{Holiday Gift Giveaway #18} Knee High to a Shoofly Fabric Growth Charts

What goes through your head when you think about growth charts? I have nostalgic images in my mind of notches carved into doors or slabs of wood, happy little people bounding to the measuring place and checking to see how much they've grown in the last month, two weeks, or five minutes. The pride in their faces. There's something about being able to see the growth that makes it special.

I think we did that when I was a child, but we moved around so much that there was no point in making marks on the wall or door, and any slabs of wood would have been lost in the moves. There are other alternatives, though! Paper, which won't last long... and fabric. Fabric is the option I would have chosen, but I wasn't sure how it could be done, and frankly I hadn't seen a nice fabric chart that was worth taking with us anywhere. But now? I've found it. And just in time to start marking the growth progress of my 18-month-old daughter, Emma. I am so thrilled! I don't have to wait for the annual doctor visits to find out how tall my little one is, lol.

About Knee High to a Shoofly:

I discovered Knee High to a Shoofly while browsing Etsy (something you'll notice I do often if you follow my blog) looking for growth charts. I love the idea of buying handmade, and there are some very ingenious ideas and designs to be found. But the one that stood out as a bright, shining star was a place that sold growth charts in a variety of charming animal shapes and very attractive, colorful fabrics.

These will keep as a long lasting memory that you and your child can look back on and shake your head thinking of how the times have flown by. And you can tell your Little One stories of when you yourself were only “knee high to a shoofly…”

It's All in the Details:

"Each growth chart is an original design, handmade made by me. All the fabric pieces are hand cut, pinned in place to a layer of quilters batting, and then machine stitched. From here, I do all the cording with yarn made from recycled bottles! (Each cut end is treated to reduce fraying.) Then the eyes and measuring tape are glued and hand stitched on. The backing is sewn on in a coordinating fabric, and I stitch on small metal hangers that the hanging ribbon is tied on to. A two sided tape is placed around all the edges so that the piece can hang flat and secure to the wall when it is hung. The tape is a special tape made to be permanent to the fabric, yet removable from your walls without damaging the paint! Each piece is made with care and attention to detail and will be a sweet keepsake for years to come."

Each Growth Chart Features:

• High-quality designer fabric
• Name personalization option
• Attached ribbon hanger and two-sided tape that won't ruin your walls
• Beautiful sewing work - it's essentially a quilted wall hanging
• Children 24 inches to 5 feet can use the charts
• Includes "height sticks" in your choice of color so you don't have to mark on the chart itself if you don't want to!
• So easy to take with you anywhere you move - just fold or roll it up and tuck it somewhere safe until you can put it up again!
  

My Thoughts/Review:

I received a personalized Gloria the Giraffe growth chart to review from Knee High to a Shoofly.

Gloria the Giraffe

My Giraffe

Gloria the Giraffe
Gloria Giraffe eats her greens!
No matter what tree - she loves them all!
If you eat your greens you, too, will grow OH SO TALL!

Oh. My. Word. This is such a rave-worthy product! Before I received my growth chart and got a real look at the quality of the work and the details, I thought $75.00 - 100.00 for a growth chart was a bit much for me to spend. Now, I want to tell you that it is completely worth it. I don't think anyone who ordered a growth chart from Knee High to a Shoofly could possibly be disappointed or feel like they overpaid. Seriously, mine is SO beautiful and without a doubt will be a keepsake. If anything, the lovely piece I received far surpassed my expectations. I'm beyond happy. Also, all of my correspondence with Grace has been 100% positive - she is one of the sweetest people I've ever worked with! Definitely the kind of person you want to buy from because she obviously cares about the quality of her work and she cares about her customers just as much!

Emma and I give Knee High to a Shoofly two little thumbs up (hers) and two big thumbs up (mine)! We absolutely love the purpose and design of Grace's growth charts and are thrilled to have been able to work with her!

For more details and thoughts and to get a good look at the Knee High to a Shoofly Growth Chart I received, check out my video review:

DEAL ALERT!

