Screen Printed Fabric Favorites

In love with these fabulous hand screen printed fabrics found on Etsy.  Dreaming of all the things I would make with them......

Belbirds in Gray by Melbomba

Weave in Bottle Green by Summersville

ABC in Orange by Helen Rawlinson

Gold Bird by Sarah Waterhouse Textiles

Weekend Warrior - Tackling the Wee Wonderfuls

Sometimes starting is the hardest part...I've been meaning to make Jack a doll from the Wee Wonderfuls designs...but being a pattern & all I've sort of put it off. The other day, though, Jack inspired me by very sweetly carrying around his friend's dolly- very appropriately cradling her (the doll, that is) and attempting to share his peanut butter & jelly and even offering his chocolate milk. I decided I better get started now because I certainly can't wait until middle school arrives to give him a dolly- I'm starting with Archie & will go from there....

Curious what patterns & books other folks are creating with lately? Generally, I avoid to patterns (adverse to rules & I prefer the trial & error process!) but these were just too cute to not give a try.....

{image credit wee wonderfuls)

Bummer

Business Bits will not be seen this week (or at least today) due to many computer meltdowns & malfunctions. So maybe the business lesson is just to have a Plan B. And C. And maybe even a D.

back soon!

meanwhile,pondering simpler times:

{{Vintage Royal Typewriter from Ameelia Bedelia }}

Crash & Burn

Enamored with the work of Yulia Brodskaya.  Amazing design & quilling (rolling strips of paper shown above).  Found this tree especially inspiring- the colors with white...reminds me of my favorite quilts- color blocks surrounded by strips of white.  A burst of happiness.


{{on another note....our trusty computer has died.  I felt both lost & liberated. Luckily, we've been able to borrow a spare & jimmy rig an internet connection, etc. etc.  Excited to share photos of new lovelies & get back in the saddle....soon, I hope...}}

Earth Day Tutorials

Rounded up a few projects to celebrate Earth Day! However, I'm sure we could all agree that maybe the very best project for Earth Day is to just think. 

For me, it's easy to get lost in my lovely world of little Jack & Oregon trees & sewing & soy lattes...but sometimes when I really stop to think.....well, that's when I probably do the very best kind of celebrating. 

A few lovelies: 

Plantable Paper from The Long Thread

Upcycled Shirt Pocket Quilt from Martha Stewart

Fused Plastic Bag Projects from Etsy Labs

Have a upcycled/recycled/reused tutorial of your own? Know a great one? Do share!

Mother's Day Picks from Perideau Designs

{{Bridgett, from the lovely + inspiring Perideau Designs, has signed on as a guest blogger today & graciously shared a few of her favorite picks for Mother's Day, enjoy! }}

Indulge Mom's Senses

Top row:

Earl Grey Cookies: Whimsy and Spice: http://www.etsy.com/shop/whimsyandspice

Fleur de Sel: Have it Sweet: http://www.etsy.com/shop/haveitconfections

Spicelab magnetic spice rack: Purpose Design: http://www.etsy.com/shop/purposedesign

Bottom row:

Double Pendant Sterling Silver: Urban Jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop/mujoyas

Mineral Bath Salts: Sweet Petula: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetpetula

Eco Toes in Houdstooth Wool: infusion: http://www.etsy.com/shop/infusion

Business Bits - More Marketing

Topic: Marketing- Connecting & Conversations

Here, I'll just jump right to the point. There are two types of marketing (in my opinion) the type that shouts and the type that connects.

What type do you think works best? I don't know, I'm sure there are studies out there somewhere. But, I know I'd rather connect to a brand/company/site than be begged, bombarded, and pleaded with.

So that's how I approach marketing. In an earlier Business Bits post about "premarketing", I mentioned that marketing is like telling your story. After identifying your story, you want to get on out there & share!

{{Hello World by Vol25}}

So what does that mean?

It means having a conversation. Connecting. Engaging. Being genuine.

How to do this? well, frankly, that's where social media + creative ideas comes into play.

(few ideas: blogging, twitter, facebook, cross-promoting, inviting your buyers to interact)

Admittedly, this is not my strength. But I'm constantly thinking how can I connect with people who may or may not be buyers. They might be buyers someday. They might recommend me to their friend. Or ...they might just become my own friend, business partner, colleague, mentor.....

I've said before that I had serious doubts about Twitter (but I also grew up with a mum who bought her first -and only- computer entirely to play "Solitaire," because, who can trust the Internets?) Anyhow, I've come to realize Twitter is a fabulous example of how to share a bit about who you are (notice I say 'a bit'), what your brand is all about, and again, what is your story.

