Tots 'N Tails: Big Fat Positive

And we're back for our second post! Lucca, the two legged babe, is in time out so we, Stella and Bodhi, the four-legged children, are in charge. We're thinking that we'll start at the beginning and, each month, tackle a new phase in our blossoming tot and tail relationship. So...the beginning. Well, that would probably be in the glory days, when it was just the two of us, Stella and Bodhi. Actually, Stella would say the true glory days were when she was an only child and enjoyed undivided attention. But, even when Bodhi, the simple dog, was added to the mix, the days were still filled with frozen Kong treats and long romps at the dog beach. Excuse us...we're getting a little nostalgic...

Stella & Her Ball at Dog Beach

Back to that fateful morning. EARLY morning. When Mom shot out of bed at 4 am and ran to the bathroom to pee on a stick. (Probably one of her more dog-like moments.) She came out, woke up Dad. They talked. We could sense excitement and trepidation. Dad went back to sleep; Mom tossed and turned.

Dad - Equal Parts Excitement and Fear

Turns out, that was the beginning of the end. An expiration date was now set on us being at the top of the attention loving hierarchy. Mom and Dad were taking it very seriously. They wondered if they could love a two-legged puppy as much as they adored us. We wondered if we could love a two-legged puppy, too! And so, we all launched into baby boot camp to try and get ready for the special delivery expected in nine months.

Here are our top three recommendations on what you should do as soon as you see your lady human pee on a stick:

Send Mom and Dad to a 'Dogs and Babies' class. Those have great information on how they can make us dogs as happy and comfortable as possible when the two-legged puppy becomes the priority. Here are a few links to get you started:

• This is the class Mom and Dad took in San Diego.
• The ASPCA's recommendations on baby prep.
• In case you like to watch TV like us, here's a quick video.
• And here's a book to put on the shelf next to "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

Tackle any training "issues." Mom and Dad call them issues. We call it ENTHUSIASM! And nothing is more enthusiastic than an under-exercised dog. Just ask our mailman. Here are the areas identified in our pre-baby performance review:

• Loose leash walking.  We like to take the lead when we walk. We like to lunge at squirrels, bunnies, cats. We like to tell other dogs to get off our sidewalk. In other words, we like to be fairly unpredictable and, therefore, very difficult to handle now that Lucca's stroller is in the mix. Mom has basically given up on loose leash walking so she did find a number of stroller friendly off-leash places for us all to play. This is fantastic because we get to go bananas all over the place and Mom can get some exercise taking the baby for a long walk.
• No going on the furniture.  Babies are small! Like really small. Like we couldn't tell from the ground if there was a baby lying on the couch or the bed.  Mom and Dad didn't want us accidentally jumping on top of the baby so we have to have all four paws on the ground these days.  They did make up for it with some new extra soft dog beds around the house.
• Be friendly to visitors! We like to give visitors a vigorous barking welcome.  Particularly the mailman and the UPS guy.  Mom says it scares them. And sometimes it wakes the baby. Waking the baby is bad news. Our particular baby isn't a big sleeper so when he does finally sleep...well, you better not mess it up. You think our barking is scary? You see our Mom when she realizes that a baby nap has just slipped through her fingers. Yikes!

Create Sacred Spaces. Mom and Dad started "nesting" during the pregnancy. Which is weird because they aren't birds. All of the sudden, all of this new baby stuff was going in the spare bedroom where we liked to watch the trucks go by and they began calling it the nursery instead of the guest bedroom.  They also stopped letting us go in there because it was the "baby's room" and they didn't want us shedding all over the new stuff and laying on the glider.  Gliders are soooo soft! But they made it up to us by creating a "safe zone" in the house that they promised was just for us. No babies allowed! When we go in our safe zone there are fun toys to play with, soft places to sit and yummy treats. We love our safe place now.  So whenever there are a lot of people visiting the bambino or we're a little frazzled from all the crying or tail pulling, we can go to our sacred space with its big NO LUCCA sign and have some peaceful dog time.

A special treat to help take the edge off when baby is too much!

And speaking of sacred spaces! Check out this month's treasury because it has some of our favorite EtsyKids items to personalize your baby's sacred space.  And why don't dogs get nurseries? Who says we don't want monogrammed blankets and our names spelled out with zoo animals on the walls?? Maybe that can be a future blog post!

Our 'Nesting' Treasury

Wait, wait, wait! It's Lucca! Time out is over! I promised Mom I wouldn't pull Bodhi's tail anymore. (She's so gullible!) Don't you want to hear my tip once you find out someone like me is on the way? My favorite thing to do with the dogs while I was an inside baby was long walks with Mom.  Mom's midwife said it was good for her to get lots of exercise and I found the gentle rocking of her gait to be very soothing.  So lace up and get out there!

Up next month: Put Your Pups in Your Birth Plan!  Our Treasury theme will be birthdays and birth announcements. Leave us a comment if you have the perfect item to be included.

