Brighton Park 2012 Fairy Gardens

Every year, we make Faerie Gardens here at Brighton Park. The girls love them and it has become a spring tradition to replant new flowers for the faeries and spruce up their homes. Since we live in AZ where the winters are temperate, it is an activity we enjoy year round as the faeries add little jack-o-lanterns to their abodes during Fall; fairy sized Christmas trees appear come the holidays. Faeries love decorating.

The first year we did faerie gardens, we made a ladder from Popsicle sticks to hang over the ledge to help the faeries up. This year, our succulents have grown to such a degree, the faeries can just climb up them (the ones that can't yet fly, of course)!
 The succulents in March...

The succulents now...

Covered in little pink flowers which I'm sure the fairies adore...

Our gardens this year are guarded by a large butterfly...

and helpful gnomes...

Last year...the girls painted wooden spools that had wooden circles glued to the tops...homemade fairy tables.  A fairy bathtub was made from a large shell with pebbles hot glued to the bottom to make the tub "feet" (An idea I got from Magic Onions!)...To see the homemade furniture of last year's garden, click here.  But this year, the faeries asked for an upgrade in furnishings...

They still have their shell bathtub, hidden in a corner that affords the faeries privacy~~a toadstool stands at the ready to hold their towels.

A table and chairs sit in the corner as a pot of some yummy faerie stew "cooks"  nearby...

An inviting faerie bed awaits, with a little log nightstand on one side and a fireplace  in the background to keep them warm while they sleep.

The faeries have been busy tending to the flowers for us; even with the hot Arizona summer, the flowers in the faerie gardens are flourishing...

A hummingbird feeder hangs in the corner. Faeries are so good about taking care of their feathered friends...

Having faerie gardens has been an activity that my girls (and boys) love. I have been known to (now don't you tell) get up early in the morning and sprinkle organic edible cake glitter dust on the flower petals. My girls get up, check their gardens and DELIGHT in the evidence that faeries have been there because there is "fairy dust" on the flower petals! Mr. Darcy always gets such a kick out of me hiding the "fairy dust" in my robe pocket, sneaking out, and giving the gardens a sprinkle without the kids seeing me. I get such joy out of their smiling faces as they marvel in the wonder and magic of visits from the faeries.

This post is linked up to The Magic Onions Fairy Garden Contest 2012. Please hop over there to view the other lovely faerie gardens that have been shared.

This post is also linked up to the following: No Ordinary Bloghop, Post of The Month, The Homestead Revival Barnhop, Say Yes Mondays,  Motivate me Mondays, CraftomaniacMondays. Tip me Tuesday at Tip Junkie, Teach me Tuesdays  at Growing Home, Whatever you want Wednesday, Not Just a Housewife, & The Inspiration Board, also Link it up Thursday, Shine on Fridays, Feature Fridays at Blissful and Domestic, Sun Scholars, and Farmgirl Fridays. and Made in a Day , Bear Rabbit Bear,  and Free for All Fridays.

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Have a Magical Monday,

10 tips to managing a busy schedule JOYFULLY

Do you long for a more manageable schedule?  Let these ten tips help you manage your calendar and reclaim your JOY.
I am a great multi-tasker...it is my superpower, but it takes more than just multi-tasking for me to manage 5 kids, homeschooling, graduate school, and the laundry...not to mention other stuff that finds it's way onto my calendar. However, I have learned I am able to get done what I need to get done with a smile when I do these ten things. 

 If you are a homeschooler, I promise you these will help your homeschool days go so much more smoothly when your new homeschool year gets underway! If you are special needs parent, or a busy mom in general, these should help you reclaim your schedule and your joy.

10 Tips to managing a busy schedule Joyfully

(in no particular order)

1. Proper rest. I need 8 hours of sleep a night. no exceptions. ever. When I cheat on this I become cranky and, almost always, under the weather. If you are both mom and teacher in a homeschool environment  or have a child with special needs, you need extra patience...because I fall in both those categories, I always try and add an extra hour to what I "think" I need a night when it comes to shut eye. Don't under estimate the power of what a proper nights rest can do and the benefits it can bring!

My kids can sleep anywhere, apparently...

