Give Away

Hi Friends... I know my little blog has been on ife support lately and I hate that!
BUT, I am having a "give away" on my Face book page if you want to hop on ver and check it out.
I'm hoping after Christmas I'll be breathing life back into my little blog.
((HUGS))
Melissa

Hi friends,
So sorry to leave you hanging! I'm preparring for my last shw of the seasona nd I'm knee deep in Puddin POp Kids right now!
Life is good- busy- but good. I have much to share! But for now just a PPD update!...
The final show of the season will be at Christmas on Madison Avenue, this weekend in Murfreesboro. It is being help in the Farmer's Market location off of John Rice Blvd. from 9-5... free admission and 78 vendors!! It's going to be lots and lots of fun and I can't wait to see lots of familiar faces!

Also, for those of you who are not local to this area, Saturday will be the last day for custom orders this season. I will be taking Dec.1-Jan. 31st off to be with my family. So, if you are needing a Puddin Pop between now and then please let me know!
And just because I can't hep myself, let me share a little halloween goodness with you....

Busy Night

So much to share... so much to say!We had a great weekend!
Kids are busy...but happy!
Life is busy...but good!
BSF starts back next week and I am so excited!
But for now, I leave you with this...

A busy night! (I think there will be a lot more nights like this).
I'm frantically filling orders so that I can frantically fill my stock items for the upcoming shows.
Should be interesting!
I hope to fill you in on details soon.
{{hugs}}

For a very Special Friend

How beautiful that He knows our circumstances and comforts our hearts.

So grateful for His love!

The Feed Store

We are knee deep in the thick of summer right now and loving it!

The kids are at such a fun age and it's great because most everything we do can involve everyone now, with a little help for the littlest of the littles!
This week we will be finishing up swim lessons with at least 1 official swimmer in our brood! :)

 Even the Monkeys are loving swim lessons this year, and if you've been hanging around these parts for a while, you know that's a big deal.

Real quickly, I did want to mention I have updated the shop. you can check that out as needed. The "custom" prices are reflected now as I mentioned in this post. Of course, you can always shop what's in stock too. If you are not local I will be happy to send you a picture of what's available.

But, right now all of my Puddin Pops are at the feed store. My favorite antique store in this area. I have invaded a corner of the barn and have the place all dressed up in Puddins! So, if you are in the area you should definitely check it out!

Wherever you are, I hope you are staying cool!

Hugs!

Rerun Flashback

Yesterday after the kiddos got up from their naps I was finishing up some laundry and rounded the corner to the kitchen. I ran smack dab into this: Which made me immediately think of this:

Anyone else ever watch Rerun on What's Happening!?

Funny the things that pop up in your memory at the oddest times!!

In other news: The newest "lovies" in the Puddin Pop Designs family have made their debut on the Puddin Pop Designs facebook page. Hop on over and check them out! I was going to post them here, but duty calls so it will have to wait!

BTW- I will be posting the run down of the "babies" most recent birthday party as soon as I get a chance. Our theme was a "picnic"... it was lots of fun!

back in the Saddle again!

Hi friends! thanks for the prayers! I am feeling much, much better today! So, before I lay my littles down for a nap I thought I'd share some of the Puddin Pop Kids that went out last week.


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In like a LION!

The Lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the LORD

lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:10

When Puddin was 3 she heard this verse to song in the SEEDS family worship CD, Seeds of Courage. ( AWESOME! I totally reccomend these CD's to everyone and if you have a child who is fearful, SEEDS of Courage will totally help!)

Anyway, after she heard the song, this Scripture became her favorite.

She said it reminded her of Daniel in the Lion's den.

So, since it's March I thought I'd play around with the idea of a lion,

and this verse immediately came to mind.

I think he turned out pretty cute!



And in other news...

The Wonder Twins will be 2 in six days. That's right, SIX days!!!! Crazy! I just don't get how quickly the past 2 years have whizzed by!! As you can see, they are up to their usual tricks... creating mayhem and looking adorable while doing it!

Little stinkers!

ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

yuck.

Raise your hand if you like change...

yeah, me neither.

But, I have learned that it often seems to be unavoidable.

You may have noticed some changes going on here at PPD. I have been delaying making them for a while as I have wrestled with even doing so. But these are changes that I had to make for various reasons so I thought it best to lay it all out there.

