calling all ideas!

I'm designing new flair sets this week to order for the papercrafting shop! I am so excited and have tons of stuff in the works for that little shop in the new year beyond the flair sets and fabrics!

I'd love to hear your ideas for things you're looking to use for your winter and December/Christmas scrapbook pages, projects, and daily journals!

Stop in and comment on this post with your ideas, and I'll enter you to win one of each set that'd offered in the shop when they're listed! ^_^

Happy weekend!

home, sweet home, a workshop, a magazine cover, and an easy scrapbook page

It's lovely to be back home after our combined trip to see family {and celebrate my parent's 40th wedding anniversary}, and a fabulous evening teaching at The Scrapbooking Studio! Amy, the owner, was a TREAT to work with, and I think everyone had fun! We also squeezed in a wee trip to Chicago while we were there! It was a little crazy, a bit relaxing, and LOTS of fun.

While at The Scrapbooking Studio, I had the opportunity to meet a couple of  ladies that I've been able to work on design teams with - so cool to meet them in real life after chatting a bit online! ^_^ Megan had one of the other ladies in the class take this great photo, and left a sweet note for me on facebook! I'm so glad she enjoyed the class and got something useful out of it! ^_^

I also had a brief chance to meet Jen Chapin! As you can see from her blog postings, she had their baby just TWO DAYS after I saw her at the class! Eeps! Huge congrats to her family on their new little one! ^_^

I'm busy doing the scramble to get things back to semi-normal after our absence - shipping lots of orders for the shop that were placed while I was away, and catching up on any assignments that need turning in. I haven't even had a chance to share my pages from August for Get It Scrapped OR Jenni Bowlin, so I'm going to try to squeeze in a few brief regular postings... I'm also prepping for the start of another school year with the boys. I just went through their books today to see what needs ordering and organizing, and before you know it, we'll be back at it!

Stay posted on news for the shop if you're interested in my newest flair button sets! I'm planning {and crossing my fingers!!} That I'll have the chance to list them in my papercrafting shop by September 1st! I have them all here, I just need to take the time to photograph and list them!  Newsletter subscribers will have 24 hour notice of the shop listings before I post them here and on instagram! I posted this tiny peek last week of one of the sets!

I also haven't yet shared here - if you don't follow my other blog that's more about my handmade business, bluebird chic - that I had the honor of writing the cover article for one of my favorite crafting magazines, Mollie Makes! Here's a peek at the cover - you should start seeing copies of the September issue on shelves at your local JoAnn Fabrics in the next week or so!

Ending off with a quick page that I made for Get It Scrapped - Easy Scrapbook Pages. Stop in here to see tips on how to create the page.

Now. Back to work! LOL

Have a lovely Tuesday!

etsy shop update - chevron camera strap covers

Yay for Friday! I've got an etsy shop update to share today! Check out the details, inpiration, and links to the items up in my shop here.

Happy Friday!

a small shop addition

One little addition to the shop... I {heart} woodgrain. And golden yellow. And navy blue. And herringbone. Sigh.

{ruched camera strap cover - golden woodgrain/navy herringbone}

latest listings in the etsy shop

New shop listings! I haven't posted these here in a while, but until I get my new site up and running, they'll continue to be here every once in a while! 

I've had several requests for backings other than denim, so I started searching around a bit and came up with a couple that I love! That'll be expanding as I go forward - more coordinated fabrics for backing. I found some decorator weight canvas that's really soft and lovely, but I think will be really durable, so I'm happy to share those for the first time!

{golden flowers, woodgrain buttons, gray backing}

{soft yellow, gray backing}

{black and cream damask with black backing}

This one is a single, with some beautiful red fabric that I happened to have on hand, so first come, first serve!

{deep red with houndstooth}

And a couple of new offerings in the denim backing. I really, really love that navy blue is making a comeback. It's always been a favorite of my mom's, and I've followed her in that at least! And shhhh... don't tell, but I've got plans for some golden yellow and navy blue combos as well...

