LittleSpots

New small size stretchy coming soon

2009-12-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

Hot off the sewing machine, 6 new styles of size small stretchy bottle covers. I SO want to photograph them right now but alas the weather is not cooperating. Stay tuned and leave a comment here if you want to be notified when I get them up on Etsy.

Here it is

2009-11-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

Okay I've made you wait long enough, besides my Etsy mini is giving at away.

Here is the first in my newest line. I'm thrilled by this product and I know you will be too.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34479876

Check back frequently as more will be added in the coming days.

I've been working on something...

2009-11-13T17:33:00.001-08:00

I've been working on something for AngelaSpots but I can't show you until I take some pictures and I can't take some pictures until I get some sunlight, and time to photograph. Both which are in short supply at this time of the year. You'll just have to wait and see.

Yes more felted wool ready to be transformed into something useful

2009-11-03T18:51:00.001-08:00

This is the last, I swear.

More felted wool from my stash

2009-11-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

Here are some more...

My wool stash

2009-11-03T18:41:00.001-08:00

I have a customer interested in some wool Klean Kanteen covers. She wants to know what else I have avaliable. I got thinking about it and I didn't know. It's been so long since I've been through my felt stash I forgot what was there. I had a blast going through it tonight and took pictures so I will remember without making such a mess next time.

If you see anything you would like transformed into a water bottle cover, purse, bag or anything else you can think of let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Fabulous Find Friday - EmilysLittleTreasure

2009-09-04T06:33:00.000-07:00

So I admit I haven't been keeping up with my blog. Life happens right?

I found something I just have to share with you. Gdiapers have become a popular alternative to both cloth and disposable diapers. They are like a cloth diaper cover with a disposable insert. Well EmilysLittleTreasure had the great idea of making cloth inserts for them. With her inserts you can have the best of both worlds totally cloth when you want, or semi disposable when you don't. You can buy them at here at her Etsy store.

A rave about an Etsy shop

2009-08-29T04:29:00.000-07:00

It's not very often I treat myself. Infact I almost never treat myself, I'm always saving my money for a rainy day or buying things the kids need. It's even more rare that I buy myself earrings. I have a sensitivity to nickel and can only wear pure metals. Well the rainy day came and I bought myself a pair of earrings from Alibli I cannot say enough good things about this seller. Super fast shipping, great communication, adorable packaging, quality product, reasonable price. I totally recommend Alibli. Stop by next time you want to treat yourself or someone special.

Fighting Sleep

2009-07-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

I bet you thought the title was about me right. Nope. It's about my boys. They, especially the youngest who's almost 2, are currently going through phases where they fight sleep at bedtime each night. They want my attention for a long, long, time. Which means I haven't had time for anything fun like this blog or my Etsy shop. I haven't even had time for most of my chores. I need to quit my dayjob. A girl can dream right?

It's alive!

2009-07-07T19:23:00.000-07:00

We finally have internet at home. You should be seeing more of me around these parts. Until then check out my weekly post on my team blog.

http://busymomsteam.blogspot.com/

Another Update

2009-06-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

We were suppose to get internet this past weekend but the signal wasn't strong enough so it was a no go. I was crushed. Now we have to wait again, to see if we get better reception from another provider. The joys of living in the country.

Check out my blog post on the Busy Moms blog.

http://busymomsteam.blogspot.com

Moved!

2009-06-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

Good news and bad news.

The good news is we moved and everything went well...

except...

We don't get internet for another month! I will be checking e-mail most days but probably won't be posting anything new for awhile. I should have lots of time to get sewing and when we get our internet back watch out.

My new Sale section

2009-05-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

I just created a new sale section on AngelaSpots.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5267372&section_id=6157666

Check it out for last chance items at great prices.

Fabulous Find Fridays - Digital Stamp Oasis

2009-05-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am always on the hunt for creative projects for my little ones. I stumbled across Digital Stamp Oasis. What she makes and sells are digital stamps. Black and white line drawings you can resize and print off. I think they would make wonderful colouring pages, especially for the front of greeting cards. You could also use them in your own projects. So versitile!

