A Handmade Journey {Love By Hand}

So, I've done it! I started my new creative journey for the year. I hope you'll join me over at Love By Hand, a new creative blog celebrating my love for handmade. I'll be featuring sewing tutorials, a few no-sew fabric projects and unique ideas for handmade gifts to show the special people in your life that you care.

I'm so exited about my new endeavor and I hope you'll join me!

Pattern Review: Hazel Hipster E-Course from Two Peas in a Pod

I'll let you all in on a little secret - sewing a bag together is by far my favorite type of sewing! Promise me you won't tell the other items in my shop :) And, what's not to like? For me, its all about instant gratification, and bags can give it to you in spades. They go together quickly, you can make it totally personalized with fabric choice, zipper or no zipper, long or short straps, you get the idea.

So, when Trish Preston from Two Peas in a Pod put out a call on Twitter for pattern testers for her Hazel Hipster E-Course, I jumped at the chance!

And I'm SO glad I did! Isn't it the cutest bag ever?! I used one of the most popular color combinations in my shop right now, yellow and grey, and I just LOVE how it turned out. For inquiring minds, the yellow fabric is Amy Butler Lark and the grey polka dot is Michael Miller Ta Dot in Stone.



Hazel Hipster Bag By Two Peas in a Pod

This bag pattern was absolutely perfect, as it met all of my criteria when choosing a pattern: 1) Its cute - hello ruffle on the front!, 2) it sews together quickly, and 3) the instructions were very clear and it made sense from step to step (which is so hard to find in my experience!). And, I love that I was able to make it mine - as I used yellow satin ribbon I had on hand and I added a ruffle flower for a bit of extra, as to me, I thought it needed a little something on the top.

Since the first bag I ever made, I have been designing my own bags and patterns since. But let me tell you, it was REALLY nice to sit back and listen to Trish and just sew without thinking for an afternoon. Yup, the entire bag from fabric selection, cutting, fusing and finishing was done in a single afternoon - 3 hours total. So, if you are looking for a quick gift and have little time, this is your pattern! And, the E-Course videos (available on a password protected website) really added something that typical paper patterns don't - insight from the designer. Throughout the videos, Trish is offering helpful tips, tricks and ways for you to make the bag your own. Plus, she actually sews a bag from start to finish in real time, so she really does show you every step.  And, although I've never met Trish besides a few emails exchanged, after watching the videos it felt like I had spent the afternoon sewing with a friend.

This is also a great beginner friendly bag, so if you haven't taken the plunge into bag making yet, this is a great first start! Along with being able to pause the video and replay, instructions for cutting and yardage needed is all written out, so you can refer back to it when you are cutting and prepping your fabrics.

I usually don't include photos of myself, but I really wanted to show how cute it looks on, and I just love the cross-shoulder strap. I'll be gifting this bag to my niece Alexis, as I owe her an 8th grade graduation gift, and I think she'll just love it! And, because they go together so quickly, I might make up a few Christmas gifts for my Aunts :)

If you want to get started on your own Hazel Hipster, you can purchase your registration online for $20 here.

But wait, there is a GIVEAWAY!

Trish has graciously offered a free course registration to a lucky reader!! So, leave a comment below and tell me how you would personalize the bag to make it your own. 

Giveaway will end on Thursday, September 6. Please be sure you leave an email or login with your blog so I can contact you!

Friday Photos {And a Winner!}



Decal via WallumsWallDecals on Etsy

 Happy Friday! Time seems to be going by so quickly these days - I guess time flies when your having fun, erm, I mean sewing! This week I had help with sewing, and it was great company and productive time in the sewing room - as I am happy to report I am 99% caught up on all Etsy orders.

Its a great feeling, especially because next week will be a full-on sewing marathon week of new samples for our Christmas photo shoot! Yes, I said it, the dirty word spoken at the end of the summer that sends most into panic! The holiday season will soon be upon us here at Love Elaine, and I am SO EXCITED for all of the new products we'll have in store!

The fabrics above are a sneak peak at some of the fabrics we'll be using this year from Christmas items - I cannot wait! So bright and fun - perfect for the modern home for Christmas! And, who doesn't love Chevrons?!

But, as I mentioned, I did get a few orders out since my last update. The above is a custom ruffled adult apron for a return customer who LOVES purple! Be sure to pay Julie at Table For Two a visit, she's got great recipes!

Everyday Tote Bag by Love Elaine

I also finished an every day tote bag (seriously, this is my most popular bag!) in yellow and grey - first time making it in this color combination! I just love it, and I'm considering listing it in the shop! What do you think? This version has extra long handles, as requested, and I think it looks great! Lots of pockets, and perfect for teachers going back to school (it fits notebooks, files, etc.) or moms looking for a more compact diaper bag/all in one bag!

