Apron Giveaway {And Sew Mama Sew Tutorial}

Welcome all Sew, Mama, Sew! readers! I'm so excited about my first apron tutorial on the site (check it out here), that I wanted to share the excitement with all of you! So, in addition to 15% off in my etsy shop with coupon code SEWMAMASEW15, I'm giving away the apron I made for the tutorial! So, if you love it and want to save yourself a bit of time, it can be yours! Don't you just love the ruffle and the flower?!

How to Enter the Apron Giveaway! 

1. Post a comment below with the words "Ruffle Me Please" along with your favorite item of clothing or accessory with a ruffle!

For extra entries, you can do one or all of the following:

Like Love Elaine on Facebook
Follow @loveelainellc on Twitter
Follow me on Pinterest
Follow this blog using google friend connect (located in the sidebar)

Each time you enter, be sure to come back here and leave a comment that you did! Winner will be announced on Friday, February 24! Good luck!!

Today is my Birthday! {A Giveaway for you!}

via Pinterest, source The Sweetest Occasion

Yes friends, its my birthday. Today marks the beginning of the last year in my 20's, as I turned 29 this morning! My early 20's self sure wouldn't recognize me - as there is no way I would have guessed that I would have my own business, let alone that it would involve sewing! My 20's have sure been a wild ride filled with unforgettable moments, and I'm sure this last year won't disappoint. Thank you to everyone who has joined in this journey with me :)

The great part about my birthday is that YOU get the presents! Starting today through the end of January, everything in my Etsy shop is now 20% off with coupon code "HappyBirthday" at checkout.  Think of it as a spring cleaning of sorts - as I need to make room for all of the wonderful new spring line items that will be popping up in a few weeks. So, head on over and see what we have in store!

And now, the giveaway!
This weekend I'm going to be going to Northern Virginia to celebrate my birthday and my friend Alison's birthday at a happy hour with all of our friends. I'm going to make myself a clutch to match my new dress, so I thought it would be a great idea to give one away to one of you! That's right, one lucky person is going to win the clutch pictured below in my totally favorite color combination of the moment - grey and plum! Swoon!

Love Elaine Grey and Plum Clutch

Here's how to enter! You get one entry for each of the following:

1. Leave a comment on this post wishing me a happy birthday along with your favorite colors for spring. 
2. "Like" Love Elaine on Facebook and come back here to let me know you did! (If you already "like" us on Facebook, leave a comment that you do!)
3. Follow this blog via google friend connect or follow @loveelainellc on Twitter.

Isn't that just so easy?! I'll draw the winner next Monday! Good luck!

Now, I'm off to sit back and enjoy my food coma from my birthday lunch that included champagne (best boss EVER) and Chocolate Molten Cake!

2010 Holiday Recap

I know, its January 26th, and I'm a bit late in providing a Holiday Recap. But, in a word, the 2010 Holiday season would be described as "ABSOLUTELY INSANE BUT I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!!!" Ok, so maybe I needed more than a single word to describe the roller coaster that was my handmade life from October through December 24. Yes, you read that right, things were absolutely crazy right until the day before Christmas. Why were things so crazy, you ask? Here is a quick recap of the holiday cheer that Love Elaine helped spread for Christmas 2010.

35 Christmas Trees stood proudly with new Christmas Tree Skirts
10 Very lucky women opened presents from loved ones that contained a unique, handmade bag
7 Equally lucky women now have a new apron to bake lots of homemade treats for next Christmas
6 Doors were decked with fabric wreaths that sold as quickly as I was able to make them
25 Bottles of Wine and good cheer were given inside a Love Elaine wine bag
20 Jewelry bags made their way to new homes

I know, you are thinking, well that doesn't sound like so much to keep you so busy. And, you would be right. Because, I was soo busy taking orders, calling Mom, ordering new fabric, and shipping the...

175 Christmas Stockings that were hung by the chimney with care this year. 175, its not a typo. Each stocking was custom made to order for the 100+ new customers in my Etsy shop.

Did I mention that I started a new job in October at an Advertising Agency, and that I worked full time hours + during all of this? Yeah, I don't know how I survived it either.

The good news? Sales of the popular tree skirts and the addition of customized stockings grew sales by 350% from 2009 to 2010. I'd say that is VERY good news :)

And last, but not least...

Thank you!

Thank you first to my Mom, without whom Love Elaine would not be possible :) And thank you to all of my friends, family and new customers that have supported Love Elaine and have given me the confidence to keep the momentum going.

