Handmade Kid-Friendly Gift Wrap (via Oh My! Handmade Goodness)

A challenge was issued by me to a few creative and resourceful bloggers to come up with kid-friendly ideas - either in the sense that a child will find it easy and fun to make the gift wrap, or that he/she will enjoy receiving a gift wrapped using the approach that the blogger comes up with. Hop on over to Oh My! Handmade Goodness to see what everyone came up with!

We also have some great news, starting January 2011, EtsyKids will become a monthly contributor over at Oh My! Handmade Goodness - yay! We are all excited and looking forward to sharing great ideas between both blogs!

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Shopping Guide ... Doll Clothes

I have three girls, and when a certain doll catalog comes in the mail, there is a huge clamoring to see who can get their hands on it first. My girls love the books and stories that go along with the dolls, telling their story and the time in which they lived. Over the years these characters like many in their favorite books, have become good friends, friends they like to visit often within the pages of their stories.

With gift giving and wish lists in the forefront of our minds, my circle of friends, has talked a lot about dolls lately ... brands, quality, cost, worth. Lots of opinions, but mostly lots of Mom's wanting to promote good values in the toys they give their daughters, wanting high quality, but also working with in modest budgets.

When a friend mentioned to co-worker that she was looking for quality clothing for her daughters 18" doll, and wanted more variety than what can be found in the stores. Her co-worker said, "Have you tried Etsy?"

What a fabulous suggestion! Etsy, specifically EtsyKids team members have an amazing selection of clothing for 18" dolls ... everything from period dresses and party dresses, to soccer and cheer leading uniforms. But don't for get the everyday clothes and accessories ... dresses, jeans, leggings, caps, and more. The prices are super reasonable and the quality looks amazing! So if you're in the market for 18" doll clothes. Please check out the selection offered by our EtsyKids team members. They have LOTS to offer the little girls on your shopping list this year.

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EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of this month's challenge 30. Red Swirly Flowers Pillowcase Top - Size 4T by singmeamelody!

Sing Me A Melody is a lovely store filled with dresses, tops and little buttons all handmade by mother of two, Sophie Cormier. You'll be sure to find an adorable gift for that little girl on your list. Pop by HERE to visit Sing Me A Melody.

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EtsyKids Design Challenge: It's time to VOTE!

It's time to vote for your favorite item! Voting will be open through midnight EST, November 27th. This month, EtsyKids members were challenged to create an exciting new item based on a theme "Peppermint Swirls!". We received a lot of fantastic entries from some talented people. Each participant was assigned a unique random number. Please note your favorite from the list below and place your vote. You can also view each entry in detail by clicking on links provided at the bottom of this post or HERE.


(If you can't view the voting poll above, please follow HERE to vote.)

