Custom Bundle Giveaway!

We've made it to 100! In honor of our 100th like (thank you to Christine from Jades Closet) on Facebook and a new offering on Etsy, we're doing our very own giveaway through our very own blog! All you need to do to enter is comment on this blog post with the name of your favorite childhood book. Then, you can always share on Facebook to give your friends a chance of winning too!

We've just started offering them in the Etsy shop and now, you get the first chance at our new venture: custom designed Bookland bundles for baby bibliophiles. Winner will receive a custom gift set from Babes in Bookland valued at $99.  You will get to choose a book from our stash (or let us know if there's one you'd REALLY like us to find for you) for a custom made book mobile, coordinating fabric for three cloth diaper burp cloths, paper garland, washi tape clothespins, a hand embroidered pennant, three puffsy sticks, and three reusable felt gift bows. All in the color scheme and style of your choosing!

A winner will be chosen at random and announced via the blog on Monday, April 30 at 9:00pm. Good luck to all, and we can't wait to work with you designing your Bookland Bundle!

Check out the listing for Bookland Bundles on Etsy.

London Calling

Having been struck by the sudden realization that this summer is not only an Olympic summer, but that it is also the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, I've got Britain on the brain! Visions of union jacks are swirling in my head as I attempt to visualize the perfect summer get together. A few Cornish pasties, some tea (iced, this is America, hot tea does NOT cut it in the summertime here!), a little Olympics, and a lot of Beatles tunes on the old record player.

There are so many ideas for decorations on Etsy. What's funny is, I don't think there's much of a call for Union Jack themed parties in America because ALL of the sellers that I found, were in England. Makes sense, I suppose. That's the beauty of Etsy. It's worldwide and enables us American folks to have access to all the things that British crafters and artisans have to offer.

Here's an assortment of things I found that I just fell in love with, and a shout out to our friends across the pond! Links to items after the jump.

Measure for Measure

I am so excited to have ordered some pieces from this wonderful designer and I cannot wait to get them in the mail. Time to pay a little lip service to Kiki from The Measure!

Kiki Fluhr of The Measure makes some of the most unique and special little girls clothes I've ever seen (and I do my fair share of browsing for little girls clothes). Her use of fabrics and addition of vintage materials makes for beautiful pieces that every little girl and her mother will love.

Her designs strike the perfect balance between "my daughter is being swallowed by ruffles and bright patterns" and "not only are there 6 Peyton's at Sunday school but they're all wearing the same dress". The benefit of buying handmade from Etsy is that, you know without a doubt that you are supporting someones small business that they worked so hard to build. There is something to be said about that kind of creativity and ingenuity.

Another bonus is that she accepts old oxford shirts and vintage doilies in exchange for store credit. I, of course, ran right down to the local antique mall that I frequent daily (no joke, I'm there almost daily some weeks). I knew that they had doilies on sale for excellent prices and a great selection to boot. Hope she likes the ones I sent! I'm even considering taking a page out of her book and sending out a request for some of the vintage children's books that we love so much at Babes in Bookland. Such a good idea!

So go check out Kiki's shop on Etsy, and like it on Facebook. She's always adding super deals for Facebook fans!

Photo credits go to Shannon Sewell. Check her out at www.shannonsewell.com

She's the Salt of the Earth

It's Thursday. Also known as the day I peruse the Sac Etsy Team listings in an effort to find a selection of items that inspires me enough to put them all together and think of a clever title. ALSO known as my turn to create a team treasury. What started out as an attempt at compiling items with earth tones, turned into a song reference from way in my past, which resulted in me having lots of warm fuzzy memories of high school (something that nothing in the treasury has anything to do with). I swear, I never wore a girdle in high school and I definitely didn't know how to embroider yet. Treasuries seem to be a pretty important part of being successful on Etsy. Without them, you have no chance of getting recognized on the front page. Seems that all anyone does on Etsy is either try to make money, or try to be on the front page. Myself? I'll take the money. Treasuries are just for fun. PS Anyone out there who reads this. I swear I will give you a 50% off coupon if you can write me the lyrics to the song I'm referencing in a comment. Anyone. This is a test to see if anyone is reading. Ready, Go.

3rd Saturday Spring Craft Fling

April 21st from 5-8 pm at Craftology in Fair Oaks, we will be participating in a small craft fair sponsored by Craftology and Jewelry by Charisma. There are going to be refreshments, music, and a wide assortment of local artisans showcasing their wares. We are looking forward to it and are going to spend some time this week hopefully putting up fliers in the local coffee shops and stores that we frequent. Hope to see you there!

3rd Saturday Spring Craft Fling

Mistress of My Domain!

We are officially the new owners (at least for this year) of our own domain name!

Unfortunately...www.babesinbookland.com was taken, so we had to get creative. Not really too creative as we didn't want to stray TOO far from the familiar, so our new domain is officially:  

www.booklandshop.com

Plus, to add excellence to awesomeness, I figured out how to add a shopping option to the blog, so now, instead of only having one shopping option, my one or two readers will have TWO! Now I'm just going to go enjoy typing my own url into the address bar and watching it go to MY page! How fun is this...

Hippest Kids in Town

Thanks to Netflix, we've been watching as much Portlandia as we can get our hands and eyes on. When I say we, I mean me, and when I say watching, I mean trying to figure out why we don't live in Portland. It's where young people go to retire! I mean, where else do a bartender and an Etsian belong? Well, besides San Diego...our one true love.

Hipster-ness is one of those things that I don't pretend to FULLY understand...especially since they are a people who, not unlike the many other subcultures of my generation, ridicule you if you do. Enter hipster kitty.

So since this is primarily an Etsy blog, meant for promoting my Etsy shop, I thought I'd give some love to fellow Etsians who represent all things hipster that I love. Here's to mustaches, old school nintendo, nerd glasses, and turning your babies into mini hipster versions of yourself. After the jump of course.

The Spring Market

We were recently invited to participate in the upcoming second annual Spring Market in Curtis Park. It's a local craft fair that coincides with the Curtis Park home tour and we could not be more excited! Finally got around to reserving a spot this morning.

It was especially flattering to be invited specially by the lovely woman coordinating it. It's always good for morale to get that kind of recognition (just ask Sally Field). Link to website, directions, and some links to last years vendors after the jump!

A Birthday for Husby

I'm one of those people who loves gift giving. I go in stages as to who I feel like shopping for. Sometimes I'm always finding things for my kids, sometimes my sister, lately it's been my husband. He's a fairly simple guy who is typical in every way. His likes include sports, burritos, beer, sports, and beer. But I like to try and be more creative with the things that I get him.

When it comes to men, I have to assume they get really bored with ties and picture frames with their kids in them. I know mine does. So I've compiled a list of things I think he might like (since his birthday's coming up and all), and that others husbands might like as well. Could also be for a brother, father, uncle, cousin, nephew, nice waiter or bartender. Any male you know well enough to buy a gift for!

Links to these products after the jump!