 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Posts Tagged ‘Crafty’
I’m on that different type of high.
July is my favorite. I LOVE celebrating the 4th, then my Birthday! And Strangers , the Car show I am selling my bags at for the first time is the weekend after. AND THEN… A trip to Lake Tahoe late in the month! It’s been too long. I am feeling great about this month. Yesterday, while driving “Blazin’” by Nicki Minaj and Kanye West came on my iPod and is now set as the theme song for the month. Because, I am Blazin’, plain and simple.
And although I am working through most of THIS weekend (and next), I am also kicking back a bit and even pampering. Because, a girl has got to be allowed pamper herself a bit in the days before her Birthday, right? So, I am. I got a pedicure yesterday afternoon just before meeting up with a customer about some bag orders and then rushing off to babysit for the evening. And even after babysitting, I came home and cut and prepared some fabric a bit so I can work today (and maybe take a little break to sit by the pool a bit). Since I know I will be taking most of tomorrow off, I really want to get some time in and get these bags ready for the vendor booth next Sunday!
The beginning of my week was mostly spent indoors sewing. It even RAINED here, which actually made for a perfect day of staying holed up inside to sew. But, the rain did go away! And, Summer weather is here. I got out of the house later in the week and was warm enough to rock a mini and a tank. Sometimes, you just gotta. Like when you are driving around running errands in a black car. So hot.
Tank: Old Navy.
Shirt: Dockers, Urban Renewal via Urban Outfitters.
Flats: Urban Outfitters.
Belt: H&M.
Clutch: Krust. Enter to win one, HERE.
My Birthday is coming up this week as well, on Thursday (7/7!) and I still have not really planned anything… I sort of fail at organization of these things. I really LOVE any excuse to get people together and celebrate something, but there is some sort of disconnect with me in ever really planning anything. I am thinking Sushi and sake bombs at this really cool Japanese restaurant. It’s super fun for Birthdays. OR something simple like Olive Garden, because it’s more universal and I’m sure everyone likes it. I wish I had more space, a maid or time to clean, I’d invite everyone over for champagne and microwaveable appetizers. Because, I do not cook. Sounds like a good Birthday. Maybe, next year. Although for 30, I might need to go big! But this year, I want low key. I want champagne, some good food, my friends and family, and to work and sleep so I can be ready to sell some bags! Maybe, I’ll party it up next week if I get the itch to make up for it.
If you haven’t yet, check out HollyDolly’s current GIVEAWAY!!!!
ALSO, you guys. I got my Birthday gift from my Brother and Sister in Law a week early! CHECK THIS OUT.
MY button on quite possibly my most favorite blog ever. http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/ Elsie is an absolute idol and hero of mine. I am inspired and even motivated by her and all the Red Velvet girls quite a lot. Seeing their success in doing what they truly love, makes me want to work harder every day.
Summer breeze.
Okay, seriously. I LOVE this tote. I carried for this time last week, and now I use it for everything. I have been using it a bit as my 2nd bag too… I’m a bit of a bag lady. Since I live about a 25 minute drive from where my friends and family live and my babysitting job, I like to bring extra “stuff” along for the ride. Some tennis shoes, a clean shirt, my laptop in case I can work, my big camera in case I see my niece and nephews. I am always kicking myself when I don’t have something. And I tend to get uncomfortable about it. It’s an issue I have. So, lately I’ve been carrying a 2nd bag for my extras. And this one has been super handy.
This day, however, was one of the days I carried it as my only purse. It was great. My sister and I took a trip to Target for groceries and other essentials. I felt almost like I was on vacation. I don’t wear shorts this short much as of lately anymore. I braved it after some tanning though. But, I felt like I belonged closer to the beach or maybe in TAHOE! (Soon enough). It was a nice summertime outfit.
Tank: Urban Outfitters
Shorts: Old Navy Men’s clearance jeans, cut off by me.
Tote: Krust.
I know I say it a lot, but I really just cannot believe how fast time is flying by.
I am anxious, however, for Monday morning to get here. I’m ready to start the week! I have a lot to work on here over the next couple days, and even on my babysitting days. Just have a lot to continue to prepare before the vendor event, while also keeping up on orders. I cannot wait for it to be all ready to go! So, I’m ready for Monday.
I did take some time this weekend to relax. I got to see the new Pirates of The Caribbean movie with my Dad. Took a quick trip to San Francisco with Emily for an eventful shopping trip. I Love any outing with Emily. We always seem to have fun doing the most mundane errands. I did a little organizing around my bedroom. I looked at a potential new home (CROSS YOUR FINGERS), that could be pretty great for my sister and I. And I celebrated a friends birthday with my pals complete with wine, Chicago style pizza, macaroons, cake and ice cream. Perfect ending to the weekend.
