PBK Penelope Lightswitch Cover

Another cute and adorable handpainted item from me! Painted to coordinate with the Pottery Barn Kids Penelope bedding, this lightswitch cover is a beauty for a little girl's room.

I started with white for the base color and then used iron oxide brown for the little squiggle branches. The tiny leaves are a light green.

Next, I painted the top bird in pale yellow, adding white stitches around his body and then iron oxide brown, legs, eye, and squiggly wing.

The light pink bird was next, also with white stitches and iron oxide eye, beak, and legs. The wing and tail feathers are Valentine pink.

This was all I had in mind and had sketched for the mom. However, after staring at the lightswitch cover for a few minutes, I decided it needed something a little more. I looked over the bedding a bit more and went to work.

I first painted the moss green stripe on the left. Next, I added the white stitching down the stripe. Lastly, I used the end of my paintbrush for the light green polka dots down the right side.

Would you like your own lightswitch cover? I would be happy to create one for you! Please contact me today. : )

For additional pics of the piece, scroll down the post. For close ups, just click on an image for the larger version!

If you would like other coordinating items like wall letters, hair barrette holder, curtain holders, name sign, quilt clips, growth chart, peg rack, and more, just let me know!

All Creatures 6 inch Wall Plaques

Today we have watched Kung Fu Panda (twice), Alvin and the Chipmunks Halloween edition, Veggie Tales with Montana Duke, and Rio. You know what movie marathons mean, parents...yep, sick child. So, I figured I should probably type out a very long overdue blog post to get you caught up on the exciting things that have been happening lately with Little Elephant Company.

So on September 1st, I launched my new shopping cart and website redesign...yeah! I love the fresh look it has. And, I have been adding all the items I have done over the past 6 years. I am still not close to everything on there, but I am trying to keep the quilt clips section up to date with all the new designs I do each week.

And, I have an ad in the Pregnancy and Newborn Buyer's Guide magazine that just went out last week. Be sure to pick up a copy! I will get a pic of the mag and my page when I get a chance next week (hopefully).

But you are also probably wondering about the adorable set of wall plaques pictured above, huh? These are just beautiful! I painted the 6 inch circle wall plaques a avocado green, burnt umber, and chambray blue. Each is hung with 7/8 inch dark brown grosgrain ribbon and handpainted with an animal from the "All Creatures Great and Small" bedding by the Land of Nod.

This bedding design is so very versatile and can be used for boys and girls. When I was first introduced to it, I created my original polka dot quilt clips that are now one of my most popular designs.

So for these wall plaques, I painted a soft apple green frog with black eyes and lipstick red mouth. The stitches around him are white.

The lion has a beautiful burnt orange mane, a cream face, rose pink nose, and additional details in country twill, lipstick red, black, and pale orange.

The walrus is a smooth burnt umber with white whiskers and tusks, black eyes, and rose pink nose. His circle is outlined in medium gray.

And, yes, I would be happy to make you your very own set of wall plaques! You can choose any combination of animals from the "All Creatures..." bedding. See the listing on my website today to purchase your set. And watch for the matching peg rack soon to be listed as well. And, of course, I can do matching growth chart, nail covers / knobs, wall letters...

White Daisy Quilt Clips

One of the most popular designs for my quilt clips is the daisy. I handpaint each daisy the color that each customer chooses. Of course, the most requested color is white. :

Whether the daisy is plain without a center (emulating the Pottery Barn Kids style), or the center is bright yellow, dark yellow, pale yellow, or even a shade of pink, green, purple, or blue, the daisy is one of the designs that coordinates well with nearly any bedding set.

Today, I even received a picture of my daisies holding up a beautiful quilt. I love getting customer pictures!

This mom had a great suggestion as well...she used the 3M doublesided tape in place of the nails to hang the quilt clips and her quilt. She didn't want to put holes in her wall and came up with a great solution! Thank you, Grace!

If you would like your own daisy quilt clips, go to my website now. If you would like some custom designed ones, don't hesitate to contact me today!

New Hardware Style for my Curtain Holdbacks

I haven't always been thrilled with the metal brackets I have used for curtain holdbacks, always wanting something "prettier" but still functional. Although, the metal brackets are very durable and functional. After a customer brought to my attention that they also would like something "prettier" for the hardware, my hubby helped me brainstorm for a new style. Amazingly, it only took one evening to create a concept, and all of the supplies are local!