This week I also made homemade Banana Bread - it was so yummy! And, I'll be the first to admit, that I ate most of it! The bf only made off with about a quarter of BOTH LOAVES that I made. Well, I'm home, and its great for breakfast, and a snack to keep me sewing. What can I say? You snooze, you lose! I modified a recipe from Pinterest, you can find it here. I didn't put vanilla, cinnamon or nutmeg, and I left the bananas really chunky.

TIME FOR A WINNER!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Giveaway for the Cloud 9 tote bag! The winner was #7, Cal who said "I love the Grey and Plum Polka Dot Clutch on your Etsy store."


Stay tuned for next week, as I have another giveaway, a pattern review, Love Elaine news and lots more! Enjoy the weekend!

Friday Photos {InstaFriday}



Studio Mela via Pinterest

 Well, chalk up the end of another week. What a whirlwind week it has been! If you caught my post last Friday, then you know that today marks the end of week #2 of unemployment.  And, if you know anything about me, its that I don't do anything half way. So, now that I'm on the hunt for employment, I have been on.the.hunt. This week I had 2 in person interviews, 2 phone interviews and I'm set up for another interview next week. Crazy!

With all of that going on, I did find time to sew (a bit, not as much as I would have liked) and socialize with friends. I'm trying to gather advice about this new journey and taking the leap into Love Elaine full time or how to get comfortable with taking the leap. And, I realized, that although it seems that a lot of things are falling apart, and I'm worried about how to pay our bills this month, I'm happy. Happier than I have been in a VERY long time. And, I just LOVE this print (I have it in blue and red in my Kitchen). It makes me happy every time I look at it :)

I finished up a custom order for a play kitchen that included 2 of the above tea towel with a cupcake and ruffled detail, along with pom pom trim.  It also included a ruffled curtain. Loved the fabrics!

As I mentioned, I also got some socializing in with a couple of friends this week. I met up with my friend Sara at Barnes & Noble and saw some laminated cotton eye candy in the form of pencil cases and zip pouches. Just LOVED them! The conversation was also amazing, as I'm trying to get as much advice and perspective as possible on this new journey of mine. Trying to navigate unemployment, trying to find a job and realizing that I want Love Elaine to work full time is so taxing sometimes. Sara owns her own business and has been in my shoes before, so its really great to listen to her stories and advice!

Speaking of laminates, the lovely folks at Michael Miller fabrics sent me samples of their Polyurethane Laminates and Laminated Cotton samples for a meeting I have next week. I'm working with a local company on some pretty exciting custom products. I'll share more once they are launched! But, I am having SO MUCH FUN designing and selecting fabrics.

And, on the fabric and socializing front, I had lunch with my friend Lyanna of Purple Panda Quilts and gave her a bit of fabric candy to play with for helping me out with a project a few months ago! Lunch was great and I'm excited to work together in the next couple months!!

Happy Easter Peeps {Pinterest Easter Peeps Ideas}

Oh Peeps, how I love thee! And I know, they can be a somewhat polarizing food - as in, you either love them, or you hate them. So, in honor of one of my favorite indulgences, I decided to share some of the cutest ideas featuring the most amazing Easter treat ever from Pinterest (I mean, where else?!).

A peep wreath from Family Fun Crafts via Pinterest. I just love how bright and cheerful it is!

Next up, great for the kids are Peeps S'mores from Say Yes to Hoboken via Pinterest. Such a fun, colorful update to a traditional treat!

What would be a post about peeps without something for the adults! Try a Peeptini from Home is Where the Boat Is this Easter via Pinterest! A unique twist on a lemon drop martini with a fun garnish of peeps!

Peeps can even be used in decor! Check out this great peeps-inspired mantle banner made from paint chips and free printable artwork over at Spunky Junky via Pinterest. We may be kindred spirits because I can totally relate to her blog post title "I Loathe Easter Grass."

And finally, I just love a well done party favor or gift idea that could be used for the office or kids classrooms! Head on over for your free printable for a peeps topper from eighteen 25 via Pinterest.

Have a Happy Easter Peeps!

InstaFriday {Post Vacation Slump}

While it was a super busy week here on the blog and in the shop, my Instagram feed was pretty light this week!  But, in the name of full disclosure, I'll share what I've got with ya!
 

A stack of oh so pretty pot holders ready for a BIG wholesale order that delivers next week. I cannot WAIT TO TELL YOU about the news!!!

New ruffled tea towels are now available in the shop! They come in a variety of colors just in time for spring, and what's better? They match the aprons in my shop for a great gift set!

