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Okay, so I’ve been super busy, some would say that I’ve been doing nothing and being lazy, but I think that’s because I’m overwhelmed with everything else, that I just want to be lazy most nights. Now I’m going to tell you everything that’s been going on, and I’m really excited to share all of it with you! 1. Art Directors Association of IowaOkay, for those of you who don’t know, I’m on the board for ADAI (Art Directors Association of Iowa), and I’m in charge of the Professional Exhibition. Here’s a little info about ADAI: The Art Directors Association of Iowa was founded in 1957. It serves the specific needs of professionals and students involved in graphic design and related fields in Iowa. A nonprofit organization, ADAI formed to both educate members and promote the exchange of ideas and information. Activities in the future will evolve to meet the needs of our ever-changing profession. So I have been very busy getting the Call for Entries for the Professional Exhibition ready to be mailed. Friday I mailed these out, and it was a big relief! The theme is Buttoned Up, yes, that’s what I said Buttoned Up, and I am so in love with buttons that this is perfect for me. Okay, and now for a couple of pics of the Call for Entries :]
I am working on a tutorial for these cute little felt envelopes! I hope to have it up in the next week or so, if I don’t then feel free to bug me with comments on this post till it goes up. I am very forgetful lately, even when I write myself to-do lists and notes. The felt came from Giant Dwarf, and it was just wonderful to work with, nothing like the cheap felt I’m used to using. The buttons were all plastic dyed buttons that I got from Little Red Cottage, they were an assortment and all of them were so beautiful. 2. Swap-O-Rama-Rama
We have finally nailed down a date for the 3rd annual SORR event. Yay! Except that now I’m doing this event by myself, because the love Kelsey will be in South Africa. The swap has been scheduled for a 2-Day event which is taking place at the Natural Living Expo:
We still need general volunteers for both days, and set-up on Friday, April 1, 3 pm to 7 pm. As well as sewing volunteers for Saturday and Sunday. Entry to the swap will be $10 plus a bag of clothes, for people who are attending the Natural Living Expo and decide to drop in on the swap without a bag of clothes, that will be fine too. Please send us an email if you’re interested in being a volunteer, remember volunteers get free admission to the swap! 3. Pattern DesignsI’ve been working on a line of patterns to possibly be published. I have some sketches going, and many more ideas in my head, but now it’s time to get to work, and start getting the patterns drawn and ready to test. I don’t want to reveal too much here, but lets just say I’m really excited!!! 4. My new ObsessionOkay, so I think I have a new obsession now, and it’s kinda weird. I’m now a coupon lady, yes, I’m admitting this to the entire world. I clip coupons (I get at least two sets of inserts from the Sunday paper every week) and I shop sales, and I also trade coupons. This has allowed me to save a lot of money. I’ve also been able to stock up on items that I love to use, and used to pay full price for when I ran out. I’m reading blogs dedicated to saving money using coupons and have joined a coupon forum. I’ll share my links below with you, but I’m also hoping to be able to share some of my awesome shopping trips too!
Many of these sites also have coupon databases, but my favorite database is the AFC (A Full Cup) because if you’re looking for one, you can often find somebody who has it and is willing to give it up for something they are searching for. I would have to say that I am one of the happiest girls out there right now! As I was looking through my emails, I noticed one from Kathy over at makingitfun, and the subject was congratulations! I was intrigued and quickly clicked on the email. To my surprise I won 2 yards of Michael Miller Simply Beautiful fabric! Take a look at this stuff:
This fabric has a large and beautiful flower design reaching across the entire width of the fabric. Kathy said “the stems are at one selvage reaching across the full width of the fabric to the other selvage.” Wow! Before I was thinking adding the image as an applique to some curtains, but now I’m envisioning a ballgown type dress with the giant flower design as an applique on that! If you have time, head over to the post where there are other things made with this fabric. The things made are super cute, and really inspiring :]
I’ve been doing some research lately, on organizing, because I’m sick of the way my apartment has been looking. A Bowl Full of Lemons had a 21 day Organizing Challenge that started at the beginning of January. I found this when they were already on day 15, so I did a few things, but didn’t have the time to commit to the entire challenge. I have some before and after pictures of my bathroom, that I will be blogging about soon :] The Weekly Challenge will start on Sunday, and I’m super excited. Toni put samples of what the challenges will be, and I’m excited about:
If you’re interested, I hope you check out A Bowl Full of Lemons and try the Weekly Challenge too! I participated in a Secret Santa swap over on the lillyella blog. I sent one of my gathered pouches along with a few buttons, to a girl on the East coast. I’m glad that she blogged about it, because of course, I forgot to take a picture :/
The recipient was Alyssa Mae and she lives in Rochester, New York. Here’s what she said about the gift:
She linked to me too! That made me pretty happy. As for the gift I received…oh it was wonderful! Jennie of Clover and Violet sent me some great stuff! I loved how I even got a Hallmark Christmas card. I remember the days in high school where I always had to buy Hallmark cards, now I kinda just make my own cards when I remember to. Everything was all wrapped up, so I got to unwrap each gift.
