Start ‘em at a young age: the kindergarten indie

My travels today indicated that yes indeedy, the kids are going back to school this week.

This is the first time five years that my husband and I really aren’t affected by a school schedule, so we were rather taken aback today when we encountered a horde of pencil-clutching, notebook-grabbing mothers and the obvious attempts by the 3M company to produce Post-It notes for 13-year-old girls.  Rhinestones?  On a Post-It?  I guess!

Anyway, I was inspired to create another indie outfit, but this time for a little girl heading off to kindergarten for the first time.  I have figured out since beginning this that you cannot buy separates of little girl fashions, so here are two outfits that I particularly like.  This time, Etsy provided all the materials.

1.  My first outfit is mostly from the ModCherie shop.   The shop sells a number of really high quality items for little girls and other little things.

I loved the Rubys Garden Peasant Top when I saw it.  Looks easy to wear, gorgeous and just the sort of thing I would have loved when I was that age.  I wanted to imagine myself as a princes, but my mom wanted my clothes to be practical!  I think this is a great compromise.  Available in sizes 12m-5, plus in an alternate fabric, made of soft cotton. Goes perfectly with the lovely, comfy, beribboned Pumpkin Patch Cord.  Try some purple kitty-kat hairpins from the Marisa Jill shop to add an extra-cute note.

2.  My second outfit is from Pink Willow designs.  I picked it because it is (a) bright and cheery and (b) I think it shows a lot of creativity from the designer/maker. First is a lovely crochet top - this can be as shown below, or you can pick any three colors you want and specify any sizes you want.  Talk about customization!  The recycled skirt is just the right thing to go with such a funky, cheery top and I think really represents the fun style of this designer. I love this sort of crazy patchwork incorporated into plain denim.  Plus, try the crocheted hairclips (alligator clip or French barettes) from Balasa Designs to complete a great outfit.

Top 10: stuff fer yer kitty and puppy

This is an easy top ten, so I’m back up in the numbers of things that I’m listing. This week I’m featuring some great stuff for animals. I should say - I love animals, and at home I have an adorable little Yorkshire terrier doggie named Audrey and an aloof, mysterious all-black kitty named Caper, and I like buying them things that they turn up their noses at.

Be sure to see the top three for a special pet treat!

10. Homemade dog treats with an embroidered bag that says “Bite Me.” From Hands and Paws.

9. Heatable Catnip Pillow from Craft Leftovers

8. Pet “snuggle bed” a.k.a. the Mean Green Sleeping Machine from No More Nekkid Dogs.

7. I always thought greyhounds looked chilly, so it’s only appropriate I offer up a pattern for a Greyhound fisherman’s sweater … and HOOD! from Aerie Designs.

6. Recipes for your Pets: cats, dogs, fish, iguanas, turtles, birds, rabbits - you name it. Citing recent pet food scares, this website offers up ways to feed the little critters you love homemade goodies. You can also add recipes you have for your your little darlings. “Live Crickets” doesn’t count. It’s not a recipe.

5. Guaranteed to disappear soon, but on Craig’s List I found this beautiful bird cage made for finches and the like.

4. My husband and I periodically make a visit to the Sunset Valley Farmer’s Market in South Austin where we regularly purchase “Barkin Bacon” treats (pictured below) from the lovely woman at the Happy Tails Cafe. Our dog LOVES (I mean really loves) bacon, and she thinks these are the Real Thing. It’s a big endorsement. They have lots of good stuff besides yummy treats - check out their bathtime selection!

My last three (top three) are from a website called Crafters for Critters . All items sold here are handmade, and even better all items sold on the website go to support animal non-profits.

3. Longtail Catnip Mice for your favorite kitties! Made by Recycling Artist.

2. Ribbon Dog Collars in three colors! From Petunia! on Crafters for Critters.

1. Recycled Silver Personalized Pet Tag! One of their best sellers. Features the dog’s name and the owner’s phone number. Probably not in stock for long! Made by Maize Hutton.

Feel like a dose of cute?

This falls under the category of “ridiculously cute,” particularly with that little nose sticking out.

Directions at mollychicken via craftzine.