Now, I attempt sleep and wait for morning to get here!
Let’s admire the pattern forming.
The weather has been amazing here! I have been getting a lot of work done but still making sure I get out and enjoy the weather plenty. I spent a few hours Tuesday out by the pool with Lisa (don’t be too jelly, I may not have a pool after August, so I’m really taking advantage this Summer). This week is going by quick, on top of filling bag orders, sitting by the pool and taking extra babysitting hours, It feels like it’s just about over already. The days, weeks, and months are going by really fast right now. I’m not sure I like it. This is an exciting time in my life and I really want to soak it all in. I also want to accomplish a lot before the Summer is over and I’m starting to feel overwhelmed with the time flying by! I need to really buckle down to be sure I get it all done, and still try to enjoy myself in the meantime. Shouldn’t be too hard. But it is, after all, called WORK for a reason.
These pictures are from Monday afternoon actually. I made a quick trip to the post office. The usual. I had never really carried the Tan doily clutch, so I thought I’d rock it. I kept my outfit pretty neutral. I’m not very ballsy when it comes to fashion. I wish I was sometimes. But, at the end of the day, I do really love my browns, tans, greys, and blacks.
Tank: Forever 21
Denim cut offs: Old Navy Diva skinnies cut at the knee.
Boots: Urban Renewal
Doily Clutch: Krust.
check out the new additions and updates in My Shop. A couple new bags. You have to check out the Doily clutch in TEAL! It really is gorgeous!!!
Hope everyone is having a FANTASTIC week! Happy Thursday.
Backyard wedding reception babysitting.
On Saturday, I attended/ worked a wedding reception. The couple that I recently started working with, watching their children, had gotten married in Lake Tahoe in April. and this weekend they threw a wedding reception to celebrate with all of their friends here. I was asked to come and keep an eye on the kids so the Bride and Groom could worry a bit less about changing diapers and focus more on talking to friends and family and just celebrating the day. And to help with food and whatever else needed to be done. I was so honored to be asked to attend and honored that they trusted in me enough to take on these tasks on such a special day for them.
It was held in the backyard of a lovely home. they had a live bad come and play. It was a really fun afternoon! I wanted to stay comfortable for chasing 3 kids under 4 (and then some) around! So, I opted for jeans and a nicer top. (UMMM, I love this top!)
Top: Forever 21 It’s current!
Jeans: Old Navy (a pair of my skinnier jeans that I squoze into! yippeee!)
Shoes: Dolce Vita
Necklace: DIY’d by me. See it HERE.
Clutch: Krust.
It was a GORGEOUS day. I Love anything Wedding related. I’m such a sucker and absolutely have perma Wedding fever. Sorry to any guy that ever has and ever will date me. I’m not crazy. I just get caught up in all the LOVE, (and the decor and thought of planning…) There’s just something about the atmosphere about a wedding or a wedding reception. I just get all sappy. I really Loved being a part of this lovely backyard reception.
A couple non-people photos I snapped, that really summed it all up.
Quite possibly the sweetest cake topper, EVER. Love this thing.
These writings were not part of the wedding reception, they were on the path to a playground that is behind the house where the reception was held that I took the kids to a couple times. I’m sure some summer lovin’ was happening, Grease style. I had to stop and snap pics because It was just too fitting to be written just outside the house where the wedding party was going on. And I just thought it was sweet.
New summertime teal Doily clutch.
Check out this new Doily clutch color!!!! I want to start incorporating more bright colors on the actual bags as well as having bright colored linings inside some of the bags. So, this was a first attempt and I LOVE how it came out. The cream doily looks extra pretty on the bright teal background.
It is now listed in my Etsy shop, HERE.
Go check it out!
New bag style: Versatile tote!
A new style for the shop. I made this one for my sister for her recent trip to Disneyland. She likes handbags, but I thought she’d want something that she could carry and be hands and arm free at times. When I got to Disneyland or any amusement park, I want to completely hands and arm free! So, I got to work on a bag for her to carry and this is what I cam up with!
It can be carried multiple ways. the shoulder strap can be tucked inside the bag or even completely clipped off when you don’t want it, and the totes handles can easily fold into the bag when you want to carry it on the adjustable shoulder strap. It’s a win, win, win.
I intend to work on more designs and colors in this style. For now just this design in listed in my Etsy shop, HERE. Please feel free, to convo me about custom designs if you can’t wait until I get more listed. I will say a doily version is coming in the next week!
Smaller stripes.
The Black and White striped zipper clutch and Grey and white striped zipper clutch are now both available in smaller dimensions, as well as the over sized version!
The dimensions for the smaller size are 14″ long by 9″ high. Makes a nice smaller evening bag, or everyday bag for those who are smaller, or just don’t like the over sized bags.