2. Exercise.  Even the busiest schedule needs to make time for this. I hate the gym, but enjoy other forms of exercise like tending to our animals, going to yoga and taking walks. Even housework counts as exercise! Endorphins which are released when you exercise make us happy. (Wait, under that line of reasoning housework would equal making us happy).  Exercise keeps us healthy. I have 5 kids to keep up with including a 2 year old who is a juggernaut of energy and curiosity. I can't be running out of energy by noon...
3.  Stress-management.  Important. What works for you? Pray, meditate, quiet time, a short walk, a yoga class, attending adoration, writing in a gratitude journal, hiding in the bathroom hoping your kids haven't noticed your "missing" (been there, done that)...all of these are great options, well, except the hiding in the bathroom and though not great is still an option for alone time...I have to take care of me so I can be at my best for my kids. Also, my mom also used to tell me "The best stress management is stress avoidance"...to me this can mean saying no to that organization asking me to volunteer or declining that lunch invitation from a friend or acquaintance who is always negative...

4. Be an Early Bird. Making an effort to always get up before my kids did wonders for my homeschool schedule...and not just 15 min before them, but 1-2 hours before. This allows for coffee time, couple time, exercise, morning devotion, fb, email, organize the homeschool day....so many options. Then when the kids wake up, they have my full attention and I am awake enough to be patient, pleasant and organized. Don't let your kids wake up and start their day to a grumpy, tired, Mom.

5. Schedule your calendar based on what is important to you.  We dropped girl scouts this year. My daughters liked it, but deep down I had a nagging conviction about where some of that National Dues money actually goes. It was also the activity taking up the most of our weekend free time. (Not to mention cookies sales hit in our craziest family time~~tax season). I dropped that off our calendar this fall. Goodbye concern, hello free weekends and I feel like my actions are now more in line with my beliefs. 
6.  The law of give and take applies. Last year I took 2 and 3 classes for fall and spring semesters respectively working towards my new Masters degree in History. This fall I am starting a new training certification (yoga teacher training) so something had to give. The compromise was I would only take one online class this fall. If you are busy and add something new to your schedule without making real room for it,  you are only going to be more busy. Just as I like to donate or purge an old item in the house when I bring a new item in the house, so must you schedule be purged or flexed when something new is added. Unless your James Franco...and even then,  the Forbes article praising his multi-tasking prowess warns "When I think of James Franco, I remember my number one rule for productivity: If you’re trying to do too much, there’s no system in the world that can help you".

7.  Meal Plan. This seems simple and it is, but seriously, the weeks I meal plan we eat good, we eat healthy and kitchen duties are "no big deal". The weeks I don't, it pains me to say that pizza and frosted mini wheats suddenly take on a much larger role than I would like.

8. Don't feel locked in. You try something new, be it a new curriculum or a new schedule or a new endeavor, a new writing gig, whatever and it's just. not. working. It's okay. It doesn't mean it is not a good  idea or a great opportunity, it just means that it is not a good opportunity for right now. Case in point, I was writing for an online news resource  last year and after about a month  and a half had to admit "Yes, I pursued this and I applied for it and I  got it and now I just need it off my plate". Great opportunity. Not so great timing. It happens.

9. Maintain white space. I can't really tell you how much this positively affects the whole vibe of our home and homeschool. It also is one of the gifts I give to my marriage. I can't tell you how many times my husband has thanked me for us having a plans-free weekend. Having white space on your calendar is necessary for your family to recharge and spend time together as a family.  I mark it on the calendar and then protect it just as I would any important meeting or appointment. Children need downtime. Adults need downtime. If you want to go really crazy, plan out some screen-free white space days on your calendar...no TV, no PC. Watch your spirits rise , your stress fall, and the memories form.

10.  Don't let comparison steal your joy. So what if Harriet Homeschooler completes 100 things before breakfast...for all you know she might be terribly unhappy or on prozac. As the saying goes,  (which is very true of facebook and blogs) don't compare your behind the scenes with someone elses highlight reel! ... I've learned to be very careful to not compare myself, my schedule, my homeschool or my productivity with anyone elses. What works for others may not be what works best for you. Everyone is different...For some thier best schedule is managing alot of things (hence the old adage "if you want something done, give it to a busy person") for others, a less-busy quieter day is key to homeschooling and homemaking success. In the end, you are given one life and one life only. Be true to the flow of the schedule that makes you the happiest and helps you be the most productive and Happy person you can be.
What would you add to this list?

