Finding Inspiration - Morning

During the last week as I've been writing and sewing & watching Jack build Lego creations....I was struck by the concept of inspiration.  How an idea forms and what drives someone to achieve big things. I know that for me I find certain people, colors, music, and artwork inspiring. Mostly things that invoke happiness- simple things really - the color yellow, Dolly Parton, strawberry shortcake, lovely fabric, Jack's stick figure drawings. 


But on another level, I really began to question what inspires me, deep down. Where can I find my spark?  It occurred to me that throughout my entire life, the very same thing has invigorated me over time and place - morning. 

photo taken by me on my mom's farm on a chilly October morning nearly 10 years ago

I have always woken up early. But above that, I've always wanted to wake up early. It was a trait that my friends didn't understand, especially on sleepovers when I would nudge them at 5am and ask to borrow a book. And it was something I'm sure my mother at one point thought peculiar. Why would a fifteen year-old wake before dawn and head out on old country roads for stretches of miles at a time?  My co-workers thought me insane for getting up at 4 to work out at the gym and make it to my classroom by 6 - but I thrived on it. 


Before injuring my knee, I enjoyed tying my laces & heading out to run. And of course, I mostly loved running in the mornings. One day in Boston, I ran so early the bustling city was still quiet, almost eerily so, and I just kept going faster and faster.... I remember thinking to myself "Here I am, running towards today!"  

There is something about the morning- the time when night has ended but light has not fully arrived when there is a stillness yet to be broken. For me, this time of day holds a certain promise & hope.  There are moments when I cling to the very idea of morning, the idea that we can all start over.  This is where I find my spark. 

so, tell me- where do you find your inspiration?

Lovely, Lovely - A Few of My Favorites

So happy to see bits of sunshine out our window yesterday. The sun and a fresh new hair cut (minus 3 inches) had me dreaming thoughts of spring.  What a lovely time of year this is....always filled with so much promise & hope- I love it! 


A few lovely things I encountered & adored during the week: 


{left column} Paper Wreath - Dana & Carol, Shea Butter Soap - Sweet Petula,  Necklace - LuxeDeluxe
{right} Glass Magnets - Tanner Glass, Modular Art - Gavin Klose






Tell me, are you still in winter mode or dreaming of robin's chirping & flowers blooming? 

Blog Love

Whew, the last week or two (or three?) has flown by in a blur of sewing, writing, loving, celebrating, crying, and crafting. 


In all the flurry though, I was so appreciative to recieve a blog award mention from two lovely ladies, Live A Colorful Life and Cali Quilter. It's called a Liebster Award & I was just pleased as punch with their kind words. Try as I might I couldn't figure out what the name means or where it originated but this bloggy gold star honors & recognizes small-ish blogs. Hooray! 


To share the fun & pass on the torch, I'd like to mention a few blogs I treasure: 

Jarosdesigns- all together lovely jewelry designer with an eye for all things beautiful & intriguing. Analisa not only does creates some of my favorite, classiest jewelry that makes me want to be an accessories kind of gal (maybe someday!), she also curates amazingly gorgeous fine art collections & color combinations. I often visit her blog to sit back & enjoy some pretty things. 

Karuski - Lovely Minna! She creates gorgeous from the most amazing vintage finds and sew just as lovely bags. Her photos are inspiring & I love reading about the little bits of life she shares.  Her mood boards are always a treat. 

LemonKissed Shauna is just a burst of pure happiness! A fellow Oregonian & mama - she's savvy with an eye for design & sunny outlook.  I look forward to seeing continued success in her jewelry shop! 

{Know of a lovely little-ish blog? Share one you've noticed - I'd love to see more!}

Pretty Window Valentines Hearts

Pulled out one of my favorite crafts from childhood to make these bright 'stained glass' hearts with Jack. It was a little messier than I remember with only a few near misses but we're both really happy with how they turned out....sure brightened up the space! 

