Luke

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Our light.  He has arrived and we're just over the moon in love with him! 

Happy Summer

Monday, June 20, 2011


Celebrate the first days of summer with these gorgeous vintage summer tags from Eat, Drink, Chic. 
It doesn't get more lovely than this....

Hip Hip Hooray, It's Father's Day!

Sunday, June 19, 2011


Hooray for all the wonderful dads out there! 
Happy wishes to my husband for being such an amazing, adventurous, dedicated daddy who's always up for a Lego building session or a soccer match with our little guy. 
We love you! xoxo

Summer Wonder

Friday, June 17, 2011



The anticipation of summer....I love the promise it brings! So many hopes for excitement and magic- along with all the memories to cherish. I always approached summer with a sort of theme or idea as to how it would all play out, projects I hoped to complete, books I wanted to read, and adventures to find. 

I found this charming idea of creating a summer wish list on Home Stories - and what I love most about it is that it captures all the little things that make for a magical summer. Not big vacations or events, but rather the small wonders. 

With baby arriving any day (really, any day now!!) summer holds another aspect of hope for our family....here's a few things on our list:

1. make homemade popsicles 
2. take Jack outside to look at the stars
3. walk in the late evening sun
4. sit on the porch with my husband
5. drive somewhere wide & open
6. stroll the farmer's markets with my two little ones
7. let baby's toes touch the sand
8. pick berries
9. eat strawberry shortcake... a lot of it. 
10. reminisce about past summers...and not be sad
11. photograph everything

{what's on your summer list? }

Determining Actual Cost - A Challenge For You

Thursday, June 16, 2011

{Earlier this week I wrote a bit about the concept worth in small creative businesses. Specifically, recognizing that worth goes beyond price but includes many intangible variables.  It's important for us to really grasp that notion and avoid selling ourselves short. A part of that process however, does include number crunching, determining the actual cost of your items. It's a task that feels more like a challenge probably....I've talked to some folks who flat out refuse. But honestly, I think it's a critical first step in establishing your worth and developing pricing.  Here's an updated and simplified article I wrote last year showing all the components of actual costs. Happy number crunching! }


First, let's start off by noting that pricing might just be one of the most difficult + personal aspects of starting & running your creative business. It's tempting to compare yourself to others. Don't. It's easy to second guess yourself. Don't. It's quick to be cheap. Don't.
So then, what should we do?

Well, start off by writing down the actual cost to make your item. I mean actual. Every last cent that goes into creating your pretty little gizmo. Here's where it's easy to short change yourself. But again- don't.  For nearly a year my husband urged me to do this. I avoided it. Finally, I acknowledged his MBA and gave in.  I sat down and crunched some numbers.The results were so astonishing-  at first I wanted to cry....but then seeing the numbers in black in white inspired me to make some serious adjustments and improvements....and led to a more successful business. 


So....let's go through an example and pretend you make pretty patchwork aprons. Here's what your breakdown of actual costs might look like:


Supplies Cost:
1 yard fabric = $8 
fabric scraps = $2
1 yard of ribbon = $2
 Thread = .02  (200 aprons per $4 thread spool)
Garment Labels = .10 ($500 for box of 5,000 labels)

Production Cost:
Use of sewing machine = .10 (approx. 1000 aprons for every $100 maintenance fee)


Packaging Cost:
Tissue Paper= .02 ($2 box of 100)
Hang Tag = .04  ($40 box of 1000 tags)
Business Card= .05 ($25 for 500 cards)
Mailer = .03 ($30 for 1000 mailers)


Labor Cost: {for this example we'll use $10 per hour}
Cut & prepare materials = $2.50 (1/4 of a $10 hour)

Sew 1 patchwork apron = $10 (one $10 hour)
Package 1 patchwork apron = $1 (1/10 of a $10 hour)


Total =$25.86

This means that the actual cost of making each apron is $25.86Note, this does not include Etsy & PayPal fees or time spent listing and marketing. 

Wow! See what I mean?  The actual cost sure seems high, but there is power in just knowing the true cost of your item. It makes decisions about pricing, offering discounts, giveaways, or establishing wholesale accounts a lot easier.  Plus, it is absolutely critical in determining the long-term sustainability of your business. 

So, what now? Well, more than likely you'll need to make some adjustments- raising your prices, establishing your worth, improve your sourcing of materials to lower your actual costs. But seriously, dust off the calculator, grab a cup of coffee and hunker down to crunch some numbers.....you can thank me later ;) 

Phone Case Design Process

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Happy as a lark with my new iphone.....but being the fabric/sewing junkie I am, the first thing I did before even learning how to use the silly thing was to design & make a little case for it! 
I'm sure there are gobs of tutorials and patterns out there for various cases, but I am absolutely not a pattern person. I seem to just muck them up and I really enjoy creating from total scratch. 
Anyhow, I love how the case turned out & I am almost more excited to open & close it than to use the phone itself!

I thought I'd share a bit of my process....I wish I would've taken more photos during the construction, but here's a little glimpse: 
I imagined what I hoped it would look like and made this initial rough sketch. 
 
 Drew upon similar techniques from this fold over clutch and my portfolio organizers
Chose fabric....knew I had to use the coral weave from Moda, it's been sitting on the shelf tempting me since I purchased it! Added a bit of linen and then settled on pinky orangy dots for the inside.

Opted for an elastic close for easy but secure keeping (I'm already on pins & needles I'll somehow damage this phone!) 
Added a little pocket in the back because I thought I just might need it for something. plus, I just love adding extra details! 

After a bit of readjusting and trimming and reinforcing the stitches, voila! a padded little phone case

{would love to hear about your design process...what steps do you take to make something new?}

Tutorial Tuesday - Lemon Scrub

Tuesday, June 14, 2011


It's no secret I love lemons.  Just about anything lemon really....so after searching for a recipe for salt scrub I jumped for joy at this discovery; Lemon Salt Scrub from The Beauty Department. Looks easy, quick, and oh-so-lemony! 


Now, off to find some jars and salt :) 

Guest Post - Find Me Over At Lilly Pie

Monday, June 13, 2011

Hello & Happy Monday! Today you can find me over at  the lovely Lilly Pie where I share about my "Yes, I Can" moment in business!  


{ps. Laura creates wonderfully charming accessories, take a peek while you're there}

Must Try Scone Recipe

Sunday, June 12, 2011


As promised....here's the super delicious and easy to make scone recipe. Now, I do have to include some advanced warning;  they are highly addictive. Not only to eat, but to make. They turn out so darn scrumptious, you'll just want to make batches & batches trying new variations. 


{Also, as you might - or might not- notice, these little delights are vegan. Don't let that scare you- all of my baking is vegan and I usually get rave reviews. Plus, the apple cider vinegar is not only magic in baking, but it's good for you too!}


Scrumptious Scone Recipe

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp baking powder 
  • 1/4 cup sugar (plus extra for sprinkling on top)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup soy cream or soy milk
  • 3/4 cup soy milk plus 2 tsp apple cider vinegar (add these together first, let sit a few mins)

Makes 16 scones 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add the oil, soy cream, and milk with vinegar. Mix until just combined; the dough should be clumpy and not sticky. Even if there is still a light dusting of flour, that's okay.
Drop by 1/4 cupfuls onto the greased cookie sheet and pat the tops just a little bit to round them out; sprinkle with a bit of sugar. Bake 12-15 minutes until slightly browned on the bottom and firm on the top.

*Lemon Poppyseed version: Add 2 Tbsp poppyseed to dry ingredients. Fold in zest of 2-3 lemons into completed batter. 
*Variations: add nuts, berries, fruit, chocolate chops for more scrumptiousness

    The Lemon Poppyseed version I made would make a super lovely gift wrapped up with this packaging and recipe card from Creature Comforts



    {recipe from Vegan With a Vengeance}

    For What It's Worth

    Saturday, June 11, 2011



    The concept of worth has come up a lot lately. Both on a personal and business front.  My husband and I discussed what our graduate educations are worth, I've thought about what my time is worth (given there isn't much of it!) and I've been reading lots of businessy books exploring what a concept may be worth. These all fit into the current discussion swirling around the creative community regarding the worthiness of handmade. The pricing, selling, marketing, and valuing of our work .  


