Etsy Baby Shower and My Wednesday Sewing Projects

I participated as a donor shop for the Etsy Winter Baby Shower held this month for the third time and absolutely loved doing it.  I enjoy so much being paired with a new momma or momma- to- be and surprising her with a goodie or two. Check out the Etsy Baby Shower blog to see the great donating shops, gifts, and babies that have arrived . If you are an Etsy shop that has not participated int he past you really should consider it for the next time; you will not be disappointed!

Wednesday is the middle of my work week but more the beginning of my sewing week many times. This week I have been very busy listing the "Sammie" bags that I made over the weekend see here and here for a cute Cowboy Frog and I still have several left to list. I completed 2 additional little boy sets and have a bunch of items cut out to start sewing tomorrow during lunch and after work. Working from a home office has it's advantages for sure :)

More to come later in the week when I have some of those cute outfits all sewn together that are now laying on my cutting table and I will post some pics here as well as in my Etsy Shop click here for the latest listings.

Hugs,

Suzann

Monday Specials and Snippets

Monday is here already....another very short weekend but ooohhhh soooo much fun. Heather (daughter in law) hosted a baby shower for my other daughter in law Martha in our home Sat. and we all had a great time! Martha is a first time mommy to be and needed all the right equipment to get started. I think she received almost everything she had on her registries! This is one of the first pics taken and Martha is on the left and her Grandma Dottie is on the right. I will post more pics later in the week when we have had some time to go through and get them just right:)

Our sale for this week is for winter items only. Pick any winter item of your choice and take 25% off that item. Please let me know in the message to seller box that you are a blog reader so that I know to give you a discount.  Free shipping as always.

Weather permitting (we need some sunshine) today I will be taking some pics of 2 new little boy sets and the much awaited "New Sammie Bags" will be on the site by tonight so check that out later as well. I just love the little boy sets and had a lot of fun choosing fabrics and making up the new sammies (there will be a special surrounding bringing these back as well so read my shop announcement here to see what that special will be. The post will not be up until the first Sammie is posted this evening:)

Have a great week and remember to do something that makes you happy!

Hugs,

Suzann

Elsie Marley's Cool Belt Tutorial and Belt Giveaway!!

Good morning Everyone,

I have a great tutorial to share with you all and a giveaway as well all from the very talented Elsie Marley!

You can see the great tutorial for all those skinny boys here as well as the giveaway. Go check it out and leave a funny story for Elsie:)

Monday Specials and Snippets

I am starting off this blog asking for prayers for several families that have lost a love one this past week or weekend. The 1st request is for Stan, Jodie and their entire family- their youngest (just 7) daughter Savannah went to be with the Lord Friday after a 5 year battle with brain cancer. The 2nd request is for my daughter-in-laws friend Brooke B. and her family. Her daddy passed away unexpectedly Friday and had not been ill prior to his death so this has been especially hard for his family. My 3rd request is for Brenda whose Momma passed on Sat. she had started Chemo again and it was just too much for her heart. I know all of the family's will appreciate your prayers.

My special this week is a "Make Your Own Sale" you may take 25% off any 1 item you choose through midnight EST Sunday Feb. 21st.

This was a busy day at work which is always nice and then I had the grands for a little bit for Heather to go to a memorial service for a friends husband. I also cut out 4 little boys outfits that will be worked up this week and be posted to my Etsy shop which you can visit here
Everyone have a great week and do something that makes you happy!

Hugs,
Suzann

Wednesday Sewing Project

Wednesday already.... where has my week gone so far?? It is nice when a week goes by quickly so you have another weekend to look forward to and I do love my weekends for sure.

I have one little new outfit to post today that I completed last night. This fabric is a re-purposed  vintage child's drapery panel and the little pillow case dress and Capri pants turned out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself.  Still trying to decide on the color of the satin ribbons that will be added to the shoulders and tied into beautiful bows... leaning towards a chocolate brown to bring out the bears a bit . These will not be in my shop since the panels came from a boutique that I sew for however you can see the pics below:

The Goldilocks drapery panel was so cute and the fabric very very soft. Sandy has said she has additional panels so I will make up a few other pieces as well.








Sewing Tip of the Week: Always press after each seam - your finished garment or other items will look much more professional for it.