Since I started making these PPK's almost 4 years ago (sort of by accident), my goal was never to make a million dollars. The premise was simple. Make a cute baby with the Word of God on the front and let it speak not to just those little hearts receiving it, but also those people around the child that might see it. Simple.

Now, I am no math wizard, just ask my mom or my husband or Mrs. Gipson, my high school math teacher, so pricing was a bit of a challenge for me. Once this turned from a "hobby" to a "business" my husband wanted to calculate the time it takes for each baby plus the cost of each one to determine what the profit should be. I felt like I should just keep charging the same for them as I had been before when I was making them for my friends. I didn't have a formula, it started with an offer for $20 to make one. I accepted... thus you have my pricing formula. Genius, I know.

Now, don't get me wrong, I was making a little bit of a profit but when you add 4 more children to my family, and a "business" that is growing, time has become increasingly valuable. No matter how hard I try to stretch the hours out, there are only 24 in a day.

In addition to that, I have listed some other changes to the dolls themselves:

No longer are the scriptures added by heat transfer. They are now printed on fabric and sewn to the doll. ( This is more durable but it is more expensive).

The hair in pig tails is now stitched down so it doesn't become "floppy".

If you are ordering for a toddler or baby I will hand stitch the skirt onto the doll to make sure it doesn't come off.

The PPk's have a label.

There is a hairstyle option.

There are various sizes to choose from.

There have also been some changes on my end as far as ordering product. It's been a bit of a bear. It seems the most popular details have become increasingly more difficult to get my hands on. Things such as yarn textures and stuffing. I can no longer purchase these things in bulk (costs less) but now I have to purchase them in much smaller quantities (cost more). And often times I have have to drive out of town to find a location that is carrying the product that month?! ( Have you seen gas prices?!) Yikes!

I have also had to instill a payment policy. In the past I have allowed local folks to order and pay at pick up. Well, I have had a lot of folks late in picking up their product, which leaves me unpaid until they show up. So, I now have a policy that all orders must be paid for in advance before I begin an order. (I really disliked doing this, but it was unavoidable).

Because of all of this I have made a lot of babies, spent a lot of time away from my family sewing and made not much profit.

So, all of this is to say, that while I have delayed doing this as long as possible, I will have to be increasing the prices of the PPK's if I am going to continue my "business". I hope that doesn't run anyone off, because the ministry is still the same. I have not taken this decision lightly and I have spent much time in prayer over it.

If you ordered before March 1st and you are waiting for me to list your item on ETSY you will still be under the old pricing. :) All orders after March 1st 2011 will be under the new pricing.

That info can be seen in the right hand side bar under faq's.

Thanks for understanding and thanks for being a part of PPD!

(now cross your fingers I can get back to some regular posting! After all everyone in my house has been well, fever free/no sickness of any kind for 1 whole week!!! That must be some kind of record!!)

Whoooooo Loves YOU??

What do you get when you cross this:

with this:

*while I do have this sweet hen with 3 chicks perched atop my shelves in my studio, this is not my hen. I was too lazy to charge my camera and take the picture so I did a google image search and found this one instead. Here is the source.

The newest addition to the Puddin Pop Designs Etsy Shop! But, I only have 3 of these left!

These knobby kneed darlings are swooping down for a limited time!

They require a little more time and effort to make, two things which are on high demand around here these days.

SO, if you want one of these cuties swing on over to my shop and take a look!

GIVEAWAY!

The GIVEAWAY has started on the Facebook page.
Just click over to Puddin Pop Designs on Facebook.
Once you leave a comment under anything the "Sale" album you will be entered to win!!!
Have a great day- and stay warm!!

Open For Business!

Wow! After a much needed rest, I am firing up Ole Bertha again! She's a little sluggish but i think she'll be fine!
I am 'reopening' the shop this morning for custom orders. I had planned to have several new items available to list but, the children have been sick all week and with the way this month has been, I haven't been able to get to that just yet.
Priorities.
So, as things are ready they will be listed. But, you can always check out the Puddin Pop Deisgns facebook page for more updates. AND... today only I will be having a giveaway on FB and offering a discount with FB orders only. So, you might want to check it out! I have a little special something I will have ready just in time for Valentines day! It's a hoot I tell ya!

Happy New Year!

