Behind the Design: Baby Honu (Sea Turtles)

I will always have a special place in my heart for honu (sea turtles). It all started when I was a little kid growing up in Hawaii. Going to Sea Life Park I would see those big honu in their pool gracefully swimming bobbing their heads up and down. Sometimes I would see them grazing the sea shore. They are just so magnificent to watch. I had many books about honu in my childhood collection. So, learning about them was always a fascinating thing for me. There was never a time while growing up that when I would spot a honu that I would just pass them by.

When my son Keanu was born I filled his room with all sorts of animals. Although the Giant Panda was his main nursery room theme, I also could not resist buying various honu plush animals and figurines. One turtle in particular stood out for him and it became his "tur-tur" for quite some time. Coincidentally, it was a turtle that looked like a real honu. He carried that honu around everywhere. He even had to take it to daycare on occasion. He has it to this very day although he doesn't carry it around as much he will occasionally see it and get sentimental about "tur-tur".

So, one day I wanted to design something universal - a design that appealed to all ages, all genders and add to the awareness of their endangerment. I saw my son's "tur-tur" laying on the living room floor and it came to me! I picked it up and put it next to my computer and I started designing. Never did I imagine that this design would be as popular as it is. I first started with blankets and they sold almost instantly to the store I was selling to in Austin. Then, they sold almost instantly on my Etsy Site. It has been my top seller and my most requested design for custom work to this very day. I guess there is something about honu that appeal to so many people. It brings me joy to have people across the country and around the world enjoy my honu design and share my love for them.

My New Zazzle Store featuring Customizable Baby Shower Invitations and More!

My Zazzle store is the easiest and fastest way to get Hapa Girl Designs cards. You can customize these cards with your own info, but customers cannot modify the designs as they would be able to when working directly with me on my Etsy site. The cards also only come in one size whereas working with me on Etsy you would be able to choose the size cards you want and I offer a variety of printing methods. But, there is no denying, buying cards through Zazzle, if you're in a hurry, is the best way to send those greetings to friends and family.


buy unique gifts at Zazzle

Color Choices for Sea Turtle Nursery Set

Recently I have been asked to create another Sea Turtle Nursery Set for a new client, but she wanted me to modify the colors for her color theme. This was very easy to do because my client knew exactly what she wanted. She explained the color in detail and I found fabric that matched.

So, here's my progress. I am starting with the Sea Turtle Quilt. The colors really work well together. It's going to be a very stunning looking nursery set. More progress slides to coming soon!

MODIFIED COLOR SET - PROGRESS



ORIGINAL SET

re-Introducing Mod Mama & Baby Elephants

It's been over 2 years since I launched Jennifer G Designs and the debut of Mod Mama & Baby Elephants design. My business has come a long way since I started making just baby blankets with my elephants applique. We are talking many more designs, accessories and items. But, I like to re-visit my original design that started it all for my little home-based business.

The elephants are of a abstract and very modern simple design, but the main theme of the design is the bond between mother and baby - something that any mother can relate to. The design can come pretty much in any color, but my standard colors are blue, green and pink on chocolate brown cotton fabric with a coordinating flannel on the back. The blanket is so soft and snugly and I can vouch from personal experience as I made one for my newest baby.

To purchase one of these cute blankets please visit my Etsy website at www.jgdesigns.etsy.com or to have me create a custom blanket for you please email me at jennifergdesigns@sbcglobal.net.

Sea Turtles Standard Nursery Set - Item Description

The inquiries about my Baby Sea Turtles Nursery Set has been overwhelming lately. I had no idea when I first designed this cute little baby sea turtle that it would be so popular. I guess it's something about sea turtles that people around the world just love and then to incorporate it in a nursery set in a modern design is just stunning. The nursery set, although modern and simple, is not simple to produce. I think potential customers get a little sticker shock when I send them pricing on the Standard Set (crib quilt, bumper guard, and crib skirt). Just remember, this is a handmade set (by me) and is an original design that is not mass produced. Production time is also very lengthy with many shapes and pieces to sew. Many times customers give their own input and modify the design by changing color and design layout.

Standard Baby Sea Turtles Nursery Set
Included: Crib Quilt, Bumper Guard, Crib Skirt Bumper guard materials: 100% cotton, heavy loft batting, satin Crib skirt materials: 100% cotton, satin

Separates
Crib Quilt - 4 large satin sea turtles with 3 varying color circles and cotton backing, 45 x 60 inches. Made of 100% cotton, medium loft batting, and satin (sea turtles).





Crib Skirt - For standard crib, 3 sides appliqued with 1 turtle and 2 circles on each panel. Made of 100% cotton and satin (sea turtles).





Bumper Guard - For standard crib and comes with 6 pieces that you tie on - each piece has 1 turtle and 2 circles. Made of 100% cotton and satin (sea turtles).



Add-on Options

Blanket/throw - 3 large sea turtles with 5 circles cotton front and green flannel back

Changing pad cover -
2 sea turtles appliqued on blue, green, chocolate brown, white color cover

Pillow - Square (18 x 18) with 1 large turtle

Panda to Pandemonium

When I was expecting my first baby I knew instantly that I wanted Panda Bears to be his nursery room theme. I started searching almost the instant I found out it was a boy although I figured I would have probably done the Panda Bear theme if the baby was girl too. In any case, I searched and searched but to my dismay I couldn't find any kind of Panda nursery bedding, decor or baby accessories anywhere. We are talking only 4 years ago too! I was very discouraged. So, I decided to design my own room and make and collect Panda decor on my own whether it was from a baby store or not. In fact, I didn't buy anything from a baby store regarding Panda decor. I made a few of the bedding pieces and the wall art I found on Ebay as prints and I had framed myself. The mobile I found on another website. It was fun gathering everything although a bit exhausting trying to get a room together from scratch.

Now, 4 years later it's a pandemonium of Panda Bear accessories and decor for baby rooms. I think the love of Panda Bears has caught on finally. Of course, I feel like one of the original Panda Bear lovers. I've loved them since I was 7 years old when I first saw them in person at the Ueno Zoo in Japan. My Mom bought me a life-like plush Panda Bear and I had that toy for years until the bear finally fell a part in my teen years. Perhaps its been the birth of Taishan at the National Zoo in DC that has brought more awareness. All in all, it's awesome that more people are discovering these wonderful creatures to be one of the world's most precious animals!

My Panda Bear design is the 2nd animal that I designed when I first started my business. It's popularity has been phenomenal and I have been honored to have donated some of my items to charity for silent auctions.

Boy, Girl, Unknown? I Design a Wide Range of Baby Shower Invitations

When I was pregnant with both my son's I knew from the beginning of both pregnancies that I wanted to know if they were going to be a boy or girl. From the moment I found out I started planning the nurseries, buying clothes and thinking of names. BUT, there are those that don't want to know. Let's just face it, some people like the element of surprise. I can totally respect that and whatever works for you that should be the way it should be. Therefore, I like to design and offer a wide range of baby shower invitations for those that know and for those that don't know. My standard designs are simple and the color schemes vary from blues, pinks, greens, purple, yellow or whatever color scheme YOU want. Yes, I can modify any of my standard designs to fit YOUR color scheme.

All of my card design listings are for a digital file which you will receive from me to take and have printed at any photo finisher such as Costco.com, Snapfish.com, or Walmart. However, if you want me to print for that can certainly be done and I can quote pricing. Anything is possible!

Visit Hapa Girl Designs to view more of my designs!