{ Art }

What have we been up to lately?

February is right around the time, I've had enough of winter! The kids are bored, I am bored, the dogs don't want to go outside in the cold any longer....or worse, they come back in covered in mud.

To keep the children happy & entertained, we worked on some Valentines Day art the other day. I love how you can give 2 children the exact same supplies and paper and they will create completely unique pieces from those supplies.
{d} was covering his hearts in the paint to "hide" them. After this he did a cool splatter effect across the entire page.

Little Miss {m} was happy drawing faces on all her "girl" hearts. They were happy and decorated in bows.

{L} did not get to participate in the painting today. He was NOT thrilled about it. After a few crackers, he no longer wanted to sit in the high chair and opted for throwing all his toys across the room. {d} thought it was fun, so kept bringing him more toys to toss.

{ Featured & Good News}

My Jack & the beanstalk bib was featured in a storque article about the CPSIA blog-in. Pretty cool, in a matter of a few days it has been viewed over 600 times! ----->

The CPSIA has issued a one year stay! This is great news, but the fight is far from over! This gives us a year to fight for component testing and material exemptions.

On a personal note, a huge sigh of relief. I gave been SO stressed over this whole thing. I spent the day shopping for fabric and mapping out my new Spring Kunklebaby Organics line. I had a great shipment of fabulous new organics fabrics arrive on my doorstep today! Off to work!

{ CPSIA }

It concerns the CPSIA or the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. To show how real this is, Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying close attention to it.
But how will these new laws affect you? Here are a few examples:
To the Parents of Young Students:Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren’t originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.
To the Avid Reader:Due to the new law, children’s books will be pulled from library and school shelves. There is no exemption for them. Here is an article from the American Library Association.
To the Lover of All Things Handmade:Due to the new law, that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it’s passed testing. But then it won’t even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.
To the Environmentalist:Due to the new law, we’re due to find items in non-compliance dumped into already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the big box stores as well. They can’t sell it and they can’t even give them away. If they are caught, it is a violation.
To the Second-Hand Shopper:Due to the new law, you will now need to spend the money for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children’s items all together to avoid future lawsuits.
To the Entrepreneur:Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue making and/or selling them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. In a time when unemployment is reaching record highs, this doesn’t bode well for the economy.
To the Antique Toy Collector:Due to the new law, you’d better start buying now because it’s all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren’t certified as safe.” Read about this in an article from The Wall Street Journal.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
And for those of you prepared for an intellectual workout, The CPSIA
Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react. You can find out how to contact your representative here and your senator here.

Thank you to chichiboulie. Article above is a direct quote from her blog.

{ Featured Artist: Schmooks }

I like to browse other people's favorites while on Etsy. The other day I came across a great, new shop, Schmooks! I was instantly drawn in by the abundant use of color and texture. As a painter, I am soooo into texture!
I wanted to share some of the wonderful artwork from Claire of Schmooks. Based in Australia, she prints in limited editions of 20, so get em while their hot! The images here are my 3 FAVORITE from her shop. {I'll be getting one as soon as I can actually decide which to chose...feel free to add comments about your favorites.}

Please enjoy her interview below:

How did you get started?

I have always been in love with art, and since I can remember have wanted to be an artist. I studied creative subjects throughout school and finished my degree in Graphic Design at the University of Canberra. I opened my Etsy shop recently as a way to not only showcase my work, but to connect with other creative people. It is such an invaluable network.

Where does your shop name come from?

Its is a little embarrassing really… It’s a name I called my husband when we were dating, it just kind of stuck around after that! {isn't that so cute!!}

Advice for other artists?

Well I can’t give too much advice regarding Etsy, as I’m only new at it myself. However I always say design for yourself and everything will fall into place – and if it doesn’t who cares, as long as you’re having a great time!

Favorite or best selling product?

I’m really into colours (as you can probably tell!). ‘If I were a peacock’ and ‘her red shoes’ are my favourites, they make me feel happy!