So...maybe hold off on buying that ad space & that sale you're frantically promoting in the Etsy Forums and think more about how & who you can connect with.

Further Reading:

Twitter: Conversation vs. Broadcast from CraftMBA:
What Every Good Marketer Knows from Seth Godin (a must read!)
Social Media vs. Traditional Media from Inkling Media
Profile: ModCloth from Inc.com (ModCloth really has the whole thing figured out, inspiring!)

Keep

from Jack.
to me.
the loveliest flower i've ever seen.
in between soccer kicks
and running bursts.
he stops.
stoops low.
admires bits of color
dotting the grass.
quickly, quickly-
runs back.
to me.
smiling
"yellow for mama."
for me?
for me.

to keep.

Would Rather Be....

Camping!

Spending time outdoors was such a big part of growing up...I miss it! Even though we do live in a fabulous place with towering pines & squawking eagles & a family of deer I'm aching for a night spent under the stars, wrapped in a sleeping bag with my belly full of smores.

Here's my ode to camping: an Etsy treasury. Please stop by & let me know what you think!

Business Bits - SEO

Search Engine Opitimization is quite the buzz as of late. Or, probably, more accurately- I'm just paying more attention to it as of late! Anyhow, Search Engine Opitimization, commonly referred to as SEO, is the active process of improving the amount & quality of traffic to a site. Basically, how to get people, the right people, to come to your shop/site/blog.

It's a huge part of marketing & developing your marketing strategy. Recently, I've begun exploring this....and after pushing through a few technology induced headaches, I think I've got a plan....and some good resources to share. Many thanks to WaterRose, a fabulous Etsy seller who shared an excellent post. After sifting through tons of information, one thing is certain- I don't think there is much point in wringing my hands on how to advertise, spending money to buy ad spots, or twittering away if there are basic (albeit time consuming) adjustments I can make to improve my shop's SEO. Now, if that's not a kick in the pants, not sure what is!

{{Mini Polka Dot Favor Tag from Perideau Designs }}

When exploring how to improve SEO results for your Etsy shop specifically, you'll need to focus on tags, titles, descriptions, and other little bits that will take time (and patience!).

Since the resources I gathered are so fantastic on their own, I'll list them here. I recommend brewing a big 'ol cup of coffee & settling in to take notes & make a plan.

Beginner's Guide- What is SEO? - from SEOmoz.org (experts!) answers the what & why

Etsy SEO Cheat Sheet - from Handmade Business Blog; addresses the how, by far the most clear & easy to follow guidelines to improve your Etsy Shop (if you read nothing else, read this one!)

Improve Your Website's Search Ranking - from Inc. Magazine: super informative & easy to read (this too is an ultra must-read!)

Etsy Item Titles SEO - from Timothy Adam Designs; always a good resource & explains how Etsy titles affect SEO

Google Caffeine- A Detailed Test of the New Google : from Mashable- The Social Media Guide, explains how Google's new search engine function, soon to launch, affects SEO and other things. A little techinical, but you can wade through it. Promise.

Listing Your Handmade Craft the Right Way - From Craft is Art; good article & food for thought on how to better list your items on Etsy & other craft sites.

Whew, that should be enough to keep you busy for awhile! Still in the mood to work on your marketing? Check out last week's post on how to write a business plan.

Cheers!

Announcement - Quiltish at Powell's

So super excited to share that many of my items are now available at Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon. Ever been to this magical place? As described on it's website- "Powell's City of Books is a book lover's paradise, the largest used and new bookstore in the world." It truly is that.

And now (!) in the gift area you will find a few Quiltish lovelies; Snap Card Cases, Zipper & Pencil Pouches, and Baby Bibs. What can say? I'm thrilled to bits!

Have I enticed you to visit Portland now?


More newness:

Baby Bib & Burp Cloth Set in Spring Butterfly

Wristlet Clutch in Azalea Garden

Wristlet Clutch in Valley Flowers

Zipper Pouch in Humming Bird and Dots


Happy weekend everyone!

Wordless Wednesday

New Handbags

So happy to share new frame handle handbags listed in my shop! These little creations have long been waiting their turn on my to-do list...and after taking time away from making handbags...I'm excitedly reintroducing new designs & styles. These bags make me dream of garden parties, magnolias, & romantic evenings under the stars....

sittin' pretty

Valley Flowers in Rose

Momo Garden in Cream

Azalea Garden in Chartreuse

Blue Sky with Gray Poppy

Business Bits - Marketing Plan

Topic- Writing Marketing Plans for Small Businesses


So I've talked a bit about marketing; pre-marketing planning, organizing your base, & setting up Google Analytics to monitor just how & if our strategies are working out.  Now that we've got that under our belt, let's look at writing an an actual marketing plan. This is something I've wanted to do for awhile & hope to complete one sometime this month. I found excellent resources at Inc.com and Entreprenuer.com

{Image from P.S. Paper Goods}

Steps to Creating A Marketing Plan (condensed from Inc.com article):

1. Set Your Objectives : grow your business? add more customers? increase number of repeat customers? establish your brand?