Get ready for a SWEET holiday deal! Grace of Knee High to a Shoofly is generously offering 20% off any of the holiday growth charts if you order by December 18th! This is an exclusive extension of her current special just for you! :-) When you order, make sure you mention in the comment space area that you saw this special discount at "A Kindred Spirit's Thoughts" and would love to take advantage of the 20% off discount!

Prize info: One very very VERY lucky winner will receive a personalized Jerome the Giraffe Growth Chart, sent to their door in a gift box with a ribbon! Any little boy or girl would love this! This giveaway open to everyone in the world!

How To Enter (mandatory): Visit Knee High to a Shoofly and tell me which growth chart is your favorite! Please leave your email address in your comment or make sure it's in your public profile so I can let you know if you win!

Extra Entries (Optional) (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Get 1 extra entry for each: Add my button to your sidebar ♥ Become a Facebook Fan ♥ Follow my blog ♥ Subscribe to my blog by feed reader ♥ Subscribe to my blog by email ♥ Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit) ♥ Tweet this giveaway ♥ Share this giveaway on Facebook

Bonus KneeHigh Entries (+1 each):

♥ Read and comment on my exclusive interview with Grace here!

♥ Follow Grace on Twitter!

♥ Fan her on Facebook (this extra entry will be available in the next couple of days, I'll post when she's approved and has an address for us)

♥ Buy a growth chart from Knee High to a Shoofly! (5 Extra Entries! If you win, you'll get 50-100% reimbursement depending on whether you buy a ready-made or custom-made growth chart!)

♥ Tell Grace in a comment on this post which growth chart design you would like to see next from this list:

Allie the Alligator

Dan the Toucan

Shabby Chic Skunkie (really cute)

Elinor the Elephant

Rob the Robot

Lenny the Lion

Penny the Blue Penguin

DJ the Donkey

Ollie the Ostrich

Aqua and Orange Fish

Piggie Sue

Get 2 extra entries: Add my Giveaway Extravaganza Button to your sidebar. (Find it in my right sidebar)

You can Copy/Paste this Sample Tweet:

Win a gorgeous quilted Jerome the Giraffe growth chart from @kneehigh2 and @kindred_spirit - http://bit.ly/7eDjRu #giveaway

Giveaway will be closed on December 15 at midnight and winner notified by email - good luck, everyone!

Disclaimer: The review product(s) were sent to me free of charge by the company or manufacturer in exchange for an honest review. This review is 100% my own content, my own true experiences with the product(s), and my own opinion. :-)


If you have a moment, leave a comment -
It'll make me jump up and down for joy! :-)

{Creative Mamas Blog Hop} Share Your Thanksgiving Creativity (Recipes and more!)

Join us every Monday morning with your own creative post! Link up and meet other crafty moms, and be inspired!
Find out more about this blog hop and get the code for my banner here.

This last week I haven't done much except for crocheting a lovely orange beanie for Emma. I'm doing it all in single crochet which turned out to be a mistake because it's taking forever. ;-) Note to self: Use double crochet next time.

Here's the pattern I'm using: How to crochet a basic beanie (from the Lion Brand Blog)

Thanksgiving Creativity

Since this is the Monday before Thanksgiving, I thought I would ask what everyone is making for Thanksgiving! That's creative, right? Of course!


One of the things I'm planning on introducing to our annual Thanksgiving get-together this year is homemade Italian cream sodas. I am so excited and am hoping it will be a hit and a new tradition. I tried this at someone's house not long ago and was SO impressed at how easy it is to make and especially the whopping three inexpensive ingredients! Oh, and the extreme deliciousness. I'm planning on making a tutorial up for you guys after Thanksgiving, but for now, I'll direct you to this excellent tutorial by Zakka Life. I strongly suggest you try this out for yourself! It's so much better than any Italian soda I've tried before... especially with the cream... yum.

Share your Thoughts!

