Testing Phase 1

Tester Information:
Prices for Testers based on size:
Infant $12.50, Toddler $14.50, Child $16.50

Soft Sole Shoes

1. virginia+3
2. nosweetangel
3. curious_one
4. Living4Him

Soft Sole Mary Jane

1. Kristen & Ava
2. ITZALLFORME
3. Babies
4. vanessaj

Tester Requirements:

• One product for each tester
• Must be willing to provide detailed feedback (I will be sending a questionnaire to each tester)
• Must be willing to pay for a portion of the materials (ex: If you're testing a nursing cover I'll ask you pay for the material being used but not for the notions) Prices will vary depending on what you're testing. If I know the cost of basic materials they will be listed above.
• Must be willing to send me a photo of you using the product

Addt'l Info:

• I will cover shipping to you
• I work full time and go to school so I'll be working on one tester at a time so this might take some time. I ask that you be patient with me while I get the supplies/make the items.
• I'll be post updates of what I'm working on. It will show who's tester product I'm making, when I'll ship it out, who's next, etc.

Please welcome.....

Soft-Sole Shoes, boots and Mary Janes for children!

As well as:

• Shopping Cart Cover
• Nursing Cover

I will be starting my testing phase in the next few weeks once I receive my patterns. And after I get a few volunteers to test them for me I will start to make them available.

I can't wait to get started.

Longies in progress

Here is a little pic of how the longies are shaping up. I just started but I love the color of this yarn so I wanted to share.



Here's the updated pic from today (10/23/08)



I love how the color is turning out! So pretty!

If the shoe fits....

I've been researching different product ideas and I've come across a great website.

Make Them Yourself

This is a great opportunity and I'm hoping to get a license for some of her patterns. Which brings me to my title. I have realized that there aren't a lot of homemade soft sole shoes being offered. (made by mommies anyway) So I'm really eyeing her shoe patterns.

These are moving to the top of my wish list for Unreal Baby.

In the meantime I will be getting a pattern for the shopping cart cover. I LOVE her design from what I've seen on her site and will be offering those within the next couple months. These will be made to order. These are extremely versatile. Here is the description from her website:

The shopping cart cover pattern's special features include:

• Fully reversible so you can flip over easily during outings
• Toy rings you can attach your child's favorite toys to
• Secret pockets for your glasses, wallet, keys, etc.
• Leg flaps to protect against pinching
• Large button holes for seat belts
• Security pillows to help support young ones

Are You Ready For Winter?

I have some great patterns for Winter Crocheted Items that I'll be working on this weekend. So here's a list of what to keep an eye out for:

Wool Leg Warmers

• Children sizes: small, medium, large (small 3-6 yrs, med 6-8 yrs, lg 8-10 yrs)
• Infant tester sizes: contact me for more information

Earflap Hat and Matching Scarf

• Infant/Children sizes

Ribbed Scarf and Brimmed Hat

• Adult sizes: one size fits all

Hooded Children's Vest

I'm going to see how much I can get accomplished this weekend. I'll probably start on the Earflap Hat and Matching Scarf so I can test it out on Isla. It's getting pretty crisp in the mornings so it will be put to use.

I bought a new pattern....

Well in my quest to create products that a lot of other mamas would want and need I went over to Ladybugz Farm and purchased the Morning Glory Longie pattern. I am in the process of obtaining a cottage license for this pattern and hope to offer it as one of my first products for Unreal Baby very soon! I'll probably do a tester phase and then once I work out any kinks I'll look into signing up with Hyena Cart or Etsy for a storefront.

This is a peak of the yummy yarn I'll be working with first. I think I might need to buy more to do longies but it's a beautiful colorway.



It's from The Calico Sheep by itty bitty knitties.

I can't wait to post pictures.

Learning how to knit!

Ok, so here's the history behind the urge to learn how to knit. I have wanted to use wool for cloth diapering for so long but I just can't bring myself to spend $60+ on something I could make myself. So I got a great pattern for a crochet skirty. I love it! But I really like the look of the knitted soakers/shorties/longies. So I put an ad up on the site at work looking for someone to teach me how to knit.

I've looked online for my area and there are a few places that have classes but, again, I don't have up to $75 to blow to learn how to knit. I've been waiting patiently for someone to offer their services and I was pleasantly surprised to find out a sweet woman (Verna) at my work knits. She said she'd love to teach me how to knit on lunch breaks and she'd bring me in some needles/yarn to borrow and she wouldn't charge me anything.

So I had my first little lesson from Verna today. I've learned how to cast on and do a continental stitch. So I just need to practice. I will try to take some pictures of my progression shortly.

It's easier then I expected. But I haven't done much or made anything so I'm sure I'll be eating my words.

So, wish me luck. Pictures to come soon!

And it begins......

So after months of thinking about blogging, reading others' blogs and browsing sites that reference blogs, I've taken the plunge!

I have decided I would start blogging. Why not, right?

A while back my husband and I came up with a name for my future side project. Unreal Baby. It wasn't a hit with my sister but it was unique and catchy so it stuck. I want to create items for babies and families. I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head. Anything from original silk screen onesies and tees, to sewing crafts, crocheting, knitting. So this blog will keep track of my trials and errors, successes and progress.

This all came about after we had our little girl Isla. She was born on Feb 18, 2008. She is the best thing my husband and I have done. She is the center of our world and you'll be seeing a lot of her when I get things rolling. She's quite the model.

So stay tuned, this is going to be a ride for sure.