Looking for something cute for the holidays? Tutus & Tea Parties has a great handmade holiday shopping guide!

model shoot

I love what I do, I love babies and kids. I'd like to share some of the new pictures from a model shoot of my little monster baby set. These turned out fabulous and photographer's work is great! Thanks to Beemer Photography and little Ethan for wonderful pictures.

This one is my favorite - it made me smile, which is what I enjoy most about the sets I make - making people smile:

New items for the shop

I have been working on some new items for my etsy shop. I have been making binky clips since I started 2 Sprouts but never had time to photograph them. I was finally able to get some done.

I also started sewing some lovie blankets as a way to use up some of my larger scrap pieces.

There's more to come in the next few weeks!

Booth Display

I'm a little late in sharing this, I have been working hard on creating an inviting craft show display booth. Between garage sales, good will, and dumpster diving I have picked up several really great pieces. It's still a work in progress but I think it's coming along nicely. Here are some pics from my last show at the Grandview Lazy Dayz of Summer Festival.

One thing I am going to be working on before my next show is the free spinner that I got for my headbands - I'm thinking of cutting it down and covering it with fabric or ribbon:

Trash to Display Treasure

One Man's trash is another's treasure - I love that saying and for me it's so true. I have been on the look out for new display pieces but I have to keep a very low budget. I love dumpster diving, garage sales,goodwill, and auctions. Thankfully I really like an eclectic look to my booth. My sister found this little gem at a garage sale for .25!

I loved it at first glance - but it needed a bit of sprucing up before I could use it. My darling husband helped out by removing the trims and painting it my favorite apple green. Here is the carriage mid way with the first coat of paint.

This was MUCH, MUCH better. After a second coat of paint is was ready to go as a display piece - here it is in it's final glory - I love how it turned out!

New things coming soon and Fabulous Friday Finds

I will be introducing several new Baby Sets 2 Go on my etsy site as well as a change to my Diaper Clutch. I have several new items coming soon and I am hoping to make some tutorials to share, soon!

For today - Here are my Fabulous Friday Finds:

Etsykids Christmas in July sale!

I love being part of teams on etsy. One of my teams is participating in a Christmas in July sale!



This is the sale we have all been waiting for

EtsyKids Team Christmas In July Sale!

 There are two ways to visit our team shops. 

1. Use the links below to visit each shop

2. Go to Etsy.com and in the search box use EK christmasinjuly or EK CIJ to search the team shops to view by items.

Please enjoy and take advantage of these great sale, deals, and steals!

Hurry the team sale is from July 14th - 31

Here is a list of participating shops who are having a sale. 

2 Sprouts Stitchery
Stitched Stuff for Families to use and love everyday!
Sewing for babies, kids, and moms. 10% off entire store with coupon code: christmasinjuly

AliBeanBaby
Infant through size 8 little girl's clothing and nursing covers
10% off  all items except already discounted items in my sample/discounted section   coupon code is CIJ10

Alittlerosiebowtique
hairbows, headbands, hair clips,pony tail holders, etc.
offering 25% off entire purchase. using coupon code CIJ25

Auntie Robin 
Clothing for little girls and quilts for babies and toddlers
All in-stock items will be included in sale at 15% off with coupon code JULY15.


Aunty Ann Designs  
Wild, Fun and Unique Sock Monkeys
Bonus will be "free" name embroidery with sock monkey or blankey purchase.  Be sure to put EKBONUS in comments at checkout with the name. Plus a special 10% discount when using the code EKSAVE10 at checkout on all purchases.
 
