Jbirds & Sonshine Handmade Wooden Letter Blocks

Jaelynne makes handmade, unique wooden letter blocks that are a great gift for a new baby or child's room, your home or office, or to decorate any room in your house.  Jaelynne wants you to picture yourself sitting in your tub and having the word 'soak' on a shelf, having the word 'welcome' in your entrance or the word 'family', 'relax' or 'enjoy' in your living room. Or what about 'dine' or 'tasty' on your dining room table or in your kitchen.  She says that whatever word you can think of can be done.  She also says about herself and Jbirds & Sonshine:

"I am a teacher by profession but am currently a stay at home mom to 2 fantastic kids. I am also a wife to my just as fantastic husband. :) I love crafting and have spent a lot of time doing scrapbook cards and a variety of other fun crafts. But these terrific wooden blocks are some of my favourites and I decided to try my hand at them. I love being able to use my creativity to mix & match papers, decide on font styles as well as colours for these unique & handmade blocks. From the sanding & painting, right down to the last button, ribbon or add-on...these are definitely well-loved blocks.  There are many ways these blocks can be used. They can be a beautiful gift for a new baby or a child's room. A photographer can use them in a photo shoot with words like 'baby' or 'bliss'. Another great way to use these blocks is for home or office decor. Words like a person's name, or a word that evokes special meaning or something as simple as 'welcome' or 'friends' or 'family'. These blocks can be custom made as well and each customer can put some input into them if they'd like."

Have a peak at Jbirds & Sonshine's blocks on Facebook or email her for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Jbirds-Sonshine/211921892169306

jaelynne@hotmail.com

Rochelle's Craftnook's Clips, Bibs, I-Spy Bags, and TUTUS!

I was bragging about these I-Spy bags that I bought from a local crafter to a friend.  She is heading to Washington DC with the whole family in their minivan.  She thought the idea was great and wanted me to find her some asap.  :)  I log into my Gmail and who contacts me but a new to me crafter Rochelle's Craftnook who indeed makes I-Spy Bags which is good because I am unsure if my regular I-Spy bag crafter is still making them.  Such a strange coincidence.  Enough with the story...I am sure you want to know about Rochelle.

"I am a stay at home Mom of two beautiful children. Damian is 7 and Rhianna is 4. I have been married for going on 8 years this july to the love of my life Adam! He is a paramedic and away quite a bit. In my spare time as a stay at home Mom I have found many things to keep me busy on top of the daily tasks in life. I have always been artistic and crafty, so I decided to let my abilities grow further and Rochelle's Craftnook became my quiet place I could go to scrapbook and card make. It has now evolved to many different craft projects including anything from adult hair accessories to baby gear like bibs, blankets and much more. All my items are handmade with love and care!"

Rochelle makes bibs, burp cloths, soother clips, I-Spy bags, hair clips and bands, little squishy stuffies, blankets, and.......TUTUS.  I have expressed how tutus are the cutest thing in the entire world next to baby kittens and my children of course.  :)  Have a peak at her Facebook page for photos of all her wonderful custom made items and buy your child an I-Spy bag and a tutu.  ;)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rochelles-Craftnook/160823680630950?sk=wall

What I Fancied Today At The Creative Collection Craft Sale

PU Toes corduroy dress for my little girl

This craft sale was pretty great.  As Lori from Sling Sisters pointed out it was a show for the Manitoba Etsy Sites.  Most tables were very different and I could have spent hundreds of dollars.  I resisted some of the gravitational pull being released by many of the tables but I still spent more than I had planned.  This is a very good thing.  :)

I bought a couple of gifts for the kiddos and my Just The Goods bath melts and sugar scrub.  I also bought four cupcakes that were delicious but we ate them so fast that I didn't get a photo.  Do you really want to sit at home looking at a photo of a cupcake?  That is just not fair for any of you who didn't get to munch one today.  ;)

Tasha's Soaps n' Stuff animal soaps for the kids and my niece.  Belt Clips by Snugglewunkins for my little girl who has absolutely no butt or hips to keep her pants up.  :)

 My Just The Goods fix: Bath Melts & Sugar Scrub.

"It's a Man's World and You Can Have It" card by Rebecca Hadfield of Zenbecca

Where to find the artisans above:

PU Toes - baby shoes and baby to preschool clothes
http://myputoes.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome.html

Tasha's Soaps n' Stuff - animal and freezer pop soaps
http://tashassoaps.webs.com/

Snugglywunkins - lots of kid stuff

http://www.snugglywunkins.com

Just The Goods - bath and skin care
http://www.justthegoods.net/

Zenbecca - pins, shirts, cards, and more
http://www.etsy.com/shop/zenbecca?ref=pr_profile
http://ticketyblog.blogspot.com  

Other tables that got my interest but not my money this time were:

JLP Designs - jewellery
www.jlpdesigns.etsy.com
jlpdesigns@live.ca

Monkey Business Card Company - i liked the monkeys
monkeybusinesscardco@live.ca

Love Bug Creations - awesome felt food
www.facebook.com/lovebugcreations1
lovebugscreations@live.com
(204) 779-2249

Prairie Wire Designs - wire wrapped jewellery
http://prairiewiredesigns.etsy.com
prairiewiredesigns@gmail.com

Heaven's Earth - art, jewellery, bean bags, and broaches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/heavensearth
http://www.facebook.com/heavensearth

TuTu Pretty - tutus for babes, kids, and dolls
http://www.etsy.com/shop/makemetutupretty

Manic Mittens - baby, children's, and adult accessories, tutus, and more
http://www.manicmittens.com/home

Trendy Babies Wants To Share Some Gift Ideas

Trendy baby is a local online shop that sells handmade baby items.  They have been expanding their market and their HOT 2010 gifts will give you ideas for more than just the baby in your family.  Take a peak at their site for many GREAT gift ideas.

http://www.trendybabies.ca

#2 Local Baby Shower Gift: The Funky Baby Accessories

Shower gifts do not need to drain your wallet. Sometimes the best gifts are the unique baby accessories. These are not items that can be found at the department stores and everyone will want to pass around these handmade goodies.











