going for it

Some toymaking has been happening around here, plus a few orders waiting to be made! We have been going back and forth about whether or not we want to continue making toys.

Don has been thinking about becoming a tattoo artist (something he has often dreamed about for many, many years). We have been really talking about what that would take and how we could make that happen. While all this talk has been going on, making toys has been on the back burner.. we have not really been promoting or pushing Chubbas 'n Boop.

A wooden play fridge.

Well, a few weeks (maybe a month?) ago, we started really discussing what we wanted RIGHT NOW for our family and Don got to thinking that maybe doing tattoo's isn't it. Though it would be fun and a HUGE creative outlet for him, being home with us and focusing on family is what we both really want right now. So, Don decided to put his tattoo artist dream away for awhile (something he can always decided to do later).


Which has inspired us to get serious about making toys. When we originally started this last year, the vision was that I could plan weddings and make some extra money with my websites while Don stayed home and made toys all day, taking breaks to have lunch, go for walks and do stuff with us. We have even talked about getting the airstream and hitting the road a few times a year, going to craft shows, traveling and promoting the business wherever we go!


But then, I think we both got a little intimidated and scared by the thought of us actually doing this.. you mean we can live the life we dream about? Not to mention all the new laws for kids toys that are getting implemented.. I have just been avoiding learning about that business all together! Talk about intimidating!

There is something totally frightening about putting yourself out there, taking a risk and asking the universe to get behind what we are dreaming about. But, here we are. Going for it. Asking.

still making toys

Yes we are! We have been getting the chance to make some fun things lately, like this giant rainbow stacker a homeschooling mama custom ordered from Alaska!

And, we have started to get some inquiries about Christmas presents. So, we are offering up a little incentive to get your Christmas orders in early!

Receive 10% off all orders placed in August!

This includes layaway orders, toys you want made now or toys you want later. Pre-orders under $100 have to be paid in full, anything over $100 requires a 50% deposit or a layaway agreement.

Please visit our website to shop around, get some Christmas ideas, and place your order:

Chubbas 'n Boop

Remember that we are ALWAYS taking custom orders, so let us know if there is something specific you are looking for.

You can email us with questions or inquiries:
toymaker [at] chubbasnboop [dot] com

Ordering early will really help us get a jump on Christmas production. Don is working full time now, so at some point we will have to cut off order taking before Christmas. I don't want him working until 3am every night and neglecting to make MY Christmas orders for the kids. :) So, make sure to get your order in as early as possible!

Isn't this so pretty! I love how it turned out.

Thanks for supporting our business, we really appreciate it!

new stuff for a sweet little girl

Thanks Mary for asking Don to make these for your little girl. I hope she loves them!

An African jungle teething ring set.



An elephant..



A giraffe..



And a lion..



I just listed these in our store for anyone else interested in some sweet little animal teething rings for your babe.

And, of course, we are always happy to customize these for you. Like if you want some different animals, or whatever! The sky is the limit, just let us know what you want for your little ones.

Happy Saturday.. I am loving the rain today.. yay Spring!

so well said..

One of my most favorite bloggers did a little write up about us yesterday. The write up is super duper cool, but what was even better was what she had to say about handmade toys.

In her words: "The truly wonderful thing is that these toys aren't just durable, they actually get BETTER with age. They begin to tell a story."

It's a great article, go check it out!

Oh, and this is new..a rainbow family stacking toy.. sooooo pretty!!!




I redid our website so that we can now take orders there directly. Locals can choose "pick up" as their shipping option and make arrangements to pick up at our house/shop.

AND we are starting a layaway program to help all you folks out that are thinking ahead toward the holiday season and/or birthdays down the road.

Lots of groovy business news around these parts!! :)

some new toys

Just wanted to show you some new creations that I just added to our little toy store.

I am totally loving these little wooden people for imaginary play. They are awesome!


And a few pull toys for the wee ones to pull around.

A pull train...


And a "dog"erpillar! Yup, a doggy and a caterpillar.. too cute!



I don't think I ever showed these cute little wooden cars, so here they are...




I am diggin the Jeep!

And, by the way...we are offering up a 10% discount today on all toys in honor of St. Patrick's day (including custom orders!).

we are in business!

We did it! We have so much other stuff going on that it took a little longer than we hoped. But, we finally got our little toy website up and ready! Right now it is more of a gallery than a place to actually make purchases, but that will be updated soon.

I did go ahead and set up both an Etsy store and an ArtFire store to help promote our goods and for people to buy stuff for now. And on our website you can request custom made items. Really the sky is the limit there. Don just keeps getting better and better and we have so many ideas rolling around in our brains that custom orders are what will have us keep expanding.

But, for now, I present to you.. Chubbas 'n Boop, the toy store!


We are officially "open" for business! So please stop by....tell your friends....spread the word! Oh, and buy stuff, yes please do that! :)

For those of you in Colorado Springs, we will have a booth at the 4th annual Healthy Pregnancy Fair tomorrow, March 14th from 11-2 at Baby Depot in Burlington Coat Factory- Citadel Mall. There are 36 registered vendors so it should be a great event. There will be lots of great information for all of us parenting folk, not just those of you who are expecting a wee one soon. Stop by and say hi!

another doll

I totally get why people get into making dolls. It is so much fun watching this little character emerge.

