October Is The Best Time Of Year!

Happy FALL! The leaves have changed to some beautiful colors and the air is crisp and cool {I would say a little too cool, but I won't complain! In a few months it will most likely be -30 and my brisk -5 mornings will be a dream!}. The days are also flying by, and it seems there just is not enough hours in a day! I have been, temporarily, working at a local farm dealership owned by my cousins for the last 6 weeks {this is their busy season, so extra hands are welcomed and needed!) This is the first time I have worked nearly full time since starting Bluebirds + Lemondrops Designs, and it makes me thankful for all the hours I normally have at home to design and sew! 

So, what have I managed to whip up in my 'spare time'? Well, first of all, Christmas threads are in and I know September was kind of late to just be starting Christmas designs, but it's so hard to jump into the Holiday mindset in July! I am so excited about the Christmas fabrics I have for 2015 and I'll let you have a little sneak peek at what's coming...

I also finally have some of the long coveted Sew Caroline AGF Happy Home line!! Check out these beauties!

Now, what I'm really excited about are these zippered pouches I've been stitching up! I've been a huge fan of these pouches for ages {literally years!} and almost always have one floating around in my purse! For those of you that aren't sure how I could possibly be so enthused about a little zippered pouch, let me give you 10 awesome uses for this bag :) 

1. They hold all that chaos in my purse! I don't know about you, but I usually have lip balm, Advil, travel sized perfume or mist, face wipes, antibacterial solution, sunglasses or contacts, essential oils, gum, mints, feminine products...the list goes on and on! I love having all my cosmetic-like items in the pouch instead of floating through my purse! 

2. Perfect to hold snacks for the little ones, pacifiers, teething toys, and all the paraphernalia that comes with babies and toddlers. 

3. Travel sized sewing kit. 

4. DIY First Aid Kit. 

5. Holds your smartphone and all the extras {charger, car charger, ear buds, ect.}

6. Make up bag! Whether traveling or storing at home.  

7. Ideal for holding Passport, ID, Cash, Wallet and Travel Documents. 

8. Snack bag - because not just the kids need snacks on the go! 

9. A great way to keep track of business cards, day planners and organizers. 

10. And for all you mama's out there: this makes an awesome diaper/wipe holder! 

I love finding any excuse to combine pretty and practical - so here is one of the testers I've stitched up lately! 

And now for the big news in our home... We adopted a dog!! I finally have stay-at-home sewing company!! We adopted Cooper from our local SPCA shelter, and completely fell in love with him! Cooper is a five year old Beagle Hound Cross and after years of saying I would NEVER have an indoor pet {other than our fish Winston, of course!}, I finally caved! He is excellent company for me when My Guy is working away in the North for weeks and we adopted him when Phil was home for a few weeks so that Cooper and Phil had lots of time to get to know each other. Check out our first week at home with Cooper below: 

                                                 LOOK AT THAT FACE!! He is seriously the sweetest! 

                                   And there's your cute dog fix for at least a few hours :) 

Keep Calm and Find Your Creativity

   I have just been soaking up summer the last few weeks! It's been so incredible having my husband home for the last 10 days, and we have had non-stop family gatherings, lake trips and a few rainy days that were perfect for hosting housefuls of guests :) As wonderful, fun and relaxing as August has been, there hasn't been a whole lot of productivity! {I mean, honestly, who feels like being anywhere other then the lake when it's almost 90 degrees and humid?!}. However, I can't meet deadlines and keep orders shipping on time when we are living in the sunshine, and recently a friend and I were discussing the various ways we stay focused, committed and creative, even when we aren't always 'feeling it' :)

   Needing some inspiration to tackle that DIY project or rev up your handmade business this Summer? Here are some of my tips for staying on top of everything when it's hard to maintain any sort of schedule:

-"Early to bed, early to rise, makes man healthy, wealthy and wise". Yes, this is incredibly difficult! When Philip is home, we have no reason to go to bed before 1:00am and can sleep in as late as we need, it seems pointless to stay structured, but if I am going to have a productive day, whether sewing or performing other tasks, I need to get a solid night of sleep and start the day early!