Legend of goodies featured here:

1 & 7. Trendy Babies' binky bling
2. Cotton Cupcake's monogrammed hats
3. Small Potatoes' bib
4 & 5. Manic Mitten's hair clips
6. Trendy Babies' headband
8. Trendy Babies' charms
9. Mellie Scraps critter hats
10. Mellie Scraps bib
11. Tawny Bee emergency bonnet
12. Manic Mitten's head band
13. Cotton Cupcake's monogrammed bibs
14. Small Potatoes drink leash
15. Trendy Babies' bow tie
16. Lily Pad pocket bib
17-19. Snugglywunkins snap belts, clips, etc
19. Gurumama bonnet
20. Small Potatoes' sun hats


http://www.small-potatoes.ca

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilypadshop

http://www.gurumama.ca

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cottoncupcakeshoppe

http://www.trendybabies.ca

http://www.manicmittens.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/melliescraps

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TawnyBee

http://www.snugglywunkins.com/

April's Great Local Finds

I have not been shopping too much lately because we have been more into decluttering our lives. We have been working on a renovation and have found a local carpenter to make our dining room table out of reclaimed wood, banquet seating, and possibly a window seat for our sun room. I will feature him once I get the table here and set up. I loved being able to find someone close to home who is talented and able to do custom wood work.

My daughter wanted a princess ball for her 3rd Birthday party this year so I had Manic Mittens custom make a crocheted crown and bought a matching brown and pink pettiskirt. Both are adorable. I bought a little hand made bow tie for my son as well but unfortunately at 1 yrs old he will not keep it on even long enough for photo. I bought a special something from them for my friend's girls 1st Birthday but I can't feature it yet because her party is Wednesday and my friend does sometimes check out this blog and I want it a surprise for her as well. I will add it later this week when I get a photo of her in it.

I also bought more bath yummies from Just The Goods. I got a little sample of her peppermint toothpaste and my favorite product of her's to date, her energizing vegan bath melts. They are shaped like little white chocolate truffles and have bergamot, lavender, juniper, and peppermint essential oils. I bought them for my daughter because she has chronic dry skin like her mom and it helped very much. The bath was creamy and oily and it releaved the dryness in her legs and back. Normally baths just suck out whatever moisture is left but these bath melts helped more than anything else has. I just had to watch the kids in the bath because it makes the tub very slippery and I didn't want any injuries. ;)

I have 1 friend and 2 sister in laws who are pregnant so I am excited to see what I can find locally for some really neat baby gifts. Wish me luck.

www.manicmittens.com

www.justthegoods.net

Handmade in Manitoba's 2009 Top 10

I know it is a little late being February and all but after a month of everyone in my family being sick over and over and over I am ready to get back in action and finish this post started oh so long ago.

I really enjoyed 2009. It was a year of exploring my community. I have featured many talented Manitoba businesses, artisans, and crafters. I just wanted to post my top 10 wrap up of 2009 and I am looking forward to featuring many more local talent in 2010. Since I am a Mom of 2 very young kids many of my favorites are child or food centered. If anyone has their own favorites for 2009 I would love to see them in the comments!!

#1. Favorite Grocery: Eat It *I have been shopping here for years now but they continue to impress me with their beautiful produce, amazing staff, and lots of local goods.
http://www.eatit.ca


#2. Favorite Baby Goods: Lilypad *I especially love their pocket bibs, pouch slings, & baby blankets.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilypadshop

#3. Favorite Bath & Body Products: Just The Goods *I love the Gin & Tonic Salt Scrub.
http://www.justthegoods.net




#4. Favorite Bakery: Tall Grass Prairie *Best cheese croissants in town!
http://www.tallgrassbakery.ca


#5. Favorite Baby Slings & Carriers: Sling Sisters *Awesome ladies & I just picked up their newly introduced Pipa Baby Pack to carry my youngest.
http://www.theslingsisters.net

photo borrowed from Pipa Creations etsy site:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32219144&ref=cat1_gallery_3









#6. Favorite Jewelry: Revelations North *I have to meet her and see her stuff in person!!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/revelate

#7. Favorite Artist: Joy Eidse *Beautiful artistic quilts. I especially love this prairie scene. Email her at joyeidse@mts.net or connect with her on Facebook.


#8. Favorite Clothing Store: Brave New World *comfortable and beautifully designed clothes from near and very very far away.
http://www.bravenewworld.ca

#9. Favorite Sweets: High Tea Bakery *delicious cookies. It is my daughter's cookie store. I love their imperial & almond cookies.
http://www.highteabakery.com


#10. Favorite Childrens Goods: Manic Mittens *They have an great selection of hats, clips, and whimsical dress up items. The prices are fabulous too. I am ordering tutus and crocheted crowns for my little girl for her Birthday in April.
http://www.manicmittens.com




I have so many more artisans, businesses, and artists to be featured starting up in March. This month I am primarily featuring local restaurants so when March hits I will be back in artisan action so make sure to contact me if you would like to be featured here. :D

handmadeinmanitoba@gmail.com

Thanks for reading my blog!!