Cloth Wipes

The next product in our reuse, reclaim, repurpose range - Cloth Wipes.

Made from 2 layers of super soft flannel overlocked together and measuring 13.5cm x 18cm the uses for these little cuties are endless - most people use them for the following:

• Nappy Change
• Face Washers
• Little Hand and Finger Washing
• Make Up Removal
• Travel Towel

The most common use is Nappy Changing - simply store wipes in a sealed container (ice cream buckets work well) and use as a normal wipe - then toss into the washing machine and clean as normal with clothes/towels as is your preference.

When out - squeeze excess liquid from wipes and carry in a ziploc bag.

Fantastic for babies who are sensitive to commercial wipes and when you consider how many wipes you go through with the average infant it makes sense to use cloth wipes.

Several examples of wipe solutions can be found all over the web, you can also buy wafers that you simply dissolve in water :)

The basic ingredients of cloth wipe solutions are

Soap: Cleansing properties

Oil: moisturizer

Essential oil: Antibacterial and antifungal properties and aromatic purposes.

Water: Acts as a diluent for your other ingredients.

A few of my personal favourites are:

Soothing Chamomile

Cooled Boiled Water

Tea Tree Oil

Chamomile Tea Bags x 2

Sorbolene cream

Soak teabags in water for a few minutes, add a decent squirt of sorbolene cream and a dash of tea tree oil.

Soft Bottom Solution

1 Tbs baby oil
1 Tbs baby soap

1 Tbs baby lotion

1 cup water

Add all ingredients to water and mix or shake until combined

Anti-Fungal

1/4 cup white vinegar

1 tablespoon calendula oil

3 drops tea tree oil

1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel

1 cup water

Add all ingredients to water and mix or shake until combined. Pour over wipes or spray onto wipes as needed. NOTE: omit vinegar if skin is broken or raw.

$0.50 per wipe plus postage - the possibilities are endless (you could even use them as toilet paper if you wanted - I personally haven't tested that option though).

 

Reusable Storage Bags

If you're like me you have things.....everywhere....and the thought of little plastic bags to store it all in well that just doesn't sit well with me.

Introducing the latest in our reduce, reuse, recycle campaign - Cotton Storage Bags.

In various sizes these bags are made from Cotton inside and out with a Velcro closure to ensure even the smallest of hands can use them. This ensures also that no crumbs can get trapped in seams - as PUL has not been food tested completely to my satisfaction as yet you will need to exercise caution when using as a sandwich bag what type of sandwich you pack.

Completely machine washable and if you wish you can even iron them :)

Pricing will be 1 for $5 or 3 for $10 - stock levels and colours will be confirmed after my markets this weekend.

Uses include but not limited to....

• Snack / Sandwich bags for school lunch boxes
• Picnics
• Storage in handbags
• Make-Up
• Buttons/Ribbons/Spools of thread
• Baby food when travelling
• Pencils/Crayons
• Mini heat/cold packs (fill a ziploc bag with rice, and either heat safely in your microwave or place in your freezer then place ziploc bag inside the cotton cover - Be Careful when heating not to overheat)

The uses are limited only by your imagination :)

Shopping Bags

Are you sick of plastic/paper bags? But don't really like the stylish 'green bags' that are handed out at supermarkets?

Want to help the environment and at the same time express your personality?

The answer is here - the t-shirt bag :)

Made from reclaimed and upcycled t-shirts (washed in HOT water prior to use) these bags will not fray on the straps (as jersey does not fray), have double stitched bottoms for durability and strength and most importantly are EXTREMELY forgiveable - just simply toss in the wash as you normally would, line dry and away you go.

Use for groceries/library bags/laundry runs/spare clothes for childcare/toys/in the car with nappies (diapers) etc - the options are endless :)

1 for $5, 2 for $8, 3 for $12 plus postage

Prints/Colours will depend on availability. Some Designs (as shown below) will have two different pictures/logos.

New Line

They say that you should always do what you know - for me, right now, that means moving away from the little tiny clothes (as gorgeous as they are) into other areas as we begin embarking on our next stage of parenthood - school.