This post is linked up to the following awesome linkys this week:

No Ordinary Bloghop
The Better Mom's Monday Link Up
Keeping it Simple's Motivate me Mondays
Tip Junkies Tip me Tuesday
Growing Home Blogs Teach Me Tuesday
Raising Homemakers Homemaking Link Up
Not Just a Housewife
Raising Arrows
Time Warp Wife's Titus 2sday
Natural Living Link-Up
The Magic Onions' Friday Nature Table
BASWOG's Homeschooling Link Up Fridays
Fit and Fabulous Fridays

Waldorf Wednesday: Woolies handmade toy giveaway

There are a few questions I ask myself when I am toy shopping for my 5 children. To me, these are important questions to ask, whether you are a homeschooler or not...

• Will it inspire imagination or creativity?
• Will it inspire learning?
• Is it made from natural products?
• Can it be used for multiple age groups, i.e. different-aged kids.

Because here is what I DON'T want in a toy:  a battery ran, watch it only and then my child is tired of it after one day kind of toy... Or a "made of plastic and will surely end up in a giveaway pile or landfill in less than 3 months kind of toy". Blech.

Luckily, we are connected to fabulous artisans and crafty people via the genius that is ETSY. Now it is easy to find handmade treasures, including dolls, toys and learning games,  even ones made with natural materials, just by a few clicks of the mouse. 

Woolies, Naturally is one such Etsy Shop.  The owner, Sara  says "Knitting is my passion - the colors, the textures, I love it all and hope that you do too! My favorite things to knit are animals - we have ten animals here on our little ranch!"

Just look at these gorgeous toys (my favorites) you can find there! (all photos credited to Woolies).

Sara's shop is full of toys, lovies, and dolls...all made by hand, using natural materials.  She also does custom orders, wholesale orders, and unlike other toymakers on etsy....repairs!    Woolies is based in Tucson Arizona and is known for its handmade toys....bunnies, ponies, games, dolls, and even handmade doll sized quilts. Woolies creates heirloom quality artisan stuffed animals and dolls, naturally.

Sara's sweet toy shop has been featured at Mothering.com, Best Natural Toy Pick, Holiday 2011. (Awarded 5 Stars) and at Babble.com~~top 10 Etsy shops for babies, 2012.

Now to announce the giveaway! Brighton Park is excited to offer you the chance to win a fabulous learning toy from Sara's shop...the All Natural and Eco-friendly Educational Toy Memory Game!

This Wool felt memory game includes 16 hand appliqued and embroidered felt pieces - each one measures @ 2 1/2" square and comes in its own sack for easy storage. This is a great toy for learning and play and is a $25 value.

There are lots of easy entries via the rafflecopter! Good luck~ Contest will end Saturday August 4th. Winners must live in the USA. Winners must not have one a giveaway on Brighton Park in the last 60 days to be eligible. This giveaway is not affiliated with facebook or twitter in any way. Good luck! ~~Katie

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

The Yearly Summer Speech Procrastination...

In most areas I am not a procrastinator. On the contrary, I tend to be a "get up and get your work done first" kind of gal (much to Mr. Darcy's chagrin), but there are a few things every year I procrastinate on and every year I say next year I will do it different only to find that next year came and yep....I'm down to the last dime again trying to get everything done in time.

For me, my biggest procrastination every year seems to be wrapping up my 10 hours of CEUs (Continuing Education Units) that are necessary for me to renew my speech license every year. Since I hold my CCC's (National Certification), ASHA (The American Speech and Hearing Assoc.) requires I get 30 CEU's every 3 years to keep my National Certification. AZ requires 10 a year, so those numbers work out nicely.
Then every year, July sneaks up on me and I awake in the middle of the night with that "I think my CEU's are due this week" feeling and sure enough they are...

