bag o' buttons

So I bought some buttons. I went to the craft store with two anxious children trailing slowly behind with a short list. Really, just two necessary items. But then I saw this little bag of buttons and impulsively snatched it up. Fortunately my dear son did not count the number of items that made it to the register because it was probably more like six than two (and I didn't find what I went for) but nevertheless I was quick.

I got home, unpacked my bag and stared at the buttons. You see, I don't sew. I mean, I can sew. I have a brand new fabulous sewing machine that I bought on sale at Target. In March. It still lives fully sealed in the box...in my garage. So, you see, I don't sew.

I set the bag o' buttons thoughtfully on my craft table and stared at the pretty colors for about a week. And then last night, I made these. I just love the colors and I think these are probably the cutest darn dance rings that have ever been made. Ever.

But then again, I'm biased.

sugar sweet saturday...

1. farouche make do and mend
2. think outside the box baby booties
3. think outside the box felt heart ornament
4. willowbaus marching elephants rowboat

Wow. What a lovely summer day we had in Northern California today. A simple Saturday, filled with lots of sunshine, swimming, sprinklers & of course... sugar. And here are a few sweet things I found on Etsy last night and just had to share with you. Gotta love when a little things like baby booties can make you smile. Hope your weekend is just as lovely...

T.G.I...Friday?

1. chichiboulie balloon fairy card
2. fruit fly pie chartreuse green ceramic owl bank
3. jane says every pretty flower original wall art
4. letterpress famous bicycle built for two in pink

I know, I know. I said I'd be back soon and then I wasn't. It's this whole summer thing. It has me completely thrown for a loop. On Wednesday night I thought it was Thursday night and this morning I was functioning as if it were Saturday until 10:30 am when it finally hit me that it, in fact, was not. Apparently I am a creature of habit and things like camp and vacation really mess with me. I've got ten weeks to get the hang of it. Bear with me.

In the meantime I've been working on a little number for the up and coming EtsyKids online magazine for which I am a contributor to the home decor section. I've found hundreds of fabulous little things on line that I'm just dying the share with the world...but you'll have to wait because I don't want to spoil all the fun. However, I might just have squeezed a few of the contenders in to this collage above. Isn't it lovely?

I've also been toying with the idea of offering my sweet, faithful readers a zuzu girl giveaway. What do you think? Some fancy dress notecards? Or a dream catcher perhaps. Stay tuned...

playing catch up...

Has it really been five days since my last post? Wow. So I must have been up to something during that time, right? Well, besides the fact that my eldest graduated kindergarten on Wednesday, (I'll try not to cry...again) I have been up to a few things...

I went a little note card crazy. Picked up some new paper and I just couldn't resist. (Fortunately, my addictions are not terribly destructive in terms of my health or waist line). These two note card sets are brand new to the shop. The fancy dress is still my all time favorite but I do think the wise little owl is pretty darn cute too...



Then I started these simple ribbon wands, with the unfinished wooden dowels to give as party favors at Zuzu's 3rd birthday party next month but they were too cute and affordable not to share them with the Etsy community. Story of my life...


This pink dream catcher was custom made for a young girl's birthday present and apparently her brother doesn't sleep so well either so he's getting one too. Lucky boy! The buyer requested a skull and crossbones like I've done on the note cards for the boy. I hadn't done one before but my son gave it rave reviews (and he's a tough customer) so I'm sure it will be well received...



Our shop was featured on this lovely blog. Check out her Etsy shop too. It's called Rozzi's Sweet Peas and she makes fabulously fancy, one of a kind dresses & aprons like this one...


Ooooh, and I found this Etsy shop today. It's called Shlomit Ofir. She is a jewelry designer from Tel Aviv. Her designs are lovely, her prices are fair & her shop is so peaceful. It is however, currently missing this necklace as I purchased it for myself tonight. Nanny, nanny, boo boo...


