Bzzz Goes The Bee!! (part 3 - memory pillow)

I have a "create" list that I'm finally making a start on, mostly because I finally decided to write it down instead of trying to keep it in my head.  I've made a good start on it this past week, which is good because it can make up for all those days of non-motivation! This pretty embroidered memory pillow comes from my personal & business list (yes, I have 2 lists; I blame the Virgo in me).

That being said, my Virgo self didn't mind making this "on-the-fly" without a whole mess of measurements and thought.  Basically, I measured another pillow cover I have and away I went to patching.  I was so excited to finish the patchwork to get to the embroidery, which is something I haven't done for years!  Here's the material lowdown for anyone that is interested:  patchwork was done using 5 different high quality pink and vibrant cottons, the embroidery patch and the back are an upcycled curtain, also cotton, and the embroidery is done using DMC cotton floss.

I love making things that beautify or are practical for my own home that will ALSO work as an item to sell on my facebook fan page or etsy/folksy.  Needless to say, I'm accepting orders on facebook for this latest creation of mine.  Can you tell how swollen with pride I am? ;-)

I am so proud in fact, that I'm going to add this to a link party.  This is my first time joining a link party, so if I've done it wrong, please correct me!  If I've managed to do it correctly, then woohoo!!

Sorry it's been so long since I posted, but the hubby hasn't been feeling well for a few weeks, including a couple of days in the hospital for tests (no...they're not back yet *sigh*).  Anyways, I've been trying to keep busy!!
I have finished 2 projects since I last posted: 1) a larger fabric storage basket and 2) a nappy clutch

I 1st made a smaller storage basket, but felt that it might not sell as well or be AS useful as a larger storage basket.  Being a newish mom, I'm always thinking of things that I would like for myself or Little S, which is why I ended up making a larger storage basket with dimensions that would work to store nappies and wipes.  This basket was put up on Folksy.com instead of Etsy to gauge if there's a difference.  So far, the only differences I've noticed are 1) commission is 3.5% at Etsy and 5% at Folksy, 2) people are more familiar with Etsy (in my humble opinion), and 3) I have had more views on my Folksy basket than the Etsy one, but this might be due to colours, picture quality, etc.

I've been trying to find 1 or 2 things that are fun to make and have a good chance of selling as a useful product.  I think I have found my 1st option, but only time will tell, so keep your fingers crossed!

Well, this has been such a serious and business oriented post that it's probably not overly interesting, but oh well, life can't be ALLLL fun and games once you're an adult...well, maybe if you're independently wealthy, but anyways...

Oh yeah, I now have a Facebook fan page for TheCraftyBox and have been steadily gathering "likes" and I'm considering giving away a prize to either my 100th "like" or to the person that generates the most "likes" in a given time period.  Just today I started my 1st contest: to create a catchy name for my nappy clutch.  The winning name gets a free nappy clutch as a reward!

That's all for now, so be well and be good ;-)!

Motivation

I have been feeling very motivated lately, mostly to sew, but nonetheless.  I have just finished my 2nd set of placemats and have listed them on Etsy, but I find myself with a brain full of ideas that just won't shut down and all I want to do is sew/craft.

That being said, I seem to be unable to find enough time to do it in a given day (as most of us do) so I lose motivation.  Then to top it all off, I visit blogs and see how AMAZINGLY productive these people (usually mothers with young children) are and I make the mistake of comparing myself, so I end up just feeling ugh and going and having a cup of tea and some chocolate.

Right, enough moping and pity-me-partying!!  Before I go make a cup of tea and make a quilted coaster, I'll leave with a couple of pictures of my latest creation.

Edit: I updated labels for this post and blogger changed the post date to today (26/6/11), so I've given it a random date to put it back into the order placement it should have, but I can't vouch for the date being correct.