress of having to look for a present for me - aren't I thoughtful? I mean he has enough to do in his day without worry about what I want as a little gift - so honey here are a few hints....

Shut the Front Door Coffee Cozy by Knot Workshop, $15
Love Boat Nautical Striped Purse by Ruche, $49
Ms. Peacock Earrings by This Ilk, $35
Custom Silhouette Necklace by Le Papier Studio via the Silly Wagon, $31

all found via 20 Best Twenty