    The more I thought about it all I realized that this concept of worth is really quite murky. Being the word-nerd I am, I looked it up in a business dictionary and noted that worth contains "a perceived importance of something tangible or intangible."  I mean, I guess this is all sort of obvious, but it caused me to stop for a bit a really evaluate not just how I value my own work.....but how I am expressing those values in my brand. 


    As a consumer, I can list attributes of products that have importance to me. I am willing to pay more, drive farther, spend time, and remain loyal to products that reflect what I value.  The key aspect in this, however, is that somewhere along the line these brands all conveyed this sense of worth to me. They shared their values in such a way that made me say to myself,  "this is worth it to me." 


    It may not be worth it to someone else but it's worth it to me. 


    So what does this mean for small creative businesses? It means we need to highlight the attributes of our business that may have perceived importance to buyers.  Whether it's re-writing product descriptions, sharing details of our handmade process, or better establishing our business's story - we need to be conveying our worth. 


    Attributes that determine worth:
    • Quality: describing the details, process, and materials used can help a buyer determine a value for your work
    • Distinction: share what sets your brand apart, how are you different from the others?
    • Service: sometimes it's not about the product itself but what is offered from a customer standpoint (reliable shipping, custom work, nifty packaging, rewards programs)
    • Process:  small scale, handmade, local, one of a kind - these are all parts of the process that may have inherent worth to some buyers. 
    • Materials: sharing what goes into the product can make all the difference for a buyer (e.g. organic, vegan, hand-spun, locally sourced, recycled paper, etc...)
    • Experience: offering customers an experience can add worth -assuming it's a positive one! Things like custom work, personalized items, the ease of check-out all contribute to the overall feeling of your business
    These are just a few attributes that convey the value in the marketplace. Personally, I've got my work cut out in redrafting my descriptions and story-telling to address these for potential buyers.  One handbag is not necessarily equal to another handbag - nor should it be. I think that by better expressing what makes our work valuable, the concept of worth is elevated beyond just the notion of price. 


    {what other attributes help you define worth?}



    All Stacked Up - Notepad Organizers at Perideau Designs

    Friday, June 10, 2011

    Hot off the presses! 
    Check out Perideau Designs for our too-hot-to-keep-in-stock collaboration; my fabric organizers paired up with her fantastic shopping list notepads.  Bridgett's charming site also offers tons of stationery and accessories for home and kids....it's impossible to not find something to love there!

    Baby Quilt Happiness

    Thursday, June 09, 2011

    Hooray! 
    The quilt is complete....and even before baby arrives.  I used the Charm Squares Baby Quilt pattern from Oh, Frannson with Kona solid fabrics. The back is one of Denyse Schmidt's prints in butter yellow I just couldn't pass up.  First time working with solids & I love it! I think it's just perfect for the little lad or lass coming our way. 
     waiting for baby!
    happiness + sunshine
    {though the quilt is looking rather crinkly isn't it?...post washing wrinkles, boo}

    I just love these colors together and mitred corners are one of my favorite techniques!

    Gorgeous poms from the sweet Alysia at Prost to the Host

    Wouldjalookatthat!

    Wednesday, June 08, 2011

    Well, color me happy...
    ...this little 'ol blog is mentioned in the Quilter's Home Magazine's annual list of 55 Best Quilting Blogs!  I couldn't possibly be more surprised but pleased as punch to be among some of my very own favorites. Just take a look at the list ...there is gobs of talent and inspiration.  While I truly feel pretty undeserving of such niftyness, I am so happy the magazine recognized my efforts to share tips in helping other's start their own online creative business. 


    {look! that's me in that nifty blue highlighted box!}


    Many thanks to the folks at Quilter's Home for mentioning this wee humble blog -thrilled to hear they're crazy about my fabric flowers too!



