The Shows Go On
Another month and another show. We returned from ASTRA (that's American Specialty Toy Retail Association, for those of you who have been puzzling over the acronym since the last newsletter) with an incredible education in the retail world and incredible friends! What a well-done, intimate show perfect for a company like ours. It took place at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT. One thing is for sure: we're better publishers than we are gamblers! (To be absolutely fair, I should say this only about myself. Keaghan, our editor, was much more conservative and wanted to keep any winnings. All I did was give it all back. It was fun though!
We cannot say enough about the fabulous people that shared space with us at this show. Rock and Caron McKinley of Wedgits (which, by the way, is a fabulous toy) www.wedgits.com, could not have been more helpful, more generous, or more enthusiastic. They truly are the most kind business owners, not to mention people, we have met since starting out. We will never forget them or fail to be as kind to others along the way.
Michele François of Kaloo-USA (www.kaloo-usa.com) and her family were another group of people we will forever hold dear! For starters, Michele made sure we got our Ben & Jerry's ice cream bars before they were all snapped up. Simon, merci beaucoup for the lovely picture of Nana Star you drew! (You can see this masterpiece at www.NanaStar.com!)
Next stop - Atlanta and will share with you next month what this show brings! Enjoy the long, lazy-daisy days of summer!
|
ee's EXCLUSIVE interview with
Cyndi Darnell of Amy Adele, Children's Stationers
(and Stationers to our kids!)
You know that at the laugh-friendly company, when it comes to kids, we're all about encouraging-usually by whatever means necessary-traditional manners and old-fashioned good behavior. So what should kids do when they receive a gift? Write a thank you note, you got it. We've used Amy Adele's "simply cute" notecards and invitations for our kids' thank yous, birthday parties, and baptisms. Each order comes with a personal thank you from Amy herself. Is that laugh-friendly, or what?
ee: What was the inspiration behind the company? How did Amy Adele get started?
cd: Family has been the inspiration behind Amy Adele. Since childhood, Amy has been hand-drawing birthday and Christmas cards for friends and family. Although she never took her art very seriously, her family envisioned her designs on more than just a handful of cards each year. The idea of selling her designs seemed laughable. "Would anyone really want to buy my artwork?" she wondered. "I don't have an art degree. I'm just a simple mom with two sweet girls and enjoy drawing with colored pencil." However, her family would not give up and with much encouragement the idea behind AmyAdele.com began to take shape in 2004. After months of drawing, business planning, and website development, AmyAdele.com was launched November 15, 2005.
ee: What sets Amy Adele children's stationery apart?
cd: The uniqueness of Amy Adele's designs is rooted in a simple philosophy of focusing on customer personalization with cute, simple artwork that matches a child's interests and personality. Every design is hand-drawn with colored pencil by Amy and always on white paper. Avoiding computer graphics and other distractions keeps Amy's collection fun and simple.
Another unique feature of Amy's children's stationery is the affordable pricing. Amy Adele stationery is typically 50% less than other children's stationery. Being a direct to consumer manufacturer helps keep Amy Adele's products affordable. But it isn't just about having the lowest price; thick, high-quality paper with a dedicated customer service team is critical. Amy Adele's staff takes great pride in their attention to detail.
ee: What does Amy Adele most want customers to get from her designs?
cd: Joy. Joy that puts a smile on a child's face. Joy that comes from a child who receives a gift of personalized stationery tailored just for them. Joy that comes to the recipient of a child's thank you note. And joy that comes with a mother's pride that her child has taken the time to thank friends and family for gifts and great times. Amy Adele's goal is to bring joy to whoever comes in contact with her hand-drawn and personalized products.
ee: What's the company's most popular product? Is there a favorite illustration?
cd: Amy's most popular design is her choo choo train on folded stationery. Toddler boys also like Amy's cruisin' and fire engine designs on note cards and t-shirts. Girls love fairies and flowers on party invitations and labels. However, Amy's favorite illustration is her little happy monkey, which also happens to be a top-seller.
ee: Why is thank you note-writing important for kids in this age of electronic media?
cd: In this day and age, a handwritten thank you note can mean more than it used to. Everyone loves the convenience and speed of email and other electronic communication. For this very reason AmyAdele.com exists online. But stopping to write a note of thanks communicates an especially grateful and genuine heart (no matter the age). Amy Adele believes in teaching children that thanks and joy should be shared with those we love in a way that communicates special effort and is just as valuable for the child as it is for the recipient.
ee: What's most laugh-friendly about Amy Adele (the company itself and/or your products)?
cd: Personalized stationery and invitations aren't necessary... they're a treat! Amy Adele's staff loves sending gifts that customers have enjoyed personalizing. It's a pleasure to know these customers will be happy to tear open their package and find their little creations inside!
