Fall is Here and we are ready!!!

Fall is here, and that's exactly what is going on right now in our lives! I have "fallen" off of the blogging bandwagon and every other bandwagon, for the matter! I have been trying to get myself up and running again, after nearly 15 weeks of morning sickness and then making it through the hustle and bustle of school, transitions, and birthday extravaganzas! Fall is the busiest time of year for us as far as birthdays and holidays, but we are on track for a relatively relaxed season! Birthday presents wrapped and ready to go! Party preparations are underway, and Christmas gifts for the kids are all all wrapped! I know....maybe I can blame it on nesting! Great excuse!

But I am excited to get back to sewing more regularly. I am just doing it every so often now, but thrilled to be hitting a fabric sale this week to stock up on some cute patterns for the fall and winter to make into blankets, travel minkys, and burp clothes. I will get some cute blankets done, and hopefully sold! I consider my sales to be a contribution for this year's Christmas gifts. So far, I am off to a good fall, having 4 sales just last week. Lots of new styles just listed, plus I have started a new line of burp clothes and gift sets (travel minky blanket with a matching burp cloth!)

 

www.etsy.com/shop/YOUniqueBaby

Besides that I have to pass along a great new cheesecake recipe my brother first introduced to me and I have been in love with it ever since! I have been craving KEY LIME (which I can't even remember the last time I wanted Key Lime! :)! Here is the best frozen cheesecake you will ever have!! Put some raspberries on top and have the most stunning and scrumptious dessert for your holiday dinner!

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/key-lime-mousse-pie-recipe/index.html

Well, that's it for now!!! I have "fallen" off of this bandwagon for awhile, but I am still alive, enjoying the beautiful fall weather and loving all that this season has to bring!

International Shipping Information!

So I have been in a quandary as to how to ship things over seas for cheap. I have had to charge people an arm and a leg to ship products, but see that other sellers can ship for cheaper! If it's any help to you, as it has been to me, take a look at this website for great tips on shipping internationally!

http://www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2008/02/21/getting-a-handle-on-international-shipping/

A New Shop and Line are BORN!!!!

Well, I have been incognito for a while now! But I have been very busy! I did another craft show, which was an interesting experience!! It rained for some of it, and it was sunny for some of it! And the best part of it was, I braved it without a tent!!!! :) I know!!!!

Anyhow...I got the "umph!" to open a new shop on Etsy...Here it is: www./etsy.com/shop/YOUniqueBaby

I am SO excited, and hope that my passion for making blankets pays off! I have been sewing since I was 12 years old! I now have the HONOR of using my Grandmother's sewing machine and there are so many memories there. She was a wonderful seamstress! And I hope to pass along products filled with love and great memories to all of those YOUnique Babies out there!!!!

Here are some photos of my new line: Travel Blankets/Mini Minkys:

Pre-Made Invitations are in the works!

So, as I have been talking to people, I have discovered a couple of things.....

1. People want the look of handmade invitations vs. the processed ones hanging in the stores that EVERYONE buys!
2. People don't like the hassles of customizing with a company, which includes increased prices for customization, time to edit proofs, and then waiting for the turn-around time!
3. People want something unique...or should I say "YOUnique!!!" :)

So, I have heard the comments, and I have switched gears here and started creating sets of
pre-made, handmade" invitations!!!!! So, what I have done is created the invitation, and the wording is all printed out. The specifics of your event is all that needs to be filled in. I do, however, offer "customizing" color choices on some of the invites! This, to me, accomplishes all of the revolutions I mentioned earlier! Here are some samples of some of my new invites!!!

Craft Fair Highlights and Lowlights!

Well, I did my first craft show, and I survived! I did more than survive, I actually sold a few things, despite the slow traffic. So here's a few highlights and lowlights of my day!

HIGHLIGHTS:
Great spot: I was the first table when you walked in!
Sold a few things
Met a fellow Etsian

LOWLIGHTS:
Low traffic of people and lower sales
Quick show...only 4 hours

I really don't have any complaints, because I had never done a craft show before. My expectations were to sell a few things and get my name out there. I handed out business card magnets and got my name exposed. Hopefully some more sales will come from this!  I actually just felt great that I had an identity besides "MOMMY!" It was good to be able to see my hobby come to life and bless other people! Very rarely do people just send cards in the mail. There is no need to since we have texting, Facebook, email, and IM. I want to change all that, and bring the importance of a handwritten note back in style! When I grow old, I want to look back and have written memories of people, places, and events! That's the power of writing!

I have MANY new styles in stock. Some are listed on Etsy, but not on my site yet (hopefully by next week, when I recuperate!). Here are a few ways to take a sneak peek, if you would like! Over and out!!! A full day's work!

www.yours2give.com
www.etsy.com/YOUniquelyours
http://www.facebook.com/pages/YOUniquelyyours/352820905170?ref=ts#!/pages/YOUniquelyyours/352820905170?ref=ts

Inventory Frenzy!!! CRAFT FAIR HERE I COME!!!

Well, I am ready for my first craft show! I am really excited to expose my crafts to more people and meet other crafters!!! This Saturday will be my first craft show at Sycamore Trails Elementary School in Bartlett, IL! I have been SO busy building my inventory, and have practically lived in our basement at every chance I can get trying to get things done! I love every minute of it though. It gives me a sense of purpose and gets my mind off of all the diapers I changed, mouths I fed, tears I wiped and spills I cleaned up that day! :) Here's a sneak peak at some of my inventory...These aren't even all listed on Etsy yet or my website...so it's really fresh!!!

Busy building inventory for a craft fair!

I admit...it's been WAY too long since I last blogged. I knew I wasn't going to be the person who wrote every day, had cute themes for each day...you get the picture. No, I have diapers to change and mouths to feed,  play dates with my kids,  and shuttle runs to preschool  that take up my blogging time. But at any rate, I have been busy crafting some new note card sets and gift tags. Here are some of my latest creations to build my inventory for an upcoming craft fair...

Gift Tag Weekend!!!

I loved the little time I had to craft this weekend!!! A trip to the craft store, and my juices were flowing. Wanted to do so many things, but this is what I got done!!! No Super Bowl for me, just Super Craft!

Memories for you, Memories for me!

This week I have hit the ground running, setting a goal for myself to sew 2 blankets and list them per day! That is a huge venture with 3 little ones at home, but it's a wonder what motivation, nap times, and a little boost of adrenaline at night will do for you! I have kept up with my goal so far and have posted some great blankets, hoping someone can find use for them!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/YOUniquelyours?section_id=6443765

Anyhow, sewing is a special time for me. I am able to borrow my Grandmother's sewing machine, which is quite old at this point, but so vibrant with memories for me. My Grandmother was a wonderful seamstress, and I am so blessed to be able to sit at the bench and sew away! (It must run in the family, because my mom is a great seamstress as well!) So, as I make each blanket I think of the wonderful homes they are going to and hoping that they even create half as many memories for each person as I have while I sew them! There is a story behind every good thing! I hope to pass on the beginnings of those stories!!! Here are some pics of my new creations!!!