Ava Bowtique  
I sell all kinds of hair accessories
All items will be 10% off.
 
babe-a-gogo    
Christmas themed lounge pants on sale 
The lounge pants will have free shipping
 
BabyChicCreations 
custom made clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers free shipping on select items
15% all car cozies and crayon rolls
 
Baresockcrafts  
I sell baby and kids toys and christmas ornaments 
I will offer 15% entire store coupon code Christmas10



Bebbyjumpers 
I sell quality handknits for babies and children.
10% discount off the purchase price coupon code is ~ xmasjuly2011
 
berchtasbelly1  
30% off sale on anything red in my shop
 
Bethanys5  
photo prop crochet hats 
all holiday item 20% off
 
Bibs Blankets and More  
bibs, receiving blankets, baby gift baskets, nursing pillow covers 
Promo: Free Shipping
 
BillieTK  
I sell fine art and art prints for children's rooms and the young at heart 
Use code FREESHIP for free shipping (domestically) on anything in the shop
 
BirdsongBows  
Accessories patterns 
15% off storewide
 
Bison Girl  
Bison Booties (soft-sole infant/baby/toddler booties made with designer cotton fabrics) 
15% off all Bison Booties with code "SUMMER15
 
Blush and Bashful Studio  
Crochet designs for all ages
Free Shipping Promo
 
blushprintables  
I design photo cards & invitations for birthdays, parties, and events
15% off all photo cards
 
Brandisbowboutique  
Bows, clips, hats, botties and other crocheted items 
25% off your entire order
 
BronStar Originals  
Growth Charts, Art Prints, Bow Holders 
Free Shipping(Excluding Stretched Canvas)
 
BurpieBundles 
BOGO Half Off Wristlet Key Fobs
Coupon Code is BOGOFOB... Users are also required to ""Like"" my Facebook Page.
Chew Chew's Closet
Children's clothing and accessories
15% off your total order excluding shipping Coupon code: ChristmasinJuly

Childishthoughts 
Childrens toys, example: crayon rolls, tool belts, car rolls, crayon aprons and some fun dressin up dresses. My sale will be 20% entire purchase


ChipperCuteGirl
Elementary school memory books for mothers and daughters
20% off storewide using code "EtsyKids20"

christinamcdaniel
I am going to have lots of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas shirts listed and all will be buy one get one half off!

CollieOllieDesigns 
I sell children's clothing -- skirts, dresses, onesies, t-shirts, and more
offering 25% off your entire order

crocheting4baby {aka Tutus & Tea Parties} 
crochet beanies & blankets, handpainted baby bodysuits and tutus
All will be included in the sale Free Shipping

Cuckooboo 
hair accessories for kids, pacifier clips for babies, badge clips and stethoscope tags for adults
15% off everything

CupcakeDream 
Photo Birthday Invitations and Party Supplies
15% off all birthday invitations with code: JULYSAVE

cutieflair 
Cute items you'll find in my shop: cloth dolls, cloth baby dolls, headbands, aprons, print artwork,original nursery paintings...
50% in most of my handmade items with tag: EK Christmasinjuly Free shipping in most of my items with tag: EK Christmasinjuly

CutiesTieDyeBoutique 
Custom Party Invitations and Decorations, Personalized TShirts
15% off of Entire Purchase - Use Coupon Code ETSYKIDSROCK

DaniJoDesigns 
I make felt sets, felt boards to go, felt animal masks and felt books
15% off entire purchase excluding felt books. coupon codechristmasinjuly15

Dapple Gray Designs 
Clothes that are cute & comfortable for little boys and sweet & sassy for little girls! - dresses, shirts, skirts 40% off entire purchase (excluding shipping) - Code CIJ40

Darcey Lane Designs 
Sassy Ruffle Fancy Pants (Bloomers), pillowcase dress. Christmas outfits, birthday outfits
15% off

Denise Jacobson- Momma Fix 
Little girl dresses sizes 6 months-9 years My sale will be
40% off entire stock of dresses

Dinos In Space 
one of a kind felt applique wall pieces for kids of all ages I am going to be having a
20% off sale of everything in the shop, plus I slashed the shipping charges!

Dragonfly Bowtique 
Hair Accessories
30% off using code christmasinjuly Spend $25 and receive a free item (buyer does not choose this item)

Fairy Godmother for Hire 
Selling children's dress up costumes
Free shipping to the US coupon code SandyClaws

felted kitten 
felt crowns
all items in my shop will be 10% - 50% off.

goldenneedlecreation 
I sell natural, Waldorf inspired toys, dolls and pretty treasures for children of all ages!
I will offer free shipping coupon code XMASINJULY1
All items in my shop will be included in the Christmas in July special.

