Goodbye to Little Window Shoppe
May 18, 2009 by Emily · 62 Comments
My Dearest Window Shoppe Readers and Friends,
This post has taken me over a month to write - partly because this is my last post on this blog. I am so sad to announce that as of today, Little Window Shoppe is closing for good.
The decision was not taken lightly and was really hard to make, but a combination of factors came together that brought me to this post…very much wanting to spend more time with my family (I have a very busy two year old who needs more mommy-time), 
getting ready for baby #2 in November (I’ve been out sick for two months! But it’s totally worth it as we’re so excited to have a new baby come to our family), and finally getting ready for a move to a new state with my family this Summer (my hubby is starting a new job).
{Photo source: Wilson Library Reserve}
I have learned so much from blogging at Little Window Shoppe and will be forever grateful for the kind friends I have made and the amazing experiences that I have had here!! Thank you so much for taking time to make Little Window shoppe a part of your lives and for being such a fantastic community. And also, thank you for all of the nice emails and inquiries about how we are doing.
Before I say goodbye for good, I want to thank a few people who helped me along the way:
First and foremost, my husband Scott. He is an incredibly supportive husband and friend and was the first person to listen to my every idea and concern throughout my blogging adventures. He has also been Superman at my house and has cooked, cleaned, taken care of our two year old and helped me out while I was sick over the last seven weeks! I couldn’t ask for a better man in my life and I love him so much!!
I also wanted to thank Holly of Tutus and Turtles. She is so cool and listened and talked to me for hours on the phone as I worked out how I would end my Window Shoppe blogging days. Her blog has been an inspiration to me from the beginning and I think that her blog ideas rock!!
Finally, I wanted to thank each of the writers and contributors for Little Window Shoppe. Each of them had creative and beautiful ideas to share and I’m so grateful and honored that they wanted to be part of this blog with me. They have become some of my dearest friends and were the best group of writers a blog ever had! They even sent me tulips when I was sick (just about made me cry, I felt so loved).
Please visit each of their blogs to keep up with their cool ideas!
- Vanessa - her blog: I Never Grew Up
- Lauren - her blog: Supermom Central
- Michelle - her shoppe: Sweet Mady’s Paper
- Michaelle - her blog: Monkeys Momma
- Cassie - her shoppe: Madison Envy
- Kelly - her blog: Albany Mommy
Also, I wanted to leave you with a few additional recommendations of blogs I love - in case you are looking for new places to subscribe:
- www.simplemom.net - this is my absolute favorite blog to follow…it has the best family tips and ideas that make sense, the ideas are easy to follow and I just can’t get enough of its coolness.
- www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com - artsy, tons of crafts, diy ideas, printouts, and the best time-wasters ever.
- www.thepioneerwoman.com - recipes, photoshop tutorials, photography 101, down-to-earth life.
- www.makeandtakes.com - the coolest (and most creative) kids crafts ever!
- www.metropolitanmama.net - and for all you contest lovers, this Metro Mama has excellent giveaways all of the time - and she writes helpful articles with tips for parents. Love it.
There are so many more…but I think this is a great start.
If you want to stay in touch with me, you can follow me at a few sites:
- www.emilyjune.com (I’ll still be designing blogs and websites - starting again this fall).
- I’m also going to be checking in and updating my facebook page and my family blog regularly. They will have weekly updates of my family life and the cool fun things we are doing.
**If you want to stay in touch with me at my family blog or on facebook, just email me or leave a comment letting me know and I’ll send you the links.**
Thank you again for making this the best blogging experience I have ever had!!
Always,
Emily
Tooth Fairy
March 16, 2009 by Michelle · 11 Comments
This is the scene at my house every morning. My daughter wakes up, hops on her stool to get a good look at herself in the mirror, opens her mouth really wide and checks for wiggly teeth. Then I hear, “Mom! I think one is loose.” She is five and anxiously waiting for that first tooth to be loose.
I have decided to get ready for that super exciting day. So what do I need? I’ve been on the search and found a few things that will make each loose tooth an exciting event. Why shouldn’t it be?
First, I will need the ever important Tooth Fairy Pillow. You have to have something cute to put that little tooth in, right? I found a great collection at Etsy, of course.
You can find them at these fabulous shoppes:
Next, I will need a story to read at bedtime. I searched Amazon and found a great collection for girls and boys at any age. The Night Before the Tooth Fairy is a book that I thought my sweet girl would like.
And last but certainly not least, a certificate from the Tooth Fairy or a Talking Tooth Fairy Letter. How excited will your child be to receive this!
So now I’m ready and waiting, just like my daughter. What special things do you do when your little one has a loose tooth?
Written by Michelle of Sweet Mady’s Paper and Sweet Mady’s Notes
Make Keepsakes From Your Old Baby Board Books
January 28, 2009 by Emily · 12 Comments
Hey guys! Wouldn’t you know, we woke up with a little sick bug this morning…. So, I’m going to take a tiny posting break and instead present Katie of Katie’s Nesting Spot as our fabulous guest today. Her crafty ideas are fun and original, just take a look at her DIY awesomeness:
As your kids grow up, it’s inevitable that they’ll outgrow their collection of books and toys, but before donating your old board books, save a few for some crafty fun. Turn them into little mini-scrapbooks.
You will need: children’s board book, mod podge, foam craft brush, scrapbook papers, photos and embellishments.
A note on embellishments: Chose flat ones such as stickers and die-cuts if you want your finished book to close and be somewhat flat. 3-D embellishments will add to the bulk of your book and prohibit it from closing.
The Pages
Begin by choosing a board book that has its binding intact, sand all the surfaces, and wipe clean. Now that’s you’ve prepped your book, cover each page, one at a time, with a thin layer of mod podge. Cut your scrapbook paper just slightly larger than the board page. Attach the paper to the book and smooth out any wrinkles with your fingers. Continue until pages are all covered.
Let the glue (mod podge) dry, then cut around the edge of each page with an x-acto knife. Sand away any excess paper so the page edges are smooth. Add pictures and embellish the pages.
The Cover
Decorate the cover of the book last; cover the front and back using the same method as the inside pages (scrapbook paper, mod podge and sand the edges). Then, measure the spine of the book’s height and width. Add an inch to the width measurement, so that the binding will overlap onto the front and back. Cut the binding cover (out of scrapbook paper) and hold it up to your book to check that you like how it “fits” and make adjustments as necessary.
Attach your binding cover to the spine of the book. Start with the front first and then fold it around the spine to the back (glue it along the way with mod podge). To cover the seams, use ribbon on the front and back. Finally, add a title and decorate it; when you’re finished, apply a thin layer of mod podge to the covers to protect it from fingerprints and smudges
Extras
Once you have the basic technique down, it’s fun to add a few extras to your book (plan for these when you first design your book before adding paper to the pages). You will also need strong double-sided adhesive to attach pages to each other.
- Shortened pages: A fun twist is to cut off part of a page so that the following page can be seen, kind of like giving a peek at what’s coming up next.
- Window Page: Cut a basic shape out of one page and add a picture or paper and embellishments to the page behind it where the opening is. (It will look like a picture frame) Then cover the back of the framed page with pretty paper.
- Flap Page: This is like making a little door on your page; make it the same way as a window page, but leave one side of the shape attached. Score that side so that it will bend.
New Additions for Your Infant’s Book Collection
November 25, 2008 by Vanessa · 4 Comments
Looking for new board book additions to add to your infant’s book collection? I was thrilled to come across these three new (to me) authors and series.
Little Panda by Little Green Books
Meet Little Panda and his friend Little Monkey as they spend their day eating their favorite foods and playing together. Your little ones will enjoy cuddling with this book made out of super soft fleece. The book is machine washable and made from 50% recycled material. It will help you as you start teaching your children about being eco-friendly and covers subjects such as improving the environment, learning about endangered animals, recycling, and much more.
Baby Series written by Michelle Sinclair Colman and illustrated by Nathalie Dion
Is your baby a Country Baby, Winter Baby, Urban Baby, Beach Baby, Foodie Baby or Jet Baby? You will find the perfect book to fit your baby’s lifestyle and personality. The illustrations are bright, colorful and the text is so clever. These are my favorite books to give as baby shower presents.
New Books from Author Taro Gomi
My Friends follows a little girl who thanks all her friends around her: the rooster who taught her to march, the ant who taught her to explore the earth and the teachers who taught her to study.
Spring is Here is the perfect board pictures book that tells of the changing of the seasons.
What perfect holiday presents these would be for the little ones in your lives!
Vanessa’s blog: I Never Grew Up - Ideas and Reviews to Help Parents Entertain, Care for and Educate their Children.
Show Me How and Other Awesome Books
November 10, 2008 by Emily · 43 Comments
Contest Update:
*We have a winner!! The randomly chosen winner for this contest is: Marci. Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated, please stop by again as there are new contests each week.*
When I’m not working, blogging or spending time with my family, you’ll probably find me reading books either for myself or with my toddler. I love to read all kinds of books, whether it’s a book about how I can improve some aspect of my life, a captivating novel or a book that is just for fun and teaches me something new.
Show Me How - is simply STUNNING. This ultimate “how-to” book has only been on the shelves for a few weeks and ”is a revolutionary re-imagining of the reference genre, one part how-to guide, one part graphic art showpiece, and one part pure inspiration.”
We LOVE this book! It will teach you everything from how to Perform CPR or how to dance the Tango, how to construct a bamboo fence to how to make a tomato flower, how to master juggling or how to tell time with a potato clock and much, much more. We seriously can’t get enough of its awesomeness!!
I’ve always been impressed with Immedium’s book collection - their stories and artwork are unforgettable. Monster Isle looked like a fun book to read and with a character named “Finnegan” how could you go wrong?
I was also recently introduced to Great Fun Books. Their collection of colorful, interactive and educational books help get children to want to read. They also sell cool cloth books - which are {thankfully} chewable and washable for your tiny readers.
This book came HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by Laura C. {Thanks Laura!} - it is a tool that every family should own. Written for children ages four through eight, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids teaches children “how to take charge of their life, prioritize, have a plan, listen before speaking, create win-win relationships, work together, and develop balance - all in a fun, creative way.” It has wonderful illustrations for kids and also draws upon the original 7 Habits book so that parents will gain a lot from reading this too.
Proud Parents’ Guide is a book that helps build confident kids and gives practical advice on how to help your child excel in health, school, sports, music and art. It also includes more than 200 games parents can play with their kids to jump-start their fundamental skills, self-confidence, and sports potential while building a lifestyle of family fitness. Isn’t that great? I think it’s a super book full of ideas about how to interact with your children.
Win It:
One lucky Window Shoppe reader will win a copy of the Proud Parents’ Guide by Karen Ronney. To enter, all you have to do is leave a quick comment or send an email to contest@littlewindowshoppe.com (with “guide” as the subject of your email). (That’s it! Easy huh?)
The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, Nov. 19th and will be announced here, so be sure to check back to see if you’re the winner. Please feel free to read our contest rules for additional details.
The ABC’s Go to the Zoo
November 3, 2008 by Lauren · 6 Comments
(If you’re looking to read about the Mrs. Goodbee Dollhouse Donation Experience - it’s just two posts back)!
Grab your kiddos, snuggle up in front of the computer and get ready for a fabulous trip to the zoo! There’s no end to the fun you and your children can have learning the alphabet with the amazing animals at Bembo’s Zoo (flash player required). I guarantee you will be mezmerized by this creative menagerie (with a great educational bonus!) My family has chosen the D-Dragon as our household fave - what’s yours?
You can bring the whole zoo home with you too! Bembo’s artist, Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich, has compiled his animals into a charming book as well.
Lauren’s blog: Supermom Central - tips, tricks and tidbits for the aspiring Supermom.
DIY Felt Board
October 28, 2008 by Vanessa · 7 Comments
I am attempting a handmade Christmas this year and have been searching for projects to do for my family and friends. I originally saw this idea on The Artful Parent and thought this would be the perfect Christmas gift for my two girls. This way they could have their own large felt board complete with different packets of cut out images that go along with different stories and landscapes.
It is quite a simple project and is very do-able (which is perfect for me). First, I purchased a scrap of plywood about 1/4 inch thick and 2 feet by 2 feet. You will also need to pick up a can of Elmer’s Spray Adhesive, a large piece of felt a little larger than your piece of wood (for the backdrop), craft glue and many different colors of felt.
Follow the instructions on the back of your Spray Adhesive can to attach the backdrop felt to the wood. I chose a light blue color with the idea that it could be used as both the sky and the ocean. Fold the corners on the back and glue them down with the craft glue and you are already done completing the felt board!
For my images, I cut out images for each season of the year to put in packets to include with the board:
- For Winter a pine tree with ornaments, a large star, snowflakes, snow to put on the ground and presents to put under the tree.
- For Spring a large sun, clouds, grass to put on the bottom, stems for the flowers and quite a few flower cut outs so they can put together their own flowers.
- For Summer I cut out a large tree and leaves in many different shades of green. I also cut out a large tire swing, sandbox and small swimming pool.
- For Fall I cut out leaves in gold, yellow, orange and red along with a pile of leaves to place at the bottom.
No need to put anything on the back of your cutouts, felt will stick to felt and attach just fine onto the board.
I also “tried” to cut out our family and two dogs to use in all the different seasons, I hope to get around to cutting out and designing some extended family and friends. My favorite part has been recreating their favorite stories into felt board pieces. The one pictured here is The Chocolate Chip Ghost story which is a favorite in our house.
You can check out these great links for more felt board stories and displays:
- Fun Figurines
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?
- Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear?
- Farm Theme
- Gingerbread Man
- An Autumn Tree
- Create Your Own Flower
- Under the Sea
- Chicken Little
Hopefully this will be a present my daughters enjoy playing with during those long winter months that we will be stuck inside!
Vanessa’s blog: http://www.inevergrewup.net - Ideas and Reviews to Help Parents Entertain, Care for and Educate their Children.
Sweet Shoppe: Exclusive Baby
October 15, 2008 by Emily · 3 Comments
Exclusive Baby is a boutique especially focused for your little ones. From green to luxury, many of the items you will find here are eco-friendly and hand selected so you can be sure to receive a great product.
My affordable favorites include the farm animal humidifiers (perfect for the dry cold season coming up), glittery wall art for the nursery (so pretty and colorful) and of course their hands-on books that teach.
Discount: Take 10% off with discount code: exclusive08
It’s Time to “Go Barefoot” with a Giveaway
July 30, 2008 by Emily · 56 Comments
I absolutely love children’s books. I think it comes from my mom who read to my brother, sister and I almost every day when we were growing up. I always anticipated our time together and enjoyed getting involved with the stories.
One children’s book company I recently discovered is Barefoot Books, an online book store with a clear focus on what matters most to your children. Delighting your senses, these high-quality, multi-cultural books celebrate the story with beautiful art that inspires children to learn and explore the world around them through reading, art and play.
Here are a few:
The Prince’s Bedtime is a charming story about a boy who won’t sleep (ring familiar for anyone?) and how so many people in the kingdom come to the palace convinced they can put the Prince to sleep.
For parents and kids who are just starting out doing yoga together, this is a book that you can share. So limber up and get ready to enjoy a wide variety of postures that are in this book.
These books are award-winning and have recently been featured in Oprah’s ‘O’ List, New York Times, Time Magazine, Entrepreneur, CNN, Regis and Kelly and many others.
Win It:
One Window Shoppe Reader will win a book of their choice, Yea! Simply visit www.liveandplaybarefoot.com and choose your favorite book and write why it’s your favorite in your entry. Entries may be submitted as a comment or by email: contest@littlewindowshoppe.com.
The winner will be chosen at random on Friday August 8th and will be announced here and on Prizey, so be sure to check back on August 8th.
P.S. If you like the Window Shoppe and really want an extra entry, link to the Little Window Shoppe and let me know.
*Congratulations to winner Jennifer Barr!
The Sweetest Personalized Storybook
June 27, 2008 by Emily · 2 Comments
We just received the sweetest personalized storybook for my little babe. It was such a special book for us since it was seamlessly tailored to fit my son and the important people in his life, it even included a professional dedication to him in the front of the book. It is called The First Adventures of Incredible You by the award-winning personalized storybook company,”Custom Made for Kids“.
Personalize this book for your loved ones too! Here’s how it works. There are 20 places in this book where you can fill out the meaningful details about your loved one. It is set up so that these details will be easily incorporated in the book’s rhyming verse. This is definitely a book you and your loved one will want to keep forever. To see the beautiful illustrations and writing up close, you can take this virtual tour to show you examples.
Pick up your copy of this book at Pottery Barn Kids or at Custom Made for Kids.
Discount:
Exclusive to the Window Shoppe, take 15% off of your order from Custom Made for Kids with code lws15. Expires August 15, 2008.
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