Happy February...

It's cold.

There is yet ANOTHER school vacation looming over my head.

February stinks.

Ever wonder why that extra 'r' is in F.e.b.r.u.a.r.y?

Do you think of this month as not really getting your money's worth when you pay your mortgage...I mean geeez, you get jipped by at least two days!

OK.

I digress.

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Hip hip hooray...it's February!

The only and I mean ONLY reason I kinda do like this short little month is because of Valentine's Day!

I'm no scrooge but really the only reason to possibly celebrate this day is for the pretty colors, my fondness of hearts and the goodies that go along with it.

I get all excited when shop owners bring out their 'Valentine' stuff.

It's up year round in my house!

Oh good grief.

I stumbled upon this shop today and my goodness I fell in love with every darling thing.

I love the simplicity.

I love this sweet lil shop!

If you stop by this shop and I HIGHLY recommend it....for sure you won't leave empty handed!

These just plain make me happy and I know my girls will feel like they own the block wearing these kicks.

Yeah, I'm a crafty mom but sometimes I don't want to come up with a bleeping craft for them do.

I want one to arrive at my door beautifully wrapped like this one.

This shop is genius.

Remember these?

Totally dating myself here people but, I do!

I miss the sweetness that today's Valentines don't have...which is why I'll get mine here!

HA!

I'm only warning you once.

You WILL fall in love with each and every gub in this little factory.

You WILL need to make room for one of these cuties on your bed.

You WILL thank me later...I just know you will!

Now this is what I'm talkin about.

If you're not a baker (I am and that's why this makes me so happy) you will magically transform into Martha once receiving this awesome kit.

This shop totally inspires me to drink tea and cook with exotic spices too :)

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MUAH!

See ya soon!

Did you know?

You may not be able to buy handmade anymore?

That the government will force millions of handmade crafters out of business?

You'll be forced to buy your kiddos what every other Tom, Dick and Harry has from Walmart and other 'big boy' companies.

This is why...

You can find this clever Iron-on here.

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As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades.

I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA. Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

Want this gorgeous blanket?

I do! You can find it in this cute shop.

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The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.
How will these new laws affect you?

I don't normally do this on this blog but today I am.

Don't you just love this adorable onesie?

You can find it and others like it in my shop :)

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Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12. To the Avid Reader:Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

I've posted about this shop before...I just love these little sacks!

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To the Lover of All Things Handmade:Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

These blocks are just super...I dig them big time!

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To the Environmentalist:Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.To the Second-Hand Shopper:Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

I can just picture this on one of my girlies!

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To the Entrepreneur:Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America. To the Antique Toy Collector:Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

Not only does this artist make the cutest headbands but she makes gorgeous tu-tus as well!

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To the American Economy:Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

Do your kids like to dress up as much as mine do?

This cape is unlike any you'd find in say Toys R Us.

I've stopped shopping in places like that since falling in love with all things handmade.

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Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Aren't these shoes just too cute? Love them!

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You can kiss all these goodies bye-bye if something isn't done about this knee-jerk reaction law.

Please make your voices heard.

Please.

XO

the kids get all the good stuff...

It's gonna be a good day today...of course the day is almost gone but I did in fact start this post early this morning :)

Hey, cut me some slack I had three major distractions throughout my day and things don't always get done when I want them to.

Not one to disappoint: I present you with some things you are just gonna.need.to.go.out.and.get (and by 'out' I mean cyberspace :).

Would someone please talk some sense into me? I've got three kiddos under the age of 9 with no plans of having anymore...why then am I drawn to so many baby things? Oh. Because they're CUTE! Is this hat not to die for? Want to know the good news? They make hats for children, tweens and adults!

I just love this I spy bag...First of all, the doll inside the bunny cracks me up! This shop has so many awesome spy bags to choose from, I really couldn't pick a favorite :)

It makes me so happy to have girls when I see dolls like these. I just love that they're handmade, funky, soft and most of all C.U.T.E!

If I could click my heels and go back in time it would be to have a newborn again.

So many reasons to want to have my babies be babies again but I'll only list one to keep it brief.

I WANT one or in my case three of these in different patterns to put my babies in.

They'd each have to have their own so that it could then be put into their memory boxes to stay fresh until they had their own babies.

Wheeew that was a mouthful but well thought out, I think ;)

I'm even considering buying each of my daughters one now to put away for my grandchildren...someday. (my girls are 2,5 and 8...getting ahead of myself here).

I have a love/hate relationship with play-doh.

I love that it keeps the kiddos busy for a really long time.

I hate cleaning it up though when they're done.

However and this is a big HOWEVER, this dough I'd put all my issues aside for.

BTW...don't you just love the tins they come in?

This shop has so many fun, fabulous designs but my sweet tooth was kicking in when seeing this and I couldn't resist.

Gulp.

I'm in wuv with this little guy, in wuv.

