Second Round of Winners

I had a lot of fun hosting & reviewing these fabulous finds for our Blitz Give-Away, but am very much looking forward to getting back to the usual of bringing you great parenting info, toys & more! I'll particularly be on the look-out for some festive finds, as the holiday seasons (starting with Autumn and Halloween (whoo-hoo! those of you in the midwest and new england may not be happy this time of year, but we in the southwest can't WAIT for some nice weather...finally!!)) is starting to dawn upon us....

So, without further adieu, here are the final winners...

8. BewBew Designs - Courtney Rae
9. White Mouse Design - Jen Bridgham
10. Belly to Baby - Jennette
11. Caramel Diezel - Michaela
12. Katsu Designs - TZel
13. Tiny Toppers - Jamie
14. Auntie Jill - Yoshi

Thanks again! Hope you all enjoy!!

First Round of Winners

Thank you to all who participated in our Give-Away Blitz over the past month! It was a lot of hard work, but I hope you all found some great little shops, and that the businesses get some traffic, sales and great feedback from this!

Here are the winners for the first 7 give-aways!!

1. Life Events - Sarah
2. Garden of Holly - Monkey's Mama
3. My Organic Breast Pads - Hailey
4. Mel's Fun Suds - Dawn
5. Little Lily Bamboo - J Fo
6. Bully Design Co. 4 Kids - Jamie
7. Mama Vada - Digital Misfit

The shop owners will be contacting these winners via email shortly. As for the last 7 drawings, those winners will be posted tomorrow!

The Blitz is Drawing to a Close...

Whew! What a whirlwind that was! I know that these past weeks have been overwhelming with all the give-aways and new businesses brought to your attention, so I'm just going to give it another week for people to read over them, check out their businesses and enter for the give-aways. So, the good news is, if you're just checking in, you have 14 give-aways to enter by September 13th! Then I'll draw and post the lucky winners around September 14th! Good luck!

Give-Away #14: Auntie Jill

So, I recently received one of the trademark minky snuggle bunnies from a dear little shop, "Auntie Jill" on Etsy, and what can I say? It's an adorable, luxuriously soft plush bunny that would make a fabulous addition to any baby shower gift or nursery. I can just imagine a newborn snuggling up and fawning over one of these... Actually, it reminded me of a bunny blankie of my own that I grew up with.... This wasn't an actual stuffed animal, it was just a small "lovie" blankie shaped like a bunny, and with satin ears. Can I tell you how frequently I sat sucking my thumb, rubbing those satin ears? Let me tell you...what a comfort. So that would be my suggestion for buying one of these...get one, and have it designed with satin ears!! They are available in an assortment of colors, sizes and fabrics not to mention other animals beyond just bunnies. The best part? If you're one of those "personalization junkies" you can get them personalized with your child's name for just $5 ~ a truly custom gift.



Here is a bit more about Auntie Jill and her business...

How did your business start and when?
I officially began on January 1^st, 2008on Etsy. I had began making toys for friend’s babies and nieces and nephews and everyone encouraged me to make them for sale. So it was my new year’s resolution to take the plunge – two months later I lost my job and decided it was a good time to work on my toys full-time.

How did you come up with your business name?
My nephew insists that my real name is “Auntie Jill” (not just Jill), and I thought that it would also convey the loving touch I try to give all my toys – I’m not just making random batches of stuffed animals like a big company – I’m making love-filled creations for your child specifically.

How long have you been making your creations?
That’s tough to figure out – I learned to sew when I was four or five years old, and have been creating ever since. The snuggle bunny was designed in late 2007.

What medium/s do you use to create your products?
The softest fabrics possible – I go through the fabric store like a blind person, just touching fabric and not looking at it so much – then if it feels right I’ll check it out in more detail. I primarily use minky and only the highest end minky made – not what you can buy at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Are your products located in any brick-and-mortar stores? If so, where?
Yep – I have my work in Portsmouth, NH at a darling boutique called “Tulips”, as well as a new one in upstate New York this fall, “Tula & Tupi” in Florida, “LivingPlaying” in MA, and “Organic Beginnings” in Ontario, Canada.