Illustrating for me is about being spontaneous and free. It’s my passion and addiction, I love it!

Want your very own Schmooks artwork? Get it here!

{ Falling Snow!! }

Do you remember watching the snow fall as a kid? I always loved the first snowfall of the season. (Being that I grew up in Cleveland, we didn't have to wait long-lol)
When I was a little older, 11-12ish, I would always spend the day at the park with my best friend Amy. We would just walk around for hours, talking and enjoy the beauty of the freshly fallen snow on the tree's. Looking back, those day was always super positive, I ache to be so free again to just breathe and enjoy life in the moment.
I feel so nostalgic watching my children delight in the snow. The first snow meant a new season, happiness, and fun things to come. I hope it feels the same way for {D}, {m} and {L}!

{ Cool Stuff! }

Last year at Comfest, I came across a cool tent with all natural wood toys and teethers for babies & toddlers. {L} was just a wee one at the time, but I picked up a teether for the upcoming chew fest.
I LOVE the teether! I feel happy knowing my babe is not chewing on chemical laden plastic toys. We have been replacing a lot of the plastic, electronic, flashing light toys we were given in the past with all natural, handmade goodies.

We now have three things from Amy of Little Alouette. We added a fun wood sword and egg shaker for Christmas this year. The items are all very well made, all natural and very open ended for play. I find myself shaking the egg, cause it's fun...even after the baby has crawled away-lol.


Here is some more info on this cool family run business, based out of Columbus:

"We use certified organic seed oil to finish our product. We also use Ohio Maple when whenever we can-we believe in natural materials that are locally sourced and all our products are made here in Ohio. We love the earth and will not package your items in extra packaging unless you require it." -little alouette


So if your in the market for some cool, safe toys, have a peek at Little Alouette. You'll find excellent craftsmanship and friendly customer service. Amy went out of her way to get me the sword before Christmas. {M} already requested her very own for her next birthday-lol. I think we need one of her wooden animal pull toys next!

{ New Shop }

Kunklebaby has just opened up a new shop with 1000 Markets. It's a cool, new site for selling handmade. It has a lot of great features. I like the nice modern, clean look of the site. For sellers, it's very easy to navigate and offers shop stats! ( I wish Etsy would do this!) It is also juried which leads to a cohesive look of skilled artisans.


Check out our new shop & leave a comment here: Kunklebaby


I will be adding new items to the shop as the busy season passes. I can't believe how much I still have to get done for Christmas. It snuck up on me this year-yikes! I am usually have almost all the gifts by October.

{ Save Handmade for Kids!! }

"The following is an open letter regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This Act, which will go into effect on February 10th, 2009, puts forth much more stringent safety measures for products intended for children under the age of 12.

Under the very important auspices of child safety, the Act may have grave unintended consequences: fewer choices for families who are looking for handcrafted alternatives. Many Etsy artists and craftspeople have expressed fears that they won't be able stay in business due to the burdensome cost of testing and certification pursuant to the proposed legislation.
As a venue for handcrafted and vintage items from small entrepreneurs, Etsy has invited the Ombudsman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to join us in a webchat in our Virtual Lab. Etsy would very much appreciate the opportunity to provide a forum for discussing the concerns of artisans who make toys and children's products as well as their customers who support handmade products.

We urge members of the Etsy community and anyone concerned with both child safety and conscientious consumption to contact their governmental representatives; ask them to consider how the Act will impact independent craftspeople.
The office of the CPSC ombudsman: 888-531-9070.Visit the Handmade Toy Alliance for information about writing your representatives.Over 200,000 artists, crafters and vintage collectors sell their items on Etsy.com. Many of these artisans make toys and other items for children. Made with love, care, the human touch and—often—all-natural materials, these items bring the consumer marketplace back to a personal level where customers can chat with toy makers and even create custom items for specific needs. Etsy members are part of a larger movement that seeks to creatively provide people across the globe with alternatives to mass-produced goods."