Please stay tuned - there is lots in store (at least in my mind right now) for 2011, which is sure to be Love Elaine's best year yet!

xo,
Christen

'Tis the Holiday Show Season

Its now official, the Holidays are now upon us! Although, to be honest, I've been thinking, breathing and living Christmas since July when I bought all of the Christmas fabric for this year's Holiday items. And, my Etsy shop has been a flurry with lots of convos and orders for personalized stockings since October. This list might be a bit late, but I've been busy dreaming of sugar plums and elves at night and mending my needle pricked fingers :)

Love Elaine Holiday Craft Show Line-up

St. Bridget's Girls Night Out - Thursday, November 18, 6-10 PM

Collegiate's Holiday Boutique - Saturday, December 4, 9 AM - 2 PM

Richmond Craft Mafia's Handmade Holiday - Sunday, December 12, 11 AM - 5 PM

We'll have stockings, and Christmas Tree skirts, plus lots of great gifts for those hard to buy people on your list!

Give Handmade This Holiday

For the first time, Love Elaine will be a vendor at the Richmond Craft Mafia's Handmade Holiday on December 12th! Please come out and Give Handmade this Holiday! Your friends and family will thank you for it!

Short & Sassy Aprons

Aprons! I just love them! I love making them and combining the fabrics that wow people! Just a couple of months ago at CLUB (the no-reading-obligation book club I belong to) I brought my aprons and Steph had her camera and tri-pod, and we got to work on photos for the upcoming Love Elaine look book in her wonderful, vintage kitchen!

You can buy the short & straight apron on the far left, as well as the half hostess apron next to it online :) You know you want one!


Check out the fabulous image above? Have I mentioned I have the best friends?

Where's Love Elaine this Fall?

Whew! Its been a busy few weeks gearing up for Fall craft shows and events leading up to the Holidays! Yes, I am already thinking about the Holidays!!! This fall we will be at quite a few events in and around Richmond!

Wed., September 22 - One smART Gallery Homearama Ladies Day Out
Noon - 8:30 PM, Patriot's Landing, Richmond
Love Elaine will be in the garage of Show Home #4 - 7623 Leyland Cypress Lane

Saturday, September 25 - ChesterFest
10 AM - 5 PM, Chester Village Green, Chester

Wed., September 29 - One smART Gallery Homearama Ladies Day Out
Noon - 8:30 PM, Patriot's Landing, Richmond
Sip with Skirt 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Love Elaine will be in the garage of Show Home #4 - 7623 Leyland Cypress Lane

Friday, October 8 - Ladies Night out at Ecologic
Time TBD

Hope to see everyone at one or all of the events! We'll be debuting a few new products in new fabrics, great for gifts - for yourself or others. Be sure to keep up to date with news and announcements on Facebook and Twitter!

Fall Fabric Sneak Peak

Wow, time really does fly! It seems like just yesterday I was ordering bright colored fabrics in pinks and greens for spring and summer! As I gear up with inventory for my upcoming fall shows (another post to follow on that shortly!), here is a sneak peak at a few of the fabrics and colors that will be debuting in bags and aprons this fall from Love Elaine!



I'm very excited about the use of red as an accent color this season, especially with teals and blues! What colors are you excited about for this season?!

The 12 Days Christmas By Love Elaine

Yes, I know its January and I am just posting my Holiday recap - but its better late than never right? (At least that has always been my motto!) So, without further ado - I give you the 12 Days of Christmas Love Elaine style :)

On the 25th of December, Christen finally was able to rest after sewing...

1 reversible place mat (with an IOU to my Mom that I will finish the rest sometime soon)
1 Christmas table runner to match a Christmas Tree Skirt ;)
2 pleated tote bags
3 international orders fulfilled
4 wine bags
7 half aprons PLUS 2 full aprons
9 birdie slings
11 Christmas Stockings
19 jewelry bags
Annnndddd, 25 Christmas Tree Skirts in all shapes and sizes, 22 of them custom!!!!!!

Thank you everyone who supported Love Elaine this Holiday season - my first! And my first on Etsy! I had no idea the level of response I would receive! Thanks to Mom & Grandma for helping and keeping me sane (and for understanding that your gifts are on back order!). I am coming out of my much needed break from sewing, so I'll be posting new items for sale in my Etsy shop soon, finishing past due orders (thank goodness I have understanding friends as customers!) and keeping everyone in the loop as I figure out what 2010 will have in store for Love Elaine!

Holiday Hostess Aprons

Whether you are hosting a huge gang or just plan on making a few pies during the holidays, (or if you just want something girlie to put on when you happen to step into the kitchen?!) we've got the perfect accessory to bring out your inner Betty Crocker! Because, baking is more fun when you're wearing a super cute apron!






You can more holiday aprons in my Etsy shop!

Not Your Grandma's Apron

No offense to your Grandma or her apron, but this girlie hostess apron is sure to flip her skirt! This apron is now listed in my Etsy shop! Be on the lookout for more girlie, vintage-inspired aprons just in time for your holiday entertaining!