Etsy

I have recently fallen in love with Etsy...there are so many talented people out there and I love that you can find them and their goods in a few easy clicks. I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you this week!

Now this first one is my good friend...I would still adore her stuff even if she were a complete stranger!

Gracie Girl Notes













This is just a sampling of her work. Trust me when I say it is ALL adorable! And she does plenty of stuff for grown ups, too!

And while your over at Etsy...I listed a bunch of new stuff, too!

Aaahhh!

The Flower Market was a success! And a lot of fun, too! I learned a lot, too! There are some REALLY serious vendors out there...just in out tent of 8 vendors, 3 travel pretty far most weekends to show their wares. The "jelly lady" and the "hat guy" came from Richmond, Va. and the "spice couple" came from Syracuse, NY...far and they had to spend 3 nights in a hotel. And just between you and I, jelly is where it is at...she made a bundle on jelly! Jelly!
The Market is a non-profit that benefits children's charities in Delaware. The Market opened on Thursday morning with a big announcement(think ringing the bell at the NY Stock Exchange)but, the crowd was filled with the beneficiary children, who were invited to enjoy the amusements gifted by the amusement company. It was so sweet, those kids were so excited! Rides, games, snow cones, cotton candy...they had a blast!
Friday is rained and rained and rained...we had fun in our tent! There was a worn path to the Starbucks tent...I had then run a tab for me!
Saturday was great! Cold, but the Market was mobbed so that means lots of $$$$ for the children's charities!
These are better pictures of my booth taken on Saturday morning before the Market opened...











I also did some shopping while at the Flower Market...check these CHICKS out...I bought Bravery Kits for my girls and niece. You need to read their stories. I had the pleasure of meeting all of them...UNBELIEVABLE! I also bought a belt, so cute, from some local gals. They are working on a website, I'll let you know when it is up and running... You will fall head over heels for there designs!

Let me see what else...
I am looking forward to starting all of the projects I have lined up!
I will be officially accepting "the job" tomorrow!
I have been tagged by Running Just as Fast as I Can, look for that tomorrow!
I going to make up the lost time at the gym!
I'll be listing the leftovers on Etsy sometime this week! Some really cute stuff!
I guess that is it for now!

I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day...I did!

This and That

The interview went well yesterday...I think! I have never interviewed for anything other than teaching positions and well, this is really equal parts decorating and sales. There is one other candidate being interview today. They hope to have a decision by the end of the week. I really want to job and I thing I would be successful. It will be a HUGE adjustment for our family. MBM is so supportive. He keeps telling be if this is something I really want, we will work it out. But, I will be fine if it doesn't work out!

Let me see what else...
...allergies have been awful for all five of us...I have been sewing like a maniac...girls had dental check ups today, not one cavity living in this house!..Emma's birthday and First Communion are on Saturday, haven't done much to prepare...lacrosse tonight = crazy dinner night, that means whatever goes, cereal, waffles, grilled cheese...





These are something I have been working on for the Flower Market...I am hooked on these wristlets. They will be a staple for the summer!

***Summer Swap hosted by Alex at "Running Just as Fast I Can"...should be fun!***

Spring...where are you?

It is cold and rainy here today. The kind of day you would like to stay inside under a blanket with a book. Since that is not an option, Lulu and I decided to forge ahead and make some sunshine of our own. In her choice of outfits today...



That brightens things up, doesn't it?

In other news...
Tonight, is my last custom "gig"...it is bitter sweet! I have had four very successful years schlepping my goods in and out of the homes of wonderful women. And I owe it all to these women for spreading the word out my little bag studio, because I never advertised. I will miss meeting new people and helping the ladies put their combinations together. But, I am also very excited about all the time that I am going to have to make new things for my Etsy store, the boutiques I work with and the upcoming market/art shows I am participating. And of course, I am still looking at other opportunities...hopefully, I will have some news soon!

Speaking of opportunities. MBM turned down the Boston area company and it looks like we will not be taking our show on the road after all. I am not going to lie, I am a bit disappointed. I had a house all picked out Wellesley!

