The "Studio" Gets Organized

This weekend I was finally able to get my sewing space organized. I use the term "studio" lightly, as its really just the second bedroom in our tiny, rented townhouse. It also serves as my dressing room (as it holds my closet with all of my shoes and clothes), the laundry room (as it has the washer & dryer), our guest bedroom (as it has a single bed pull out couch), and general storage catch-all (as it currently has the box for a our new 47" TV that is waiting to be brought to the real storage unit!).

A few months ago, I put up shelves with bins (from Home Depot - the bins are Martha Stewart Living and in Love Elaine branding colors) for all of my fabric, and I bought a rod with hanging containers from Ikea (love it there!) to put on the wall to hold my scissors, rotary cutters, pens, zippers, etc. to get them off of my sewing table to leave more room for fabric as I'm mid-project. I finally put the rod up this weekend and I couldn't be happier. I also put up 2 clip-boards ($2 each from Target) - one to hold the notes about the current project I'm working on and my pattern, and the other for my current orders. I also can't forget the wall-mounted, magnetic "pin cushion" (also from Ikea). The one I was using on my sewing table previously always used to get lost under fabric scraps and projects in process, so I love that this one never gets lost and its really easy to access with only one hand as I'm holding pieces of a project together with the other.


So, there's a glimpse into my "studio." I'd love to know how you've organized your sewing or crafting space.

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

What's Under Your Tree

Inquiring minds always ask me, when discussing fabrics for custom Christmas Tree Skirts, "Well, what do you have under your tree?" The question always reminds me of when I ask servers at restaurants which entree they recommend. To me, whether in Christmas Tree Skirts or meals, it always comes down to personal taste - but I know we all find comfort in getting an endorsement on our choice from an expert (although how I became an expert in Christmas Tree Skirts of all things stills boggles my mind a bit).



This is the tree skirt that started it all for Love Elaine on Etsy. As I (and Mom, and Grandma, and Aunt Faith, and Aunt Sue), can now see the end of the tunnel on another successful holiday season coming to an end, I continue to be amazed by the overwhelming response for Christmas tree skirts and stockings that started from a little project Mom and I finished on our beach vacation 3 years ago.

Thank you to everyone and Happy Holiday Decorating!

'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?

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I know, I am sure this post title seems odd, as it is only October 31, but I've been thinking about the upcoming holiday season since JULY! That is when I placed the order for all of our LOVELY holiday fabrics for this year. I just know everyone is going to love our new fabrics for Christmas 2010! New this year - we are offering the stockings to match, as well as the option to personalize your stockings with embroidered names, monograms or initials! So, what are you waiting for? You know its time to replace your old Christmas Tree skirt, with a brand, spanking-unique-to-you, 100% handmade tree skirt from Love Elaine!

And, if you like the Christmas Tree Skirt pictured above, you can buy it online on Etsy!

Thank you so much to my fabulous friends Carter, Stephanie and Meena (who just so happen to also be fabulous designers) for helping me with the Holiday product photo shoot! Meena snapped a behind-the-scenes picture of me in the middle of things, rearranging Carter's mantle! Ooo, I love the magic of photoshoots!