Wednesday, December 30, 2009

His last day of being 1




Today heralds my guys last day of being one year old. This year has been wild, wonderful, joyful, painful, incredible and awesome for us. Taj truly is one of those spirits that brings joy to the world! Apart from that, he is downright funny, gorgeous and sneaky. Really really sneaky.

And he eats mud. Alot...

He loves cars. Alot...

He loves to give his mama kisses. And headbutt my stomach, knees, thighs - well anywhere his head hits is fine with him. Continuously.

He rubs my arms and stares at them, inspecting every freckle and mole and scratching every spot. Then he keeps rubbing it. Its like his medicine.

He runs, he races, he says 'ready set GOOOOOO'. He also says 'Tasteh, ahhhhh' and after he has a drink he appreciates, he says 'ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh' and giggles.

He loves tackling Miss Lola. He loves following her. He loves chasing her on the trampoline. She dotes on him, watches over him and cares so much - she never complains (well, not alot :P) when he snatches her toys off her.

Anyway, today is his last day of being 1 year old. My little guy has gone from being a little baby to being a boisterous and wild toddler! It has happened so quickly, like magic - yet he feels like he has been with me all my life.

I love my baby Taj.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Here he is!


Our littlest guy *swoon*

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Stupid grrr pffft strike :(

Hey folks!!

It is now clear to me that the postal strike is having a major effect on delivery of items, whether it be my mailing centre or state wide I do not know.

Items that I shipped from mid week last week are still seemingly in transit, even within Brisbane . It does not seem to matter that most are registered, nor does it matter that a couple were shipped express .

Please be patient during this time, its frustrating for ALL of us . Post is slow enough at Christmas time, with this obviously adding a massive strain, its enough to make a WAHMama crazy!

ALL Beetlebums items (bar the latest new customer slots and the carrier pre-orders) are shipped, as with the Beetlebums goodies I stocked at the last Gossamer Dreams stocking.

I have no control over them now, they are in transit.

Thankyou and Merry Christmas xxxx

Monday, December 21, 2009

Beetlebums closing for now...

But not for long! As you all know, we are awaiting the arrival of our third baby and with Christmas just around the corner, Im officially shutting the doors for awhile.

IF I have time to make anything at all, and happen to list it, I will do a quick blog post about it beforehand. Please please please dont ask when or if Im going to stock, I am answering this question alot and although Im thrilled Im starting to feel... just a little frazzled I guess.

I wont be answering emails unless you are one of those awaiting orders, for two weeks. So I will be back officially on the 4th Jan, provided I dont have this baby beforehand!

I would love to thank every single Beetle family and those who have supported me though your words, custom and energy this year - its been a smashing year for me and its only going to get better!

Merry Christmas to y'all!!!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Olivia meets her match!!!



And here is Olivia, at home with her new family!! Thankyou so much V for sharing these beautiful pictures with me, they are gorgeous - your children are stunning.

I'm so happy Olivia has such a happy new family :).

Friday, December 18, 2009

Another favor down!

For SU

She is made from two special out of print fabrics - Lucky Girl and Mod Hearts, both in the purple colourway. On coffee canvas, full buckle.

Its out of control how much I love Lucky Girl. Im addicted. Where once I was satisfied with Vodka or Gin, now it is this lady that I turn to. I buy her WHERE-EVER I see her, and have a bit of a collection here... And like any true addiction, I'm terrified of running out.

Speaking of Lucky Girl - the next favor is coming along nicely (for my friend Ms JF), Im definitely going to be showing her off because although she is made from Lucky Girl, she is made from Lucky Girl in a colourway that I suspect most do not realize exists :D.

I also have another in the works for my lovely OS friend, who has been ever so patiently awaiting my end of our trade (which I must admit, should have gone A LONG time ago pffffft to Mel). Im just going to leave y'all hanging on that one.....

JOY!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Winter Nest - Introducing Olivia

Well it is Gossamer Dreams time again!

Olivia was going to be my personal carrier, and she has some features that I've not used on other carriers before (or.. yet!).

Without further ado!

Introducing... Olivia




I decided that she would be auctioned, it was a difficult decision but one that had to happen to make it fair for all the mamas.

I hope you love her - she is going to be desperately difficult to say goodbye to! Im sure that her new home will be loving and just perfect for her.



And I have to share this piece of awesomeness. My friends husband, being the uber handyman that he is, whipped this glorious piece of rockdom for my snap press!!! Now I have a foot press!!! Am I not the luckiest mama in the world?!

Thankyou so much Kobi and Sid!!!

Monday, December 7, 2009

A very special OOAK!

Phew, second 'favor' down - two more to go!

I can share this - I am meeting with the special mama today and I *dont* think she will stumble across this in the hour we have before meeting up!!!

Yes, its Kai in different colours - with Colourgrown Waves (an awesome Didymos baby wrap) wrap scrap side panels on denim straps.

I feel like there is *just* enough contrast between the fabrics - the Waves on the side panels continue the earthy/oceanic feeling of the koi scale background of the feature print.

Looks even better in real life!



