TEST

This is NOT a real giveaway but simply an experiment on using Rafflecopeter.  Thanks.

Please login to Facebook using your PERSONAL page before entering this giveaway. 

REQUIRED ENTRY: You must "like" all of the vendors on Facebook.  Become a fan on their Facebook page through the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post.  To do this, simply sign into the widget and click the "+1 - DO IT" next to each vendor in Rafflecopter widget (once you do this a LIKE button will appear)... click on that and you're all set.  You must do this for each vendor.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Earth Day 2012

I thought I would take this opportunity to share some of the great DIY "green" recipes that I love!

 

 

Basic Laundry Detergent:

1 bar Sunlight soap

1 cup borax

1 cup washing soda

Mix all together in a container. Use 1 tbsp per normal load. The more finely grated the Sunlight soap bar, the colder the water you can use. I used this recipe for a couple of years until we replaced our old washer with a HE-washer. Apparently I can use this same detergent (as they claim it is low-sudsing) but I haven't tested it with my new washer yet :)

Basic Hair Shampoo:

1/4 cup Castile Soap

1/2 cup water

1/4 tsp oil (suggested: jojoba, avocado)

Mix together in a bottle, shake before each use. FYI - you only need to use a small amount.

Window Cleaner:

Club Soda

Spray and wipe just like Windex.

~ Two NEW Recipes I will try this year ~

Dishwasher Soap:

1 part borax

1 part washing soda

Mix in a container and use in place of commercial detergent. If you live in a hard-water area, you may have to adjust the proportions to avoid formation of soap film on the dishes - try adding a bit more soda if there is a film residue.

Mouthwash:

1/2 cup water

2 tsp baking soda

2 drop tea tree oil (food grade)

2 drops peppermint oil (food grade)

Mix together in a container. Shake before using.

Feel free to share your "green" recipes!

Nicole

kiddo designs

kiddo designs on FB

Fantastic Giveaway!

Want a chance to win a $150 gift card at Sweet Soda Frames?  I know I do!  Enter her giveaway here

This month's sale item will not be one single item but my entire Newsboy Hat line!

For the month of April, $6 off! While quantities last.

Nicole

kiddo designs

January SALE item!

With the new year, I've start something new at kiddo designs. Every month I will be choosing one item from my shop and reducing it's price for a few days. Be sure to like my FB page to be informed of my monthly sale item!

January's SALE item is:

Reg. price $28, SALE price $20.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90759460/girls-newborn-hat-photo-prop-knitted

Nicole

kiddo designs on Etsy

www.facebook.com/kiddodesigns

I hate to say it...

but winter is coming! 

Normally I wouldn't be too excited by this but I do get excited about adding back my winter hats to my Etsy shop kiddo designs. 

Now last year I did my business under my first Etsy shop GurlyStuff... and more! and it was my first year of having an Etsy shop, so I don't have alot of experience to base this statement on buuuuuttttt... Fall has so far been my busiest time of the year!  I'm hoping the same happens this year with my newest Etsy shop.

I have begun to add some winter hats to my Etsy shop and will continue to do so over the month of August.  In the interim, here is a sneak peek at some of my winter hats.



If you want to take a peek at all my winter hats, you can see them on my Facebook Page.  Remember that I love to do custom orders and there are tons of colors available in addition to the ones I have photos of!  I think that 25% of my hat purchases last year were custom colors and color combinations.  It is so much fun to see what my customers comes up with!

Lastly, I'm excited to be working with Jenna Rae Photography who will be photographing some brand new winter hats that I will be adding to my shop this year!  Looking forward to seeing your photos Jenna!

Nicole
kiddo designs

Children's Wall Art is now available!

As promised, several wall art listings have been added to my shop kiddo designs.  They are introductory priced at $16-20.  As always I'm happy to offer a 10% discount, use coupon code weddingbells10 at time of checkout.

New Product Launch - Baby Booties!

These have been a long time coming.  Starting working on some "prototypes" about 3 months ago and ended up liking this pattern the most but still didn't have the motivation to get them listed.   

Until.......

A fellower WBer, whom I had sent a free pair to so that I can hear what she thought about them, PM'd me asking when I was going to add them to my shop, as she wanted another pair!  This PM was my motivation to get this new product listed.  If this person follows this blog, you know who you are and THANK YOU!

My new product is crocheted baby booties.  They come in a wide range of colors; all bright and cheery!  Available in two sizes 0-3 months (3 1/2") and 3-6 months (4").

Have a good day!

Nicole

kiddo designs

kiddo designs on FB

SUMMER SALE!

All my bucket hats, children's newsboy hats and beanie hats are now on SALE in my Etsy Shop!  Now $16 USD + shipping, that's a 20% savings!

1,000 Facebook Fan Giveaway Winners!

I'm pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of my recent 1,000 Facebook Fan Giveaway!

Winner #1 of a Hat of winner's choice, excludes newborn hats is Mandy!

Winner #2 of a Bib of winner's choice is Kaabel!

Winner #3 of a Headband of winner's choice is Slester!

I have sent all the winners an email.  Winners have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner(s) will be chosen.

I'm also happy to offer everyone a 20% off discount at this time.  Use coupon code SOPH20 at time of checkout.  Valid until May 31, 2011.

1,000 Facebook Fan Giveaway is now CLOSED!

Thank you all for entering and good luck to everyone.  Winners will be randomly chosen and posted on my blog tomorrow!

1,000 Fan Giveaway!