The full article was posted BY ETSY and can be seen here: storque

Artwork from Hasenpfeffer Incorporated

{ The Littlest Giant }

Over the weekend, {D} has renamed {L}. He will now be known as the littlest giant in our home.

The Littlest Giant has been on a rampage. He has been busy destroying block towers, ripping ornaments from the Christmas tree, climbing onto everyone and everything, slapping, hair pulling....the list can go on and on.

Little {L} was climbing on my back the other day and {D} said "Look he's a giant...the littlest giant, but still. For someone so small, he sure wrecks up a lot of stuff!! He's crazy". It was pretty funny and I realized, it was the perfect nickname. {L} is the typical baby, but inquisitive x10. He is super fast for his age and into everything. He just laughs and laughs when you tell him no. I'm hoping later on, he doesn't spend most of his toddlerhood in a time out. Although the littlest giant would probably just laugh anyways.

I really missed having a baby in the house. It's so sweet to see the wonder in his eyes this Christmas-his very first. {D} & {L} just seemed to grow up overnight. I look at them and can't believe it has been so long since they were crawling through the house wrecking havoc on all! I think the poor cats have just recovered from {M}'s baby years!

~Happy Holidays~

{ Winter is on it's way }

We are working hard at the Kunkebaby household! The kids are so excited about Christmas, and the colder weather. The bigger kids wake up each morning and run to the window in search of snow...sadly they are disappointed most days, if only we lived back in Cleveland.

We have plans to put up the Christmas tree tomorrow. My only concern is little {L}. He is a tiny terror when it comes to get into things he shouldn't. He's the fastest baby ever. I thought we would be fine this year with the tree. A few months ago, I figured he would not really bother it, or have much of an interest. He would not be too mobile, until next year, so that was the worrisome year. I was SO wrong! I think I may have to pull the kid out of it a few times in the upcoming month. He's so intrigued with life and cannot get enough knowledge in a day. It's actually really awesome...just a bit draining.

{L} HATES hats! He is the most easy going, happy child-unless you try to put a hat on him. The older kids were always happy to wear them and we had quite a fun collection they could choose from. I started finding and saving hats for this winter in the summer. I was so excited for the cooler weather so I could try out the cute, new selection of handmade hats I had acquired. Turns out, he has a tiny head and some of the hats will not fit him until next winter (boo). Besides that small setback , he rips them off and screams whenever we put one near his head.

So in honor of my love of hats and little {L}'s hatred, I offer this post :)

{ Coming Soon! }

Pssssttttt......The Kunklebaby Organic Collection is currently in the works. I am very excited to start offering organic choices. The fabric is so soft and luxurious. For my loyal blog followers, a little extra tidbit of information: the organic collection will feature my own handprinted designs. So each piece is a one of a kind creation. I am working hard to unveil several pieces at the same time.

I have been dreaming of incorporating my artwork into Kunklebaby and the Organic Collection is the first step. In 2009, I am hoping to offer some printed work also. My first love was painting. I miss the days of creating late into the evening...and sometimes morning. With my growing family, time to paint has become smaller and smaller. I have so many pieces in my head, just needing to be created and shared with the world.

With a few home renovations we have in the works, I will be getting an actual studio space-just for me!! I'm hoping this allows me to work a bit more in my favorite medium. I hope to be decorating nurseries from textile to the walls.

{ Tiny Canary was a Success }

Thanks to everyone who came out to see us at the Tiny Canary show last weekend. We had a great time! Met some cool crafters and artists, chatted with tons of awesome customers and sold some stuff in between.

We had a new display for the nursing pads and it was a hit. So many people asked about them. Our fun, turkey boob pads even have a new home...they were the hit of the weekend! I had many requests for the labels that read "boob pads" vs the boring "nursing pad set. I think I see a change in the future. Everything we had labelled with "boob pads" sold out at our last two shows.

It was a great show that I hope we can do next year! A special thanks to my mother in law who came into town just to help me out on Saturday.

