Sewing

I do a lot of sewing...a LOT.

It pretty much takes up 99% of my free time (that is, time I don't have maternal obligations!) and as much as it frustrates me at times, when I don't have enough room, or I can't find my scissors for the 54321847th time in a row, it really is a fantastic way for me to spend my time.

I love creating these pieces. You take fabric, sew it in a few places, and POOF, it's something awesome. I love that process.

The other day I bought a TON of different fabrics, just for fun. I'm going to make a bunch of blankets to (hopefully) sell at the markets, along with minky sheets and changing pad covers. I think I'm going to stock a bunch of those things, they seem pretty popular, and make good gifts! I am going to attempt to bring my prop crib to set up an example of what can be custom ordered...

Ah, so many things to plan!

Hey, at least it gives me something to do :)

Still up at midnight

The hubby was cleared to go back to work, and as such, started back on Saturday night. I can easily admit that I'm glad he went back on the 2-12am shift, because for the majority of the day I'm too busy with Jakob to give Jay a second thought. BUT, when Jake's down for the night, and I'm left to my own devices, well, I start to worry.

Ugh, I know that I am completely powerless in preventing him from getting hurt, and I just have to trust that he has the training and everything to be safe, but it's so hard!

I made fourteen pairs of baby shoes tonight, in an attempt to occupy myself. It worked for a bit, but then I started getting too tired to focus.

I really should sleep, he'll be home in an hour.

"Quit Your Day Job"

For as long as I've been on Etsy, they've been running a blog feature called "Quit Your Day Job". When I started selling my goods, I would read the articles, and laugh, and say "There's no way I'll ever be able to do that".

Well, the other day I gave my notice. I only have five more shifts that may or may not involve me getting my butt kicked. I REALLY like the people I work with, so much, but we don't work together regularly, and when it comes down to it, my safety is worth more than what I was making on an hourly basis. LPO's take a lot of shit for what they're paid. Sigh, I hope I can keep up the contacts I've made there, I met some fantastic people. It got to be too much, with Jay getting set to go back to work this week, my parents moving away and constant sewing... The plan now is to devote myself completely to SusieCues and my boys! And hopefully have enough time for friends and fun, and less stress with time management.

I made my 60th sale today. Pretty excited about that! 55 sales since January 5th, which is pretty good for a relatively new seller. The best part is that the majority have come in the last couple months, and have been substantial, "I can live off this" type of sales. Good times.

I had a lunch date with my dad the other day (have to get them in while I can!) and we talked all about setting up a legitimate company, getting a bookkeeper, and all sorts of business stuff. My dad is really smart. I'm glad that he's willing to share his hard earned knowledge with me, even if he thinks I'm crazy for going full bore with this plan.

I don't know what we'll do if sales slow down, or if people all of a sudden decide not to buy from me anymore, but we'll deal with that when we get to it.

With my new availability, I was able to sign up for almost all the dates at the Steveston Farmers and Artisans Summer Market! I have nine dates lined up there, where I'll have the easy-to-sell things, like crib sheets and changing pad covers available, and lots of examples of what I can do for custom work. It would be delightful being able to fill local orders! I even bought myself a 10x10 tent!

Crazy. Life is crazy!

But life is also great.

Lists

My "To-Do" list is two pages long. Writing a blog entry isn't on that list, and there's probably good reason. We had a cleaning lady come the other day, which was fantastic, but honestly, you can't tell she was here. How do people with toddlers keep their houses in order??

The hubby's grandpa is in the process of designing and building me a new sewing centre for the kitchen. I am beyond excited about it, seeing as I'll finally have a place to stash all my fabrics, and tools, and everything that comes with running a small-time custom bedding and accessories company.

I've had a LOT of interest this week in my custom sets. By a lot, I mean about half a dozen people are sending me legitimate inquiries on a daily basis. Pretty cool, so I'll just have to see how that plays out.

Having just returned to work, I have no intentions of quitting my day job. I LOVE getting out of the house, it totally gives me my sanity back. I thought I would appreciate the four days I have off right now, but I sort of wish they were broken up by one day of work. Ah, well... I shouldn't complain. Jakob is really good about going to bed before 8pm, and staying asleep, so I get most of my online work done in the evenings. I try to sew around nap times, and have decided that it is okay to leave a project half way through, to get chores done, and return to it when my obligatory duties are finished.

I've been meaning to re-shoot all the photos on my Etsy site, but haven't found time. Did manage to get a few decent shots of Little Man, modeling legwarmers and little shoes, though. Don't know where he gets his photogenic genes. Definitely not from me.




Isn't he cute?

I ordered packaging for my legwarmers and shoes a while back, and got it in the mail, which was fantastic. Dropped a bunch of pairs of legwarmers at Buttercups today, and they seemed to appreciate the more professional appearance.


I really wish it were easier to edit listings in Etsy! I want to replace all the pictures on the legwarmer listings, but it's so much work, and time flies WAY too quickly.

Okay, off to get something useful done.
Goodnight :)

Back to the Real World

After 15 months out of the work force, I'm back in, albeit part time. I really didn't think I would like going back, but it really helps that I have a wicked job, and I am always in a new place, seeing new things, every work day.
My boss is great for scheduling me around the hubby's days off and on days where the grandparents can look after Jake, too.

Been doing lots of sewing of late. Working on a few custom fitted sheet sets, a whole "big-kid" bedroom set, and also designing and creating some really great 0-6mo baby gowns. Lots on the go!

I'm ready for the Olympics to be over, and for life to return to normal. I wish my hubby had a boring job! Instead, he's worked every day since almost a week before the O games started! Yuck.

New Items

I was at the fabric store the other day, and had a very specific "must-only-buy-these-items" list. Well, I couldn't help myself when I saw this awesome, punk rock, black and white skulls fabric. I didn't need it, but I HAAAAD to buy it.

Got home, and figured I should do something with it, so I made these:


I totally loved them, and showed the hubby, who suggested I try to sell them on Etsy. I posted them, and within half an hour, they sold! Go figure. They're awesome!

So, I made a bunch more, out of fabric scraps that were too small to donate, and not big enough to do anything too exciting with. Ended up with these :





So, we'll see what happens with those. They're super fun to make, although they are a little finicky.

Had a lot of recent interest in my custom bedding, which is always a bonus!

SWAP MEET SATURDAY

I'm going to be at the Cloverdale Swap Meet on Saturday, from 9-1pm! There are going to be tons of people there with everything you can imagine for kids at great prices!!

Come on down :)