Check out the choo choo, happy monkey, and the rest of Amy's cute collection at www.amyadele.com. We're sure you'll find the perfect paper to match your child's personality.
|
|
Nana Star and the Mommy Bloggers
Nana Star has been featured on several mommy blogs during the past month. Here are some of our favorite highlights from their reviews. Follow the links to read the full post and see the books and plushies in action with new Little Twinkles!
"If you need a great children's gift, this is the way to go." Lisa Reviews
"Being a homeschool mom of 5, I am always looking for quality books that promote positive values, and these books certainly do that. These books were a pleasure to read and I feel honored to have been able to preview them with my children." Dr. Mommy Chronicles
"The Nana Star doll is as loveable as the storybook character and Moonman will lead to many dreams and imaginary talks with the man in the moon." Miss O's School Library
"[Nana Star books and plushies] would make great Father's Day gifts for the Dad who likes to get right down on the floor and play with his kids!" MomReviews |
Courting the BEST Look and BEST Laugh!
Which Wimbledon star is most laugh-friendly? (Who cares about winning? We're talking tennis fashion and style, here!) Let us know and we'll donate, on behalf of the Nana Star Foundation, a picture book to the school, library, children's hospital or doctor's office of your choice.
Send your pick to hello@laughfriendly.com- it's a toss-up for us, again!
The Nana Star Foundation - Keeping the Chain of Giving Going.
|
|
Laugh-Friendly Kudos!
Definitely go to Rock and Caron McKinley of Wedgits at www.wedgits.com and Michelle, Greg, Simon and Marc Francois at www.kaloo-usa.com for being the nicest tradeshow mates ever! Can't wait until our paths cross again!
|
July is
National Blueberry Month - National Hot Dog Month -
National Ice Cream Month - National Read an Almanac Month
National Joke Day - July 1
Independence Day - July 4
Bastille Day - July 14
National Lollipop Day - July 20
National Chocolate Milk Day - July 28
National Hug Week - 3rd week of July
"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence
every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers
who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle
but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato
salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think
you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."
- Erma Bombeck |
Be sure to check out www.laughfriendly.com and www.NanaStar.com often - we're always updating and adding new items you won't want to miss! Such as . . .
Lemonade Contest 
With the launch of the new sites and our very own blog, a.k.a. our blaph, we ran our first contest this past month! The idea was for readers to post their funniest stories about making lemonade out of the lemons life sometimes hands us all (a fitting and summery image for what it means to be laugh-friendly, we've realized) in order to win a box of books and toys for themselves and another for the worthy recipient of their choice. So make sure you keep up with our blaphs so you, too, can win some laugh-friendly goodies the next time around!
And the winner is . . .(virtual drumroll): Crunchy Green Mom. A devoted WOHM mother of six who works full time and has obviously become quite the master of making lemonade. Congratulations!
|
|
Great Smiles - Happy Life
The Happiest Blog on Earth
LOVES
ee's SMILES
OMG. That's awesome smiles that make my day. These great friendly smile are submitted by Elena & Elizabeth, who hope to change the world with great smiles. It's the same purpose of the happiest blog on earth. If you have not visited their websites, you should stop by at http://www.smilemyday.com/smile/244/!
Terance Chang
| |
|
|
Now Available!
Go to
www.NanaStar.com or www.laughfriendly.com to order yours TODAY! |
Summertime
Smiles!
What would you get if you crossed a patriot with a small curly-haired dog?
Yankee Poodle!
Did you hear the one about the Liberty Bell?
Yeah, it cracked me up!
What would you get if you crossed George Washington with cattle feed?
The Fodder of Our Country!
|
|
Red, White and Blueberry Cheesecake
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
8 sheets (about 13"x14" each) thawed frozen phyllo dough (find it in the freezer section of the supermarket)
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
16 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups fresh blueberries, divided
1/2 cup strawberry jelly
1 cup whipped cream or non-dairy whipped topping (optional)
Preheat oven to 425°.F.
For Crust
Grease a 9" pie plate. Set aside.
On a flat surface place 1 sheet phyllo (keep remaining phyllo covered to prevent drying out), brush with melted butter. Top with another phyllo sheet, continue to make 8 layers, brushing butter between each layer. Using kitchen scissors or a sharp kinfe, cut the layers into one 12-13 inch circle. Carefully press circle into the prepared pie plate, gently fan edges. Bake until edges are just golden, about 6-8 minutes. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
In a medium bowl beat cream cheese, vanilla and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat until well combined. Fold in 1 cup of the blueberries. Pour mixture into prepared crust. Bake until set, about 40-50 minutes. To prevent over browning of crust, gently cover with aluminum foil during the last 25 minutes of baking. Cool completely on a rack.
To Serve
In a small bowl, beat jelly until smooth. Spread over cheese filling. Arrange remaining blueberries on top in star shape. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired. Makes 8-10 servings. | |
This just in . . .