More than you needed to know in one post? My apologies. But hopefully you now forgive me for my absence. Back soon...

pot luck

If you can't laugh at yourself then feel free, laugh at me. Goodness knows I do all the time. Especially tonight. I mean really. Who goes to a potluck at their pre-school and says, "Oh, no. I didn't make the delicious sandwiches. Those are from a lovely little bakery up the block. I bought those. But I did make the darling little picks on the top that distinguish between sandwiches!" Clearly, I pick my battles.

color my monday

Every Monday needs a little splash of color. That and maybe a little splash of vodka. Here's wishing everyone a lovely first week of summer with these happy finds...
1. decorative ribbon cloche by frippelous
2. groovy kind of love necklace by loleys
3. choose your colors wallet by rosybird
4. paper mache sewing boxes by frippelous

let's hear it for the boys...

Not to be left out, we've finally designed a note card collection for little princes too. These thoughtfully designed & meticulously hand-crafted skull & cross bones note cards are perfect for any occasion. Coordinating gift tags, birthday banners, personalized bunting & cupcake toppers are all available upon request as well by visiting our shop and dropping us a line. Let's hear it for the boys!...

oh happy day...

I had a great day...but if I hadn't these little lovelies would have definitely brightened my evening. I hope they get a smile out of you too...
1. the drying rack's pretty in pink house
2. pretty lil' things lovebird clutch
3. tiny bazaar's candles and butterflies 8x10
4. huismus's double strap baby booties

playing dress up

I've been busy playing dress up! Here's just a taste of the first few items including blank note cards, gift tags, a happy birthday banner & a personalized bunting. The design was my solution to Zuzu's request for a "princess party" next month. And yes, I am aware that she is referring to Disney princesses but hopefully she'll be so impressed by mom's handiwork that she won't notice. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

eye candy

I just adore lovely little surprises. Like this one I found on flickr tonight. Sumikoshop is celebrating her one year anniversary on Etsy
by giving away a free gift with purchase...and look at all the pretty little things she has to purchase. Her cute jewelry and accessories are so sweet and colorful they remind me of candy for the eyes. And yes, I adore candy too.

pretty little saturday

Pretty little day...pretty little things...pretty little links:
1. pink grapefruit style's my little green plate
2. maru maru's flirty owl charm necklace
3. maru maru's sky blue floral cabochon
4. lemon tree studio's pink wooden tray
5. little pink posie's wool felt barrettes
6. lemon tree studio's felt & fabric paper clips
7. happy possum's three flowers
8. tracy b design's little lavender songbird sachets

summer lovin'

I think I've been so busy preparing for the end of the school year, juggling summer camp schedules, booking airline & hotel reservations & planning a summer birthday party that I didn't actually step back and let it sink in but OH MY GOODNESS. Summer is upon us....isn't it? (and I'm still signing my checks '08!)

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun...please shine down on me...

Sunny goodness all courtesy of Etsy and these fabulous folks:

1. tinytokensdesigns hand stamped necklace
2. family attic cottage beach sign
3. scout dry goods christian dior vintage sunglasses
4. daintily designs sunburst drops
5. capricious traveler sunshine ring
6. tweet blue bird designs sun tanning retro pendant
7. bionic unicorn flower hairpins
8. silk art from brazil whimsical sun necklace
9. bead in babe chrysanthemum ring
10. morelle truffle in mustard
11. paper pumpkin starburst embellishments
12. soleil girl sun posey hairclip

birthday blooms!

Our zuzu girl birthday blooms collection that was planted back here has bloomed again! You can't imagine how excited I was to hear from a customer last week that is planning her daughter Macy's first birthday party. She's so excited that she already has the dress and shoes picked out and guess what? They matched our birthday blooms collection so nicely that she fell in love. We've been melding our creative minds over the last week and have added a coordinating highchair bunting (complete with Macy's name and new age), paper flower centerpiece arrangement, favor bag gift tags & thank you notes.

I'm kind of sad to see all these beautiful items being packed up this weekend (especially with a third birthday party of our own closing in on the horizon) but I couldn't be happier for our new zuzu girl handmade fan. Happy Birthday Macy. We hope all your wishes come true!

tag! it's friday.