Hugs,
Suzann

Monday Specials and Snippets

Happy Monday Morning Everyone!!! My post this morning will be short and sweet...just a little snippet and a Weekly Special:)

Snippet - Heather and I took Phil up to TN this weekend to pick up his car and get some things in order, got the grand tour of Bert & Ernies (another brother's bar), hit a couple of outlet malls coming back and found a couple good deals on items we were looking for, hit tons and tons of traffic coming back home as well and we were totally exhausted by the time it was all over but fun just the same.  I took a bunch of pics going up and back (Heather likes for me to do that) and will post a couple in my next post. We had snow flurries for a good bit and there was still snow on the ground from their last snow which was nice to see.

Weekly Special- Starting now and ending on Sunday night midnight est. 14th. ........Buy any Pillowcase dress and receive another of your choice for 50% off. You can see some examples Here and again here. The links are just a couple of the ones I have in the shop so sopt in and have fun stocking up on your pillow case dresses this week.

Hugs,
Suzann

DIY Dish - Blogging to Win

NEW!!! The DIY Dish Show!!!! Check out their video here and you can also enter to one of two Janome Sewing machines being given away!!!

The new DIY Dish shows will  brings you the tons of great, reviews, and how-to’s with everything DIY!
Check out www.YouCanMakeThis.com. - my absolute favorite place for patterns especially Carla C patterns! She is awesome!What ever you enjoy doing for crafting, sewing etc.... I know you will enjoy watching The DIY Dish

Have a great Friday
Suzann

Little Boys Spring Line for GrannyZann's

Wednesday... aaahhhh hump day is here :) and the weekend will be here before we know it Yipee!!!  I am wrapping up the sewing for the Etsy Baby Shower so that my goodies can be mailed out and then will be on to my new little boys clothing line for Spring and Summer. I am using the David Walker "Oh Boy" line of fabrics from FreeSpritit and they are adorable. You can see them here. I will be making JonJon's/Shirts and Shorts so don't miss them.

Sewing Tip: I use the stretchy little girl pony tail holders (the real little ones that are different colors)  to go around my bobbins keeping the threads from unraveling and poking out every place - this works great and you can get a pack of 24 or something for about $2 at Wal-mart.


Hugs,
Suzann

Tuesday's Featured Etsy Shop

www.ALittleXtraSomething.etsy.com

Sip in Style & PERK UP your mornings with these Beauties!

How long have you been with Etsy?
September 2008


What is your favorite part of being an Etsian?
My favorite part of being an Etsian is meeting & developing friendships near & far with other Etsians. I love to see other people develop their “art/craft” & the uniqueness of each individual. Each person has a different background & culture & it is interesting to learn from each one.


When did you start your craft/collection/hobby (whichever applies)?
Crafting has always been a “gift”…..I love to woodwork as well, but more for personal use than for someone else. As for sewing, honestly, I can’t read a pattern to save my life (my sister in law “GrannyZann.etsy.com” has vowed to teach me…… However, I can look at something, pick it apart, & remake it if necessary.


Sewing the cozies I have to say, began earlier this year. I began with sleep masks, something simple, but they didn’t sell well enough for me to play SAHM. I began searching for something else & tried checkbook covers, passport covers, handbags, which I continue to create, but still it wasn’t “it”. I am caffeine addicted & cannot seem to pass up a good coffee house. Cardboard sleeves are a nuisance & I had seen some nice coffee sleeves around town. I put a little twist on them, making them wider, & adjustable with cute little button ensembles. They are fashionable, & functional and also with flannel so they just aren’t for hot treats, but for your favorite cold ones too! My neighbor continued to request water bottle cozies from me (she doesn’t drink coffee), & was my first customer & proud owner of the prototype. The new design for all four sizes that will be displayed soon on ALittleXtraSomething.etsy.com are pending copyright.


Will 2010 bring anything new for you, your shop or your blog?
Have to blog. Have to learn how to blog. Right now I am on Twitter, and Myspace. Some new items such as key fobs will join the new cozies for now….ideas however are endless, so you may find some other cute little gifts in the shop by the end of the year.

