Busy Bee

Here I am at 4am, drinking coffee- getting ready to sew & thinking, "i'm totally nuts." But, well maybe I already knew that. Plus, I enjoy these early mornings of peace & quiet & productivity (that is, as long as I don't waste away this precious work time on twitter or reading blogs!) Anyhow, here are a few beauties I made yesterday morning for my Etsy shop & I just love them to bits.

I'd love to hear what new things other crafty ladies (or men, if you're out there reading this) have made laltely!

Updates: Post on Supplies: Added a few more sources
Post on Fabric Scrap Flowers: Link to a video tutorial & Etsy how-to page, try em out!

Supplies Round-Up

The holidays will be here very, very soon. How do I know for sure? Because Target already has it's ornaments & sparkly accoutrement up. Nothing like that to give you a kick in the pants.
One thing I did learn from last year's holiday shopping frenzy is that it's wise to stock up ahead of time (like, now!) on supplies & such so you're not caught at the very last moment needing that oh-so-special ribbon, only to find it's actually on back order.


Thought I'd share my supply sources (and some I'd like to try!):

Ribbon & Tissue Paper- Nashville Wraps they often have specials once you're on their mailing list- I found it easy to order & very quick shipping.

Business Cards: GotPrint I've used them a few times & really love my cards. They're so cute & also use them as my hang tags. I did try other companies before & well, what can I say these just seem better- and very budget friendly!

Notions: Fabric Depot Not only do they have mega sales on fabric (35% off anything!) they also give wholesale pricing for many items bought in bulk (i.e full box of thread)....and you don't even have to be a business owner! I've heard some other major fabric stores do this too..check in your area- it pays off!

Zippers: ZipIt Without a doubt, one of my all time favorite Etsy supply shops. Lightning fast shipping & oh-so-friendly & helpful. Love, love, love it!

Mailing Supplies- Royal Mailers Definitely great for buying in bulk. (hint: before ordering google "royal mailers coupon code" and usually one comes up for 10% off or something. works like a charm ;)

Prong Snaps- SnapSource Oh my, one of the best little companies ever. You can call & talk to someone right away. They ship fast & you can order in bulk for a discount.

Garment Labels- Distinctive Designs Read entire post on my labels here

Fabric- Fabricworm I buy fabric from tons of places & some directly from the company, but I must say I really love shopping at fabricworm- it's run by a woman who knows her stuff. She gets new fabric all the time & has excellent customer service. That's pretty much what I'm looking for. (ps. if you're on her mailing list or follow her blog you might also catch some sales)

Custom Labels/Tags by Whisker Graphics - I adore these! And want to try them soon :)

Custom Stickers: Pixel By Pixel This shop has tons of business (or personal!) products
Leave a comment & share your fabulous supply sources!

{{Image Credits to the respective shops }}

Pocket Full of Posies - Fabric Selvage Scrap Flowers

{{UPDATE}} I did some research & found a fantastic video tutorial demonstrating ribbon roses similar (but much neater & prettier than above ;) narrated by a woman with a very proper accent! The Etsy Storque also has a how-to with a neat sketch (what a coincidence!)Now you can make your own...and I can make mine better!

I love these little bitty flowers I made this weekend. I looked at my heap of selvage edges & thought, 'there just has to be something I can do with these.' I've seen other crafty ladies make pin cushions & ornaments & the like so I was inspired to think of something! They aren't 'perfect' which is why I like them I think...but it also means there aren't really directions. You just start with a knot & twist & turn & turn. I'm thinking of attaching these little beauties to zipper pouches made with the same linen shown in the background. Hmmm, we'll see.

p.s I've gotten lots of comments on my red shoes from yesterday's post. Sorry to share that those shoes are an ancient find from the Nordstrom Rack, but I do love them too! My costume was so supposed to be a 50's housewife (can you see the pearls?) Obviously, I spent much more time preparing jack's outfit, my handsome little cowboy!

Lucky, Lucky Me.

Ok. so how is this possible? I might just have the worst luck ever. On Friday, in the midst of completing orders, finishing jack's cowboy costume & preparing for our big little halloween bash these things all happened: my fancy shmancy rowenta iron dropped and shattered, no less than 20 minutes later my sewing machine decided to only stitch micro millimeter stitches- the length knobby thing busted, so I pulled out the spare- it jammed on the first go round. then, i walk outside...flat tire. seriously. so i'm stranded at the tire place and what do you know? my cell phone is dead.

so just when I think everything is about to fall apart & i'm nervous that anything else that could go wrong, will go wrong- we get jack all set in his costume; wriggle on the wranglers, buckle the belt, pull up the boots, tie on the chaps, pull down the hat.....I stand back (briefly admiring my chaps handiwork) and think, oh my gracious- turns out I'm actually the luckiest gal in the world!

Happy Halloween, Cowboy.

It doesn't get any better than this.


Love you, little man.

Halloween Frenzy

Cutting, Measuring. Stitching, Fixing. Printing, Buying. Cutting, Sewing. Stringing, Singing. Looking, Liking. Wanting, Trying. Hoping, Borrowing. Running, Scrambling. Thinking, Drinking. Snipping, Sighing.


That's me. Getting ready for Halloween. Our little (big) party. Making Jack's cowboy costume (who knew chaps would be such a labor of love?)

Anyhow, I'm all about & easy & free & last minute right now.


So here ya' g0 ;)


Pumpkin Lanterns- Downloadable Template from Martha Stewart Tons more cute & creepy things to be found on her site for sure.

Halloween Stencil Templates for Tote Bags (or other things!) from The Long Thread

Paper Skeleton made by How About Orange. Templates for him & *gobs* of other Halloweeny stuff on the Canon website. (seriously, there is TONS over at Canon, who knew?!)


Sweet Downloadable Halloween Card from Inside a Black Apple


::Also: Bat Doll Template from Heather Bailey


{{All image credits to the respective sites}}

My Favorite Designer

Sure, there are lots of designers to choose from. But I'm a little partial to one in particular. I just adore his work. I'd spend my last penny on one of his designs. I anticipate his new pieces & techniques. I'm especially lucky to watch his creative process unfold firsthand and am intrigued by his seriousness yet flair for the unexpected. His use of color is downright avant garde. Each masterpiece inspires & shows a penchant for juxtaposing circles and lines. Oh, and his ability to think outside the box, or um, off the paper is clearly a sign of genius!


Getting that little brown swirl just right


Surveying the work.....

Such a burst of intensity & concentration!

Fini! Finito! Terminado! Flar! Finite!


Necessary yoga techniques complete this exhausting creative release