Introducing the Snowman Zoottle!

I am so excited to share with you the newest addition to the Zoottle family... The cutest Snowman ever! Just in time for the winters season too. I think this little guy would be the perfect stocking stuffer for your baby or toddler. Couldn't you see their little faces light up when they hear the jingle and see the bright eyes, orange nose, and cute top hat??

Make sure and check it out at my Etsy Shop! 

Until next time...

A weekend in pictures

This past weekend I was able to go down and visit Nathan and his family. Saturday consisted of being with his sisters and their husbands, shopping and more shopping! Then Sunday we went to church, hung out at his house and played some volleyball. It was such a great time and I miss him already!

Crazy finds from our fun shopping trip to Good Will!

I really loved these! But I resisted... ;)

We did end up getting these cuties! only .99 each and I pretty much love them =D

Some other goodies from the weekend! Nathan bought me these crazy cool Captain America Pants and I bought myself this cute sweater from Old Navy!

We also went to Hobby Lobby; only my second time and it is incredible! I got the little rings to make more Christmas ornaments, and they were less than half the price they are at Michaels! And Nathan bought me pretty yarn and some fabric. He's so nice!

For lunch we had McDonalds. Oh my word! I have been craving a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke for almost two months! Weird I know.. But it was finally satisfied!

Yum!

 After all that shopping we went home and watched some Disney movies; he was brought up on them, and I was never allowed to see them. His one condition is that I learn Disney ways before we get married ;) So we watched "Pocahontas" and "Lilo and Stitch" We also went to the park with his little 1 year old nephew, so cute!

Sadly, we didn't get any pictures from Sunday, but church was pretty good and it was fun to watch a movie and play some games, including volleyball. Can't wait to see each other again!

Until next time...

P.S. So sorry I missed doing Musical Mondays yesterday... To much weekend sleepies... =) I'll do better next week! 

Happy Weekend and a Free printable!

November is going to be such a busy month for my family. A church Fall Festival, my sisters baby shower, and a craft fair, wow! But I am excited about all of them!

You will definitely be seeing a lot of pictures from the baby shower after it's happened. I am heading up the decor and I can't wait for all of you to see it! =D This past week, though, we handed/sent out invitations. I ended up designing my own after browsing Google for ideas and I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. 

So, I wanted you to be able to have it! Maybe you're having a baby or are helping plan a shower for a friend. If they are having a boy, this would be the perfect invite! Just save the picture below, then use a photo editor to add the details (I used PicMonkey) or you can write it in by hand and copy it. =) Enjoy!

Here is the invitation that we used for my sisters shower so you have an idea of what it looks like =)

Also, my Fall #OoZgiveaway is over, but my Turkey Zoottles are now available in my Etsy shop! Click on the widget to the left. Have a great weekend!

Until next time...

Hebrews 12:3, life lately {Plus a giveaway!}

Yesterday's "Jesus Calling" was interrupted by a cute little baby, so I finished it up this morning. The one verse that stuck way out to me was Hebrews 12:3

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself,

so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

I was blown away by this beautiful truth! When we consider what our Savior went through for us, for ME, at the hands of sinners, how can I lose heart at my trials which are mere shadows. Which my God uses to mold me and never lets me go through them alone. When I meditate on Jesus and His sacrifice and the fact that "Ashamed I hear my mocking voice cry out among the scoffers" {Song: How Deep the Fathers Love for US} I begin to put my sufferings into perspective and learn to lean on the one who endured all things, even death on the cross.

Onto my life lately...

I found the cutest Christmas ornament patterns on this blog and am so excited about them! I am making them to donate to an adoption auction and a handmade Christmas exchange and for gifts for family! 

Lucy (my sister and brother-in-law's little Golden-Doodle) stayed this past week while they were on vacation, it was a little crazy, super dirty! But lots of fun =D

Muddy puppy!

Taking a bath, getting ready to go home!

It was also our puppies birthday on the 26th!

Happy second birthday, Nora!

Do you follow my shop IG, @oodlesofzoottles?? Because if you don't you are missing a fun fall giveaway - I debuted my Fall special, a Turkey Zoottle, and you could win one! Go check it out on my account to see how to enter.

Until next time...

Adoption

Picture credit: leftylex.com in honor of their adoption

I have to admit that adoption really wasn't a big thing on my radar. Well, thanks to some neat people I follow on IG, that has changed! Adoption is such a big part of so many of their lives and it has been inspiring to watch their stories unfold. I have also been blessed to take little parts in their stories. If you are someone who makes handmade items, there are so many opportunities out there! I have been able to donate to two adoption auctions, a third one coming up and also be a part of an exchange to raise funds. It has been so neat!

