Monday, February 21, 2011

My other links...

I'm not sure how to comment on my own posts, so bear with me on this... ;).

You can find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/loveinbloomboutique
I'm on Twitter occasionally @loveinbloomshop
And my Etsy shop is at www.loveinbloomboutique.etsy.com

Back to work for me :)
Kristin

Sunday, February 20, 2011

There's a Secret Garden She Hides...

Happy Sunday Morning!  I woke up to this treasury having over 1000 views and 480 clicks.  Please help us get it to the front page of Etsy by commenting, clicking and promoting at will. 

There's a secret garden she hides

Excitedly Yours,
Kristin

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Connecting Kids with Nature...

I take my sons to a co-op style preschool and today we had a discussion about connecting kids with the great outdoors.  I picked up a few valuable insights that I thought I'd share with all of you...
  • They can grow artistically by enjoying the beauty around them and gleaning the details of how natural things look and feel
  • They can grow creatively and intellectually by having some time to be bored because they WILL invent things to do
  • They can grow emotionally by accomplishing physical tasks like climbing a big hill.  This produces real self-esteem because they know that even though it was hard, or it took a long time they did it; and it wasn't just mom or dad saying they did a good job for the millionth time. (Praising your kids is still important, but sometimes letting them just come to the understanding that they can  do _________ is more valuable)
  • They can grow physically, emotionally and maybe even socially (if they are with friends, siblings or you) by playing ball, riding bikes, climbing trees, digging in the dirt, hiking, swiming, climbing and just plain running around.  Letting your kids outside to move is so good because it not only challenges their bodies, but it helps their brains to release endorphins (chemicals that help us to feel good) as well.
  • They can grow intellectually by learning about plants, animals, different environments, counting, sorting, helping you plant and tend a garden, and so much more!
  • One mom in our class sends her boys out in their back yard on scavengar hunts regularly to find things like a seed, a small rock, a leaf, a feather, 3 pieces of trash, and a stick.  Depending on your area, you could have them find different things.  The sky's the limit!
Looking for shells on the beach, talking about the pictures we see in the clouds, hiking, hunting for bugs, climbing trees, and gardening are some things I enjoy doing with my own kids.  These are just a few ideas for how/what your kids can learn outside.  I'm sure you can think of more.  Feel free to post them in the comments section below.  I'd love to see what you have to say...

Live it up!
Kristin

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Almost ready to share some love...

I'm starting to get interview questions back from handmade artists specializing in kids stuff!  Yippee!! So, I will be able to start featuring makers as soon as we have 25 followers... That's only 11 more. 

I'd love it if you'd be so kind as to put the word out about this little blog...  then we can get to the fun stuff!!

Craftfully yours,
Kristin

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Unexpected Blessings...

     The other day, I was out in the front yard and I noticed something strange.  In the middle of a patch of flowering onion was a lone bright yellow daffodil.  I didn't plant it there on purpose, and it had never bloomed before, or maybe I had just never seen it... but there it was: a beautiful reminder that in the midst of the business of everyday life a surprise is sometimes just what we need.  It may come in the form of a flower cropping up in an unexpected place.  Other times people go out of their way to do something unexpected that brightens a dull or upset day.  My daughter is notorious for doing this when I'm having a bad day.  She drops me a note that lets me know I'm loved.  It has the power to melt my heart and can turn my attitude completely around.      
     I notice it works with husbands too... Last weekend, my hubby worked so hard cleaning the house so I could spend some time preparing for a craft show.  Later, when he was out I cleaned up the kitchen and he mentioned to me how that made him feel like all the time he had spent cleaning was so appreciated!
     I think the world could use a little more of this going around... What will you do today to bless someone who isn't expecting it?

Live it up!
Kristin


Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Patch features Love in Bloom Boutique... What a tremendous honor!!


Volunteers in the News, Business

Bloom Town: Crafty La Mesa Mom Spins Dress Code into an Online Business

Opportunity didn't knock for Kristin Vent. It came wrapped up in a beautiful red bow. She feels feel “like I’m really blooming as a person for the first time.”

“This is not entirely a bad thing, since I know she won’t be clashing with her uniform—as most kids will do if given a chance—but  I had a bit of trouble finding age-appropriate items in red, white, black and gray.  So I took matters into my own hands and started making them myself,” said Vent, a mom of three who moved to La Mesa from Julian nine years ago.


After discovering she had a talent for hairy situations, stay-at-home mom Vent struck out on her own with her Love in Bloom Etsy site. Vent has been selling her accessories since last fall and hopes to expand her business by offering tutus and matching bows in the coming weeks. She’s also planning a line of kids jewelry this fall.


“I came up with the name Love in Bloom as a result of the many different ways I saw God working in my life over the past year,” said Vent, quoting John with “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.”


“I have changed quite a bit in the last year, primarily because this truth finally made its way into my heart.  I see so many new possibilities in my life and feel quite a bit like I’m really blooming as a person for the first time.”


Love in Bloom is, well, blooming.


Oma’s Dairy Farm in Lakeside, also known as Oma’s Pumpkin Patch and Oma’s Christmas Tree Patch, carries a selection of her items. Vent also plans to be at several events this year, including the Parent Connection Swap Meet on March 27 at Canyon Crest Academy in Carmel Valley. Growing more and more savvy everyday, Vent is also donating several bows to Christ Lutheran’s annual gala and silent auction supporting the school.


In addition to her Etsy store, Vent has a Facebook page and a brand new blog. “This blog is brand new… I am currently having a giveaway for a $10 gift certificate to my shop to one of my first 100 blog followers,”  Vent said.

********************************************************************
Ok, I can't believe it! I never dreamed in a million years that someone from a newspaper would do a story like this about the things I've made! I am so honored and excited!!! Thanks everyone for all your support!!

Craftfully yours,
Kristin

The Patch can be found here: http://lamesa.patch.com/

Monday, February 7, 2011

It's Give-Away Time!

When I reach my short-term goal of having 50 people following this blog, I will be giving away a $10 . 00 gift certificate redeemable at my Etsy shop: www.loveinbloomboutique.etsy.com .
You or a friend could be the lucky winner!

Craftfully yours,
Kristin

Thursday, February 3, 2011

My first Blog post!!!

I am so happy to finally get this off the ground!  I have thought about blogging for a long time, but didn't think it would be so easy... I was wrong!  Oh well, life goes on and it starts now.

I plan to do the following with this blog as time and sanity permit:
  • Live: Share tidbits I've found that help me in everyday life from dealing with my kids to cooking to having a happy home
  • Love: Promote handmade businesses/makers that I think are really cool and whose specialty is making great things for kids and/or the homes they live in
  • Bloom: Share the things that are growing me as a person/business owner/maker on this crafty journey
  • Craft:  Share things I've made, pictures, and tutorials I find on the web that inspire me to get my craft on!
If you are a handmade business owner who specialises in children's goods or home decor items (or if you know someone who is) and would like to be featured on this blog,  please e-mail your request to me at kristin@loveinbloomboutique.com  I will be sure to send you an interview questionnaire once I develop it. ;)  Please don't get mad if I don't choose to use your interview... you win some and you lose some, but you never know what will happen unless you try.

Feel free to let your friends/fellow makers know about this blog if you think they would be interested in what I'm doing and let's rock the net together!!
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