Check out these fairies!

You have got to check out Vermont Fairies on Etsy! They are so beautiful and whimsical. Good luck choosing your favorite, they are all so lovely! Emily's fairies are "all handmade with felt I make using wool from our sheep, llamas, and angora rabbits as well as silk, mohair, and sparkles". She is a home schooled student from Vermont. This is definitely my newest favorite store! (Can't you tell by all the exclamation points?)


You should also check out her family's farm website and their Etsy store. Some of my favorite items from the family store are this gorgeous felted wool baby blanket and their wool lap pad/comforter. Their farm is organic and just amazing (from what I've read)!

It feels much better in here

My mom came over on Thursday and helped clean the house. We got this place in tip top shape, which didn't last long, but it still feels much better in here. We also moved furniture around. The hutch that was in the dining room, aka craft room, was moved to the living room. It suits that room, especially with the dark red against the brown walls. Now I am craving curtains dyed that color... Oh, and we moved our "new" computer desk into the dining room, thanks Jean! Aiden shook the old desk one too many times and it's keyboard shelf thingy gave out, so typing has been very uncomfortable lately. Add lots of entries to our general ledgers, and I am feeling somewhat better.

Now I need to get some more diapers made, although I am nearly out of fabric again, and don't have enough money to buy more. Uh oh! Hopefully I sell some slings! I will be adding some custom sized pouch slings this week.

I was going to end there, but I'm in the blogging mood (because I am avoiding anything resembling work) so I will continue.

Here is what I had for lunch. Yummy! I love Mexican food! Start with organic romaine lettuce, add tortilla chips (we were out of blue). The brown stuff there is Morning Star Farms recipe crumbles, known as grillerburg in this house. Warm that up in a skillet with taco seasoning and some red onions. Add some taco sauce, or my favorite, organic Pace salsa. Missing from the photo are the two best features, avocado and cheese.Now this picture may look like a yard stick and car shade, but if you use your imagination, you will see that they are actually the swords Aiden and I play with throughout the day. Sword fights are the coolest!

And here is my little one with a Stonyfield organic peach yogurt mustache! He loves their drinkable yogurt as well.
Thanks for putting up with my looonnngg post!

It's sooooo cold out!

Here is the weather report for tomorrow:

Flurries and a few snow showers throughout the day. Very cold. Dangerous wind chills as low as -25F. High around 5F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph.

I'm thinking it's a good day for Jon to stay home.

It's sooooo cold out!

6 Things You May Not Know About Me

1. I am very goofy. Aiden and I sing and dance throughout the day. Whether it be one of his toys making music, something on the radio or an original song by mommy. We have fun every single day!

2. I read a lot of articles, websites and books about unschooling and mindful/unconditional parenting. Being mindful does not come easy to me so I work on it daily. Scott Noelle's Daily Groove emails are often my daily inspiration.

3. I want to live on a huge farm with a bunch of kids, miniature horses, miniature goats, chickens, turkeys, chinchillas and a couple rats. Of course my dogs and cats can come too:) When my children get older, I would love to have them build houses on our land. Of course I would babysit/unschool all of my grandchildren.

4. I used to ride horses. You're reading a post written by a former Junior Gymkhana Champion. My poor Jupiter (I called him Poopa because he tooted every time he walked out of the barn) passed away last year. He was an old man.

5. I am messy. Always have been. What makes matters worse is that Jon makes me look like a neat freak. Add Aiden and all this toys to the mix, and our house is always wreaked! I've tried to keep up with everyone but find that it makes me more stressed than seeing a messy house does. I take the time every couple days to pick up and vacuum, but do this because I want to, not because I feel I have to. However, I do draw the line at stickiness. Ah, I hate being sticky!

6. I have a huge imagination and can picture incredibly beautiful things. Unfortunately my creativity ends there. I often cannot express my thoughts in words, pictures, etc.

So, if you read this, it's your turn to post 6 crazy things about yourself. Can't wait to read them all :)

You may not hear from me...

for a few days. I am taking a break to get the house organized and get some tax prep done. I had a bunch of paperwork entered for both SaS's and Jon's business, then the program crapped out. Damn technology! So I am starting over. Just wanted you all to know why I haven't posted, and may not again, for a couple days.
Just to catch everyone up, I am now the treasurer of Connections Ag Cooperative.
The website hasn't been updated with our current undertakings and the new name, but I am excited that the project is coming together. I have also been getting involved with Discovery Democratic School. We may be opening this fall! If you don't know what a Democratic school is, I like to think of it as unschooling in a group atmosphere. Look it up, they are all over the world.
Have a wonderful week!