Do you have any recipes, crafts, or other creativity to share? You can: a) Write a post on your blog and link up to it so we can come visit and give you some comment love, or b) leave a comment letting us know what you've been up to. :-) Can't wait to read your comments and visit your blogs!



Past Creative Mamas Monday Fun:

Holiday Scrapbook Paper Chains Tutorial (Nov 16)
Easy Christmas Tags/Ornaments Tutorial (Nov 9)
No-Sew Projects (Nov 2)
Easy Flower Hair/Hat Clips Tutorial (Oct 26)

If you have a moment, leave a comment -
It'll make me jump up and down for joy! :-)

Exclusive Interview with Grace Schmidt, Owner of Knee High to a Shoofly Growth Charts

Grace Schmidt is the owner of Knee High to a Shoofly and extremely talented creator of these beautiful fabric growth charts for children! This is one of the coolest interviews I've done - Grace is awesome! Read on, you won't be sorry. :-)

InTeRvIeW TiMe!
♥♥♥

Hi Grace! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your family?

Three words that describe me are “busy, busy, and busy!” I have two businesses (Knee High and a faux finish/mural business – MuralsByGrace.com). I take care of a messy, foreign midget full time (that’s my 18 month old toddler – he doesn’t speak much English yet), and am working on recording my first solo Christian album (mostly cover songs, but may include my first original). I am my home’s tyrant – I cook and clean (sometimes), and every Wednesday we open our home for a Bible Fellowship. In my “spare time” (yeah, right) I am always reading or working on one of my dozen and a half projects like repainting a room in our house or cleaning out the garage. I’m a do-it-yourself-er and I like to make everything from scratch. Did I mention my fabulous husband yet?! He’s the love of my life: the one my soul loves. He works full time downtown Chicago, taking the train to and from daily, and is gone 12 hours of each day. : ( We’ve been married five years, and just this year re-wrote our vows. Love is a decision, ladies. Decide to love and your emotions will follow.

I agree! :-) Your growth charts are works of art and just too cute! Tell us how you got started selling your growth charts and what inspired you?

A good friend of mine has a little girl the same age as my boy. For her first birthday I wanted to do something special… and Gloria the Giraffe was my idea. That same weekend blossomed into a conceptual explosion of about a dozen designs. (Since then I have come up with several dozen more – just begging to make it into my schedule.) I went out and bought $200 worth of fabrics before the weekend was over and stayed up until 2 AM making my first growth chart! Gabe-a-saur was the first one actually made. Since then, I’ve completed my first 10 designs and have bought enough fabric combinations to keep a small town busy for a year!

That is amazing! What are your plans for the future with Knee High To A Shoofly?

Although I’ve had offers to be put in touch with folks who do mass productions overseas, my real intent is to keep it local and keep it handmade. I never want to become so industrialized that I become a business woman and no longer an artisan. And, to me, being an artisan requires “hands-on” for satisfaction at the end of the day. I have a goal to put out two new designs per season (Winter, you may not happen! Although I have some cute design ideas!) and also to hook up with some boutiques (local or not) who would like to carry my items. Feel free to contact me with the name of a boutique in your area, or give them my info! I would love the referrals!

Tell us one little-known or interesting fact about you. :-)

Well, I sew barefoot. There you go. : )

Haha, thanks Grace! That was awesome, and you are such a fun person to get to know! You really should have a blog, you know...

Keep an eye on my blog, folks - Grace and I have a special treat (hint: giveaway) coming SOON! You won't want to miss it. Trust me. ;-)

If you have a moment, leave a comment -
It'll make me jump up and down for joy! :-)

The Twilight Saga: New Moon ♥ My Thoughts on the Movie!

I saw New Moon!

Yes, late last night - I just couldn't wait. My dear husband watched the baby (okay, she was already in bed so it wasn't hard), and a friend and I took off for the theatre. I hadn't been to a movie since the last Harry Potter movie, so it was a total treat! And I had so much fun.