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Meet Etsy Seller Twinzz Shop

Today we would like to introduce you to Kelly

and her Etsy shop Twinzzshop

Twinzzshop has been selling on Etsy since November 2009, she sells bodysuitz, teez and onesies for twins, triplets and siblings. Today they are sharing a little about their shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
At my baby (well "babies" I had twins!) shower I was really disappointed cause I didn't receive anything twin related! While on bedrest right before having them I went online and found that many designs were really expensive or poorly designed or both! After having my twins and once they were home, even in the double stroller, people would stop me and ask if they were twins?! There is 2 infants, unless I stole one, yes they are twins! So I took some of my husband's old t-shirts and my 1st sets of twin onesies "pb & j", "milk & cookies", and "peas & carrots" were created.

What is the story behind your shop name?
In feb 2008, when my husband and I were shocked to find I was pregnant (after being told the previous November it wouldn't happen for us), we got another surprise during the ultra-sound when my doctor asked "do you see what I see?" We had no idea what we were looking at, I saw two "blobby things" and she replied, "well, there are definitely two"... "two? two what?" those 3 words changed my life as we welcomed our b/g TWINS that following August!
They inspired my shop of "TWIN ZZ"s tees for twins and because of our last name, they were the "Twin Z's" in the NICU for a month after their birth.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
How much I love creating new designs. I used to be an art teacher before I had the twins, and it's a way for me to stay creative with drawing/designing new shirts etc.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
My favorite design to make is the "mac & cheese" set cause it takes the least amount of time/sewing, but my favorite set is really the "rainbow" set cause my friend's twins created such an adorable photo.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Dealing with copycats. I have even had customers buy a twin set from me, photograph their twins wearing them and then start selling them in their shop! I also have several people that have very similar designs to some that I created years ago pop up recently, but I just keep plugging away making the most quality designs/products I can, and hopefully my brand will win out. they say flattery is highest compliment, but with business it feels more like theft. I think the hardest thing is trying to just ignore it and continue my success.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I use old t-shirts or pj's and recycle them by creating my appliqués, this way they don't end up in the trash/landfill. I handsew each one so they are "heirloom" quality. I want my onesies to not only help create a great photo memory celebrating twins/siblings, but I want the mom to want to hold on/keep my onesies too.

How would someone (other then you) describe you?
A multi-tasking mom of mulitiples? ;)

What do you do when you aren't working?
Have fun exploring/growing with my twins.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
My goal is to reach 2500 sales this year.

Twinzzshop is offering 15% discount to our blog readers. To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "ETSYKIDS" at checkout.

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Calling all Super Heroes .....its a Super Hero Party !

Every little boy loves Super heroes ! why wouldn't they want to be one ? They are cool , They have super powers, They can fly and they always save the day ! I think making this into a birthday theme is a great Idea. The best part about this theme is that there are so many hero's to work with. The colors are bright and bold . If its Batman or Superman or Captain America the colors you can include  are Yellows, Reds, Blues, Black and White But if you don't want to use the actual commercial superhero you don't have to either ! That's whats great about etsy's new Custom Order button you can ask the sellers a question or throw them the challenge to make something your way !

Location can be anywhere where with this theme. Look into cool Science museums in the area where the kids are free to dress up and play a lot of states have these types of children's museums and they love birthday parties ! Of Course home inside or out is another great space where you can decorate yourself and the party ends when you say so .

Once the party location and date are set then time to shop for invites. Here are two great options a Printed version that comes printed and assembled for you by TooCuteInvites .They are bright and have your superhero flying right above ! The second option are a Print your own invite by BardDesigns where you get a digital file and have it printed at any Staples, OfficeMax , Walgreens etc. These have your city scape and 2 great super heroes ready to save the city ! Both great options and I am sure both can make matching Party accessories as well for you .

 

 

After you have those picked out and ready to mail you can focus on your little guys outfit for the day and for this case any time he wants to be a superhero ! The Cape , Wristband and Mask from MagicalAttic is made to your little guys Initial and in many color combos . This will last him for years of make believe play after his birthday ! Don't want to buy the whole outfit and just want to Accessories his look then check out these great wristbands from Myplaygroundlove It is made of felt and can be worn with jeans and a tee for those older "cooler" super heroes. 

 

 

Favors are great little gifts and mementos for your guests and these are perfect for your super party to be complete ! Again they are great for that day but anytime the kids get together to play as well. These water bottles from Nickwilljack are personalized for your party and its made of aluminum and super sturdy for active boys. The adorable ring from Worldofwhimm are super comfy made with a felt band and can be worn by older children to complete the look ! These Favor bags by Westmama can hold all these items in style and personalized with the child's age and many color options as well!

The masks by CopusHagenDesigns are great for your kids to wear anytime they are made with felt and are comfy too ! also can be made to match your party theme colors and more ! Then if you really want them to get the complete super hero complete outfit to match the birthday boy then check out these capes by KlassiKreations  they are light weight and great for playtime also available in other colors too ! They are all great gifts to give and the boys and girls will love them as they can be made in pinks, purples etc for all the super girls invited!

