groovy & wild custom blankets

I love all the new minkee prints that have come out this year! Flower Child and Pink Giraffe are just a small sample of styles that are available by custom order. 

infant and toddler bedding - get inspired

Start with a great color combo or favorite theme to create a fun space for your little one. Here are a couple of adorable examples from our customers.

Briana's bright butterfly toddler bedding looks super cute with our hot pink & orange minkee blanket, matching toddler pillow, and hot disco dot toddler pillow.

Corban's cowboy themed room was inspired by this fun rodeo kid's cotton fabric. We custom made the crib bedding and enhanced the set with a custom patchwork blanket in navy, cream and copper minkee.

become a fan on facebook!

Finally! My Facebook page is up and running. Be among the first to know about new items, specials, and fan-only coupons. Check it out and become a fan today!  

team spirit

Football season is upon us and I've been getting more and more requests for custom pillows and blankets in team colors. What's your favorite team? Need a baby gift for an avid sports fan? How about a custom pillow or blanket for your favorite college student? I can help....just email me with your custom request to get started.

got twins?

There's a brand new site that will soon become your favorite parenting resource. And don't miss their super write-up about Dillyhearts and our hottest gift ideas for twins. Check it out! twinParenthood





personalized minkee cuddle blankets

Toddler Pillow Giveaway!

Wanna win one of our personalized minkee toddler pillows? Check out this super review, and get all the details of the Birthday Bash contest at Seven Dogs and a Baby. Contest ends May 15, so hurry, hurry, hurry!

UBP09 contest winner!

Congratulations April from Elcloud Cattery! Here is her custom pillow, handmade in pink and chocolate for her 3 year old. Sweet dreams Linnea! To order your own ultra-soft minkee toddler pillow, check out all our yummy options here.

Many thanks to 5 minutes for mom, and to all the bloggers that visited during UBP09. Looking forward to another great party next year.

Stay tuned...I have lots of fun things planned for this year, including Dilly Deals of the week and some super fun giveaways.

it's party time!

Hello fellow bloggers and welcome! I'm excited to party with you!


My name is Vickie Erlandsen. I'm a work-at-home mom of 2 amazing kids, ages 6 and 16, and I'm the owner and designer of dillyhearts - delightful gifts for little ones on the go. I taught myself how to sew and started this business on a whim 6 years ago. (Yes, crazy! What was I thinking?!) My goals were to be home for my kids, be in charge of my own schedule, indulge my creative streak, and help my hubby bring home the bacon. And the best part? I love it!

In celebration of the Ultimate Blog Party 2009, I'm donating a great prize! Wanna win an ultra-soft personalized minkee pillow for your toddler? Our handmade, custom, cozy best-seller was just added to the prize page on 5 minutes for mom.

Besides my love of fabric, color and design, here are a few random things about me:

* I love to read - I just finished the 4th Twilight book and enjoyed every second of my escape into that world.

* I'm a sucker for reality TV, (especially American Idol) and I've become a huge David Cook fan this past year.

* Every day after my daughter gets on the school bus, I grab my ipod and walk the hills in my neighborhood...usually 2-3 miles a day.

* My family just got back from Disneyland, where all 4 of us had a blast! Other than our son's baseball tournaments, this was our first real family vacation in about 7 years.

I haven't really done much with my blog. I really want to vamp up my social networking, so I joined twitter, (follow me!) and here I am ready to party and hoping to meet a lot of new blogging friends.

What better way to dive in than with The Ultimate Blog Party? I met Susan and Janice through 5 minutes for mom a couple years ago, when they reviewed one of my minkee cuddle blankets for little Julia. You can read their review here.

There are tons of cool prizes at the Ultimate Blog Party...but my personal top five faves are:
1. $100 gift card to Home Goods
2. $50 Target gift card from Shoot Me Now
3. mom & daughter flip flops from Top It Off
4. PR trainging from PR in your Pajama's
5. $25 Office Max gift card from Multi tasking Mama

I also like #21, #26, #118, and #USC60.