As you may all know, my kiddo designs FB page reached 1,000 fans!  I cannot tell you how excited I am about this and what better time to thank you all by having a giveaway.

The Giveaway:
kiddo designs is going to giveaway three prizes!  They are as follows:

First prize: Hat of winner's choice, excludes newborn hats
Second prize: Bib of winner's choice
Third prize: Crochet Flower Headband of winner's choice

How to Enter:
1. "Like" kiddo designs on Facebook
2. Share this giveaway on Facebook

Come back here and leave your comment(s) below (e.g. "I like kiddo designs on FB  -  kiddodesigns (at) hotmail (dot) ca" and/or "I shared on FB   -   kiddodesigns (at) hotmail (dot) ca").  Please leave one comment for each entry, if you did both.  You must include your email address for winner notification.

This giveaway will be open until Wednesday May 25, 2011 at 9:00PM EST.  Winner will be randomly chosen the next day.  Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my email or a new winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of Canada and USA.  Must be 18 years and over.

NEW Spring Hats!

I'm so excited about the launch of a new style of spring hat! 

These are made with a super soft 50% cotton/50% acrylic blend yarn and come in the sweetest of colors!

Check them out!

Anniversary Giveaway!

Starting March 20, 2011, I am celebrating my Etsy Shop's first anniversary on my Facebook Page.  So far there are 10 prizes to be won!  However I will be accepting new prizes up to March 25th, so there may be more prizes to be won! 

I'm also running an Early Bird Anniversary Giveaway and the prize is a $30 gift certificate in my Etsy shop!  The Early Bird Giveaway closes at 1AM March 20, 2011.  Winner will randomly drawn later that day!

Good luck to everyone!

Nicole

A little custom order!

I just love to make newborn hats and have them photographed by awesome photographers!

Here's a photo by Jessica Neumann Hinnenkamp of a hat that she custom ordered recently!  How adorable is this?

A little something about me!

Hello, my name is Nicole and I'm the owner of GurlyStuff... and more!

ABOUT ME



I'm a SAHM of two beautiful little girls and live in Guelph, Ontario with my husband and children.



I started crocheting again, after many years of not doing it, after having my second baby girl.  I wanted to make her a small, airy lovey (blanket) when she was 4 months old.  Making one small lovey, turned into making a scarf for myself, to signing out a crochet pattern book from the library, to making my first hat!  Excuse the pun but I've been "hooked" ever since!  Two months later, I thought I would open an Etsy shop and sell the items that I love to make!

MY ETSY SHOP

I opened my Etsy shop in March 2010 but didn't list any items until April 2010, which is when I got my first sale.  I cannot believe I am quickly approaching my first year anniversary for my shop and cannot wait to throw a little giveaway at that time.  If interested, be sure to "like" my Facebook Page for the upcoming details.

INSPIRATION

My girls are my inspiration!  People's reactions to my creations tell me that I'm making something people like and this makes me want to be creative and make new creations.

FUTURE PLANS

I have a new hat design coming out this month.  I'm looking forward to getting them photographed next weekend and getting them up in my shop!  Something a little different, using a new yarn, which I have quickly fallen in love with!  Be sure to keep your eyes out for the product launch later this month.

I'm also in the process of opening up a second Etsy shop kiddodesigns.  Be sure to check it out if you have small children!  I also have a kiddo designs FB page.

Thanks for reading and as a special thanks for reading I'm offering a discount of 20% on all purchases made this month (discount code WBE20),

 Nicole

Something NEW from GurlyStuff... and more!

After many years of not sewing, I decided to take out my 40 year old sewing machine and do a little sewing!  One of the items I have made and added to my Etsy shop GurlyStuff... and more! is a Polka Dot Waterproof Change Pad

On SALE now!

MIA

I know I'm the worst blogger ever!  It's been almost two months since I last blogged and I feel awful!

Alot has happened since January 1st, I've opened a new Etsy shop and have spent alot of time making my own banner, avatar, product tags, mounting cards and business cards for the new shop.  My new shop isn't opened yet but I'm getting close to opening it.  I'll be selling alot of the same stuff but I'm excited about adding a new item, which I've never made before: BIBS!  It's been alot of fun taking out my sewing machine again; it has made me realize I miss sewing. 

Unfortunately my bibs won't be for sale for very long :o(  I just found out that textiles will need to be tested for flammability starting June 2011!  How is a small business owner who loves to make handmade items for sale supposed to manage the cost of this testing?  It just seems a little excessive and you won't believe the cost for this testing!  It's been a very frustrating two days since I found out and I've spent countless hours researching this subject.  But it is, what it is.  I'm just happy that crocheted/knitted hats are not subject to this regulation (both in Canada and the USA) and I can continue to enjoy making hats!

Speaking about hats... I'm working on a new style of hat for girls and will be getting them photographed in March.  I cannot wait to share my new hats with you and get them up in my shop for spring hat shopping!

We Be Talented: Happy New Year and Welcome!

I've joined another blog that includes talented Wedding Bellers that have Etsy shops (including myself!).  Take a look!

http://wbtalented.blogspot.com/

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

I'm been working hard to finish up my orders so that I can take some time off over the holidays.  I will be launching a new product in the new year, which I am excited about, so watch for details!

Also, January 1-2, I will be having a clearance sale of some ready to ship items I have hanging around the house.  Check out my FB page for details www.facebook.com/GurlyStuff

Happy Holidays to Everyone and all the best for 2011!