Friday, November 30, 2007

Feeling under the weather...



Well, I managed to catch my son's cold and it really knocked me for a loop today. We did manage to scramble us all to a much anticipated "Nutcracker Ballet" that we bought tickets for 2 months ago with the homeschool group. It was fantastic! The talent was amazing ~ it's always so inspiring to see someone so passionate about their art.

After that, though, it was back to bed for me. I slept most of the day and now I'm awake to do a little Christmas shopping online. I'm trying to stick to my pledge of buying only handmade. It's been easy for my in-laws. I finished them up with some clay ornaments that you can scent with essential oils ~ very cool. I bought a very neat gift set for my oldest daughter featuring...zombies...yes, zombies. Check out etsy for some cool zombie stuff...it's that's your thing ;) My two younger ones, it'll be a little harder buying handmade. They're into k'nex and board games.

I've been very blessed this holiday season with a flurry of orders last week (thank you!). This week was a little slower but it's been nice since I'm not feeling so great. Slow times are also a great time for me to think of new ideas, try out projects that I get in my head and MUST get out and make them materialize. Sometimes they work (like my new Braille Alphabet Tiles), sometimes they don't (well, we won't mention those ;)

Here's a pic of the kids that I put on our Christmas cards. I think it looks darling. (I made it black & white though for the cards. I LOVE black & white photos) They're all smiling and gee, you would never know that 5 minutes before, they were fighting! Ha!

That's all for now.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Braille Tiles preview



Ok, so here's a little preview of what I've been working on for Bitty Braille.

I had this idea that kids would love to work more with their hands with Braille, to learn the letters (by site & feel for sighted children, by feel for visually impaired children) so I designed these tiles/manipulatives. Great for adults wanting to learn Braille too! They feel great in your hands and moving them around to form words is so satisfying.

I've only made a few sets so far and I'm thinking of sending one to my friend who is a teacher at a Blind School to get her opinion. But don't worry, I'll get them on the website soon. I'll also consider pre-orders for the holidays. I'm thinking a little intro sale is in order, no?? Retail price will be $26.00 per set (26 letters plus cloth drawstring bag) but a special offer to my blog readers will be....$22.00.

So, drop me an email (julie@bittybraille.com) if you're interested in a set and you must have it NOW! Don't forget to include coupon code: BrailleTileIntro

Oh, and there will be a warning tag on the set to keep away from small children as the small red dots may pose a choking/swallowing hazard. The dots are very securely attached and I did use all non-toxic finishes/glues on these so that's not a concern but still, I would not want a little one chewing on these.

I'm off to work on some more tile sets and finish up some orders. Two days to Thanksgiving and I still have to get my ingredients together to make my famous sweet potato casserole that I must bring or I will have to suffer the consequences ;-)

Happy Turkey Day!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

I took the handmade pledge!

I Took The Handmade Pledge! BuyHandmade.org

So far, my holiday handmade purchases are:

For sis-in-law: hand crocheted cotton washcloths (from etsy) and 3 bars of handmade soap (local craft show)
Mom-in-law #1 (yes, I have two;) - gorgeous wreath in shades of pink with natural twig (local craft show)

Still have the other mom-in-law to shop for and she is impossible!