It's a Red Letter Day

This is post 1 in my series of rainbow children's attire. I'm a day late for Valentine's Day, which would have made this the perfect post for such a day. The looks in this collection can be worn for any day, anyhow.

Red Letter Day refers to the making of a calendar, when they were made in black and white, with the holidays printed in red. I think all of these looks are special and deserve their own "red letter day".

For Girls

Red & White Gimgham Heart Dress by Bubal'e

Elephant Dress by The Trendy Tot

Red Chevron maxi Dress by PAddi Boutique

Red Riding Hood Shirt by All Ribboned Out

Red & White Stripe Leggings by Lulu Grace Designs

Red Polkadot Squeaky Shoes by Miyah's Closet

Ruby Red Toddler Shoes by Snuggle Bugs and Bows

For Boys

Boys Ticking Pants by Room to Romp

Boys Top and Pant Set by Dreaming Kids

Preppy Baby Cardigan by Emma Kate's Closet

Boys Red Stripe Romper by Room to Romp

Red Buffalo Check Shirt by Room to Romp

Bow Tie & Suspender Set by Cotton Kandy

Newsboy Hat by Averylee Kids

Life & Shop Updates

African American Mother and Baby Print by claudine

Since it's been awhile since I've posted anything I figured people might be wondering what's up. As you may remember from a few months back I explained my struggle in raising my daughter. Back then we just found out she is high needs. 

Recently, two people mentioned to us getting her evaluated for sensory processing disorder. At 10 months she's still a bad sleeper. We still have to help her fall asleep and she wakes frequently. She also dislikes diaper changes, baths and clothes being pulled over her head. She's always in motion and is unable to just sit and relax. It takes a lot of energy to keep up with her. Although we are seeing improvement in the day to day as she gets older.

One huge accomplishment we were recently able to do was to get her to sleep in her bed. Since birth she had been sleeping in her swing or sometimes her bouncer chair. Then she caught the flu and woke every 15min- 1hr, and continued this pattern for two weeks. Out of desperation I decided to try something new. 

Cartoon Drawing by Mama Love Healing

 


Yeah, this looks more like us.






In her room we use a Montessori style floor bed. This allows us to lay next to her and do what we can to keep her calm until she falls asleep. This includes reading books, singing to her and feeding her a bottle. It can take anywhere from 30min- 1hr for her to fall asleep. Then she usually stays asleep for 2- 2 1/2 hours at a time. So far some nights have been every hour. After 4 or 5am she is still difficult to keep asleep, at which time she goes back into her bouncer chair. 

The bed is working very well. Even with the hourly wakings it's not as bad as it used to be. In the past we had to bounce or aggressively rock her to sleep. This would take 15min or more when she woke up. Now I just give her a bottle. It's the only thing that comforts her enough to fall back to sleep when she's in the bed, but it only takes a few minutes. By morning I feel a little more rested than I used to.

What does that mean for the shop? Most of my day is caring for my little one. I work here and there as she allows me, but my pace is not where it used to be pre-baby days. Even if things get silent around here I want you to know I'm still here and still working. 

Currently, I've been working on more star and heart pillows. They're coming along slowly, but they're coming along. I also have plans to stock more baby bibs and birthday banners. Then hopefully by the end of all that I'll be able to work out some new items. :)

Happy Halloween

From Rock Paper Stitch and our Pooky Bear.

Halloween Couture - Where Imagination Has No End

In my last post I shared some fun handmade Halloween costumes for newborns, toddlers and kids. I thought the really amazing costumes deserved their own post. Here is a list of some whimsical couture costumes made by some very talented seamstresses.

Fairytale Jubilee
The attention to detail and luxurious materials in these costumes would make any child feel right at home in their character. What's so great about these costumes is they grow with your child. Each costume will most likely fit for 2-3 years.

Any little girl would feel like a princess in these dresses.

Cinderella Costume

Girl's Barbie Costume

Create your own mini circus with these costumes for both boys and girls.

The Ringmaster's Reverie

Cirque Inspired Costume

 
















The accessories are stunning as well.

Pumpkin Inspired Top Hat

The Fairy's Overcoat

Friolina Fancy
For a more classic look try Friolina Fancy. These gorgeous, frilly dresses can be worn for any occasion. Although most of the dresses are fancier, some are more modern.

Cinderella Costume

Marie Antoinette Dress

Pink Lalaloopsy Costume

Snow White Costume

And a few honorable mentions...

Poseidons's Crush by The Whimsy Fin

Ice Princess Costume by Yaya Papaya

Carnival Circus Clown Costume by Elizabeth Laine

Playing Dress Up

What were you for Halloween as a kid? I can remember being a bear, a black cat, a witch and I especially loved the mermaid costume my mom made. Everyone was impressed with how it came out.