I have/am downsizing from 3 etsy stores to 2. My other one at Boxtreasures.etsy.com is for vintage/fabric/patterns/supplies. When I began searching through boxes at my home for cute prints & items to make for the lil xtra site, I found out I had/have a lot of items I will not use anymore.
My 3rd store at ALittleXtra4Baby.etsy.com isn’t getting the exposure – much because I put so much emphasis on the other two. This site is closing & we have a Buy One, Get One at Equal or Lesser Value for free & it is ALL free shipping.

What do you think has helped you to be successful? Any secrets to share?
Positive attitude, but more importantly your faith. I believe that without Jesus & the guidance of His Holy Spirit, you can do nothing & be a success at nothing. I give Him all the credit. He has given me the opportunity to develop & take hold of a life dream of owning a gift shop. I pray for wisdom & favor daily, & I have been very blessed.


Favorite Etsy shops?
Oh my…….there are so many…….As I stated above, you become personal with so many etsians that it will be difficult to name them all here. However, besides mine, here are a few I love……


Grannyzann.etsy.com ~ Suzann,my sister in law who introduced me to etsy


Irrationalartscom.etsy.com ~ Andi creates all my banners & what a great job…I use her over & over ~ I found her through Alchemy & have never been disappointed. She is awesome.


runwaycrochet.etsy.com ~ Vickey is a special person – she has some fantastic crocheted items. She will bend over backwards to help you out.


Customer service is very important; do you do anything special for your customers?
bsolutely! Always, always, always, understand there is a person on the other end, & they have feelings. There is a great need for a sarcasm font & more emoticons, so keep your convos nice & professional. Also, make sure you follow up after a sale, when you know their gift has been delivered. – You want to ensure your customers/clients are 110% satisfied. With out them, you will NOT have a successful shop. I ALWAYS send a thank you card & I hand write it. The extra time & effort is very much worth it. When you make them feel special, you in turn will be blessed.


Packaging is a huge part of Etsy, do you do anything different?
I think so. Each item, from any of my stores, will come to you packaged as a gift. Its fun to open up packages, & know that the person sending them sees you as a person, & not just another sale. Personally, when I purchase on etsy, I will pay a higher price knowing that I will be treated as special & not a number. In this society, we must do what we can to bring a smile, & I try my hardest to ensure each gift is sent with care, love & in excellence. I also will include a hand written thank you note as I stated before. This is so important.


Resting and relaxing, what do you do to have fun and enjoy life?
My family keeps me busy & laughing. My husband & I have three children, a son-in-love, & an 8-month-old grandson. Each one is a comedian & up to something..Lol…. We enjoy many family days…& find that when we take a drive through the country (yes there is country in Florida), with no electronics, just nature, these times are peaceful & bonding. We are a very tight family unit & that in it self is peaceful. We like to take long walks as well & are very nature view oriented.


What do you consider to be your treasure? (Anything from childhood to your shop) eg baby doll, a special rock, etc
As for material items, nothing…esus & my family are my treasure. I have been healed of many, many things, & am eternally grateful. Nothing else matters.


Free to share here anything you want
Thank you very much for the opportunity to be presented in your blog. I appreciate that greatly & am honored. 2010 is a year for prospering! Not only in Etsy sales, but personally. Make Jesus your number one priority…..He will make you His………

Thank you again & Happy Sales!


Here are some of my favorite items in Michele's alittlextrasomething.etsy.com shop..please stop in and visit her you will be pleasantly surprised and even more surprised to receive one of her beautiful packages in the mail - it is like your birthday every day:)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38433916 for all of you Saints fans
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25887976 Breast Cancer Awareness
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39483566 Love is in the air with this beauty:)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38867949 For all of you Sock Monkey Lovers :)

Thank you Michele for sharing with all of us and best of luck to you with your shops in 2010

Hugs,
Suzann

Monday Specials and Snippets

Happy Monday! As promised we have a Monday special and this will go on thru Friday February 5th midnight and will not be advertised in my shop. This Monday's special is little boys ties Buy One Get One Free and you can use this link to get to one of the listing within the shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39606931 however all ties are included in this special blog only sale. Please enter code 2110BLOG in message to seller to receive your discount. If you pay for your items at the time you place in your cart I will refund the money back thru paypal and if you have not paid at the time you place the items in your cart I will send a revised invoice via paypal.

Have a wonderful week! I will be featuring my first person in my blog tomorrow so don't miss it..you will be glad you checked in to see our very special person/shop of the week.

Hugs,
Suzann