Brin & Nohl at Etsy

Oh my!  After LOTS of work (more than I had anticipated), my Etsy shop is finally open.  I've been sewing up a storm, making my labels, documenting my time and costs, taking photographs, writing item descriptions, and doing a some homework to determine my asking prices and shipping costs.  I hope this is all I hoped it would be.  I love crafting and as the seasons change, I'm sure I'll add new and different items.  I guess we'll just see how this launch works out.  It's been challenging and I've learned a lot.  

 Right now I'm featuring: 

Urpies & Burpies

Nursing Covers 

and Key Fob Wristlets.  

I'm super pumped about the wristlets - they are so

 cute and can be for anyone.  Soon I hope to have other items - for the home.  I can't wait.  

I've always loved handmades - making, getting, giving.  Etsy is a great place to do all three - get inspired, buy a gift, find one for your wish list.  Check it out when you get a chance and pass it on!  

http://www.brinandnohl.etsy.com/

A Work In Progress

Brin & Nohl (my Etsy shop)... It's all a work in progress and taking much longer than I had imagined.  I'm sure I'm putting too much thought into it all, but getting my store open has been a project.  I wanted to make sure I had a good stock of things before I opened.  I also wanted to make sure I had the right variety.  I think I'm about half-way there with everything.  

But really, at the end of the day, it comes down to the fact that I'm sorely lacking in time.  Can we have a 26 hour day?  Plus, when 10 o'clock rolls around, I turn into the old lady on the block and I must get to bed.  I just have to keep reminding myself, this is for fun, it's just a hobby.  This is not my job... "Mommy" is my true title!  

So, 24 hours it is, and 10pm - I'm off to bed... my kids will be up before I know it.  I need to keep it light!

My favorites... Diaper totes

I'm on a DwellStudio kick these days.  Just love the modern prints and lines of their designs.  This is one of the best totes I've come across yet... and I do look!  Functional, fashionable - not too big, not too small.  Need I say more?  Simple.

One other bag I absolutely love - is definitely NOT a diaper tote, but I have been known for using everything but diaper bags to tote the diapers and wipes.  So, I must mention a non-diaper tote, tote.  With so many options, this bag would work for so many personalities.  Timbuk2 offers a "build your own" feature.  Love it!

Creative Inspiration

Isn't it modern, fun, and fresh?  

Where do I get my inspiration?  A question many times asked by others to those of us who make things... mine is of many sources, but lately I have loved DwellStudio.  They have even left their footprints at my favorite... Target.  

My Favorites... my own craft tags

Slowly but surely, I'm on my way.  I completed the tags for my Etsy shop (still to come) and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out.  A bit of trial and error... ordering some from a source other than myself, that didn't quit work or look the way I had hoped - but here they are in all their glory - by me! 

Sandbox planter

We love being outside.  The kids love playing in the sand.  I hated making sure the sandbox cover was on each night and every time it rained.  My solution?  We converted one of the bigger planters into a sandbox.  

They loved digging in the planter's dirt anyway and now they don't get covered in sand from head to toe.  When I rains, the water quickly drains or if I remember I can slide it under the patio table.  Either way, it works.  It would be great solution for anyone with a small space to consider, too.  

It's been a nice alternative... and it still keeps the kids entertained.  Love it!

Handmades by... Me!

I'm doing it.  I'm joining the online Etsy community of crafters and those who love handmades.  I still have lots to do before I "launch," but I'm getting excited for the projects ahead of me.  I still need to log my costs and figure out all the shipping details.  I'm waiting on my fabric tags to arrive in the mail and I need to organize my crafting area, too.  

I have so many ideas for my store, I just hope I don't get too eclectic.  I need to find my niche.  I'm going to start with the things I loved as a new mom - 

sweet burpies.  

I went to the fabric store to get a few things to get me started... I just loved seeing it all together.  I can't wait to see how it all turns out.   

I also think I will go forward with the tutus I make for B - they are simple and sweet and she just loves them.  I still need to get supplies for that project.  I have a few other ideas, but first things first and like I said, I don't want to be too eclectic.  

Playhouse or Storm Shelter?

We use the closet under the stairs as our storm shelter, times when we have tornado warnings.  Over the winter it accumulated a bit of everything.  With Oklahoma "storm season" fast approaching, I needed to be a responsible parent and get the room ready for our family of four. 

  

I created a new "playhouse" for the kids.  A little paint and organization - They love it.  

Art please?

We moved into our house with virtually zero art and we had tons of space to fill.  I have a love for fabric - the different colors, designs... it's art and it's not too expensive.  

On to the walls it goes...

 

My Front Door

Just a quick note... I just love my door knocker.  My aunt found this for me in San Francisco.  I'm a big dragonfly fan - not a collector, I just think they are beautiful.  It's just one of those things in (or on) your house that makes you smile inside... everyone needs something like this.  I love it.  