I don't know why I procrastinate on this yearly. I have 12 months to take what will constitute 2-3 classes to make up the 10 hours and I love love love learning new things as evidenced by my jaunt back into graduate school again last fall.  But when I look back, I realize this is not a "since I got married thing" or even a "since i became a mother" thing...It has been a thing since I was 23 and first got out of graduate school. In fact in my 17 years as an SLP, I can't remember a year I didn't leave them till the last month, the last week, the last minute.
I can only attribute this to the fact that we are all creatures of habit. We are drawn to do what we want to do. We make time for what we need and what we want to make time for.  And so for the 17th time in 17 years, I have been wrapping up this week , last minute, my CEUS... and for the 17th time in 17 years promising myself that "next year will be different". Maybe this coming  year, # 18, wil be the year I make that change.

What are you procrastinating on right now?

**Here's something I'm not procrastinating on....a brand new awesome giveaway is headed here to the Brighton Park Blog on Wednesday! In fact, we have a lot of giveaways still planned for the rest of summer, so why not consider signing up for email delivery so you don't miss a thing!

What to include in your Homeschool Documentation Binder

Wondering what to document for your homeschooler this coming school year? Need a better system~~an easier way to do it? In my 5 years of homeschooling, I have found this is what works best for me...in my homeschool that includes both typical and special needs learners.

In my post, Advantages and Disadvantages of Homeschooling the child with special needs, I touched briefly on documentation. Interestingly enough, documentation was put in the disadvantages column. I'm sure this is due to my own prejudice against paperwork. Having been a speech language pathologist for 17 years and a parent of twins with special needs for 12, you can imagine the amount of paperwork I have filled out in the past 2 decades.

The first place to start with regard to documentation for any child being homeschooled, whether they are a typical learner or a child with special needs, is to find out what your state requires. To find out what your state requires, visit HSLDA.

Some states require a good deal of documentation, others....not so much. If you are homeschooling a child with special needs I recommend doing more than the minimum amount required. This need not be cumbersome.  For my boys with special needs and my girls who are typical, I put everything in a small three ring binder (one per child) and make sections that include: School, Medical, Community, and Work Samples. 
I also (and this is important) put my name and phone number/other contact information in the binder's inside cover. If this baby gets lost, I want it back.

This is just to give you an idea and your particular state's requirements for documentation may be very stringent or very lax. It is your responsibility to know what you are required to document and have "at the ready" if someone were to ask for it.  But here are some ideas of what you may want to include and I find a binder to be the easiest way to keep it all organized.

School section: 

The first page of my/the school section includes the school year, grade level(s) and...

• a list of what materials/textbooks you are using for the school year, including textbooks (name and grade level--I make this at the beginning of the year). If we finish a book and start the next in a series, I just write in the new one at that time. At the end of the year, I can easily write in if we did that book/subject the whole year (1) or a half year (.5).  I also include computer learning programs being used (if any), and type of curriculum(s) being used. If you are unschooling and/or not using text books in a given year, I would still write that down in this section.
• attendance record~~need not be fancy. There are may free printables available or use a printed off calendar, (the whole year on one sheet) and just circle the days you do school.
• Homeschool co-op participation (if any)
• Outside tutoring (if any)
• Some states require annual standardized testing be done on any child being homeschooled. Put that in this section.
• Basically if it is about academics, add it here.

**I also include a copy of my state's requirements  (both subjects to teach and documentation) from the HSLDA  website in this section for my own reference. Also, this way if "the powers that be" want to see my binder, I have right there in the same place, a list showing them that based on what my state requires, I am in compliance.

Medical Section: (definitely include for a homeschooler who has special needs, but really it is a good idea for any child being homeschooled).

• Dr.'s visits. For both typical and special needs children, annual physicals and any appointments with specialists should go in this section. Make sure your PCP does a hearing or vision screening annually and that it is documented. If they recommend a follow-up visit to an audiologist or optometrist, make sure you follow through with this and include the results.  When the PCP gives me printed out copies of vaccinations received or growth chart copies, I put them in this section as well
• copies of outside evaluations done, reports, and/or therapies performed (Speech, OT, PT, etc).
• I also add in this section when we cover the following topics in our homeschool year: 

1. Drug awareness/prevention
2. Fire Safety
3. Water Safety
4. Stranger Danger

Community Section:
 I like to do my documentation as a yearly portfolio that also includes:

• descriptions/photos of field trips
• family vacations
• community experiences
• extra-curricular activities 

You may also add in this section:

• Church involvement
• Scouts or 4-H involvement
• Volunteer opportunities (did your typical and special needs siblings do a buddy walk together? Document that here).