What sets your business/products apart from others that create similar items?
I think my fabrics are softer, they are made to last a lifetime, and the hand sewn faces add a special touch – just like a signature I feel that no one else in the world would sew the face on their stuffed animal exactly like I do. I don’t use templates for the faces or when I hand sew the names on the ears, so no two could ever be identical. I also base my designs on observations of what babies and kids prefer – I can’t always tell you why they like my toys (or anyone else’s) but I can sometimes tell what they prefer in a toy and design accordingly.

Any other comments, feedback or otherwise you’d like to share with our blog followers?
I love making custom made toys, so if you want a special color or an entirely new animal - I am more than happy to design a new pattern for you or order a new fabric. I recently invented an elephant for a customer based on their baby shower invitations, for example, and it was a lot of fun!

Now for the give-away...see details below for how to win one of the minky snuggle bunnies with brown & white polka-dot ears! This is perfect, as it's gender-neutral and really would be the addition that's the icing on the cake for a baby shower gift.

Here is how to win it!!
*Visit Auntie Jill to find your treasured plush toy,
then come back here to comment on it.

Additional Entries
*Follow our blog.

*Subscribe to our blog.

*Tweet about this give-away and include link (comment must include link to tweet).

*Blog about this give-away and include link (comment must include link to blog).

Remember, one comment for each entry, and include email!!
Winners to be posted early-mid September.

Give-Away #13: Tiny Toppers

Tiny Toppers is a little place to find all fine handknit hats & booties for baby. They specialize in what I consider to be their "trademark" bear hat, which is a tiny knit hat with two cute little ears - perfect for some newborn pictures! Another adorable option is their hats with earflaps! Of course, I don't really think I'd actually need that for a baby in metro Phoenix, but...they are adorable, so I myself who lives in the desert would even break it out (or for just some amazing photos ops!).

So I was honored to receive this Carmel Stripe Bear Hat last week, and it was love at first sight. Well, okay, maybe not love, but you get my drift.... What I found extremely fascinating was that my 2-year old son who normally HATES hats (with a passion!), actually wanted to wear this hat (he managed to squeeze it onto just the crown of his head, as it was sized up to 6 months!) when he saw it...he was totally in awe of the two little ears it had! Amazing! So there's an idea for any child you have who doesn't like hats...just find one with ears! The knitting was done superbly, and it was absolutely adorable, so "bravo!" to Tiny Toppers on a job well done!


Beyond stripes & ears, Tiny Toppers also offers other iconic details you can choose from, such as sailboats or birds, which is something I haven't really seen on any other similar hats. Also, they do offer organic knits, and you can even choose your own styles and colors for a completely custom look, if you like.

Here is a bit more about Tiny Toppers...

How did your business start and when?
My business started when my son was about 3 months old, in October of 2008. I was looking for a way to make extra money since I had recently left my job to be a stay-at-home Mom. I started with the idea of onesies, but I have always loved to knit, so it wasn't long before the hats took over.

How did you come up with your business name?
My sister actually thought of it. I started my shop at about 11:30 pm one night, and I just used it because I needed a name to get my shop started, and I couldn't think of anything I liked better. I planned to change it later, but it stuck! Now I think it really fits.

How long have you been making your creations?
I have been knitting since I was about 8 or 9 years old, when my Grandma taught me. I only started hats when my shop opened, though. I did a few practice ones before I listed anything and went from there.

What medium/s do you use to create your products?
I love cotton yarns, but use mostly blends of cotton, acrylic and wool, since thicker yarns are better for making the bear styles. I have recently discovered the best little yarn shop near my house, so I am hoping to star using some of their really nice quality yarns for the new winter styles.

Are your products in any brick-and-mortar stores?
I am actually in the process of doing my first order for a store! It is a cute boutique in Michigan, which sells only products made from organic or recycled materials. I am really excited to get started on it!

