Big News

Hello! I've been neglecting my blog and twitter accounts lately because we've been busy at work! I thought I would take some time to write and then catch myself up on the blogs I follow! I miss everyone. =)

The first bit of news is baby related! Doug and I went for the ultrasound this morning - 21 weeks and counting! Our baby BOY is healthy, strong (95% for size), and very modest - he wouldn't let us know "who" he was until the very end, keeping his legs crossed the entire ultrasound!!! It was wonderful to see my baby's form - truly a blessing and miracle from God.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
Seeing my child inside of my womb makes me wonder how people can not believe in a mighty, sovereign, loving God.

I should have some pictures coming soon; my husband is scanning them. I'm wondering what the next stage in my pregnancy will bring - we've started our registry, so we'll have to finish that. We have signed up for our hypnobirthing class (not as crazy as it sounds, believe me!) and I'm slowly (yes, I am very happy about this) gaining weight. So far, 10 pounds. =) Grandpa Gray has painted the nursery, now we just need to fill it with baby stuff! Whew...it should be fun!

Another big set of news....my dear friend Amanda is getting married this weekend!!!! Doug and I are happy to be part of her big day...I'm helping coordinate the ceremony and reception and my husband has the pleasure of officiating the ceremony. We are so excited for our friends...marriage is a wonderful blessing. Congrats Mandy and Tim!!! It will be a beautiful wedding weekend.

On the bag front.....I had my third Sew Cute! At Home party a few weekends ago and came home with another HUGE order. The success of my little business is mind-boggling and a little stressful - with a full time job and pregnancy hormones to manage. I've been sewing away on my new orders and will get some pictures up soon. I've decided to take June off to get ready for my baby BOY (quilt, crib skirt, nursing cover, bobby cover....you get the picture!!!), but will then reevaluate for the rest of the summer depending on my energy levels! At the very least, I will stock up my etsy shop, Lucy's Art Emporium, work on my business plan, and get ready for some fall craft fairs.

A special shout-out to my wonderful husband, Doug - he has been amazing during my pregnancy (and all five years of marriage!!!) - going out for late night cookie runs in the rain, ordering out when he knows I will be too tired to cook, and adapting to my ever present crying. I love you, honey!!!

Whew! That was quite a lot to update. =) Talk soon!

Shop Local!

Happy Friday! My mother-in-law's birthday is coming up next week and I was thinking yesterday that it would be cool to shop local. Maybe it is because I make my own handbags and sell them that I thought of this or because I have spent a lot of time on Etsy this week. I've been reading forums, blog posts and just acquainting myself more with the site and the world of crafting for business.

When I was perusing Etsy, I noticed a "Shop Local" tab and clicked it. You can search for Etsians who live in your area! I found a local Etsian who lives right down the road from me in Rochester and she has super cute jewelry. MamaLuna11 Her pendants are made from old Scrabble pieces...I'll let you check out her page for more info....check her out, seriously! So, I ended up looking through her shop and purchased a gift for my mother-in-law (hopefully, she is not reading this blog post!).
This is one of the pendants from Mama Luna's shop!

I just got me thinking about shopping locally. Outside of Lucy's Art Emporium in Dover, where I sell my bags, there is a big sign that states "shop local". In these hard times, it makes sense to support local artisans who are trying their hand at making some money doing what they love to do. And, if it is interesting and fits with our style/needs. So, next time you need something new or for a gift - shop local! Check out Etsy!

busy, busy

Sew Cute! at home...
has been born. In two weeks time, I will have hosted two Sew Cute! at home parties. So far, I have about 15 people RSVP'd to attend. It's pretty exciting to think that this could really be something. Maybe this time next year I won't have to work full time, you know, quit my day job? I also have people interested in hosting parties of their own. The problem - how to organize parties and be able to sew the bags in time for my customers! My husband thinks I will be very busy and a bit stressed; but let's cross that bridge when we come to it!
I'm pretty excited about the promotions for hostesses. Here are a few:
Hostess Benefits:
10% off your purchases automatically!
$100 in sales – 20% off, free keychain
$150 in sales – 25% off, free wallet
$200 in sales – 30% off, free clutch
$250 + - 35% off, free clutch and wallet
Signing up for a party – free wallet to match your bag!

Purchase benefits:
Buy any bag (small, medium or large) and get 20% off a matching wallet or clutch.
Buy any bag and wallet/clutch combo, get a free keychain.

Tomorrow, I'm heading back to Lucy's Art Emporium to add some more bags/clutches to my stock there. I made a darling purple birds mini-tote last weekend, as well as two clutches today.

entering the consignment world

It's official. Sew Cute! is now being sold in stores! A friend referred me to her friend's store, a quaint, artsy shop in downtown Dover, NH. Today, I brought three bags to the shop and signed up to be one of her consignment sellers. It feels pretty cool.

So, now I enter a phase of life that doesn't seem to want to slow down. This is ok. I'm excited about making new bags for Lucy's Art Emporium. The prospect of making custom bags through my Sew Cute! At Home parties is a dream come true. I just need to figure out the balance =).

What's coming up this week?
*shop for fabric - I'm looking for two specific charm packs by Moda
*make some bags
*prepare the promotions for Sew Cute! At Home - coming up at the end of January!