Anyone want to help me sew?

I've been busy since my fleece arrived. I tried limiting my time on the computer (easier said than done) and I have worked diligently, but there is so much more to do. For some reason my serger is not cooperating. Anyone want to lend a hand? Maybe just keep Aiden off the table while I work?
Heading to Lewiston tomorrow so Jon's Aunt Evie can meet Aiden. Bad timing but we could both use a trip out of the house! Hopefully his family's negative energy will not bring me down. I did convince Jon to go grocery shopping while there. I love the plethora of organic and vegetarian foods I find outside the local grocery stores. When the Connections Co-op is up and running in Dixfield, I won't have to go far.
Alright, enough one handed typing for tonight. Going to lay down with my little, naked butt nursling :)
Here's some Aiden for ya.

Natural Toys Made in Maine

Check out the beautiful wooden toys and furniture made by Elves and Angels . Their products are made by a Maine homeschooling family. I want to get one of their kitchen sets for Aiden!

My products are in stores!

With help from their very kind store owner, Laura, Country Moose Kids is now carrying my product lines! Check them out at www.countrymoosekids.com/MadeinMaine.html. Check out their other sections as well. You can't beat a family run company that has great customer service!


This ring sling is only available from them, it's one of a kind so don't miss out!


BTY - My wholesale pricing dilemma has been dealt with and I am moving on to more creative endeavors. Those promotional materials I have been saying need to get done are finally getting my attention. At least until my fabric arrives or I start another sling ;)

Have a wonderful day! We plan on playing in the snow later :)

No fabric, night terrors and wholesale pricing, oh my!

I try to stay positive. That's something I really strive for, so don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining here...
1. I am totally out of fabric and it won't be in until tomorrow or Wednesday. That really sucks because there is a huge snowstorm here today and Jon is home. I could be working on diapers that I will need very soon. But the snow is beautiful so I am still smiling :)
2. When I was young I had night terrors very often. Many people don't remember them and are able to fall asleep after, unaware that it has happened. I have never been that lucky. I had a few during my teenage years, one of which took place while camping with friends on the ledge of a huge mountain. Now that was embarrassing. Going to sleep is scary for me. I used to cover my head for fear of vampires getting me during my sleep. At 3 am, Aiden started screaming. I was aware that we was screaming, he was sleeping on my chest after all, but I couldn't move or function for a while. I had to have Jon come and get him because I literally had no clue what was going on or what I needed to do. I was basically still asleep and expecting to be murdered. Nice, huh? I remember thinking I was being dragged through a dark corn field or forest after having been raped. Nothing like this has ever happened to me. Aiden screamed in Jon's arms for a while and it took me a long time to calm down. I know that night terrors are inherited but I couldn't find any information on mother and child having one at the same time. I hope they are not going to plague Aiden as often as they did me.
3. Wholesale pricing is so hard when making diapers. I can't use the normal "take the total and multiply by 4" equation. In order to not lose any money, my wholesale prices are only 20% less than retail. My diapering packages, which I had set to debut this week, would make that amount go down even more. Do I set my wholesale prices figuring that I will someday be able to purchase fabric at lower prices by buying in bulk, making wholesale go up to 27%? Then I could take 7% off on diapering packages and my wholesale customers would still make 20% on them?

Update: I took my friend's advice and wrote to my wholesale customer. She was so helpful and understanding. A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Another order that's long gone.

Here is an order of a half dozen wipes and 2 BBB's contoured diapers as they were on their way out the door. But more importantly, look at how cute Aiden and I are!

Chuck E Cheese

My mother brought Aiden and I to Chuck E Cheese for an unschooling get together. (Thanks Mom!) Only 4 unschooling families showed up but it was still fun. The moderator of our unschooling group is very interested in adding my diapers to her high end baby/child website. I am working on all those details right now. Aiden thought that it was the coolest place he'd been to in a while. He had so much fun eating pizza, playing on the cars and bulldozer, and watching the other kids play. After CEC, we went to the Maine Mall where he continued the fun by running around. KB Toys must have been to him what a fabric store is to me. He pulled toys off the shelf and pushed a popping car all over the store!

Diaper Pin Review Button

I have added this button for anyone who purchases a product from me. There are no listings for my products on there yet so this link brings you to an add product page. I added my Boo Bear Buns fitted diapers but it takes up to 14 days for the item to show. Please do write a review for any products you like! This button is going in the side bar as well.
Thanks,
Aimee

Felted Recycled Pocketbook

I turned this felted wool sweater

into this pocketbook. I didn't get a picture of it with the brown handle but it came out nicer than the picture did. My sister is now the proud owner of my first handmade pocketbook.

