Nomination for a Brilliante Weblog Award!

I tell you, this job is not an easy one! I don't think I can come up with 7 nominee's because I want them to be special and I'm so new here. But here goes ~

#1 Bumblebee Baby Creations @ bumblebeebabycreations.blogspot.com ~ They are a fairly new business, run by a woman who describes herself as a mother, grandmother and a friend ~ what more could you ask. The site has some of the cutest gift ideas for children around (second to my site of course;).

#2 Kidz Talk @ mykidzgotstyle.blogspot.com ~ This interested blog has articles about children in today's world ~ nothing is sugar coated, just the truth. There are also articles about updates to the Missing Children's Act and one on a missing elderly couple. I find these types of blogs some of the most interesting to read.

#3 Stampin' Chica @ stampinchica.blogspot.com ~ This blog is written by a wonderful woman named Cindy who just loves to stamp - making cards and scrapbooking. She has taken the readers from first setting up her craft room, then through her daily card stampings and is sure to remind us every chance she gets that she adores her son! Her last post was about she and a friend doing the Chicago 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk (60 miles). There were pictures of everyone staying in their pink tents and she even shared her very blistered feet pics with us along with stories for each day. I find people like this very inspirational and you can just feel her zest for life through her artwork and her writings.

#4 My Goodness Baby @ mygoodnessbaby.blogspot.com ~ This blog is hosted by a woman known as "Mom" and she has several websites that she promotes such as Bella Baby Art and My Goodness Duds. Both stores are great ~ of course BBA carries adorable art for children's rooms and MGD's has a large selection of wonderful baby items including a nice line of organic clothing. Mom's blog page is full of promotions for other WAHM's sites and crafters. She also has a lot of giveaways and contests ~ who doesn't love getting something for free??

So this is my list of blogs that I've chosen. For the nominee's, here are the rules:
1) Add the logo of the award to your blog
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

What an Honor ~ Thanks Denise!

I can't believe I've been nominated and I'm very thankful. I'm new at all of this but I've been trying really hard to do all of the things that need to be done to have a successful web business and blogging is one of them. I am going to choose my lucky 7 bloggers and write about them tomorrow as I am in the middle of something. But I just wanted to say thanks and I feel like I'm at the CMA's or something!!!

Family Fun Activity

What are some fun ways to spend time together when the weather outside is dreary? There are all kinds of inexpensive ways to spend time with your kids. Reading a story to your young child is a wonderful experience. Listening to music and dancing together is also fun. Another fun activity is building forts with blankets and moving furniture together. Then bring in a flashlight and read a book to your child.

Play dough is also a nice creative way to spend time together. Roll it, mold it and create great works of art. It's safe and can be used over and over again. You can make your own play dough and make different colors. Here is a great play dough recipe I have used many times with my own kids.

4 cups flour

1 cup salt

4 cups water

4 tablespoons oil

1/2 cup cream of tartar food coloring (use this to create the colors of your choice)

Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan. Cook and stir over low/medium heat until play dough is completely formed and no longer sticky. Allow to cool slightly before storing in an air tight container or zip lock bag.

Shaving cream art is also fun and easy. Using a vinyl table cloth or plastic placemats just spray some shaving cream on and let them use like finger paint. I would recommend using the sensitive skin brand of shaving cream. Another great favorite is collages. You just need construction paper, some magazines, elmer's glue and safety scissors. Have the children cut out pictures of interest to them and glue them all over the construction paper. Once their project dries hang proudly on your fridge.

Make a dreary day into a fun and exciting day with your child.

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Our Enchanted Children's Great Giveaway!!!

We're having a terrific giveaway to thank everyone who visits my website and signs up for the drawing between now and September 29th. All you have to do is visit Our Enchanted Children and complete the sign-up form and your name will be entered for a chance to win one of several great prizes, some of which are items especially handmade for this event. Please tell everyone you know to visit the site, browse around and sign up ~ you have as good a chance of winning as the next guy! Thanks again and Good Luck....

http://www.ourenchantedchildren.com

The Starfish

I really love this little story, it has so much meaning. It reminds us that every little thing we do for ourselves and others, does count. Enjoy.....

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to
the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the
beach before he began his work.

One day he was walking along the shore.
As he looked down the beach, he saw a human
figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think of someone who would
dance to the day.

So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer,
he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't
dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore,
picking up something and very gently throwing it
into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you
doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied,
"Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish
in the ocean?" "The sun is up and the tide is going out.
And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and
miles of beach and starfish all along it.You can't possibly make
a difference! The young man listened politely.Then bent down,
picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea,
past the breaking waves and said-

"It made a difference for that one."

Make Sure You Cross Your I's and Dot Your T's

Just wanted to share with everyone an experience I had today regarding my website. I received a phone call from a woman who stated that she was on my site, Our Enchanted Children, and there were two pictures, one of which was her young daughter modeling a jacket that one of my artistic vendors hand makes. She said that I did not have her permission to have that picture of her daughter on my site and she wanted it removed IMMEDIATELY! She said if it was not removed within 30 minutes, she was going to contact her lawyer... You can imagine how stunned I was as I had received the picture to post directly from my vendor and never thought about whose children were in some of the pictures. I explained to her that I had received the pic from the woman that makes the jacket and assured her that it was all a big misunderstanding and of course I would remove the pictures. She seemed to calm down as I again apologized and hung up.
My point is ~ if you are using anyone (other than family) to model anything on your sites, be sure to get a release from the person or the parent of that child. I never would have thought to do something like that but after today, I will be contacting all of my vendors that have sent me pictures to use on my site that feature a real person. Better safe than sorry!
Take Care,
Sandi

An Introduction To Our Enchanted Children

Our Enchanted Children came into being out of my love for children and my desire to open a business that would allow me to be a stay at home Grandmother for my grandson Hunter. I have always loved handmade and personalized items and feel that if they are quality made, they will be treasured by those that receive them for not only their lifetime but for many lifetimes. I always assumed I would open a brick and mortar store here in my hometown of Annapolis but after working in the Real Estate field I realized that would'nt work. As my age creeped up on me I threw caution to the wind and decided to open an online web store and carry as many handmade and unique items as I could find. I began to search the web looking for what I consider to be some of the best children's items and put them all under one web store roof ~ Our Enchanted Children. It also made me feel good to know that I was helping other stay at home mothers, fathers, grandparents, etc. fulfill their dreams of working from home doing what they love. I also found many organic items to offer for the earth and children friendly consumers. Again, it was an ego boost for me to know that I, in some small way, was doing my part to help our environment.
During this whole process I have met a lot of wonderful and very talented people and have created a bond of friendship with many of them ~ one of the added perks! I know that starting an online business is time consuming and can take several years to really catch on so I'm keeping my spirits up and trying to promote my site the best I can. It has truly been a wonderful learning experience and I now know more about business, the internet, marketing, etc., etc. than I could have ever imagined. I know that some day soon my business will take off and I will be fulfilled not only not only in my bank account but more importantly, in my heart.
* I want to take this time to thank all of my artistic vendors without whom there would be no Our Enchanted Children. And a special thank-you to my web designer and now good friend, Denise Clenney ~ you're one in a million and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your hard work and the confidence you have in me.