-Organization: I cannot express how important this one is for me! Not everyone thrives on or needs organization to express creativity, but I do! This does seem odd, since anytime I am working, I destroy any semblance of organization :) However, I find the days I am the most productive sewing, I have the house tidy and generally organized, some easy to grab meals in the fridge and can begin my day without any distracting messes.  

-Comfort: I perform my best when I have a comfortable, practical, and lets be honest, somewhat cute outfit on, my hair done and not just raked back into a messy knot {or worse, not combed since the previous day! Yikes! You know you work from home when...} and I also love starting the day with coffee or tea, and a one of my favorite playlists! 

-Inspiration: Surround yourself with what inspires you! Does an early morning walk, breathing in the fresh air and taking in your surroundings help you kick start your day? Perhaps an inspiration board helps you visualize your goals? Maybe you are like me and need a to do list with an action plan! I also know networking with likeminded individuals who inspire and challenge you can be a huge asset! I am still working on this one as I tend to shy away from big groups and 'putting it out there', but I am starting to meet some amazing handmade artists and find I feel so motivated and excited to tackle new challenges after meeting up with them.

-Just Do It: Nike might say it best :) Sometimes I can think, think and THINK about all I have to do, plan, make lists and what it always comes down to is just doing it! Sometimes, life doesn't cooperate, the house isn't organized, I don't feel rested and put together, but I still have to make stuff happen! Sometimes I just have to force myself to sit down and get to work, and before I know it, I'm on a roll! 

-Know when to quit: Ah! No one wants to use that word...quit. But I don't mean permanently :) One day I was busy working at the sewing machine and nothing {and I do mean nothing} seemed to be coming together! My husband walked in to find me yelling at my sewing project {please tell me I'm not the only one that does this?} and frustrated beyond measure! He kindly reminded me that what I was frustrated with probably wasn't really so difficult, but that I needed a break. I stopped what I was doing and tried not to think about it until the next day, and amazingly, a fresh new day brought a fresh new outlook on everything! It really does pay to take a break, so that we are refreshed and ready to take on the world! 

   So, whether you are growing a handmade business, or are looking to tackle some fun, Pinteresting projects this Summer, hopefully a few of these ideas will help you! I would LOVE to hear some of your ideas for finding inspiration and keeping the creative juices flowing! Leave comments below or on the Facebook page :) 

"Create what sets your heart on fire and it will illuminate your path"

   

Crazy Town: Our Ever Changing Wonderful Life

Hello Lovlies!

   I have been away from the blog and updating pretty much everything lately, so it's time for some major catch-up! So many big changes happening in our little home! My husband began a new job mid-July, very unexpectedly, after receiving an exciting job offer! He has worked for an incredible local Aviation company for the last 10 years, and I think he expected to stay there for the rest of his life, however, he received a great opportunity to fly to the far North and work two weeks at a time on bigger aircraft, charters and move into management {yay Hubby!}.

This is Philip's sweet ride up to work and back every two weeks, as well as one of the many aircraft he inspects and services.

   Of course, this involved a lot of major changes for us, such as leaving his much loved local job along with the incredible people there, and probably the biggest change, living away from home every other two weeks. The exciting part? Great new career opportunities, exciting travel and getting to spend every other two weeks home with me :) So, the last 6 weeks have been a frenzy of new job meetings, organizing our life to arrange for Phil to live half the year 600 miles away and cramming in as many fun outings together as possible {lake time, air shows, weekend getaways and family BBQ's to name a few}.

  We are now 13 days into his first 15 days away, and I am finally getting caught up on sewing, emails, and yes, blogging! I knew it would be an adjustment having my Sweetheart gone so much when I am used to having him home so often, but I am so thankful for both our amazing families! Everyone has gone out of their way to check on me, take pity and have me over for meals, family time and offer endless Summer fun! I am truly blessed to have our amazing families live around me!

Beautiful Fond Du Lac River where Philip works!

  So, now that we are all caught up on the crazy that's been happening, guess what fabulous designs I have whipped up?! Have I confessed yet to my deep adoration for Art Gallery Fabric? I don't think I have ever saw an AGF design that I haven't fallen completely head over heels in love with! These Gleeful fabrics by Sew Caroline are no exception!

