Baby Shower Invitation Bust

First off, this is Hannah. The other half to Fly Chicks! Emily is the one who brings you all those wonderful posts that make up our blog. There is a reason for that! I am HORRIBLE with words. That's why I just stick to the safer side of sewing and creating.

On that note, I was kind of "nominated" to plan a family member's baby shower. I am not a planner. Never have been. I am not really the organized type. Once again, why Emily runs this blog. Soooooo, after a week or so of putting off shopping for invitations, I finally had a bright idea! I was going to find some free printable personalized invites online! I did some searching until, VOILA! I came across great website, Invitationland.com. This website has a decent amount of free templates that you can choose your own colors, fonts, etc. With one picked out, I proceeded with the editing process.

Then, after numerous proofreadings (more on that later), I moved on to the printing options!

With my printer working at best quality, printing out 25 copies, it was then that I realized...UH OH, there was an error. Somehow, when I was working on the editing process, at the bottom of the invites I added the words "RSVP to". Somewhere during that process, it added it twice without any warning. 22 copies down, I cancelled the printing process and went back to edit once more.

Round two: (ding, ding)

With problem numero uno out of the way, I went under printing options to continue with the process. Successfully printing 25 copies, I sat down at my dining room table, metal ruler and rotary cutter in hand. It took a little longer than I would have wanted, but the final product was so much better than if I were to have used scissors.

While attempting to "organize" everything from stamps to envelopes to addresses, I proudly looked at my stack of freshly cut invites and then it happened...I had added the wrong zip code for the party's location. (snap)

Using pretty much my favorite curse word ever a hundred times, I gathered my thoughts, calmed myself down, and went back to the drawing boards. (Now is when it is always great to have someone else around to proofread your proofreading...well, even better than now is before you even press the print button the first time)

Zip code changed, I printed, AGAIN, and watched as the sad invites came out of the printer, one by one.

Then, I noticed...there was no "RSVP" anywhere! With my ink cartridge running pretty darn low at this point, and it isn't more than 3 months old, I made the executive decision that I would use the newest copies, sans RSVP, and go on with my day. Really?!?! What the harm in that?

So people, bottom line of this awesome story is, proofread, proofread, proofread. Then get someone else to proofread! Overall though, my experience with Invitationland.com was a good one. I guess all that craziness was my fault, and hence the reason on why I don't pursue the planning of things!

Here's to a happy weekend!

Fun New Things

In the great words of rapper, Ice Cube, "Today was a good day" (I won't go into the rest of the lyrics because despite my recent love for this, I am truly a pacifist). Hannah came over early with the sweetest surprise- my nephew (it's been a while since I had surgery and I was having withdrawals)!  While he and I hung out, his momma took some great new shots of some of the things we are thinking about using for our press kit- samples, if you will. 

We set up the paints for the little guy, but I have restrictions on movement and couldn't bend over to reach the paper!  So I just sat there and encouraged him.  (Oh yeah, and although we believe he's a genius, his mom wrote his name on the paper)

Here are some pics of what we want to send with the Press Kit to the baby boutique- fabric basket, burp cloth, and washcloth- I LOVE the fabric (it may have a little something to do with my obsession with elephants)!

And here are two clutches- the flap material is a thick, grey cotton, but it sorta' comes out looking like denim- which it's not!  (no offense to denim-lovers!)

 and another clutch- I just love the lines and shape of this one and it has the cutest little button!

 And then... I took my walker (whom we've nicknamed "Bessie" out on the roof for a little sunshine; I've been stuck in the house too long!)

I even had enough strength to work on some creative musings of my own- this is a watercolor study of a "before" and "after" of my right hip:

What has your weekend looked like?  Any fun projects? Time with family?  Chillin' at home?  We'd love to hear how our readers spend their weekends!

Etsy Outfit

Okay, since we're in the business of handmade, after my last post I started thinking about a challenge for myself: to create a similar look all with items from Etsy!  Here's what I came up with...

Info on where to get the above items (starting from upper right and going clockwise):
-Scarf by House of Mofei
-Ring by  Ring Ring Ring
-Earrings by Rio Rita
-Boots (pattern) by Flower Girl Design
-Wrap Top by Studio Shihar
-Leggings with foldover skirt by Sandmaiden

Whaddya' think?  You can put together your own Etsy Treasuries and make wishlists for the upcoming holidays...

Afterthought:  After posting this, I decided to add up the two outfits to compare- mind you I didn't even look at prices when putting either of these two posts together  (it's supposed to be a dream wishlist!) and here's the damage:
Polyvore outfit: $969
Etsy outfit: $283

Who says buying handmade has to cost more???

My Fall/Winter "Go-To" Outfit

I got to go outside today with the help of Hannah and managed to look somewhat pulled together (at least more-so than I have all week!) but that doesn't stop a girl from dreamin'!

I guess you could sum up my style as "comfy-casual" most of the time and so I'm pretty low-maintenance in that sense.  This is an outfit I put together on Polyvore- granted I doubt I could ever afford it, but if I could, I would so buy something like this.

for details and pricing go here

I am in love with sweater wraps and gray is so neutral that you can accessorize with color in other parts of the outfit.  I'm 6' tall, so flat boots seem to work best for me.  Although it's taken a while, ruffles are actually starting to grow on me- as long as they are used sparingly- so I thought this blue scarf would be a perfect accent to this particular outfit.  I normally wouldn't go so dressy with the earrings, but I kinda just fell for these when I saw them. 