I thought everyone made these little crayon shavings masterpieces growing up, but just  in case you haven't, I took a few photos along the way:

collect crayon shavings. we successfully broke the sharpener so I sacrificed a knife & chopped up the rest :) 

supplies: wax paper, iron (preferably an old one, you know- just in case), crayons, scissors, paper to trace hearts, and lots of material to protect your table/craft area & iron 

take a long piece of wax paper & fold in half. On one side, sprinkle shavings. The more the messier & globbier. The less looks a bit more like stained glass. Of course, we went with the globbier. 

fold the wax paper in half over the shavings, fold over the three remaining open edges to keep crayons inside & preventing a hot melty mess

warning: be sure to put lots of protection on your craft surface. I used an old flat towel & two layers of craft paper. Then lay more kraft paper (or something similar) over your little crayon pocket to protect your iron. On a low, dry setting press the paper. Check every few seconds to gauge the meltiness. At first, I made more ironing type movements which resulted in a smear- not the best idea. 

Let the papers dry (only takes about 5-10 mins). 

Cut out hearts in sizes you prefer. I made ours a bit smaller, thinking of a heart garland.

Trace on the wax paper & cut out. 

Tape to window or punch with a hole to hang from string or to create a garland. 

Ta da! 

I'll be posting more Valentinesy crafts soon so let me know if you have one to share or know of a great link, I'd love to include it!  

xoxo

Looking Back - My Handmade Journey

This week has been spent enjoying some bits of sunshine, cheering on Jack's new accomplishments, and putting in some major time writing my book.  I've always wanted to author a book, though I thought it would be some sort of autobiography charting my tumultuous childhood. But, I'm happy to see my draft, a guide offering advice to others hoping to launch or re-launch an Etsy shop, taking shape.  Part of the process has been reflecting back even more on my experiences....or rather, trial & errors.  It has been a journey for sure....and I am so thrilled to finally feel like my shop reflects me. It's like we've grown into each other. 

A few, somewhat embarrassing, glimpses looking back: 

  

              

2005: One of my very first bags. Simple & plain & quilted but it did the job toting my teacher stuff to school each day in Boston. This is one of the bags that got the ball rolling....soon other teachers begin requesting their own bags and then I realized, Aha! I could really make + sell something. 

Summer 2006: My first of a summer long series of disappointing & difficult craft shows. This one, in Sisters, Oregon, proved to be the most inspiring. But lo and behold, a lot of money was lost that summer on booth fees and travel. But I did gain some valuable insight into my market, my bag designs, and my salesmanship. Here I am scrutinizing my first pitiful little booth. 

Happy, empty booth. 

Carefully, nervously preparing for all the sales to come ;) 

2006: my first logo, designed by my hubby- meant to reflect the quilted nature of many of my bags and my sewing roots in quilting. I soon outgrew this name. Lesson learned. 

2007: Sold bags through word of mouth & simple website my husband set up. Spent most of my time teaching but tried my darnedest to take great photos. Here's a rudimentary photo box we developed....another drop of tears in the bucket. But, looks like someone in the family put it to good use :) 

            

2007: Pregnant & preparing for baby. Sewing for friends & family and the few random orders coming my way. Here's an updated bag from that time, also with some updated (sort of) photography. 

2008:   Three months post baby, I opened my Etsy shop & decided to really give things a go to stay home with my son & earn extra income. Here's me nervously fussing with my items at a Portland Crafty Mamas Bazaar. I had no idea what I was doing. 

2008: My shop began taking shape & I got things going a bit by offering new bag designs & improving my photography (though perhaps not evident in these photos :) 

Early 2009: A shop in Portland, Grasshopper, took a chance on me & began offering my baby collection in their store. woo hoo!

Me, pretend sad (and inside very jittery), that they had nearly sold out of all my items before I got there to take photos! 

So there it is, a little peek into some of my most vulnerable & scary times starting out. I am so excited for the changes I've made & the shop I've become. Writing this book is like a little bit of therapy maybe- a dash of confidence, a speck of inspiration, and a whole lot of introspection! 

I so look forward to sharing it. 

Now that I've bared my crafty soul, feel free to link to any photos or posts sharing your beginnings!  

Happiest Day

proud. amazed. gushing. scared. surprised. expectant. overjoyed. tearful. 


all these feelings sum up how I feel with Little Jack's recent accomplishment - writing his name! He constantly amazes me.  He's an observer...and always has been. He watches & without me even directly showing him things...he'll pop up a week later & show me what he can do. Like this summer when he independently spelled his name & "mom" with the refrigerator door magnets & said, "look, I did our names!" I looked and yipped & cried & cheered.  Then, early this fall he began typing his name on the computer...I had no idea he could until he one day said, "my turn." And just typed it out easy as you please. 


