Tales of Toot and Bubby

Have I mentioned how much I love headbands?

Anyone who knows me knows that I almost always have a very large, obnoxious bow on my head.

My friend Leanne sells adorable headbands in her shop 

Tales of Toot and Bubby.

She also sells necklaces, baby beanies, infant headbands, and adorable lampshades... for starters.

Where do you live, and where are you from originally?

Born and raised in South Orange County.  I have lived in Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Aliso Viejo, and now for a short time in North Carolina due to my husbands time spent in the United States Army.  The South for me was love at first sight.  Although I must say it did lose a bit of it's initial luster with the freakishly large insects and unbearable humidity, I do love it's character and history and the charm of it's lightening bugs, architecture, and the pastime of sipping sweet tea on the porch.  Our lives have been blessed with plenty of broadened horizons and a several unforgettable people, but we know from the experience that California is our home and always will be.  We are hoping to be back by years end.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family.

I have been married for nearly 6 years to my best friend.  We have 2 children who we adore, our 4 year old daughter, Adalee Shannon (after Shannon, Ireland-where daddy was stopped over on his was to Kuwait during her birth) and 3 year old son, Radley (Danny loves To Kill A Mockingbird).  A few of my favorite things are the beach -anyway I can take it- gloomy with coffee and jeans, or sunny with sunblock and towels, it's my place where the world seems to stand still.  My heart is in spending time with my family and friends,  outdoor dinners by candlelight,  working in the company of a glass of red wine and Billie Holiday, Etta James, Nat King Cole (Gramps favorite), Gypsy Kings or any other music that moves me at the time...don't get me wrong, I'll turn up Lady Gaga to keep me energized when I need it too ;)  I have been called a "vintage junky"..I love the charm of most things vintage and find it so gratifying to repurpose or refinish a piece that has a story.  Most pieces of furniture in my home are either a family piece or an old piece that I have refinished to make my own. 

When and why did you start your business?

I started Tales of Toot & Bubby as an artistic outlet for me after my little ones went to bed.  My husband served for 5 years in the 82nd Airborne Infantry at Fort Bragg, North Carolina -half of which was spent overseas in Iraq.  Often times when Danny was home he would be out in the field training for 2 weeks at a time and my hobby became good company to me.  I started my Etsy shop shortly after Danny was out of the military as a means of helping to support our family during the transition.  What started as just lamp shades and clips for little girls has become hair pieces for bridal parties, accessories for all ages, a little of this and a little of that ;)  My children have been home with me through the journey and have been my inspiration for every small detail.  From the name, to the logo.  My kids used to wake up and each pull a step stool to the side by side windows in our dining room and just perch themselves with their chin rested on folded hands just watching the squirrels and birds through the yard.  There were so engrossed.  I just loved to watch them and wondered where their imaginations had taken them.  You will notice in my shop logo these details, the squirrels, the birds, our trees, the riding cap Radley wouldn't go anywhere without, or the rainboots that Adalee went exploring each day in.  Each piece I make somehow or another, in my mind, has a small reminder of one of my little ones.

 What is your favorite part about running your business?

Without a doubt that I can be with my family and work around our life, which in turn, makes my work nothing but enjoyable and fun for me.  My favorite task lately has been doing bridal parties.  There is something so cool about creating a piece that is a part of such a special day and lasts forever in pictures.  This coming for the girl who subscribed to Brides magazine since the age of 15, is no surprise to many.

 What is your favorite item that you sell?

I would say right now my favorite piece is the chiffon bloom bib necklaces.  I love that I can wear it with a t-shirt jeans and flip-flops, my sister wears hers with a suit to the office, and my mother has worn hers to weddings and formal Christmas parties.  You have to love a piece as versatile as that!  The pop of color just makes me happy when I wear them.

 What is your biggest dream for your business?

Just that it would continue to bless and provide for our family.  It's been a comfort by paying the electricity at times and also been a gift in taking my husband and I out to dinner and allowing us to spend a fun day with our little ones.  That it would continue to be a joy.

Leanne donated an Infant Headband and a Chiffon Bloom Bib Necklace.

The headband can be found in the For the Kids basket, 

and the necklace can be found in the All Grown Up basket.

Spunk & Love

Okay, so you know that I make calendars.

And you know that my friend Megan lives in Denver.