{orange floral with navy blue herringbone buttons}

I adore this soft combination of aqua, olive greens and navy. It's really subtle and beautiful. But then, I hand pick all of the fabrics that I work with, so it's hard not to really love them all!

{blue/navy floral}

I've also added a spot in the shop for designs that are discontinued. These are price reduced and sold as is, so no custom sizing. I do stress that they're not used or worn, I'm just moving them out of inventory to make room for the new designs and products that I'm carrying in the new year! So if you've been looking at one of these, and haven't gotten it yet,  now's the time! ^_^ This one's made with a pretty liberty of london print, and would be perfect for spring!

{ruched camera strap cover - tiny floral}

To say that my week has been busy would feel like a gross understatement. :) I really, really don't mind the busy part - it's the foggy jetlag that hung around for several days so that I felt like I really couldn't get the things done that I needed to that bothered me, you know? It was my first encounter with the whole jetlag thing, and I'll have to put it in the weird category. Maybe you could compare it to a drunken stupor? {Though I've never experienced one of those, either!} It's just a sort of sit and stare into space feeling. For me at least! Like I couldn't get my brain to engage as much as I tried... So I went through the motions of all of the typical mommy stuff that we do - laundry, cleaning, cooking, running kids to activities, homeschooling, sewing and planning for the shop, answering emails and etsy convos, but it was more like treading water.

Then again, never in my life have I been on five different flights, taken a train through an airport I was never supposed to see, and driven a total of 20 hours through a snowstorm in the span of 4 days. Between that and dealing with all of the emotion of losing a family member - I was a bit shell-shocked, I think.

That being said, yesterday was my first really productive day. I mean, I got stuff done the other days, but Friday was the first day that I really got stuff done, if you know what I mean. It felt so go to make it through most of my to-do list for the day!

Happy Saturday! I received a happy box of the new, new goodies from Hambly Screenprints today that I'll be having fun later this weekend creating with for their CHA booth this upcoming week! SO exciting to see their new designs! You can see peeks that Allison has posted here on their blog!

bluebirdchic giveaway with reminiscing moments

stop by her blog post for the opportunity to win one of my camera strap covers!! The giveaway is still open for a couple more days, so skip over there for a chance. There's also a coupon code that's good for 15% off your purchase!

shop update: new fabric - houndstooth, upcoming sales, gift certificates and a gift with purchase for the holidays!

I tried out the houndstooth fabric when I made a custom order a couple of weeks ago - and I like it so much that I decided to offer several more in my shop! ^_^ I've always been a fan of the patterns in classic suiting - and houndstooth is right up there on the top of the list!

So I've combined it with some fun fabrics for the latest offerings in my shop! I'll have a few more in the upcoming weeks as well. I have a yummy black and cream damask coming this very week! The houndstooth for the backing and accent buttons are a soft cream with black. It's a canvas weight fabric, so it's just a bit different from others offered in the shop!

{orange damask/houndstooth}

{mustard yellow/houndstooth}

{purple damask with houndstooth}

In other news - with the holidays approaching, I've got fun offerings coming up in the shop! 

Stay posted for a post Thanksgiving Day Christmas sale. I'll most likely announce the details on Wednesday. And if you're really interested in staying on top of that info, I'd stop by the facebook page, since I usually post there a lot about fun shop related stuff! I also post links to other shops and small businesses that catch my eye, so you might like it for that as well! 

On Wednesday, I'll also announce and post about a very special handmade gift with purchase that will go out with each item ordered from the shop between November 25-December 24, as well as info on how to purchase a gift certificate/shop credit for a friend or loved one you'd love to give to, but aren't sure exactly what they'd like! The holidays are coming! Yay!!

Hope you're enjoying a lovely Monday as you prepare for this holiday of thanks giving here in the States. I'll be writing up a few of my thoughts on how special it is to me and why, to share on Thursday. It's so much more than just turkey and football...

etsy shop update

Just a quick post to mention that I updated my etsy shop this week! A bunch of camera strap covers in new prints are available in the shop!

