My Second Year: Lots of Fun

Today marks two years of HappyLittleMonkey being online!  This started out as (mostly) a hobby.  It was a means of supporting my ever growing addiction to fabric and sewing machines.  My original intent being to start sewing some more and to have something for "me" as I tried to occupy my busy little brain with something besides dirty diapers and bed time.  As I have swung through the jungle of balancing mom-hood, business, family, and friends, this has been a great adventure and led me to new opportunities to give back to the community, meet other awesome business owners, and even make some new great friends.

To everyone who has supported me and this little adventure, thank you!  I wouldn't be celebrating this milestone without you.

As a way of reflecting on the great things that have been offered over the past year, I begun digging through the pictures.  Here are some of the highlights of the things HappyLittleMonkey did this past year:

Created appliqued swaddling blanket and burp cloth gift sets.  

 Expanded the options for personalized gift giving to include monogrammed bloomers, bibs, burp cloths, blankets, and more.

 Started offering adorable Hair Clips and Clip Organizers online, at shows and at Rinse & Repeat Kids' Salon.

Made a LOT of Swaddling Blankets for Springtime Tallahassee, which I participated in for the first time.

 

Participated in craft shows and created new displays to look like trees.

Introduced the Blanket Purse to more people.

Created the "Dressed Myself" Sash for the fashionista-in-training. 

Started Offering Sports Team Swaddling Blanket Sets and Items

 Also new to the shop, Monogrammed Hooded Towel and Bath Mitt Sets.

Made about a dozen Pebbles Costumes, and one Bam Bam too!

 Began to save the world with SuperKid Capes which are fully customizable and available at MonkeySeeMonkeyDoHLM!

HappyLittleMonkey products became available at some amazing local stores- Rinse & Repeat Kids' Salon, The Grey Fox, and The Mommy Market.  

 Provided LOTS of Swaddling Blankets like these for sale. 

 Collected lots of blankets and materials to create isolette covers and small swaddling blankets for the local NICU.

 Helped to decorate parties or send wishes with custom items!

 Helped clients create beautiful custom gift sets that they were excited to give to friends. 

Participated in a Glam Spa Party

Shared one of my favorite creations- the felt letter board.

Worked with the Tallahassee Doula Co-Op to share some information about the role of a doula.

Posted a tutorial on No Sew Fairy Wings that is flying around Pinterest (also got addicted to Pinterest, but that's a whole different story!)

Threw LOTS of tea parties!

Opened a sibling store- MonkeySeeMonkeyDoHLM, A place for bigger little kids!

Phew!  It was a very busy year!

From my little jungle to yours, thank you for your feedback, kindness, and for sharing my products with your friends.  If I can help you this year, please let me know!

Sincerely, 

Carrie

Monkey-in-Charge

Phew! Halloween Orders, DONE!

A little over a year ago, a friend asked me if I would be willing to make her daughter a Pebbles costume.  She did not want one of these fleece (aka plastic) costumes that are more easily found.  Cotton.  Soft.  Cute.  Knowing her style, we quickly hashed out the details for a boutique style Pebbles, made from cotton that just had to include the bone for her hair.  The reserve listing was up on Etsy for a few days and that resulted in a second order for someone needing a cotton costume for her daughter with sensitive skin. 

Lo and behold, the HappyLittleMonkey Boutique Style Pebbles Costume was born.  When I first posted the costume early in the summer, I didn't expect to get so many orders. (After all, it's just been me over here sewing these cute little things, well, at least so far!)

And today, I get to sigh a little bit of relief that they are either in the hands of those who ordered them, or the hands of the Post Office Clerks (who almost didn't want to let me in when I came running in at 6:00 pm today with my arms full of the final orders and two kids). 

Early Order- for a Summer Birthday Party

First Batch of Halloween Orders

Close Up of the Yellow One

Last Batch of Halloween Orders, including Bam Bam!

Won't the brother and sister duo look so cute in these?

Bam Bam in his solo glory!

Batch 2...well, it wasn't really a batch!  

A few SuperKid Shirts flew out the door in time for Halloween too (although they went so fast I didn't have time to take pictures of all of them.) 

The Pumpkin Clips are still popular for the remainder of the season through Thanksgiving.  They are great on their own or as a bow add-on. Some letters are available to ship and others can be made to order.  Also, if you are in town, Rinse & Repeat Kids' Salon has some in their boutique too.  

Now, to get working on my own kids' costumes and the rest of the orders!

In case I don't get to post before next Monday, hope you have a happy and safe Halloween! 


As always, thank you for your support!  I have enjoyed being able to help people create their Halloween memories.