Part of having a handmade business is marketing and branding. While browsing the shelves at Target (ok, so maybe while BUYING from the shelves at target) inspiration struck for a new tagging option for some of my products. Luckily, my fabulous friend (and model of all aprons!!!) Carter of Away We Go Studios, happens to also be Love Elaine's graphic designer. So, be on the look out for some pretties soon! (**Side note: if you do have a handmade business, contact Carter. She is amazing at what she does, and her logos are fabulous!)

And finally, please forgive the HORRIBLE photo of me, but I said I was keeping it real. Here I am with the BF on vacation last week. We were in the Mountains. It was quiet, and sunny, and warm, and it was just WONDERFUL. He gets huge amounts of bonus points for planning the whole thing! I think I'll keep him for a while ;)

So, I totally forgot to announce that I'll be a vendor at the upcoming Spring Badda Bing craft show here in Richmond on April 15th! Mark your calendars and come visit me - I'm going to have a new booth (there is a lime green rug involved) and lots of new bags that are not in the shop yet! I hope to see all of my local friends there!

Leibster Blog Award

With vacation last week, I wasn't able to share with you some exciting news - I was nominated for the Leibster Blog Award! From what I gather, its a way for other bloggers to pass along other blogs to their readers and recognize their peers. So much fun, right?!

I was nominated by Kelly at Sew Alluring who found me through my apron tutorial at Sew Mama Sew. Finding new blogs is one of my favorite things about blogging - and of course, sharing them with you! I'm so excited that Kelly thought enough of this little blog to nominate me for the award, which came with the following instructions:

• Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog. Check!
• Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you. Check!
• Copy/paste the blog award on your blog. Check!
• Present the Liebster Blog Award to five blogs (with 200 followers or less). See the list below - I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do!
• Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment. Check!

Here are my nominations:

Purple Panda Quilts - Lyanna is a personal friend (who recently helped me with 2 marathon days of sewing!) and I just love her quilts! We have a similar love for Kate Spain fabrics and all things modern. I'm sure you'll be hearing more about Lyanna as we're planning a trip to Sewing Summit in October!

LO Maintenance Living - Lauren is a fellow Hokie and ZTA Sorority sister. Her blog has lots of great recipes and craft ideas! Cute alert - don't say I didn't warn you that her 2 year old Rylan is seriously ADORABLE!

Jersey Girl Designs - Lauren (according to facebook, I know 12 Laurens!) is another Hokie and ZTA Sorority sister, who knew we were all so talented? We've all come a long way since puffy painting glasses for our littles! For anyone who love sparkly things, be sure to check out her Etsy shop! I just love her stud earrings!

Sew Happy Geek - I just love Jenna's quilts and fabric choices! She has a lot of great sewing tutorials too.

Little Miss Sew It All - Sarah Beth has a lot of super cute projects, you just have to check out her templates for decorating onsies at a recent baby shower she helped throw! Very adorable and super easy!

Thanks to everyone for reading! Lots more news coming your way soon!

Spring 2012 Photo Shoot Sneak Peek

You all saw my post about my handmade apron weekend at the beginning of the month in which my mom and Aunt made the trip to Richmond from NJ to help me sew 20 aprons. Yes, you read that right, TWENTY! to get ready for the photo shoot.

Well, the photo shoot went AMAZING! And, there are a few things in the works that I can't share until its finalized. But, the good news is that I can share that a half apron tutorial by me (along with a photo from the shoot) will be featured on Sew Mama Sew tomorrow as part of their True Love Series!!  And, there will be a special giveaway and shop coupon code here as well - so be sure to come on back tomorrow. VERY EXCITING, RIGHT?!

Because I know you are all dying to see a few sneak peeks, here are a few of the photographs from the lovely Callie Hardman of Callie Hardman Photography.

Boys aprons by Love Elaine. Available for purchase in my shop! 

 

Is Sophia not the Cutest?! New baby girl quilts in pink and green - available in shop soon!

Pink and green full apron  by Love Elaine. Listed here for purchase!

Aprons by Love Elaine. Visit my etsy shop!

Sewing Room Love {Organization Inspiration}

We moved into a 3 bedroom house in July of last year from a very small 2 bedroom townhouse. What did this mean? It meant I now had a dedicated SEWING ROOM and GUEST ROOM that were actually SEPARATE ROOMS! YIPEEEE!

In our old place, my "sewing room" was also the laundry room, my closet, and guest room COMBINED. To say it was not the most functional space would be an understatement, and there was NO STORAGE. You can check out a post of my previous sewing room update here.

