Happy Birthday to Me!

For my birthday Phil gave me a choice. Either I could buy myself a new purse (which I have have been delaying since the cost of leather purses are insane!) or a new camera. I opted to see if I could find a purse first and if I couldn't then have him get me a camera.

So last Friday I ventured down to the outlets in Wrentham, MA. They have many outlets there, including Coach, Kate Spade, Cole Haan, etc. So I thought I would try my luck. Boy was luck on my side! I ended up with this beautiful purse from Kate Spade for almost 80% off! It was tucked away on the bottom of the clearance shelf in the back of the store. It was marked down about 50%, with a tag saying it was another 25% off because of some scratches (which are NOT noticable and are pretty much typical in a leather purse), plus another 40% off for being a clearance item! I had to do a double take because it was the only purse of it's size and kind on that shelf, but sure enough when I took it up to the register it was well within my comfortable zone for a purse purchase. And the best part about buying something from a designer store? (albeit an outlet...but who cares!) They buffed and cleaned the leather for me before packaging it up for me! So it came home with me all shiny and clean.

And the lining of the purse is a really pretty green abstract floral print, which I love. A nice hidden surprise everytime I open it.

Etsy Update - UPDATED w/ PHOTOS

*** UPDATE*** Per Julia and Margaret's requests I have added picturers of the baby blankets....

This first one is a zebra print, backed with lilac flannel, and stitched with a magenta thread. I found the zebra print on sale at JoAnnes for $2.50 - it was a remnant sale and a full yard!

This second one is the second blanket I made for Jules....but we might keep this one. I love this fabric and I don't know if I'll ever find it again. The Fabric is brown with red, yellow, and blue flowers. It is backed with a baby blue flannel and stiched with brown thread.

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So since I started my etsy shop I have made 9 sales! I think that's pretty successful considering I have only been up and running for 5 months and I work full time at a job that generates much more income and provides wonderful benefits! Below are a few of the items I have sold.

Recently, I've delved more into the world of making baby blankets. I have to give some thanks for this to my sister Julia, who is expecting her first. I made the first blanket for her little girl later to find out that she's not having a girl, but a boy. Then I found out she thought the boy blanket I made was too girlie. I've finally made a third blanket that I hope will satisfy all gender requirements. But because of this I have really rediscovered the world of sewing and my mom's old Singer sewing machine. (Yes, there are many punny jokes just waiting to make their debut, but I will refrain.) Anyway, after becoming quite good at making baby blankets, finding some fabric on sale at JoAnn's, and findig a whole pile of old fabric I intended to use to make humanitarian baby blankets, I am now making some more. My first thought was just to have a stock pile of baby gifts, but on second thought...this might be a good item for etsy. Although, I am quite hesitant to start selling them because I know I'm no way near being a great sewer. Your thoughts

Photo Blog

This past weekend my in-laws were in town. On Saturday we drove them down to Quincy, MA to go to the Adams National Historic Park, home of John Adams and John Quincy Adams. We visited Peacefield, the Birth Place Cottages, and the Church of the Presidents where they are both laid to rest next to their wives. Anyway, we were too late to get in for the tour of Peacefield, but they let us walk around the grounds and peep inside the adjacent library. They has some beautiful flowers growing in their garden. Here are a few pics for your enjoyment.

Etsy Giveaway

In the past week I have found that many Etsy sellers have blogs and they offer many giveaways. jacarandadesigns right now is giving away a perfect little pair of earrings. They are exactly what I have been looking for to accessorize my closet. Head over to her blog (Jacarda Designs Jewelry) to check out the details.


If you are an Etsy fan and would like to find out more about etsy giveaways, Etsy Giveaways is a great site. Enjoy!

That Trusty Intern

Leave it to "the intern" to tell me about an awesome store on Newbury St. (and also online) called 1154 Lill Studio. You can design your own purse, wallet, clutch, bag, or even pillow. Here are a few that I created using their online design tool.








I think this would be so much fun to go into the store and pick out my own custom bag. They're not cheap. They range from about $30 - $210 depending on the size of the item. Check them out. If anything it's a fun hour (or two or three) playing around with some designs on their site.

Family Promotion

So rather than promoting myself, I'm going to stick with family this time.

My sister-in-law, Wendy, is a very talented artist and just started her own etsy shop. It's www.therealdiehl.etsy.com. She has done some great charcoal sketches which I think are lovely and I hope she posts some. Phil and I are going to commission her to do a charcoal portrait of us. But here are a few of her pieces in acrylic.

I love this one! On Monday we went to the Cathedral of the Madeline in Salt Lake City. While sitting outside by the fountain we saw this great Monarch butterfly feeding on some flowers near by. Wendy caught the scene with her awesome Nikon camera (which I fell in love with!) and just a few days later she has this great series of three paintings of said scene. She's quick!

She still needs her first sale, so check her out and if you like it buy it!

I MADE MY FIRST SALE!

Woo hoo! I made my first sale on my etsy shop. Yes, yes, it is my only sale thus far, but still none the less it is very exciting for me. This is the dress I sold for $20. I really like this dress (and apprently so did mackeyda) and I only had it listed for a couple of days before it sold. It is heading out the door and off to the postoffie this afternoon!

I've been trying to work on the look of my etsy shop, especially the pictures I post of my items. It's hard for me since my camera is quite old (in camera years) and I don't know much about photography, but I'm trying and having a blast doing it.