Sensory Activity:: Baby Lotion Body Paint

One rainy day my sister came for a visit and while looking for something to do, we came across this recipe for baby lotion body paint! Since I still have 4 bottles of baby lotion from my baby shower (3 years ago) I though it was the perfect paint to make!

Good times!

Like what you see? Come visit my blog Tutus & Tea Parties for more fun with the kiddos and; even some DIYs for you!

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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 until September 27th. This month, EtsyKids members were challenged to create an exciting new item based on a theme "Fairy Tale Fun!". We received a bunch of fantastic entries from some talented people. Please vote for your favorite item from the list below.

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Introducing Mamma 190

Today We Introduce You to

Diana from Mamma 190

Q: what motivated you to start your shop?
I always liked the Etsy community, I started as a buyer and I was always fascinated about all those wonderful things I found on Etsy, and their the excellent workmanship. I learned how to sew after my daughter's birth, it was like a fresh breeze, then I felt ready to open my Etsy shop.

Q: what is the story behind your shop name?
It is not a great story indeed. I was "arch190" already on Etsy, it is my online nickname. Nothing special, it comes for "architect", 190 is just to add some numbers I needed once to log in, they come from a phone card that was on my desk that day. When I opened my Etsy shop I was "arch190" already and it is was not possible to switch to "mamma190". I changed "architect" to "mamma" (that means "mom" in italian) since it has a deep and sweet meaning. The "mamma" in Italy is everything, all things made from a "mamma" are the best and most loving things you can get. This is what I want to relay by naming my shop "mamma190", to say that you will find the most loving, caring and special things there, made from a mom. Like getting a hug and a kiss from your mom.

Q: do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
Oh yes, I have many favorite Etsy shops! What tempts me the most are those beautiful shops where form, shape and design have a strong character. One of my favorite shops lately is BiscuitCuit (http://www.etsy.com/shop/BiscuitCuit), it is a beautiful shop offering handmade wheel thrown ceramics. I'm fascinated with what this girl makes. I can say, in first person, her work is just perfect.

Q: what surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
It surprises me everyday to be able to travel “everywhere” through my shop and my craft! It fascinates me since I love traveling, to know a little piece of me is somewhere out there in this big world, it makes me very happy. It is also amazing to be in touch with all of these wonderful people, sellers, buyers and sometimes, to become real friends!

Q: what do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Promotion and getting noticed is really challenging. Finding your place in the intricate Etsy universe is not easy.

Q: what's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
As I said before, I want to communicate through my craft that beautiful mom feeling most of us know, that warm touch, how special you feel when someone cares about you and makes special things for you. For me quality and innovation are also very important. Quality through beautifully made items, perfect workmanship, nice natural materials. Innovation through tradition and simplicity.

Q: how would someone (other then you) describe you?
As a very tenacious person, funny and ironic. My husband and my daughter would say I make great bread.

Q: what music do you have on while you are creating?
I usually turn on the radio when I'm working. My favorite radio station, when I work usually play a blues program and later a reggae insert. I confess I don't like this reggae break very much but it fits while I'm working!

Q: what do you do when you aren't working?
After work I spend lots of time with my little daughter. When the season is warm and sunny, we love to go around Milan on our bike to our favorite playgrounds in the city. Please, don't think about it like "lovely and easy days", sometimes it gets hard since I have a house to keep and some architecture work to do.

Q: please tell us a little about the children's items market / handmade movement in your Country?
I live in Italy. I have to say that the kids commercial market in Italy doesn't suit me. I don't very much like the idea of dressing kids as little adults that you find here, imitation on the scale of a grown up outfit, sequins for little girls and structured polos for little boys… Also toys and books are made to raise "little adults" since childhood. Fortunately Italy is in Europe, Europe is not so big and it is easy to find influence from other countries, like France or Scandinavian countries, where they have that touch that I love from childhood: simplicity, color, comfort, imagination, fun.

Q: anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
Thank you for inviting me to take part in this interview series. I feel really lucky and happy to make what I make and, the most important thing, it allows me to be close to my daughter and to experience being a mom.

'Introducing Mamma 190' by Lilikin14

an etsykids team treasury

arch190 $34.00	arch190 $12.00	arch190 $36.00	arch190 $9.50
arch190 $42.00	arch190 $27.00	arch190 $42.80	arch190 $26.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

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Aarghhhh, Me Mateys!!

