January 2012 EtsyKids Desktop Background

I don't know about you, but I like to change my desktop background all the time! I love to see something different every month, and I also love to find ones that have a calendar on them as a quick reminder.

So I thought what fun to have an EtsyKids Team calendar desktop background!! Each month featuring 20 items from our members!!
We have it available in a couple of different screen resolutions. Download the one for your screen below

1024 x 768

1280 x 800

1920 x 1080

Future calendars will be released on the 1st of each month, so be sure to come back to see what we have for February!

Tweet

Introducing Applesauce Crafts!

Today we introduce you to Amber from Applesauce Crafts!

• What motivated you to start your shop?

I started sewing dresses and blankets for my daughter. When I posted some pictures up on Facebook, a bunch of friends said how cute they were and that I should sell them. So I made some things and started a shop. It's been two years now.

• What is the story behind your shop name?

I was trying to think of something cute and it was just not coming to me. Then I started writing a description for my bibs and there was something about "does your kid have applesauce all over?" (something my then 1 yr old had on her all the time!) It just clicked--Applesauce Crafts!

• Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?

My favorite non kid etsy shop is probably Sweet Shop Vintage or Matte Art

• What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?

It surprised me that I was good at it. I have never played an instrument or a sport, I never had a hobby or anything. So to actually have people like my stuff and buy things from me made me feel really awesome!

• What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?

For me, it's challenging balancing motherhood with being a shop owner. I would love to sit and drink coffee and sew all day long, but I have to go in spurts between breakfast, school run, nap time, sick kids, etc.

• What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?

My philosophy is that babies don't need babyish things. I do buy some things in the kid section, or made for kids, but mostly it's just by what looks good, what I like to look at. I let the fabrics jump out at me and I know if I love it, someone else is going to love it, too.

• How would someone (other then you) describe you?

I think they'd say I'm a loud, bossy, sassy lady that has cute kids that always have a mess on their faces :)

• What music do you have on while you are creating?

I usually have the Bloc Party Pandora station on, but sometimes my daughter will request Abba.

• What do you do when you aren't working?

When I'm not working I'm taking care of my almost one yr old Otis, and my 3.5 yr old Ingrid. They keep me super busy, but luckily they both are used to mama being in front of the sewing machine or having a pile of fabric out. In fact, the other day my daughter had some of my scraps and was playing fabric store. I'm totally rubbing off on her!

• Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?

I am just so thrilled to be part of a DIY community! I love that I have made friends through etsy, people I've never actually met but we connect online and trade ideas or whatever. Having an etsy shop has really given me something other than just being a mom--I know so many people lose themselves in their kids and I am glad I have something to call my own and give me a purpose other than wiping up snot :)

Tweet

Football fans come in all shapes and sizes

All-in-Two One-Size Cloth Diaper by mamamade

Boys Hooded Towel by inkydinkdesigns

Football Curtain Holdbacks by LittleElephantCo

Ribbon Ruffle Socks - any team colors by KPCreations

I ♥ Football Comfy Pants by babeagogo

Cheer School Spirit Bow by fortheloveofzebra

Tweet

Hello 2012!!

Happy New Year to all our team members and blog readers!!!

For 2012 we have so many wishes and hopes. As a team we want to grow and welcome new members and make the Etsykids team bigger and better than ever!
We want to wish all the luck and success to our team members and hope you continue to work together as a team, so that we can make 2012 the greatest year yet!

Tweet

EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!

This month we have a tie!!
Congratulations to the winner's of our Decembers's challenge, bisongirl & thatmoxiegirl!!

Spotted Owl Bison Booties Size 6 to 12 Months Baby

bisongirl sells some amazing and colorful booties for babies! Keep those little toes warm this winter!

Nightlight owl retro design

thatmoxiegirl has lots of other nightlight designs in her etsy shop too, and also some other nursery items.

It looks like everyone had great fun designing and creating owl an friend themed items for this months design challenge. We had some lovely items entered and thank you to everyone who participated and voted, especially during this busy seasonal period.
Next months theme will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tweet

Thank you letter printable

Courtesy of Steffi of Toastie Studio

I have to admit I am terrible at sending out thank you cards after Christmas. Half the time I send them out so late I should just ring and say thank you.
This year I saw in the shops some thank you cards for kids and knew I wanted to design my own. I think having a fun design and letter format can make writing thank you letters more fun for kids! So here are two designs for a thank you printable.

You get two letters per sheet of paper. Simply print at 100% scale and trim down.

Download: Red Girl / Blue Boy

I also have other thank you card printables in my etsy shop, including ones like this where you can design the character and colour scheme yourself.

Tweet

Easy Holiday Truffles

By Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

I love making sweets during the holidays, and this year, I decided to make mostly truffles and cake pops. I’ll be starting with these recipes, which are two of my favorites: Oreo Truffles and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles. Add a lollipop stick for a fun treat!

Oreo Truffles

This recipe comes from a friend in my MOMS Club. Super, super easy. Start them now, and they’ll be ready to eat in just a couple of hours.

16 oz. package of Oreo cookies, crushed in food processor (or in a Ziploc bag with a wooden spoon)
8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened

Mix the cookies and cream cheese together. Form into balls (I used a melon baller for size), and place on wax paper on a cookie sheet. Freeze until set. (I left mine in about two hours.)

Melt chocolate (white or semisweet), and dip the frozen truffles into the chocolate. While the chocolate is still soft, decorate with sprinkles, colored sugar, etc. – a great way for kids to help out!

Cookie Dough Truffles

This recipe comes from Spare Time Baker, the blog of a talented baker friend. I recently started following her on Pinterest, and the baked goods she shares there are just sinful! These truffles are always a hit, and my son loves them because I let him try the raw cookie dough. No eggs!

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2- 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1-1/2 pounds semisweet chocolate candy coating, chopped

Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla; mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts, if using. Shape into 1-inch balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Loosely cover and freeze for 1-2 hours or until firm. (The dough softens quickly at room temperature so it works best if they are frozen, not just chilled in the refrigerator.)

In a microwave safe bowl, melt candy coating, stirring often until smooth. Dip balls in coating; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. If desired, melt remaining candy coating and drizzle over candies. Store in refrigerator, not that they’ll last that long!

(Thanks to my friend WB for this awesome photo.)

Now, try to limit yourself to just one. Or two.

Happy holidays!

Tweet