Drum roll please!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but I have been hard at work on the new ranges as well as designing my new website and being a mum to my 3 gorgeous girls (4.5yrs, 2.5yrs, & 12 weeks).

The fantastic news is that the site is now live and ready for you!

So don't delay - go and check it out! I am happy to custom make sizes until I have the time to make full size ranges in each.

http://aptcreationz.co.nz

perfect timing for Christmas shopping too.

Enjoy!

Cute new clothing range is now here!

It has been in the making for a while now...and finally I have a few piece to share with you all.

I will be creating items inspired by my three daughters and their friends. To begin with there will be a larger range of girls outfits - however with many of my friends having boys - I know there is a real need for unique boys clothing too.

From glamorous dresses to funky shorts and tops - my li'l luv'd ones clothing range will have it all...and it wont stop there - I plan to make complete outfits - from hair accessories to shoes and everything between.

If you see a look you like then you will be able to source the lot from one place.

My website is also being revamped to be a fully functional cart site - until it is up and running there are links to all my online stores http://aptcreationz.co.nz/

For the latest designs and to see works in progress please join my facebook page at: http://facebook.com/aptcreationz

x x xAmy

fabric button jewellery

My girls love jewellery at the moment. as most little princesses do. And even though I don't mind the old 'plastic fantastic'....there is something special about handmade treasures.

A while ago I made a hand painted babushka necklace, and am now expanding my jewellery range to include domino pendants and fabric covered button necklaces. As well as some children's rings and bracelets to add to the mix.

I am focusing on children's prints to begin with, but will be making some for other 'big kids' like myself soon .

These new creations will be available in my little kiwis nest an felt stores.

LKN: http://www.littlekiwisnest.co.nz/store/2

Felt: http://www.felt.co.nz/browse/user/aptcreationz

New clothing for APT

I have been designing and making clothing for my own children for the past 5 years, and have sold them for a year with a friend of mine under the label 'made it baby'. It is now time to bring some of the fashion side of my creativity home to A.P.T. CreatioNZ.

Taking influence and inspiration from past and present, I hope to create a true mixture of classic style and modern flare.

One of my favourite periods is the 1920's, which is where I have drawn inspiration for one of my first little dresses. In true layered style, this modern 'flapper' dress is just as at home with the Charleston as it is punk rock!

To add to the look I am also working on some headbands with flower details like the one here, and will possibly add some co ordinating ballet style pumps and fabric jewellery.


This is the first stage of the 'APT flapper' , all cut out and ready to sew. I may need to tweak the pattern, as this is my first draft - but once I have mastered it I will be making the design in a few colours and sizes.

Black will be the next colour I try, as I would love to see the drama of the contrast in my product shots.

I will post more photos of this gold version once its finished (even if it has things I would change).

After a break from creating (while we sold and purchased houses and then moved), I have finally started the slow process of making some of my new designs.

The first to get made is this pair of new born uggies - now available in my little kiwis nest store!

They will keep your little ones toes toastie in style.

There will be more Uggies coming for boys and girls - I just have to finish unpacking all the fabrics.

Maybe ones with some owls on the sides for boys next? Would love some feedback!

http://www.littlekiwisnest.co.nz/product.php?VP=1722

Toilet training tots...

I have been off my blog for a while with so much going on in my world...I posted this on our MIB blog a week or so ago & though it was worth sharing here too. I have come up with a couple of product ideas which will tie in with this as well - though it may be a little while till I get them made. Baby #3 is due in a little over 2 weeks now & there is still so much to do!

Toilet training...

This is an issue that all parents face in the early years, and it is often just as daunting for us as it is for the little one we are teaching.

My 2yr old has been showing signs of wanting to be trained for a couple of months now, telling me everytime she had a wet or dirty nappy and wanting them changed right away. As we were in the midst of selling our house and then had to 'camp' at a motel while we waited for the new house to settle I had put it off till now.

My third baby is due in 3.5wks and so now is as good a time as any!There is no perfect system which works for every child - but I have found a few things which seemed to work for my eldest, along with other tips from friends I have picked up along the way.

Sharing tips and stories is what helps us all learn from each other (even if it is sharing the mistakes too).My youngest (soon to be middle) child has taken to the whole process, and has had less 'accidents' with each day that passes which is exactly what we are aiming for.

The main thing I have to work on is what she says when she needs the toilet - at the moment she yells at the top of her lungs..."mummy, done poo!" when she actually means "mummy, I need to go wee". Now that I know that she just has the lingo wrong it is less of an issue, and she is slowly changing to "mummy, toilet, toilet, toilet" which I much prefer (just the volume to work on next).

My heart did skip a beat the first time she shouted out "mummy done poo in my room", when she really meant "I wet my pants on the way to the toilet". I was soooo thankful it was a communication error!

Anyway - here are a few tips to help with the early stages....

• be relaxed about it - accidents happen, and it will only make things worse if your little one is worried about upsetting you as well as thinking about getting to the toilet.
• set aside a few days where you can stay home, & if you have to go out start by doing really short outings where you know there are toilets near by.
• start out by prompting your little one every half hour to 'try to go to the toilet', then extending to an hour etc until they learn to think about it themselves.
• set up routines of going to the toilet before outings, before sitting at the table for meals etc.
• When you do go out for longer periods, make sure you know where the toilets are, and ask your little one if they need to go before you move to far from them. This is not forever, but just while they are learning bladder control.
• Some kids like to read while they are on the toilet, if yours is one of these (as my eldest was in the beginning) then have a little basket of books there for them. Others like to 'role play' with their favourite toy - setting up a 'potty' for teddy to use each time they go can be a helpful tool. Whatever helps them feel comfortable is worth a try.
• incentives - these can be a treat like a sticker each time they go, or something to aim for, like a toy or trip to the park if they have no accidents all day etc.
• picking the 'big kid pants' - I have found that my girls were a lot more worried about wetting their character printed pants than the plain ones, so I limited them to one pair with their favourite character each day, once they were wet then it was time for the plain ones. You can get cheap printed pants at little Asian stores in NZ, and otherwise pick up some inkjet printer t-shirt transfer, and create your own.
• Most importantly - praise them everytime they get it right - kids generally thrive when they can see they are doing something right and are being recognised for it.

There are many others I'm sure - but these have stood me and my girls in good stead. We would love to hear your stories and tips too - so feel free to add comments ;0)

Check this out!

Sorry it has been a while since my last post - I will try to get back into the flow of weekly posts.

It was a lovely surprise to receive an email this morning to tell me one of my products had made it onto the homepage for felt.co.nz - I have only had a few products on their site for a couple of weeks, and was over the moon to get the exposure so soon.

Check it out for yourselves, this will be where I put creations for big kids like me: http://aptcreationz.felt.co.nz

For a full children's range by APT go to my little kiwis nest store: http://littlekiwisnest.co.nz/store/2