2.Do Your Research:get to know who your customers are, could be, and what they want.

3. Define the Strategies you Need: How will you accomplish your objectives?

4. Outline your Tactics: write it out, includes examples & methods

5. Build in Measurement for Each Tactic: {this is where google analytics or other stat programs are helpful!} identify time periods & quantifiable methods of checking (i.e. 20% more visitors by the end of June 2010)

6. Develop the Plan and Stick to It: Use your plan & refer back to when making decisions

7. Implement the Plan – and Stay Flexible: Make a point to review your plan & change if necessarily- are goals not being met? exceeded drastically? tactics not feeling like the fit your core values?


Good luck friends! Love to hear any marketing plan tips or stories...

Easter Basket Tutorial

{shhh, jack's easter basket this year...}

This basket is super easy & great for using up fabric pieces (can be made with just 2 fat quarters!). I especially love it because it's reusable and goes well beyond Easter- stash books, socks, & doo dads all year round!

Materials:
Outside & Inside Fabric: 2 pieces each cut 9" x 13"
Strap: 4" x 21"
Fusible Interfacing: 2 pieces 9"x 13" and 1 piece 4" x 21"
Sew In Stabilizer: 2 pieces 9"x 13"
Coordinating Thread

*1/4" seam allowance unless noted.

Step 1: Body
Iron fusible interfacing to wrong side of each piece of outside fabric.

Make a sandwich: Lay down one piece of stabilizer, then two pieces of outside fabric (right sides together), follow with other piece of stabilizer. Pin. (*yes, this makes it thick, but it will help it stand sturdy more like a basket than a bag)

Pin two pieces of interior fabric, right sides together.

Sew: Exterior Pieces- down two sides & across bottom
Interior Pieces- two sides, across bottom BUT leave approx. 5" gap in seam (to pull bag through later)

Step 2: Strap

Iron on interfacing to wrong side of 4" x 41" strip.
Fold strip of fabric in half length wise, wrong side together. Press. Then fold each long side to the center crease you just made. Fold together (should be one long strip with sides tucked in).

Press, press, press. Pin

Top stitch along both edges.


Step 3: Make Gusset Corners
Now that your body pieces are sewn together, it's time to make the squared corners (this makes more of a boxy style).

It can be a little tricky, but bear with me:

Fold the bottom seam to meet the side seam. Match up as best you can. Finger press and Pin.

Measure 2" up from the point & with a ruler draw a line across (perpendicular to the seam).

Sew on this mark for both the interior & exterior.

It will look something like this above.



Step 4: Trim Corners
Trim off the little triangle made from gusseting the bag. Leave a 1/4" seam.


Step 5: Prepare the Strap
With your strap long edges sewn it's time to attach them to the basket.

Turn the exterior right side out.
Pin each end of the strap to the side seam of the basket.
Make sure the handle is placed so that it's not twisty when lifted up.
Sew in place with 1/8" seam

Step 6: Put it all together
With basket right side out & handle attached, slip the interior over the basket (with right sides facing each other- as shown).

Pin securely in place.
Sew around the entire rim.

It will look like this:

Step 7: Turn it Out

Gently pull the handle & exterior out through the 5" opening left in the lining.
Work the lining down & the fold over the top.
Press, press, press.


Step 8: Finish It!
Top stitch around the top edge. I used a zig zag stitch because it helps the thick interfacing & stabilizer lay flat. It also helps strengthen the handle.

Press in open edge of interior. Press & top-stitch close.

Voila! A super cute Easter or all year long basket just waiting to be filled with goodies.


{extras}

I made a similar basket for Jack on Halloween to carry his treats. Instead of inserting the handle I attached it at the end by creating a button hole & sewing on a button on each side. When removed, the basket is more like a bucket and again can be used all year long.


Please let me know if you need any clarifications or of course, if I made any mistakes! Also, I'd love to see photos if anyone makes on of these little baskets...I'm sure there's tons of ideas out there to add cuteness. **Check out my Tutorials Page for more projects!

Easter Downloads

Jack & I colored these uber cute coloring pages from Vale Design. She's got two other super adorable pages to color, decorate, & get ready for Easter! See them here