What sets your business/products apart from others that create similar items?
Each hat is hand-knit by me, and I put special care into each one, mkaing sure it is special, and of the quality that I would expect as a buyer. I also like to think that my designs are somewhat unique - there are many Etsy sellers who make hats, but I try to keep my personal designs and style through the collections, so they are a little different from the rest.

Any other comments or advice for our readers?
I would just like to recommend Etsy, or similar types of businesses to any other moms out there who love crafts. There is an ever-growing demand for handmade products, and it is so much fun to do something I love! It helps me keep in touch with "myself" when the rest of my life is dedicated to being a wife and mother. I love that I can do something creative and at the same time make something useful and special for someone else.

Leanne has graciously offered this carmel stripe bear hat (in size of choice) to one lucky Haute Tot reader!

Here is how you can win it!!
*Visit Tiny Toppers to find your favorite item,
then come back here and comment on it!

Additional Entries
*Become a follower of this blog.

*Subscribe to this blog.

*Tweet about this give-away & include link to it (comment must include link to tweet).

*Blog about this give-away & include link to it (comment must include link to blog).

*Copy Adam's Blankie Couture blog button onto your blog (comment must include link to blog).

Be sure to post a separate comment for each entry, and include your email!!
All winners for Blitz Give-Away to be posted early-mid September.

Give-Away #12: Katsu Designs

Have you ever tried to find just the right night-light to go in your child's room? They can be so difficult to come by...especially one that goes with the theme of the room. And they do become somewhat of a necessity (with certain kids at least!) when the unsettling fear of darkness starts to take over your child's wild imagination... And, amazingly, sometimes just a little flicker of light is all that it takes to bring relief and rest. This is a good thing. Easy solutions, right?

So to help you with finding the perfect nightlight is "Katsu Designs," a company run by Stuart Morrow, who handcrafts each nightlight with intricate detailing. They are saw-cut from an aluminum sheet and then formed into their different, unique shapes. Some also feature colored glass or flickering light bulbs for an even greater affect, along with different paints and textures. They are works of art, to be sure. As Stuart aptly puts it, "The end result is a decorative piece of wall art by day and an animated silhouette by night."

We recently received a guitar night-light in the mail -- it's for my son, of course, who has a guitar-themed room, so he was quite delighted to be able to add another to his growing collection. Anyway. It came packaged carefully with lots of packing peanuts, which is always a good start to any breakable being mailed long-distance. And once we opened it up? What a gem! The colors are brilliant, and the details are superb. No corners are cut in the making of these, I assure you. It puts out a nice warm glow at night, not to mention it adds a nice artistic touch on the wall during the day.



Now the part you've been waiting for...Katsu Designs will be giving away one night-light from their collection to one lucky Haute Tot reader!

Here is how you can win it!!
*Visit Katsu Designs to find your nightlight of choice,
then come back here to comment on it.

Additional Entries
*Become a follower of this blog.

*Subscribe to this blog.

*Tweet about this give-away and include link (comment must include link to tweet).

*Blog about this give-away and include link (comment must include link to blog).

Please leave a separate comment for EACH entry, and include email!!
All winners for Blitz Give-away to be posted early-mid September.

Give-Away #11: Caramel Diezel

If you've been looking for a beautiful, stylish & functional baby shower gift, I really believe hand-knit accessories are really a fabulous choice. Now, if you're like me and are just beginning to learn how to knit, or have no clue how to at all, then it comes down to purchasing them, of course. And hand-made is always better than machine, in my opinion. Always.

I recently received this absolutely gorgeous cap & bootie set from Caramel Diezel. It's hand-knitted from organic cream cotton yarn. The hat has a little knot at the top and a rolled brim, while the booties...the booties. oh so cute! Anyway, while the booties, beyond being just flat-out adorable, have a detail most other knitted booties I've seen don't - a cute little button! Not only that, but the package came bundled in tissue paper and a box, along with a hang-tag attached to the booties with twine - ready to be given away upon receipt, which is oh-so convenient. I really think these would be a show-stopper at any baby shower, and I also cannot wait to put these on my own little bundle of joy arriving next year - I think they'll be fabulous for a photo session!



