Reflections of a Year

This week marks the one year point in [L]'s life. I can't believe how much our lives have changed in the past year! I feel like a completly diffferent person. The time is passing so quickly, I am afraid I am missing things each day. [D] is starting school next year, which is insane. It feels like I was just pregnant with him. How did he manage to grow so fast. [M] is so interested in learning and [L] is changing tons each day!
The past few months I have really tried to focus on "now". What is happening each day and each hour. I used to spend way to much time thinking about the future and how I would have changed the past that I was missing out on the present-the most importatnt time!

In the past year I have realized:
I am stronger than I ever though - I am sometimes less patient - I miss my family - Everyday holds magic - Watching my children smile, is pure happiness - I have almost everything I ever wanted in life- I am an overachiever - I have an unrealistic expectation that my kids have the perfect life- There is nothing more important in this world than the relationship I have with my kids and husband - I love watching to see what color [L] & [M]'s eye will be on any given day - [D] needs me - I need to find more time for myself - I am not, and cannot be perfect - events matter more than things - sometimes I am lonely - my daughter wants to be just like me - my son wants to do everything I do - I am devoted to [L] - Life happens whether we are active in it or not.

Happy birthday [L]!! Thank you for adding your silliness and charm to our family. Everyday gets more fun watching you grow into the great man you will one day become. You are spirited, strong, silly, charming, tough, and ever so sweet.

Pure Bliss!

We spent Easter Day flying kites and having a picnic at the park. It was such a nice, sunny day! [L] was beyond thrilled to be able to run around, free to go in any direction he pleased. The bigger kids were busy with Dad trying to get the kites up. We ended the day with two kite casualties, but all in all it was a fun time.

lots of laughter, love, and happiness

Evil Easter bunny

So, it turns out [L] isn't such a big fan of the Easter Bunny...at all!! Poor thing, at least he enjoyed the goodies on Easter morning-lol

Getting ready for Eco-Chic

Kunklebaby will be at the Eco-Chic Craftacular May 16-17th at the Rec Center located next to the library and Park of Roses in Clintonville.

I have been going crazy trying to prepare for a show, plan a birthday party for the baby, make his presents, make a bridesmaid dress for my daughter and get ready for the Eco-Chic Show. While stressful, I am looking forward to all of them!

I am really excited about the event! The Columbus Etsy Team is hosting it and I've made lots of great friends since joining the group! Plus anything eco-friendly makes me happy!

I've been working on expanding my line to include some more items for the "adults". I have a whole bunch of fabric brooches-pins ready to make their debut at the show. They are really fun to make and allow me not to throw away ANY small fabric pieces! I'm a huge fan of texture and these have tons!

A few will be up for grags in the swag bags that they are giving away to the first customers to the show each day-so get their early and you might just get one for FREE!

I'll also have an assortment of zipper pouches in fun prints using both new and upcycled fabrics. These are in addition to my regular selection of goodies! Enjoy!

Eggs...Eggs...Eggs!

Easter is on it's way! I can't wait until the tree's start turning green and small whispers of blossoms appear. Since he have not quite reached that point here in Ohio, these colorful eggs will fill the void until they appear. I had so much fun making these!

Since the baby is far too young for candy, he will be getting these in his basket and hidden through the house. Once I started making them I just could not stop. They use up lots of tiny scraps that were too small to make much with.

I'm in love with the idea that they will be a new part of our Spring decorations for years to come. When the kids get older they can say remember when we had pants in this fabric, or this came from my old, worn hat.

Waiting to be decorated in bright, spring colors! I love the thinking about what a material "could" become. I spend a lot of time ironing fabric just imaginging what diffrent things that exact piece could become. It's part of the magic for me. I find inspiration in the process. It's both relaxing and creative for me. My husband on the other hand...just thinks I am ironing fabric for far too long.

[ Spring is Here! ]

YAY! Spring has arrived. I am so excited to be able to get out of the house and get some fresh air! This was a LONG winter! This will be the baby's first Easter and first Spring that he is involved with his surrounding.
We had a lovely day at the the duck pond when the weather was gorgeous a few day ago. {L} was so interested in the ducks. I realized he has never seen one before! Every time they swam over to us, he would GROWL at them! Yes....yet another of my kids is a growler. It's hilarious. When {M} was a little baby, we were standing in line at Target. The woman in front of us, leaned backward and whispered..."Is your baby....growling?" Yes, yes she was! Haha

I feel inspired and have working on some cool new stuff for the family and shop. Look for a great new set of Spring Skirts in some great bright and festive colors. I have some great bunny shirts and the skirt to the right in the shop currently. These are great for fun Easter outfits-that don't need put away after the holiday. I am also working on more pieces that use handprinted fabrics.

Lots of goodies to come in the next few months.

[ Columbus Business First Newspaper ]

I was recently interviewed about the effects the CPSIA will have on Kunklebaby. You can view the article online here:

Makers of toys, clothes fear 3rd party inspections will ruin business

{ Featured Artist: Katie m. Berggren}

I came across one of Katie Berggren's pieces while looking through some Etsy favorites. [yes, I LOVE browsing what other people favorite!]

I was immediately drawn in by the bold use of texture, color and the feeling of movement in her work. I looked through every page in her shop!

With each piece, the artist gives incite to the meaning, inspiration, or story behind the work. I was really drawn in by the information in each listing. The feeling of intimacy and love really shines in her work. As a mother, I was quickly drawn in by the warmth and caring that the work exudes.

The shop offers both prints and originals at an extremely affordable price! Any of her pieces would make wonderful Mother's Day gifts for either your mother, or the mother of your children.

Go buy some: Katie m. Berggren art & design

Happy Valentines Day from Kunklebaby!

{ Kunklebaby Organics }

I have been working on a new Organic Collection from Kunklebaby. It will include a line with all 100% organic cotton fabrics. They are super soft-the ultimate in luxury for baby. Eco friendly is a great bonus! Organic cotton is free of pesticides. Cotton crops has the highest use of pesticides! Yuck! The fabrics are also from mills found in the United States.

Many of the designs are handprinted using my own artwork and designs.

Check the shop throughout the week for newly added pieces to the collection. This sweet pea bib will be in the shop later this week. Pea's are handprinted using textile ink. Since they are handprinted, each piece will be one of a kind-none of the the bibs will be exact replica's. So not only are you helping the environment, but your child gets their own special, useful piece of art too!

I'll be adding more bibs, clothing for boys and girl, and some accessories!

{ 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 :)