So here it is...a straight wooden dowel rod that you simply place your curtains behind. It is so very simple, isn't it? I handpaint the dowel rods and bases a coordinating color to go along with the shape that you choose. Then the base is screwed into the dowel rod, and the shape is glued to the front of the dowel rod. I include two drywall screws so you can then screw the base into your wall.

Here are a few pictures:

A pair of daisies in wisteria with dark purple accents and dark yellow centers...front view and side view:



Then a pair of basketballs, front view and side view:



And then here is the original metal bracket style, which is still available, as well as the wooden dowel both shown on the whale. Just let me know which style you would prefer for your curtain holdbacks!





You can order curtain holdbacks in nearly any shape and theme at my website http://www.littleelephantcompany.com/. If you don't see what you want, just let me know, and I would be happy to make it!

PBK Hayley in a nursery

A mom just sent me a picture of my owls in her PBK Hayley nursery, and I had to share. : )

Owl Quilt Clips

I have had many requests for owls, and, finally, here they are! This pair of adorable owls are handpainted to coordinate with Pottery Barn Kids "Hayley" bedding, but I am happy to paint the owl shape in any color combination with different details to coordinate with your bedding.

Here is the scoop for the "Hayley" owls...

The boy owlette is a light blue with pool blue outline. I then added the pale yellow tummy and light pink wings, each with fuschia accents. The beak and feet are also fuschia, and the eyes are white with dark gray.

The girl owlette is light pink with a bubblegum pink outline. Her tummy is a basil green and white gingham, and the wings are white, each of those with fuschia accents. The feet are light blue, the beak is nutmeg brown, and the eyes are white with light blue and then nutmeg brown eyelashes.

To order your owls, don't hesitate to contact me!

EtsyKids Spotlight: Hi Mamma Designs

I can't believe it's been a month since my last post! It's the usual craziness around here...looking forward to school field trips for my boys this month, though...the St. Louis Zoo and the Long Meadow Rescue Ranch.

So this time the spotlight is on fellow EtsyKids Central team member Hi Mamma Designs from Zionsville, Indiana. Hi Mamma says she has always loved to create things, and the shop "Hi Mamma" was created since her two little girls are her inspirations.



The products that are offered are all something that have been a part of their lives (as well as her own). Hi Mamma Designs offers handmade soft flannel changing pad covers for the cute little tushies, as well as car seat strap covers, finger/tip towels, coffee/tea sleeves, as well as a few other items. Be sure to follow Hi Mamma Designs on Facebook and her blog to keep up with all the exciting things in her shop! And, of course, don't forget to visit her Etsy shop...see a few items below:



The EtsyKids Team is a diverse group of talented and dedicated Etsy shop owners making items for babies, toddlers, and children. Although we come from different backgrounds and all corners of the world , we are held together by the fact that our members all love to create things for children. In our members' shops, you will find a wide variety of items ranging from clothing to toys to furniture to art and everything in between, in every style imaginable.

EtsyKids Spotlight: ccooperdesigns

Oh, her shop makes me wish I had a little girl...I just adore her girly ruffled aprons! Hmmm...I do have 3 nieces...those would make great Christmas gifts this coming year...
But take a look through ccooperdesigns shop today, as you just might find the perfect gift for your little girl for Easter. How about a lunchbox tin for a little girl's purse or makeup tote? Or maybe a fabric flower barrette or headband? Or even an entire outfit that even includes an adorable hat!

More about ccooperdesigns in Michigan:

I began sewing at a very young age, hand sewing(doll clothes and embroidery), using the sewing machine before I was allowed(sewed finger) and home economics in school. My Mom and I have had a sewing business specializing in bridal and formal wear for 25 years. Now for a change of pace I am designing and sewing a whimsical line of clothing for children as well as some other neat items.

Be sure to visit Cheryl at her Etsy shop and on Facebook!


The EtsyKids Team is a diverse group of talented and dedicated Etsy shop owners making items for babies, toddlers, and children. Although we come from different backgrounds and all corners of the world , we are held together by the fact that our members all love to create things for children. In our members' shops, you will find a wide variety of items ranging from clothing to toys to furniture to art and everything in between, in every style imaginable.

EtsyKids Spotlight: Melon Dot

This week's spotlight is on a shop in Wisconsin...Melon Dot. A stay-at-home-mom business owner, Sarah's items funky, fresh, classic, and a little bit punk all rolled together. I think my favorite is the etch-a-sketch tshirt. : )

Here is more about Sarah:

I am...

amazed by my 2 kids, in love with my husband, a waterbug, always in flip flops with my hair tyed back, silly, energetic, bad with names, love to eat strawberries and cookies,inspired by photos and my family.

