Long time, no post....but no more! High time I kick-start my blog...and kick myself back into gear. Lots of changes, beginning with a new website design. I'm also delving into more items for your home in addition to adding to my products for children. So, to begin this fresh start, I'm offering a sweet deal in my Etsy shop - Free Shipping - worldwide! No special code or coupon needed. Keeping it easy-peasy...all items reflect the $0 shipping. This is the perfect time for moms to gear up with on-the-go creative fun for their kids, especially during summertime vacation travels. And to top it off - no batteries required. Love that!

Summer is official over (despite the lingering 85 degree temps in Virginia!), so let's usher in Autumn with a special weekend deal. Today through Sunday, take 15% off all Dine.n.Doodle products in my Etsy & Artfire online stores!

So...shop on! Makes the perfect time to kick off holiday shopping, getting hostess gifts for holiday get-togethers, and starting to fill those stockings for your little ones...not to mention preparing fun travel activities for getting to and from your holiday destinations!

Lil.B.Designs on Etsy: http://lilbdesigns.etsy.com. Complete the checkout process and savings will be refunded via PayPal.

Lil.B.Designs on Artfire: http://lilbdesigns.artfire.com. Use coupon code "weekend deal" during checkout.

Happy Shopping!

This weekend, Artfire.com launched a new rockin' coupon codes feature for sellers. Oh how I love my coupons! To celebrate, I'm offering 15% off everything in my shop. Simply type in the code "LOVEMYCOUPONS" during checkout. Why not kick-off holiday shopping early by treating yourself with savings. All Dine.n.Doodle products are on sale this weekend!

Visiting the zoo is a treat we never tire of doing. A hop, skip, and jump from my parents' home is the Metro Richmond Zoo, so on a whim we can swing on by to visit with our favorite animals and enjoy a blue raspberry snow cone (or two!). We've been taking Lilly there since she was a baby. Now, she holds out her own little hands to feed the giraffes, camels, farm animals and deer. It's a kid-friendly zoo -- easily walkable for little legs, and the animals are close enough for children to really see them. I always feel like I'm in someone's backyard when we go. It's quaint, fun, never crowded, and we can all play like kids, make each other giggle with our animal sounds, and remind ourselves how beautiful our world truly is. You never get too old to visit the zoo.

Can you believe it? 2009 is over half in the past. Kids are gearing up for the return to school, including my miss Lillian who becomes a big kindergartener! Perhaps it's the 100 degree temps the last few days that have me thinking about the holidays...and snow! The holidays will be upon us before we know it. If hostess gifts are on your list or if you're hosting a holiday dinner yourself, The Write Coasters™ are a festive, unique gift idea.

Give your guests something to write about and never lose their drinks! These chalkcloth coasters are a unique way to do both. Write your name to claim your drink spot. Use as place cards for a table setting. Write “conversation starters” on them for your next dinner party. Draw a picture. Be creative.Show your own personal style. Then, pour a fabulous drink and say "Cheers!"

Grab yourself a yummy cup of coffee/tea and sit back to read this wonderful new publication by EtsyKids. It is so chock full of EtsyKids goodness!

Modern Handmade Child is a seasonal online publication helping families to embrace the handmade way of life. Our autumn '09 premier issue is packed full of the latest handmade fashions & home decor, as well as crafty tutorials and fun activities you can do with your children.

Happy reading!

Sure, why not! It was a busy weekend in Lil.B-land. Thanks so a delightful order from a fantastic customer, I have been transforming many of my roll.n.go designs into fold.n.go art folios. And, boy are the cute! Not to mention I'm also working on new roll.n.go crayons thanks so a brand new stash of boutique ribbons. Busy days, fun days! Get a sneak peek here or visit my Etsy shop to see all of the pictures. Loving this summer of new designs! This is just the beginning.

...and #5 is our very own Dine.n.Doodle chalk mat!

I am quite honored to have my product included on this short list, especially when games, like Monopoly and Scrabble, are among the items. What sweetens this even more is that in my former corporate life, iVillage.com was my place of work and to think they are now promoting one of my products makes me smile. Pretty cool, huh? Life really does come full circle! Get your kids ready for fun summer travels by checking out the complete slide show: http://tinyurl.com/mp6yx3.