Endless Summer

I don't know if there really were a 104 days of summer vacation, but it sounds good in the Phineas & Ferb title sequence, so I'm just going to go with it.  My sister and I spent summers free ranging around the 8 acres we grew up on.  There were woods and a crick (That's North Eastern PA for 'small creek').  My dad hitched the camper up to the station wagon, wood paneled, of course and all of us headed out for trips to the beach or historic tourist destinations.

I wanted my daughter to have those loud summer nights plucking lightning bugs from evening breezes.  If her feet didn't get callused and green, then I had failed my responsibilities as a  parent.  

We didn't do a big trip.  We made our home our vacation spot.  Roasting marshmallows, walkie talkie hide and seek and running bare foot across the yard with a pack of kids from the neighborhood were all we needed to declare we were on vacation.

Now it is September and we are in denial.  Just because those yellow school buses are running doesn't mean we can't squeeze in a few more moments of summer.  Summer isn't defined by a calendar.  It is is a state of mind...and flip flops. There is still time for miniature golf after suppers and the ice cream stand doesn't close until October.  

This afternoon when Maizie gets off the bus,  I will be waiting, with my water guns loaded.

'Endless Summer' by FairyGodmother4Hire

Just close your eyes, click your flip flops together and repeat over and over...This is still summer, this is still summer.

prettydreamer $24.00	WallStoriesEts... $149.50	togs4tots $18.00	wildthingsdres... $60.00
TwoLittleWitch... $22.00	SavageSeeds $34.00	OliveAndVince $25.00	ComfyFeely $29.00
pinkmouse $24.00	thecleverkitty $5.00	nickiL156 $29.00	ChewChewsClose... $55.00
ArmadilloDream... $24.00	YoureInspired $42.00	ThePinkSheepBo... $17.99	weandthebean $18.00

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Back to School:: Crayons

It isn't the start of a new school year without a fresh box of crayons.

Preschool-sized backpack with adjustable straps from ChildishThoughts

Crayon Box Applique Shirt w/ Matching Hairbow from jbowsboutique

Crayon Wallet from OddEDesign

Back to School Korker Bow from SweetPriBow

Small Back to School Bows from NeverlandNook

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EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of our August's EtsyKids Team Design Challenge, Schoolgirl Sewing Pattern PDF - Removable Doll Glasses and shoes included - Plus Glasses will fit your children too by DollsAndDaydreams!

"This is a PDF Sewing Pattern is to make a child friendly 19” (48 cm) Schoolgirl doll from cotton and felt fabrics. She’s a retro kind of girl who loves a good book or too, always does her homework and is never late for class :) 

My versatile pattern allows you to make many different versions of this doll. She comes with removable (and/or appliqued on) glasses, removable Mary Jane shoes, optional hairband & 3D bang/fringe, a cute dress collar and a cute sewn on skirt."

Dolls And Daydreams specializes in fun and easy step by step photo tutorial patterns.  This wonderful dolls and creatures are designed by talented Sarah.  She takes pride in making her patterns easy to follow, so even a beginner sewer will be able to make one of her beautiful softies.  Please make sure to visit Dolls And Daydreams right here.  With so many designs to choose from you'll be sure to find something to reflect your child's unique personality.

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Sensory Activity:: Puffy Paint ABC Cards

Bug is starting to learn her letters. She knows a good amount already and she can write an H {the first letter of her name}. I love having some hands on ways to learn so I came up with this for letter learning. Bug seems to like them and we have been working on one letter at a time each week. I have all the letters she knows in one pile and the ones to learn in another so she can play games with the letters she learned. I am thinking about gluing a photo of the letter sign on the back to help her with signing her letters when I'm not there to show her the sign.


What you will need:
-microwave puffy paint recipe {found here}
-microwave
-writing utensil {I used a Sharpie}
-cardboard {we used an old box}
-food coloring
-scissors/razor blade
-a squeeze bottle or a spoon
-patience


What to do:
-cut 26 small-ish squares out of your cardboard {big enough to write a letter on}
-draw in marker a letter on each square
-make the microwave puffy paint {I doubled the recipe and had a little more than enough}
-using your squeeze bottle {I used a spoon} trace the letter with your puffy paint
-microwave according to instructions below the recipe {I think we did it for about 25 seconds}

Here are some things you can use these for:

Have your children trace along the letters with their fingers.