 I was so thankful a couple of years ago when leggings came back into style (I've even been known to sport some legwarmers!) because they are so comfortable and you can dress them up or down- as long as my top covers my bottom, I'm good to go.  A white, fitted shirt is a basic in any wardrobe, right?

What are some of your Fall/Winter staples that you can't live without? 

Autumn Inspiration

Unfortunately, I'm going to be laid up recovering from an operation during one of the prettiest times of the year.  So in lieu of going outside to see all the colors changing, I've been surfing the web for some "pretty".  Here are just a few images I'm using for inspiration:

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What's inspiring you lately?

All of Our Ducks in a Row

Well, really, they're chicks.  Aren't they cute?  Remember when I found them via Jinjerup?  (you can download them for free here)  I've just been waiting to get a new ink cartridge before printing them out and this weekend, I did just that!

This weekend, Hannah and I also got down to business.  And I mean Business with a capital B!  We spent most of Saturday not doing the fun stuff (i.e. making fun things for you all) and just decided to focus on the behind the scenes stuff.  We got out our creative business books and got to work on a Business Plan, marketing strategies, long-term goals, and much more.

We also re-photographed all of our goods that are in our Etsy shop to see if that and re-newing our listings would help sales.  Within twelve hours, we had ourselves a sale, so that was nice!

We've also decided to hold regularly scheduled meetings which is a must if we are to keep up with all that we want to accomplish.  Keep comin' back and keep an eye on our Etsy shop for new items.  We listed that orange handbag and two wallets, so if you like those, head on over and pick something up- trust me, they will brighten your day! 

Oh Brother...

Yep, you may have heard the hype- here's Hannah's new machine.  Immediately upon purchase, she took it down to her "dungeon" (basement studio) and got right to work.  Here are a few things she made before getting in a new shipment of fabric.  Can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Photos courtesy of Hannah's new smartphone which has an app that does cool things to your pics! (sorry, just didn't know how to word that one)

A Couple of Quotes

My good friend, Dara, is the "Quote Queen".  She always has the most wonderful quote to share for every occasion.  I'm pretty sure she's been hoarding them in her mind since childhood and I could not be more grateful (they helped me through a divorce and are now helping my mom through her cancer)!  I happened upon a great quote from Kind Over Matter a couple days ago that I've heard before but seem to always need to be reminded of by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross  : "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle & shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within."

There is a new pond just outside the hospital I go to for treatment of a chronic medical condition and I didn't realize there was actually a great quote hidden in the architecture.  Well, it's not exactly hidden, I've just never taken the time to stop and really look at it.  I had some extra time the other day in between appointments and luckily had my camera with me to capture some of the beauty.  I only got part of the quote in the pics, so I'll share the entirety of it here. "Hope is the thing with feathers—That perches in the soul—And sings the tune without the words—And never stops—at all".  (It's actually from a poem that can be found here in its entirety)

I hope these photographs and words may inspire you, too, to keep holding on in times of darkness or being unsure of yourself. 

On a brighter note, Hannah and I went out Monday afternoon to get her a brand spankin' new sewing machine and boy has she been busy!  I know I've been promising some great new Fall merchandise, but we had a little bump in the road.  Check back soon; I plan on taking pictures this week of new items!  We're sew excited! (Sorry, I couldn't resist)

If Only

It's not often that I use a hairdryer to dry my hair, but if I did, I don't think anything could top this:

Unfortunately it was sold earlier today.

Images found at WHORANGE.

Item and other great vintage finds may be found here.

DIY Capiz Shell Chandelier

Remember this post?  Well it took me long enough, but I finally finished it!  And Kimberly was right- it is a DIY Capiz Shell chandelier.  I got the tutorial from Design Sponge, here, and I think it turned out okay!  It's much better than what was there before:

I live in a rental, so that explains the ugly fixture.

And after the Shell Chandelier...

Sure, there are things I may do differently next time (use thinner ribbon, make it more symmetrical, etc), but I think it definitely makes my bedroom just a little more romantic.  And though I rarely admit it, I'm a romantic at heart!

A Little More Crafty Love

Hi all!  Hannah's sewing machine is broken at the moment (we entered to win one on a local TV show, so our fingers are crossed!) so we're on break from producing anything at the moment.  But I thought I'd show you a little project I did for my sons' new (6 month old) little brother.  I was getting ready to send my son that Skull Notebook I made for him not too long ago so I thought this would also be a good time to give his baby brother a little something.

 My son's father re-married a beautiful woman (inside and out!) a couple of years ago and recently had a little one.  The baby came a little early and then summer was here and things were a bit crazy for a while, so I thought I'd make her a late (sorry!) baby shower gift.  Remember those freezer paper stencils I did for my friends' kids a while back? Well, I thought about what I could do for a boy- I chose a rubber ducky for one, and a sock monkey for the other (his mom loves monkeys!).

I can't believe I photographed them on top of my dirty lookin' craft table, but it's all dry paint, so it didn't hurt the baby onsies:)

And then, I decided to try my own version of a burp cloth.  Hannah has done a few for friends of hers using cute fabric on one side and just white terrycloth on the other. I didn't have any terrycloth, but I did have some white gauzy material that I thought might work.  I just doubled it up, sewed it together and then used the blue striped fabric (all the other fabric I have is pretty girly) in a sort of cloth diaper pattern.  I think it turned out pretty cute!

I just love making stuff for people!  I hope the baby likes it!