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave comments.

ceilidh and her blankie - a love story

A note to me from Ceilidh's mommy:

" I remember when I realized I needed to order a second blanket from you, we had left the one accidentally at my in-laws house and I made my husband turn around and go back for it. There was no way I wanted to go through three days with a little one without her favorite thing in the world. Those blankets go everywhere with us, even though the oldest one is looking well loved at this point I wouldn't dream of retiring it. I even have to sneak them one at a time through the washing machine so she doesn't notice that they're missing. Even though we ordered a giant one for the big girl bed all four of the other one's are gathered up each evening and tucked in with her, and she knows if one is missing. She even tucks her baby doll in with them. My 5 month old is sick right now and to make him feel better she swaddled her baby doll with one and gave it to him to snuggle with. Logan is getting attached to his as well and loves rubbing the bubbles on his cheek as he goes to sleep....we'll be in touch when logan is ready for a giant one of his own."

Does your little one need a special blankie to love? Our minkee blankets are offered in 3 sizes, a variety of luscious colors and textures, and can be personalized with a name. Addional custom sizes, colors and textures are also available. Bring on the love!

CPSIA - It's Coming

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all. Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled,
The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

HOW TO HELP

Sign These Petitions:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/reform-cpsia-hr4040.html

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/RepealCPSIA/

Check out:

The Etsy CPSIA Action Kit

save handmade!

The New CPSIA law affects EVERYONE! As of February 10th, it will be very hard to find any children's products....Please read this important letter, forwarded to me from another small business owner, and pass it on to anyone and everyone you can think of, including your friends, customers, co-workers, bloggers etc. Our plea to amend the CPSIA so that hand-crafters and small businesses can survive,has made it through to the final round of voting on change.org. Please take a moment to vote now and bring this important issue to President-Elect Obama on Inauguration Day.

"Dear Customers, Artists, & Friends,

Much has been accomplished since I was last in touch regarding the CPSIA. Thousands of small businesses and citizens have banded together to fight the pending demise of handmade children's goods - the CPSIA facebook page I created less than a month ago, now has close to 6,000 members, and is gaining steadily every day. Our cause has been covered by dozens in the media-featured in at least 9 news articles in the past weekalone. And we made it through to the final round of voting on change.org. This is all testament to the incredible power of ordinary citizens when faced with dire circumstances. We may never fully know how this crazy law was allowed to pass, but one thing is forcertain: Our liberty and right to self-sustainability is not something we are willing to hand over in exchange for shallow and superficial promises of child safety. This law will not make children safer, but it WILL force thousands of United States businesses to shut their doors if passed as is, on February 10, 2009. Among other things, the CPSIA will forbid the sale of used children's books, clothing and toys; in a few short weeks these items will be considered contraband. Disturbingly, some used children's stores say they plan to go out of business. I have also heard from some crafters who have already ceased production or plan to shortly. We can not let American small business disappear. If you are considering shutting your doors, please reconsider. On difficult days, I myself have questioned whether my company will be able to survive this, but when I think about all that is at stake -our children most important of all- I am reminded that giving up is not an option. Please join me in continuing the fight to maintain our freedom to make and sell beautiful-and safe-goods for children in the United States of America. Together, we CAN and we WILL win!

Cecilia Leibovitz

CraftsburyKids.com

handmade for childhood"

cooper gets cozy

It's autumn. The leaves have turned color, it's getting cooler outside, and I've had a busy, busy day. What could be better than cuddling up with my super-cozy, super-duper-Cooper pillow??? Hmmmm, maybe mom would like to snuggle up with me? C'mon mom! You know you can't resist my ultra-soft chocolate and orange minkee toddler pillow. I've got a spot saved right here for ya!

