I truly enjoy making the ruffle stationery sets. They are fun to make and each one is so very unique.

Here are some of the latest.....

Stationery Set Variety Pack (narrow ruffle) - Set of Four

Stationery Set Variety Pack - Set of Four

Ruffle Stationery Set of Four

Hopefully there will be more by the end of the week!

Cheers,

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Ready, Set, Go!

Ever since I found out that I was able to get a table at a local craft show, it's been work, work, work....which I'm very happy about (I find it so tough to figure out just how much to make for shows, do you feel that way too?).

The feeling that sewing and creating brings to me is priceless.

it's something I need and love to do

I cut out several receipt/coupon holders, mini wallets and notepad holders.

I've grouped them by colour (to limit the amount of times I have to change the thread colour) and started sewing them a few nights ago. Last night I pressed them and they are now ready for the final touches!

Here are a few from the first bunch:

I'm unsure of how many of these will make it to the shop, since I am working on stocking both it and the craft show. Right now I'm all sold out of mini wallets, so I'll be sure to add a few of those before anything else (last one sold last night! thank you!).

I'm impatiently waiting for my husband to return home (he was supposed to be home on Wednesday), so that I can get to the fabric store. It's just so much easier to go on my own, rather than bringing all three kids. I like being able to take my time and really look around. There are a few materials I need to purchase to finish the receipt/coupon holders....hopefully he'll be home today, hopefully.....

Cheers,

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Finishing It...

So there's this project I pushed aside forgot about for oh, about a year (if not longer). Today I decided I'm going to finish it. It's a little quilt for baby J, my very first quilt ever.

I've noticed that he just loves to cuddle with blankets when he's in is crib. I'd love to see him cuddling something that I've made just for him. All that's left is to add the binding, I'm almost there! I started cutting today. I'm not sure that I have enough fabric to finish it all right now, but at least I'm getting started. There's nothing like cuddling with a warm, cozy, handmade quilt.

Did you notice anything new about the blog? Look to the right.....see it? Yes, that's right, the shop is now open again for business! (insert happy dance here). Yay! I won't be shipping any orders out until Sept 1st, but you can now buy items, which is so very exciting. A few of the holiday gift tags have been listed. I have yet to get to listing the holiday stationery sets. Are you following me on twitter? I will be updating new listings on there frequently!

These are exciting times for elliven! I have to get to the fabric store before I can start producing new designs, but am hoping to have them listed within the next week or so.

I hope you are all enjoying a lovely weekend!

Cheers,

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Bringing Ideas To Life

I have a sketch book and an idea book. I'm opening them, and bringing some of the ideas to life. It can be tough to choose which ones to go with first.....

I'm excited about the ones I've selected

I'm hoping to get a chance to go shopping this weekend without the kiddos (much easier) so that I can pick up some new materials. Some materials I have had in the shop for months now, I just never got around to using them.

If all goes according to plan (fingers crossed) I will have these items available shortly after the shop re-opening, which by the way is August 31st!

We are going for a hike with a great friend and her handsome little kiddo today. Should be loads of fun! Great weather, great chats, kids will get to run free.....doesn't get much better than that.

Enjoy your Friday!

Cheers,

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Baby Steps...

Our little J is trying to figure out the art of walking.....he's taking baby steps, which you could say are an essential part of life. Not only do they get us up and moving, they can also help you obtain your goals. All in all, very important .

I've made a decision, I'm jumping in head first and giving this shop of mine a real chance. I am going to give all that I can when I can because it's what I really want. Just go for it!

I am getting organized, and it's helping so much. I can think clearly about what's next, I can see what's next. I've made some purchases that will help brand my shop and bring me to the next level and I'm so happy that I realized this.

sometimes all it takes are a few baby steps

Right now I'm taking baby steps....I don't have to move mountains, baby steps will do, they will get me where I want to be.

Even though I only plan to take baby steps for the first little bit, I have no doubt that I'll have the same end result as little J.....

Pure and utter joy! Way to go little guy! Before you know it, you'll be chasing down those older brothers of yours! and way to set a fabulous example for your mum!

Cheers,

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Shipping From Home

I received a lovely comment the other day from a fellow Etsian and she mentioned how she ships her items from home and how much easier it is than going to the post office. I am now contemplating shipping my items from home too. That was a big stress for me, wanting to get my items out ASAP and trying to coordinate a time of day to go to the post office that would work with our schedule, a problem I'm sure many of you have.

So my question to you is....do you ship from home? How do you find that process? Anyone in Canada shipping from home? Do you use stamps or the labels from Canada Post/Paypal/USPS? Have you had any problems?

I'd love some feedback. I'm heading out to buy a scale today (because it's 60% off), just incase I decide to start doing my shipping this way.

And speaking of this little ol shop of mine, I'm at a crossroad of some sort. I'm trying to figure out just what it is I want from this shop and where I want to go to. Well, I know where I want it to go, but I just don't know what steps to take next or how much I can handle right now. I have dreams, I have visions, I aspire to be. I'm scared, it's true, I have to admit it. I'm scared that I'll get in over my head or that I will look silly because I don't know "it all" right now, I'm still a rookie. I have a lot of research to do, a lot of resourcing and reading. I think I'm ready.....I think I am.

UPDATE: Just found out that I was able to get a table at a local craft show! Yay! Look for the link on the right hand side of my blog under "Find Me" if you're interesting in checking it out!

I've also figured out a solution to my shipping situation. I've gone ahead and purchased a lettermail template from Canada Post as well the scale I mentioned above. Now I can make sure that my packages aren't too thick and aren't over the weight limit all from my studio. This now means that I can then put them in a mailbox on my own with the appropriate postage rather than having to trek over to the PO. Yay!!