Pirates vs Ninjas Wooden Peg Dolls from BrightLifeToys

Pirate Boy Costume from RaeGun

Pirate's Bounty Personalized Print for Boys from Chichiboulie

Pirate Bunting from WeThreeBees

Initial Pirate Shirt from cortsthings

Wool Skull and Crossbone Jolly Roger Shorties from JillyBeanJar

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EtsyKids Design Challenge for September: Fairy Tale Fun!

via

"Fairy Tale Fun!" is our challenge for September, picked by our last month's winner DollsAndDaydreams.  This month we'll feature accessories, clothing, costumes, decor, party supplies, and more... all inspired by our favorite Fairy Tales.

EtsyKids members will have until September 20th to submit their entries, and voting will be open to everybody from September 21st to September 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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Treasury Challenge Winner

The themes for Challenge #4 were "Country Fair" and in honor of National Sewing Month "Sew Awesome". The winner was Stephanie from Toastie Studio! Stephanie is also one of our team's Co-Leaders and does a lot of work with our website and graphics.

'Sew Pink - for National Sewing Month' by toastiestudio

Celebrating National Sewing Month with lovely pink handmade sewn items from the EtsyKids Team

Gina Piggy softie t... milipa $36.00	Pink Chevron maxi l... beckyboo1102 $68.00	Fairy Princess Cape... FairyGodmother... $38.00	Baby Bandana Bib &#... CwtchBugs $6.00
Girls Baby clothes ... RaeGun $26.50	Pink Flamingo Dress... thetrendytot $52.00	Baby Swaddle Blanke... LeytonSmiles $24.00	Ruffled Apron -Girl... ccooperdesigns $25.00
Child Robes-Pink-Da... tanjadlyn $48.00	Hot Pink Striped Bu... EmmaNicoleDesi... $27.00	Pink infant girl ba... allthingsforba... $29.00	Super Hero Cape and... worldofwhimm $32.00
Girls Jumper Dress-... togs4tots $38.00	Romper with huge pi... sweetsmilesbab... $25.00	Pink : A Boutique ... pinkmouse $24.00	Gift Bags, Party Fa... CurlyMaeDesign... $2.25

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Toastie Studio is an European based Etsy shop. Owner Stephanie is originally from the UK, but moved to the Netherlands in 2009. She took the opportunity of living in a new country to follow her love for sewing and designing. She set up her own company, Toastie Studio in 2010 and has been making soft toys, cushions and other fun whimsical items for kids ever since.

"I cherish the fact that I can work for myself from home doing something I love. Every morning I wake up and don't have that dread of an office desk job. My Etsy shop started slow, but over the last year has really bloomed. A big part of that is because of the EtsyKids Team, I have loved been part of the Team, and all the members are so supportive and great to work with. With the New Year not so far away, I am dreaming of everything it has to hold for me."

To continue our celebration of National Sewing Month, she has chosen the themes "Tucked Up in Bed" and "Sew Spooky". Catch a sneak peek of this weeks entries on Etsy.

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Ready for Halloween? Costumes ideas

Each year Halloween seems to get bigger and better!!
I see all the decorations and candy out in the shops, the nights getting darker, and the ground littered with orange and golden leaves.
But am I ready for Halloween? Not at all!! How about you?
Well if your not ready yet we have a couple of blog posts coming your way with ideas to help you get it all sorted out. Today we have lots of fun handmade costumes for your little one!

Fairytales, Knights & Princesses

FairyGodmother... $36.00	stitchinnetka $43.00	toastiestudio $20.00	BrooklynOwl $15.00
WeThreeBees $22.00	VintageDuck $250.00	feltedkitten $18.50	madebyalejandr... $115.00

Witches, Spooky

SweetPriBow $55.00	LeighandMichae... $39.00	SweetChildofMi... $17.99	allthingsforba... $32.00
ninkey $35.00	thomaspark $20.00	peacebabybatik... $10.00	TwoLittleBlueb... $24.00

Bugs, Insects & Animals

vivyscloset $28.00	HelensCrafts $10.00	wildthingsdres... $60.00	Bethanys5 $27.00
ABabyNotion $13.00	LittleSnugglie... $24.95	TheTrendyTotSh... $20.00	EbonyShae $4.00

American Dreams

FroggyGirlDesi... $100.00	NannyBoutique $125.00	worldofwhimm $32.00	ChewChewsClose... $27.00
thomaspark $34.00	ComiQ $35.00	MommysLilAngel... $39.50	IrishHooksAndY... $18.00

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