Jennie did a little bit of internet stalking, by looking at my Etsy favorites. This was a great idea, because she found out that I like the “Snip Snip” fabric from Momo’s Wonderland line. Turns out this line is one of Jennie’s favorites, and she based the gifts around this. She sent me two pincushions, a coffee cup sleeve with my name embroidered, $5 Starbucks gift card, Little Wallet pattern, and some scraps. I’ve already used the pattern and some of the scraps, to make a little wallet for my grandma for Christmas. Also, since I do LOVE coffee (she wasn’t sure if I did or not) the Starbucks card was put to good use, and it was a good day! I decided to participate in the Sew,Mama,Sew! blog post about Reflections + Predictions. I chose the questions that I actually have answers for. Enjoy! Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind? Buntings, they were everywhere, and they are super cute, so who wouldn’t want to make one? Another thing is gathers and ruffles, which I’m totally in love with! What were some of your favorite things? Linen! When sewing with it, it’s like butter, just amazingly smooth. I also started reading a lot more sewing blogs, and love new tutorials. What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? Cosmo Cricket’s Early Bird, I used the scrapbooking paper, then when I found out there was fabric, I was in love! I also started using imported Japanese fabrics, I love the designs and colors.
What was the best thing you made in 2010? I made my little miss Zee a cute little dress altered a bit from the Village Frock pattern by Sugar City. The pattern isn’t in print anymore, but I’m so glad that I got this pattern before they were gone! I think I’ve shown lots of pictures of Zee from this photo shoot, but it was an amazing day, and Kelsey did such a great job. What do you think 2011 has in store? Can’t wait to see what else comes from Melody Miller. I love her Ruby Star Rising collection, and can’t wait to start my next project using the view finder fabric that I ordered.
What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? I’m just excited to sew. Sewing clothing, and getting my items in more stores, would be awesome, and I guess in a way, that is my sewing goal. I also hope to blog about most of my sewn items, unlike the past…how I forget to (especially custom items) then they get sent off and I never see them again… CakeSpy
35% off + free shipping through December 16, 2011
This is a super simple giveaway by Chronicle Books! Post a list of Chronicle Books valued at up to $500 that you’d like to haul in, and you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing to WIN your list of books! And, one of your readers who comments on the post will win the list too! Last day to submit entries is December 10th! So if I win, somebody who comments on this blog post will also win my list.
Grand Total: $497.55
I am part of the EtsyMom Street Team, and I’m participating in the Black Friday Sale. If you shop my Etsy store you will receive 15% off everything! That’s a pretty good discount for my items. The sale runs from 11/26 to 11/29. There will also be many other team members participating in the sale. To shop the sale on Etsy.com, search “EtsyMomSale” (if you click on the link, it should lead you to all the items with that tag). You’ll find a little of everything from eco friendly + modern felt stockings, boutique-style children’s clothing, cute Japanese handmade fabric button accessories, Twilight inspired jewelry, photography, handstamped cards, stationary, holiday decor, and more! Remember the sale only runs from 11/26 through 11/29, and this includes custom t-skirts. If you’re looking for other custom items, based off of my designs, if I create a custom listing for you and you pay for it during the sale dates, these items will be on sale. Another note, the cut off for custom orders is Friday, December 10th, unless I get a huge amount of orders. This will ensure that you receive your order by Christmas.
I won a copy of Amy Butler’s Style Stitches: 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags! from the Indie Fixx blog. It arrived in the mail today, and I’m super excited to make a few of the projects as gifts for Christmas this year! A couple of pics from inside the book:
Indie Fixx has other projects that they do, including Feed Your Soul. Feed Your Soul is a free art project. Each month artists are invited to participate and to contribute a print which is totally free and available for download. There is an archive of all the free art, and it’s nice getting new art every month, that you can download and print and put in a frame, or even put wherever you want! |
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Copyright © 2012 S-Renee Designs - All Rights Reserved
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Also, she has an amazing 
[taken from the Indie Fixx 
