Rocky Road Fudge

Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful EtsyMom Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!
www.crazyadorable.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop-giveaway-with-ornament.html
http://signature-sterling.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://allyouneeddesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-with-etsymom-street.html
http://tctliebel.typepad.com/life_as_we_live_it/2010/12/its-a-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop-sweet-salt-dough.html
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsy-mom-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://camelotstreasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://homemadebyamanda.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-hop-holiday-inspiration.html
http://annavirginiafashion.blogspot.com/2010/12/piggy-peeps-baby-shoes-pattern-holly.html
http://mylavenderave.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-days-blog-hop-delicious-fudge.html
http://babyjives.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-silhouette-ornament.html
www.babyswank.blogspot.com/
http://babysindulgencebyjocelyn.blogspot.com/2010/12/rocky-road-fudge.html
http://handmadewhimzy.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-from-etsymom-team.html
http://katekatenyc.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop.html
http://caramagic.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-holly-day-blog-hop-pleated.html
http://onlyterrastreasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/tutorial-make-your-own-chinese-takeout.html
http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/lets-do-some-holly-day-hopping.html
http://quirefly.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-fun-cranberry-pudding-with.html
http://cinnamonspicecrafts.blogspot.com/2010/12/come-blog-hop-with-etsymom-team.html
http://handprintlady.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-tutorial-gift-from.html

Here's how it works:
1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration and leave a comment. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, start back at the EtsyMom Blog. You may have to scroll down a bit on the blogs to find the Blog Hop posts as the week progresses.
2. Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:

~Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
~Leave a comment on the Holly Day Blog Hop posts for any of the blogs listed above between Dec 5 and Dec 11, 2010.
~Join the EtsyMom Blog email list (fill out the form in the right hand column).
~Become a follower of the EtsyMom Blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column.
~"Like" the EtsyMom Facebook Page.
Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to this page.
Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to this page.
Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to this page.

To let us know you've done these things, please come back to the EtsyMom Blog post and leave a comment for each thing you did.
Sorry - you cannot enter the giveaway here on my blog.

On December 11, 2010 we'll choose a winner using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. The winner will receive this super sweet gift basket full of handmade holiday goodies, including:

a pair of Turquoise Earrings from http://www.stoneymistdesign.etsy.com/
a greeting card from http://www.homemadebyamanda.etsy.com/
a lampwork bead bracelet by http://handmadewhimzy.etsy.com/
sterling silver and Swarovski pearl/crystal holiday earrings by
http://www.etsy.com/shop/signaturesterling
a cream colored cotton scarf given by http://www.zoegirldesigns.etsy.com/
a raincloud ornament from http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyjives
a matching splat mat and baby bib from http://www.babysindulgence.etsy.com/
two pair of earrings from http://quirefly.etsy.com/
a gift pack of over 30 pages of vintage paper ephemera by http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrychiccottage
a lovely sustainable stocking from http://www.rikrak.etsy.com/
a set of holly jolly gift tags from http://cinnamonspice.etsy.com/
a set of toddler pajamas in a style of the winner's choice from http://heatheregley.etsy.com/
a $15 gift certificate from http://camelotstreasures.etsy.com/
A gift certificate from http://babyswank.etsy,com/
A Custom copper heart necklace from http://www.etsy.com/shop/ct2designs

Here's my contribution to the Holly Day Blog Hop:

Rocky Road Fudge

I love this easy fudge recipe (no candy thermometer needed) passed to me by my mother. It's my "go-to" dessert for any get together, the first thing my husband asks for at the beginning of the holiday season and, thanks to this blog, I'm eating a piece now!

What you'll need:
12 oz package of semi sweet choc chips

14oz can of sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons butter, margarine or other butter spread

2 cups dry roasted peanuts --I love the taste of salty peanuts and chocolate, but not too salty, so I do 1 cup salted, 1 cup unsalted.

10.5 oz package of mini marshmallows

In large bowl, combine peanuts and marshmallows. In sauce pan, melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and butter over medium-low heat until smooth. Remove chocolate from burner and pour over marshmallow/peanut mixture. Mix well. Spread into a wax paper lined 13x9" pan. Chill 2 hours. Cut into squares (makes about 40 squares...or 4 big ones!)

Let me know how yours turns out! ~Jocelyn



Here's the next stop: http://handmadewhimzy.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-from-etsymom-team.html

The "Shop"

Have you ever wondered what the "shop" looks like? When people talk about working from home, I'm always intrigued. I wonder, do they have a separate space for this, like a home office? Or is everything spread all over the dining table? Where do their customers come from? Do they sell locally?

So, I thought it would be fun to share my work space with you. For the most part, my shop is relegated to our very large walk-in closet - but not limited to. Fabric is measured, cut and trimmed on the master bedroom floor. You'll find my laptop on the kitchen counter, that way I can renew and post items whenever I get a spare moment....however, my photo editing, tag printing, and bookkeeping takes place on the home computer in our spare bedroom. The spare room also holds my tubs of completed ready-made items. Pretty much everything else happens in the closet...except when it migrates out for an evening or two... And my customers, well they are from all around the world. My online shop allows me to sell anywhere! But I also sell locally, in little consignment shops, baby boutiques and at craft fairs.

Here's the shop~

Green Baby Expo 2010

The Green Baby Expo 2010 was an amazing experience! Here's a sample of my wares.

BPA free laminated, washable bibs. Splat mats at top. Smattering of felt hair clips.

Nursing covers and more bibs.

Splat mats - BPA free, wipeable, washable!

A place to stop and play while mom shops.

Bib in action.

Green Baby Expo, Here I Come!

Happy Friday! Today is guaranteed be a whirlwind of activity. Tumbling class for the little one, shipping off my last couple of orders, lunch, nap, drive to Redding, pick up Baby's Indulgence banner, get settled in at my parents and then GO TO BED! Hoping for a restful as set up for the Green Baby Expo starts at 7:30am Saturday morning.

I promise to take lots of pictures. Hope to see you there!

Bibs, bibs, bibs galore!

Pin 'em, cut 'em, sew 'em, snap 'em....Every spare minute, well nearly every, is spent making bibs.

We're gearing up for the Green Baby Expo where we'll be selling our BPA free wipeable bibs and splat mats. Stop by and see us!

Green Baby Expo - "A one-day event to educate, inform and inspire eco-minded consumers about ways to make our environment, homes and lives safer, healthier, and happier places to live for our children."

Saturday, October 16th 10am-5pm
Redding Convention Center

Entrance $5 Per Family

on facebook at Green Baby Expo

The Fabulous Fabric Shop in Redding

The Fabulous Fabric Shop is owned and operated by Renee Noel, who has an eye for fashion and a talent for sewing.

A few weeks ago, I visited a new fabric shop in my home town of Redding, Ca. You can't even imagine my surprise to see AMY BUTLER's fabrics through the window!! I had nearly given up hope that anyone within a 150 mile radius even new who Amy Butler is...or even Michael Miller for that matter!

Renee told me she "hopes to offer a range of designer fabrics that can not be found in other shops in Redding". Already she's impressed me with several lines from Amy Butler and a variety of Riley Blake prints. Amy Butler's Lotus

Riley Blake

At one glance at her list of classes and I could see she has a desire to teach other's the love of sewing. Beginning sewing, Kid's Sewing Camps, Teen & Adult Workshops - aprons, pjs, scrubs, reversible handbags, zipper installation, lil' girl dress workshop - I could go on! And she regularly hosts some fun DIY nights - Craft Buffet, Spa Party, Fashion Show...
If you're ever in the area, stop by and see Renee and her Fabulous Fabric Shop @ 1814 Churn Creek Road in Redding, CA

And if you're in the area soon...The Fabulous Fabric Shop is having a huge sale August 26-29th...40% off all fabric, trims, notions, and patterns!

LOVE, Love, love - Amy Bulter's LOVE LINE of home decor fabrics
Renee's creativity translates into this gloriously adorned mannequin

Man, am I bad at this blogging thing or what?!? Well, here I am...several weeks have past since my last post...Just thought I'd share an amazing sale going on in the ETSY world. There is a huge, and I mean HUGE, Christmas in July sale going on right now on etsy.com. Tons of etsy sellers are featuring items in their shops at discount and free shipping steals! You can find all kinds of things on http://www.etsy.com/. Handmade goodies, vintage items, even crafting supplies! If you want to see all the Christmas in July items just type CIJ into the search tab and browse away. I even have items in the sale...FREE SHIPPING on all bibs and select splat mats!

New Splat Mats for Summer

There are so many new prints in the shop and I'm loving every second with them!
Here are some of the latest by Heather Bailey.

New splat mats are about to hit the shop!!

Check out these brand new laminated cotton prints! Not only are they cute - they're also BPA & PVC free! Won't they make the cutest splat mats? All fruity, retro and kitcheney...

And can you just imagine them as a summer table cloth! I'm already seeing apples and pears with an extra wide black and white polka dot border.

Now I just have to find some free time (what's that?) to whip up a couple splat mats for the shop. I'll let you know when they're available!

Our Splat Mats are Baby Tested and Mommy Approved!

Thank you, Momma Drama, for taking the time to test and review our splat mats! See what this mommy has to say on her blog and become a follower! She's also currently featuring several giveaways.

A Crumb-Catcher Bib for the Baby

Earlier this week I ordered a pair of pliers (for applying snaps) and 200 snaps for my bibs. Well, guess what arrived in the mail today!?!?

My daughter has reached an age where bibs are a MUST and velcro closures just aren't cuttin' it anymore. Some meals, the bib's ripped off before the food is even on the tray! On top of that

New Shipping Days

About 2 weeks ago I began implementing new shipping days for Baby's Indulgence, Tuesdays and Fridays. Prior to this I really thought I enjoyed an excuse to get out everyday. However, I've come to realize I didn't enjoy lugging my toddler in and out of the car every single day for quick trips to the post office. I'm certain my daughter didn't appreciate it either. Especially now that she's reached that 'me do it' phase of toddler-hood. What was once a 20 second buckle up can now range anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes. And that's only if she doesn't decide to hurdle the center console and plant her cute little bottom in the driver's seat before I can lean in to buckle her. The best part of my new shipping days is the sense of accomplishment I feel shipping so many lovely handmade items all at once! Silly, I know. But when your life is centered around diapers, a runny nose, Sesame Street, Signing Times, snacks and far too short of naps...little things give you such an ego boost!

Look What Just Arrived

Monkey's Bizness Ready, Set, Robot! Isn't it the cutest!?! Retro robots all over a navy background...LOVE it!! I ordered just 2 yards of it from Pink Chalk Fabrics, www.pinkchalkfabrics.com, but now I'm wishing for more! I'm covering it with a heat 'n bond vinyl for a custom splat mat for a customer. As well as a matching baby bib and placemat. I'll be sure to post photos of the completed projects.

The Newest Splat Mats

Now that I have some new laminated fabrics I've been itching to make some more splat mats. Here are the newest additions.

Amy Butler's New Laminated Cottons Have Arrived

Hip, hip, hooray for Amy Butler and her new laminated cottons! I just love Amy Butler's fabrics and now that some of them come laminated, I'm in heaven!Laminated cotton is waterproof, durable and wipe-able, perfect for both wet and dry messes. It's very different than standard oilcloth. Laminated cotton is quite literally cotton fabric that has been coated with polyurethane. It's super supple and flexible.