My name is Sarah and I am an on-the-go mom of a little girl and a little boy. They really keep me running and enjoying life—who wouldn’t want the bliss that they bring into this world. It is definitely a full-time job with lots of benefits.

As my kids are growing and exploring, I am realizing that I want to learn more and more as well. It could be the teacher in me but, you never stop learning and there are so many cool things out there to discover.

Be sure to visit Sarah at her etsy shop as well as on Facebook!

The EtsyKids Team is a diverse group of talented and dedicated Etsy shop owners making items for babies, toddlers, and children. Although we come from different backgrounds and all corners of the world , we are held together by the fact that our members all love to create things for children. In our members' shops, you will find a wide variety of items ranging from clothing to toys to furniture to art and everything in between, in every style imaginable.

Pretty as a Princess Quilt Clips

Yes, I've been super busy the past 8 weeks. As soon as Christmas is over, families realize that baby will be here soon, so order those quilt clips and decor to finish up the nursery - quick! January/February is my busiest time of the year, tied with August/September, so it's been crazy around here (thus the very few blog posts!).

I have been doing quite a few custom quilt clips the past 2 months, so hopefully I will get some time to showcase them here on the blog more frequently. : )

To begin with, are these absolutely gorgeous princess crowns. I painted these specifically to match a little girl's beautiful princess bedding.



I began with a white crown and then added Valentine pink to the top half, creating little swoops. Then, I carefully detailed the little swirls and dots in Valentine pink as well. Lastly, I added a pale pink outline to the top portion of the crown as the finishing touch. These turned out just beautiful!



If you would like your own set, please be sure to contact me. Feel free to send a picture of your bedding so that I can coordinate the quilt clips as close as possible.

EtsyKids Spotlight: Northwoods Toys

Brand new feaure on my blog! I will spotlighting an EtsyKids team member from the Central US region each week for a while. This week's spotlight is on Northwoods Toys from Wisconsin.

Here is their little bio from Facebook:

Northwoods Toys is a husband and wife crafting team located in the "Northwoods" of Wisconsin. We have been making hand-crafted toys ever since our 3-year-old twin daughters were infants. Stu makes wood toys and Jennifer makes felt play food and other sewn toys.

Mission: We strive to provide high-quality hand-made toys that your child will love. Our children are our product testers and quality assurance team.

Products: Hand-crafted toys for all ages including wood toys, felt play food, plushies, and more.


Visit their website www.northwoodstoys.com (or Etsy) for some really wonderful handmade toys like lacing cards, Squeez-a-Balls©, and some of the cutest felt play food I have seen!



The EtsyKids Team is a diverse group of talented and dedicated Etsy shop owners making items for babies, toddlers, and children. Although we come from different backgrounds and all corners of the world , we are held together by the fact that our members all love to create things for children. In our members' shops, you will find a wide variety of items ranging from clothing to toys to furniture to art and everything in between, in every style imaginable.

Sweet Lamb Quilt Clips

Remember the PBK Cottontail Friends lamb I did? Here's a picture of a pair of the sweet lambs holding up an adorable quilt. Thank you to Brooke for the picture!

What do I do when I am not painting?

Well, besides taking care of my boys, I do website design. The past couple of weeks I have updated several websites and even created a new website for a client. Visit the sites below to see the magic I have worked with html:


And the brand new website, with matching blog, for one of the 2010 Huggies Mom Inspired Award Winners - Lucky Ducky Baby!

Are you looking for fresh new design for your website or blog? See more examples of my work and contact me at Marcink Designs.

Crazy Christmas Season is Over...Now on to Crazy January!

Yes, January is actually crazier than November and December, believe it or not! Why? My theory is that moms and dads are focused on preparing for Christmas, and then when Christmas is over...they realize baby will be here shortly and the nursery needs a few more final touches.

So, I have the honor of making all of the big and little finishing touches for nurseries around the world - I love it!

Back to Christmas, though...where was I for several weekends before Christmas? At a few St. Louis area craft shows! Here is a picture from the last one at Oakville High School:

I know, it's not the best picture, as I took it with my cell phone, but you can see the booth! (The hair bows, beanies, and headbands are my SIL Gussie's - see them at her Etsy shop http://www.sweetmadelynne.etsy.com/.)

Next fall, we'll be at Union Middle School, Lindbergh High School (Sunset Hills Rotary), and Lafayette High School for sure. I am also looking into two shows in Illinois.

Like me on Facebook so you'll know when and where to see me this coming year.

Happy New Year!