 

 

Decorations and set up should be bright and very big I love these felt banner from Twinsandcrafts its also fantastic for room decor after the party ! it is fully custom made for your child. The second item is a decoration and an activity as well . This Comic book kit by TheColorloft is great to leave on the tables where your guests will be sitting and then have them make there own comic strips with die cuts, pencils and glue ! great way to build memories together and sharing there comics !

 

More great decor and activity ideas is setting up a comic city scene with old cardboard boxes and some black, silver and any other color you like ! Simply paint the boxes and stack them to make buildings add a dark starry backdrop and you have a great photo spot to take pics of them all together saving the city ! Another east entertaining fix is having there favorite superhero fly in for a bit whether it be a professional or dad in costume I am sure they will be thrilled !

 

Every Hero needs energy and what's better then food to keep them fueled ! some cute Ideas are Mini Pizza webs - Make mini English muffin pizzas and have the mozzarella patterned in a web for a great effect ! Add Grapes to skewers and make them Grape laser wands . Cover Oreos in a yellow colored white chocolate and add words such as POW and BAM ! Buy Bat cookie cutters and make Batman cookies or mini sandwiches !  Red and blue jello in white containers for captain America is a cute treat too !

 

Use your imagination and ask for your child's help ! it is there day and they want there stamp on it as well and well save the day ! I hope you enjoyed this months theme as much as I did and please remember to check back next month for more !

 

Not only do they have great products but some great coupons too ! thank you to all the shops that participated !

 

TooCuteInvites - Code Superkid for 10% off

WorldofWhimm  - Code ETSYKIDS10 for 10% of

Nickwilljack -  Code  EtsyKids 20% off any order over $10 until August 31s

Thecolorloft - Code ETSYKIDS 20% off the total purchase

KlassiKreations - Code KLASSIETSYBUNDLE10 FOR ANYONE WHO PURCHASES A "PARTY PAK BUNDLE" FROM MY SHOP GOOD UNTIL  DEC 31, 2013

MagicalAttic - Code FREESHIPUSPS for free shipping

BardDesigns - Code School for 20% off

TwinsandCrafts - Code ETSYKIDS for 10% off for month of August

WestMama - Code WESTMAMAFS for Free shipping !

 

Happy Celebrating
Xo
Adriana

Adriana's shop is Too Cute Invites, Unique handmade invitations and party accessories. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter for updates and new items

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Treasury Challenge #15 - Beach Fun

The theme for the EtsyKids Team treasury challenge #15 was "Beach Fun". Our team members created lots of beautiful treasuries featuring some amazing items, but the winner with 130 views is...

'Beachy Sweet ' by SquishyBee

Thank you SquishyBee for creating such a lovely treasury!

SquishyBee sells a range of items, all adorable and cute. From soft toys to jewellery and accessories. We just love this Merino Wool Felt Airplane with Clouds Crown.

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Meet Etsy Seller Sunshine Knit And Sew

Today we would like to introduce you to Sunshine

and her Etsy shop Sunshineknitandsew

Sunshineknitandsew has been selling on Etsy since April 2012, she makes fun and characterful crochet hats and accessories. Today they are sharing a little about their shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
I have dabbled with knitting and crochet for the last 10 years. I really enjoyed making things for my family and friends. I started making so much I decided to open a separate shop for just my knits.

What is the story behind your shop name?
It is just my name and what I do in this shop :-)

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I enjoy the character hats I create. I don't work from a pattern and I have yet to write one down when I do it. I just make the base (the hat itself) and then start putting the face together. Some are characters we know...Elmo, Grover, Hello Kitty...while others are made up of my imagination.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Keeping up with everything is what I find most challenging. The pictures, the description and trying to post something everyday. It seems really hard for me to keep up with, although I do think I am getting better.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I want everyone to fall in love with what I create for them. I try to go above and beyond for each of my customers. I really want them, or the ones they bought them for, to love wearing what I made. 

How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Probably crazy. Although, that's how I would describe myself too :-) I work all the time...if I'm sitting down my hands are busy. But they would also probably say - hard-working, patient...my husband calls me a machine.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I'm a mom of two young children - so I'm always working :-) I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home with the kids and work out of my studio in the house. But I also enjoy swimming and dancing with the kids and just trying to be in the moment. 

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I also have another Etsy shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunshinetextiles
Here I create items from polymer clay. I use a lot of my handmade buttons on my knitted items. I also make jewellery.

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July Design Challenge Winner!

July's Design Challenge had the theme "Natural Baby"
We had lots of lovely entries from our team member but the winning entry with the most votes was...

Custom Flower Girl Dress- Peacock Inspired

by 5littlemonkeysdesign

This beautiful peacock inspired dress is a perfect for your flower girl, or even a birthday party or photo shoot. If you like the style, but need it in a different theme or colors, please contact me before placing your order and I’ll be happy to work with you. This beautiful dress is made with white tulle, and crocheted elastic bodice. The bodice is lined so it will be soft and add a little extra coverage. The beautiful green sash has coordinating flowers added just below the feathers. White shoulder straps can be added for no additional charge.

~5littlemonkeydesign

Here are some more lovely items from 5littlemonkeydesign!

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