Check out Digital Stamp Oasis's Etsy shop here. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24109825

Whatcha Working on Wednesday?

2009-05-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have been working on absolutly nothing fun. Just packing, packing, packing. Blah.

What have you been working on? Help me live vicariously through you, post in my comments.

Tuesday Time Saving Tip

2009-05-19T18:40:00.001-07:00

My biggest time saving tip for you. Don't move. Ever! It's way too much work.

Thanks to Amy from Ozark Scents http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6417651 for filling in for me on the Busy Moms Team blog for a few weeks while we move, get settled and get back on the web. I'll have access at work, you know, that pesky real job, but won't have time to sit around and chat the way I am right now.

Check out her Tuesday Time Saving tip post here. I think she's better at it than I am. Thanks for all your help Amy!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25158657

2009-05-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's time for another Tuesday Time Saving Tip on Busy Moms of Etsy.

http://busymomsteam.blogspot.com/

On a side note I just figured out how to schedule posts. I actually wrote this one last night. Hopefully my discovery allows me to be more consistant with my posts. No promises though.

Sold!

2009-05-09T16:05:00.000-07:00

It's official. We sold our house. We have to be out in less than 4 weeks! Even better we got the close on our new house bumped up, so 3 weeks from today we'll be moving. The more I think about it the more I freak out.

AngelaSpots is going to be having a huge sale 'cause I'd rather sell it than move it. If you want to be notified by e-mail when my sale starts please contact me.

What day is it?

2009-04-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

What day is it again? I've been so busy trying to get my house sold I've been neglecting my blog. I'm afraid my posts will be inconsistant for the next little while.

It's a good thing I wrote my Tuesday time savings tips for BusyMoms early and someone else posted it.

http://busymomsteam.blogspot.com/2009/04/tuesday-time-saving-tips_28.html#comments

Whatcha working on Wednesday

2009-04-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

Today I worked on a special product. Someone suggested I cover fleece with cotton. I made my first prototype and here it is. It needs to be refined, and field tested, but I'm happy so far.

So what have you been working on?

Tuesday Time Saving Tips

2009-04-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

I've joined a fledgling team at Etsy. It's called Busy Moms Team. It's just as the name suggests, a place for busy moms to come together. To join send a request to Anniepoo http://www.etsy.com/convo_new.php?to_username=anniepoo

Busy Moms Team has a blog and I've volunteered to write the Tuesday article on Time Saving Tips. I'm always looking for ideas so if you have some please send them to me!

Here's a link to my very first article. I hope you like it.
http://busymomsteam.blogspot.com/2009/04/tuesday-time-saving-tips.html

Oops

2009-04-17T18:40:00.001-07:00

So today is suppose to be fabulous finds friday but I didn't think ahead. I always ask permission before I feature an artist and I don't have one ready right now. Silly me. I blame the house. We still haven't sold it. It seems it's "always the bridesmaid never the bride". I hope to get back to my fabulous finds friday next week. Stay tuned.

Whatcha working on Wednesday

2009-04-15T18:33:00.001-07:00

So what did you work on this past week? I worked on nothing. Between house showings and Easter I didn't have any free time for crafting. A sad, sad week indeed.

Last week Amy from WireDreamsDesign http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5902534 comment she was working on a wholesale inquiry. How's that go? Below is one of the clay scarf pins.

Fabulous Finds Friday - PoshDots

2009-04-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

This week I'm featuring PoshDots. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5507799

I can't remember the first time I saw PoshDots work. Probably on the Etsy front page. I do remember that I've loved her letters from the very beginning. It would be darling in so many places. I'm thinking of getting a giant one for above our fireplace in our new home.

Reading PoshDots profile I learned her youngest has an extra chromosome which, relates to my "real" job where I diagnose chromosomal abnormalities. I am going to leave you with a quote from PoshDots profile.

I recently read this great quote used by a former student..."An idea can
turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it." How
true!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday?

2009-04-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a few weeks since I've done a whatcha working on Wednesday. I know you have been working away on at least one project. Please share it in my comments.

