Purchases

I thought I'd share my recent purchases. Both of them are AWESOME! Check these out... I'm sure you will find something you like in their stores as well...

First off... Father's Day was Sunday. My lucky husband got to spend it at Maple Valley Days while I was selling my goods. We also celebrated this awesome dad by taking him to dinner... and we bought him a new sketch book from Joshuaandjulielee.

They make some awesome journals from old books, recycled boxes, and anything else that strikes their fancy. I was so excited to receive this journal! My husband has been working on a new series of drawings - dinosaurs with two little Paleontologist (my kids) and I thought it was the perfect gift for him from his kids.

These journals are really well made. I also like that they include a few of the original pages of the book throughout the journal. Not only is it perfect for his sketches now - but it'll be a great keepsake for the kids later down the road.

My second purchase last week was this adorable little dress for Lyssie. I saw this dress and just fell in love with it... but it was a size 5. It will be 20 years before Lyssie fits into a size 5! So, I asked if it could be made in a size 2T.

Bobbityboo was extremely accommodating. So much so, that she went out to buy more of the fabric to make it for me!

I'm not sure I've been more pleased with a purchase. When I purchased this dress, I figured it was a dress I probably could make myself... but just didn't have the time. Boy was I wrong! The craftsmanship put into this darling little dress is incredible! She scalloped the bottom of the dress as well as the lining on the inside! It's beautiful as each scallop is also finished with stitching. It's unbelievable. I also love the two huge yellow buttons.

I highly recommend this seller. Not only are her prices reasonable... but the quality is out of this world! I'm sure I'll be buying from her again.

I'll share photos of both my purchases when I get a chance. I haven't had a chance to put the dress on Lyssie yet (truth be told, I feel like it's just too pretty to put on my little rug rat... she's going to go jump in the mud as soon as I get it on her... I know it).

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Here we go again!

I'm preparing for another craft show... but this time, I have procrastinated until the last minute. I've been at my sewing machine all day. I still feel like I'm not prepared for this three day event. Because of this, I'll be closing both my stores this weekend so that I can also take the inventory in each of the stores. I'm desperate!



I have been working diligently at making more Scrappy Little Monsters - and some of my Jingle Balls have become little monsters as well as I've been having a great time adding eyes to them. Sorry, pictures of those will have to come later - or better yet, you can check them out at the Maple Valley Days this weekend! We'll be located in the Kidsland!



This week is a bit crazy as preparations for the craft fair have also been hindered by the end of the school year for my son. I really didn't want to make his last week of school a rough one, so I've been sewing a little less than I should. Thanks to Cindy who took Robbie today, freeing me up to sew with just Lyssie hanging off me.



Robbie has had a big week - losing his first teeth, getting $1 from the tooth fairy and graduating pre-school (for the second time - this time we mean it!). He's an excited and conflicted little boy. He's also anxious to celebrate Father's Day this weekend. Hurray for my husband who gets to celebrate it at the craft fair. I guess we'll be even after this one since I've spent Mother's Day at a comic convention :)


Anyhow, I need to get back to work... just wanted to post a warning that the stores will be closed tonight until Sunday night or Monday morning. Also wanted to remind everyone to come out and join us at Maple Valley Days! I think it's going to be tons of fun... and I'm sharing a booth with Meghan from It's Made At Home!

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Another Craft Fair

It's just a week away. Maple Valley Days runs for three days - Friday, Saturday and Sunday of next week. I'll be sharing a large booth with Meghan from It's Made At Home. I'm excited and a bit anxious. I've never done a show with a 10x10 space... and certainly not with a 10x20 space! I've also never done a THREE day show! I'm not sure how much stock I need.

My husband decided that Saturday he's going to try to distract the kids so I can work all day. I've been sewing lots of tshirt items (check out my newest hat) - capes and dresses mostly. I was hoping to take these to the show... but they are selling quickly online as well (Yay!).

Since I'm unable to really focus, I have also had fun coming up with new ways to use the huge box of scraps. Well, something different than having my kids playing in the box and burying each other. The flowers (pictures) are being integrated onto my dresses. I'm also considering selling them by themselves - like a grab bag of colors. With these and the hat... I'm still not making a dent. Now I have a huge box of tshirt scraps, a large box of fleece scraps, a box of cotton scraps, a box of flannel scraps and two bags of miscellaneous scraps. No wonder my space is caving in on me!

Anyhow, I hope to gear up for the show this weekend. We'll have to see if I can focus. I think I need to order a Shower Art that says "focus" for the front of my sewing machine :)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

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I never win!

Yay for me! I had a pretty good day today... a play date for the kids, some time to myself, a new cool mug... and the winner of a raffle! I never win... and I couldn't have won from a better group ~ EtsyMud (pottery).

I think I'm starting to get addicted to Etsy mugs. I bought my first one the other day from LASDesigns (the one I received today) and I couldn't be happier with it. I'll be watching her store for more. I especially love the bumps... they feel great when you cup the mug... I'm sure it'll feel even better when it's got some nice warm tea in it. My other favorite feature of this mug is that it was an "oops" mug... meaning, it wasn't up to her high standards. I love it - the glaze didn't cover the entire mug... and that's why I love it. It reminds me of my grandfather's pottery. Really, the whole fact that it's a little imperfect is what reminds me of his pottery. All the family members ended up with the pieces that didn't quite work out (a goblet that leans a little, a vase that has a crack and doesn't hold water, a pot that got smashed a little)... and I think they are the best! Seeing his pottery (and any pottery that reminds me of his) brings back some of my fondest memories from childhood. I miss my grandpa... but I'm glad that I have things around me that remind me of him.

Can't wait to see what I won in the raffle... I'm really hoping it's another cool mug!

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Reward

I love what I'm doing. I get to be home with my kids... I get to be creative everyday... I get to be my own boss. But it's not always rewarding. Some days it's very hard for me to motivate myself to keep making, photographing, posting, promoting, etc. But every once in a while, I get a great positive feedback from someone... or a picture of their child in something I've made... and it makes it worth everything.

Today, I received my best reward yet. Last week, I sent two capes off to Louisiana. Tonight, I received the nicest email and photos. I just had to share a bit of it...

"Awesome, Awesome capes!! I surprised my two little ones with your capes. Who doesn't love to receive a package in the mail? My four year old put it on in the driveway and immediately began jetting around and around the sidewalk and our circular drive. Who knew he could fly so fast?! When it was time to leave for our friends 3rd bday party at the local gymnastics gym, Hank said he HAD to bring his "Super 4" cape. Great idea! They were the hit of the party! Wish I had ordered one for the bday girl." - Gabrielle

"...This photo tells such a story of a boy's childhood...how they embrace certain objects. His imagination and super strength have seemed to soar with a simple recycled t-shirt." - Gabrielle

I'm very excited about all the creations I've made with the tshirts. I can't seem to stop making them so I can focus on my upcoming show in Maple Valley. I have to prepare for a three day show... so I should be a little stressed. Instead, I just keep making capes and dresses. These pictures demonstrate why I do what I do. I get to see my kids enjoy my things... but it's very rewarding to see other kids enjoy them as well. Thanks Gabrielle!

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