I had no idea what to expect. I love the Twilight book series (even if I do have mixed feelings about the last book...) and do enjoy watching the Twilight movie, though I did think the movie was a bit low-budget. I'd go into that here, but I've already done so before (go to my twilight movie review).

New Moon was a very emotional book, what with Bella's depression over certain events involving Edward... and Jacob steps in. I have to admit that during this book, I couldn't decide whether I was for Jacob getting Bella or not. I think I felt bad for Jacob. lol I had ideas about who he could end up with, but the final book in the series kind of ruined all of my GOOD and rational ideas. *huff*

Anyway. My point. I think that the movie depicted New Moon VERY well. Yes, they skipped a few parts and a couple of times I thought, "Wow, we're here already?" But that's the movie business, and in the end, I wasn't disappointed.

I. Loved. This. Movie.

Seriously! I know some of it is silly. I know. But hey, I can be silly once in awhile! It was fun! And I'm not afraid to admit that I love Twilight. *flinches back*

Kidding. ;-)

Okay, I have to share some specifics. It was 2 hours and 10 minutes, the perfect length in my opinion. Any longer and my bladder might have exploded... any shorter and I would have been whining about parts they skipped.



So Bella. Bella, Bella, you suddenly look a lot older! That happens in your teens, though. Like me - at fifteen, AWFUL. Sixteen, a lot better. Wait, is Kristen Stewart a teen? Nevermind. The point? She looks great. Her hair is straighter at times. Or maybe longer, I don't know. She still has that same sense of style, though - kind of a non-style, actually. I really love that because she's totally normal. That's why girls relate to her, I guess. Except for the whole vampire boyfriend thing...



Speaking of which, you know which scene this is, right? *huff* See, Edward is not perfect. He's still a guy. (I have nothing against guys, but they're human - lol)



Jacob and the werewolf clan. I loved that part in the book, it was so interesting finding out about the werewolf history and the details of the clan. Something they didn't include enough of in the movie, but I guess no one wants to sit through a five-hour movie. LOL

I would. Totally.

That's one reason I really like the book series - it's not just a silly romance. The world that Stephenie Meyer creates is so deep and interesting, so much more than just Bella and Edward. I became very engrossed while reading it. Read more about why I love the twilight series here if you're interested.

Anyway, Jacob... yes, I had to endure hearing girls (GIRLS? They were grown women! Crazy people..) squeal when Jacob took off his shirt. Oh. My. Word. So funny.



For the record, Jacob looks a lot better with short hair.

Oh, and the Volturi... remember them?

They make an appearance, and are totally creepy in a weird clown kind of way. At least some of them are a little corny in their appearance. I wanted to laugh, probably not the reaction I should have been having.




Dakota Fanning is in New Moon! I was looking forward to that... and she did an awesome job, though her appearance was pretty short.

Conclusion:

New Moon surpassed my expectations! I can't wait until it comes out on DVD, and will be waiting eagerly for the third movie to be released, Eclipse!

So I know you're dying to see the movie now... check out the movie trailers to hold you over:









I'm off to re-read the books now...

Make my day and leave a comment if you've got a moment! ♥

{Holiday Gift Giveaway #18} Hostess with the Mostest Aprons

I didn't appreciate the necessity for aprons until I became a wife and mother. I didn't appreciate the necessity for pretty aprons until just recently, when I discovered that feeling pretty while cooking actually made cooking more fun! Aprons don't have to be that piece of so-so cloth you feel compelled to throw over your head when it's time to slave away over the hot stove (aka "the enemy") in order to protect your clothes from grease stains and the flour that ends up all over the place (how does that happen, anyway?).

Really? You didn't know that? Well, now you do! And I'm going to show you something that is going to totally make you want to start collecting aprons for yourself or a very loved female family member...

Introducing: Hostess with the Mostest!

I fell in love with the beautiful, feminine aprons by Hostess with the Mostest while browsing Etsy and was thrilled when Lisa, talented seamstress and designer, agreed to be featured and give away one of her aprons here! I think that once you take a look at her aprons, you'll fall in love with something as well.

