This, That and The Other

On New Year's Day, I set a goal of Blogging once a week (I'm already a day late....and probably more than a dollar short)...so here is this week's post.

I decided to follow some general advice and be my own advertisement by using something I made.  So, I made myself a super cute tote bag that I had been wanting for ages and low and behold I was approached by someone to make another!  So I did...and I have enough fabric left over that I am planning on doing another take on it using the accent fabric for the main part.  It was very rewarding to know that other's really do like my work!

I completed a custom order for a customer wanting an apron.  This customer is a hairdresser and wanted a stylish apron that would protect her clothes from the chemicals she works with on a daily basis.  So...I laminated a fabric print of her choice, trimmed it, made pockets for her to use for her gadgets, tips and appointment cards.  I am hoping to offer more of these in the future.

And in that vein, with the CPSIA kind of leaving things up in the air, I am looking to branch out by doing more aprons, etc.  I have done several baby shower gifts and would like to start offering bridal shower gifts.  I recently assembled a bridal shower basket for a customer by monogramming kitchen towels and dish cloths and filling the basket with things many new brides could use.  I am currently working on a set to offer in my Etsy shop that can be customized....check back soon!

Lastly, I made a full apron using a fabric I adore!  I am waiting for a model to be available and then this will be up in my shop!

In an effort to stick to some of my other resolutions for my blog, I have been brainstorming ideas for regular features and kind of hitting a mental block.  I would love some input as to what you all would like to see...what is going to bring you back each week or each month.  At some point this year, I am hoping to do a giveaway, although I have nothing specific in mind.  If you have something you would like to be featured or just have an idea you would like to share, please comment!!!

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone!  Here's to another year past and a fresh new beginning.  How was your '08?  What do you hope for '09?  Here are some of my resolutions and goals for the new year:

Blog....

1.  Blog at least once a week.

2.  Create a recurring feature (maybe weekly, maybe monthly)

3.  Be more interesting.

4.  Do a giveaway.

Business....

1.  Do a craft show.

2.  Create 2 new bag designs.

3.  Create 2 new little girls' dress patterns.

4.  Advertise.

Personal...

1.  Be a better mom.

2.  Lose some weight. 

3.  Try at least 5 things I've never tried.

4.  Cut back on my pop consumption.

2008 went out very quietly.  We spent the evening with my family...eating, laughing, playing games.  We were home early and I don't think any of us saw the new year in this year....maybe next year.  (How boring are we....)  It is said that how you spend the first day of the year sets the tone for the rest of the year...what are you doing?  I worked and we are cleaning and putting away Christmas.  I am blogging right now so hopefully I will be better with that in the new year.

Below are the last few projects I completed last year.  I FINALLY made myself and after-diaper bag tote bag (you know, once you no longer need a diaper bag, but carry enough that the purse just doesn't cut it).  I also made a gift set for a friend to give as a shower gift.

Best Wishes for 2009!

Busy, Busy, Bee

Fall is here...(and with it come those little bees, you know the ones).  Well, I took a page from  their book and I have been busy, busy, busy.  I made a small daycare/toddler tote for a friend to give as a gift, a custom diaper bag (LOVE the fabric) for an Etsy customer and 2 custom crayon rolls for an Etsy customer.  I also managed to snag a treasury, you can check it out on the EtsyMom blog.  I have loads of fabric waiting to become something and I can't wait to get to it.  I have one more custom blanket to make for that same friend to give as a gift and then I can go to town on all the things running through my head!

Fabric.com's "Sew Sweet Giveaway"

If you sew or if you know someone who sews, you have to check out this contest!  It runs through October and you can submit one entry everyday.  The prizes are a seamstresses dream!  Free shipping for a year, a fabric.com shopping spree, an Amy Butler bag, scissors....much, much more.  There are two prize groups you can register for:  one for seamstresses and one for quilters.  Both groups are amazing.

On a separate note...I completed yet another bag.  This one is a mini diaper tote and I really like it.  I am planning on making some more of these and changing up the shape a little.  I am 

making a custom bag for a baby gift for a boy;  it will have his initial appliqued and will be used for daycare.  I also am offering a few as part of a "Baby Gift in a Bag"  or an all-in-one gift with the bag, bib and burpcloths, possible a changing mat as well.  Check it out in my Etsy shop.

Finally...the other bag is done!

After weeks of waiting and cutting and waiting and prepping and waiting and working and waiting (the waiting is to complete and is caused by the wee ones needing...)  I have finally finished the other diaper bag featuring Amy Butler's August Fields fabric.  I am even more pleased with how this one turned out!  It features all the things everymom wants (organization, key thingy, zippered pocket, bottle pockets, diaper pockets...did I mention pockets), plus it is sooo stylish.  Just listed it in my Etsy shop.   One of these days I will actually make a bag for myself...now that the baby is past the "need to bring half the nursey with" stage, I can make myself a nice cute small bag for the bare essentials (spare passified, toy, diaper, wipes, maybe a snack for big sis).  I also finished this super cute duckie dress for an Alchemy custom request;  that little one will be sooo cute for her birthday!

I FINISHED ONE!!!

I have been dying to finish at least one of the diaper totes with the Amy Butler fabric that I have had just sitting and teasing me on my supply shelf.  Well, today I finished one!  I am very pleased at how it turned out.  I almost don't want to sell it!!!!  Check out my listing on Etsy and don't miss the matching changing mat!! (It has a built-in pocket for diapers & wipes).  

Right now I am gearing up for the EtsyMom Street Team "Fall Into Holiday Cheer" Trunk Show, Thursday September 4 at 7pm EST in the Etsy Virtual Lab (The badge on the right of the page is a link directly there.)  It promises to be a fun-filled evening featuring some very talented EtsyMommies and the possibility for winning a prize!!!  Don't miss it!