Happy Holidays To All!

I usually don't like to say that so I'll be more specific. :D I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year! I also realize many other holidays fall this month so for those of different beliefs...have very Happy Holidays!

There have been many requests for weighted vests and onsies for older toddlers and children. I am working to get them up and available early in 2008. I have one of those little ones who loves to "pull on the tube" so a onsie style t-shirt is first on my list. I'm honestly not sure how long it will be since I am back in school part time starting in mid-January. My goal is to have it done before school starts so lets hope it works. I do know that it will be a simple shirt that snaps someway in the crotch so if you have snap crotch pants it will be easy to access for diaper changes. I am also considering an access patch on the front so you won't have to unsnap the bottom to feed or give meds. I'd love some feedback from you tube feeding parents! I think that will be an option rather than a standard. I am also thinking of having them listed (ready to ship) on both Etsy & EBay, along with custom ones on Etsy. Lots to think about. On a less cheerful note..the cost of good quality fabrics is getting higher. I'm not turning ANY profit on the things I am making. Litterally less than the cost of my time for nearly everything. I'm, unfortunately, going to be raising my prices for most items beginning Jan 1, 2008. I hate to do that since I know how expensive having a special needs child is but I barely cover the cost of materials and shipping and there is nothing left for my time/profit. I am going to do my best to continue to keep them low but I've got to make some profit or I can't keep doing this as I will have to go back to work outside the home. This is so much more satisfying so I'm going to try to find that balance. Thanks for understanding!

Reopening my Ebay listings too

After much deliberation, I have decided to begin listing on Ebay again in January 2008. The Etsy store will remain open for my custom work and some ready to ship items. My Ebay will be listing for ready to ship items for special needs such as weighted blankets and snap-crotch pants in children and youth sizes (maybe some Adult sizes too). I will be selling my Ebay items under the user ID kittypal10. Sometime during the spring I have plans to open a store on Ebay but not immediately. I am hoping this will allow more people to access the items I create and sell for their special loved ones. I am hoping to start a once monthly newsletter with information about my specials and other shop related topics. Keep an eye open for lots of new items on both places!

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A special thanks...

I just wanted to give a special "Thank you" to the members of Special Child Exchange. Thanks to Steve for starting it and to all the wonderful members who allow me to help out their very special kids. It is my privilege and I am very thankful for it!

It's Christmas time

I really love this time of year! Everyone is trying to be nice to everyone else and things are looking brighter (even if they really aren't). Maybe it's just the thought of all the good times and family gatherings we all are having.
I love to give the gifts to my friends and family (hate shopping-crowds aren't my thing). I think my favorite part are the decorations and the music. I love seeing all the lights and all the hard work people put into making their place special for everyone to see.
I haven't gotten the first decoration up yet :( which is really unusual for me. Normally,by now if it doesn't move it's decorated! But we're painting (YEA!!) after the remodel so I'll have to wait a bit longer. I told Jim that I'm decorating by the 17at the very latest so we've gotta get on it.
I have to say, just having all the drywall up and the basics done has really got me feeling better. Now that the bulk of the remodel is finished I can see that light at the end of the tunnel.
For those who don't know-we gutted the entire house and have been remodeling and living in it at the same time. I DON'T recommend that! We made the entire main level handicapped accessible for our son and my mother-in-law. Tore out old plaster (this house is 100 yrs old) and put in new wiring and drywall, widened doorways, and reshaped rooms. That is a horribly messy job. Remodeled the main bath and put in a new second bath with roll in shower to accommodate both wheelchairs. Now mil doesn't need her chair and has gotten to move back to her house so it's mainly for our son. He's still a little small but this will be nice as he gets older.
It's finally beginning to be at a point where I can put things away in their real "homes" and get this place organized. Which has now become my current project, aside from the custom orders on Etsy.

30% OFF SALE all weekend!

I've changed all the list prices in the shop! EVERYTHING (except weighted items) is 30% OFF all weekend (11/23 thru 11/25). Weighted items are also on sale at $5.00 off per item. There are lots of new items coming in all weekend so check back regularly! Not everything is related to the kids either...I am adding aprons, placemats & napkins and stockings too. Come see what I've added. It's all about not having to fight the crowds!

InCrowd November Scavenger Hunt!

ANNOUNCING!! The INcrowd's Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
The INcrowd is having a scavenger hunt! It is a Thanksgiving theme and will run from November 15 through November 20.


The prize will be a gift basket full of items generously donated by INcrowd members:


pingwen, texturedturtle, megan4062, 2sistersandme, newmoondesign, berrycreekcandles, amyyang, teresasart, noodlelab, angelaedwards, eclecticmiscellany, gudonyatoo (phoenixglass), guidinglightcandles, suzannesspecialkids, nanassewingroom, myword, dragonflydreams, cade, sturbridgestudio, thepeachmartini.


It is a wonderful prize that is worth over $300!
All you have to do is collect these six Thanksgiving related items: Pumpkin pie, indian corn, cornucopia, fruit basket, roast turkey, and live turkey.



The rules and list of participating shops are posted in the forum.


Hope everyone participates-this gift basket is really nice!

Time for restocking, finally

I'm finally taking the time to get the things in the shop for the Christmas shopping. I hope I don't miss this. I've got some really nice ideas for our friends and family. Hopefully I can generate some great sales too. I'll post as soon as I get more in the shop. I'm also adding a few more ready to ship items for special needs people. I'm going to add medical pads (they fit around g-tubes and such), and some premade lap pads and weighted vests. Holiday time is getting here quickly. We need all the help we can get so pass this on!

YEA!!

We're finally home. In & out of the hospital stinks but the seizures are controlled and the g-tube is in and working well. Nikolas is pretty confortable and eating well. Now it's time to clean, clean, clean, study , study more and then sew, sew, sew my self into relaxation! Thanks for all the prayers for those of you who did. We really appreciate them. Be sure to check out my Etsy shop (in a few days...hehehe. I've got to get the new stuff posted) and the InCrowd is having a November scavenger hunt for a super cool prize basket. The contest starts on 11/15/07. :)

ARRRGGGG!

OK after several days in the PICU for seizures they have sent us home. That's the good news. The bad news is that we get to go back less than 48 hours from now. We have to be there on Mon at 11am to get a feeding tube. They wouldn't do it while we were there and couldn't justify us staying or bringing the GI doc's in on a Sat. Boy will I be glad when life isn't on hold any more.

Newest things in our life!

I'm finally making a bit of progress! I got a new bag finished & posted today. I'd love to see it sold in the next few days 'cause it's a Halloween print. It's a really nice bag-I may keep it for myself instead of storing it for next season if it does't sell.

They finally set Boo's surgery date. He'll get his feeding tube and then hopefully eating will be a better experience for all of us.

I love the Children's museum!

I'm helping mommy sell halloween totes! She says I'm getting my "15 minutes of fame" now.

My first day at preschool! I get to ride the big yellow school bus all by myself.

Nikolas loves the carousel at the Children's Museum!

I decided that it was time to join the 21st century and start a blog. I plan to make this mostly related to my shop but it will also contain things outside of Etsy. Since it's getting closer to the holiday season it's time to begin putting all the fun holiday things into my shop. I started putting in my Halloween totes today and hope that they are well liked. They were a blast to create. I love all the cute fabrics available for the holiday seasons. I have tons of Halloween prints and lots of ideas but would love to get some custom requests for the kids.