Productivity

Tweet
My husband’s been off work since last Wednesday and isn’t going back until Monday.  While I love the man dearly, having him home has COMPLETELY thrown off my schedule!  Luckily he’s feeling better now and has returned to being Super Dad, so I’ve conquered a ton of projects that have been lurking around.




I took a short break from the to-do list to make a bunch of beanbags, which are for some unknown reason one of my favorite things to make.  I’m not sure if they’ll go up in the Etsy shop this time because shipping always ends up being kinda high since they’re heavy.  I’ll probably take a few over to the Little Green Bean Boutique and the rest will come with me to this year’s shows.





The unfinished project I gave you a sneak peak of a while back is a sweet Changing Pad Clutch that I made for a very special celebration over at Emily’s blog, DesignHer Momma.  Casey, a good friend of Emily’s, is a fellow Indy blogger who is expecting her second kiddo after a loooong wait.  Emily is throwing her one heck of a baby shower and the Changing Pad Clutch was my contribution.



What does this have to do with you, you ask?  Part of the baby shower celebration is giveaways galore!  Head on over to Emily’s blog to enter the $20 bobaloo! giveaway so you can buy yourself something pretty from my Etsy shop.  And tell Emily I said hi!

Hopefully this week I continue to destroy my need-to-sew list and build up some more inventory.  This Saturday will be fun because I get to meet my first blogging buddies IN PERSON – can’t wait to see you girls!

What are you all up to?  Being lazy, enjoying the (slightly) warmer weather, knocking out that to do list?  Motivate me to keep working!

Giveaway Winner, Take Two!

Tweet We have a new winner in the CSN Stores and bobaloo! product giveaway!

Congrats Emily!!  Now wasn't that the easiest Black Friday shoppping EVER?  Email me your address, Emily, and which bunting or print you want from my Etsy store and I'll ship it on out!  The gift certificate code will be emailed to you straight from the lovely folks at CSN Stores.

I'll be enjoying some time with the family and recuperating from too much eating and shopping for the next couple of days, so I'll see y'all next week!

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Tweet Just a quick post - the winner of the $20 CSN gift card and product giveaway hasn't claimed her prize.  If I don't hear from the winner by Thursday, I'll draw a new one from the original giveaway post and post the new winner here on Friday.

Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone!

My Fantasy Book Buying Binge

Tweet

Chronicle Books is having a contest right now that I just couldn’t resist participating in.  You pick out $500 worth of Chronicle Books and post it, then one blogger and one blog commenter each win that list!  Picking out $500 worth of books was heaven, I tell you – they just have loads of crafty books.  I am usually a borrow-it-from-the-library kind of girl, so actually owning this many books would be UNREAL.

Without any further ado, here’s my list.  Leave a comment so if I’m the lucky winner, you win too!

The Exquisite Book (39.95)  I keep reading about this one, and it looks so cool!  It’s a collaborative effort with a bunch of artists, who continue each other’s drawings.  Awesome!

Cake Pops by Bakerella (19.95)  I make cake pops for my kiddo’s birthdays every year and they’re always a huge hit.  I’d love to have this one to expand my repertoire!

The Book of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks (14.95)  OMG, I had no idea this existed.  I’m kind of a grammar junkie, and unnecessary quotes make me CRAZY!

Handy Dad (24.95) and Holiday Hero: A Man’s Manual for Holiday Lighting (9.95)  The first one is full of projects for kids and dads – the hubs would LOVE it.  I would just love for him to read the second one.  I always need a drink when it’s holiday lights time.

Mom’s One Line a Day (16.95) and My Quotable Kid: A Parents’ Journal of Unforgettable Quotes (14.95) Because the kids’ baby books are woefully neglected.

Top Chef: The Quickfire Cookbook (29.95) and Top Chef: the Cookbook (29.95) I love me some Top Chef!

Eric Carle’s Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar (10.99) and The Backyard Birdsong Guide (29.95)  I guess I can’t pick out books JUST for myself.  The little guy will love the pop-up book, and Princess B loves birds.

Dirty Little Secrets from Otherwise Perfect Moms (12.95) and I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids (18.95)  Who doesn’t love a little reassurance that you’re not the only imperfect mom?

Amy Butler’s In Stitches (24.95) and Amy Butler’s Style Stitches (29.95)  Love her fabric, love her patterns!