(thanks for the pic of your adorable boy Marcy!)

blankie bliss

Here is adorable Kate getting acquainted with her new minkee cuddle blanket. Such amazing technique! With great skill, she combines her determined, double-fisted grab with a full frontal mouth attack. Brilliant. Ahhhh, the sweet comfort and softness... Thanks for the pic, Chloe!

a glowing testimonial

"I just wanted to write a quick email to let you all know what a pleasure you've made it ordering through your company. I was so impressed with your personal service and the quality of your product. I ordered a toddler pillow for my son, Austin, and it's absolutely adorable. I appreciated the time you all took in the lovely packaging and the hand-written note on my receipt, as well as the coupon towards my next order. In a world where competent and friendly customer service is sadly lacking (and frankly being ignored) I applaud your dedication in every way to those you serve. Thank you, and I will be a repeat buyer! -Jill, Decatur, IN

(Austin's funky farm toddler pillow)

...wanna hear more? visit our testimonials page, and feel the love!

Thanks again, Jill, for taking the time to write.

ready for spaghetti

It's dinnertime at Lily's house. For some serious spaghetti slurping, mom whips out Lily's new sassy shop girl toddler bib and says "bring it on!"

Backed with thick terry velour, our full-coverage toddler bibs are easy-care machine washable, and are designed to fit ages 18 months - 3 years.

Functional, hip, and stylish? Sure they are. And fashion-forward toddlers like Lily know the truth: you're never too young to look a little fancy for spaghetti night.

day dreamin dayna

Many thanks, Julianna, for sharing these great pics of darling Dayna and her new pillow! (oh my, those curls! love em!) Her super cute hot pink/soft pink pillow combo was a special request, and turned out so fab I decided to add hot pink minkee to our regular product line. It's been a huge hit ever since, and looks amazing with so many colors...my other faves: try pairing it with orange, lavender, chocolate or butter yellow. Yummy!

Also gaining in popularity is our Classic Script embroidery font shown here. You can see more samples and view all our fun embroidery options on our personalize it! page.

pillow possibilities

Ahhhh, the many uses of a Dillyhearts ultra-soft minkee toddler pillow.

Here is adorable Rylee with her personalized
minkee wild leopard print pillow, who first found it was
a comfy place to sit while opening Easter basket goodies.

Then, a super squeezable, hugable, snuggly place

to hang out and giggle.

Finally, at the end of the day, how sweeet it is to have a cozy spot, just the right size, to rest your head.

Thanks Jennifer & Rylee, for all the great pics!

rodeo gal

Olivia Belle is ready for some serious drooling in her pink western bandana bib. And thank goodness! It's the perfect stylish accessory to protect her matching western applique'd onezie and faux suede fringe pants! This adorable gift set was custom made just for her. Take a peek at our custom gallery, and if you have a special themed gift in mind, don't hesitate to email your request. Yeehaw!

frosting fest

Here is sweet Delia, the birthday princess, celebrating her first birthday in style in our super cute first birthday bib. You'll find our birthday bib on our special occasion bibs page. More to come soon! Check it out!

sarah jane on what's new

Sarah Jane is a stay-at-home mom with
three children who writes a parenting
column for a local newspaper. We will be
posting her columns regularly on our blog.
Enjoy!

Not long ago I visited my old workplace where someone asked me the harmless question, “what’s new with you?” Although it’s been years since I left work to raise my children, this question still makes me fidget.

What should I say? My mind spins through a cycle of potential answers but they all seem embarrassingly mundane. Honestly, this week I was delighted to learn that peanut butter washes off sunglasses quite easily. And last week I suffered a terrible shock when I discovered the green Teletubby was not Dipsy but actually Tinky Winky! How could I have been wrong for so long?

Instead of offering these truths, I default to the polite answer, “not much, how about you?”

For me, the hardest part about being a stay-at-home mom is trading a life full of adventure--or what now seems like adventure--for the daily monotony of washing dishes, managing laundry, and returning toy debris to its proper location.

I know these years will fly by. Soon the school bus will wisk away my children and leave me awkwardly or blissfully alone. But it’s hard to shelve my dreams and plans, even temporarily, and as my friend Scott says, “learn how to be truly selfless.” Sometimes I want to put on a crisp pair of pants, hop into a car without crumbs or carseats, and dash off to the airport where I board a plane toward some exotic destination, or say, Milwaukee-- I don’t care--just to be alone and be me. Me! Me! ME!