Work Samples:

Typically a mom who has only one or two children will keep more work samples per child than a mom who has a larger family.  I like to include the following as a minimum; add to this as you want.

• handwriting work sample (beginning, middle and end of year) for my boys with special needs, they are unable to write anything but their name, but I do still include a work sample of their name for beginning and end of the year, not any other dictation.
• generated reports (programs like IXL Math  and Starfall Phonics ~~I use both of these programs for all my kids, special needs and typical learners) generate reports for you; all you have to do is print them out and add them a few times a school year.
• A few samples for each subject that is required for you  to teach in your state.(Check HSDLA for what subjects you are required to teach and check this every year for changes and updates. When I started homeschooling I was only required to teach 4 subjects; this year that changed to 5).
• A few samples of any other extra subject or learning area that you have taught in addition to the required subjects.
• PROJECTS/ART: take pictures of your favorites through the year. at the end of the year make collages using these pictures using a free program like Picmonkey. This way you can document and keepsake dozens of pictures, mementos and projects in the span of just a few pages in the portfolio.

In addition to serving as a great method of organization, including the photos of field trips and community activities also makes it a great "homeschool yearbook"that documents your child's journey year by year, and if your child ever transfers back into a "regular" school, you have a great record to show a classroom teacher or IEP team of what subjects and levels your child was working on while being homeschooled.
Other ideas:

• Take a picture of your child on the the first and last days of school for the school year and include.
• Include sheet with Handprint of younger child at beginning of school year
• Allow child to decorate front of binder in their own special way
• Use a larger binder and span a few years ( for example, K-2) in one binder. Separate school years in each section via different style divider tabs or just three hole punching a sheet of colored paper.

Who may want to see your binder ("the powers that be"):  State employees, Social Service employees (if your child is special needs and receiving state services like ST, OT, PT, through the state), Case workers, fellow homeschoolers.

Who you may like to show your binder to: The PCP/pediatrician who gives you a hard time about homeschooling when you take little Johnny in for his checkups, Grandparents, and other family.

Who will need to see your binder if you stop homeschooling: "Regular" school admin., classroom/homeroom teacher, IEP team.
What would you add as far as documentation? Do you use a binder or do it on computer? Leave a comment and share with me!
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Linked up with: No Ordinary Bloghop, Time Warp Wife, Growing Home (Teach me Tuesdays).

Little Seedling Birthday Party

Or...how to have a cute birthday party for under $25..

My daughter Brooke, who is our 5th child, turned two in May and while a second birthday is not a birthday we throw a big party for, we still wanted to celebrate and make the day special. (Don't you just love the little ones when they discover purses and dress up shoes?)...

Brooke loves loves loves being outside and so we came up with the idea for a "Little Seedling" themed party for her, which was a nice continuation of the English Garden themed first birthday party she had last year. Here she is exploring in Sedona...

Brooke, being the birthday girl got to help me in the kitchen make her birthday cupcakes. Although only two, she loves being included in the whole making and baking process.  Does this face say "I"m excited it's my birthday!", or what???

Being environmentally conscious, we chose to keep this party small, not waste money or resources on plastic favors that people tend to throw away anyway, and keep the asthetic clean and natural. We decided to do a tablescape for our main decoration and let the table be the focal point of the party.For the center of the table, we chose to do a cupcake tower, instead of a cake...

For the table scape, I used daisy flower strands that had been used for three previous events, green beads (vase fillers I already had), the cupcake tower, and my garden lanterns. I filled empty glass votive holders with candies in color (green) to match the party. I used the green tablecloth I have had forever and used an older plastic green table cloth as bunting for the windows and framed them in balloons of white and green. As the sun set, the colors of the tablescape changed and we really succeeded in bringing the colors of nature inside for the table and party...

The great thing about this little party was the only thing we had to buy special for it was the little green candies we used as part of the table decor and the balloons; everything else we already had...we just repurposed it, and the result was still a gorgeous table, a fun family party, and tons of memories made.