So I shouldn't be all that surprised when he started printing his name this fall.....it definitely was tricky & he often said, "my J is kinda funny."  He stopped doing it for awhile & I thought, well that was a brief little glimpse into his mind. And then all of sudden last week at his 3 year check-up he just sort of whipped it out on the back of my notes. 


Oh, the wonder.

Baby Love - Quilt Round-Up

So now that I'm pregnant well into my fourth month I've really got all things baby on my mind- mostly quilts!
I've done some quick browsing of tutorials that would make lovely quilts for baby and am starting to consider fabrics (we're waiting to be surprised whether baby is a boy or a girl.....but since I love orange & yellow it should be easy :)


Here's a few I've gathered up:

Charm Squares Baby Quilt from Oh, Frannson - with tutorial posted on Sew Mama Sew

Zig Zag Quilt from A Quilt is Nice

Colors Quilt from In Color Order

Stacked Coins Quilt - This one from Teeny Tiny Quilts using tutorial from Moda Bakeshop

Nine Patch Lattice Quilt, another beauty from Oh, Frannson 


Do you have a quilt tutorial or pattern you just love? If so, please share! Though I'll just be further racked with indecision... 

Just love him to bits!

Pantone Spring 2011 - Coral Crush

So excited to be looking ahead to sunnier days & brighter colors. It's been a cold & wet winter here & I'm already itching for spring! Inspired by Pantone's 2011 Spring color picks, I've gathered a few of my favorite lovelies in Coral Rose: 

Paper Lace Stationery by Ashley Pahl (her whole shop is just a burst of sunshine!)

Audrey Bracelet by The Peach Tree (another dose of happiness found here :) 

Recycled Magazine Coasters by LBCPaper (cannot get enough of this shop) 

Coral Quilt by BlueCallaHome ( a lovely new little shop) 

Chiffon Scarf from Imali (thrilled to have come across this treasure of a shop) 

Wrap Top by Lirola (purely gorgeous collection of clothes!) 

I'm really loving the Beeswax, Coral, & Regatta colors, what's your favorite? 

Newness - Spring Bags

Hooray! Got lots of sewing done this week; many orders, finished up some lingering projects, and a few new lovelies! Here's a few of my favorites....I also added a few cosmetic bags that are always a hit in my shop.  


I'm looking forward to offering a new style of clutch- a fold over with snap closure & hopefully more bags with new embellishments soon. 


Seems like my sewing to-make list gets longer by the day- especially with my baby bump getting bigger- it's time to start thinking of the baby quilt!  :) 


I'd love to hear/see what new things you've been making or dreaming up, do share!  

Downloadable Calendar

This calendar I discovered over at Creature Comforts is just too gorgeous too pass up....even if 2011 is a few weeks old already. Who cares?! This beauty deserves to be printed out & admired :) 

Efficiency Strategy

One thing we know is true. Time is limited. For me, it seems like a constant battle - always wanting more & never having enough.  On Monday, I asked if you felt challenges to opening/running a shop (would love to hear your thoughts!), from the feedback I received in general conversation, almost every mother/small business owner feels the same pressure.  In the past, I've shared time savers I often use. 


But,  this week in particular, there have been a few light bulbs going off for me in how time is managed & spent. 


One quote really made me rethink it all, "It's not how much time you have, but what you're doing with the time you've got."  

{Planner from My Lavender Cottage}

A few other little nudges this week led me to create a "Family Efficiency Strategy."  I showed it to my husband with the preface, "ok, so please don't think I'm crazy...."   But for the last few days it has helped make ours days run smoother & become more productive & happier. 


Obviously it's a wee bit personal, but I targeted a few areas in our lives that kind of zapped time & energy and alternative actions we could take to reduce these. (In my teaching days, we'd call this a Behavior Modification Plan.  wink, wink.)   Here are a few examples:  


target area: Transitions (lose a lot of time getting ready, making it to the door, etc...) 


 solutions   ->  slowly move Jack's wake-up time back to give more morning time (thus shifting naps, bedtime..)
                ->  adding "pack lunch box" to one of Jack's chores/responsibilities. This encourages him to take an  active role in our routine


target area: Meaningful Family Togetherness
                -> Limit total TV consumption & instead allocate 30 mins (at least) each evening for "family time."


target area: Cleaning
                -> Designate 30 minutes each weekend for everyone to clean-up together


So that's just a few, but I can say the result has been rewarding & freeing. This strategy plan has made things a little less chaotic & as a result I feel more like a family working together for shared happiness & success than of individuals.  I've been more relaxed, worked out, & got loads of sewing completed.