I promised to post finished pictures of my Christmas wedding gifts. I finished and gave these weeks ago, but here are the pictures today. The tree skirt is reversable, the picture shows both sides. I didn't have a Christmas tree, in mid March, to show it off properly. Even though I hate pictures of myself I'm also going to include one of DH and myself at the wedding. We had a blast.

A quick update

2009-04-04T18:58:00.001-07:00

I want to be blogging more but between showings, life and sewing I haven't gotten around to it. More soon I promise.

It's Ours!

2009-03-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

What a whirlwind couple of weeks we've had. We purchase the house I blogged about in my second last post.

We are now trying to sell ours. We did some MAJOR decluttering. My craft room is no longer. Half of my supplies have been sent to storage and the rest are in bins. I still have the opportunity to work on things but I've been spending all my creative energy staging this house.

My favourite room is my bedroom. My room use to look like a storage closet with piles everywhere. Thinking it would be faster I hunted and hunted for white curtains. I could not find any so I sewed my own, which I should have just done in the first place. Here are the after pictures. Whatcha think?

Hiatus

2009-03-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

Sorry I didn't do a fabulous finds friday yesterday. With everything going on with the potential new house, life and some custom requests at AngelaSpots I'm feeling stressed out. I'm going to take a hiatus from blogging until things settle. Don't worry, I'll be back, promise.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday - Christmas Decorations

2009-03-04T17:43:00.000-08:00

Yes you read my title correctly. This week, the first week of March, another bitterly cold week in the longest winter in history I have been working on Christmas decorations. Glass Christmas balls to be correct. Friends are getting married and I thought I'd make something different for a wedding gift rather than the 5 throws and 2 quilts I received when I got married. I am also working on a Christmas tree skirt. I hope they like them. Stay tuned for progress updates.

I painted these clear balls by adding drops of acrylic paint to the inside and patiently swirling and dripping. They have been drying two days and still aren't dry. The gold will become more vibrant when they fully dry and then I will put the hangers back on.

Here's a tip. If you want 12 balls, make sure you buy at least one extra. I broke one and it's virtually impossible to find Christmas balls at this time of the year. I think I'll be gifting 6 and keeping 5 for myself or other gifts.

So whatcha working on?

Selling a House

2009-03-01T13:28:00.000-08:00

I was surfing for house porn (aka MLS) yesterday and stumbled across an great house for a great price. It's too good to be true. We've very interested but I'm daunted about the concept about selling our current house. I've never done sold a house before and to be honest I'm a bit afraid. If we do move it will be a big lifestyle change. From city to country although both DH and I grew up in the country. So what do you think? Should we visit it?

I'm looking for advice and encouragment if anyone has anything to share.

Fabulous Finds Friday - Down In The Meadow Market

2009-02-28T04:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay I realize it's not Friday, it's Saturday morning. I completely forgot about posting last night. Silly me.

Today's featured seller is Down in the Meadow Market aka Downinthemeadow http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6904804

She is located in South Africa and makes the most adorable knitted creations from hand spung merino wool, which means they will be super soft. In her shop announcements she says "It will leave you feeling like you have just walked through a country fair...." which is so true.

My favourite are the pigs. Although I'm a city girl now I grew-up on a pig farm and I had stuffed toy pigs as a child. What's that expression. You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday - sweater shopping

2009-02-25T17:57:00.000-08:00

Every week I do a post called Whatcha Working on Wednesday. I post a little about what I'm working on and I encourage you to comment about what you're working on. I may just give you a plug next Wednesday.

This week I have been thrift store shopping. I found 5 sweaters and they are being felted as I type. I don't have any plans for them yet but I'm sure inspiration will hit me soon. Stay tuned to see what I turn them into.

So whatch working on?

My Collection - Children's books

2009-02-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

Do you collect anything? I do. My most recent collection is children's books, but not just any children's books, ones about dalmatians. Most of them have come from second hand shops and garage sales. I admit I have 3 copies of one book. I'm always amazed how each book has a different version of the same story. Even the Disney ones can very widely between them. Of course all the Disney versions, movies included, barely resemble the origional book (a novel). I have a love hate relationship with Disney. I hate that they are a huge corporate organization who will do anything to make money, but I love their stories.