I made this little sweet thing for my nephew, who just got into town (with his parents, of course!).
I also finally figured out why all the Waldorf dolls out there come with a name already. I kind of thought that was a little strange, shouldn't the child receiving the doll get to name him or her?

Well, while I was making this, a name kept coming into my mind. My little nephew may end up calling something else as they become friends, but for now, I'd like for you to meet Jacob.


Ain't he cute?!

baby cradles

Here is a little baby cradle that Don made and I just realized I never did my show and tell.. whoops! He actually did 2 identical ones for some sweet little twin girls.


So sweet! I now want one for Boop, of course!!

i like being me!

So, the other day, my adorable son came up to me and said, "You know what Mom? I like being me!" This is one of those things that is really great for a mom to hear. Makes me feel like I am on the right track with this whole parenting thing, ya know?

So, we ended up postponing E's birthday party until my sister gets out here (in 5 days!) because we got a ton of snow and didn't think it was a good idea to have my mom and everyone go out in the cold.


But, I did make him a cake and we got to give him the most awesome birthday present (made by Daddy, of course).


Hmmm... What can it be?

A castle set!

With a king and queen..

And a dragon!

It is so cool, I mean really really cool!


Little sister loves it too!

There are plans for more pieces (a draw bridge, sentry posts) and other figures (a knight with a horse, a princess, a court jester). Can't wait to play with those, uh, I mean, give them to E!

Ok, that's all the birthday sharing. It's official, my son is:

kool-aid dying playsilks

This has been on my "to-do" list for awhile, dying some playsilks with kool-aid for the kiddos. And it was super duper easy and really fun!! I want to make LOTS more. And, I think I could seriously get into fabric dying, it is really cool to see the fabric transform with so much color!

Here is the method we used:

1. Order silk scarves from Dharma Trading Company. Whatever size you want. I ordered 3 of 21.5 x 21.5 ones and 2 of the 35 x 35 ones.

2. Wet the scarves and shake out a little, then put in a zip lock bag.

3. Add some water to the bag, not too much, just enough to cover the scarf and get the kool-aid moving around.

4. Pour a little white vinegar into the bag, just a glug or two.

5. Add whatever color kool aid you want. I used 2 packets per scarf. I don't remember the name of the colors. From memory: cherry, lime, grape, berry blue, and orange?

6. Seal the bag and squish it around so the kool-aid dissolves and is all over the scarf.

7. Put in the microwave on high for one minute.

8. Squish it around a little more and then open the bag a little to let the steam out.

9. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Watch it to make sure it doesn't catch on fire, I guess it can happen... yikes!

10. Take out and let it sit until it is cool enough to touch.

11. Rinse the scarf in cool water until the water runs clear. This was quick and easy for all of them except the red. That one took a LONG time to run clear!

12. Hang somewhere to dry.

Done!!!


I think they are soooooo pretty!


And the kiddos LOVE them. A is adorable playing peek a boo with them and E has turned the big ones into capes, of course.

lets start with the play kitchen...

We had such a wonderful Christmas!! I took SO MANY pictures, I'm having a hard time going through them all and decided which ones to put on here to share.. too much cuteness to decide.

I'm going to be working on that and doing lots of holiday show and tell this week, but thought I would start with a little more showing off of Don's awesome woodwork! I know there are quite a few of you out there waiting for pictures of the play kitchen, so here it is.





This can be modified in so many ways, a hutch added to the top, shorter in length, more space, etc... Isn't it pretty?!

a horsey stable

Another project finished up! This time for a horse stable for a horse loving little girl!!






Hmmm, starting to wonder if my "orders" for Christmas are going to get done... But enjoying seeing all of this anyway...(and getting some ideas for future things I'd like for Don to make the kiddos!)

a very cool, very large barn

Ta da!! My husband is so awesome! This barn was completed on Friday and I have to say it is really wonderful!

I have taken soooo many pictures, and none of them are quite as nice as being up close playing with it...

But here it is.
The beginning of, what I hope will be, a new career (and tons of creative fulfillment) for my sweet, hardworking husband.


A view of the inside...

E peeking in... (it is really big if you can't tell)

If you are interested in having Don make something cool for your little ones, please send me an email (happydelz-at-comcast-dot-net). He is all booked up for Christmas, but we are starting to take some orders for January. I'm hoping to get a website and stuff ready by then also... (which I will, of course, keep you posted about here).

catching up.. some crafting

So while I had no camera, we had a birthday around here. I did take a couple of pictures with a disposable camera, but we'll see when (if ever) I get those developed!

But, I made a few things I wanted to show off! I am so loving sewing and making stuff these days!

First off is A's birthday crown, which she so cutely modeled for me this morning.





Here is the little dolly that I made for her. I think she came out really sweet! It was fun making and I look forward to making other dolls that become apart of our family in the future.


I also made our birthday girl some banner flags to decorate her celebration dinner. We'll bring these out every year so she knows it is her special day. I'll make some for E's next birthday as well.

Our little birthday princess shares a birthday with her cousin, who turned 3 this year. And I know that all 3 year olds need their own super hero cape, so that's what I made for him.



I have officially started out Christmas goodies for everyone this year. We are making everything so that what people get they know is made with love! Probably won't share alot of that until after Dec 25th!