GrannyZann 
Children's Clothing, Accessories, Granny's Little Blessing Dolls.
Entire shop will be on sale Free Shipping US. Discounted shipping Everywhere Else. use code FREESHIP

Harvest Moon by Hand 
Origami window stars/suncatchers, hand-embroidered/all-natural toys for children; needlefelted toys made from all-natural sheep wool; PDF patterns, children's accessories, and crafting supplies
Everything is for sale in the shop! Use code EKCIJ10 to get 10% off everything in the shop (products only; not on shipping)

himama  Changing pad covers, fun pillow cases, and coffee clutches free shipping as my promo with the purchase code of 711ChristmasinJuly

jencdesigns 
I sell custom, handmade art, clothing for children, and drawings
20% off anything plus a free surprise gift with each purchase

jjkgirlythings 
baby, girls some teen and adult hair accessories
offering 30% off discount on entire order

Kidz Wiz Padz 
Waterproof Carseat Padz-Great for potty training on-the-go!
Buy one, Get one 1/2 off coupon code KWPCIJ

Kind Living Designs 
personalized gift items
will be on sale a % off.

Knitstyle 
Stylish Cloth Play Blocks and hand knit items
BUY 1 MEDIUM sized cloth play block, get 1 FREE

Kooky Critters 
tooth fairy pillows, baby blankets, t-shirts, bed pillows and plush critters
Use coupon code LSLSL10DIS for 10% off anything in my shop!

laniec1- Niah Bella 
custom kids clothing and a few other tidbits
get free shipping all month and on all items by using coupon code FreeShip.

Lil.B.Designs 
Creative on-the-go-fun for young Picassos: art folios, crayon rolls, and Dine.n.Doodle mats
Free Shipping (worldwide) on children's products

lillollipop 
I sell lil ones clothes and things for baby or lil ones rooms
FREE shipping to USA all through July and a free custom painting for your lil one

Linda's Krafty Kreations 
I sell felt quiet books and toys and stuffed animals
offering 15% off of any purchase before shipping

Little Miss Iz 
Little girls Skirts and leggings - size 12 months to 6T
15% off entire purchase, shipping not included. Code CIJ15

Little Purple Dragonfly 
Boutique Hair Accessories and so much more!
15% off using Code: CIJSave15

Little Sweetie Boutique 
little girls pillowcase dresses & skirts
10% off all items

looploft 
fiber arts made with repurposed + natural materials... softies, tooth fairy pillows, wall art, fiber jewelry, party decor and lots more!
10% off entire shop and free shipping on christmas stockings

Lovely's Baby Boutique
Diaper Cakes/Cupcakes, Hair Clips, Boutique Diaper Wipe Cases
15% off entire purchase

Lucy Mae Designs
Boys Tie Shirts and Hair Accessories
FREE SHIPPING on all hair accessories

MaggieHeirlooms 
Heirloom Children's Clothing
10% off (coupon code CHRISTMAS) on all new custom orders that are paid in full
25% off (coupon code RTS25) on all "Ready To Ship" items

mandag433 
specialize in newborn - children photography props including hats and booties. I have a great red and green stocking hat, with jingle bells that is a big seller for christmas pictures!
offering 20% off items in my shop.

Markoos Modern Design
Modern Kid's clothing and accessories
offering a 15% discount on all purchases with code - 711XMAS

maxandmagnolia 
specialize in hand dyed & stenciled baby onesies, but sell paci clips, look books, & I SPY bean bags
FREE SHIPPING

Michelle's Zoo 
Stuffed Animals
20% entire purchase coupon code is CIJ20
Monkeys 'N Munchkins 
children's jewelry (baptism, flower girl, big sister/big brother, everyday, special occasions)
15% off entire purchase with code "july15"

My Little Angel Co. 
Diaper cakes, baby shower items, hair clips, beanie caps, and headbands
40% off hair clips and headbands, coupon code is SANTASWEATIN

My Little Pixies 
Creative Hair Accessories All Christmas and Holiday items will be marked
15% off. These items will be featured in the "Christmas Preview 2011" category in my shop.