Saturday, December 5, 2009

Semi custom carrier stocking!

(for Ms SB)

Tonight is the night - and this is what Beetlebums Carriers look like!


Kali


Jayne

Meika

Maude


Now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.... I am biting the bullet - I am going to be putting up four carriers for preview today, to go live tomorrow night. Please understand that these carriers WILL NOT be ready before Christmas, and are likely to be the last (except for one at the Gossamer Dreams stocking) before I have my baby. The estimated dispatch date that will be the 8th Jan.

The actual stocking will be tonight, Sunday 6 Dec at 7.30pm QLD time

Please think carefully about what you want, the carrier type is up to you and I wont be able to offer much more than advice because I love both types for their own reasons. What I am getting at is that it is purely a personal choice between carrier types, and a decision the purchaser needs to make based on their own needs and tastes, I cannot and will not help with the decision (and once the decision has been made by the buyer, it is final). I cannot be held responsible for a change of heart.

Please wait until I confirm your order before payment - even if you recieve an email from my store. I will take the first order completed (and yes, it is first the checkout) however in the highly unlikely event of overselling I would prefer to confirm myself.

Hyena policy - you MUST be logged in as the person who is purchasing the carrier - orders will not be transferred (they will be canceled if the person who is logged in isn't the purchaser). Beetlebums payment policy applies. One carrier limit per person.

What IS customizable -

- the semi custom options available are simple. Either a half buckle or a full buckle!
- Strap length on a 1/2 buckle can be either 180cm (for petite wearers up to a size 10) or 200cm (for any wearer over a size 10, or people that like to tie tibetan)
- the actual sleep hood design is not changeable but you can choose whether you actually want one or not.
- *if* there are two strap options, that means that I have given the purchaser the choice of either. If there isn't two options, the strap colour shown is what the straps will be. The plain colour is the strap fabric.

What is NOT customizable -

- the fabric/print that is previewing is what the carrier will be. This cannot and will not be changed.
- strap fabric is canvas or denim. This cannot be changed.
- dimensions of the body are not customizable.

*I've been asked if you can wear Beetlebums Baby Carriers whilst pregnant. I *did* wear mine pretty constantly during early pregnancy, up until about 25wks. Though I have a couple of placenta issues that probably would have no bearing on whether I can babywear or not, I just feel more comfortable not doing so right now IYKWIM. Anyway, you can do it if you are comfortable to - just wear the waistband below your bump!*

I will explain as best as I can here the difference between the 1/2 buckle carriers and the full buckles, simply because I cannot answer all emails promptly enough. Please, refer people to this post as opposed to emailing inquiries. If you have a question that is not answered here please just comment on the blog post, this will save me alot of time and double handling (just having to answer the question once). Please understand that I don't have time to field masses of emails - I will answer questions via this post only, and am happy to help the purchasers with their order but prior to that I will not answer emails regarding this stocking.

All Beetlebums bodies on the carriers are the same, they are contoured for comfort with a structured buckle waist for support. The buckle on the waistband is dual adjustable and the ends of the webbing have elastic loops for you to wind the excess waist webbing with, ensuring there is no webbing dangling once your have your carrier on. I have a thing about things looking.. neat!

The difference between a 1/2 buckle and a full buckle is the shoulder straps. A 1/2 buckle has wider, slightly less padded (but equally as supportive) long straps that you tie, like a Mei Tai. Typically, 1/2 buckle carriers 'fit' more people, due to the customizable fit of the shoulder straps. A tall man and a petite lady (or vice versa) can share the carrier more easily. The possible downsides are that you might not like tying straps, the straps are long - meaning that they are likely to 'drag' on the ground while you are tying your baby in (making the ends dirty.. though there are ways to eliminate this with practise, some folk tuck the ends of the straps in their pockets, or between their knees!). 1/2 buckles aren't typically such a 'quick' on-off carrier, like the full buckle version.

The full buckle has buckles on the body and shoulder straps, that attach to give a snug and supportive fit. The straps are slightly narrower and a little more padded than the 1/2 buckle, and have webbing running down the straps entire length.

You might like to consider these points when deciding what you would prefer -

- more than one wearer of differing builds? 1/2 buckle
- particularly petite (under Australian size 10, and short) wearer? 1/2 buckle, 180cm straps
- narrow, sloping shoulders? 1/2 buckle
- love tying straps? 1/2 buckle

- need a quick on-off carrier? full buckle
- have a wriggly baby? full buckle (or learn how to tie FAST!)
- not such a confident baby wearer? full buckle
- got a big kid? full buckle

Please understand also that Beetlebums carriers have not been designed with newborns/infants in mind - they are designed for the post-infant stage, where it is hard for a family to find a good, fashionable and comfortable carrier. Although some folks love using their Beetlebums with their babies 'froggied', the bodies are larger than other infant sized carriers and can swamp little babies. They really suit babies from about 4/5 months upward (with good head control).

You can wear Beetlebums carriers on your front, back or side.

Ok, that should be it for now! Off to play with my fabric stash!!!!