Thinking of making a embroidered wall hanging to continue prompting my thinking, 'what are you doing with your time exactly?'

Discussion & E-book Giveaway

Whew. I've been excitedly planning my e-book, a culmination of my year long series of Business Bits, as well as new tips, resources, and perhaps a few interviews about running a successful Etsy or online shop.  While I'm drafting this little treasure, I hoped to gather ideas from the experiences & perspectives of others. 

So......I'd love to hear your feedback & will excitedly send a copy of the finished book to randomly chosen response!* 


 A few points of interest: 


- If you are considering opening an Etsy or other online shop, what are your main worries/concerns/fears?


- Assuming you've taken the plunge & opened a shop, what is the biggest obstacle you feel facing you to increased success?


- What aspects of running a shop are most challenging for you? (i.e. marketing, balance of work & life, managing social media/site operations, staying relevant, making a profit......) 


- Please feel welcome to post any other thoughts, frustrations, or topics you'd like to read about or discuss.

{image: Happy Deliveries. I just love this shop.}

*This giveaway will stay open during my entire drafting process. Upon completion, I'll choose a winner by random & send a copy of the finished e-book. Woo hoo! 

Drawstring Party Bags

This week has been one of celebrating Jack's birthday....so although he's a New Year's Day baby we try to stretch it out so everyone doesn't feel too overwhelmed with festivities and are having his party today :) 


For his friends, I whipped up this drawstring bags & filled them with favors. The bags were cinchy & I even took photos (so expect a tutorial soon!). Then I stamped on each of their names- in orange of course, the color du jour.   We're heading out soon- planned for a little painting party at a local art studio owned by a very talented mum with a preschooler dance party with cupcakes afterward. So looking forward to all the fun!

Handmade Drawstring Bags with personalized stamped names

Favors: Coloring Book from Kitty Baby Love & a good 'ol box of crayons. 

Oh, Happy Day!

Love - New Items Just in Time for Valentine's Day

Just a quick little post to share some little lovelies I've created for Valentine's Day in mind.....I was inspired by bare, simple, & modern. 

Cosmetic Bag, Love. Embroidered my handwriting onto zipper pouch. Love. It's that simple. 

Zipper Pouch Heart Garden - Imagined what it means to grow love. My simple little embroidered thought.

Made these two little pillow hearts inspired after making my husbands Christmas ornament......handwritten "love" embroidered on linen in pink & red. Coordinating red & pink backs. 


I'm also envisioning a pillow with two lovebirds on it...though still deciding on the materials. Linen? Muslin? Embroidery?  Hmmmm.....




{tomorrow I'll be sharing the drawstring bags I made & hand stamped for Jack's party, woo hoo!} 

As You Like It - Custom Orders

 I really enjoy making custom orders....seems like buyers have such wonderful ideas. Sometimes the orders can be a bit of extra work, but in a lot of ways I feel like it rejuvenates me a bit too.  As I look back, I'm just kicking myself, I've completed many custom clutches for brides and seem to have forgotten to photograph them! Probably just excited to get them shipped out...but definitely plan on taking more photos in the new year.  In any case, here's a few recent custom orders I've completed:

cosmetic bags with poppy flowers for a bridal party, brides can be so energizing & charming to work with! 

hello embroidery....twenty personalized lavender sachets. I had nightmares of making a mistake on this order. Luckily they all turned out lovely!

 special requests for prints & patterns...and lots of birdies.

 more embroidery- personalized eye pillows with the recipient's initial stitched on linen

many request for matching accessories. I took note of this and hope to be adding more matching sets in the shop!

Organizers in specific prints & patterns seemed to be one of the most requested items for the holidays. My lovely buyers gave them away as gifts and many are returning to buy one for themselves! 

Hmm, so what's next? Right now I've got a few custom orders in progress as well as a few Valentine lovelies I hope to share soon.