What have I been up to?

I look around and see that I have not gotten that much done. Where has all of my time gone? I spend way too much time in the forums on Etsy for one :) To get more work done, I stay up after Aiden goes to bed. Nothing abnormal about that; lots of moms do it. But here's the kicker, Aiden goes to bed around 11! I'm up until after midnight every night now. At first it was just here and there. Now I can't even fall asleep sooner if I try! I do get my sleep in most days though. I wake up after 8 most mornings! I never used to sleep much past 7.
So, I started and finished a custom ring sling on Monday. That was wonderful. Then today (I guess that would be yesterday now) I finished 2 diapers to mail out tomorrow (and that would be today). I also helped a friend who lost her job set up her own shop. It's http://YKnotKnit.etsy.com . I took all her pictures and help get everything up and running. I did it for free when I should have been working myself, but I am proud of how it turned out so I don't feel too guilty about it.
I spent way too much time not getting anywhere with some paperwork I've been trying to complete. I guess that's life. I also wrote a rather lengthly email/vent to my poor friend Amber. Sorry you had to read all that at once:)
Oh well, it is a new day now. I'm sure I can get more done today. If I tell myself that everyday, it's bound to happen sometime, right?

Custom ring sling

Here are a couple pictures of a custom sling I made today. It is a baby shower gift for someone who works at a Renaissance Faire. Her baby shower theme is pirates. This was a fun custom order, I like learning more about my customers.

SNOW!!

This morning I awoke to the sound of a snowmobile riding up and down the road. Yeah, I live in Maine. There's got to be 3 inches out there! I love how snow can make anyplace look beautiful. It has turned to rain now, but I hope to bring Aiden out to play. Last time we did that he would not walk in his boots. It took me nearly 15 minutes to get him ready :) He stood still for a minute then fell face first in the snow. Here are the pictures from that venture:

First order of BBB's fitted diapers

Here is the first order of Boo Bear Buns fitted diapers ready to go. I don't even have them in my store yet and I've got some off in the mail! I'm proud of how these turned out. Lots of work went into these diapers and I think that they will be loved. I'll post more pictures of a single diaper soon.

Boo Bear Buns Fitted diapers are here!

My snap press is here and I have been busy snapping away! I have my pattern exactly how I want it and it's been tested on Aiden. Adding the snaps is taking a little longer than I had originally thought so I will need to charge more for the fitted diapers than I had planned.
Now I just need to get some pictures and add them to my store!

Made myself a banner

I don't think it came out too bad for my first time using Photoshop.

Blue Batik Ring Sling

I wanted to keep this sling for myself, but I decided that I cannot keep every sling that I like. I'd have about 15 by now because most of what I make is what appeals most to me. I love the blue batik fabric!



http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5152006

Ring slings are so versatile. They are one size fits all so you will really only need one sling, although I like to have a pouch sling around too. I like to mix it up. Back to my point, you can use this sling regardless of any changes in weight you may experience. I personally gained A LOT of weight during my pregnancy (bed rest will do that to you) so I would have gone through 3 sizes of pouch slings by now. My ring sling got me through until I got closer to my pre-pregnancy size. Plus Grammy, Daddy, big brother/sister and any other caregiver can wear your sling while caring for baby. The tail is also great for discreet breastfeeding, if you're into that kind of thing :) (I do it right out in the open. Aiden will not be covered and I feel like I am making a positive statement about the wonderful things I am doing for my son, and hopefully helping to make breastfeeding less taboo.)

For more info on ring slings and baby wearing, click on the link above. It's all in the listing!

Pink Paisley Pouch Sling

I listed a new sling today www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5171386 . The pictures of it came out great. Aiden is the best model/product tester!


Check out the rest of my listings at www.slingsandsacks.etsy.com

Dancin' Baby

My man dances now! I am so excited! He does the cutest things every day, but this makes me laugh like crazy. Aiden is such a clown and he will take any idea that gets a laugh and run with it. Tonight was full of baby dances! I'll have to get some pictures and video. I love this little peanut more than I ever knew possible. I'll leave it at that before I start to cry...

Happy New Year!

My New Year's Resolution: To get and stay more organized!

I ordered a snap press and I cannot wait to get it. Jon will have to hide anything he does not want snaps on! The Boo Bear Buns fitted diapers with snaps will be a favorite for cloth diaper fans.

Here are a few more Aiden pics for your viewing pleasure. I call the last one "my view in a sling".