Here is a bit more about Caramel Diezel...

How did your business start and when?
I’ve always loved to knit and sew. In 2008, everyone seemed to be having babies. I started making baby items as gifts. After seeing an interview on TV about Etsy, I thought I would give it a try. Towards the end of 2008, I started Caramel Diezel on Etsy, selling hand-knitted hats, booties, sweaters and sewn dresses and blankets.

How did you come up with your business name?
Caramel Diezel is a nickname given to me by my grandfather. The nuance of the name is in the tagline of “for sweet and energetic kids”.

How long have you been making your creations?
I only started making baby items last year, 2008. I’ve always knitted. “Knitting is my addiction”, is what I’ve often said. In the past I knitted sweaters which were always given away as gifts. The more difficult the pattern, the more I loved it. It was only about two years ago that I finally knitted a scarf. Before moving to the USA, I used to sew most of my clothes.

What medium/s do you use to create your products?
I like to use different mediums, whatever catches my eye. I like to experiment with different yarns for different textures and feels. My current favorite yarns are organic cotton and cotton blend yarns. I love the way they feel. 100% cotton fabric is my favorite type of fabric, but I also use some seersucker and fleece and flannel for blankets.

What sets your business/products apart from others that create similar items?
I try to make items that are my unique take on the “norm”. I love to play with color combinations and different patterns. New designs seem to swim around in my head constantly and I can never keep up with creating them! Designing new things is what I enjoy most.

Any other comments or otherwise you’d like to share with our blog followers?
Discount: Free shipping on any orders placed in August and September, 2009. Mention this blog in “message to seller” to receive free shipping.

And now the part you've been waiting for...Caramel Diezel will be giving away a hat & bootie set in the color of choice (size 0-3 months) set one of Haute Tot & Baby Couture's lucky blog readers!

Here is how you can win it!!
*Visit Caramel Diezel to find your favorite hand-knitted (or sewn) delight,
then come back here and comment on it.

Additional Entries:
*Follow this blog.

*Subscribe to this blog.

*Tweet about this give-away with a link to it
(must include link to your tweet in comment).

*Copy the Adam's Blankie button at the top of this blog & paste onto your blog
(must include link to your blog in comment).

*Blog about this give-away & include link to this page (must include link to blog in comment).

Be sure to post a separate comment for each entry, and include your email!!
All winners for our give-away blitz month will be posted around early-mid September.

Give-Away #10: Belly to Baby

I met up with Chelsea from "Belly to Baby" on Etsy and was immediatley intrigued by her product line, which features natural "healing solutions" for your pregnancy, labor, postpartum and baby needs.

I received the Pregnancy Bliss Bath (Salts) & Cheeky Baby Bum Balm recently and am very much looking forward to using them. Now, while I haven't actually used the Cheeky Baby Bum Balm yet, as my son hasn't had any diaper rashes lately, I can't really comment on its use for that purpose. But what I can tell you is that is smells of heavenly lavender and, having rubbed some onto my palm, absorbs quickly onto the skin leaving no sticky or greasy residue. Did I mention it's all natural? That means no strange ingredients or harmful chemicals up nice and close to your baby.


As for the Bliss Bath, as I am currently in my first trimester of pregnancy, I'm also *not allowed* to use it, so haven't been able to test out a bath yet. But again, it smells fantastic (also like lavender, as it has lavender flowers in it) and is quite beautiful actually. It comes in a glass jar, so you can see all the sea salt and lavender flowers...a really nice touch and fantastic presentation. Add to that one of their client's comments that yeast infections have been cleared up after using the Bliss Bath salts, and I think you have yourself a winner!


On the note of the packaging for the Bliss Bath salts I referred to earlier, that's another quality I really love about Belly to Baby ~ their natural packaging "so as to eliminate the risk of harmful chemicals leaching into products" not to mention it's all recyclable.

Here is a bit more about Belly to Baby...