The new smaller black striped clutch is listed, HERE.
The new smaller Grey striped clutch is listed, HERE.
Lot’s of bags and pretty packages.
I think I have mentioned the large bag order that I recently had worked on putting together. Well, tonight I finally sat down and edited some photos to put together a post dedicated to this first large volume order I worked on.
About a month ago, my Aunt had called me asking if I would come meet up with her and some of her friends that she does bootcamp with. She mentioned that she had told everybody about what I was doing, and they were interested in seeing some of my bags. I, of course said yes. And planned to meet them all for coffee one morning.
I had put together a photo book to bring to a vendor event that I am planning to go to in July. It’s basically a scrapbook of most of the bags I have made since starting this business in January. So, I brought that along with 1 messenger bag, 1 ruffle clutch, 1 doily clutch, and 1 tote. And some business cards.
I, honestly, went into it thinking I would pass out some cards and get some of the women to check out my Etsy shop.
Well, after a bit of sharing and story time (passing around bags samples and the photobook), I immediately started taking orders. It was amazing. I felt like I couldn’t write fast enough at a few points. My heart was pounding with excitement. Once, my order list reached about 5 bags, I looked over at my Aunt in surprise. I had no thought that I would get 1 order just yet. Well, basically one by one, 8 different women sat next to me and explained what they’d like to order. My aunt even ordered 2 bags, and my Godmother who was also there ordered one. It felt amazing to have anyone want to order a bag. But, something about my Aunt and Godmother caring so much to support me felt really Great! I was sort of flying high by the end of all the orders. I collected some money up front, and took email addresses to email invoices and my Aunt and I parted ways with the group and walked up the street to get lunch and celebrate! I counted the order at that point. 16!!! I was FLOORED. and giddy.
After that Friday morning, I spent the next 2 weeks, processing the entire 16 bag order, and processed a few Etsy orders in the meantime. Now that I am babysitting part time every week, I am only really sewing 3 full week days right now, so it did pose a challenge. But, I worked some weekends and late nights (and actually took memorial day off) and I did it! Finished all 16, and delivered them last Friday morning.
I thought I’d share a few of the separate bag orders. This is not all of them, but it’s most. I had fun with the packaging. Since I wasn’t shipping them, I was excited to do something a little different than I usually do. I made custom craft paper sacks for each order and decorated the accordingly. I LOVE packaging!
I am always really excited about custom orders. Because, it is always fun to see something NEW come out, and what an idea looks like in the end. There were a couple custom orders in this group. The Olive on Olive Heartstring messenger bag in the 2nd order down. LOVE it. Need to make one for myself. And, then the Houndstooth messenger bag! It turned out really gorgeous with the red lining that was chosen. I am really happy with it how it turned out.
All in all this was a really fun order for me. To get one huge order and belt it out over a 2 week period. I hope to get to do something like this again. Purse party anyone?!!?
Clearer skies call for a quick break.
Been pretty darn busy over here! My 16 bag order just got bumped to 17 today. and I am chugging along quite nicely, and the completed stack of bags is sooooo nice to look at. Usually as soon as a bag is done, I send it out. It’s nice to kind of watch these hang around a bit. To revel in my hard work a little longer. I have 10 bags completed (and have filled a few Etsy order in between), and fabric prepped and construction begun on a few others. I’m hoping tomorrow I am able to be super productive and bang a good chunk of whats left out. Especially since I will be off babysitting Thursday and Friday.
Yesterday and Today were LONG working days. But, I did manage to escape for an hour today to enjoy the sunshine (finally) since I had to run to the post office to get a bag out and make a quick supply trip to pick up some more fabric.
I was excited to finally carry the Grey ruffle clutch I had made 2 weeks ago. It’s a light grey canvas with a charcoal gray sateen cotton ruffle. I love it. I made this one a bit smaller than the other ruffle clutches. However, this is the new regular size for this particular bag style. I will make it larger for anyone who prefers the larger version. This just seems more practical for this fold over flap style. All dimensions have been updated on all listings in My Etsy shop.
See the clutch in the shop, HERE.
P.S. I’m slowly working on reworking my blog layout. So, sorry if it ever looks crazy. Let me know if you find any bugs!
HoundsToothpaste.
Last week, I received a rush order for the Envelope Houndstooth clutch, with a Toothpaste/ seafoam green lining. I loved the way the color that we decided on looked with the houndstooth, so I really just wanted to share it!
I apologize for the poor photo quality. I took these late at night after finishing the bag before shipping it out the next morning. I really can’t get taking pictures in the evening down at all.
Regardless of the bad shadows, the color does look prettttttty nice. I Love it. I plan to work it into a tan clutch soon! Excited? I am.
Order yours, HERE!
