Hats off to you!

I'd like to tip my proverbial hat to those of you who have already begun your Christmas shopping. Over the last few days, I have been receiving lots of inquiries about bulk holiday orders. In particular, there is a great deal of interest surrounding my list makers and binder covers. Both of these items make great gifts and I especially like to make them for the teachers in our life!

I would like to accommodate as many special requests as possible; however, because my studio hours are limited---due to family commitments---I encourage you to order early. Also, if you would be so kind as to afford me some flexibility on the ship date that would be stellar. For those of you who are interested in establishing a "reserved listing", you may contact me via the Etsy conversations tab or email at orders@watermelonwishes.com. For your consideration, I stock a variety of fabrics from which you can choose to have the listmakers and binder covers crafted from.

As for myself, I would like to be completely finished Christmas shopping by November 15th and have been marking favorites on Etsy all year long. Your welcome to check them out and please do post your favorites here too. Of course, I love to gift handmade treasures whenever possible and Etsy makes that so easy to do.

(Photo credit: olgaitaly on Etsy: one of a kind mini red top hat)

ABC, 123, it's back to the basics for me

Now that baby Isabel can walk, she is getting into everything in my studio and consequently making it very difficult for me to get any work done. For her first birthday, my mother bought a really nice hiking type backpack carrier for us to use. My hope was to be able to carry her on my back and comfortably work. The pack itself is stellar---lots of padding and support for both of us---but she absolutely hates it and cries whenever I put her in it.

When she was smaller, I alternated between a baby wrap and a baby sling (if you are in the market for either, I highly recommend the wrap made by Lovey Duds on Etsy). Isabel still enjoys riding in both of them; but they are no longer comfortable for me now that she weighs more than 20 pounds. When I was pregnant, I remember reading a review of the various types of slings available and recollect there was another option, commonly referred to as a Mei Tai or Asian Baby Carrier (ABC), which I thought might work for us.

On a whim, I did a quick Google search, which provided me with several free illustrated patterns and instructions on how to use this type of baby carrier. In less than two hours, I completed my very first Mei Tai and was super excited to try it out. Much to my liking, I found my newest creation to be comfortable and easy to use. And, even more importantly, Isabel enjoyed riding in it too!

Because I made the carrier myself, I know that it is constructed securely. In addition, I was able to customize the straps and support panel to fit my body perfectly. I love that this type of carrier offers me the versatility to wear her on my back or in front and it is not bulky. Because the carrier is crafted from canvas, as apposed to quilting fabric or knit, she feels very safe and the straps do not shift with extended use.

Many thanks to “Jan Andrea at home on the web” for sharing her knowledge and making this stage of babyhood all the more enjoyable! If you would like to make your own, the instructions I used to make our Asian Baby Carrier can be found here: http://crafts.sleepingbaby.net/asian.html

Out of the frying pan and avoiding the fire

During the week, I wake up at 5:15 a.m. to prepare eggs for my son before he goes to high school.

The smell of the eggs, as they cook, carries me back to my grandparent’s kitchen where my grandfather would rise before the sun, to cook soft boiled eggs for my sister and me. As children, we frequently spent weekends at their farm in Elk, Washington and my grandfather would drive us to school Monday morning. These weekends are some of the fondest memories I have. This is where I learned to sew, laugh and love.

I realize, life is fragile---very much like the yoke in an egg---and I am grateful to wake up early and make those eggs, just as my grandfather did for us. Nothing brings me greater pleasure than caring for my family and home.

You may have heard, as of October 1, I will no longer be accepting custom orders and will be discontinuing the BYOF (buy your own fabric) option. After that date, all of the products listed in both our Etsy and eBay stores will be pre-made. I believe this change in production and inventory methodology will allow me to better serve my family and customers.

By listing only those items that are ready to ship, I will be eliminating a standard 7 to 10 day production time. Moving forward, it is my intention that all items will ship within 24 hours of payment and generally arrive within 2 to 3 days thereafter. Since the actual item for sale will be pictured in the listing, I can call attention to the defining details, such as fabric placement and other unique embellishments or construction techniques utilized. In addition, I hope to share a brief story of how the object came to be --- what inspired me to make it, what I love most about it, etc.

Albeit significant, this change will allow me to create a production schedule designed to maximize my time and resources which directly translates into low (and likely lower) costs for YOU my adored customer.

I am looking forward to the transition and the ability to share more of myself and my craft with you all. I have so many ideas that I am eager to materialize and this will allow me the time to bring those products to market.

Last but not least, I will have more time to care for my family and home.

(Photo credit goes to Little Crickets Felt Fun, please visit her Etsy shop for more cute felt patterns!)