{Well, you know both of these things if you have been following along on my blog.}

But what you may not know is that Mego sometimes makes calendars too.

Recently she had an idea for a new product.

The Family Journal.

It looks just like a calendar, right?

But wait until you see the inside:

The intention is that you would keep this journal at or near your dining room table.  Then during family dinners you can fill out a quick sentence about something significant that happened that day.  Maybe you write something like, "Today Beau had his first football game." or "Our Home Study was approved today."

Then you continue to add new things year after year, and you have a great treasury of your family history.

Megan donated the adorable journal in the photos above {which will be personalized for your family}.

This item can be found in the For the Kids basket.

Sassy Mae

Maybe this baby that we are adopting is going to be a girl.

Then I would finally have a good excuse for buying lots of hair bows and girly things.

My friend Holly has a shop called Sassy Mae.

She has lots of fun girly stuff like these fantastic tu-tu's.

Speaking of tu-tu's... I have to tell you a funny story about a tu-tu.

One day we were at the park for a neighbor's birthday party.

Lucy (my niece... my love) was playing, minding her own business.

In walked a little girl in a big frilly tu-tu.

Two year old Lucy stopped what she was doing, and followed that little girl all the way around the park with her eyes.

She wanted that tu-tu.

It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.

I think I may have to buy her one of Holly's tu-tu's for Chirstmas.

Holly donated a Pink Petti Skirt and a Frilly Feathery Beanie:

These items can be found in the For the Kids basket.

Ruby Red Studio

One of the advantages of living in the town that you grew up in is that from time to time you get to re-encounter childhood friends.
{This can also serve as a great disadvantage at times... especially in the case of ex-boyfriends.}

I recently reconnected with a friend from Junior High and High School youth group, Christina.

It turns out that we may be the same person.
We are alike in many ways.

Christina runs Ruby Red Studio.

I love her jewelry.

I also love her packaging.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family.

I have been married to my husband, John, for 7 years. We are total homebodies. We laugh a lot and find the same things endearing and sentimental and I love that. We met in Boston...it really was the fated, "Sleepless In Seattle"-type meeting I'd always dreamed I'd have. God is so good; He really does put dreams in our hearts for a reason! I have three little ones: Gianna (4), Olivia (22 months) and Colton (3 months) and am a stay-at-home mom. I always knew I wanted to stay at home, from the time I was a little girl. Despite some very crazy days, I wouldn't trade staying at home with them for the world! When I manage a few minutes of free time, I enjoy baking, paper crafts and photography.

When and why did you start your business?

I started my business in December 2009. I really wanted a creative outlet, something that allowed me to help my family financially while giving others the chance to express sentiments that are near and dear to their hearts. Most of all, I wanted my business to be an expression of my love for God, my country and my home; a celebration of faith and family. In everything I do, I want to use my talents to honor Him.

 What is your biggest dream for your business?

I would love for my business to grow to the point that my girls and I could run it together one day, even expanding into other "domestic arts". I really admire how Margie Romney has incorporated her daughters into her business (http://www.thegirlsloft.com/). I would also be thrilled to bits if I could save enough to purchase a farm house or cottage somewhere  - a cozy, homey retreat where we could go as a family to take it easy, make some yummy food and a few memories, and embrace all that's important in life.

Christina has been wonderfully supportive since she found out about our adoption plans.

In the midst of her crazy busy life she has done something amazing for me.

First, she created this brand new piece for our raffle:

Then she made this incredibly generous offer:
For every one of these necklaces that she sells, she is going to donate $25 to our Adoption fund.

I am seriously amazed every day by the people in my life.
 

This item can be found in the All Grown Up basket.

Rags to Stitches

I was at the park with one of my neighbors the other day and she had her daughter's infant car seat with her, with the Rags to Stitches Canopy Cover that I had given her on it.

She said people stop her all the time and ask her where she got it.

Alissa made it!  That's the answer.

My friend Alissa makes lots of cute stuff:

Here's what Alissa had to say about herself and her business:

Where do you live, and where are you from originally?

I was born in Hawaii and my family is Hawaiian Chinese, but from the time I was 5 till 18 I lived in Southeast Asia. It was a great experience. Currently I live in Costa Mesa, CA and I love it! My husband and I bought a house in March and it has truly been a blessing. I now have a large enclosed sun room that is half my children's play room and half my Rags to Stitches Boutique crafting area. Its great! 