Best of all, this cheery apron was a custom order for one of my sweet sister-in-laws, so it was stitched with just a little extra love :) 

Vintage Finds + New Fabric

So, I'm back in full swing, sewing up a storm lately, and I still can't manage to keep up :) Such a busy week, but first, time to share my new fabric from my favorite quilting shop!!

Color Therapy by Vanessa Christenson

Birch Farm by Joel Dewberry 

So excited to get stitching up these new designs, but first, I need to finish all those custom orders and get them shipped :) And now for my wonderful garage sale find from last weekend...

 I have been on the hunt for a gorgeous vintage hard shell suitcase, that I can re-model into a large sewing kit/decorative piece for my shows! Practical and pretty! So, I finally found  exactly what I was looking for! Isn't this piece gorgeous?

Originally I was told it came from the early 1900's {how cool would that have been?!}, but we finally did find out that it is actually from 1940 {still pretty neat!} and it is in near perfect condition! So, this is how the case came, and I will have to post photos in the next few weeks, showcasing my suitcase remodel :)

I want to put some pockets on the inside part of the lid, as well as make some fabric dividers for organization! Can you tell I am just a little excited?! I can't wait to show you what I turn this fabulous case into! Oh, and it comes with original keys to the locks...how amazing is that?

So, last Friday, I decided it's pretty pathetic that I make all these aprons for people, and I don't own one of my own unique creations! I had bought some linen canvas earlier in the week with intentions to make an apron for myself, so Friday was the perfect day to stitch it up! Besides my little handmade business, I also cater all summer for the company my husband works for and small events throughout the year, which is the perfect place to wear my handmade designs! So, here is the apron I made, which I then posted on my Facebook business page and ended up selling :) So, I still need an apron for myself!

I did find it a little funny that I chose colors that although are very beautiful, aren't typically my style, so I think this apron was meant for someone else from the start :) However, it was so fun to design and stitch up, and I love the ruffled scoop pocket on the skirt!!

And...I FINALLY attempted my first throw pillow!! I actually used some leftover fabric from the apron I made {I am really loving that fabric!} I was quite happy with how it turned out and I can't wait to tackle a few more styles!

I really love the twisted flower on the corner, and I think a row of those running diagonally across a throw pillow would be gorgeous! So many ideas to try!  

Happy Thursday Everyone! 

Summer Livin'

Can I just say that I LOVE June?! To be honest, there isn't one month that I dislike, but June has to be one of my favorites! My husband is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and our busy season of Aerial Crop Spraying begins late June {typically} and sometimes runs until August-September, so June is the month we pack full of the summer fun {and laziness} that we typically don't get the rest of the summer. June and September are the two months we cram all of summer into, and for those reasons, I adore June! Also, the weather is usually delightful here in June and the lakes are made for living at! Just a few reasons I am silly about summer...

Now, there is this urban legend that sewing and crafting happens only in the winter {especially in our area of the country, where winter lasts forever and if the cold doesn't get ya, you will get snowed in}, but since sewing is a way of life, my machine plans to stay busy all summer long {it will just be working double time so that I can have those lake days as well}. So, let's take a look at what's been on my worktable:

So, most of the time I just wing it when sewing {I'm instilling confidence, I can tell:}, and usually I'm VERY comfortable with that, however, I was commissioned to sew an apron that is really more of a dress {I am not even joking}, so I felt the need for a pattern! You know the whole "Measure twice, cut once" saying, well in this case it was "Measure 5x, draw 3 patterns and cut once"! So, I sketched my own pattern, and let me warn you, I CANNOT draw! I have tried, I have really, really tried, but I bomb even at Pictionary - I can hardly draw a straight line to save my life! So, no, I will never be a pattern designer, but thankfully I can make it work for my own personal use :)

I am SO excited about these new labels! I designed the graphic online and found a super affordable shop in France to print them up for me! Now every item sold will have this unique {and can I say, adorable?} fabric label attached! This is the crazy dress-like apron I have been working on, more pics to come soon! 

Oh, and just for a cuteness factor before I go, check out this adorable baby MINIATURE calf that I got to play with, cuddle and feed the other night! Just when I think all the farm girl in me has disappeared, I spend a day at the farm, get to tromp around in the pastures and corrals, and I feel like I'm back home again. A move to the country might be up for discussion sometime in the next few years :) 

Ok, that's enough cuteness to melt anyone! Happy Thursday everyone! Enjoy this gorgeous June!