How did your business start and when?
My business partner, Emily, and I met when she became pregnant and hired me as her doula in 2006. Our mutual interest in aromatherapy, natural living and birth inspired the idea to created products especially for the childbearing year. We began our business in the fall of 2007.

How did you come up with your business name?
Emily and I are both doulas and wanted a name that would work with both businesses. We wanted something that fit our philosophy that pregnancy and birth are natural occurrences in a women’s life.

How long have you been making your creations?
We both have been experimenting with aromatherapy for many years and started creating pregnancy specific products in 2006.

What medium/s do you use to create your products?
100% natural and vegetable based ingredients.

Are your products located in any brick-and-mortar stores? If so, where?
We have 20 retail locations across Canada, mostly maternity and baby stores.

What sets your business/products apart from others that create similar items?
All of our products use 100% pure essential oils known to be safe during pregnancy and for babies in a concentration appropriate for this sensitive time. Our products contain no preservatives, synthetics or chemicals. We use no animal products making our products VEGAN! We also do not package our products in any plastic containers.

Belly to Baby has graciously offered one lucky Haute Tot reader their Pregnancy Bliss Salts & Cheeky Baby Bum Balm!

Here is how you can win it!!

*Visit Belly to Baby to find your most treasured item there,
and then return here to comment on it.

Additional Entries
*Become a follower of this blog.

*Subscribe to this blog.

*Copy our Adam's Blankie button onto your blog (must include link to your blog in comment).

*Tweet about this give-away (must include link to tweet in comment).

*Blog about this give-away (must include link to tweet in comment).

Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry, and include your email address!!
All winners for the Blitz Give-Away will be posted around early-mid September.

Give-Away #9: White Mouse Design

If you're a "paper person," then you're going to love this next business. White Mouse Design offers custom prints at an affordable price, because you print them from home. You can get everything from stationary personalized with your monogram to even wrapping paper! I especially love their party kits, covering all needs from the invitations & envelopes to the favor boxes! If you'd rather not deal with the printing yourself, you can also visit their Turnaround Design shop, where they'll do it all for you - from designing to printing.

I received both the printable instructions via email along with a hard copy set of their Modern Bubbles Personalized Stationary and love it! Directions for how to print & trim are included and are easy to follow. It may get a little tedious doing all the "afterwork" (i.e., folding & cutting) yourself, but if you're not in a rush, want to save some cash but also want something personalized by your own fingers, then this is the way to go. I mean, you can have an unlimited amount of your own personalized custom stationary (notesheet, folded & flat notecards & envelope) for just $5! And all you have to do is print from home. The other benefit is once you buy the template, you have it for life and can print away to your heart's delight, making it a very economical option! I think the Personalized Stationary would also be fabulous done in your child/ren's names - you could use the flat notecards & envelopes for them to write on as Thank You's for birthday gifts, Christmas, etcetera. It would also make a great gift for any writer or high school/college graduate. Like I mentioned earlier, however, if you'd rather they do they whole project for you, you can also visit their Turnaround Design store. The quality is fabulous, and you won't be disappointed!

Here is a bit more about White Mouse Design...

How did your business start and when?

I opened my online recycled stationery store, Turnaround Design, in September 2008, and added the White Mouse Design DIY division in February of this year.

How did you come up with your business name?

My trusty Macintosh computer mouse is white, and that's what I use to create my digital designs.

How long have you been making your creations?

I've been designing greeting cards for over a decade, but just started selling them last year.

What medium/s do you use to create your products?

I use Adobe Illustrator on my Macintosh to create my designs. In addition to my white mouse, I also have a stylus drawing pad.

Are your products located in any brick-and-mortar stores?

My recycled cards are found in three stores near the Twin Cities, MN area. Due to the nature of my digital products, they are only available online.

What sets your business/products apart from others that create similar items?

I offer personalization of the designs with names and monograms.. I also have coordinating party kits including invitations, thank you's place cards, gift wrap, decorations and more.