My Lovebug Baby 
Useful items for mom and baby
Free Shipping to US & Canada with code: FREESHIP

My True Nature 
Natural & organic kids bath products
30% off using code "christmasinjuly"

MyArtsyBaby 
Everything! Custom children's wall art, canvas & wood growth charts, wood surfboards, wood dolls
Use coupon code OPENJULY for 20% off everything!

Nana Brown's 
Insulated Lunch Bags, Reusable Sandwich Bags, Sun Hats, Travel Crayon Caddies, Baby Bibs, Cosmetic Bags, and more
15% off purchase, excluding postage. Coupon code FIFTEEN

Nikki, In Stitches 
handmade hair accessories
15% off storewide...coupon code JULY15

Northwoods Toys 
felt play food and plushies
Free Shipping promo

NotyBaby
Handmade children's accessories: blankets, car seat canopies, bibs, burpies, paci-bibs, changing mats, pillow shams, nursing covers & adult throws
15% off all items during CIJ promo event  Use coupon code: JULYXMAS

OriginaliTeeToo 
embroidered hair bows, bottle cap hairbows, embroidered clothing and accessories
offering FREE SHIPPING on any order over $20.

PetalPetal 
Children's couture including modern, customizable birthday and flower girl outfits
Enter SUMMERISFORLOVE for 20% off your entire order!

Pickled Beads Jewelry 
All children's jewelry
Free Shipping (Domestic (US) Orders Only)

Pink Stripe 
We make Fun and Funky Goodies for Children and their Families. Sale items include tie shirts, birthday shirts, tulle cupcake aprons and lots of other fun goodies!!
HUGE sample sale on ready to ship items-- plus low flat rate shipping for unlimited sale items.

pippiclippis 
felt play food, unique plushies and rattles among other kids goodies.
free US shipping for july- JULYSHIP coupon code

 QuiltedHugsBibs
infants/toddler quilted waterproof bibs/sets & coordinating paci clips - all bibs are individually quilted
Use FREESHIP at checkout
Red Baby by Redrane 
Baby and Toddler Items - Swaddling blankets, burpies, car seat blankets, some OOAK clothing
10-35% off selected items

Reet Momma 
make personalized xmas stockings and each one is uniquely designed for the person

Snuggly Monkey 
Ouchie Pouches, Toys and Accessories
Certain items are 20-25% off - look for the "CIJ SALE" in the title (including my Snuggly Baby Dolls!); And 10% off all non-CIJ SALE items with CIJSALE coupon code

sugarbumps creations 
unique children's appliques, accessories, and clothing
20% off any purchase coupon code  JULYSALE.



Sunny Brook Farm Design 
specific items marked down with "Sale" in the title

SweeterThanSweets 
All holiday items - hooded towels, hair clips, etc. - will be on sale.
20% off all holiday items

Swirly Sensations
tie dyed items (tshirts, dresses, bags..etc)
FREE SHIPPING on all READY TO SHIP items

The Bitsy Beau
Childrens hair accessories and hand knit hats
Entire store is 15% off with coupon code CIJ15 and a free gift with $25 or more purchased

The Little LOVE Bug 
Felt Play Food
Use coupon code LOVE15BUG for 15% off your order

The Lollipop Boutique 
hair accessories (bows, clips, headbands etc), Baby wipe cases
the trendy tot 
Red Snow Flake Jumper and other items are also available in the sale section

The Trendy Tot Shop 
tutus, tutu outfits, and flower headbands. Everything will be on sale
10% off everything just enter coupon code christmasinjuly

The Voodoo Kitten- Cranky Cat Studio 
Baby and toddler items including blankets, bibs, burps, clothing, hair accessories, diaper bags, and more 20% off everything

Trendy Tykes- TTykes 
embroidered items for Infants, Toddlers & Moms. I will have my Cookies & Milk Place Mat & my Princess Playwear Jacket on sale @ 20% off plus free shipping on both items

TwoLovebugs 
Baby blankets, burp cloths etc
Everything will be 20% off with coupon code JulyXmas

TZ Burps 
plush owls and birds and other gifts for children
20% off purchase with coupon code Julyxmas

Villa Pernilla 
a free snackbag with every order in my shop.