Cheers!

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A little bit of holiday spirit!

I'm working on getting items ready for the shop re-opening. I'm pretty excited, because things are looking good, the shop should open at the beginning of September, as planned! Yay!

Right now, it's tough not to throw on some holiday tunes while in my studio. There's loads of green, red and white fabrics all around!

I gave you a preview of the holiday stationery sets (there are also a few more of those that are now finished). Here is what I'm currently working on (please excuse the terrible photo):

holiday gift tags

I'm almost finished 60 holiday gift tags (will be sold in groups of 10). Just need to cut the threads, add some bakers twine and round some of the corners.

Next up is completing 6 unfinished accessories (mini wallet, receipt/coupon holder and notepad holder) then I'll be working on two new items! Can't wait to show them to you! Hopefully the shop will be fully stocked in no time.

Hope you all enjoyed a lovely weekend!

Cheers,

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Do What You Can When You Can

I have to admit something.....I used to believe that you could only work on holiday items at a certain time of the year, like there was a written rule somewhere out there. For example, working on your Easter line in November, not allowed.

At my first craft show, I asked a veteran crafter when she started to work on the items she sold for shows (she only participated in Christmas shows) and I have to admit that I was a little shocked when she replied "all year round". I truly believed that you were only "allowed" to work on Christmas items in the winter time. All I could think of was how genius that was.....or perhaps I should have just considered it to be common sense (not that she isn't a genius).

I realized then that I needed to begin planning ahead a little more, well, A LOT more. This is the first time since I opened my shop that I am working ahead for an upcoming holiday (sad, but true).

I've started with items for my stationery line.....

fabric ruffle card - set of six

I've also cut out and sorted all of the materials for some holiday gift tags. They are patiently waiting to be put together (hopefully this weekend).

soon to be gift tags (kraft and white cardstock)

It's such a great feeling to have started these items, I should definitely do this more often (don't worry, I will be doing this from now on).

These items will be ready for when the shop re-opens at the beginning of Sept, plenty of time for the upcoming holiday season.

Hmmm, another lesson learned I believe. I now do what I can (in regards to the shop and in everyday life), when I can and no longer wait. Those so called "rules" of only being able to work on certain items at a certain time of year have been pushed aside. This way, I'll be able to keep up and not get left behind. So if I don't have time when the time comes, I won't have to worry.

Cheers,

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Lions and Tigers and Bears....OH MY!

We are going to the zoo today.

Hopefully today will be filled with laughter, exploring and adventure.

Afterwards we are going to give in to our sweet tooth by eating delicious ice cream from a local sundae shop. Heavenly!

How are you spending your Thursday?

Cheers,

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So Very Exciting!

I can't tell you how exciting it is to see a fellow Etsian make a mark!

Please pop on over to Allisa's lovely blog to help celebrate her magazine debut!

Congrats Allisa! So thrilled for you!

Cheers,

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Where To Begin

Okay, a little more time on my hands to catch up. So really, how have you all been? How has your summer been so far? I'm finding it hard to believe that it's almost over. I know, cup half full, not half empty, but I still can't help thinking about all of this summer fun coming to and end.

We have enjoyed a fabulous summer over here. I met my husband in Hawaii mid July for a week. It was simply amazing! I enjoyed every minute of it. Walking along the main strip, going to the beach, touring the island in a rental car and sitting by the pool doing absolutely nothing. He had to work almost the entire time I was there, but that didn't bother me. The solitude was fabulous. I missed the kids, but I enjoyed the time alone with my husband, it's been a long time since we last had time alone together.

Four days after I returned from Hawaii, we packed up the car and drove out to Ottawa (a 28 hour trek). My mum was kind enough to fly from Ottawa to Winnipeg to help with the kids since my husband was in Hawaii until the end of the month. I was simply amazed by how well the drive went. The kids were angels, the dog also handled it well. We made it there in two days, fabulous! My husband met us there and finally, after three long weeks were together again as a family! Yay!

It was something else getting to see all of our high school friends again. Time passes quickly.

We are now back home and we are enjoying another week of having my husband here with us before he goes back to work.

I am simply amazed by how much I learned about myself during this trip. I've learned to appreciate, I've learned to slow down and I've learned to take the time to take a step back and re-evalute. I've learned that I'm very happy with the life I live and that I need to show that a little more. It's a good thing to take a step back every once and a while to reflect....and to get away, I'm honestly amazed at the new perspective I have and that the only thing that has changed is me. Everything else is still the same, I've just been given a new perspective and for that, I am thankful and grateful.

As for the shop, I started to sew again last night. Gosh, it feels good to sew! I'm heading to the fabric store today to stock up. I hope to get the shop up and running by the beginning of Sept. I have new items to share with you and a feature that I'm so honoured and thrilled about, in the works (thank you to the featurer for being so very patient with me, you're such a gem!).

It's been a good summer, a great summer, a priceless summer over here and for that, I'm forever thankful!

Cheers,

A Lovely View - Waikiki

This beautiful view greeted me every morning when I woke up......doesn't get much better than that! Simply gorgeous, refreshing and unbelievably relaxing.

I promise, I will be posting about our summer vacation. Things are still a little hectic around here, but I will tell you all about it!

Cheers!

No Longer M.I.A.

Why hello! How are you doing?

We are back from our summer vacation. Time to get back into the swing of things.

I've missed this blog, I've missed my shop, I've missed sewing.

Will be back soon with updates!

How has your summer been so far?

Cheers,