{ Etsybaby Holiday Sale }

Kunklebaby is included in this sale!
FREE shipping with purchase of any 3 bibs. Plus listings showing the Etsybaby Holiday graphic will receive a FREE gift with purchase.

To redeem:
Please add "Etsybaby Holiday" in notes to seller. Shipping will be refunded through paypal before your order ships.

Additional special to my great blog readers:
Add "EB Blog Sale" in notes to seller and receive Free Christmas gift tags with ANY purchase.

Start your Christmas shopping now!

{ Etsy Columbus Team Giveaway }

Some of my friends are participating in a giveaway. Yay-free stuff! Check it out:

Etsy Team Columbus is excited to announce our first Virtual Giveaway! In preparation for the holiday season we have decided to giveaway $10 gift certificates from each of the following Street Team members shops!

Please check the team blog for the list of shops.

{ Featured Seller: Caramel Jubilee }

-Tell us about your shop:

I have a quaint little caramel shop on etsy called Caramel Jubilee. As you probably guessed--I sell caramels. I currently have five flavors: vanilla, chocolate, pomegranate, black licorice, and pumpkin pie. I'm commited to creating delicious, high-quality caramels. The recipes are all my own creations and they've been very well-recieved here in the etsy community. The caramels are cooked and wrapped entirely by hand.

-How did you get started?

I've been cooking since I was very young, but only recently started making candy. Last spring I was browsing online for a new challenging recipes (I love a good challenge in the kitchen!) and came across a caramel one that seemed to fit the bill. Although I don't use that recipe for my shop, it was the beginning of a wonderful discovery which eventually lead me to opening my own candy store on etsy.

-Where does your shop name come from?

I've been successfully selling on etsy under the name earcmra, but then recently decided I needed a more memorable name. I thought about it for several weeks, and then one day just thought up Caramel Jubilee. It describes my wish that these caramels will be celebrated and bring friends closer together as they enjoy them.

-Advice for other artist?

Do something you love and do it well. I thoroughly enjoy what I do and I hope others can pick up on that when they meet me. I always like talking with people who are passionate about their work, whatever it may be.

-Favorite or best selling product?

My best selling product is the pomegranate caramels. I really enjoy them too because the pomegranate juice gives them a bit of tart tang which is delightful and a bit unexpected.

If you want some yummy treats visit-Caramel Jubilee's Shop

{Under the Big Top}

The circus is in town...just kidding. We threw a circus themed party and needed some yummy circus cakes...mmmmm! These fun & easy elephant cake toppers were the perfect fit for the cupcakes. Super easy and add a fun element.

1. Start by punching out circles with paper punch. We used 2" circles. You need 2 circles for each cupcake.
2. Handstamp with a plain craft stamp each piece with whatever image matches your theme. The extra craft can carve their own stamps too.
3. Take 2 circles, add a toothpick in between and glue them together plain old Elmer's Glue.
4. Hold for a few seconds to let the glue set.
5. Stick the toothpicks into the frosted cupcakes...and your DONE! Cute, fast and easy to match any theme.

These would be really fun for the upcoming holidays. Cute Merry Christmas, or Turkey images. A fun rainy day project with the kids too. They could draw their own images and color them with paint, crayons or markers.

And you can' t have a circus without the clowns! We used suckers to create a bouquet of balloons and to create a 3-d nose.

{ Tiny Canary }

Kunklebaby will be showing at this year's Tiny Canary. YAY! We are really excited to have made the cut. It will be a really fun show! I can't wait to get some Christmas shopping done too-handmade for the holiday's.

Please join us at Junctionview Studio's Nove 15-16. First 100 people each day are getting a FREE swag bag from featured sellers. Stop by my booth also, as I'll be passing out FREE goodybags including cool Etsy sellers from all across the USA and beyond.

