Tara Miller Designs

For a friend

This seems to be a creative neighborhood. My pal and neighbor, Lisa, recently dropped off the most wonderful cards to my front door. I was floored and overwhelmed. But you too can feel the love. She makes and sells her card creations. These make sweet grandparent gifts for Christmas!

Remembering Summer

Hard to believe this was 1 mo ago... 

New in the Shop

The first changeable Mei Tai Baby Carrier by GrueneTree.

I fell in love with the Mei Tai when Kris hooked me up with one. The Mei Tai was a miracle that kept me sane while Devon was wee. I grocery shopped with it, put her to sleep with it, calmed her down when the house was full of family and friends and kept her cuddled as we hopped from one neighborhood get together to another. Looking back, I don't think I could have gotten through those days without it. I still use it daily.

But there were some draw backs, I was frustrated that I could not change the look. I knew there had to be some way with out making a dozen carriers to fit my moods. And what if I have another baby, a boy. Do I make another dozen? And then there was the question of the hood. I liked the idea but all those flat hoods with ties just looked like too much trouble. They distract from the main print of the Mei Tai, they are awkward to tie, especially with an upset, wiggly baby. So I came up with some ideas.

1) Slip cover- The GrueneTree Slip Cover ($20) lets you change the look of your Mei Tai as often as you want. It is super easy to change. PLUS (and this is huge if you little one has reflux), if you baby spits up on the slip cover, just change the cover real quick and you are back in business. I hated when Devon would spit up and I was carrier-less for 2 plus hours while I washed the whole Mei Tai. Changing a messed slip cover is as easy as changing your baby's pants when they leak.

2) Make it reversible. Get 2 great looks for your Mei Tai for one price. Mix and match as you like. I offer some sets I put together but I can set up a custom listing for fabrics you select.

3) Add a removeable hoody type Hood. The GrueneTree Hood ($15) doesn't need tricky ties. The contoured hoody shape fits over baby's head. Made from stretch knit, it is soft and snuggly. Pick you favorite color to match your slip covers or your baby's eyes (natch). The GrueneTree hood intgrates virtually seamlessly with the Mei Tai/Slip Cover system. Folds up small to fit easily into a diaper bag or pocket with not wanted. Great for cold weather, colic-y babies, reducing stimulation or protecting baby's head on a sunny day.

I am super excited about these modification to an already great baby tool. The Mei Tai is something I recommend to all my mommy friends.

Amy Butler Cute Baby Booties

When socks don't stay on, I must resort to velcro. That and her army crawl is killing her socks. We needed something with more durability. These booties stay on great and look super cute with all her outfits. I haven't found anything yet they clash with. The booties were also a bit hit at their neighborhood debut, the 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off. Most of the adults wanted some of their own.The pattern is from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones. This was a fast and pretty easy pattern, if you are paying attention and not trying to whip they out in between naps insead of during naps, like a smart person.