Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm not one to usually make new year's resolutions, but I'm going to try this year. So, I came up with my creative/business resolutions. Yes, I made a list of personal resolutions, too, but instead of boring you with those, I thought I'd share this list instead...

1. Learn a new craft.
2. Design a new I Spy Bag every week.
3. Devote 2 days a month to making things that ARE NOT I Spy Bags. - stickers, cards, graphic design, maybe that new craft I'll be learning in #1...
4. Blog at least once a week.
5. Reorganize the fabric in my studio. Note that I didn't say I was going to clean my studio! That would be preposterous.
6. Allow myself some time off when the baby is born (May/June time frame).

Is it too early for Valentine's Day and Spring?

In my workshop, it's never too early for Spring! I've been busy designing, and came up with this adorable rabbit. I can't decide which photo should be the "first" photo on Etsy (you know, the one that shows up when people search). Next, I'd like to make it in dark grey with lime green stitching. I'm out of green thread at the moment, though... And, a few eggs to get you in the Easter spirit! Rabbit and eggs are currently only available to my wholesale customers ~ sorry!

I've also been crazy busy making up hearts for the Valentine's Day season. My mom found some amazing fabric and has been helping with cutting and putting in windows for me. I just love these psychedelic hearts~

I built a reindeer!

Well, I was part of a team that built this mammoth of a reindeer. It was a lot of fun! We made it as the main attraction on a Christmas parade float for our school. Unfortunately, I couldn't go to the parade today because I was home alone with 3 kids, and just couldn't fathom taking them all by myself to a crowd in the snow...

We started with the pattern for a small wooden yard ornament deer, enlarged and traced it to create a frame for this guy (and doubled the torso pieces). Then, we covered it with 11 yards of faux fur - machine stitching and hand stitching, stuffed it with newspaper, and secured the final touches with a staple gun. Awesome, huh? The head is hinged and swings back and forth, too!

Have I disappeared? Not quite.

I am back, at least temporarily. November was a crazy month. Let's recap:

1) Still getting over a cold that has lasted now for over 10 days...

2) Renewed my driver's license. The day before it expired.

3) Celebrated a milestone birthday.

4) Had record sales. which caused a virtual meltdown.

5) Found out I am pregnant with #4 (even though I have an IUD) . Sometime around Memorial Day or later (they think) I'll be carting around 4 kids. It's a good thing we have a minivan. And a babysitter.

Kiddywampus!

I am so honored that my I Spy Bags have landed a spot in the quirky toy shop at Kiddywampus in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. It sounds like such a cool place - I wish I could visit! The owner, Amy Saldanha, chose to carry my rocket ship, cupcake, and robot I Spy Bags. From her website: "...kiddywampus is an interactive, inspiring shop and art studio. Created by a lawyer and mother of three, kiddywampus aims to provide a selection of the most unique toys, books, and accessories for arty, curious kids."

Above is a picture of the "shop" part of the store. Kids are allowed (in fact encouraged) to play with the toys, and parents don't have to worry about saying "don't touch that!" What a mother's dream!

Kiddywampus also hosts classes (theater workshops and fine art classes) and parties in a spacious on-site art studio, where the techniques of Jackson Pollock serve as inspiration, and kids fling and splatter paint all over the place! (and the best part... they clean it up for you).And, drum roll please... when you purchase something from Kiddywampus, you are making a donation to charity. Yes, that's right! She announced in September 2007 that all after-tax profits will be donated to charities benefiting children. She has already partnered with Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

If you are ever in the twin cities area, please stop in! Then come back here and tell us what it was like in person, because we ALL want to know :)

Is it too early for Christmas?

I'm usually one of those people who complains about Christmas decorations coming out before Thanksgiving, but working in the world of retail and wholesale brings Christmas a little early! I have all kinds of goodies up my sleeve that I can't wait to implement and tell you all about! For now, a little taste of Christmas....