One last thing...has anybody watched this? I think it is pretty funny!

2008

Happy New Year! We rang in the New Year, don't be jealous, at home sound asleep way before midnight! We had a nice dinner together and left over ice cream cake from Caroline's birthday for dessert, complete with tiaras and noise makers! I made one last pomegranate martini for myself (see my plan for "08) and snuggled in with a book, MBM watched football and the girls, camped out in the basement, trying their hardest to watch the ball drop. Lulu out cold by 9:30 and Emma and Caroline have different accounts of when they fell asleep...but way before midnight for sure!

I don't like to make resolutions, rather, I make a plan for the upcoming year. This year is The Year of Me! I am going to take better care of myself (workout more, eat less, get more sleep, remember to take my thyroid medicine, etc...) and do more of things that I love to do like read, go antiquing (really junking), refinish some furniture pieces, paint some rooms, spend more time in the yard and garden. ****MBM is laughing right now at the gardening**** Anyway, that is my plan!

Today, Caroline and I decided to stay in our pajamas. She has a school project to work on, why do teachers do that? Give the kids a major project to work on over the break...I was a teacher, I am pretty sure I never did that! Oh, well!

Caroline has been working on this for that past few days in my extremely messy and neglected studio. I am trying to clean up around her and start planning what's next for lulu belle...my head has been spinning with ideas, designs, changes, and I need to get it down on paper and put it into action before I get swept up in parties and filling custom orders! Plus, I want to do some sewing and monogramming just for me and our house.

Is anyone else excited about the HGTV Dream House 2008...premier tonight!!!!!

I better get busy! Just one more thing...I have been getting comments from some new bloggers! Just wanted to say welcome...your gonna love our little world...I sure do!

Many blessings to all in 2008!

Postal

Yesterday, I came out of my studio just to go to the market and post office. I have been sewing nonstop since Thanksgiving. This is going to be a daily event for the next two weeks. I am hoping to have all my custom orders finished and shipped by December 10th...keeping my fingers crossed!

I have one more custom party and one more trunk show this week and then I am finished until after the new year!

This year I am really look forward to the Holidays. The past few years we have taken a family trip at the beginning of December...the pressure to have EVERYTHING, decorating, shopping, sewing, etc... finished before our trip made for one unpleasant Heather! So this year, I am so laid back and I think I will actually enjoy all the preparations for Christmas. I have started decorating...here is a sneak peak at one of my favorite holiday decorating projects!

I'll use these outside in the window boxes with some greens. I'll be sure to post a picture of the finished product!

So what is your favorite holiday decorating trick?

On the Road

We are headed to the shore for the weekend...HOORAY! Of course, it is way too cold to get my feet sandy, but that is okay. I have a custom handbag "gig" tonight somewhere in New Jersey and a trunk show tomorrow at a Holiday Market in Sea Isle. Lulu and I are headed to the shore this afternoon. MBM and the big girls will follow tomorrow after lacrosse. My brother and his girlfriend are coming Saturday. My mother loured him with promises of Fillet Mignon and crab for dinner. Only my brother will drive an hour and half for a good home cooked meal. I will be contributing this yummy drink to our Happy Hour...



Have a great weekend!

Lulu Belle Holiday

The Holidays have hit the lulu belle studios...

Black and Tartan Silk Belt with Black Buckle (reversible)

Black Silk Folded Clutch with Tartan Lining and Covered Button

Tartan Silk Folded Clutch with Black Silk Lining and Covered Button

Red Velvet with Red Silk Belt with a Tortoise Buckle

Red Velvet Folded Clutch with Red Silk Lining and Covered Button

And for the Pink and Green Girls out there...

Green Velvet and Pink Silk Belt with Tortoise Buckle

Green Velvet Folded Clutch with Pink Silk Covered Button

These won't be available on my website...email me if you are interested...they make GREAT teacher and babysitter gifts!

Weekend

Well we survived the weekend. My event on Saturday wasn't the best, but I did book a custom party for February and met a local gal (she is new to our area by way of Long Island) with a sweet little business and story similar to my own, stay at home mom with a sewing machine...blah, blah, blah! Check out her website...I did some Holiday shopping with her...these for my girls!