But if I simply change my attitude, I could appreciate life’s smaller moments. A day managing five loads of laundry was also a day discovering potato bugs in the backyard. A morning of wiping jam off ten fingers was also a morning when my daughter said to our cat, “we missed you at the swimming pool yesterday!” It’s these moments that color my days but are often forgotten among the mayhem of feeding, clothing, bathing and otherwise raising three small human beings.

Anyway, that’s enough about me. What’s new with you?

sarah jane on play dates

“Wouldn’t it be great,” I used to say to my coworker Michelle, “if we both got pregnant, left work, and stayed home with our babies?”

“Yeah,” agreed Michelle. “We could sleep in and, meet at the park, and chat.”

This was seven years ago. We carpooled together, sipping Caramel Macchiatos en route to a long day in a dot.com cubicle.

Motherhood would be our ticket to freedom! A baby would be our cover, an excuse for lazy mornings and carefree afternoons. We could sip Frappuccinos on the beaches of Lake Washington and watch the jet skiers whiz by. Our babies would goo and gaa while we vaguely wondered what we used to do on Tuesday afternoons.

A baby would be an endearing accessory to a life of leisure

Ha!

Within a year after the dot.com boom went bust, Michelle and I were both unemployed and pregnant. We both had daughters. But somehow our new “life of leisure” keeps us so occupied that we only meet about twice a year.

And honestly, that’s all we can handle.

Our first joint outing was to push strollers along the Burke-Gilman trail. What could be more tranquil?

Many things, apparently. Perhaps even an afternoon in a dot.com.

We were a walking war zone. Every few feet there was a sunhat tossed, sunglasses flung, and crying to be resolved. Backs arched and fists flailing, my twin daughters howled with outrage at the sun in their eyes and their inability to nap. Michelle’s daughter required constant snacks to remain in the stroller. Irritated bicyclists yelled, “ON YOUR LEFT” as we blocked the path.

Walk. Stop. Walk. Stop.

Worn out, we returned to our cars and drove separately to the Starbucks drive-thru. Then we waved goodbye through our car windows.

Our next outing was to the playground. My girls were then three years-old and Michelle had a toddling son as well.

“So how’s it going?” I said as I ran away to catch my daughter teetering on the high steps.

“What did you say?” Michelle said as she hoisted her daughter onto the swings.

“I said—CAREFUL ANNIE! You are TOO HIGH!”

“Push me! Mama push me! Push me!”

“Ryan! Ryan! Come back! STOP! RYAN STOP!”

Forty-five minutes later we hugged goodbye. Hot and tired, I remembered all the things I wanted to ask Michelle…as I drove home.

Last summer we strategically planned to meet at the beach. That way, we figured, we could sit and chat while our children were busy scooping, pouring...doing beachy things.

We arrived at Mukilteo State Park, hugged hello, and unloaded the sand pails, scoops, sunhats, towels, and diligently applied the sunscreen. This time, our brood totaled five including my baby boy.

Michelle and I sat down on our towels. Our kids sat down with us. They looked at the beach with confusion.

“I’m hungry,” her daughter said.

“I’m cold,” my daughter said.

“This is not working,” I said.

So we changed plans and drove up the hill to 92nd Street Park. Our three daughters played peacefully a few feet away on the playset. They didn’t need our help. Her son sat happily munching on crackers. My baby boy slept in my arms.

And finally, Michelle and I got to talk.

****************************************************************

Sarah Jane is a stay-at-home mom with three children who writes a parenting column for the Mukilteo Tribune. We will be posting her column regularly on our blog. Enjoy!

sweet amelia

Here is sweet Amelia modeling her fresh and funky cocoa daisy bib. We have only one bib and burp set left in this adorable print, so if you love this style, add it to your shopping cart before it's gone!

Thanks Jill, for sending in this great pic!