Road Trip!!!!

In exactly one week, Erin and I will be embarking on a road trip….for 6.5 hours….just the two of us.  I love road trips. Erin likes going places as well.  She and I are both really excited to see the “big waterfall” (what Erin calls Niagara Falls).  I’m more excited to see some parts of Eastern Canada too.  What makes me anxious is entertaining a 3 year old in a confined space for that length of time.  Sure, I plan to have the Kindle powered up and a few movies downloaded for her view pleasure.  The usual portable items such as books, crayons, coloring books, her art book and travel chalk board. This kid’s addiction to art is great, but not so much when her crayons come tumbling down on the floor out of her reach.  Now that doesn’t make a long car ride so pleasing to her nor I.  I decided I’d try to find a solution to this problem and incorporate it into a cool new toy to entertain her for the car ride as well.

When I was a kid, we each had a lap desk that we took on our road trips.  It was great.  A hard flat surface to color and write on with a pillow for leverage on the bottom.  The pillow prevented the lap desk from sliding off our laps easily.  I decided I’d buy one for Erin.  But I either didn’t find one I liked, was too wide or big for her car seat or it had a completely flat surface. What about those crayons?  They will still roll? I decided to hold off and keep looking.

One afternoon, as I was frantically semi-cleaning out the car, (you know, clearing space so a second passenger can sit back there?) I came across Erin’s “activity tray” that I made for her at a MOPS meeting last year. Similar to this one. I had made a flimsy alphabet set with it and most pieces were either worn to no use or missing.  It then dawned on me, it had the surface I wanted….a design to keep those crayons from rolling onto the floorboard out of everyone’s reach!  I knew then, making my own lap desk for Erin was totally possible!

I used the tray for the top hard surface, some fabric that Erin picked out at our new favorite fabric store (The Quilt Spot); and piping!  I decided to make my own piping which I’ve never done before out of complete convenience.  And HOLY HECK was that so easy peasy!!!!  I don’t think I’ll ever be buying premade piping again!

It didn’t take me long and I had very little to no frustration in making it!  In fact I love it so much, I might just list it in my Etsy Shop!  After all, it does fit my brand (portable and expandable activities).  The best part….it’s magnetic!!!!  And I could make it a chalkboard surface or dry erase too!!  Oh the possibilities are endless!!!  Since it is magnetic, I decided I’ll be gifting Erin something similar to this for the road trip:

Here is the finished lap desk for Erin:

Magnetic top with a small ridge to keep crayons from rolling off. Plus handles!!!

Pillow on the bottom with the lovely fabric! Look at that perfect 3 inches on leverage!

Bottom Pillow View. This really is gorgeous fabric. Erin’s got great taste!

So what do you think?  Do you think the little artist will like it?  What about YOUR little artist?

Help me narrow this down!

I desperately need your help.  I’m so emotionally attached to all of my felt sets that I’m having a hard time deciding!  Taking out the zoo animals and Dress up Dolls, which ONE felt set would you choose to purchase? Please share in the comments below!  Thanks!

 

7 Felt Sets Available

I’ve Been Working Hard!

I feel like I’ve neglected this blog so much lately!  It’s been a great source for me to share my life, thoughts, feelings, and journey in life after losing a child and having a rainbow.  It’s also been great to share my business adventures with you all!  So why can’t I seem to keep my posts regular?  Life just gets SO BUSY!  Here are some updates on Erin:

1) She had her 6th swim lesson today and received her certificate to pass onto the next level!  She will be a “Pike Plus” at the YMCA her next session.  Let’s hope the hubs agrees to sign up for fall lessons. 🙂  She’s been having a blast with it, and has 2 more lessons of this session left.

2) In about one month, Erin will be starting preschool.  This kid is growing up!  It’s exciting and hard to see at the same time.  She is just full of energy and quirks that are awesome to see.  I’ve recently discovered that when she asks, “Why” to a statement she says; if I ask “why” back, she will give me the reason.  90% of the time, it’s, “because I love you!”  Even when it doesn’t make sense.  Melts my heart every time.

3) Erin is STILL on a high from VBS (Vacation Bible School) last month.  She still sings her songs complete with actions once a day.  I learned at church yesterday that she also knows the words to the Hymn, “Holy Holy Holy” by Reginald Heber.  SWEET!

Here’s what’s been happening in my Etsy Shop:

1) I decided to have a sale for this month!  I am currently offering 15% off select cosmetic/beauty bags.  Use coupon code COSMETIC15 through 8/15/14 at check out!  I’d like to see a lot of these go to a new home! They also make great storage bags for puzzle pieces, letters, magnets, cars and other small toys our kids tend to lie around.  I’ve got one I use for Erin’s cars, and all those little Melissa and Doug wooden puzzle pieces that don’t have a containable storage bag?  PERFECT!!!!

2) I recently applied to 2 fall craft shows.  The first will be 10/26 in Dumont, NJ.  A Street Fair and Craft Show.  The second I am wait-listed for in Paramus, NJ 11/30.  I hoping to do well at both shows if possible.  It’s made me start working a ton on my travel felt boards. I’ve added some new sets since I’ve posts about them.  I’m up to 7 complete sets now: fish, flowers, monsters, cars, zoo animals, sweet treats and my latest: Dress Up Dolls!  Here’s a photo of the Dolls:

Felt Dress Up Doll Set

I’m so excited about these!  Erin helped me come up with designs for the clothing and she HAD to test them out before she ate her breakfast last week.  I just officially posted them for sale in my shop today.  They are available as a Felt Page Addition to the Art Busy Books AND an option with the travel felt boards (they are listed as an option, but I’m still editing the photos to show them in the listing, so you can still purchase them now if you choose. You will find them in the drop down menu in the options upon checkout.) My mom immediately asked me why there was no red hair (she’s a red head).  I politely said, “Red hair is just too gorgeous to create.  God did such a perfect job with red heads, I cannot even measure up.”  🙂

I have a few more felt set ideas on the list, so stay tuned for the upcoming Trains, weather, numbers and letters!  Hopefully they will be here in the next month! For now, I’ve got 7 sets available for purchase both with the felt page addition and travel felt boards.  (Click on the link to view each section) Here is a photo of all 7 sets available. These make a PERFECT entertainment addition to summer travels (Labor day is coming up!), restaurants, meetings, doc visits, etc.

7 Felt Sets Available

3) Erin and I have been checking out as many Farmer’s Markets in the area as we can.  I don’t know why, but I just LOVE Farmer’s Markets!  Fresh, local, foods, eats, and stores coming out to promote themselves and socialize. We have been able to find amazing Lemonade, Italian Ice, Ice Cream, Local Raw Honey (Ping actually requested me buy some to help his allergies!), and other local homemade products.  The best one we’ve been to so far is the new River Edge Farmer’s Market.  They have music!! I have also noticed it to be a great opportunity to connect with local vendors and help promote my shop. I even found out about a new store that will be opening in Westwood, NJ called Market House!  It will feature all local handmade items!  So excited about it!  It’s presented me with some opportunities I hope to share with you soon if they come to fruition.

For now, I must get back to creating, stocking up on inventory and enjoying the last month of summer with my darling little one!  Happy August!