There is SO much cuteness going on in this shop so beware...you're going to have a tough time choosing which little plush you're gonna want to walk away with.

XO

I'll be back with an etsy post later today (hopefully if the girls cooperate!). Just wanted to leave a quick post filled with hope. I truly believe things will turn around for everyone. I do.

xo

Allow me...

A moment to beat my chest while standing on my soap box.

It's soooo easy to walk into Target and snatch up any old toy...Most likely made in China.

Most likely made by underage help.

Most likely made with plastics and chemicals.

Most likely containing lead.

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But it's SO much easier flipping through Etsy, pointing my cursor, clicking my mouse and waiting for the Postman fairy to arrive with my purchase.

A purchase I made knowing it was made by hand, made with love, without the use of harmful chemicals, supporting small businesses and stay at home Moms.

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I often wonder who the artist is behind the craft.

I wonder what kind of tea they like to drink.

How many kids are laughing in the next room while they wrap my package neatly for sending.

I wonder what they'll make for dinner, what time it is in their neck of the woods.

I wonder if they too, envision the child who will play with the toy they lovingly crafted by hand.

I wonder now; will these artists I've come to love (just by seeing the love they put into their work)...close up shop?

Gosh.

It's devastating to even think about...isn't it?

I want one of these in every color to decorate my daughter's book shelf.

Are they not cute?

The eyes had me at hello :)

This amazing shop drew me in with her a.m.a.z.i.n.g European fabrics but then I noticed she made children's things and I went gah-gah!

Oooo, I forgot to mention...all her fabric is on sale!!!

Chenille...ahhhhhh.

Would you look at those pear rattles??? Love the colors...so cute!

Her vintage chenille quilt is one to be passed on from generation to generation. So beautiful! You've got to see the goodies in this shop!

I just love, love, love the 'petite chaussures' picture SO much!

I can envision it on my oldest daughter's wall.

The one below it is just darling and perfect for Valentines Day. This artist is so diverse in the types of illustrations she does...she also does portraits!

I'm snatching up a few of these for my girls!

This designer is having a 'going out of business' sale but don't worry! She's got a new venture in the works...I can't wait to find out what she's got cookin'!

I stumbled upon this shop and I'm SO glad I did.

Her mice make me smile.

Make me laugh.

So much personality in each and every mouse.

I thought I fell in love with this brand of rodent after watching Ratatouille and reading Despereaux...oh no! Now, I'm really in love. No more mice traps in this house...no Sir-eee!

xo

Shhhhh...

don't tell anyone I'm in here.

It's taken me all day to get a quick moment to myself. I've got one girl in school and the other two watching a mid-day movie with HUGE cups of chocolate milk (hey, whatever it takes...right?) I can't wait to share with you some of my recent (and not so recent) finds...they are GOODIES!

Well, where do I begin?

How about I FLIPPIN LOVE this!!!??

This crafty artist makes her dolls out of....S.o.c.K.s!!!!

I remember making sock puppets and dolls when I was a kid...for some reason I couldn't get them to look quite as good hers ;)

Did I tell you I happen to loooove Japanese fabrics???

Well, the secrets out if I neglected to inform you.

This shop has loads and loads of Japanese delight!

This shop is beautifully done...you MUST go see her neat paper goods. I'm in love with her tags in particular...they all have that vintage feel to them...just gorgeous.

These make me smile from ear to ear...can't for the life of me get over the utter C.u.T.e.N.e.S.s!

This will be worn by one of my girls this Summer without a doubt...Love the fabrics, the colors, the style. This shop has so many cute dresses it was hard to pick my fave :)

I've already informed my husband of my fondness for this little ditty...I'm so getting it! ;)

Big gulp + heart palpitations = true love

Find more beauties like this one here!

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Due to the impending CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) which will go into effect on February 10th. I will be dedicating all posts going forward to artisans devoted to making handmade anything for children. We've GOT to get this law changed...QUICKLY!

xo

Hallmark...

holiday or not.

Valentine's Day is another great excuse to shop...not that I need an excuse to shop. I'm sure this won't be my first heart holiday post because there are SO many lovelies floating around Etsy.

oooo, I just want to smush this little guy and I mean that in the most endearing way.

Does he not scream 'I'm cute'!

This shop has so many fun, funky things it was hard to pick my favorite!
The illustrations remind me of tattoos and we all know I love tattoos :)

How sweet are these pins??? One for you and one for your best friend.

This artist has some great stuff in her shop...go see!

These are the most gorgeous donuts I've ever seen and I've enjoyed quite a few in my time.

The best part about these beauties is that they're fat free! Don't they look like the real thing?

My kids would love these!

So simply stated and I'm a big fan of the XO.

This artist has a beautiful shop and she's really sweet too!

OMG.

I don't really feel like I need to expand on that...do I?

No.

Visit this shop and you'll be delighted with every. single. thing. she makes!

xo