Since we only had a few guests, we did not do favors (to read my post about great party favors click here). The cost of this party was under $25, proving once again that something can be beautiful and fun without costing alot of money.

I used all decorations that I already had, but you could just as easily  do the following to decorate a seedling or garden themed table without spending much money:

Other seedling/garden party ideas...

** cleaning and using terra cotta gardening pots you already have and stacking them in different heights down the table

**use seed packets for decorations or send home as favors (one of my favorite party favors ever!)or send your guests home with a read along book about gardening or being kind to mother earth.

**use this cake recipe for a cute garden themed potted cake...

**planting seeds makes a great party activity that kids of all ages enjoy and costs very little; the seeds they plant in a small terra cotta pot they also decorate can double as their party favor.

You can also check out this "Eco-Friendly Plant a Seed birthday party" from Frog Prince Paperie  for more inspiration. FPP's whole party was created from materials found around the house, recycled, or reusable and came it at under $58!  

A few final tips on decorating for a party on a budget:

1. What do you already have? Don't be afraid to move stuff from one room to the party room for the party day. Do a walk through of your house and make a list of things you already own that could work into your theme and therefore be worked into the party decor before buying anything new.

2. When purchasing items for birthday decor, look for items that offer one of two things:  big visual impact on the cheap (like balloons), or if it is a higher dollar item, can it be used over and over again. The cupcake tower I used for this party is the same one I have used for every holiday and birthday party since purchasing it. It always seems to be perfect for holding either treats, sweets, appetizers, favors or decorations making its original $30 purchase price seem more than worth is as I have owned it for only one year and used it for 5 events so far...

3. Remember people in the end, remember two things most of all: was the food good and were you a welcoming hostess. They remember the decorations after those two things, not before.

Final thoughts...I find that when I throw these smaller more intimate parties, I garner more compliments than when I throw a bigger affair. People love to be inspired and people are always inspired by seeing how less can be more and how more doesn't have to cost a fortune. I also find that people are encouraged when they see common sense in application...i.e. a party for a two year old that did not entail a 30 person guest list, a bouncy, a petting zoo, the death of two trees, and a hundred other things that a two year old is not going to remember. 

So our little seedling Brooke turned two...you know, that just doesn't seem possible.

What have been some of your favorite birthday party themes for little ones? Thoughts?

This post is being shared with the following:

No Ordinary BlogHop, Sharing Saturdays, Simply Natural Saturdays, For the Kids Fridays, Feature Friday at Blissful and Domestic, Farmgirl Fridays, Shine on Fridays, Friday favorite things, Fridays Nature Table at The Magic Onions, Monday Link Up at The Better Mom,  Inspire me Mondays, Titus 2sdays at Time warp Wife, Tip Junkie, A diamond in the Stuff, Financial Friday at The Grant Life.

Also at Whatever you Want Wednesdays, Not Just a Housewife, The Inspiration Board, These Peas Taste Funny Link Up Thursday, Brambleberry Cottage and Repurpose My Life and Crafty Tuesdays. 

The "Get Healthy" $300 Cash Giveaway

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Being a Waldorf inspired homeschool family, we believe in the kids getting alot of play time out of doors and exercise. Being healthy is important~~ but not just for our children; for us moms/wives/dads/caretakers as well. It is important for us and our families. We can't joyfully serve others if we are feeling out of sorts... 

What do you need to help you get healthy?  

A juicer?  
    A grain mill?  
     A rebounder?  
        Organic Groceries?  
          Healthy Supplements?   
            Visits to your local naturopathic doctor?  

Several bloggers and myself have teamed up to offer you The "Get Healthy" Cash Giveaway!  One winner will win $300 in PayPal cash!  We desire this to be a blessing and motivation to someone to help them "get healthy"!

The way to enter this giveaway is on the Rafflecopter form below.  There are many different blogs you can "like" or "follow" to increase your chances of winning, and a few of the options can be done daily!  Take your time and have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

$25 Lilla Rose Giveaway

A few months ago, my friend Gail, of  The Imperfect Housewife,  asked me to try out the flexi clip hair clip made by Lilla Rose and see what I thought of it.  So I said sure, though I can't say I had much confidence in the early going because I have really fine hair. Baby fine. And most kinds of clips, sticks, and holders just.don't.stay.