This for my nephew ....


And this for my niece......

My girls night was ok, the place the birthday girl chose was AWFUL...a hokie Italian restaurant, which was fine. But, when they cleared your plate they took your table away, too! The chef became a DJ...there was dancing on the bar...too many disco balls...the music was sooo loud you couldn't even talk without screaming...AND it was a total meat market...nothing I like more that women in their forties dressed and acting like they are twenty, it wasn't even funny, just pathetic...GOOD LORD, I sound like an old fart...but, trust me it was bad!

MBM just arrived home from the NY marathon...he said it was the most exciting because the streets were lined with people cheering for most of the course. I wished I could have gone with him. Next time and there will be a next time! We are all a little wiped out from the busy weekend and the time change. I wish I could sit in front of the tv tonight..but, I am getting ready to fire up the monogramming and sewing machine!

Go check out my new friend's website!

The Weekend Ahead!

I have been sewing just about every waking minute for the past three days. I think, I have made roughly 20 bags. Tomorrow, I have a trunk show at a Fall Art Festival. I never know what will sell. Along with the bags I also make belts, headbands, burpies, binkee bungees, diaper and wipe cases, etc...So tonight, I have to tag it, log it, and pack it all up in my car. The girls have friends over until 8:00...as soon as they go home I am uncorking a bottle of wine and getting my stuff organized. But, only one glass as I have to set up between 6:30-7:00 AM!A....M...! I'll be sure to make it a BIG glass. So, tomorrow I have the trunk show...MBM will take the girls to lacrosse and soccer...Saturday afternoon MBM goes to NYC for the marathon on Sunday...Saturday night I will be going to dinner with some girl friends to celebrate a BIG birthday...Sunday MBM will be running, running, running in the NY Marathon and I will accompany Emma to a birthday party! Then Monday...we start all over again! Have a GREAT weekend!

Fabric Closet

I have been cleaning out my fabric closet...I have tons of fabric! Fabric for bags, fabric left over from home decor projects, leftover from costumes, fabric remnants I just could live without, fabric from projects I haven't gotten to yet...
Inspired to create something from a few very small pieces of fabric...here is what I came up with!


These bags above have a beautiful blue quilted silk shantung. I loved this fabric when I bought it for the color and the quilting was done in squares...I love squares! I paired it with a brown and cream print. So far they have been a hit with the focus group, aka, my "go to" girls! Oh, and I have the quilted silk in pink, too!

And these, well, I am sure you recognize this plaid! I really like the how these turned out with just a hint of the plaid. Classic shape, classic fabrics...can't go wrong!

Most of my bag business is custom, so these were really fun for me to just sit and create, using forgotten fabric in a fresh way! I have some more in the works, too!

I am taking my show on the road, so to speak, this fall. Along with the custom handbags parties I will be doing a handful of trunk shows at Art Festivals, Holiday Shoppes, etc...

We will see how they work out...I have been having a lot of fun preparing. My next task is to create my space/booth/tent!!! I will be recruiting the "focus group" for help!

In other news...

...I had Caroline and Emma at the eye doctor today! Both need glasses...of course! They chose the cutest glasses...I'll be sure to post a picture when their glasses are in!

...Lulu has a fever!

...my whole body aches from my session with the personal trainer yesterday.

...I volunteered, again! I don't know what is wrong with me, I just can't help myself!

Kindness

The other day I got an email from a girl in New Hampshire. She had received a package from me (lulu belle custom handbags) with her address but, not her name. Anyhow, she took the time to find me, the return address label her only clue. Upon receiving the email, I did some quick research to figure out what went wrong. It seems that I put the wrong house number on the box, par for the course with me! I returned her email...thanking her for her kindness and honesty (I have had many packages go missing) over the last three years. I asked if she would just leave it for her letter carrier with a note to return to sender. And guess what she did...she found the rightful owner of the package and delivered it!!!! Wasn't that so nice? Taking the time to help a stranger!!!

The envelope....please!

