Is it summer already?

I've been on a blogging hiatus! I'm starting to feel stressed out again. Time to step back and re-focus.

I realize how difficult it is to simultaneously sell at craft fairs/venues and also work on online sales at home + keep up with a full time job. While I do have fun at fairs, I've decided that I really need to vet which venues to accept. While both have it's advantages (it's fun to meet customers and see their reaction. Immediate sales are gratifying too) it's very hard to do both well and maintain a somewhat sane life. I'm constantly worried about forgetting things and making sure I have enough time...etc.

So I'm feeling pretty good that I haven't signed up for anything in the next two months. It'll give me some time to figure out what to do. I already have some goals in mind in no particular order.

1. Eat healthier (more whole grains, greens & less sweets like cupcakes!)
2. Work out consistently
3. Push husband to do the same for the above
4. Declutter our home and organize better
5. Hang out with friends (I'm horrible in this department)
6. Take Sam(dog) out more
7. Work on increasing Etsy shop sales and custom orders at home
8. Learn to live more meagerly (only buy what we need; not what we want)
9. Be a better food shopper
10. Save money

On other news... My latest custom order. I spent roughly 1.5 months making 250+ of these wedding favors. I normally would have required more time but this came to me kind of late; so I worked my butt off every night and weekend to make it happen in time for the bride's wedding. The bride was quite pleased and made all the cutting, gluing and painting worth it. I hope to do more of these in the near future.


I believe her wedding just past so I wish her a happy happy marriage!

I love how the photos came out. It's amazing what a fancy SLR camera can do.

Red and Black Scrapbook tins

Right before I left for Paris, I completed a set of red and black themed scrapbook tins for a West Coast bride. (I love that the wonderful world of internet allows me global transactions!) 7 tins in total. She asked for "vintage, pin up girl feel kinda wedding" And here are the lovely results.

Let the wedding season begin. I just finished two more bridal orders. Will post shortly.

Love Every Moment

Tonight one of my bestest friends stopped by for some last minute help. One of my closest friend, whom I've thought of as a brother and have known since high school will be getting married tomorrow! Words cannot express how happy and excited I am for him and his new wife to be.

Table Numbers & Menu Cards made for the wedding.
Handmade notecard for the Bride & Groom
I included 3 personalized notecards for themAnd a last photo of the bachelor before the biggest day of his life...

Let's Celebrate!

A quick gift for our friends celebrating their 10 year Anniversary! I decorated a paper bag with some ribbon and pretty paper... along with a stamped image of a wedding cake.

Inside, I included a hand written card and a sweet little scrapbook for her to fill in. I even added a gluestick so that she has everything she needs. She loved it and so did her husband.
10 years seems like a long way to go, but my friends have made it seem very easy. I've never seen a couple more "together" than they have been. I admire their love for each other and makes me look forward to my own 10 year Anniversary!

A Sneak Peek

Over the last several months I've been working with a bride-to-be for her rustic styled Fall wedding; which falls right in line with my style especially since my wedding was very similar. As you can imagine I was elated when she allowed me the honor to take on such an important task. I've been working on the wedding programs, thank you cards, table numbers, signage and I am thrilled to say that I've finally entered the last phase of the project; the placecards!

I normally have a rule not to post any custom work until well after the date of the event has passed, but I am too excited about this baby that I just can't resist to give you one sneak peek of one of the signages I made.

I've had awfully good luck with many of the brides I've dealt with thus far and Jennifer has been nothing but a pleasure to work with. Not only is she responsive and understanding with the numerous emails I sent her; but most importantly, she is appreciative of what I do and just as excited as I am about handmade!

This is what I live for. Now if only I can do this full time...

Full details will be posted after the wedding. Stay tuned!

A Bit of Glam..

Right before I left for my Anniversary trip to Costa Rica, one of my good friends called me for a favor. She needed 20 bridal invites and she needed it quick. She found an image of the invites she wanted and would have ordered through them but they did not have the colors she wanted. In less than two weeks, we emailed each other back and forth and met up at Paper Presentation to choose the perfect colors and ribbons.

After a few hours, we finally made our selections and I hurried on home to make them. When I accepted this challenge, I thought it would be a piece of cake. I spent more hours than I thought I would just creating a mock up. I overestimated how much time I'd need to trace, cut, and then erase the pencil parks on these little gems. Not only that, I was quite busy at work, stressed out, and also had a full on bridal custom order in the works. To make matters worse, I didn't buy enough materials, made mistakes and had to return to the store twice! I knew I was overworked! I knew I took on more than I could handle. I felt so bad though. I felt that I didn't give this project 110% of my time and efforts as I normally would with every other project I've taken up. Luckily, she was and still is a great friend and very understanding; but I've learned my lesson. It's wise to slow down, take my time and not rush! I also need to learn not to say "Yes" to everything that comes my way.