But I went to the website, picked one out and watched their short video to make sure I was ordering the right size (which for my hair was a S) and in about a week I received my flexi clip.

It was really pretty.

And easy to put in.

And, well flexible so it molded to how I wanted it.

and...(gulp)...the thing stayed put all day!

I love being able to put the sides of my hair back and have the back long and I also love putting all of my hair up in a twist. I was delighted I could do either style easily with this one flexiclip and again, it stayed in place all day (and let's face it...looks so much better than "the claw"! LOL. My favorite feature however, was that the clip is one piece, not two...the part that slides through to make the clip "stay" is connected to the clip itself on one end. No lost pieces!
And they have more than just flexi clips...they have hair clips, bobby pins, o-rings, hairsticks and headbands! The XS and S sizes are perfect for children too!

So, I tried it, I loved it and now I want you to have the chance to have one too!..This giveaway is for a $25 gift certificate to Gail's Lilla Rose site! Follow the entries on rafflecopter and good luck!  There are lots of easy entries and the only mandatory one is that you be a follower of this blog! This giveaway will end Midnight on Saturday night and is open only to residents of the USA.  Disclaimer:  I was provided the  initial flexiclip to try but I loved it without any pushing or prodding! 

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July Favorite things

If you come to the blog often, you will notice that I recently added a "My favorite Things" sidebar label and under it I have placed a few new buttons.  The buttons you find there are not sponsors, but sites I feel compelled to share with you because of either their informative content, creativity, beauty or combination of all three... like ...

Beneath the Rowan Tree

BTRT is an awesome blog with an equally mindblowing etsy shop. What you find there: homeschool information (geared at Waldorf but all will find it useful), TONS of tutorials for crafts and other fare, and great posts. I found this blog by accident one day just randomly cybersurfing...So glad I did. It is one I visit every week; without fail. They are also on facebook. If you catch them there, tell them Brighton Park sent you. And be sure and participate in their weekly linkup!

This month's featured sponsors are:

Laleebu Toys: Toys~Patterns~Tutorials

Laleebu is the craft genius of LauraLee Burch. Her blog is one of my favorites, and just this week she inspired me to get crafting and felting with this great post! Her Etsy store, Laleebu Boutique is a shop full of costumes, handmade toys, wool felted masterpieces and tutorials, and patterns for those of you who want to make your own. Look for more about Laleebu Toys on the blog later this month, including information about her new book!

Fancy Schmancy Boutique

Fancy Schmancy Boutique is a lovely Etsy shop by Jeni that is full of amazing handmade hair accessories. But that's not all. Jeni shares her knowledge via fabulous tutorials that you can purchase so that you can make and customize your own. Have you always wanted to be able to make your own fabric flowers for crafts and accessories? Now you can. ps...For those who love drama, the Pouting Princess items and tutorials for baby and little girl headbands are not to be missed; for
                               those of you who love more understated elegance, the Eva designs are
                               simply adorable. My favorite? The Krissy Patterns & the Crown tutorial.

Right now, save 20% in the Fancy Schmancy Boutique with the code: BRIGHTON  Just for you Brighton Park readers!

Woolies Etsy Shop

Woolies Etsy Shop is based in Tucson Arizona and is known for its handmade toys....bunnies, ponies, games, dolls, and even hadnmade doll sized quilts. Woolies creates heirloom quality artisan stuffed animals and dolls, naturally.
Sara's sweet toy shop has been featured at Mothering.com, Best Natural Toy Pick, Holiday 2011. (Awarded 5 Stars) and at Babble.com~~top 10 Etsy shops for babies, 2012.

We will be hosting a giveaway with Woolies on July 9th so be sure you are following our blog so you don't miss the giveaway announcement!  

I hope you will take a few minutes to go visit these fabulous, inspiring blogs and etsy shops. Buying handmade is a great way to support fellow artisans, Mothers and bloggers!

Did you know that you can advertise on Brighton Park for as little as $15 a month? Check out our advertising page to see what we can offer your blog or etsy shop! Others place your button in their sidebar and forget, but we give you more than just sidebar placement; we give our readers the opportunity to really learn about your shop or blog!
Blessings!