If you ever see a children's book about dalmatians and the price is right (less than $1) pick it up for me and I'll happily pay you back, shipping included.

So what do you collect? I'd luv to know.

New Look

2009-02-21T16:29:00.000-08:00

So I finally figured out how to move beyond the basic comes with blogger templates. I'm still playing around but I'm much happier with this customized one. The other was so popular I was already tired of it.

Whatcha think?

Fabulous Finds Friday - LeahPellegrini

2009-02-20T16:25:00.000-08:00

My find of the week is LeahPellegrini and her glass art http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=66888 She makes these fabulous mobiles. I can just see one dancing away in a sunny window like happiness on a wire. The bottom one was designed to hang from a car's rear view mirror. What a great idea.

For you blog-aholics like me you can visit her blog http://www.leahglass.blogspot.com/

Whatcha Working on Wednesday - clutches

2009-02-18T18:24:00.000-08:00

I have a wedding coming up and was looking (in my head) through my very bare closet to put together an outfit. I decided I needed a new handbag (I'll be kid and diaperbag free). So being a crafty girl I decided a felted clutch would be perfect.

Here's what I came up with. They are currently both for sale on Etsy (AngelaSpots) but if they don't sell first I'm keeping one for myself, I just can't decide which one. Which is your favourite?

Last week BonTons commented she was working on tea pouches she donated to http://OzBushfireAppeal.etsy.com

and

Lave-me Soap said she will be listing new soaps http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5560733

So Whatcha Working On?

Key Lime Pie Day

2009-02-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

The third Monday in February in Ontario technically we celebrate Family Day. The USA celebrates Presidents Day. My family actually celebrates Key Lime Pie Day.

My parents have a place in Florida and I have spent many mid Febrary's there. There is a local Publix grocery store which makes the best key lime pie. I have searched for a similar recipe and although it's not quite the same it's not too bad. Here you go.

Key Lime Pie

1 graham cracker pie crust

1 pkg cream cheese

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup key lime juice. (I've used lime juice but key lime is better. Sometimes you can find fresh ones in the grocery store but I have a bottle which came from Florida).

Mix and pour into the pie crust. Chill several hours until set.

It may not be the same as a trip south but it's a little bit of the south here in snowy Canada.

How I got my nickname

2009-02-16T04:26:00.000-08:00

My new goal is to try to talk about myself a little more in my blog. I have the stereotypical Mom sydrome, I live for everyone else, and me and my needs are last. Can you relate?

Today I'm going to talk about how I got my nickname. Spots. Way back in grade 6 I did a project on dogs. I had to choose a breed, research it, and give a report. I almost choose the schnauzer but instead choose the dalmatian and an obsession was born. That day I decided I wanted a dalmatian in my life. My parents, on the other hand, were mutt lovers and would not condone a purbred dog. So I found the most dalmatian looking mutt I could find. His name was Dab (dalmatian x lab). He was well loved and just passed away a few months ago.

It wasn't until I finished school, got married and got a home of our own when I finally brought a dalmatian into my life. Her name is Bella, short for Brightspot Bell of the Ball. She is a part of our family, and out chasing squirrels as I type. She is just waiting for the weather to warm up so she can sun herself on the deck once again.

So in short, my nickname Spots came from my life long obsession with dalmatians.

How did you get your nickname?

Fabulous Finds Friday - Chalkydoodles

2009-02-13T17:03:00.000-08:00

Today's featured seller is Chalkydoodles. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5533276&section_id=5338827 and her blog http://chalkydoodles.blogspot.com/ This is what she has to say about her shop:

Chalkydoodles just launched it's new Chalkypalooza for TEENS collection this week. Chalkydoodles gets hip with new oilcloth & chalkcloth goods for a whole new generation. Now that's totally fly.

Chalkydoodles splat mats are the perfect spot to get really messy. They make clean-up a snap. I'm all for that!