    Tutorial Tuesday - Father's Day DIY Gift Round-Up

    Tuesday, June 07, 2011

    With Father's Day right around the corner, I thought I'd share some awesome crafty gift ideas for dear old dad. From the simple to the simply fantastic- I search high & low for clever (and easy!) project.  Here ya go! 
    (ps. my men's wallet tutorial also makes a super gift for pops!) 

    One of dozens cool cards from Canon's Creative Park to print out and give
    Also from Canon's Creative Park -adorable origami printables
    Printable CD covers (and directions for downloading music) to make dad his own mix tape (a la the 80's!) from Alpha Mom

    Folded Men's Shirt Card also from Alpha Mom
    I'd skip the tie & make ours Hawaiian print ;) 

    More foldy fun, a napkin dress shirt from How About Orange

    All purpose spice rub from Martha Stewart 
    {add her printable Dad labels for even more fun}

    Tin box turned mini tool gift box via Country Living

    Did I miss anything? Know of a great project for Dad? Let me know!

    One Year From Now....

    Monday, June 06, 2011



    When I came across this quote, it stopped me in my tracks. I read it again and again and thought of all the ways this was true for me. How many projects, ideas, changes, and improvements I had set aside, waiting for another time to start. Only to find myself here today, wishing I had all that time back. It’s a frustrating and disappointing feeling. Failure mixed with a little bit of guilt. After a few days of listing all the things I have not accomplished, I took to repeating this quote nearly every day. Every time I think that something is too big to take on, too impossible, too frightening, just too much....I try to remind myself that beginning is often the hardest part. Someday, whether it’s tomorrow or a year from now, I’ll be so much happier having at least made a start.

    A few ways I get inspired to just begin,

    •  Make a plan. Whether it’s a to-do list, a step-by-step process, or some sort of strategy sketched out on butcher paper, writing it all down can be just the start I need.
    • Set a timer. This has been my go-to trick forever. Knowing there is a set amount of time to begin a task (like exercising, writing, brainstorming, etc.) can make the insurmountable become possible.
    • Say it out loud. Kind of like shouting it from the roof tops. Sharing your plan or idea somehow makes it all the more official...and seems to keep me motivated to finish.
    Hopefully these suggestions are helpful in starting your next big thing. And just think, a year from now, it all started with today.


    How do you motivate yourself to just begin? 

    {ps. this post first appeared last week on my good friend Kelly's blog - Calming The Spirit - take a peek at her inspirational posts!}

    Obsession- Barn Doors

    Saturday, June 04, 2011

    They are something  I will make my husband stop the car for.  Barns.  Especially the ones with nice doors. I love their shape and sturdiness. When I rode horses (a long time ago!) I loved the feeling of swinging the doors open to 'discover' the animals inside. Seems like to me, the doors themselves hold onto a bit of that discovery and magical feeling.  {ps. thank you for all the lovely comment on yesterday's post about awaiting baby - the gorgeous barn doors in that photo inspired this post!}







    Anticipation

    Friday, June 03, 2011

    {photo courtesy Amanda Metz Photography}

    So the countdown to baby's arrival has officially started! I cannot believe how quickly the months have flown by and now that the final weeks (days?!) are drawing to a close, I just don't know what to do with myself. I've got a mixture of excitement, nervousness, worry, joy, and even confusion. If you know me, than you know I like my schedules & routines. And, well, it's a little hard to schedule things when it feels like a little bundle may decide to arrive at any moment. 


    This past week has been filled with lazy, slow mornings (no more 4am for me!), extra snuggling with my little guy, and a lot of thinking. I'm really trying to recharge and relax. Which, admittedly, is tough for me since I always feel like I should be doing something productive...either with the business or my son.  So, I suppose for awhile I'm planning to not plan.  Taking this time to enjoy an a blank to-do list, moments with just me Jack, bits of quietness, and the anticipation of it all. 



    Happy June

    Wednesday, June 01, 2011


    Hello & Happy June!


    Seems like it takes summer awhile to get started here in Oregon...but by June 1st I always have summer fever, no matter what the weather report says! I say it's high time for the flip-flops, lemonade, and lazy afternoons.


    Found this gorgeous desktop calendar for June over at Smashing...what a happy way to enjoy the month!