Delta Lake State Park

Goodbye to girls brown tees!

I'm going to be replacing the girls brown tees with another color (either lavender or lemon, what do you think?) because the rhinestuds that I used on the brown tees are discontinued and I can't seem to find a suitable color that I like as a replacement. So sad but don't worry, I really think a pretty lavender or lemon yellow will be darling :)

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.

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!

I took the handmade pledge!



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!

Get your Limited Edition Holiday tees!

I'm about to launch my Holiday Tees over at Bitty Braille. Special price of only $25 and a limited supply ~ so get them while you can.

The tees are really adorable. If these do well, I think I'll consider other holidays as well ~ just imagine white tee/red studs for Valentine's, green tees/white? studs for St. Patrick's Day, black tee/orange studs for Halloween, etc. I get so excited about this stuff!

There is also another product in the works that I've had in my mind for awhile. I finally picked up supplies to make a prototype and I think it'll be a fantastic idea. Pics to come soon.

Contests!

I came upon this contest to win two reusable grocery bags from reusablebags.com and well, since I've been trying to go more "green", I entered! I'm so hoping I win. You can enter too - here's the link: Crunchy Domestic Goddess reusable bag giveaway.

Here's another contest I just had to enter!

" How would you like to win $50 to spend in a vintage children’s store? Kailani of An Island Life is holding a giveaway to Warm Biscuit Bedding Company. Stop by before September 28th for all the details."