We're shooting a commercial!

Uncle Ken and Elliot making a great team effort on some delicious cookies.

These quilted back packs make great travel pillows when stuffed full of Knees and Paws. They are promo gifts for our two "star" actors.

If you knew me well, you'd be surprised that I'm doing this. I'm not even sure I'm ready to have it "out there" yet. The anxiety ridden over-analytic left brain in me wonders, what if you put it out there and no one responds? Or what if a lot of people respond? The right brain argues back: "it's better to proceed with the kind of thinking that says, "do it for the sake of experiencing what it's like to make a tv commercial" and forget about results.

My brother, Ken, will be taking the video and performing every technical detail, from music to graphics. He is a very talented and skilled "camera" guy who worked on the indie film "Alabama Love Story" and shot the video that landed the Terpenning family on Extreme Home Makeover. Our son Elliot has an incredibly deep bond with him despite the miles between our homes. The phrase "hero worship" insufficiently describes what they share. I'm exited to see them "work" together as an actor and director/camera tech team for the first time. This could be the beginning of a life long working relationship for both. In the end, making this shared family memory will be more important than any external material result.

In Memory of Hobbes

I have just returned from picking up our cat, Hobbes from the side of the road. His body was heavy and I was shaking as I wrapped him up in an old blanket and slid him into a cardboard box. I had to do it myself, and do it quick because the neighbors (so compassionate) complained that he was slowing traffic. As I lifted him a little, one paw peeked out of the blanket. I am not going to be making any new paws for a little while.

We are all going to miss him, pain in the a*# that he was. He just showed up one week a few years ago, begging to be let into our back yard. Our son Elliot fed him a crust of pizza and he stayed. He loved our laps, but he was a biter and had no bathroom manners at all. But these are things a family accepts when they love you.

Jeananne Sizemore of ArtWhims on Etsy, beautiful creations from an artist with a generous heart

As my friends know, I'm new to all of this, new to business, to Etsy, to sewing, and a newbie in the blogosphere. But as I journey on this path, I've met fellow artists who have swept away all my preconcieved notions about what it means to be successful while being in business. Today I'd like to share the work and words of my new friend in Washington (the state), Jeananne Sizemore of ArtWhims.

Jeananne highlights Etsy sellers on her blog http://www.artwhims.blogspot.com/, and also has a wonderful Etsy shop as well, http://www.artwhims.etsy.com/. After meeting her in the Etsy chat room, I was impressed by her giving heart and the story she tells through her images and her art. When asked to share her thoughts on her work, Jeananne says

"When I first started painting, I remember sitting in the back of the craft store that my mom helped run. I would listen to Classic Rock and basecoat items for the store's owners. I think they paid me 25 cents a piece. That initial experience and my super crafty parents opened the door for me to be able to learn all about crafts and the world of craft selling. I am to this day learning and growing in my craft. Now my husband is my greatest support and inspiration; he challenges me, brainstorms with me and words through the shows with me! I am truly blessed to have this opportunity to create!

Thank you Jeannane, for sharing your work and inspiring words with us!

For kids who love chamelions and monkeys, a sneak peek

soft flesh colored fabric for monkey's hands

dark faux fur for monkey's wrists

and a great find...dimpled fabric for chamelion toes

I think we have a match!

Knees and Paws are no longer just for kids who love to play cats and dogs. Here's a sneak peek at the fabric I've chosen for a double toed, three horned chamelion and a monkey set of Knees and Paws. Many thanks to Jen of Tutu's Bliss for inspiring me to expand my vision.

Preparing for Madagascar

For several weeks, the love of my life has been reminding me about the importance of making travel plans. He's got spring fever and the urge to be on the road or in the sky. Every night at the dinner table, he mentions something about a deal on cruises or the latest gear he's collected for our Appalachian Trail adventure. While all of this talk of trips and adventure is stimulating to the imagination, the little voice inside my head screams, VACATION? I'm wearing two year old underwear with holes and haven't been to the hair salon in a year and he wants a vacation? So one night, between bites of pasta and garlic bread, I said, "Honey, why don't you just go somewhere on your own?"
Within days, he was asked to represent his company in Madagascar. I've enjoyed watching him prepare by renewing his Passport, checking the landscape via satellite images, getting immunizations, purchasing emergency food rations and bug guard chemicals, upgrading his phone plan to include tracking, and researching the cultural and political climate. It seems that Madagascar is not a very popular place to travel due to political unrest and poverty. We are a little nervous but excited at the same time. He'll be stopping in Paris for 20 hours before reaching his destination. Now I wish I was going too!

Knees and Paws Mascot Contest/ Deadline for Entry May 2, 2010

I'm looking for talented young artists who like Knees and Paws, children 10 and under, to create mascots for Knees and Paws. Please send a drawing of one cat and one dog, or a family of cats and dogs to me through email at kneesandpaws.yahoo.com, or
Knees and Paws
c/o Jennifer Hoppins
5703 Oak Tree Road
Greensboro, NC 27455

Please include the name of the cat and dog and include a short bio or story about each one. The winner will recieve a custom set of Knees and Paws in the fabric of their choice, a set of ears, and one personalized totebag to keep them all together.

Please send in your drawings by May 2, 2010. I will announce a winner by May 3.

Squee

Squee. My favorite new word. It's not mine, but one I'm borrowing from a friend. My new goal is to create products that have a "squee" factor. What does this mean? When someone opens a box of Knees and Paws, they'll want to make this sound. It's something between a squeal and a smile. Of course, boys won't say squee but I think this is okay. Future reference for staff meetings: Folks, you know the product is good when it elicits squees! Let's commence with operation SQUEE! What I'm working on here is to engage people the way Mike does in Monsters Inc. We want to work on gathering all the funny, happy energy we can! If it doesn't get a squee, then back to work! Etsy needs to add a new feature; I like hearts but could you please squee me?
The headbands shown were a custom order which sold immediately. I'll be sure to add more to the shop in the next few days.