Charity

May Brings The Fun

I have been pretty quiet on the blog lately! It feels like summer has arrived and we've been on the road constantly!  We were so happy to be headed to the lake last weekend, and despite the cooler temperatures, as usual, we had an amazing time! My husband and I spent a few days with my parents and then the rest of the family drove up to spend a day with us all. We have our favorite spot that we always camp at and I am always amazed at how quickly I start to feel relaxed and carefree once we head to the lake. Some quality family time is always good for relaxing as well!

                                 

     

May Long Weekend usually marks the first weekend at the lake for the summer season, unless the weather is terrible. Thankfully we had several enjoyable days there, and we are already planning the next weekend we head up there {and looking forward to a few weeks there later in the Summer}.

Last week was a full week with the family! My mom and I enjoyed a wonderful lunch together at one of our favorite restaurants, and it's rare to get a quiet one-on-one chat together!  I spent a day at the farm catching up with my sister and helping my mom plan our huge family gathering we have every summer and my husband and I spent Friday night trucking with my brother as he hauled Anhydrous to the local farmers putting in their crops!

So, after all that excitement and much needed family time... it's back to work today! 

First, I wanted to share a project I wrapped up right before we left for the lake! I made two matching half aprons from vintage 70's fabric and I like to call these aprons Keepsake Aprons. The fabric came from my customers Grandmother who had passed away and they wanted to have this memorable fabric made into aprons to remember her.

Keepsake Aprons are so special to me, as we lost a very special lady in our family two years ago and after she passed away, I received some of her fabric {she was an avid quilter} and we started making aprons out of her fabric to remember her by. So I am always incredibly touched when I get to do a keepsake item for my customers - and the fabric always seems to have a special story that comes with it!

My projects for this week include a retro 60's style apron {I can not wait to finish it and get it up on the blog!}, a gorgeous Japanese-style apron and I am also working on a keepsake apron for my mom {because she's just so special that she deserves one}! Also on the worktable are a few new items I'm playing around with and hope to have up in the shop soon :)

So, hopefully I can make myself stay home and get some sewing done, and when I do get my orders done, the weather is so gorgeous, I plan to sneak off to the lake later this week !! Enjoy that sunshine! 

A Weekend Full of Learning + Fun

Happy Monday, Ya'll! I am feeling so good about this upcoming week! As I mentioned before, I have been under the weather for several weeks, as well as having some back problems, but I have a good feeling about this week and things are looking up :)

First of all, I had an amazing weekend! It was a bit of a struggle with my back, but I made it to the Artisan Entrepreneur Workshop, and the afternoon was jam-packed with loads of great information! It was a good balance of some topics I already felt comfortable with, and some great new ideas to further Bluebirds + Lemondrops Designs!

After the workshop I  met up with a couple friends and went out for a great supper and then headed to Prairie Chicks for their Magazine Release Gala! It was such a fabulous night - great food and drinks, amazing sales, a few fun games, and meeting up with a great group of women that I have gotten to know over the last year! I am so grateful for a group of women that share my passion for handmade designs and fabric!! I came away with some fabric and a few quilted goodies, so it was a successful night :)

                             I seriously can not get enough of these gorgeous colors and designs!!

Sunday was a wonderful day spent with my amazing family {all 27 of them - and we were missing a few!}. Mother's Day is always a big deal for our family, and we enjoyed a nice lunch out together and then a beautiful dessert buffet at my sisters home {she is amazing!}. And finally, Sunday evening brought some much needed down time with My Man :) I think he deserves a little shout out! He is the most supportive and encouraging husband, he pushes me to succeed and try again when I fail. He genuinely gets excited when I talk about my little handmade business and he enjoys helping me plan and dream - what more could I possibly want or ask for! 

So, this week, I am finishing some custom orders I have been working on, shopping fabric for the next big set of custom orders, and I am excitedly awaiting the arrival of a huge fabric order for the Evergreen Artisan Market in November! I have never done a show this big or that brings in this many people, so I have made a plan so I get to enjoy my summer and also get my stock built back up again :) Time for me to get busy!!