Do crayon rubbings with the letters. {not sure how well these would work...but it would be worth a shot}

Make words with the letter squares.

Spread them all out, mix 'em up and have a letter search.

Glue a photo of something that begins with that letter or a photo of the ASL sign for that letter.

If you like this post and want to see more toddler activities please visit my blog, Tutus and Tea Parties. You can also follow me on: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest.

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September 2012 EtsyKids Team Desktop Background

Autumn is here, soon the leaves will be orange and golden, decorating the ground. So this month we are celebrating the seasons colours in our EtsyKids Team desktop calendar.

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Featured this month:
AUTUMN Pumpkin Headband - Orange and Brown Fabric Yoyo Headband with Turkeys, Polkadots, and The Great Pumpkin from SadieBloomDesigns, Girls Apron Knot Dress Size 6 from handmaidencanada, Pumpkin necklace Harvest Halloween Nursing teething necklace in orange, brown, green Baby shower gift New mother gift Fall fashion oht from boorashka, JBows - Scarecrow Applique Shirt w/ Matching Hairbow - Happy Fall Yall - You Choose the Size from jbowsboutique, Girls Jumper Dress-Halter Autumn Leaves on blue--12M TO 2T from togs4tots, Girls Tutu Candy Corn from kadydiddesigns, Girls Pumpkin Shoes Painted Toddler or Baby Kids Canvas Sneakers from boygirlboygirldesign, Autumn Girls Twirly Skirt in Orange Damask and Lime Polka Dots - CUSTOM sizes 12 months to size 8 from ThePolkaDotTotSpot, Autumn's Fruit A Handmade Dress for Little Girls by Pink Mouse Boutique from pinkmouse, Children clothing - boy's cotton sweater, striped in orange and light green - READY TO SHIP size 7years from KriksisLV, Fall Knot Dress Brown Pretty Bird by Groovy Gurlz Available in Sizes 6-12m, 12-18m, 18-24m, 2t, 3t from GROOVYGURLZ,Damask Pillowcase Dress from GirliePearlie3, Orange toddler clothing trousers warm autumn fall unisex pants children babies fit cloth nappies pumpkin colorful loose baggy from OliveAndVince, Autumn squirrel corduroy child's tote bag Amy from KatieClairesCottage, pumpkin orange reversible dress 6 months with bloomers from ComfyFeely, Waldorf Doll Sweater, 15 inch, Cotton, Bright Orange from luvkin, felted high top baby shoes - pumpkin orange - size 1, 0-3 months from thecleverkitty, Baby Blanket Orange Circles/Minky from kikikiddos, Orange Chevron Blanket Swaddler Light: Receiving Blanket, Swaddling Blanket from Ahmelie, Millie's Bright Orange and Pink Flower Clip from thebitsybeau.

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Introducing Apple n Amos

Today We Introduce You To Amos from Apple n Amos

Q: what motivated you to start your shop?
Back in July of 2010, I lost my job and found myself needing a position that would still allowed me to be home with my son, Henry. After months of endless searching, I decided to try my hand at opening a Etsy shop.

Q: what is the story behind your shop name?
I have always wanted to own my own business..many of them in fact. I remember wanting to open a tattoo parlor / hair salon, where you could get dreadlocks or crazy big blue mohawks, it was to be called "Dye n Pain". When I was in my twenties I had a idea to open a restaurant that was called Apple n Amos, with a friend of mine who's nickname was "apple". Everything on the menu was to have a apple theme mixed in. So, naturally, when it came time to open my own shop I was totally stumped on a good name until I remembered this one. "Apple n Amos" has a few new meaning for me now though. Being that it has a educational feel to it and the "apple" is associated with education, it naturally fits. Also, my son Henry is my inspiration and he of course is the apple of my eye.

Q: do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
I love Machel Spence Photo, she has amazing nature photos. Visualingual is a terrific shop that makes seed bombs. Such a great idea! Vital Temptation make wearable felted art...the things she makes just blow my mind. If you are looking for fun, funky winter fashion look no further than Odette, she creates incredible crochet and knitted cowls. I totally dig her photos and the overall style of her shop and blog. Lastly, I love Halloween and everything creepy I have to give a shout out to Pumpkinhollow and Frighten..perfect treats for the spooky holiday.

Q: what surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
I am a little stunned by how much work it is. From creating, to photographing to emails...it is a ton of work. But all the great feedback and returning customers make it all worth it.