Also check out her chalkboard labels. They were featured in January's Better Homes and Gardens. Congratulations Chalkydoodles.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday - Valentines Day Cards

2009-02-12T18:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay, I know it's Thursday. We did get my boys Valentines Day cards finished tonight. I hope their friends like them.

Instead of having a 3.5 year old and an 18 month old colour each individual picture I created sheets which they coloured and added sparkles to. Then I cut them to fit the cards. Easy peasy. Happy Valentines Day!

Last week Lave-me! Soap Co http://lavemesoapco.blogspot.com/ said she was getting ready for a craft show. How'd that go?

So whatcha working on?

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

2009-02-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

This week I'm going to push Whatcha Working on Wednesday back a day.

So I really should have finished my kids Valentines Day cards today but it just didn't happen. We had such a dark dreary day it was difficult to get crafty. Tomorrow I promise.

Are you working on anything for Valentines Day?

CPSIA update

2009-02-08T07:37:00.001-08:00

Good news the CPSIA has proposed a Mandatory Testing & Certification Proposed 1 Year Suspension. They realize they need to review things before it becomes law. Check out the article here...

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/breaking-news-the-cpsia-mandatory-testing-certification-prop-3347/

Fabulous find friday - goosegrease

2009-02-06T19:25:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot to post tonight. Silly me. This seller is worth the wait. Goosegrease http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5881530 specializes in natural wooden dolls. I picked up a do it yourself kit for the preschoolers in my life. She also makes custom cake toppers, families and other finished dolls. You've got to check her shop out.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday - freezer play dough

2009-02-04T18:04:00.000-08:00

It's time for another Whatcha Working on Wednesday. This week I promised my 3.5 year old we'd make play dough, and being your typical 3.5 year old he held me to it. I decided to see what happened if I froze it (the pink bag in my freezer). Have you ever tried that? Much to my surprise it doesn't freeze solid, even straight out of the freezer it is very pliable. It would be great fun on a hot summer day. Unfortunatly we are having -23 degree Celcius (or -9 Fahrenheit) weather here tonight which makes the heat of summer seem a million years away.

BonTons http://personalisedgiftsforsomeonespecial.blogspot.com/ comment she's working on chalkboard door hangers, what a great idea.

So whatcha working on?

Fabulous Find Friday - BonTons

2009-01-30T17:44:00.000-08:00

My fabulous find for this week is BonTons - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6079580

She makes fabulous personalized gifts. My favs are the pillow cases and tote bags. She also has a blog where she talks about her craft and her family. http://personalisedgiftsforsomeonespecial.blogspot.com/ She lives in Australia and like many of us is upset by the CPSIA legislation. Stop by her shop today.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

2009-01-28T19:09:00.000-08:00

Ever have one of those weeks where you work on a bunch of little projects but don't actually acomplish anything. That's the story of my life. I have nothing to share with you this week. The kids and I are working on Valentines Day cards. I hope to have them finished for next week. Stay tuned.

So whatcha working on?

ByNanasHands "CPSIA Inspired" listing

2009-01-24T17:47:00.000-08:00

I blogged about Ozarknana and ByNanasHands http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5809669 on a Fabulous Finds Friday a few weeks ago. Today she posted in her blog about Etsy and the CPSIA law. http://wwwbynanashands.blogspot.com/2009/01/etsy-stands-with-its-sellers-of.html

Check out her CPSIA Inspired listing.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19881057

Quoting from the listing:

Based on the new CPSIA law which goes into effect on February 10, 2009, and using the current costs quoted for testing this tool box will sky rocket to $10,940.00!

My Tool for Tots Tool Box has a grand total of 26 "different" components....as follows:
* 6 different fabrics
* 17 different embroidery and regular sewing threads
* 1 kind of interfacing
* 1 hypoallergenic polyfil stuffing
* 1 length of belt webbing for handle
At $70 PER COMPONENT for lead testing, that adds $1,820.00 to the cost.