Any other comments, advice, feedback, discounts or otherwise you’d like to share with your blog followers.?

Printable DIY paper goods are a fantastically thrifty and convenient way to create your own cards, invitations, personalized stationery and more. Great for giving multiple gifts!

You simply purchase the design once, download the PDF file and print unlimited quantities. Instructions are included for printing and cutting. Then the files are yours forever!

Now the fantastic part...White Mouse Design will be giving away to one lucky Haute Tot reader EITHER the Whale Party Kit (includes everything from the invitations, Thank You's, placecards & envelopes to the boxes, gift wrap & tags) OR any 2 listings of your choice from her shop!

Here is how to win it!!

*Visit White Mouse Design to find your favorite eye candy,

then come back here to comment on it.

Additional Entries

*Follow this blog.

*Subscribe to this blog.

*Tweet about this give-away and post link to it (must include link to tweet in comment).

*Blog about this give-away & post link to it (must include link to blog in comment).

*Copy the Adam's Blankie blog button at top onto your blog (must include link to blog in comment).

Post one comment per entry, and include your email address!

All winners from Blitz Give-Away will be posted around early-mid September.

Give-Away #8: BewBew Designs

Cathy is the owner and creator of "Bewbew Designs," a company specializing in baby goods like the adorable "Diaper Stroller Pouch" I received recently. The stroller pouch's exterior is constructed in a waterproof material, while the inside is water-resistant. It is also extremely light-weight, which is handy considering you don't really need any extra weight to lug around when you've already got the stroller, the accessories and the baby to haul around, too! The feature I personally like the best is the strap with the clip that you can use to clasp to your stroller's handle bar, allowing for easy access to diapers & wipes when you need them most. They also feature a magnetic snap closure to keep things where they belong. There are several different color combinations you can choose from if you want them to match the color of your stroller, for example. I would consider all the fabric portions at the top of the bag to be gender neutral, which is quite convenient. You can also purchase a matching diaper bag tote to go with your stroller pouch - what an awesome gift that would be! All in all, I find the bag very functional & fashionable, which is the winning combination most Moms are always looking for.

Here is a bit more about Bewbew Designs...

How did your business start and when?
The love of bags really started this business. I started noticing diaper bags and thought that, in general, they were unstylish and functional or vice versa. I have a fashion design background, and I wanted to design a line of stylish and functional bags for modern parents. The design and development took almost 2 years. The business finally launch in the winter of 2008 with my online store, www.babybewbew.com

How did you come up with your business name?
Bewbew, pronounced like “few”, is a nickname that my husband made up for me.

How long have you been making your creations?
I’ve been selling my diaper bags and baby accessories for 9 months now. However, I guess I’ve been creating them for a lot longer, since I re-designed and tested the products many times until I was happy with the final result.

What medium/s do you use to create your products?
My medium is textiles. I like to mix fabrics and materials that have different textures and a good weight to them. If a print is used, it must be modern and simple.

What sets your business/products apart from others that create similar items?
The materials I use are unique to my products. I make sure that my diaper bags are waterproof and that’s not something you see too often. My bags are also well designed for style and function.

Any other comments, advice, feedback, discounts or otherwise you’d like to share with your blog followers?
For the readers of Haute Tot and Baby Couture, I will take 10% off your order, before shipping, on my Etsy store: www.bewbewdesigns.etsy.com. Please contact me stating “Haute Tot” to be eligible for this discount.

Bewbew Designs is offering a $10 giftcard to one lucky Haute Tot & Baby Couture reader!

Here is how to win it!!
*Visit Bewbew Designs to find a product you like most, then come back here to comment on it.

Additional Entries
*Become a follower of this blog.

*Subscribe to this blog.

*Tweet about this give-away with a link to it (must include link to tweet in comment).

*Blog about this give-away and include link to it (must include link to blog in comment).

*Copy the Adam's Blankie blog button at top onto your blog (must include link to blog in comment).


Make sure to post a separate comment for each entry,
and include your email address!

All winners of the Blitz Give-Away will be posted around early-mid September.