Thank you for all of your sweet comments!

Lulu was gracious enough to pull the names for me!

...and the winners are Suburban Prep, Megan in Maine, and Lisagh!

Email me to start the designing!

I also wanted to extend a 10% discount to all you bloggers to the end of May!

Happy Anniversary!

This week marks the Third Anniversary of

lulu belle custom handbags!!!

I am so blessed to have this little business and even more blessed to have clients that spread the word about me. I have never had to advertise or market. I just made a bag three years ago and then someone told someone, someone else told someone else, you get the idea! This has really been a gift, it just happened, and it is a lot of fun! I am not looking to be the next Kate Spade, I just love the process of designing, gathering the raw materials, and putting it together!

In celebration of my big anniversary I would like to give away three custom "little lulu" bags!One for each year! Throw your hat in the ring by commenting! I'll pull three names on Wednesday! And don't be afraid to spread the word!!!

Take a walk on the WILD side!

Here is how I redirected my energy today! Plus a diaper and tote bag in the same zebra print.

Web Guy

Web guy update...I used my meanest voice and left him a voice mail this morning! He responded this afternoon. Hopes to have it ready for next week! Keep your fingers crossed! More later!

Patience

I am an EXTREMELY patient person...with my children, husband, puppy, and I don't mind waiting for what I want. Case in point...my living room was empty for nearly 2 years b/c I wanted a custom sofa and was willing to wait!

Well, my patience is running out! My "web guy" is blowing my off. My new website was supposed to launch on February 1st. I did all the designing, pictures, content, etc...all he had to do was make it live. I have sent him about 10 emails and left several voice mail messages for the "web guy" and I haven't heard back yet. So my husband, who thinks I am too nice about it, has had it with me complaining and suggest we stop payment...he also "hosts" my website. But, then what? Any suggestions out there?

I have been painting our porch the past few days. I need to prime and paint the entire thing. Luckily, I love to paint...it is relaxing for me. But, I can't wait until this is finished! I am itching to put the screens in, loading it with some comfy furniture, and enjoying a cocktail or too! Specifically, a Southern Porch Slammer, compliments of Monogram Momma!

This afternoon, I am headed to the outlets with one of my friends! I'll let you know what we find!

Sleep is Overrated

Last night or should I say this morning, sometime in the four o'clock hour, Lulu came into our room. She had a scary dream. I shuffled down the hallway, one eye open, with Lulu back to her room. I cannot sleep with the girls in our bed, so i always deliver them back to their own beds. I get her tucked in, hugs and kisses, and turn to leave. Then, she says, "Mommy, I feel alone." So who needs sleep? My TO DO LIST today! 1. sew...finish up some orders and start new curtain for the powder room 2. run 3. clean out my car...this could take all afternoon 4. think about doing laundry, just think I don't want to commit to anything 5. give Roosevelt, aka stinky puppy, a bath 6. run a few errands I'll let you know what I actually accomplish! It is going to be close to 80 degrees here today, it is going to be hard to do anything!

Duh...

Don't you love when someone gives shows you a new perspective? I have been struggling with a new belt buckle for weeks now. Trying this way and that...taking it apart...starting over...just about ready to pack up all the buckles to return. I show it to my assistant today. She looks at it tucks here...sews there and we have a belt!

Thanks, Jill!

Spring Fever!

My word, I am itching for Spring! Our snow has started to melt, which is a great but messy!
The lulu belle studio is bursting with fresh spring fabrics and bag styles...Look at these bags...they call my name every time I leave the house! I am going crazy wanting to pack away all the winter stuff...coats, hats, scarves, sweaters, boots!!!! UGH!
Everywhere I turn Spring clothes, shoes, flip flops, Easter decorations, even sunblock!
Maybe it is the side effects from serious cabin fever!



Luckily it is BUNKO night...nothing like getting together with the girls to lighten my mood! And it should be fun, too! This months hostess has asked us to bring a picture of our first loves (real and fantasy) for a little game. What fun looking through all those old pictures! I am not computer savvy enough to scan the pics in, but what a hoot...so young!