Win!

Because I'm Me now offers gift certificates.

Enter here for a chance to win one!

New Projects in the Works

First, a personal project: News

Second, a business project: Because I'm Me

Third, a "for sale" project (and shipping will be waived for local pick-up purchase: Because I'm Me Shop

Tomorrow is It!

Tomorrow is really our last day open.


The kids did the windows. Did I even need to say that?

Have you heard those commercials from Henrick's Jewelers? First they were closing ... huge sales, everything must go, blah, blah. Now ... if we, the consumer, buys enough from them they'll be able to stay open! What an amazing twist of fate. I really really really don't like being misled, especially when it feels pretty dang intentional. Jason and I always joke that those businesses are just like the "going out of business" t-shirt shops on Duval Street in Key West ... that never go out of business.

Oh, anyway, tomorrow is our last day open. I've been asked so many times how I feel about it but I don't have an answer. I haven't let it sink in at all. Wait until next week when we're moving everything out ... that's when it'll hit me and the tears will really fall.



I miss my store being pretty. I do know that. It's so ... generic right now. I miss it having some personality (at least I thought it had good personality!). Hmm ... maybe I'll take that desire for pretty and spring clean my house ... yeah, probably not.

I'll miss getting a bit of a break from the kids. Really.

I know I'll miss all of you, my customers and friends. That's the hardest part, without a doubt. Thinking back over the last nine years ... such wonderful memories.


See me taking the picture? There was an image going around the Internet and e-mail of a dining room set someone was selling. Nice picture, nothing unusual ... until you looked closely at the dining room mirror. The guy taking the picture was naked as the day he was born (see it here, scroll to bottom of page). I'm not naked ... but everytime I take a picture of the store windows and see my reflection I think of that and giggle. edited to add: ok, maybe you can't see me, on my computer I'm cut off the side of the picture ... kind of blows this whole little story, doesn't it?

But the time has come to move forward. The biggest thing, of course, is that I need to be home with the kids ... our family needs me to be home. Jason and I have always had a lot going on between the five kids, home schooling, Ditto Kiddo, his full-time job, sailing, etc. and we're all ready for this change. I will say though that the last time I tried to stay home we opened the store ... I'm not good at not being crazy busy. I am, however, convinced that this is the right move for us and even though we've all (yes, each of the seven of us) brought up new business ideas over the last few weeks I'm not even looking (but the ice cream shop idea did sound really fun!).

My new adventure, Because I'm Me, is taking shape. It's a fun creative outlet and very rewarding. We have another project in the works, still in the early stages, that I'll mention either here or at my other blog in a few weeks that, if all continues to go well, will keep me very occupied ... for a very long time (I so want to spill the beans right now!).

Oh, onto a new subject, don't forget to enter the drawing at my other blog to win a Because I'm Me tote bag!

We do still have many fixtures and hangers left. Call (239-495-1055) or e-mail if you'd like more information. We'll be around quite a bit next week and would be meet at the store with any interested parties.

Thank you for your support, encouragement, and friendship these past nine years.

Jody

A Give-Away

On my other blog, Because I'm Me, I'm doing a give-away drawing 'cause I've written 200 posts there. And, of course, I wanted to give you the opportunity to enter and win. The drawing is to win a Because I'm Me tote bag filled with fabric pieces and willed be mailed to the winner ... so you don't have to be local to win!

Best of luck!

Bits and Pieces

Save 30% Storewide

At the awesome, spectacular, never-before-seen, once in a lifetime

Ditto Kiddo

Going out of Business Sale!

Current Store Hours:

Wednesday 10:00-4:00

Thursday 10:00-2:00

Friday and Saturday 10:00-4:00

I've had quite a few people asking about the products I make (quilts, onesies, bibs, etc) that we were carrying at the store. Yes, I'm still making them. Yes, they're still available! Before too long I'll be able to list local stores that carry Because I'm Me products but in the meantime check here at etsy.com (if you're local pick-up can be arranged to avoid shipping charges) and check the blog here, or e-mail me for more information. And if you happen to have a store and are interested in carrying the products absolutely positively e-mail me! Thanks.

Tea

These pretty little girls decided to dress up all by themselves for a very special tea party. No babies at this party, just a few very sophisticated fancy girls.

The ladies will nibble on chocolate delicacies while sipping their tea from their mod English orange tea set. After tea they shall skip through their French Garden.

All clothing and handbags available at Ditto Kiddo.