WalterSilva aka: Silva Ware 
Kid's Decor, Original ART, Wall Plaques, Wall Sculptures
Everything in the Shop 15% off

Zoe Girl Designs
Children's Clothing Boutique
Buy 2 items and receive the 3rd item 50% off (3rd item must be of equal or less value)


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

New product in the making

I started working on headbands the other night - after cutting out about 100 of them

Boy did my hand hurt!


Moving on to pining - that took some time too. The second picture shows all of them pinned and ready for sewing.

Tada - here are about 1/4 of the finished headbands - coming soon to my Etsy shop!

Stop and smell the roses Sunday

Sometimes I forget to stop and take the time to smell the roses. I am normally going 50 different directions and someone always needs something. Even though I spend much of "my" time late night, my favorite time in the day has always been early morning before everyone else is up. I love sitting on my patio with my coffee and reading or working on new ideas.

Today I sat down and read Signatures Styles by Jenny Doh - it has AMAZING photos and highlights 20 stitchers and what makes them unique. I enjoyed reading and seeing how others find inspiration and organize their spaces.

Sunday is also time to spend with the sprouts and after a ton of rain all week, we had sun, it was an outside day! Today we painted with water.

Items needed - a bucket, paint brush (we use the foam craft brushes), driveway (or sidewalk) and a lot of imagination!

Best of all you can paint over and over - the sprouts LOVED it!






I really did take some time to smell roses (silk ones) - In a former craft life I made silk floral arrangements - today I revisited that life and worked on wedding flowers for a good friends daughter.

Treasury Tuesday

Today I felt like going on a Safari Vacation, so I created a treasury on etsy of fellow etsykids teammates to do just that.

A new focus

I attended the Midwest Craft Caucus this weekend and I realized from listening and talking to fellow crafters that I had lost sight of my voice and why am I doing what I am.  I have been questioning a lot lately why I am doing what I do and even considering giving up my quest for my creative outlet.  I have never been able to explain what I make now, it was a lot easier for me when I made pottery - I knew what my focus was and why I made my body of work.  With sewing it hasn't come as easy, I am trying to find what makes me unique - sewing late at night is one of those things.  At every craft show I have done someone has asked me "do you make everything here?" or commented that how do you find the time to do all of this.  At the caucus this weekend a presenter mentioned that they could tell if a applicant had made all of the things in their booth by the volume of work done - I took a look at my inventory - I make every single item myself and I wondered if they would think that of me.  I work all day, take care of my kids in the evenings, and when they fall asleep (my kids are night owls and go to sleep late) I get to sew.  Most nights I start sewing at 10:30pm, I sew until 12:30 or 1:00am on week nights and 2:00 - 3:00 on the weekends, I wake up for my day job at 6:15am.  Do I think I am the only one out there, no and I hope to find others out there like me.  For now, I have decided to focus on my late night escapades and changed my tag line to  "confessions of a late night sewing mama" - stay tuned, it should get interesting!

Walking foot - where have you been all my sewing life?

I recently acquired a walking foot  for my Kenmore sewing machine.  I have been sewing bibs and burp cloths for a year and a half with my plain foot and the results have been good but not great.  I had tried sewing blankets with minky or satin backs and had given up on them because they grew when I sewed them.  I had a lot of trouble with the tension on my machine and the thread pulling sometimes, it was getting pretty frustrating.  A quilter friend asked if I had tried a walking foot, I had heard of it but never tried it – thinking it wasn’t for me since I have never quilted.  Wow was I wrong!  The walking foot worked terrific – my sewing stitches are much more even and the tension problems I have been having are gone.  Sewing is much smoother, stitching through heavy chenille and cotton and the multiple layers of my changing pads and diaper clutches is super easy now.  Not only is the sewing smoother, the layers don’t creep and get out of square!  I would highly recommend getting one! If you are stitching through several layers of fabric, chenille, terry cloth, or minky – don’t wait – get a walking foot it will make your sewing life so much easier!  I wish I hadn't waited so long!

Wordless Wednesday - My Inspirations (my 2 Sprouts)

Favorite Fabric

I finally made something using my new favorite fabric!  In honor of it being new, I made something I haven't made before.  New to my designs is roll up diaper changing pad! (coming soon with be an all in one diaper clutch - I am working out the the design this weekend).   

