Blankets -- Hugs Included

Marble Falls Market Days

2010-09-12T21:00:00.000-05:00

Ever since my family purchased land in Marble Falls, TX (near Austin) I have LOVED attending their Market Days. Main Street is blocked off and vendors are there with everything from home-made jewelry, antiques, and other fun gifts. This year, I decided to participate as a vendor for Hugs Included. It was a lot of fun (despite the 100+ degree heat) and I met some great people and reconnected with wonderful friends.

If you stopped by the booth and are checking out my site now, please leave me a note hello!!

Ready for Mothers Day Out, Daycare, Preschool?

2010-09-02T17:33:00.001-05:00

So my high school friend Mary contacted me and asked me to make a nap mat for her son, Grayson, as he gets ready for Mothers Day Out. Several brainstorming sessions later, I have developed a nap mat for sweet Grayson! Napmats are available for $45 (plus tax) and comes with two colors and a design. The nap mat will be 3' by 4' and only available by special order. The nap mat includes a pillow sewn onto the mat and a top layer which is sewn to the mat at the bottom and at one side. Nap mats will also include a strap to make carrying the mat much easier.

Here is sweet Grayson with his nap mat (1 year olds are tricky models!)

So, email me at hugsincludedTX@gmail.com and let me know when your little one is ready to go!

Want a FREE blanket?!

2010-08-09T23:28:00.001-05:00

So, my new friend Nicole offered to review a Hugs Included blanket and sponsor a giveaway of a blanket of your choice (as long as it's in my current inventory). Nicole has an adorable new son (Tyler) and a precious 2 year old daughter (Amber). It was great to see the reactions of both Tyler & Amber with their new blanket as well as an appreciative mom!

Tyler

Amber

So, check out Nicole's review and see what you can do to win a free blanket (adorable kiddos pictured below not included)!

What's playing

2010-08-01T15:32:00.007-05:00

With several friends requesting blankets for baby showers, I'm now on a first-name basis with the employees at the local fabric store and have finally trained my dogs to not bug mommy while she is sewing. I like to have something on in the background to keep me entertained while I make my blankets. Here are some of my favorites (and why):

"Grey's Anatomy" reruns. My mom finally got her DVDs back (after holding my dogs hostage).
27 Dresses - James Marsden's dimples, the horrendous dresses, Judy Greer as the funny sidekick.
The Italian Job - Seth Green's funny one-liners, Mark Wahlberg, and Charlize Theron as a kick-butt heroine.
The American President - Classic. No further explanation.
Failure to Launch - Bradley Cooper & Justin Bartha. And Zooey Deschanel's snarky war against the mockingbird.
Confessions of a Shopaholic - My boyfriend rented this movie for me after a bad day at work. I thought it was going to be lame until I found myself racing for the Resolve to clean up the wine that I spit up laughing. Isla Fisher is hi-lar-i-ous and the soundtrack is so dance-able.

I'll update later with more ... what about you? What are your favorite movies to have on in the background when you're doing something?

A few new blankets

2010-07-26T18:34:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to give you a glance at some of the new creations .... they are all made with Hugs Included!

Remembering why I'm doing this

2010-07-13T21:49:00.001-05:00

My friend, Alicia, contacted me a while back asking for two blankets for her nephew, Jason (one of which was the LSU blanket). We've been texting each other back & forth today as I heard that Lizzie (Jason's mom) was having complications during her labor. I thought about how I would feel if Jason hadn't made it ... I wasn't concerned about the blankets, but about Alicia's family and Lizzie.

I sent out a message via my Twitter asking for prayers and prayed myself for everyone involved. I wanted Lizzie to be able to hold sweet Jason, whether or not she had the blanket her aunt ordered from me. That's why I started doing this - to bless friends who are welcoming their sons & daughters into the world.

It's a humbling reminder.

I should be sleeping

2010-07-07T23:28:00.002-05:00

So I went over to The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom because who could resist an invite to answer the question "What Are Your Favorite Memories From Your Prom/Homecoming/School Dance?"
I just couldn't resist adding my memory from the Yellow Rose Ball in 1996. I had invited a guy (we'll call him 'Bob') as a friend and he thought there was some sort of romance (hey, I was irresistible). I turned to him at one point and said "The Macarena does not involve putting your hands on my hips". So, in true mid-1990s style, I cut out pictures of my celebrity crushes and replaced Bob's face with them using ticky-tac.