*** Business News*** Puddin Pop Designs is still "closed" until Feb 1, 2011. I'm taking a "vacation" and having myself a "Mary" month of rest. If you need to place an order before Feb. 1st you can, I just will not be sewing until that date. Orders will be filled based on the date they were received. Thanks so much for understanding! If you ordered this Christmas season and want to submit your pictures to be shared just email them to me and I'll be sure to feature them as soon as I can!
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Ok- so I have barely made it in time for a New Years Day post- but barely is better than not at all! So, here I am with so very much to say and share, but once again- never enough time! I do hope everyone reading this had a wonderful Christmas and has been overwhelmed by blessings this holiday season- I know I have.

I have enjoyed this Christmas with my husband and sweet, every growing, littles so much! Simply put- it has been magical for all of us. I plan to share some of the highlights over the next few days (can you believe I plan to post again.. more than once or twice a month?! HA!) As we "speak" I am downloading 600+ pictures onto the computer! Yikes- now don't hyperventilate. I won't share all of them. Maybe I'll restrain myself and just share 1/2 of them!! hehe!

In other news.... not only will I be hitting some of the Christmas 2010 highlights, but I will also be sharing some changes on the blog front for Puddin Pop Designs. Change is hard. I'm a little nervous... but it will be good.

Other random news... today is my Momma's birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!!!
We just got home from visiting her and finally have all of our little Flowers tucked snuggly in their beds. *sigh* It's a good feeling. I discovered something about myself on the drive home- I really like the sound of snoring, deep breathing children. :) I think my stepdad might have to agree. Bless his heart! All of these littles running in circles around his not so childproof home make him a bit nervous! I'm sure he's probably sleeping as well as my children are right about now!

We had lots of adventures this past month!

And misadventures too! Did you know it's possible to be sprayed by a dog...like "skunk" sprayed?? Well, it is! Just wait until I share that one!

For now- Happy New Year! Love to all!

Fruits of my labor

Don't you just love to see productivity?

Anything other than spinning wheels is good these days!

Well, my helper Elf hubby and I have been busy churning out the Puddin Pop Kids this weekend. Yes- he helps! He has become quite the pro at leg turning and stuffing!

Usually, when things aren't so busy, I just make the PPK's one order at a time. However, because this year has been much busier, Hubby has been learning and has done fantastically! I couldn't do it without him, that's for sure.

Anyway, here is round 1.... If you have a PPK in this bunch I will be contacting you tomorrow or Tuesday for pick up or to let you know that your puddin is shipping. If you don't hear from me then hang tight! The rest will be going out in the next couple of weeks.

the shop is restocked!

i have extended custom orders for Puddin Pop Kids for tonight only!! If you plan to order, I must have your order by midnight, central time!
Now, I'm off to watch ELF (yay!!) with the hubby!!


I have listed all of the available Puddin Pop kids on Etsy and Facebook. If you are looking for a Puddin Pop Kid, check them out!
I do still need to list the dresses, baby blankets and pillows, but I ran out of time today!
There's always tomorrow!

Another Show

I will be showing my Puddin Pop Kids this weekend at the Williamson County AgExpo off of I65 tomorrow from 9-4 and Sunday from 12-4. If you are local and want to stop by and pick up some Christmas goodies- please do! I will also be having a giveaway for a free Puddin Pop Kid!!

BTW- ONLY 12 days left to order a Custom Puddin Pop Kid!!!

November. Really??

I am amazed that it is November. Really. AMAZED. It seems October came and went in a whirlwind around these parts! I have so, so much to share! The past several weeks have been crazy busy. They have had their ups and downs, highs and lows, and now we are in November! AGH!!!

I pinky promise to try and get back into a bloggy groove. Man, that's hard. I have another show this weekend and then I can slow down and work at my own pace. BUT- my goal for PPD is to finish custom orders by Thanksgiving so that I can really focus on my family and what this season means for us. I so badly want my children to know, really know, Christmas is more than Santa and his gifts. Those are great, I mean, who doesn't love gifts? BUT, I want them to know deep down in their precious little hearts that the season is about THE SAVIOUR.

My head is so full of stuff right now... so many things stirring in my heart and lots of possibilities on the forefront too.


But for now, I'll leave you with some tidbits from October...





More to come tomorrow... I promise!

Past orders

Here are a few custom orders I finished up over the past couple of weeks. All of these clients should have received their little treasure by now so I'm not ruining any surprises! Just to be safe, I'll leave off the names and details!