About Hostess with the Mostest:

Aprons bring back memories from when I was a child and my Mother wore them every time she was in the kitchen. I have been sewing since the age of 11. My Mother was an avid seamstress and crafter. I could tell she enjoyed teaching me to sew. I always thought if I wanted more clothes in my closet I might as well take advantage of this opportunity. As an adult, I continued to sew clothing and in the late 70s began to sew home decor as well. I have worked in the corporate world for years, but never really enjoyed it. I looked forward to free time on weekends so I could release my creative juices! Today I am a grandmother of 17 and loving every minute with them and enjoying my favorite pastime - sewing!

Style and Sophistication:

I'm so impressed with Lisa's versatility when it comes to apron design! She makes halter aprons, aprons that look like chic dresses, full length aprons and half aprons, and even aprons especially for the garden! There's really something for everyone. Oh, and did I mention she includes girls' aprons as well? Scroll down for a very sweet giveaway after my review...

My Thoughts/Review:

It is so obvious when looking at an apron made by Hostess with the Mostest that she is into details. That's really what gives her shop that extra zing... she isn't just someone out there making aprons - she is really good at what she does! Both designing the aprons and putting them together. Lisa sent me the apron on the left to review. Believe me, my photo doesn't do it justice. It is gorgeous! Every detail really just makes this apron. From the retro pocket with the bow, the lacing at the neck, and the buttons, this is a flattering, sophisticated apron. And I feel very pretty in it!

My apron has nice, long "ties" that you can tie into a fancy knot at the back of your neck and around your waist. I like that the tie around the neck isn't a fixed length because it makes it easy to put the apron on and adjust it so that it fits me perfectly. The pocket isn't just for decoration - you can use it to stash a recipe card or whatever you might need in the kitchen. It's super easy to wash, too!

All of Lisa's aprons are very professionally made. All seams are trimmed and serged (no unraveling), and they are made in a smoke-free, pet-free home. I'm very happy with the apron I received!

Conclusion:

Lisa of Hostess with the Mostest has my admiration for the quality of her work and the timely arrival of my apron! She is a wonderful person to correspond with, too. I recommend checking out her inventory!

Note: She recently changed from "The Hopeless Romantic" on Etsy to "Hostess with the Mostest", so you'll have to go to the former to check out her recent sales and her 100% positive feedback.

Buy it!

Most aprons can be purchased for between $20.00 and $25.00 - a sweet deal, in my opinion. :-)

Check out Lisa's other Etsy Shops!

Pillows by Design
The Hopeless Romantic

Prize info: One lucky winner will receive this beautiful girl's (age 5 - 8) cupcake apron! Open to US and Canada only.

How To Enter (mandatory): Visit Hostess with the Mostest and tell me which apron is your favorite! Please leave your email address in your comment or make sure it's in your public profile so I can let you know if you win!

Extra Entries (Optional) (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Get 1 extra entry for each: Add my button to your sidebar ♥ Become a Facebook Fan ♥ Follow my blog ♥ Subscribe to my blog by feed reader ♥ Subscribe to my blog by email ♥ Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit) ♥ Tweet this giveaway ♥ Share this giveaway on Facebook

Get 2 extra entries: Add my Giveaway Extravaganza Button to your sidebar. (Find it in my right sidebar)

You can Copy/Paste this Sample Tweet:

Win a sweet tiered girls' cupcake apron from Hostess with the Mostest and @kindred_spirit - http://kindredspiritreviews.blogspot.com #giveaway

Giveaway will be closed on December 5 at midnight and winner notified by email - good luck, everyone!

Disclaimer: The review product(s) were sent to me free of charge by the company or manufacturer in exchange for an honest review. This review is 100% my own content, my own true experiences with the product(s), and my own opinion. :-)


If you have a moment, leave a comment -
It'll make me jump up and down for joy! :-)