Business is Picking Up

So I've been working on promoting by sewing business more and it seems to be working.  I haven't done anything super over the top yet, but I have done some word of mouth advertising and facebook stuff.  Since I started trying to push it more, I've received orders for several things...

A hooded towel:

Eight personalized keychains:

Digitizing a design for a customer.  I don't have a picture of any digitizing I've done.
Seven embroidered towels:

And a pillowcase dress:

So, I'm staying busy trying to get all these orders going. :)  I've finished some of them but still have lots more to go.  And of course I'm hoping to get more orders as people continue to hear about the business. 

These pictures that I've posted are previous things that I've made.  I'm hoping to get pictures up of some of the orders I'm working on, but right now we're having some camera issues.

Moving Forward

Howdy!  My name is Page!  I used to post my fun crafty stuff on this page.  And then life happened and I haven't been around here in a LONG time.  I write posts in my head.  I think about the pictures and projects that I would like to post on here.  I even took lots of pictures and wrote step-by-step instructions to put up a tutorial on here.  But I just haven't done it.  I have some legitimate excuses and some that aren't so legit.  I could tell you how crazy busy life is and why I haven't had time to blog.  But, in reality, I just haven't made it a priority.  And I'd like to change that. 

Back in September I read a blog post written by one of my friends.  It was about dreams and vision.  At the end of the post, she asked some questions: "What are your dreams? What are you doing to make them visions?"  I started thinking about how I would answer those questions.  One of my dreams is to make money with my sewing.  And I haven't been doing much to make that dream into a vision.  Then a few months ago, my husband started reading a book.  In the book, the author asks the question: "What would you do if you were guaranteed not to fail?"  And again, my first answer was - do the sewing business thing for real.  It's been something I've wanted to do for a long time.  I have tried in the past - put time and energy and it's never really progressed very far.  But I'm ready to try it again.  I want to do this.  And if I fail, that doesn't make me a failure it just means that this thing I tried didn't work. 

I'm a little scared.  What if I put this all out there and it doesn't work?  What if I make this stuff that I think is really neat and people don't like it?  But, I'm ready to start conquering my fears.  I'm ready to start putting more time and energy into pursuing this dream.  So, if you'd like to come along with me on this journey, I'd love to have you.  I'm not really sure what things are going to look like yet.  But, I'd love your thoughts and comments along the way. 

Do you have dreams that you are pursuing?  Have you ever been scared to pursue a dream?  Do you think I'm crazy for trying to actually make money sewing when people can buy things from China for pennies?  Do you have advice/thoughts/wisdom for someone trying to make money with handmade items?  I'd love to hear what you think.  Thanks for stopping by!  

Burp Cloth

Well, I have been sewing some. Just not taking the time to post it on the blog. But, I kinda did something big this weekend. I posted my first item on etsy. I'm scared and excited at the same time. I made this burp cloth for a friend. I am really happy with the way it turned out and figured I'll give it a try on etsy and see if anything happens. I love the ruffle on the bottom. I hope Baby Genesis like it too.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/46004896/personalized-burp-cloth-with-ruffle

Birthday Present

I made this hooded towel for a birthday boy. It was his 1st birthday - he was born on St. Patrick's Day.

Sleeping Bags and Bean Bag Chairs

So, I did finish the sleeping bags and bean bag chairs. The sheet for Bubbo's came on the Monday before Christmas and with some babysitting help from my mom I was able to get it all done. It was definitely a push and I cut it way closer than I would have liked, but I'm really happy that I got it all done and I love they way all turned out. I haven't done anything on my sewing machine since I got it done, but am hoping to get motivated to work on something soon.
Sweet Pea's bean bag chair and sleeping bag under the tree, ready for Christmas morning. Bubbo's bean bag chair and sleeping bag ready for Christmas morning.

Both kids liked their sleeping bags, but Sweet Pea is a HUGE fan. She has slept in it every night since she got it.

Bubbo got in it on Christmas morning and the next day and then hasn't really paid much attention to it since then. Although he does seem to be a slightly bigger fan of the bean bag chair.

Christmas Presents

Well, I'm back. Or at least trying to get back into things. I have several posts to do, but thought I would start with this one. We celebrated Christmas with Precious S on Christmas Eve. I made her a quilted stocking (it has her name embroidered on the green part). And some flannel pj pants.

It's Here

The sheet for Bubbo's sleeping bag just arrived a few minutes ago. So, we're down to the wire, but should be able to get it done. Only problem? I have a migraine, so sewing doesn't sound very tempting. It is much better than it was last night, but still. I would really like to curl and sleep. We'll see what decision gets made. More soon.