So, history will now show that I did not attend this dance with 'Bob', but with Noah Wyle and Scott Wolf (and they could dance the Macarena however they want!)

Making this a real blog

2010-07-07T21:46:00.002-05:00

I mean, it's not like this has been a fake blog, but I'm just about sewing blankets (actually, most of my friends' reactions are "you sew?!?!?")

Anyway, here are some random things about me:
- My degree is in Computer Science & Spanish and I have worked in IT since 2001. I am currently looking for a position (hint, hint) and decided to start up Hugs Included for fun and to help feed my babies.
- No, I'm not a mommy ... unless you count dogs as children. I have 2 Chihuahuas and they are awesome. They love blankets, too!
- I love the Muppets. My favorite is the Swedish Chef. Just about any clip with him in it makes me laugh, no matter how many times I've seen it.
- I'm Catholic and love my faith. I also blog for the Houston Chronicle.
- I can recite the entire script of Steel Magnolias. I believe that every woman from the South should be able to do the same.
- I am very open about my struggle with depression and anxiety a few years ago.
- I won over my boyfriend with my Karaoke of "Ice Ice Baby" (he had given me the "let's be friends" line 3 days earlier.)

More to come, I'm sure!

Excited to be Living My MoMent

2010-07-07T16:19:00.001-05:00

My friend Angela at AlwaysBDesigns introduced me to Abbey at Living My MoMent, a site promoting small businesses and family blogs. I'm thankful for the chance to be listed with other small businesses and blogs!

Here's my listing!

Start 'em out young!

2010-07-07T00:33:00.005-05:00

Die hard LSU fan?

Love the Houston Texans?
Boston Red Sox till you die?

Let me know and I will find a way to make a blanket for your little one (or for your friends who are expecting) and we'll start them out young with a dedication to your favorite team!

Here is a blanket I made for my friend Alicia to give to her nephew on the way! Geaux Tigers!

*prices may vary depending on fabric availability*. Contact me for a special order!

Perfect Baby Shower Gift!

2010-07-02T11:12:00.004-05:00

I just love this pattern, and it's sure to make any new mom (and dad) thrilled to wrap their child in it! It's great for boys and girls (I have matching solids in lavender, green, pink, blue, and yellow).

Enjoy!

Joining forces!

2010-05-20T00:01:00.003-05:00

I recently joined up with Mommy Bags Houston to include Hugs Included fliers in their packages to distribute at local events. If you are a Christian in the Houston area looking to advertise your product(s) with fellow Christians, check them out! http://www.texasmommybagmarketing.com

A few more ...

2010-04-26T14:28:00.005-05:00

Another happy customer

2010-04-22T10:52:00.003-05:00

I gave my (now former) colleague a baby shower gift of a Hugs Included blanket for her son, Nicholas. Here he is, almost 3 weeks old, sound asleep with his cuddly blanket. His mom, Brigitte, was so excited to receive a hand-stitched present for her son at her baby shower. As you think of friends who are expecting, remember Hugs Included blankets as a gift idea to show a personal touch!

A few new additions

2010-04-20T00:01:00.009-05:00

Just wanted to let you see a few more of my latest creations. (If you ever want to see a comprehensive list of blankets available, click here)

A happy customer

2010-04-14T16:08:00.003-05:00

What product is not complete without testimonials? Reggie (age 2) would not let go of her new blanket. She had so much fun practicing the animal sounds and said "I love my blanket!!!"

Welcome! Need a hug?

2010-03-19T14:13:00.010-05:00

After my mom created a double-sided fleece blanket for me, I fell in love with the cozy embrace it gives me. I also love my blanket because I know my mother sewed it just for me. Just as God knit us in the womb of our mother with perfect love for us (Psalm 139:13).

I have many friends with toddlers and infants and I want them (both the children and those who want to bring them soft warmth) to experience the same loving embrace from a hand-knit blanket that I have. So, I have decided to create blankets for friends as baby shower gifts and want to share my creations with you.

Each blanket measures an average of 5' x 3' (depends on the cut from the fabric store) and the two sides (a pattern and a complementing solid) are hand-stitched with a blanket stitch.

Each blanket is for sale at $25 each (or 2 for $40). Please contact me (HugsIncludedTX@gmail.com) if you'd like to purchase one of these blankets for your own child or for someone you love.

For pictures of more blankets, look here

Bringing you sew much love (hugs included) ,