Don't ask me what any of these items have to do with Friday because I really couldn't answer that. I was simply doing what I seem to do best at late hours when I should be sleeping...browsing the Etsy halls...when I did a tag search by "Friday" and found some pretty random, lovely things. Like these...

1. girl friday necklace by pettygirl
2. petal pink rosette headband by houseoftelsa
3. handspun primitive cotton rag yarn by confections
4. iris bracelet by moxiedesigns

super fun bean bags

Checkout these *super fun bean bags* from Frank and Me. Not only do they just plain look fun but you really couldn't sell them any better. Here's the copy taken directly from the Etsy listing...

Super Fun Bean Bags are approx. 4" squares that are filled with organic lentils, and super fun! So, the toy is non-toxic, and heck...if the recession hits any harder, you can open them up and cook them for food : )

There are so many games you can play with bean bags!

Quick Beanbag Challenges
Throw a beanbag in the air, turn around, and catch it again.
Throw the beanbag up and backwards over your head and try to catch it behind your back.
Throw the beanbag in the air, clap your hands once, and catch it. Now try clapping your hands twice, then three times, and so on. How high can you go?
Throw the beanbag in the air and clap your hands under your right leg before catching it. Now try with your left leg. Now clap behind your back. Invent some more challenges.
Throw the beanbag up, jump, and try to catch it. Jump twice. Jump three times!
Throw it up, kneel down and try to catch it.
Throw and catch with just your right hand, then with just your left.
Try throwing it up and catching it with your eyes closed!
Balance the beanbag on your right foot, then throw it up and catch it from there. Can you do it with your left foot too?
Can you throw the beanbag up and catch it on your left foot?
Can you run with a beanbag balanced on your head? Can you jump? Can you twist around? Can you kneel down and stand up again, or sit down? Can you climb the stairs? Can you do any of these things with two beanbags balanced on your head? Or three?
Try balancing a beanbag on each shoulder while you walk, run, jump etc.
Sing one of your favourite songs or rhymes while you throw the beanbag up and catch it, or pass it round a circle of children.
Set up a variety of hoops, containers and targets and have some throwing practice.
How far can you throw the beanbag? Does it make a difference if you throw over-arm or underarm?


Game ideas courtesy of; http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/beanbag_games.htm

tweet, tweet. oh so sweet...

1. For the Birds Buttons by aimoobaroo

2. Mom's Nest by sj engraving

3. Little Birdie all alone by red hot pottery

4. Needlefelted Tweet by felt me up designs

reality check

Sometimes I wonder why I don't get anything done.
Other times it's pretty evident.
Zuzu thought naked Barbie would be an excellent prop for this photo shoot.
I tend to disagree.

tuesday teaser

Oh, Etsy. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
1. Neskat embroidered barrette
2. Iragrant large cressier bag
3. Bunny with a toolbelt baby elephant walk
4. Baby O Really whimsical nursery blocks
5. Tiddlywinks squeek
6. Valerie's Gallery felted wood bowl
7. Kristin Friesen lexi bobby pin set
8. Vessels and Wares teacup and saucer set

tech support?

Oh how I miss those old corporate days when you could simply fill out an IT request via email and some talented young lad would stroll confidently into your office and make everything right. Well, sort of.

About a week ago I wrote a post about the color orange featuring five very talented Etsy sellers. However, since that time my blog has been entirely uncooperative. Finally, I connected the timing and deleted all photos & links from that post only to find that everything is now working perfectly. Only took me a week but who needs that fancy IT department now?

Anyway, I apologize to those fabulous folks in the original post and I will try to resurrect it at some point but for now I am just grateful to have my blog back...and can't wait to share some more Etsy love with you soon...

POST SCRIPT
I had to delete the whole damn post. It still wasn't working. I'm so sorry if you missed it.

zuzu's flying friends

It only seemed logical to follow our paper ball gowns with some friendly flying folks. Meet our new polka dot butterfly, lovable love birds & wise little owl, the newest additions to zuzu girl handmade. I must thank Martha Stewart for her fabulous paper selection. Couldn't have done it without her sassy style!