However, the only thing I was able to do in my new sewing room was get a new cutting table (I had been using a folding table) and shelf from Ikea, as well as shelves on the walls. Its not pretty right now, but  I have GRAND plans that include paint and a stencil from Royal Design Studio.   In the meantime, I thought I would share inspiration photos that I've been pinning to my "Sewing Room Love" board on Pinterest.

Don't you just LOVE the shelves and the ribbon hanging station of this one? And, the sewing machine looks out the window, which is especially nice on long, sunny weekend days when I am in the sewing room!!

via Pinterest from the Inspired Room from BHG

This next one, I DIE! Do you see that it has a SINK?! A SINK in the room?! And, there are cabinets and drawers and thread organized by COLOR! This is my DREAM future sewing room/studio. I just picture myself dressed so nicely in a frilly apron fluttering about sewing and making things in this room...ahhh...

via Pinterest

This photo below is probably a bit more realistic for how my sewing room will shape up - I just love thread displayed on the wall, as it leaves space on my sewing table for everything else - and believe me, there is a lot of "everything else" that usually finds its way on my sewing table! I just LOVE threads in color order, however, I doubt I'll ever get THAT organized for more than a day!

via Pinterest

I will admit a secret - I have a huge thing for clipboards. Something about pretty clipboards with lists and papers on them just does it for me - so I love this idea of using multiple clipboards to display project lists, orders, patterns, etc.

via Pinterest

You cannot tell me that this chalkboard paint wall calendar doesn't just make you SWOON and wish you had it! I've been thinking about a way to organize all of my deadlines and projects and I think I've found it!

via Pinterest from Martha Stewart

Fabric storage is a HUGE issue for me! I have a lot of it and often not a full bolt (but that will be changing soon!) so I love the idea of displaying fabric like this because I would have a much better idea of what I have, rather than always buying new. Wait. Who am I kidding? I will always buy new fabric, I have a serious addiction. But hey, admitting it is the first step, right?!

via Pinterest from Girl Inspired

Are you planning any sewing room or craft room/space organization? Let me know some of your favorite organization pins - I need LOTS of inspiration! I promise to update you all here when I finally get around to updating my sewing room!! I can't wait!

A Pinterest Valentines {Crafty Inspiration}

Since February is a mere 2 days away (where DID January GO?!), and I haven't done a thing to think about Valentines Day other than start my swap partner's gift - I thought I'd share a list of great Pinterest Valentines Day finds to provide inspiration to get your love day crafting and baking on!

via Pinterest. Brownie mix and strawberry cake - TOGETHER! From I (heart) to stamp by Jen Del Muro

via Pinterest. Tutorial from a great new blog I found, Simple as That. Love!

via Pinterest. Martha does it again, with these super cute candy filled hanging hearts! Find the tutorial here.

via Pinterest. Amy at The Idea Room always has great ideas! Find the tutorial here - I just might be trying this one for Valentines this year!

via Pinterest. For the sewing folks out there, this super cute heart throw-pillow will go together super quick and easy! Find the tutorial from Amy at Diary of a quilter.

What are you planning to bake, make or sew for Valentines Day? Are you on Pinterest? Share your favorite pins with me in the comments!

My Last 3 Weeks In Photos {InstaFriday}

So, I had these photos ready to go last Friday, but I forgot. And then I was going to post earlier this week - but I got hit with the WORST stomach bug ever. Please forgive me for all of the photos, this week - as I promise to be up to date in weeks to come! 

Here is the last 3 weeks of photos (a girls gotta start somewhere, right!?)

Miss Sophia with her new Cupcake hat :) I had a blast opening presents with Sophia and her mom (and my best friend) Julie!

While home in NJ for Christmas, I was able to get quality bar time in with my brother Ronnie and sister Stephanie!

The crazy one on the left is my little brother Brandon - I call him bubs :) He hates it out loud, but secretly loves it. Don't ask me why the nickname, I can't really remember, I was 7!

My two 6 year old nieces Mia and Erica in their matching Love Elaine aprons!Aren't they just the sweetest!

My dear sweet Virginians, you have NOTHING on NJ pizza :) So glad I was able to get a slice while I was home. YUMMY!

NYE was spent with the BF in Northern Virginia - here's to hoping 2012 brings wonderful things our way!

Whipped up these amazing cheese fritters from a recipe on Pinterest. So yummy! Too bad my Hokies lost in the Sugar bowl :(

 Finished up a set of baby boy nursery letters! I'll be posting more on those later! Love the polka dots!

Sewing yoyos in bed. By the second day of sickness, I was too sick to move but bored enough to want to keep my hands moving! More on why I'm sewing yoyos next week!