My Favorites... Boppy Pillow & Rocking Chair

For the record - I breast fed my two babies... B for 17-months and N for 15-months.  I'm so proud of it... It was not always easy, but once again, I did it for my babies.  With a degree in Human Nutrition, I know how important it is for Baby and Mom - when it's possible.  

Two things I used more than anything... my Boppy Pillow and Best Chair rocker.  

I could not get by without my Boppy pillow.  I took that thing everywhere.  I sacrificed a carry-on while flying for the comfort of my Boppy.  It made feeding so much easier.  I LOVE my Boppy and even though I have my body back to myself, I still use it.  I rock N with my Boppy.  The covers from Pottery Barn Kids are the softest ever.  They are so soothing!  I'll just say it again, I love my Boppy!

The Best Chair rocking chair was my splurge purchase when I was pregnant with our first.  It was gift from my grandparents and it was the BEST gift ever.  I will use this long after my kids want to be rocked.  

My Favorites... Cloth Diapers

It wouldn't be right if I didn't mention diapers in my blog.  B was in disposables up until about 18-months and then we switched her into cloth after deciding we would go with cloth for our second baby.  Once I did all the research and decided what kind of diapers to buy, we made the cloth commitment.  There are so many cloth diaper options out there, it made my head spin!  So many, I would hate to even hash it out again on this blog.  

In the end, my absolute favorites are the bumGenius 3.0 one-size diaper.  They fit babies 7-35lbs.  They come in many cute colors.  And as they say, they are the cloth diaper for every-day people.  They have a cover with an insert and close by stretch-to-fit velcro tabs.  

How do I deal with the poop?  I use an ImseVimse flushable liner in each diaper... you get the point, just toss the liner into the potty and flush!  Did you know your not suppose to toss poopy diapers into the trash?  You are actually suppose to flush the poo first?  Who does that?  

We wash the diapers every 2-3 days.  I bought just enough that we have to keep that schedule or we run out, plus any longer and that would be an even grosser load of laundry.  Speaking of laundering... you must use "special" detergent and you should not use fabric softeners. I use Charlie's Soap - I love it for everything and it's pretty economical. It can get kind of complicated.   

Anyway - this is the system that worked for my family and I thought I would pass it on.  By-the-way, we easily recovered the cost of the diapers within the first 6-months and we went "green" when it was oh so popular... it's work, but it's for our babies and their babies, right?  

I love Oilcloth!

I made an oilcloth splat mat a few years ago, so B could have snacks and drinks in the living room... (we didn't do sippy cups).  Let me tell you - It has saved so many carpet cleanings and accidents.  It takes away the stress of possible spills.  Less stress = Happy Mommy!   We use it under our little table and chairs for snacks, we sit on it during messy crafts, we use it while we play with Play Dough, etc.  The list goes on and on...

 

The kids needed their own little totes for times when we drop them off at Sunday School or YMCA childwatch.  So, I let B pick out the fabric and happily, she picked "boy" colors.  I made their personalized bags with the oilcloth, straps, ribbon, and velcro.  They are the perfect size for a change of clothes and a snack.  B totes her bag to the library every once in a while, too... with little brother following not too far behind.

 

Tutu time

B is such a girly-girl.  Not sure where she gets it from, I'm a t-shirt and jeans kind of gal.  In a quest for all things girly we came across the tutu.  I make these simple, full tutus.  We have different colors, although B's current favorite is the pink one... of course

. 

While watching the Martha Stewart Show one day (way back when I must have thought I had time) we also came across the even fancier pettiskirt... a "must-have" according to Brinlee.  Kandi Lightner and Martha went through the steps of making these crazy little skirts.  They made it look so easy.  

Yikes - now that was a project (but she loves it)!  

 

My Favorites... Potty time!

On the verge of potty-training another munchin - I found the perfect little potty.  BabyBjorn has yet another wonderfully simple product.  It is ergonomic in design and offers a high splash guard with a bowl that is easy to remove and clean.  It doesn't take up a lot of space.  We are hoping it will be a good one to toss in the car on long trips, in case Nohlan is afraid of the public potties.  Not to mention, it's cute, too.  

We also loved the Boon potty bench.  It has two side storage areas, which holds toilet paper.  This potty bench also functions as a step stool (capable of supporting 300 pounds)!   The optional splash guard is a little high for my son, but this potty was great for my little girl.

  

My Favorites... Stroller

For the record - we went through a couple of strollers before settling on my favorite.  And let me be clear, we actually did not "settle."  I absolutely LOVE this stroller... Phil & Ted's Sport.  It's our everything stroller.  I take it everywhere and use it for everything.  It can be purchased with a doubles kit or you can wait and purchase it later... the back seat easily snaps on and off.  Suitable for newborns through 4 years!  If you even think you may have more than one child - this is your stroller.