I am saying all this to say how much I have been blessed by one sweet lady, Alexcis. I found her on IG (@leftylex) through some people that I follow. She was having an IG sale with her adorable hoop necklaces and I immediately fell in love with them! So, I messaged her on Etsy about getting my own and my sweet love, Nathan ordered it for me. =D 

Then I started following her and getting to know her better. Especially about her and her husbands adoption that is in progress. Did you know that adoptions are expensive?? If you have a heart for adoption, please go check her out and see how you can help! This is a website where you can donate to them: http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/melendez-family-adoption/96257 Or click the widget below!

Until next time...

A giveaway winner!

Traci's giveaway is officially over - thanks to all of you who entered to win! It was a blast! 

And of course, congratulations to Sadie who is the winner. =D So excited for you!

Remember the coupon code on Traci's blog is still good until October 22nd; don't miss out!

Sadie's choice was a Lion Zoottle, whoohoo! Getting his mane =)

Haircut time! Gotta look good for his new home ;)

Next stop: Post office and on his way to Idaho! {That other package is a Penguin Zoottle headed to Kansas. It was won in the adoption auction I was a part of!}

{All these pictures are from my IG account @oodlesofzoottles I'd love for you to check it out!}

Until next time...

All about my first craft fair

On September 28th, my sister and I had a craft fair. It was her second and my first. Boy, were we both nervous! I spent the few days before at Jaquelyn's house so that we could get ready together; plus it would make it easier for us just to go together. 

We went shopping, wrote chalkboards, cut fabric... etc. We also worked on exactly how to merge our two shops onto one table and still look organized and lovely. 

We made lists and we packed and packed! We did our best impersonation of Santa Claus and checked everything twice, (maybe three times ;) ). By Friday night we felt pretty ready, still nervous, but ready. =) And I was so happy because I reached my goal of 50 Zoottles!!

The fair was at Mixon fruit farm in Bradenton, so it was only about 20 minutes away. We got there in plenty of time to set up, order lunch, and chill for a while talking to other vendors.

So, what did I learn from my first craft fair?

• A great table cloth {i.e. fabric} is key. Especially when you're mixing two shops with different color schemes.
• Chalkboards are amazing! Did you see those little ones clipped to our baskets? I simply painted some wood squares from Michaels with chalkboard paint and hot-glued them to clothespins. Now we could write prices and labels any way we wanted! We also used a chalkboard made from a mirror {tutorial here!} to write both our names. My colored chalk markers also came in great use!
• Location matters! We thought we had a pretty good spot. Turns out, we were right in peoples blind spot! People would walk all around without even looking at us. Solution? Well... Get a better spot =P Or maybe play music {not something annoying} to catch peoples attention.
• Be confident! I have to admit, even though I love our products, sometimes it is hard to step out in confidence and really sell it. I mean, putting it out there for peoples criticism is hard! {I had one lady say my little baby toys were dog toys...} But really, without being annoying, you have to be able to share with others why they would want to buy your stuff. That is something I am going to work on next time. Sharing my vision, my products, my love for what I do.
• Age. Sadly, the age group of people showing up was not ideal for our products. Something to think about when we sign up for the next one. Who is the event catered to?
• Lastly? This whole handmade business thing is HARD! And lots of WORK! It is not a cake-walk. But it is so worth it!

Our next craft fair is in November and I have big hopes for it! Do you have any advice?

Until next time...

Drum roll please! (And a coupon code)

I am so pleased to announce...

This is so exciting for me! It was this spring when I started to dream of owning my own Etsy shop. I've worked so hard putting together patterns, learning about blogs and shops; I've done so many Google searches, been inspired by so many other Etsy owners, and crocheted my fingers off! I have no clue where God is going to take this, but I'm praying whatever happens will bring Him glory and be for my best. And guess what?? I am assured that that will happen!

For those of you who are new to my little space and have no clue what a Zoottle is, they are handmade crocheted baby rattles, fit for the city zoo! Each one was designed and made by yours truly with love and safety in mind. A bell tucked inside creates a soft jingle, perfect for entertaining your little ones. Plus, they double as fun toys that have endless possibilities! You could line them up two by two for Noah's ark, or build enclosures for them with blocks to create a zoo. You could play catch with them or simply let your baby snuggle up with one.

So, stop on by! You can click the gidget on the left or go to {oodlesofzoottles.etsy.com}

Zoottles are perfect for any baby you have in your life and I know they would make an adorable gift. I love making them and most importantly I love that my work can be a blessing to others.

And in celebration of my grand opening, enter ZOOTTLE10 at checkout to get 10% off of your entire purchase!

Happy shopping!
Until next time...