I've decided to start a tradition of costume making for my daughter. My husband wants her to be a bear because he always calls her Pookie. I want her to be a mermaid because I named her after an old Little Mermaid video I have (pre-Disney). We'll see what I actually have time to make. It's hard enough keeping up with the shop and a very demanding 6 month old.

In the meantime I've discovered a few handmade costumes for you to enjoy. There are SO MANY tutu costumes for girls. Although I added a few, I didn't want to flood my page with tutu costumes. If that is what you are looking for you'll find one in any character.

Newborn

Newborn Frog Prince Outfit by Head to Toes

Baby Puppy Hat and Diaper Cover by Hat and Cold Crochet

Mermaid Tail Cocoon Set by Head to Toes

Baby/ Toddler

Little Red Riding Hood by Trinity's Tutus

Baby Pumpkin Romper by Nana Bugz

Baby Ghost Romper by Nana Bugz

Musketeer Costume for Toddlers by Beau Miracle for You

Girls

BEE - Girls Dress by Wild Things

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Atutudes

Spanish Flamenco Dancer by DIPdesigns

Wonder Woman Costume by SuperKid Capes

Boys

Lucha Libre Mask by iwishiwasa...

Dragon Costume by Beau Miracle for You

Felt Wolf Mask and Tail by Little Bit

Shark Cape by Seven Little Rabbits

Etsy Gift Card Giveaway with Nine Winners!

Welcome to the Fall Etsy Gift Cards Giveaway!

Hosted By

Cotton Ridge Create!, Barbara's Beat, and All About The Mommies

Sponsored By

Cotton Ridge Homeschool, Morning Tempest Studios, Pea of Sweetness, Rock Paper Stitch, Wire Queen Jewelry, Caravan Sonnet, PictureIt Creations, and Cotton Ridge Pottery

Are you ready for some early Christmas and Holiday shopping? Shop for yourself or someone special. We are excited to bring you a chance to win one of nine Etsy Gift Cards!

If you are not familiar with Etsy, please visit the site to discover individual shops run by artists and handcrafters. Many, like myself, do custom work. There are also shops featuring vintage goods and supplies for crafting!

This giveaway is entirely sponsored by Etsy shop owners and bloggers; please take a moment to visit their wonderful blogs and shops. Thank you to everyone who is joining us in promoting this event!

There Will Be Nine Winners!

First Prize: $50 Etsy Gift Card

Second Prize: $25 Etsy Gift Card

The first and second names drawn will receive gift cards that can be used at any Etsy shop that accepts Gift Cards.

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Seven More Prizes!

The remaining seven winners will choose among these Etsy Shop Gift Cards! *

• Pea of Sweetness Shop $25.00 Gift Certificate
• Rock Paper Stitch $20.00 Gift Certificate
• Wire Queen Jewelry $20.00 Gift Certificate
• The Paper Sonnet $20.00 Gift Certificate
• PictureIt Creations $20.00 Gift Certificate
• Cotton Ridge Pottery $25.00 Gift Certificates (2 winners)

* The third winning name drawn will receive first choice, then the fourth name drawn will choose among the prizes remaining, and so on.

 

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Giveaway Details

The giveaway is open World Wide and will run from 12:00 am on September 20 through midnight October 4, 2013. The winners will be contacted via email and will have two days to claim the prizes. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners' entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.

Thank you for entering our giveaway, we appreciate your support!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this post. Etsy did not sponsor this giveaway. Cotton Ridge Designs, LLC is responsible for prize delivery. Image purchased from Deposit Photos. 

Summer Sun Hats

Summer Adventures Art Print by Cinnamonink

Summer is in full swing and the days seem to be getting hotter. I've decided to put together a list of cute summer hats for babies after I made one for my own. You can see the hat I made in this post.


Floppy Hats
Maybe it's the hippy in me, but I've always enjoyed a cute floppy hat.

Purple Beach Hat by telepelekids

Strawberry Baby Sun Hat by Calico Caprice

Chevron Baby to Toddler Sun Hat by Aunt B's Bonnets

Bonnets
There are actually some really cute, modern designs out there in bonnets. I love taking something old and making it look new.

Baby Sun Hat Bonnet by Little Katy's Boutique

Rosewood Newborn Bonnet by Izzy & Isla

Raelynn Bonnet by onethirtynine: 13

 
 Crocheted
I would never think of a yarn hat for summer use, but there are some cute ones that will keep the sun out just as well as a cotton or straw hat.

Baby Crochet Hat by Precious Moments Props

Summer Sun Hat by Babamoon

Baby Girl Crochet Summer Hat by Mariias

Boy's Summer Hats
Let's not forget about the boys. Trendy styles exist for them too, in both edgy and sweet.

Skull and Bones Hat by Bula Jean's Boutique

Eco Linen Boys Sun Hat with Seal by joy full things

Baby Toddler Newsboy Hat by JetsandLilys