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family.

I'm a WAHM of two wonderful children. Katelyn just turned 2 and Brayden is 7 months old. My husband Kyle and I met while I was in college and we've been married for 6 years this September. I love photography, being crafty, baking, play dates, and date nights with my husband.

When and why did you start your business?

I started my business, Rags to Stitches Boutique a year ago this July. I started it because so many of my friends and family kept asking me if I could make items for them that I had made for my son and daughter. My husband finally said, you should turn this into a small business and see where it goes. So we did! I never expected it to grow as fast as it has and look forward to seeing where it goes in the coming months.

 What is your favorite item that you sell?

Definitely my infant car seat canopy!

 What is your biggest dream for your business?

That my canopies would be sold in Norstrom!!!

Alissa donated a wipes case and burp cloth set ($30 value).  

 

This item can be found in the For the Kids basket.

Queen Bee Designs

If you didn't read my story about my friend Amanda from Queen Bee Designs, you should go read it now.  It's a fun one.

Look at all the beautiful things that Amanda creates:

Where do you live, and where are you from originally?

I live in sunny (and sweltering hot) Arizona. I was born in California in the city of Orange, but moved here when I was an infant. I grew up in Scottsdale and now live in a neighboring city.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family.

I am married to my best friend and highschool sweetheart, Eric. He is a Physical Therapist and I am currently a stay-at-home-mom/business owner/teacher working on recertification, etc . . . I wear many hats, to say the least. Don't we all? I was blessed with two little boys who are now 5 and 7 years old. They will both be in school full time this fall and I am both loving and dreading the thought of them being gone all day. I "ordered" boys years ago. Little girls scare me sometimes. ; )

When and why did you start your business?

I started my business after my husband bought me a piece of personalized jewelry. Everywhere I went, mommies were asking me where they could get one too and so the business was born. I did a lot of research, some trial and error, had my photos and ideas stolen from me and put on eBay by another preschool parent (yes, you read that right) and am still here. The best part about this job is the people I get to meet. I have truly made friends all over this country . . . and world.

 What is your biggest dream for your business?

My dream for my business is to simply have it grow. This year with both kiddos in school I will have more time to really dedicate to it. In the past I have been so busy with other things that I have had to "work the business" on the side. I would like to make QBDbyA more of a focus this fall.

Amanda donated this lovely Hand-Stamped Necklace:

She thought it went nicely with our theme of Adoption.  I agree.
This item can be found in the All Grown Up basket.

PS It's in the Details

I have recently been working on the 2011 designs for Much Ado About You.

So one day I was searching through Etsy, looking for some embellishments that I could incorporate into my designs.

That's when I came across Patty's shop, PS It's in the Details {which I couldn't agree with more, by the way}.

Patty and I started collaborating, and I am so excited to say that next years line will feature three elements from Patty's shop {but I'm not going to tell you which three}.  I just got them in the mail the other day and I FREAKED OUT!  They are beyond adorable.

And Patty was such an absolute joy to work with.

I was so excited when she offered to participate in our raffle!

Patty also writes a blog, Capture the Details.  Here's some more fun facts about her:

Where do you live, and where are you from originally?

I live in a rural town about 10 miles north of Allentown, Pennsylvania. I was born in Allentown and have lived around this area my whole life.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and/or your family.

I am a stay-at-home mom who happens to have a degree in Graphic Design. I am married to my high school crush, Todd, and we have been together for 21 years. We have two beautiful children... Sarah is 11 and Ben is 8.

When and why did you start your business?

I started P.S. it's in the details in October of 2008 and made my business 'official' (business license, tax number, etc.) in October 0f 2009. With both of my kids in school all day, I felt it was time I could dedicate a part of myself to a creative dream that I've had for years... to own my own business. I feel blessed that I am able to be a stay-at-home mom to my children (who are growing so fast!) while having the opportunity to start and build my own business from scratch.

What is your biggest dream for your business?

I would love to have my designs licensed by well-known companies someday... to be walking through a department store and see my illustrations on cute magnets or napkins or t-shirts would be so neat!

Patty donated the Birds Gone Green scrapbook embellishments:

 
and the Paisley Patch note sheets and matchbook notebook set:

 

These items can be found in the All Grown Up basket.