PLUS each of the 26 components need to be tested for phthalates at $350 per component which adds an additional $9,100.00, total with the actual cost, $10,940.00. That is the "true" cost of what the Tools for Tots tool box WILL BE AFTER FEBRUARY 10, 2009.

Many Etsians have posted similar CPSIA Inspired listings. To find them under Handmade search CPSIA and click price to sort by price. The highest price ones are what items will cost if the law goes into effect. The lowest priced ones are Etsians who are selling off their stock and getting out of the children business if not competely closing their shops. Tragic.

For further informaiton see: http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-deadline-for-changeorg-vote-cnn-article-3247/

Fabulous Finds Friday - Superflykidz

2009-01-23T15:32:00.000-08:00

Time for another fabulous finds Friday. This week I've choosen Superflykidz. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5058462

Santa brought a pair of her capes to our house this year. My boys have had a blast as "Super boy and Captain Destructo". I luv how the capes are customizable, inexpensive and easy to get on and off.

These are pics of my own boys. Superflykidz has even more pictures in her Etsy shop.

My ETSY One Year Business Survival Tip list by LaveMeSoapCo

2009-01-22T15:26:00.000-08:00

I saw this post in the Etsy forums today and loved it so much I had to share. I hope to keep all of these things in mind with my venture with LittleSpots

My ETSY One Year Business Survival Tip list by LaveMeSoapCo

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5560733

1. You might just fail.Yep, I said it. You might also succeed, but if you are not ready to realize that starting a business is not a guaranteed thing for a million dollar investment you will be blindsided when you are not thriving as you want to be. Accept the fact now and be prepared to do whatever it takes to get ahead.

2. Not everyone is going to like you.This is a world wide community with differing opinions, religions, political views, shop ideas ect. You will not become everyones best friend. Get a thick skin now and brush off what irks you. I spent many a nights crying and soon realized that people are not perfect and neither am I.

3. You will make some of the bestest friends you will ever have. I have not made only friends here but I have a true family of moms, brothers and sisters that I rely upon to give me honest opinions about how I am doing and maybe just be a shoulder for them to lean on or vice versa.

4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SLOW TIMES! This is major. When sales are slow start a newsletter to bring in business. Make ads with project wonderful, do craft shows if possible, market, twitter, blog, retake photos and create business cards, ect. Do all of these things to improve when you have a chance.Go into critiques for an actual critique. Pop into the virtual labs as well. Make connections cause when the sales are piling in, you will wish you had.

5. Stop whining that sales are slow. Pity sales are not what you need. See above for things to do instead.

6. Join a team if possible. I am an admin with the CYA soap team and I love it! I get to chat about issues I care about, cross promote, teach, do treasuries ect. Working as a team means there is a greater force moving as one to promote handmade.

7. Follow your gut, not just trends. Nuf said.

8. Have confidence. Who wants to buy from a seller who doesn't believe in their product or ability. Self pity gets you no where. Trust that what you do is unique because you are as a person and your shop is an extension of that. Make people want your items because you know they will love them and want them.

9. I forget #9. Expect to go brain dead every once in a wile from thinking too much.

10. Customer service is #1. Good product, good photos, good marketing will get you only so far if you don't respond to convos, send product in the time promised and communicate with your buyers. Repeat business is why business succeed. Think about that seller that you always go back to 3 times a year for that special something. Now multiply that by 1000 buyers. You wonder how to become a top seller? Start by being a good business person.

I hope all of these tips help and ty ETSy!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

2009-01-21T16:38:00.000-08:00

It's time for another Whatcha Working on Wednesday.

This week I've been making marble crayons. The plan to include them at LittleSpots during shop opening. I just need some sunshine so I can take some better pictures. I'm getting very tired of our long, snowy, Canadian winter.

Last week Who's a Blogwhore commented she's working on a round ripple afghan. I can't wait to see the finished product. See her blog post about it here... http://whosablogwhore.blogspot.com/2009/01/destashing-part-1.html

So whatcha working on?