I think the woodgrain buttons are my favorite part on this one!

{see the shop listing}

{shop listing}

This fun one with Amy Butler fabric...

{shop listing}

Fun fabric from Heather Bailey - love her stuff as well!

{shop listing}

This olive green is a one of a kind. I won't have any more.

{shop listing}

And I'll be listing more of these soon! This was my first attempt at a ruched flannel. It's a teeny bit bulky, but I still like how it came out!

{shop listing}

Stay posted for a really pretty gift with purchase that I'm working on for the month of December! I'll also be working up gift certificates if you're interested in giving a shop credit to a friend for the holidays!

Hope you're enjoying a lovely week! I'm off to work on a whole bunch of projects that I need to turn in today! ^_^ Keep life creative!

tiny etsy update and a peek

{ruched camera/ipod case - gold/gray}

{ruched epipen case - gold/gray}

And here's just a little peek at the coming e reader cases! I love, love how they're turning out - I'm just testing the case to see what different readers they fit! This one {on the left}fits the kindle - like a glove. And I'm pretty sure that the nook color will fit it in it fabulously as well! Once I know for sure, I'll be able to start listing them!

 I also can't wait to get the ipad and notebook computer cases going! ^_^ Hope you're having a lovely Monday! We're finally getting back to normal after a week sick. Yay!

Etsy update - warm and cozy

{If you're here for the American Crafts blog hop, click here for the post!}

Since I love plaid - and flannel for the Autumn/Winter season, I had to put together a line of goods featuring this favorite!

I'm also introducing a new case - made just for carrying epipen auto injectors. AS I state in my listings, it's inspired by our son's need - and not wanting him to feel self-conscious over it. It's important, especially as he gets older that he's learned that it's necessary to have it at all times and doesn't slack off at all...

{epipen carry case - green plaid flannel}

{epipen carry case - red plaid flannel}

{epipen carry case - tan plaid flannel}

I have them listed in three colors so far, but I'll be adding more girlie patterns in the same style as the ruched camera case!

Cute, cute camera/ipod cases in the plaid flannel. Yum. I'll be listing one in green today as well! My camera battery died just as I was trying to take photos! Ooops!

{camera/ipod case - tan plaid flannel}

{camera/ipod case - red plaid flannel}

Camera strap covers

{camera strap cover -tan plaid flannel}

{camera strap cover - red plaid flannel}

I also wanted to share a quote from another fellow shop owner that I just LOVE. 

"When you buy from a small business you are helping a Mum {or Dad} put food on the table, buy school uniforms, pay towards football, petrol & food shopping or even better helping a student pay their way through university. You are NOT helping a CEO buy a vacation home, a Bentley car or a yacht. Our customers are our shareholders and they are the ones we strive to make happy. Thank you for supporting us and in turn we'll happily support you! :) xx"

Also - last thought - Kayla Aimee has a little feature and giveaway up on her blog right now! Stop by and check it out! Happy Tuesday!!

school is in, extreme weather, first time drop offs, and disasters

perhaps my title can clue you in a bit as to where I've been this week? Ha! We started school on Tuesday, and it's been quite the adventure!

First up - had to grab two of these on Tuesday. That's right! Pumpkin Spice is back! Yum... I'm such a sucker for the pumpkin this time of year.I grew up eating pumpkin muffins, cookies, cake, bread... I'm not sure if their overall business jumps, but, um, my stops increase! {I've even got my hubby hooked. ;)}

We had our first day of school. Things are going great. The youngest is what I would call WAY enthusiastic. Aaaaannnnddd... that solidified my decision to bump him to the first grade. I just won't have enough to keep him busy otherwise.

For some weird reason, I decided to pull apart my entire creative space. Ugh. I can't handle clutter, so I shove it away. Then I either can't find stuff and end up not using it anyway or forget I even had it to begin with. The disaster that has been my space since the weekend has been so yuck. The clutter stresses me out, BUT today things are coming back together, and it feels AWESOME.