Gift Ideas, part 1

For the beach boy, or any child related to anyone who lives in Florida!



For the young princess.

It's the holiday season ...

It's the holiday season
With the whoop-de-do and hickory dock ...

Really? Already? Please tell me I'm not the only person who still believes it's late summer.



Ah well, I guess there's no denying that the holidays are right around the corner, starting with Thanksgiving this week.



We've started our Christmas/winter/New Years/holiday decorating at Ditto Kiddo, so come by and see what we've done! We should be finished by Tuesday ... if all goes according to plan.



Some gift ideas for your friends and family:

Melissa and Doug toys, especially the art easel and puzzles - remember, there have been NO Melissa and Doug recalls

Because I'm Me handbags, unique gifts for the women you know

Sassy infant toys

Baby Bracelets ... at just $8 they are beautiful attached to the bow on your present!

Thank You

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and kind words over the last week as Jason and I mourned the loss of our grandmothers.

All is back to normal now. I'll post an update on merchandise soon.

While there are many craft shows this time of year we must endorse this one (because Because I'm Me is participating in it!):

Make plans to attend the 3rd Annual Reflection Lakes Homespun Holidays Bazaar on November 16th and 17th from 9 am to 5 pm. Crafters and Artists will fill the Reflection Lakes Club House with over 50 tables of holiday decor and gifts. If you need directions to the clubhouse or questions, call 357-8444.

The show is in South Fort Myers.

See you there!

Because I'm Me at Ditto Kiddo

We've been lucky enough to expand the line of Because I'm Me products we're carrying at Ditto Kiddo. The line now offers reversible backpacks for kids, handbags for women, burp cloths, quilts, and soft blankets.



For more information click here.

Cool New Stuff

Call or stop in for details!

Grandparent's Day

REMEMBER

Every Wednesday is Grandparent's Day

Save 10% on your Total Purchase at Ditto Kiddo

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New Bibs by Because I'm Me arrived today.

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Ditto Kiddo will not be buying any clothing through 8th.

It's About Time ...

... that I got the rest of the Because I'm Me line available for sale online. I swear to do a much better job keeping everything updated from now on and will post a note when I do update the shop, and when I add new items at Ditto Kiddo too (more bibs coming very soon!). To all of you who've been waiting to order online ... I'm sorry! If you don't see what you're looking for, either at Ditto Kiddo or at our online shop, just ask. Special orders are always welcome.

In addition to the bibs and totes/handbags I also have two quilts listed, one girlish and one boyish. Both are great for baby floor quilts, wall hangings, toddler bed quilts, and lap quilts.

Because I'm Me Onesies

These adorable items are made from recycled, gently-used onesies, with the appliques and accessories either machine or hand sewn on.

These will be for sale at Ditto Kiddo and will arrive at the store early next week.

Divide ... and Conquer???

As I mentioned earlier, I've been trying to set up a seperate blog for my personal stuff and Because I'm Me stuff ... to allow this blog to just be for Ditto Kiddo. Introducing Because I'm Me or http://jdy2.blogspot.com/.

Please visit both sites ... there will be times when the information on the two is almost identical, but more times when it isn't.

Thanks!

Jody

New From Because I'm Me

These great bags are just for princesses ... fairy angels, shopping, and flowers ... what more is there to life?

The bags are pink with bright pink rick-rack and white flowers. The lining is pink floral cotton. The bags sell for $14.99 each and we have three of them available at the store or in our online shop.

Working on It

Wah! This isn't so fun. :)

Curious to see what happens if I add a picture ... just ignore my goings on right now ... hopefully I'll have a site again before too long.

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Adding a picture didn't seem to screw things up. I can't figure out how to change the font at the top of the page or turn the photo address way up top into a header photo, which is what it's supposed to be. Really, I just wish I could figure out how to get my blog back to the way it was a few hours ago.

I had decided to divide the blog into two blogs ... a personal one and a store one. I set up the second blog but then couldn't access it for some reason, so I decided to deactivate it. Unfortunately, I deactivated the wrong one. I called Yahoo support and they weren't sure what to do, but said to call WordPress, but there isn't anyone to call at Wordpress and I couldn't figure out an answer on their site because it was all in computerese, which I stink at. So if anyone can figure help figure out what to do about the header I'd appreciate it! (or if I could get my old stuff back that'd be even better ... it's here somewhere I just can't get it to show up HERE.

Jody