This will see Beautiful Flower Star moving into all things school based - from lunch time to craft time and everything in between :)

We are also shifting our focus to a more sustainably based product to ensure that we are doing the best we can for the environment and our children's future.

I am looking forward to sharing with you these new products and hearing your input :)

Welcome to Summer

Well in Australia at least it's entering summer time - and that means hot days and hot nights.With that in mind we have started developing our Summer Range - the emphasis will be on free flowing garments to keep cool whilst being sunsmart.

First cab off the rank is our new reversible lycra swimming nappies - elasticated legs to keep any 'extras' inside until you exist the pool this double sided lycra pull on cover is reusable and will grow through the season with your baby.

First round of testing has shown it fits both a 7kg and 9.5+kg babe with different body shapes in the water without weighing down - as they are made from the same material that adult swimwear is made from it allows the water to pass through and doesn't billow out.

The advantage is in the design - reversible patterns meaning you can mix and match the bottom with your favourite sunsmart t-shirt or rash vest.The legs are elasticated with 6mm braided (swimwear) elastic, the waist band is lycra with swimwear elastic encased inside it.RRP is $15 plus postage - currently sizing 00-0/1 (depending on childs proportion) - measurements as follows:

Rise (from front to back for those not used to MCN) - 36cm

Thighs - 20-36cm

Waist - 40-54cm

These measurements represent from unstretched to fully stretched elastic.Stocking will be starting in 2 weeks time once current orders are fulfilled :)

 

Market Day

I love doing markets - I love talking to people face to face, I love being able to show people what I make so they can feel and touch before they buy, I love the anticipation of not knowing who I will meet that day :)

For me - markets are all about interacting with you - my customers - on a more hands on way - there's a lot of you that don't know what I look like or who I am - and markets are the perfect setting for meeting your local crafters.

I'm a people person, chances are given a shot I could sell snow to an eskimo - it's just the way I am :) I love being around people, I love seeing the children you are buying for so I can get more of a 'feel' for their personality rather than just the words you use to describe them - and the greater majority of the handcrafters I know feel exactly the same way.

The only thing I don't like about Market Days - making sure the housework is all done the night before - but hey who likes housework at the best of times ;)

So don't be shy - go to your local craft markets - google is an amazing source of information on markets in your area, you never know what treasures you will uncover :)

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to

cdziuba who said...I love pink

Who doesn't love pink? Actually I love every colour - personally the brighter the better for summer - but that may be seated in paranoia of having to spot more than one child at once in a sea of children - hence my love for unique colour combinations :)

You will be hearing from me via email to arrange postage

 

*****300 Fan Giveaway******

Slightly belated I know - but here we go :)

Summer is here - so what better giveaway than our new floral totes.

The features of this bag are 4 pockets on the outside and one pocket on the inside - perfect for storing everything you need for the beach in.

The bag is reversible so you can either have one pocket on the inside/four outside or four inside/one outside. When the tote is turned with four pockets to the outside, the flap folds up to provide extra height storage and protection.

Now the important part - how do you win? All you need to do is leave a comment below telling me what your favourite colour is for Summer - this will be open until Midnight EDST Friday 12th November 2010.

I will then use random.org to generate the random comment number that will win the tote shown :)

This bag will have a RRP of $25 plus postage. It can be customised for your little persom for $5 to change one set of pockets on the floral side to an attached crayon roll (dividing lines sewn to create multi thin pockets instead of two large pockets.

Good luck!!

 

The things our children can teach us.....

Today was (until about 10 minutes ago) a wonderful Spring/Summer day. We pulled out the slip and slide - well that poor thing had a life span of about 20 minutes before Miss L decided that the end (that is filled with water) looked like a soft place to park her tush - somehow I don't think it it had been weight tested to her delicate frame (all approx 29kg of her) and predictably it popped .... and water was everywhere....

Needless to say many tears ensued at the prospect of that being it - that they couldn't use it anymore.

