HELLOmynameisHeather

The Vintage Pearl

When Erin offered to make me one of her silver, hand-stamped necklaces, I was all over it.  Who in her right mind would say no!?  What I didn't realize at the time was how much I would love my necklace -- and wear it all the time. 

I have a soft spot for funky jewelry.  But, as it turns out, there are plenty of days where I'm not up to the funky stuff.  And it is sweet-sweet to joggle the charms on my necklace and think of my two kids. 

Wouldn't these make great Valentine's Day gifts?  I know that each of my brothers has received a loud hint from his wife for a Vintage Pearl necklace.

So check this out -- when I told Erin I planned to post about my necklace, she offered to set up a 10% discount for anyone who wants a necklace too (enter Bailey10 at checkout) -- AND a giveaway of two $50 gift certificates to her store, TheVintagePearl.com.  There are a lot of jewelry styles to choose from.

Holy guacamole. (I'm kinda jealous. Which is so very wrong, as my necklace was a present after all.)

Leave a comment to enter -- and drop a 'hello' at Erin's blog as well.  Winners will be drawn on Thursday, the 28th.

Spackled

Hey all.  It's a good day.  I'm getting a ton done.  And there's a tower of amazing chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen, keeping me company.

Miss Charlotte's birthday is tomorrow.  But, last night, when I tucked her in, I told her that her birthday was today -- big oops.  In fact, we told her all weekend that her birthday would be on Monday.  I didn't realize the mistake till late last night.  Shoot.  We did consider just rolling with it, but then we would have needed to include her preschool teacher, her brother, and her extended family in the plan -- and that's just too much.

I confessed this morning.  She took it well.

Tell me I'm not the only one who has done this?!

It's a busy time, I guess.  Charlotte's at a childcare place three afternoons a week for the next two weeks while I prep and move into my new space.  (I'm sure this has something to do with my improved productivity.)  I miss her little self hanging all over me and monkeying with my projects.  Ah well.  Two weeks, six afternoons.  I can take it.

Check out my new wall.  It even has lights.  Oh yeah.

Elephantastico

Henrietta and I have a new friend at the studio. Meet Effie, keeper of pink pins and patron of happy thoughts. Doing tricks and back flips is Effie's younger brother, Ollie, the circus star.  

Several religions claim that the world rests on the back of an elephant, standing on a tortoise. Though neither is ready to carry the weight of the world, Effie & Henrietta are happy to hold some pins for you. Kudos to them for knowing their limits.

These sweet little elephants make fun baby toys too -- great for girls and for boys. I dream of a turtle & elephant mobile.

Check out the perfect, sloping elephant bums and cute little tails.  Ah, elephants, my newest mini pattern, hot off the press.

Through 1-31-10, receive 25% off mini patterns -- details here.

Lucky Number

My son is 13 today.  Thirteen!  What in the world?  I was such a little grown-up at thirteen.  At least, I thought I was. 

Things have been extra busy this month.  Isaac has built a wall to divide the main floor of my new office, allowing pattern storage to be neatly hidden away -- and allowing the main work area to be cute-ified. I don't know when I'll get around to that cute-ification, but it now has the potential, which is a start.

I have successfully ignored the move in order to wrap up some pressing projects.  A serious feat.  It looks like I have one more week to go.  Next time I make my way up there, I'll snap a photo of the new wall.  It was a lot of work and is just about finished.  There is a lot more work to do, but it will have to be gradual. With Nicey Jane new on the market and several new patterns popping, we're extra busy behind the scenes.

On a personal note, I purchased some cool, mid-century modern chairs today.  They need refinishing and new upholstery, but I can do that.  If it weren't for birthday dinner & birthday baking, I'd be out sanding them this evening.  Perhaps tomorrow.

My camera is back too, which means more blogging. I can't seem to get comfortable posting without including photos. Case in point, the photos in this post. They don't relate to what I'm saying at all, but isn't this a fun vintage box? I gave it to Lindsay for Christmas, along with some other fun bits & baubs.  It's probably a stationery box from the 60s or 70s.  All it needed was a good cleaning and a refreshed interior. I used one of Amy Butler's scrapbook papers from a while back.  Don't they say that the best presents are those you have a hard time giving away?  Something like that. I love funky kitsch like this.

Smarty New Year!

I'm moving my business into a new office/warehouse space. We have a few walls to build and a couple of rooms to paint, then the big haul begins. The plump, juicy cherry-on-top is that my craft-night fantasy may soon become reality -- regular thread-covered, music-filled, sugar-enhanced soirees. And with the larger studio space, we may be able to convince my fabulous mother to teach sewing lessons in the evening. The Phoenix area needs more craft socials, if you ask me. (I'm not opening a retail store, just expanding my space.)

It will take a few weeks to get settled and adapt to the new digs. Let me know if you're in the area &/or know anyone who may be interested in 'knowing their sewing.' I'll start buttering-up my mom. She's an amazing teacher, and she knows her stuff.

I'm working on a new, free tutorial to post online as well. And there is another new mini pattern on the way, and four new premium patterns, and several secret projects -- busy, busy new year. What are your new projects/goals for the new year? I wish I could commit to the traditional goal of increased exercise and vegetable intake, but I'm in no position to take that on this month. Maybe next month.

Also!  I need the winners from last month's giveaway to email me their contact info so I can hand out prizes: [email protected].