Q: what do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
I have a really hard time balancing my personal life while running a business from home. The house is always messy, wood is piled everywhere, there is a never ending to-do list. I always feel pulled in so many directions. I have a very good work ethic and I don't like to leave things unfinished. I think working in a 9-5 is way easier than working from home. When its 5 o'clock, you punch out and go home. But, not around here, whenever I open the computer, no matter what time of day or night, I can't help but jump onto Etsy to see if there are anymore sales, or emails that need to be addressed. I have to learn to "punch out" until tomorrow.

Q: what's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I just want to make good long lasting Earth friendly toys that you and your children will love. I want my toys to be a part of your memories. There is nothing better than hearing how a one of our simple toys entertained a child for hours all the while teaching them valuable skills. Warms my heart it does.

Q: how would someone (other then you) describe you?

Haha..it depends on who you ask. If you were to ask my hubby Joe, he would say control freak. If you were to ask my friends they would probably say loud and funny. I have a big personality and it is really hard for me to contain it, funky

Q: what music do you have on while you are creating?
Well this list could go on and on...I am really into early Little Richard right now..I love me some funky James Brown too. But then again Bob Marley is always not too far away from the radio. ZZ Ward is my new go to girl- she is bluesy, funky and groovy with a wonderful raspy voice. Some others off the top of my head are Regina Specktor, P.J Harvey, Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Q: what do you do when you aren't working?

When I am not working on shop stuff and assuming the motherly, maid and mama duties are all done, then I find myself either reading or with a camera in hand. My new favorite outing with Henry is letterboxing. Letterboxes are everywhere in the world. You go on a hike, follow the clues and at the end of your journey you find a hidden box usually with a hand carved stamp inside as well as a sign in sheet. It is cool to see how many names have found the box before you. We really enjoy camping and whenever we go to a different place I always look up a letterbox near by.

Q: anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
As far as some news goes..My little man Henry is off to Kindergarten. I am really excited for him but sad for myself because I just don't know what I will do with my cuddlebug gone all day- but not to worry because I will have my hands full again in January when my second one comes along.

Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/applenamos

Blog http://applenamos.blogspot.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/applenamos

'Introducing Apple n Amos' by Lilikin14

an etsykids team treasury

applenamos $23.00	applenamos $16.00	applenamos $7.00	applenamos $40.00
applenamos $22.00	applenamos $15.00	applenamos $12.00	applenamos $50.00

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EtsyKids Team Treasury Challenge Winner!

The themes this week were "One Last Trip to the Beach" and "Fall Fashion". It was a very close contest this week! We had lots of beautiful treasuries, and five had over 150 views! Head over to Etsy to check them all out! The winning entry was curated by Sunflowers and Daisies.

'One Last Trip to the Beach' by Mommytwiceblessed

One last trip to the beach.... Adorable beach and nautical inspired items designed and created by my fellow Etsykids Team members.

Family Sign Embroid... KingSoleil $38.00	Summer Spring Vacat... fabricfunetc $39.99	Starfish Jumper Nav... thetrendytot $52.00	All American Girl S... ChewChewsClose... $55.00
SALE - s is for sai... ohbuckets $10.00	Newborn Baby Boy Sh... JaclynsDesigns $10.00	Teething necklace &... GerberaHandmad... $20.00	Child Robes-Surfer ... tanjadlyn $48.00
Blue seaside cloud ... OliveAndVince $20.00	Lobster Lover -ruff... RaeGun $13.50	Baby Boy Nautical J... InletKids $28.00	PREPPY WHALE Appliq... SweetThreadsCl... $17.95
Summer Whale Capri ... beckyboo1102 $60.00	Baby Bib - AHOY THE... HappyBabeeandB... $7.00	Embroidered Baby Gi... GentrysCloset $12.00	Original Painting, ... nJoyArt $84.00

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Sunflowers and Daisies is approaching their one-year "Etsyversary". Owner Shanna is a native New Englander, a former special education teacher, a pastor's wife and a mom of two. She makes the most adorable and creative hair bows I've seen! Her shop is named after her two favorite flowers. When asked what inspires her, she says, "I am inspired by nature, life and watching my children learn, grow and laugh. I love to incorporate these things into my hair accessories and my creations."

We will be taking a week off from the Treasury Challenge due to the upcoming holiday weekend, but we'll be back next week!

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