This was my night when I put my layouts into albums. I managed to fill 4 {with a set of refills for a total of 40 layouts per album}, and still have enough to fill at least another. These are my layouts from the last 9 months or so.

I sorted out an entire couch full of stuff to either chuck or donate. Yeah. Cool. But not. Right?

The little guy had his first drop-off activity for school on Wednesday. This is huge for us and him, since he has a severe peanut allergy. They take along packed snacks. Which means a lot of kids will bring peanut butter. And I work really hard at not being anxious. And in the years since he's been diagnosed, I've gotten pretty good at doing my best to prepare and commit his safety into the Lord's hands. Who's ultimately in control.

This is a prep sheet that I've put together with info for any caregivers. The cool thing is, I've had a really positive response to it. I just hand it to them and ask them to give it a read - and if they have questions to feel free to ask! It includes info on how to recognize a reaction, an appropriate response, plus a release for treatment and all required insurance info. That's his set of epi-pens in the ziploc. For which I'm working up a case design. Yep! You heard me! Epipen cases are in design and heading to production soon, so if you have a kiddo that needs to carry them {or you do, yourself}, stay posted!

He did awesome. And then we got caught in a huge, nasty storm on the way home. Yeah. Hail. Whiteout downpours, lightning  and thunder like bombs going off. It was an eventful day.

Plus, I've got tons coming for the shoppe! I received a BIG fabric order yesterday while I was out - and not to mention I grabbed some lovely plaid flannels for autumn - or for the guy in your life! I'm seriously excited. No. Really! And I'm hoping to rock out a bunch of cases and camera strap covers tomorrow and this weekend!

Hope you're having a lovely week!

fresh listings

for those of you that don't carry an slr camera, but want to get in on the goodness, I'm launching a new product today! A chic way to tuck that camera {or ipod} safely into your bag to keep it from getting damaged or scratched.

To be honest, I was chatting with my mom, and she said something to the effect of, "Well, that's all well and good about the camera strap covers, but what about the rest of us, that don't have a clue how to use one of those? I want in on the goods, too!" This idea had already been rolling around in my mind, and that was just the little push that I needed to get me out the door. I've got other plans for other cases as well, so please stay tuned!!

{ruched camera/ipod case - plum/green}

Here are the detail shots, since it's something new!

I also have this one in an orange, aqua, and  yellow pattern. Love.

{ruched camera case in orange/aqua/yellow}

And the fabulous Sasha Holloway has done a great review of one of my camera strap covers along with a photo shoot so that you can see them in action. You can check it out here and also grab a coupon code for a little shopping discount this holiday weekend!

Hope you're enjoying a lovely Friday!

out with the old...

Putting on my homeschool mommy hat this week and finally getting around to sorting out the books and excess paperwork that I don't need to hang on to from last year... getting our book orders finalized and getting last minute registrations in for PE and other activities! 

We'll officially have two this year, since the little guy is starting his kindergarten routine! I've been so back and forth on what to really tackle with him, since he's already reading, and really good at math. So, basically, I'm easing him in with workbooks, starting him on 1st grade math, and feeling my way to see if he's really ready for a 1st grade program, or if I should just work him through the kindergarten program at an accelerated pace... And good grief. I can't believe D is in  4th grade. Anyway. Yay! They're both excited {Well, sort of. Like, as excited as you get about school...}And I have to admit, I'll be happy to get back to a routine as well. I think. 

Working on a new product release for my shop! For those of you that don't own a dslr, and want a pretty way to protect your point and shoot camera when you slip it into your bag... My mom said she was missing out on the lovely. Ha!

And this is my final week guesting at Scrapbook Challenges! Check out this week's sketch and play along!

Here's my take:

Have I mentioned how much I love the new Amy Tan goodies? Um. Yeah. 

Happy Monday!