More info can be found here, with a listing of vendors: Tiny Canary

{ Pumpkin Patch }

One of our favorites things to do in October is go to the Pumpkin Patch. The kids have such a great time choosing the perfect one...or 10. Since it's all you can carry, they load up Dad's arms with way more than he could ever hold.

A few years a go, we left with all but one, GREEN pumpkins. The kids decided they were the best one's and had to have them. It looked like we carved watermelons that year!


This year, orange was the desired color and they scouted out the far ends of the field. {M} liked the 1/2 orange and 1/2 green pumpkins, but they had to be small with no moldy spots. {D} was looking for a teeny tiny pumpkin for his little brother. It was so sweet. He thought he found it quite a few times, but all the small one's seemed to have soft spots, so they were no good.

This is {L}'s first Fall, so his first time joining us in the family tradition. He really liked the fields, but wanted to eat the anything he could get his hands on. We found him with a vine in his mouth more than once-lol.


My husband is the best! He isn't really into "holiday's"{he married the wrong girl} but makes them fun for all of us. He goes along with all the parties I want to throw, decorations and travelling. He's a great man & father. This October will be our twelfth year together and fourth wedding anniversary. It still seems like yesterday I was meeting him for the first time.

{Cupcakes!}

Fall is here...already. It seems like it happened by surprise this year. Usually I am so happy for it to arrive, I find myself waiting. I don't know if it because of the baby or what, but I feel like I missed summer this year. It went by in an all too quick blur.

Already the leaves are falling, we've had quite a few brick days and we have pumpkins on the porch. To celebrate the arrival of Autumn, the kids baked cupcakes with their grandmother. She brought over a huge goodie bag of candycorn, sprinkles, frosting, candles and peppermint flakes.

{D} & {M} went crazy decorating. I thought every tooth in my head might instantly fall out after taking the first bite of my specially decorated cupcake. They had so much fun and I just had to share a few of their creations...the dentist should expect a visit shortly.

{ the storm }

We were hit with a big windstorm this week-blah! We spent Sunday-Wednesday with no electricity. We were lucky to have gotten away with only scratched & dented cars, a few crushed tomato plants and A LOT of clean up. Our poor neighbor had a tree fall and crush a hole in their roof. Trees were uprooted and downed power lines were everywhere. We sadly had to throw away all of our perishable foods. There was no where to find ice as all the business who still had power sold out immediately.

The first day(Monday) was very frustrating. The kids wanted to watch tv...and have lights. They were a little bored and didn't really understand what was going on. We spent the day cleaning the tree branches and debris from the yard. I was stressed about all the food and we drove around for 2 hours in search of ice-no luck. I was not looking forward to another evening without night lights and the kids coming out of their bedrooms 100 times due to be scared. Luckily, my mother in law was in town and staying at a hotel with power! We took a trip up to see her and went out to dinner. The stress of the day melted away quite a bit.

The second day went much better. I had gotten over the "food issue". We tossed everything and moved one. The news was saying Thursday at the earliest for power, so we were getting ready for a few days. I had the most wonderful relaxing day with my children. No emails to check, sewing could not be done and available cleaning was at a minimum. I spent the morning snuggling on the couch and just...being. It was absolutely refreshing! I had no guilt about the cleaning, or working on items for Kunklebaby.

We were so desperate for the electricity to come back, and when it finally did I felt a little sad. It was such a nice break from the daily hustle & bustle. I spent more quality time with the kids than I have in awhile. I felt happy & rested. I was going to bed early, as I could not work in the dark, my sewing machine and Internet were worthless. I read an entire book-with candlight. Our dogs got a much needed grooming. My husband and I actually got to sit and talk to each other.

While I am happy to no longer be in the dark, the storm did teach me a lesson. I need to forget about everything every so often and just "be". I really took a look at my life and saw how unimportant some of the things I do to fill my time are. I'm looking forward to a few "power free" days with the kids every week now. Just spending time hanging out and seeing where the day takes us. We used to do this so often before I started Kunklebaby.

So the calamity actually helped me "see the light".