CPISA

2009-01-17T17:12:00.000-08:00

The CPISA - Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is a bill which was past in the United States and is starting to come into effect. It has huge ramifications for small handcrafters of childrens items like myself. I don't have a clear comprehension of the whole thing, and I have been searching for an article or blog I could share with you to help you understand. Today I finally found one. A commentary on Forbes.com by Walter Olson.

http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

This bill has highly upset the Etsy community. Many shops are closing down because they simply cannot afford to comply with the act. Some say they won't get caught and are staying open. I am still deciding what to do. I've considered stopping shipping to the USA even though they are the majority of my customers.

Fabulous Find Friday - Electric Boogaloo

2009-01-15T18:07:00.000-08:00

Tiffany Ard the artist behind Electric Boogaloo http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5002595 describes herself as "the biggest nerd you've ever met." I think she may be closely followed by me. I'm a cytogenetic technologist by day which translated means I grow cells and use a microscope to examine their chromosomes (DNA structures). I luv Electric Boogaloo's Nerdy Art, especially her Nerdy Baby Art.

The above picture is is my fav because of the letter Y.

The one below is called "I love my microscope". I think I should hang it above mine at work to remind me how much I love mine, especially on the days I'd rather be anywhere else.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

2009-01-13T16:25:00.000-08:00

Time for another Whatcha Working on Wednesday.

Last week Dinah from Who's a Blogwhore said she was working on crochet dishcloths. See her blog post about her dishcloths here... http://whosablogwhore.blogspot.com/2008/12/over-rainbow.html

As for me, I've been working on Klean Kanteen Covers for my AngelaSpots Etsy store. I've been sewing, made my listings uniform and actually got outside to take some snowy pictures. Stop by AngelaSpots to see all of my hard work. http://angelaspots.etsy.com/

So whatcha working on?

ByNanasHands - made with love

2009-01-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

Time for the second fabulous finds Friday. Today I am featuring Ozarknana. I first saw her shop when her "Girls Tools" were featured in a treasury on Etsy. Anyone, with enough patience, can make a treasury and the best ones end up on Etsy's front page.

Find Ozarknana's shop here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5809669
and her blog here http://www.bynanashands.blogspot.com/

Here are my favourites. For your little handy man/woman.

Growing up my brother loved turtles and he still has his pet turtle. Everyone loves turtles!

Whatcha working on Wednesday

2009-01-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

With this blog going to publish "Watcha working on Wednesday". I'll talk about what I'm working on. You can leave me a comment telling me, and my other readers, what you're working on.

So for my very first whatcha working on Wednesday (or sometimes Tuesday night) post. This is what I'm working on...

Fingerpaint! This was my first attempt. It needs some tweeking but my kids (Jeremy age 3.5 and Christopher age 17 months) had a blast. The plan is to eventually sell a natural fingerpaint through LittleSpots.

So whatcha working on?

Fabulous Finds Friday - MissPrettyPretty Playhouse

2009-01-01T16:29:00.001-08:00

I choose this fabulous playhouse for my very first Fabulous Find Friday (or technically Thurdsay night) post.

I first saw Missprettypretty's shop when one of her playhouses was featured in an Etsy Gift Guide. I can see why, each is so detailed, well constructed and the fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles. She customises each to fit over your existing folding table and when not in use they fold down to be stored nearly anywhere. Genius!

Of course the firestation is my favourite. The only thing that's missing is a dalmatian. Check out her shop for all of her other wonderful creations. http://missprettypretty.etsy.com/

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T10:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! What's your New Years resolution? Mine is to get LittleSpots off the ground. I want to launch my Etsy shop with a flurry, but I'm not ready yet. I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Check back most Fridays for "Fabulous Find Fridays". All will be child related, and if you love buying for kids as much as I do you have to check them out.

The beginning

2008-12-20T04:50:00.000-08:00

So I'm creating a new business venture. Yes friends think I'm crazy what with a full time job, two little ones and everyday life using up much of my time. I call it "LittleSpots - things to keep your little ones busy".

I plan to design a line of all natural play doughs, and a seperate line of crafts. I have a ton of ideas swimming around in my head.

Stay tuned for more.