New Fabric day!

What do fabulous new fabrics and Chuck E Cheese have in common?  They both offer hours of entertainment!  I was worried when I had to drive 3 hours each way to get new fabrics for this season with my kids.  The warehouse is only open during the week and does not allow children - what's a working mom with a 9 and 2 year old to do?  Especially during spring break?  Wanting to be together my husband and I packed the kids in the car and made the trek trying to decide what they were going to do while I shopped.  They were going to find a park but the rain made us change our thinking.  Thinking out loud prompted my 2 year old to say - let's go to Chuck E Cheese!  Out of the mouth of babes comes some of the greatest ideas - we were surprised and excited to find one within 3 minutes of the warehouse!  It was meant to be, we were all entertained!  Best of all I found a new favorite fabric - I can't wait to make something with it.

Green

Today is dominated by green, I actually had a co-worker check to see if I was wearing it.  I was inspired to create a treasury of my Loud and Wacky team mates to keep the green going.  (Now, if I can just figure out how to get a picture to post here that would be awesome - but that is another post).

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d821d3cd28b6d915bbc4c23/keeping-the-green

My sewing room - the awful truth

Part of my New Year's resolution was to clean my sewing room.  I have to tell the truth, as much as I nag my daughter to clean her room, I have a secret inner slob.   I hate cleaning and I hate to take the time to clean while I am working.  Honestly, if my husband didn't sweep I would be ankle deep in snipped threads and fabric scraps.  That said, I would love to have one of those beautiful, inspirational sewing rooms, I drool over pictures of those organized creative spaces.  But, I have come to the realization I will never have one of those rooms, mine will always be organized chaos.  That's how I work best, with organized chaos.  I am embarrassed to show these before pictures, but I made a promise to myself that I would open up and embrace my inner slob.  While I was looking at these my thought was, how sad - how in the world could anyone be creative in this space?  The room in no way reflected me, my designs, or my workmanship!  I take pride in the quality of my products, why didn't I take pride in where they are made?  So I made another promise to myself, I would make my space a place that is a reflection of my work and finally squash that inner slob.  It's been a slow process, the after pictures are coming soon - I am still working on the finishing touches.

My Baby bib hanger, a new use for a paper plate!

I thought I would share my new use for a paper plate.  I was at a loss on how to display my baby bibs at craft shows, they would collapse when I hung them and were not very attractive.  In search of something that would hang them like the stores I searched online, locally and could not find anything.  I was walking through the store when I saw the paper plates.  The inner circle was the perfect size to fit my sewn baby bibs.  I cut out the inner circle, added notches in the middle to hold the bib, and a plastic hang tag.  They were a little too plain, so viola, the "baby" in the baby hanger was born.  I drew the image with a marker and added pink cheeks.  I think they turned out really cute!

TGIF

I am looking forward to cleaning my sewing room this weekend. My new year's resolution of New Year, New Me means more organization!  One thing that has been my down fall are ways to organize all of my sewing scraps.  A giant pile always accumulates and I forget what I have.  Once I am done, I hope to post pictures of the before and after :)

New Year - New Me

Morning!  I am new to blogging but not new to the world of crafting.  I have resolved this new year to make a new me!  I have been creating since I was little and my grandmother taught me to sew and crochet and my Aunt taught me to paint.  Sewing has stayed with me, the crochet not so much I made one trivet and decided it was not for me, I still paint but not so much anymore.  I had a craft business about 10 years ago but closed it when I had my daughter.  I was a studio potter/sculpture and taking her into the studio was not an option, I sold most of my equipment to get us through some hard times.  I was still sewing and making items for my family and friends, I love making things for kids.  Two years ago when my very supportive husband lost his job, right after having our second child, I decided sewing was a way to help support our family even more.  I started 2 sprouts and it has been wonderful trip, hard, but fun.  I have run into many things that I hadn't from before, there is a whole new world of online advertising, selling, blogging, enough to make my head swim!  So this will be my trials and tribulations of navigating this world and sewing one delightful thing at a time. 

Happy New Year!

It truly is a new year - Let's make it Happy.