Once they calmed down I pointed out that when I was their age *cough* 27 *cough* years ago (which was met with the usual 'when the dinosuars were around....' thanks for that children......) that I didn't have the soft and squishy end bit, you just kept on sliding - and then proceeded to show them how we used to do it (thank goodness for 6 ft high fences is all I can say or my neighbours would have been in a massive state of shock).

Then the rains came, and the hail (tiny miniscule barely there hail) - so my children being my children ran outside in the rain - and I ran with them....and remembered what it is like to be a child - and I owe that to my children, for getting me up and running in the rain., for reminding me that I don't have to be the grown up all the time.

Life's too short - don't sit and watch it pass you by, run in the rain and laugh, take a moment to find animals in the clouds, make up a nonsense song - everyone needs to release their inner child every now and again :)

Adventures in Custom Land

I would say at least 90% of my business is custom based - I put out there the items I can make, but the colours/prints generally fall down to what you the customer wants.

I prefer it this way - I firmly believe that clothing and accessories truly is an extension of our personality - it distinguishes us from those around us.

Today saw me go on my biggest custom mission to date - 11 hats for various aged children, all with different tastes.

I won't lie - some of the choices were particularly challenging - trying to balance what the client wants v the availability in the market (especially taking into consideration the children's ages) - but that's the part I love, the challenge of meeting the clients expectations.

Thankfully - I had success today :) 11 various prints and plains all lined up and ready to go - waiting for my trusty scissors to cut them out, my workhouse machine to whir them together and be shipped off to their new homes - where I hope the recipients will love them as much as I have loved putting the combinations together.

To see the print selections - click here - the finished collection should be up this week - I have now moved to working (dedicated solely on Beautiful Flower Star) three days a week as the demand grows - I am blessed to have clients that trust my choices and give feedback such as 'I will leave it in your hands, I know I can trust you' - there is nothing more validating as a handmade crafter than those words - that someone trusts you enough to not only create something for them but that you have serious input in the overall vision of the finished product - it's quite humbling really.

All the Important Information

Pricing Information

Unless otherwise stated all prices are subject to materials used as they are on a custom made basis.

A quote will be provided for approval prior to work commencing.

Payment

Payment is accepted via Pay Pal, Money Order or Direct Deposit - payment is required on confirmation of shipping of order unless otherwise arranged with seller.

Shipping

Postage is through Australia Post Express Post to ensure ability to track parcel and for speed of delivery.

Refund

Refunds are for faulty goods only, goods to be returned in Sales Condition - full refund will be provided for faulty goods.

Exchange

Sizing is provided for goods on advertisement - if sizing does not match your needs please return for exchange of sizing.

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Prices as at 23rd October 2010

Beautiful Flower Star Price List
to save file - click on 'click here' next to 'save file to your pc'

A Little About Me

Well were to start - I guess with my name - I'm Sam - creator, designer, seamstress behind Beautiful Flower Star.
The name of my company comes from (at the time I started dreaming of building a company) the meanings of our (then) three children's names - I say then as we have since had a fourth child (which was the reason that the dream was momentarily placed on the back burner) but he hasn't had a look in company name wise I am afraid.
I am married - have been for 5 years, we've been together for 10 years now and have four children...
Isabelle and Lily - Identical Twins - March 2006


Molly - March 2008 (there is 3 days shy of exactly 2 years between them)


and lucky last James - April 2010
They are the main driving force behind starting this company - I want to be able to continue working (I had worked full time in Accounts for 11 years prior to stopping work to start my new job as a Stay At Home Parent) but at the same time need to balance my hours around them.

For that reason - postage days will be Tuesday and Thursday of each week - those are the days that the big three attend daycare so I can devote those days to orders and postage.
I am an open book - ask me any question and I'll answer as honestly as I can, I am open to any and all suggestions and will try to accomodate you were possible. We will be having weekly giveaways and I'll strive to ensure that prices remain low whilst not compromising on quality.
If you have any concerns please contact me at beautifulflowerstar@gmail.com and I will resolve them as quickly as possible.
I am looking forward to doing business with you and providing you with individual pieces that are as unique and beautiful as the little people in your life are.