Five Etsy Favorites: Knit Hats

Now that my child will occasionally wear a hat without having a complete meltdown, I really want to get one of the cute knit ones sold on Etsy. Most of the sellers will make any size you want -- from newborn to adult. I wish I knew how to knit....

Earflap Beanie by Portland Beanie Company:

Mini-Monkey Hat by Citefuzz:

Visor Beanie by Nuxiemade:

Flower Beanie by Bubblegirlknits:

Strawberry Hat by Baparsell:

Stock Photo Does No Justice

Well, I took my baby Christmas shopping yesterday. Guess what I bought? That's right, a handbag for Mama. It's the Tulah Ray split satchel bag, 50% off at Nordstrom. This stock photo from their website does the bag no justice. First of all, it looks better zipped. Second, the color I got is a dark greenish blackish, which is awesome. Third, I like it with the shoulder strap detached. Fourth, it looks like a $1500 bag. It is that awesome. I am in love with this bag. I'll try to post a picture of mine later. They still have some online.....just saying.

Hug It Out

How cute is this pillow by Jonathan Adler? 100 percent wool cover with down insert, $165. What a sweet sentiment.

No Custom Orders?!?

I love Etsy seller Morelle. LOVE LOVE LOVE. And I want this bag, the Lilac Truffle, but in leather instead of fabric (I have a toddler, duh). But she doesn't take custom requests. I guess this means I will continue to stalk her store every day (yes, every day) until she lists a leather bag in a color I want. Until then, I'll try to be patient.

They're Back -- Little Leg Warmers

Yep, I put some little leggies in my Etsy shop this week. They really are so cute. I am making all kinds of stuff, with a particular focus on stocking stuffers, to list in the shop in the next few weeks. Stop by for a visit!

Slow Saturday

Somehow I did not get very much done today, even though I was up at 7, went on a walk, ate breakfast and showered by 845. But I did make some toddler belts. Here are three of them. I made my own pattern with inspiration from this Creative Little Daisy tutorial and this one from The Longest Year. These are perfect for using up scraps of home decor fabric, and the only real expense is the D-ring (about a dollar each).

Fashion Plates Redux

Oh how I loved my fashion plates. Some of you will remember them -- you mixed and matched two to three "plates" of miscellaneous fashions and hairstyles, transferred them onto paper with a little squeegee holding a black crayon and then colored them in.

For a similar experience in the virtual world, visit Polyvore. It's a site that allows you to create a look by mixing and matching clothing and accessory images from the web. While it's not the tactile sensation you get with fashion plates, it nevertheless is addictive. And you can look at and comment on thousands and thousands of outfits (called "sets") created by other fashion addicts. Here's a set I created:

This set used images already on Polyvore (there are tons), but you can also import images from any website. So here's what I created: Tory Burch top; French Connection slacks; Burberry studded sandals (someone please buy these for me); Fendi clutch; and Ippolita bracelets, ring and earrings. Swoon!

Custom Toddler Fabric Belt

I love these little toddler belts. I plan to sell them on etsy once I can figure out the best way to photograph them. They have some interfacing to give them heft, but they are still soft on toddler tummies. I leave the end unfinished until the buyer provides the toddler's waist measurement.

Wally World

Baby is taking swim lessons at the Y, and the pool deck is slippery as we found out firsthand unfortunately. One of the other swimmers was wearing the cutest little reef runners, and his mom told me she got them at Wal-Mart. So off we went. I got these fabulous shoes (in pink -- yay!) for FOUR DOLLARS!!!!! and they are really made well and should last all summer. I may even get a pair in the next size up. I also saw the following adorable and well-made items. First, this precious appliqued swimsuit for only $7 (also online).
These leather boys' sandals were only $14 and looked really great (also online).

My Latest Purchase (Someone Cut Me Off, Please!)

This is the problem with selling on Etsy. People pay you with PayPal and it starts adding up, and then you think, "wow, free money." Except it's not free since it is supposed to either go toward the crafting supplies you bought or your child's college fund like you originally intended . . . but I digress. I just bought the most fabulous Etsy purchase -- the ICKY Bag (tm) by Petunias. It is a big, beautiful bag available in lots of fab fabrics, including ones on the seller's Flickr site, and lined with some space-age stuff called Fabuthane (what a great name) that is used for waterproofing and fungus reduction. It's for holding a wet swimsuit, used cloth diapers, or really anything that you don't want touching your dry things. I am so excited to get it!!!!