Handmade Holiday Giveaway

Ever since I found Etsy, about a year ago, I've been smitten. As far as a marketplace for vintage and handmade itemsm Etsy got it right.  Artist originals, eco friendly items, and other beautiful creations can be found for amazing prices in an online global marketplace.

For the next few days, I will be featuring Etsy shops.  All of the artists have generously offered to donate something special from their shop for one of Snugnluv's readers.  Happy holidays everyone!  Enjoy the giveaway.

The Winner Has Been Chosen for the Eleven Collection Giveaway

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the Snugnluv Eleven Collection Giveaway.  The winner is:
4. thesehappydays said...

I follow Eleven on twitter (thesehappydays)

True Random Number Generator 1-263  Result: 4  Powered by RANDOM.ORG

I have contacted the winner by email and she will have 48 hours to respond. Thanks to everyone who took part. Please enter the Snugnluv Holiday Review/Giveaway.  :)

Snugnluv Holiday Review/Giveaway

These are a few of our confirmed giveaway participants for the First Annual Snugnluv Gift Guide.  Starts November 1 st.

    

Eleven Collection Shoe Giveaway

Recently I was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to review a pair of shoes from the Eleven Collection. A sister company to See Kai Run, the Eleven Collection offers shoes in sizes 9-3 (age 3-8yrs). My daughter and I looked through all of the shoes and chose the Simone boot. I'm so glad we did because they are perfect. Premium suede and leather are used in the construction and similar to other Eleven Collection shoes they have a flexible rubber sole and a cushioned insole.

Eleven Collection shoes and boots are of exceptional quality, durability, and style. Shoe designers Cause Haun and Nancy Coronado collaborated to create a brand new collection, which retails from $48-60. An awesome price for shoes that are sure to make "hand me down" status.

As a mother and a Kindergarten teacher, I can really appreciate the zipper and velcro closures used in the shoes and boots. My three year old was able to put them on and take them off independently, which is a big bonus for this age group. I've been recommending them to all of the kindy parents. My little sweetie dances around in them all day and quite often asks to wear them to bed, attesting to the fact that the Simone is a lightweight, breathable, and comfy boot. I am a huge fan of the Eleven Collection! Rugged enough for toddlers and school aged children. Versatile enough to be worn with a casual or dressy outfit.

The Giveaway:

Now for the great news! The Eleven Collection has generously offered to give one of Snugnluv's readers a FREE pair. The winner can choose any shoes the Eleven Collection.

This is how the giveaway will work: (please read carefully)

You will recieve 1 entry for each of the following comments (there is NO LIMIT on the number of times you can enter). Please make sure that you post a separate comment in order for each one to count as an entry.

1. Go to the Eleven Collection Website and tell us which shoes you will pick if you win (1 entry this one is mandatory to win)

For extra entries:

2. Follow Snugnluv (publicly) and post a comment (1 entry)

3. Join the Eleven Collection mailing list for deals and specials (1 entry)

3. Share Information About the Giveaway (Twitter, Facebook, Etc.) (1 entry each)

4. Follow Eleven on Facebook (1 entry)

5. Follow Eleven on Twitter (1 entry)

6. Follow Snugnluv on Twitter (1 entry)

****Please make sure you leave a comment for each of the above and an email address so that we can reach you.The winner will have 48 hours to respond by email once he/she has been notified or another winner will be chosen by the random number generator. Winner will be chosen on October 31,2009.

Open to Canadian and US residents only.

Soft Baby Blocks

I love soft baby blocks. They are perfect for little babies and work well when you have a toddler around too. If they "accidentally" get thrown everyone stays safe and we can avoid little tears.

For a while now I've been looking at patterns and then I found this one at All People Quilts. The templates for the letters and illustrated instructions are provided here. It looks very simple and uses 5" squares. The letters are optional, so you don't have to do the fusible web, letter applique part and I think I might use Amy Butler fabric instead. :) What a great gift.

Kindergarten Rocks

As many of you know I recently returned to work after my second maternity leave. Over the past eleven years I have spent most of my teaching career doing Special Education and Junior grades.

So, when I accepted my new Kindergarten position I was feeling slightly apprehensive, not to mention all of the other things mothers feel upon returning to work. (which is another post unto itself). A little out of my element for sure.

(The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn) -an excellent book for children with separation anxiety

The good news is that I am really enjoying it. The class is a split Jr (4yr olds) and Sr (5yr olds) Kindergarten with 19 children. Anyway, to make a long story short I thought I would recommend a few books that I found useful. I try to read multicultural, inclusive, and diverse books to my own children so I decided to continue that trend with my students. I'm going to list good books as I find them. :) And if you have any to add please let me know, as I am always on a quest for good materials.

(Kindergarten Rocks by Katie Davis) - helps present Kindergarten in a positive way

Here are a few books that I found useful in easing the transition for some of the children. Many of them had never left home and I was met with many tears for the first few visits. These books helped.

(Don't Eat the Teacher by Nick Ward)-this one made the kids laugh

(It's Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr)-a simple way to explain how diversity is wonderful

The Rock & Roll Tutu

Many of you who know me are aware of the fact that I don't do the "princess" thing very well. Some would say I oppose it to an extreme. I won't pontificate on gender stereotypes or over intellectualize regarding the social pressures, or relationship norms inherent in being a "princess" because I know many people don't agree with me. And that's ok!

But, my daughter has been asking for a tutu for several weeks now. I struggled with indecision and uncertainty about how to proceed (similar to my internal battle regarding Santa). So I made her one. A rock and roll tutu! And she loves it. That way she can express herself in dance and can play imaginatively, yet doesn't need to be a "princess" and marry a "prince".

Works for us. For now at least, until December. lol

Comments are welcome and encouraged. I love discourse.