Help Iowa Flood Victims
The one thing I keep hearing over and over is how great people have been in giving time, materials and money to help those who’ve lost homes, possessions and businesses. I found a website or two where you can find out how to help - I’ve included picture links below, so just click ‘em. Both have links out to state-wide relief efforts. There’s also the Red Cross website, and they could always use some cash. Donate directly or pick up a cool tee or other gift in their shop. They do so much with so little, so every dollar counts. If you belong to a church or civic group, I’m sure efforts are already underway. Time is also a valuable resource, so if you have a few hours to spare…
Craft Saturday - June 21!
Look at some of the cool vendors below* and visit the official vendor list to see more. Two venues and two dozen vendors - it’s a crazy craftapalooza. Some of the onesie makers I mentioned are there, too, along with some other kid-centric/friendly wares. Check out the official site for snaps and info.
There’s also the Farmer’s Market (and Court Ave patio breakfast places) and SMASH is having a cool outdoor yard sale event, Electric Showroom, that you can head over to in the East Village - make a morning of it - Farmer’s Market, Craft Saturday, SMASH & the Village.
*Just so you know, I’m Popscicle Stick. I crocchet washcloths and pot holders and I’ve added cool little bracelets.
I, of course, added a photo that included my shop. I pay for the blog, peeps, so I have to feed my frenzic somehows.
christi
in art, shop, weekends, crafts, diy, iowa places, to do in des moines
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What Happened To Tastesppotting?
I blogged here earlier about Tastespotting, my fav food site ever. They basically gathered food photos from all over the blogsphere and posted them with links back to recipes, etc. When I can’t think of what to eat, I most often look there. Not any more. The concerning thing is that rumors online say it was disgruntled bloggers who shut it down. Some bloggers are unhappy that Tastespotting posts photos without first asking permission. Some also complained that links went to other sites, although there are rumblings that a blog stalker did that maliciously on purpose.
Many bloggers loved it when their photos got picked (someone actually has to submit the photos) because it caused a huge increase in traffic - what blog doesn’t want visitors? Many readers loved it because they discovered new sources and blogs they otherwise wouldn’t see.
It worries me. I used to write to each person to ask permission to use photos and links back to their info - I never got a “no.” In the interest of time, I just stopped asking first and started linking back, attributing and then forwarding a note with a link to back to the post - full disclosure. I’ve never had anyone complain, but if they did, I’d immediately remove the post - no questions asked. Because you’re hosting their info on your own server (you eat up other people’s limited bandwidth if you don’t) causes some people to freak, as well. I guess this all has to work itself out sooner or later, I’m just thinking about how impossible it’ll be to pass along cool stuff if you can’t use other people’s photos. As long as the original source is attributed with the appropriate links, I think it’s great. I’ve caught people using my stuff without linking back, but often they just didn’t know better. I want things to stay open and free. Some jerk’s gonna throw a wrench in the cogs, but the rest of us just have to power through.
Cute Onesies
I’d say that when my son was born in 2003, you’d be hard pressed to find a cool onesie. I had one from Wry Baby, one from Ferdinand and later on, a cool flying “V” shirt from Slick Sugar. That was about it. It got so bad that we just bought a few Green Day patches and stitched them onto various onesies and tees until they just could be re-used again.*
These days it’s like everyone has a onesie - except maybe Smash, but I think I’ve heard rumours that they do. Anyway, here’s a round-up of some of the newest I’ve found. Don’t forget the aforementioned artists, the cuties stocked at Urban Belly and the newest local addition, Onesies Twosies.
***Please add some suggestions and I’ll post photos to go along.****
*Even these days - at age five - we’re resigned to printing Green Day album covers on iron on paper to make our own punk tees. We’re not allowed to wear Dookie to school, so our wardrobe is a bit limited.
{jig.} customizable onesies - by set or individual piece.
Make your own tutorial from How About Orange.
Buying Books for Children
Lookybook is a new way to check out kids’ books before you buy them. The site also links out to popular online bookstores to make shopping easy - have the books shipped directly to your favorite kid.
Personally, I prefer local booksellers like Beaverdale Books, Book Store, and East Village Books which offers online shopping (Lookybook links out to them, too.)
(I had this bookmarked to share, but I forgot all about it until I got an email alert from coochicoos this morning. Sign up for your own alerts!)
Try Lookybook here:
Things To Do With Your GrandKids This Summer
christi
in under five, weekends, outdoor, parenting, kid fun, holidays, rainy day fun, summer, grandparents, grandkids
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Rainy Days (and Sundays) Fun Kid Projects
Could it PLEASE rain any more? Man! Reminds me of another notable summer when it rained and rained and rained. The only difference is I now have a mortgage, a child, and a much lower alcohol tolerance.
One of the loves of my life is getting really bored and that quickly leads to unrest or movie rentals or hours on YouTube spent watching Green Day videos. Thank heavens for Bloesem’s new venture, Bloesem Kids. (I know the internet is not the answer to our lives, but sometimes, I swear, it is.)
Arounna Khounnoraj guests hosts a section of BKids called BookHou Craft Projects that will save you from even “the most boring day on the planet” (a direct quote). Many projects require little more than you already have and some require a little more. Make a shopping list now, head to the shops (what? are you gonna get yard work done today?), gather supplies into gallon ziploc* kits, put everything into a plastic tub, and mark it “When You’re Bored To Tears.” Don’t be surprised if you find yourself working alongside your little one - many of these are that cool. Get a jump on your holiday gifts. Come December, you’ll have so much free time…
*If there’s any way at all to recycle these, please do. An alternative is to buy smaller plastic totes to house supplies and then use them for othe craft storage as you go along.
christi
in art, under five, weekends, make, crafts, diy, blogs, kid fun, spring break, cool, play dates, rainy day fun, summer, grandparents, grandkids
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