Doodles: A Really Giant Coloring and Doodling Book (19.99), MOMA Modern Play Family (12.99), and MOMA Modern Play House (19.99)  I’m going to pretend like these are for my kids, but they’re really for me.

Every Day’s a Holiday: Year-Round Crafting With Kids (22.50)  Sometimes I struggle with what crafts to do with Bridget.  Plus I LOVE Heidi Kenney’s stuff.

Subversive Cross Stitch (14.95), Paper + Craft: 25 Charming Gifts, Accents, and Accessories to Make from Paper (19.95) and Stencil 101 (24.95) I work so much with fabric these days that it would be fun to play with some embroidery floss, paper, and paint!

Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY Art, Craft, and Design (24.95) and Creative, Inc (19.95) As you all know, I loved Craft, Inc and I really want to read this one, too.   It’s inspiring to read about the handmade movement and all the success stories.

I’d love to hear if you guys have read any of these.  If I don’t bring in the mother lode in this contest I may actually bite the bullet and buy a few new books!

Hooray! A Gift Card Giveaway!

Tweet So we made it to 20 followers and that means I get to give away something super fun – a $20 gift certificate to CSN Stores!  Whether you’re in the market for some new kitchen stuff, some cute children’s luggage, or a sweet new bag, you can find it at one of CSN’s 200 online stores.  Go check out their website now – I bet you can cross someone off your Christmas list (even if it’s you)!

AND I’m adding in a little bonus – you can pick a bobaloo! print or bunting from my Etsy shop, and I’ll ship it right to you!  See, another present you don’t have to buy!



I really and truly appreciate each one of you who stops by to read my blog or takes a look at my shop.  As a brand new Etsy seller and brand new blogger, I get a little thrill every time someone sees something I’ve written or made.  So I want to give you an opportunity to give your shop or blog some exposure, too!

Here’s how to enter:

1.  Leave me a comment and include a link to your own shop or blog so we can all check it out.  If you don’t have either, share one of your favorites!

2.  Get one extra entry by tweeting about the giveaway so other new sellers/bloggers can come and share their stuff.  Make sure to include my twitter name (@bobalookids) in your tweet.

3.  Get a third entry by liking bobaloo! on Facebook.

Leave me a comment for each entry, and I’ll use random.org to pick the winner on Thursday, November 18th at 2 pm EST.  Good luck, and thanks again!

Just a note - CSN stores approached me about hosting a giveaway and I’m not getting anything in return (although I could really use a new bag).

Holiday Madness and a Giveaway!

Tweet My very first blog giveaway is going on over at luvinthemommyhood!  Shannon contacted me a while back with some very sweet comments about my shop and I’m so happy to have my inaugural giveaway at her blog.  Go check it out – there’s even a special discount!



Speaking of giveaways, don’t forget my giveaway to celebrate 20 followers that’s coming up right here!  I have a special goody for you guys (and maybe a kiddo in your life) all planned out.  It will definitely help your holiday shopping!  So if you haven’t already, click “follow” over on the left side of the screen so you don’t miss it.

I’ve been sewing like mad to get my Etsy shop ready for the holidays.  I’m trying to make multiples of everything to make the best use of my limited amount of time.  I cut out 27 bibs the other day, people. 27!!  And last night I got to work on a whole mess of crayon aprons.  Those two tend to be my best sellers at shows, so I’m stocking up!  Doing a bunch of the same thing saves time in lots of ways – it’s quicker to pick fabrics, one photo shoot covers a stack of stuff, and clicking “relist” on Etsy when something sells is much easier than writing a whole new listing.



I’m also frantically trying to fill up the ol’ inventory wardrobe because I signed up for ANOTHER holiday show!  I was going to be part of a holiday show at our airport, but unfortunately it got cancelled.  The very next day Martha of Sunday Afternoon Housewife fame emailed me and invited me to be a part of the Handmade Promenade Last Minute Market.  Funny how things work out, right?  It’s going to be way cool – it’s a nighttime show at a restaurant and there’s even live music!  I have a family event about two hours away that morning, so it’s going to be a really hectic day, but I’m REALLY looking forward to it!

Here are a few new products that are coming to the shop this week.  I have so many listings all ready to go that I can hardly wait to share them!