Sparetime Crafts: Another Christmastime Giveaway!

A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to make a texture project for my daughter...unfortunately I do not have a sewing machine and even if I did, well I'm not so great at crafting. If you look at my blog you'll see crafts but you may also realize they are toddler crafts and don't require a lot of skill. If a craft requires me to be tedious, disastrous results will occur. So, when I came across this project made by sparetimecrafts, I was a very happy mama because I could have a really great texture book...but not have to make it.

This very pretty book also allows for a great learning experience. It has helped to teach my little girl descriptive vocabulary words such soft, rough, smooth, hard and bumpy. This sweet book introduces a world filled with wonderful tactile experiences. This is a great book for little ones who have a hard time sitting still during story time. It doesn't come with felt pieces but I use some that I have and the book as a background for a story I tell her. The texture and feeling process keep her attention. We have a lot of conversation when looking at this little book. For example, I ask her: "What else feels like this?". We also play a game with the book where I hide items around the room similar in texture to the pieces and ask her to find the other pieces similar to the material in the book. Another game could be having the child feel the page, blindfold them, and then have them find a similiar material inside of a bag.

Can you tell she loves to feel the book?

The front and back of the book is smooth vinyl over a soft flannel fabric with small kittens.

The next page is a colorful dot design with metallic stars page...

A soft velvet to touch...

My daughter's favorite page-fur......

This has a smooth feel...

Mesh, another favorite page in our house...

I have to be honest that I wasn't sure my little one would pay too much attention to this book. I wondered if she was too big for it and if it wasn't more appropriate for infants. However, just because infants CAN play with it, don't let that fool you into believing it is only for the very young. Zhana really, really likes this book. She feels the pages over and over. The sense of touch is so important to the development of our children and we need to remember that our little ones learn so much through this sense, from the start of their lives. It is through touch they realize where their body ends and the body of their mother begins, how to comfort, and through touch they bond with their mother, afterall.

There is corduroy, satin, velor, furry, fuzzy,mesh, flannel and more.The book contains 6 pages including covers.Approx 6 1/2" (16cm) x 6 1/2" (16cm)Batting has been added between pages, and each page has been top stitched for added durability. This book is great for both infants and toddlers. It can be chewed on and spit up on and all you have to do is throw it in the washer. It's perfect for church because it is a quiet toy. This wonderful book sells for $15.00

There are several different variations of this toy offered by the seller including...

This skull and bones version

This friendly kitty cat version

Boat version

Of course, I just have to mention a few more items offered by this seller for the adults on your Christmas shopping list-

Octagon Etui Needlework Sewing Box

HandCrafted Etui Manicure Box in Pink Camo

HandCrafted Etui First Aid Boo Boo Box

Fabric Luggage Tags

Fabric Checkbook covers

Now for an interview with the very nice owner, Carolyn-

Q: Can you tell us about yourself?

Hi my name is Carolyn. With my wonderful supportive husband we have 3 energetic daughters, 19,15, and 4. Yes, I did say 4 years old. Sometimes its like having 2 families. I have to change gears alot. From talking about environmental biology with the college student, to practicing ABC with the little one. It can be very challenging. I enjoy every minute of it. However my oldest just moved out to her own apartment, so I'm still getting use to having one less at home.

Q: What were you doing before deciding to start your own business?

I decided not to work full-time after my little one was born. I work part-time at the public library. I had already been crafting and sewing in my sparetime for family and friends, and doing several craft shows each year. Then I found Etsy, and here we are. I have plans to do some small boutiques and quilt stores in the near future.

Q: How long have you been in business?

I have had my shop on Etsy for about 2 years now.I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. When I was in grade school, I did ceramics with my best friend. When I got to high school I decided I needed an easy class. so I took sewing and became hooked. I got my 1st machine for graduation and have been sewing ever since.

Q:Do you find that more and more parents of today are switching to natural toys (over the plastic ones)?

I believe more parents want to know where their kid's toys come from, and what it is made of. I live in a small town, and I would much rather support the small business then give my money to the big chains. I think a lot of people feel that way.I believe the quality is so much higher with natural toys, compared to the mass produced toys. I also think parents are looking for unique toys, that spark a child's imagination

Q: What do you think makes your store unique?Every item I make is made by me in my sparetime. I treat each item I make like I would be using it, or that it is a gift for a very close friend. I am my hardest critic. I'm all about useful. So that is what I try to make unique, useful, fun, and decorative.

Like what you see? The wonderful owner of sparetimecrafts is sponsoring a giveaway for my readers. To enter go to her shop, grab a cup of hot tea, browse her store, then come back to this post and let me know what your favorite item is in her store. I hope you all support this SAHM and handcrafter!

Official Rules: IF YOU DO NOT LIST YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ,IT ISN'T ON YOUR BLOG, AND THERE IS NO WAY TO LEAVE COMMENTS ON YOUR BLOG I HAVE NO WAY OF CONTACTING YOU. ALMOST EVERY GIVEAWAY, THE ORIGINAL PERSON DRAWN TO WIN CAN'T BE CONTACTED THEREFORE THE GIVEAWAY IS GIVEN TO THE NEXT NAME DRAWN.If I don't hear from you within a week, another name will be drawn and you forfeit your prize. 1. Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite sparetimecrafts product. The website is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5033057 This contest is open only to those with a United States Shipping Address .This giveaway begins 12/02/2008 and ends 12/09/2008 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.The name will be chosen by Randomizer.org.

I always love hearing about how my reviews lead these wonderful stores to more sales. I'd love to hear posts letting me know you decided to purchase some items!

**I'm not responsible for item not arriving; Make sure all shipping info is correct, please.