1. TINIEST RED ROSE TUTU FOR NEWBORNS WITH FREE COORDINATING FLOWER CLIP-INFANTS by cuddlehugs
2. Peppermint Owlet by tzburps
3. Christmas red & white with a sprinkle of green lil DIVA Set by lilsteinstyles
4. OOAK Baby Newborn Candy Cane Stripe Elf Hat DESIGNER Red White Hand Knit Stocking Cap by FiddlestyxStudios
5. Numbers Magnet Hanging Basket/Reversible by LilBitSassy
6. Burp Cloth Bundle of Four - PEPPERMINT set of hot pink and red coordinating cloths by tinystitches
7. Knit Double Pom Pom hat - custom sizing and colors available, baby, toddler and child by JillyBeanJar
8. Girls Vintage Peek-A-Boo Christmas Dress by KinderKouture
9. Candy Cane Wool Stocking Made to Order by mrowe
10. Peppermint Princess Holiday. Great for Holiday Pictures Tutu Sizes Newborn-6 Ships in 2-4 DAYS by ashlafone
11. CLEARANCE-Set of Six Christmas Candy Crayons by PreschoolDoll
12. Girls Peppermint Boutique Hair Bow Candy Cane Red White Christmas BowFairies by LilBelleBowtique
13. Girls Frilly Holiday Apron by ccooperdesigns
14. Rhonda the Red Nosed Reindeer...Adorable Custom Made Boutique Applique Shirt or Onesie...Perfect for Winter and Christmas by gigglebabydesigns
15. Holiday Peppermint Candy Pillow by rosirouge
16. CUSTOM Minky reversible throw blanket 3x5 ft, 100 MINKY STYLES to choose from 8) by yourloveyboutique
17. Peppermint Toppers by Mary Had a Little Party by maryhadalittleparty
18. CSL Boutique Signature Holiday Onesie and Pants Set Choose your size by CandyStickLane
19. Long Sleeved Holiday Tie Shirt with Santa Sleeves by PinkStripe
20. Christmas Cupcake Girls Holiday Outfit 6m to size 8 by liliputiansNYC
21. Fabric Flower Corsage Pin- Red, Black, and White Tartan Plaid by ChirpAndBloom
22. Applique Santa Hat on Christmas Green Hand Dyed Burp Cloth by sewbrookstone
23. Peppermint Red Candy Cane Jester Hat Christmas Collection by ohbabydotcom
24. Reindeer Pillowcase Dress by reachmichellee
25. peppermint tree tee... size 6-7 by sunnybrookfarmdesign
26. Toddler Ruffle Knit Leggings Red and White Holiday by AJsBowtique
27. Candy Cane Headband by sewmuchlovedesigns
28. Glitz Pillowcase Dress - Custom sizes 0-12, 12-24, 2t, 3t, 4t, 5t, 6, 7, 8 NEW DESIGN by thepolkadottotspot
29. Holiday Peppermint Peace Applique Shirt by monster in the closet on etsy by monsterinthecloset
30. Red Swirly Flowers Pillowcase Top - Size 4T by singmeamelody
31. Christmas Ruffle Pants by busybizzyB
32. CANDY CANES Green CHRISTMAS Red HOLIDAY Custom Boutique Pillowcase Dress by lilsweetieboutique
33. Embroidered Christmas Gingerbread Man Headband Peppermint Candy Custom Boutique by thesouthernbaby
34. Christmas elf by Aledi
35. Peppermit Candy Holiday Dress - 2 Toddler by BabySewPretty
36. SALE Christmas Dress with Bells and Embroidery by vivyscloset
37. SALE Red Tutu with Christmas Candy Swirl Bow by lucymaedesigns
38. CHRISTMAS PEPPERMINT CANDY BOW HEADBAND by jjkgirlythings
39. by alyssanickohldesigns

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Go T-E-A-M!

We live in a college town. And for the last couple of years we've tried to go to one football game a year. This year, my husband decided to purchase a pack of tickets so he could take each of the children on a daddy kid outing to a football game. Our team had a TERRIBLE record, of the four games he took them too, three lost, and the fourth game they were so convinced they were going to lose that they left (halftime score 27-0) only to have them win the game in the last quarter - who does that? Thankfully for our kids, cotton candy and popcorn or a pretzel go a very, very long way and tipped the scale for each of them, so they were anything but disappointed.

Everyone has their favorite team -- high school, college, pro -- and who doesn't love showing their support by wearing their teams colors. Lots of our EtsyKids Team members recognize the need to adorn a little team spirit in and out of the stands. Here are just a few of the sellers who specialize in team pride accessories. Many accept custom requests so you can create just the right color combination for your special team.

The Ultimate Sports Fan Custom Baby Gift (you choose the team!) by CandyStickLane
Collegiate Hair Bow by bowssosweet
Custom Team Sports Scarf by littlemissfrilly
Custom Texas Longhorn Tank by snugsandshoogs
Crochet Tiger Team Sport Booties by amotherscrochet
Who's Behind, custom Team BloomerDiaper Cover by prettylittleones

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EtsyKids Design Challenge for November: Peppermint Swirls!

Each month EtsyKids Team members are challenged to create a unique item within a chosen theme. Our new challenge for November "Peppermint Swirls" was picked by our last month's winner Little Miss Frilly - all things red and white.

EtsyKids members will have until November 19th to submit their entries, and voting will be open to everybody from Sunday, November 21st to Saturday, November 27th. So, be sure to come back to the EtsyKids blog for a new post on the 21st to see all of the entries and VOTE! In the meantime, please click here to get a sneak peek at some exciting entries so far!

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Leaves are Falling

The kids were home from school today, thanks to parent teacher conferences, and the weather was amazing for mid-November in the midwest - Sunny and low 70s! We obviously spent the day outside. This morning we raked leaves, huge beautiful brown oak leaves that continued to fall all around us each time the wind blew. After an hour, half the yard was cleared of leaves and the kids had a huge pile of leaves perfect for jumping in.

While we raked, we collected little bits to make these wreaths tomorrow morning ... pine cones, acorns and acorn tops, seed pods. I'm on the look out for sweetgum seed pods, 'cause I'm confident a little collection would make an fantastic nature wreath, don't you?

I hope you get a chance to enjoy beautiful crisp autumn weather this weekend, and while you're at it, check out these fun autumn leaf inspired creations from Etsykids team members.

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