Completely Awesome Etsy Purchase: Custom Journal from This Old Hen House

A few weeks ago, I contacted Miss Amanda from ThisOldHenHouse about making a custom notebook for me. Of course, being the picky person that I am, I had about a million requests when I was asking for a custom notebook. I wanted something earthy, but not cartoony and paper that was heavy enough for sketching but not too heavy. Well, lo and behold, Miss Amanda let me choose from a bunch of different paper choices for the cover of my journal and enclosed just-the-right-weight of paper between the covers. A super affordable Paypal bill and a few days later, I got my journal in the mail.


I have been using it like a madman since and carrying it with me every day to class. (Please excuse the odd usage of phrases like "madman" - I've been reading Catcher in the Rye for about the 10th time.) I am a compulsive list-maker, and it's so nice to not be constantly losing them from writing them on random little bits of paper.

I am constantly getting ideas for new projects, ways to improve my shop, improving costs and shipping for customers, etc. Now that I have my handy-dandy little book, I am finally keeping them all in one place.





I also purchased a set of the little matchbook notepads that she makes. They make such cute and unique promotional freebies to throw in with my sales.


So, my friends, I encourage you all to go check out Amanda's papercrafts shop, and her awesome jewelry shop! You won't be sorry. :)

For the Birds

I have a confession to make:
I hate birds.

Given this random tidbit of trivia about me, I hope you can understand why the bird CRAZE in crafting is driving me CRAZY. I swear, you could slap a bird sticker on a Kleenex, list it on Etsy, and sell it for $15 plus $4 shipping.

Don't get me wrong - some people make really amazing crafts and incorporate birds into their themes in some way or another. I'm not trying to put anyone down. Just birds...ew. I don't like them (except ducks), and I will be more than happy when this trend is over!

That being said, I really need to spend a lot less time browsing around Etsy and getting annoyed at all the bird-crafts and spend a lot more time doin' my own thing. :)

I *am* out of the creative funk that I mentioned in my last post. I'm almost finished with a new apron top, and I listed these fun little wallets in my shop over the weekend:

Creative Funk

I am in one of those creative funks. I get them every so often. When they are over, I usually come out of it invigorated and making things better than ever. I just hate waiting it out.

I wanted to finish up a custom top for a customer today, but the working conditions in my apartment weren't exactly prime for creating. It seems that spring is gone and summer is here; it was in the upper 80's today and humid. To top it off, my air conditioning wasn't working. My thermostat was reading 93 degrees (inside).


It has finally dropped down to 80 degrees in here (at 1:00 am), and I can bare sewing now. So, I'm going to be up finishing that custom top for the next probably 2 hours then I have at least an hour worth of homework to do for my Native American Culture class. If I can be in bed by 4:00 am, I will be a happy camper.

My Boys

This is what the male half of my household does while I am up late at night sewing. :)

Two New Mushroom T's

I listed 2 new mushroom T's in the shop today.
I just love them. They're fun and funky and fresh. It doesn't get much better than that. :)

The Mushroom T

Awesome addition to my new line of T's. The mushroom T! This one is a size Small and in the color "Stone."

Guest Bloggin'

Just wanted to let you all know that this week I'm a guest blogger for Nourish Boutique!
Some of my sweetheart style apron tops and knee-length patchwork dresses are for sale there.
Go check it out if you get the chance. :)