Another true labour of love. ... I think it turned out well despite the fact that these glamorous shoes are totally not my style; but it's more fun that way.

In the midst of chaos..

I received a rush order request from a very good friend and supporter of my work; so of course I had to oblige. These are card invitations. She asked me to make the cards and she'll handle the invite insert. The soiree is acqua & red themed. With all the work I've been doing, I need a break, so unfortunately, I won't be attending her party. Nevertheless, I wish her party a great success!

Promise to post up a sneak peak.. soon. In the meantime, I've been busy like a bee!

Wedding Scrapbook

A few posts ago, I mentioned a new custom project. I finished the book a few weeks ago but never posted it, so here are a few samples. I had so much fun making this from beginning to end. I hope to make another custom scrapbook soon!

The Bridal Shower Layout

The Proposal

The Engagement Party

Getting Ready

The details
The bride will not be receiving this for another few months. Oh how I wish I could be there in person to see her reaction.

Word of the Day - Busy

My husband was away this weekend watching baseball with a bunch of his buddies. Although I sorely missed him, I accomplished quite a bit in two days. First off, I dragged my good friend to a Home Show in Brooklyn that showcased 6-7 uber talented Etsy Sellers. Despite the heavy rain and cold weather, we made the trip and are so glad we did. Not only did I get to see the beautiful work in person, I also met a few great sellers too. Perhaps, one day I can be selling some of my work in person too. Hmm, that's a thought.

Oh and to show my support, I bought a shirt. If I had it my way, I would have bought from everyone but a thing called "budget" prevented me from doing so. The lovely Kim from kimmchi.etsy.com designed this.

My friend bought a shirt as well and a gorgeous necklace from joannetracydesigns.etsy.com. Her shop is very lovely and this is by far my favorite.

Anyway, I've been getting quite a bit of custom order inquiries lately. Not only do I have to keep my head on straight as an executive assistant by day, but I'm also multitasking between different custom orders at home now too. It's been challenging but most definitely fun.

Here's a project that I just finished. A client of mine is a photographer. He wanted me to customize a altered tin favor for him to give out to his own clients as his "Thank You." I thought that was very sweet of him and also a great idea too. His requirements: anything that matched Chocolate Brown. I added some sweet candy and tied it with a string and tag. Voila!

Here are the results.

Well it's Monday. Back to the daily grind and one more day until my husband comes home.

Custom Wedding Scrapbook

I'm so excited to announce that I have a new custom order. A client has asked that I make her bestfriend a wedding scrapbook from engagement to honeymoon. It will be premade and she'll add in the photos later. I'm pysched. It's been a while since I've taken on such a huge project like this but I really love these custom orders. The theme of the scrapbook is going to be pink and lots of it. Here are some of the supplies that I will be using.


Lace Medallion 12x12 K & Co paper

Pink Paisley 12x12 K & Co paper

Belle Pink Acanthus 12x12 Amy Butler PaperPink Metallic Chipboards Heidi Swapp
Lovespell Cardstock stickers Doodlebug

I can't wait until my supplies come in so I can get started!

Custom Order - My wedding tins

A client of mine purchased the rest of my wedding favors (yep, the tins I used for my own wedding.) I almost didn't want to part with my favors. Even though my tins were already made, I still needed to work on it. It wasn't all in the best condition because when I made my tins for my wedding, it was the first time I made it. I didn't have the formula set in stone yet so there were a few rounds of trial and error. Now that I have it pretty much down, I wanted to make sure it was perfect for my client, so I actually had to re-do most of the tins. Some weren't cut right the first time around; it wasn't glued on well enough or there wasn't enough paint on certain areas. It was another labor intensive project but luckily there were only 30 to tackle this time. I am very happy with how it turned out. I really love making these favors. It's so much fun especially when I know what I'm doing now, lol. The bad news though, is that I'm running low of altoid tins. I must get more soon because I have a good feeling that I'll have another order soon.

Lime & Mellow Yellow

I just finished a huge order of 100 altered wedding tin favors for a soon to be bride. I'm thrilled at the result. It also helped that the theme colors are vibrant and spring-y. I'll be shipping these babies out in a day or so, can't wait to see what she thinks in person! She was also a super sweetheart throughout the process. I wish all my clients will be as great to work with as she was.

The inside - It's empty but she will be adding her own mints. Not all the tins are exactly like this. I alternated with the paper used in the side view of the tin.

Side view:

The bottom:


A box filled to the brim with tins: