guest post {aPearantly Sew}

Hello again Allora Handmade readers! I’m Alison from the blog and shop aPearantly Sew.  Jess has so kindly invited me to guest post again.

I live in North Carolina, and all last week we had incredibly warm weather. I took my boys to the park every day and we ran and played and soaked up the warmth and sunshine. That taste of warm weather has me longing for spring. Here are a few items that make me think of spring, and inspire me to use vibrant, happy colors in my own designs.

I think the Golden Yellow Spring Lovebirds from Vintage Green Limited would be the perfect accessory for my home. Aren't they cute?! 

I have been eyeing this Fabric Knot necklace in Spring Poppy by Josiah’s Nest. I wear a lot of neutral colors, and I think this would add the perfect pop of color to an outfit.

Vintage Dress print by Pure & Noble. I would love to have the actual dress, but the print would do just fine!

I discovered The Paisley Mill when shopping for Christmas gifts and it instantly became one of my favorite shops. My current favorite item…the Sophie earrings.

Andrea, from Knitty Bitties, posted a link to Nest Pretty Things in a blog post recently. I was immediately smitten with the Madeleine necklace. I think the colors are absolutely perfect. PERFECT!

I recently had the privilege of meeting April of  Funky Vintage Kitchen in person, and I can tell you that she is just as adorable as her shop. My must have for spring? Blossom studs in light blue.

I have gotten to know Laura from Along for the Ride through blogging and Twitter. She has an adorable shop, and hers is the first place I started noticing the spring colors. I love this Peony hairpin in Lilac.

Sarah, of the shop Yes, Teacher, makes really fantastic cards. I have ordered several from her, and I love them so much I almost don’t want to get rid of them. But it would be silly to keep them, right? :) This Happy Birthday card using an Amy Butler print is my current favorite.

I hope these items inspire you as much as they inspire me! Thank you so much for having me. 

thanks Alison!!

{Guest Post} lollipops

finding inspiration
as an entrepreneurial crafter and blogger i have to keep a good flow of good ideas coming.

sometimes this flow can dry up like a desert and i find myself completely lost for words, ideas, designs, and photo ops.

when this happens i have discovered there is usually an underlying issue: stress, life's tragedies (sadness), and/or exhaustion.
i mainly run into exhaustion and am finding that taking a day or two off a week helps me to find balance.
what to do if you are having a desert-like experience:
1. get out of the house, take a walk or visit thrift shops and antique shops and bring your camera. shoot anything you fancy. take a note book with you and just write anything that comes to mind. sometimes writing that one word breaks down a brainstorming barrier and becomes an entirely new creation!

2. sometimes you need to take a complete break - tell yourself you are going to go out or do something that has nothing to do with creating or work; "me" time. WALK AWAY from your studio and computer. take a hot bath, watch a movie, NO work thoughts for a few hours or days. suddenly something may pop into your head - this happens to me on long drives and unfortunately in the shower - both places where i can't write things down, but i picture them in my head play them out and as soon as i can WRITE THEM DOWN :)

3. take one item that you like - you find this item inspires you or you just happen to LOVE it. and use it as a spring board for your creations. for instance i found this old birdcage and from it several things were born. 1. i "fixed up" the birdcage to make it a pretty thing for my studio *LOVE*. 2. i created pretty birdcage cards from a spark of inspiration from the birdcage. 3. i now have something to hang my cards on for boutiques and shows 4. it gave me the idea of how to do my "booth" for the Queen Bee Market this may. 5. i used the birdcage redo as a tutorial on my blog 6. it made me realize i can spray paint other junk and make it pretty too. 7. it gave me a way to communicate inspiration to you!
maybe your spring board is a type of flower, or a font, or color, or a pair of tights. the possibilities are endless.

just remember not to copy with intent to sell or blog. copying for own home use and not taking the credit for it is fine. though copying will not allow you to grow, or learn to be creative. you have it in you to be inspired. taking someone else's ideas are not only damaging to you, they are damaging and hurtful to the very community you want to be a part of.

mostly i have too much inspiration and good ideas won't stop and i just don't have time for everything! this too can be frustrating. i don't want to sleep. crafting, creating and innovating are everything to me. folding laundry, cooking, cleaning - seem like huge time wasters to me. i become a person in a hurry everywhere i go just so i can get back to "lollipops". so finding the right balance here is key.

i hope i have given you a gift today, to be inspired and to know how to find inspiration...
it's waiting for you just around the corner :)
what's inspiring you this week?
xoxo,
krystina
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{Guest Post} with Funky Vintage Kitchen

help me welcome April from Funky Vintage Kitchen:

on things of fashion....{because when I asked Twitter what I should guest blog about...that is what they said}
I am always complimented on my fashion sense. People say that they want to borrow my closet. I don't think it's that great, but I appreciate the compliments. Trust me, I covet other peoples' closets too. I know I like cute clothes, but I am not a fashion forward thinking person. There are many out there way more savvy with fashion sense than me. {Like yours truly, Miss Jessica!} But what I have figured out, is what looks best on me and what I am most confident wearing. I also do love clothes, style, color and texture. And, I love shopping. I also love the way a great outfit makes me feel. I tend to cautiously watch the new trends and embrace the ones that I know will work on my figure. Here are my top 10 tricks...in case your interested!

1. I used to shop for the sake of shopping. Now I shop very intentionally. I would rather a small collection of clothing that I feel great in than a closet full of clothing that is just so-so. I always say the item I am purchasing {whether clothes or home accessories} must make my tummy tingle!

2. Just because it is on sale or cheap doesn't mean you have to buy it. It will only fill your closet with ill-fitting, 'so-so', items. I would rather shop in stores that I know will fit my budget and buy an item based on fit, color and quality rather than price. Plus if you add up what you spent on all the 'so-so' sale items you could probably have purchased a few quality pieces.

3. When I find an item that is a great fit, compliments my body shape {I'm a pear}, and I absolutely LOVE it, I almost always buy two of that item. Either two different color schemes or two of the exact same items. Chances are if it fits and looks great, I'm going to wear the heck out of it and wish I had another one in case something happens to it or just to rotate in my closet. But I don't do this with every item. Most common 'two-fer' items for me....sweaters, jeans and running shoes.

4. I tend to pay more money for jeans and shoes. I have found that these are items that I wear the same of daily. The same jeans for three days, the same comfortable shoes/boots most days, so quality outweighs cheap. I once bought a pair of J. Crew ballet flats that were just over $100. I almost died buying them, but the first time I slipped them on I knew they were NOT going to give me a single blister. I am still wearing those flats....4 years later! They are silver and go with almost everything. And instead of owning ballet flats in every color, I only own a few quality pair. Summer sandals....never pay too much money for....chances are with bare feet and water activities, they are only going to last that summer.

5. On trendier pieces I usually shop the Brass Plum section of Nordstrom or Forever 21. A few more of my all-time favorite stores.....Anthropologie, Target, Marshalls and TBD sale racks at Nordstrom. If we had a Nordstrom Rack close by, I think I'd be scouring their racks often. And Marshalls over Ross any day of the week! I am not a store snob. Some of my favorite heels have been purchased at Payless Shoe Source.

6. I watch items online, especially at Anthropologie, for when they go on sale. I have learned that online purchases are always risky, so I make sure the store has a great return policy. Again, you can't go wrong with Nordstrom, Anthro or Zappos. I know that A-line tops and skirts look best on my figure, but not worn at the same time! So when shopping online, I always keep my body shape in mind not how it looks on the model. And, if it doesn't fit great when I receive it, I package it right back up so that I am not tempted to keep it 'just because'.

7. Wearing the RIGHT size clothing always makes you look thinner than wearing a size that is too small. Who cares what number is on the tag. Cut if off once home if it bothers you!

8. I like to accessorize with one great piece, maybe two. Like a great ring, or a single statement necklace. When I go for two I usually pair up a pair of earrings with a ring. I wish I could layer my accessories, but I'm just not confident in doing so and my feeling is....confidence is everything in style. I'd love to take a class or lesson on accessorizing or just go shopping with someone who is amazing at doing it. But tip number 8 is wear it confidently!

9. Fashion sense spills over into my home decor. Before purchasing it, I must have a place for it, it must be the right color and must make my tummy tingle. Staying true to who you are makes you most pleased always with your purchases!

10. Save money for a girls weekend shopping trip and then pair up with someone who is willing to promise to be honest with you about what looks good and what doesn't! Get over your modesty issues that weekend and share a large dressing room. It is the best way to shop for clothing!

Here are a few of my favorite pieces right now....that already are or soon to be 'two-fers'!

1. Jolt Jeggings from Nordstroms.
{Only $39 and fit more like jeans than leggings.}
2. Pink Studio Geneva Ballet Flats.
{These were just marked down....I'm getting another pair in a different color.
These are so darling and so unique.}
3. Trouve Cardigan Sweater from Nordstroms.
{I have this in grey...now that it is marked down I'm buying it in brown.}
4. Yellow Peasant Blouse from Anthropologie.
{I purchased this with a gift card and am waiting patiently for it to be marked
down to purchase it in white also.}

I'd like to thank Jess for stressing me out with the guest post. Just kidding, no really it did. But not kidding about thanking Jess for this opportunity. You have a fabulous blog and you are pretty fabulous yourself!

I'd love to hear from you! What some of your fashion tricks/tips and favorite stores? Ready, set....GO!

P.S. I'm a total jegger, with the right top of course because I'm a pear!

thanks for sharing your fashion tips April.  you know i love jeggers. visit fvk for more fashion and all kinds of fun!

Guest Post with {Four Flights of Fancy}

Hi Allora Handmade readers and thanks for welcoming me on Jess' blog to say hi and share a little bit about myself.  I'm Andrea and I blog over at Four Flights of Fancy where I write about a variety of things that peak my interest, but primarily focus on my passion for food, where I post simple yet nontraditional recipes, talk about my crazy job in the fashion industry, and most importantly my family.  I throw in a little crafting and DIY for good measure.

Jess may not think so, but guest blogging on the co-creator of the Queen Bee Market's blog is a wee-bit intimidating.  Like nail-biting, stomach turning intimidating.  I tossed around several ideas of what to post about, and after much deliberation, I finally decided to spread a little Valentine's Day love.  I haven't always been a fan of the holiday, but in the last few years since having my daughter and son, I've had a change of heart.  I've come to realize that the day can be about much more than some overpriced roses and an expensive dinner, but more about the simple little things that we can do together as a family to show how much we care about each other.  Some of those things include doing a little kid-friendly crafting, so today I want to share with you 5 craft ideas that you can involve your children in on some level.  Some are tried and true old school ideas that you may have seen around somewhere (I never profess to be the most creative and original crafter), but I always like the idea of compiling simple, basic ideas into one place.  I am a sucker for lists and compilations!

 #1 On the List, Waxed Paper Hearts: Start by laying crayon shavings between a piece of waxed paper folded over and then iron on low setting.  This is a bit messy so lay down an old rag under your iron and make sure to wipe it down after use.  I had my 5 1/2 year old help me cut out the hearts, and then thread some string through them and hang them in the window in a random pattern, almost like a mobile.

#2 Salt Dough Hearts: You'll need 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup warm water. Mix it up and roll out the dough to cut your shapes out. You can cut out stars for boys, hearts for girls if you wish. You bake in a 250 degree oven for 2 hours, or until nice and hard. You can paint them using acrylic paints and sprinkle a little glitter on top, or you can tint the dough with food coloring before baking and mix in the glitter as well. Or you can just leave them plain white and jazz them up with colored glitter.

#3 Borax Crystal Hearts: We started making these in Taylor's preschool class last year and have enjoyed making them several times since then.  You can take a pipe cleaner and twist it into any shape you want, tie some string to it and tie the string to a pencil.  Hang the pencil over the mouth of a wide neck jar (use those mason jars for something other than just decorating!).  You want your pipe cleaner to hang freely and not touch the bottom of the jar.  Add boiling water and cover the pipe cleaner completely. Then start adding your Borax, one tablespoon at a time (3 tbsp to 1 cup of water), stirring to dissolve.  Let sit over night and in the morning you should have beautiful crystals.  Sometimes it may take over 24 hours though, so don't get discouraged!

#4 Crayon Hearts: I found these silicone heart molds in the Target dollar bin section and have only actually used them to make crayons!  Just take some old crayons (I save the ones we get at restaurants) and break them up into molds.  Bake for about 8-10 minutes at 225 and then let cool (I place in the freezer to speed up the process).  These are a nice alternative to sweets for classmates, especially in preschool.  The shape is perfect for chubby little preschool fingers.

#5 Glitter Votive Holders: While these are more of a grown up decoration, you can have your little ones help by brushing on the glue (I just used simple craft glue) and then sprinkling on glitter, or roll in glitter (I use Martha Stewart craft glitter because it is so sparkly).  For a fun polka dot effect, just dip a Q tip in glue and paint on little circles, the shake on your glitter.  Brush off excess glitter after dried.

Some other simple ideas is to write little love notes to your children each morning, a few days leading up to Valentine's Day.  We did this last year and they loved waking up to their special notes and anticipated them after just a couple of days.  I whipped up these simple Valentine's holders last year to hold their notes and for them to take to class. They're just a square of felt stitched together, and then top-stitched by hand with some embroidery floss.  The ric-rac trim is optional.

So that's about it friends!  Thanks so much for having me guest blog today Jessica.  I loved it and I hope you stop on by my blog Four Flights of Fancy to say hi!  I'd love to hear from you.  And if you have any other kid-friendly Valentine's Day craft ideas, I'd love for you to share them in the comments section.  There's always time for one more craft at our house!

guest post: intentional

welcome to andrea from knitty bitties!

Thank you Jessica, for allowing me to guest post and have a little chat with your readers.
Let me start out by saying that I am not a writer. I think I'm a pretty great talker, but a writer, not so much. So I wish that we could just sit down and share a plate of fresh bakes cookies (I *heart* cookies & baking) and a glass of iced tea (I *heart* iced tea) and just talk face to face.

So picture that as I ramble on ...

I started this year like many of you, thinking about what I wanted it to look like, goals I wanted to accomplish, weakness' I wanted to grow out of ... and the one thing ... the one word that kept creeping into my mind was 'intentional.' I wanted to 'be intentional' this year.

So, I thought I would share a handful of ways I am being intentional with my days from the perspective of being a stay-at-home wife and mama who is also running a handmade business.


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Be intentional with the state of my house.
I thrive on order … so one way that I am more effective at working from home is creating a home environment free from too many distractions. I try to always keep our home in a state that would not embarrass me if someone were to ‘drop in.’ It might not be 100% clean or picked up, but it’s enough that me and my boys are comfortable. Dishes are cleaned up with each meal, the dishwasher is ran in time to have clean dishes for dinner, beds are made each morning and I throw in a load of laundry when needed. I could write a whole post on how to keep up with your house and not devote hours to it each day … but I’m already going to talk your ear off with the business side ...

Be intentional with your workspace.
Make it work for you. I keep all of my tools, threads, bobbins, etc. within an arms reach. I start my day with a big glass of iced tea and I have a spot for my HP Mini next to me for ‘watching movies’ or listening to Pandora. My cutting area is cleared and ready for cutting. My iron is on, filled up and nice and hot. At the ‘close of business’ each day take 10 minutes to get things back in order and ready to start fresh the next day. This is HUGE for me. Walking into a clean workspace gets me energized to get work.


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Be intentional with your shipping practices.
This year I’m going to move to shipping 2 days per week. Shipping can take a lot of time and this will allow me to block off a specific chunk of time on those 2 days and not stress about it the other days. I have a pretty good system, printing my postage online (PayPal is excellent for this), keeping my packaging streamlined and simple (white tissue paper, colored twine, business card and a thank you note) and almost never having to go to the post office (hurray!!). Also, be realistic with the shipping time you quote on your items. Most of my items are ready to ship or need only a little sewing before shipping. I feel like unless it is a custom order, a customer should never have to wait more than 1 week for an item to ship. If this is happening, maybe re-evaluate your work flow and work on more completed pieces ready to ship rather than always feeling behind.

Be intentional with processing day to day orders.
As I get orders I print off the invoice and note the day they need to ship. I then file them in date order and clip them up in my sewing room where I double check each evening to see what needs to go out the next day and make sure it is complete. Again, I try to schedule a couple set times throughout the week to do any ‘catch up’ sewing on orders that need to ship that week. So, if I’m going to be sewing  a camera strap slipcover, I don’t just do the one that needs to ship tomorrow, I grab all the ones that need to ship in the next 5 days or so. Then I’m caught up and a little bit ahead of myself :).

Be intentional when considering & accepting custom orders.
Custom orders take a lot of time. There is a lot of communication with the customer, special fabric ordering and creating a one-of-a-kind item verses creating multiple items at once. I limit myself to about 1 custom order a week. This has been the best schedule for me, allowing me to take custom orders (which I really love) and still having time to sew ‘en mass’ for the shop. I also have policies in place to secure custom orders with a financial deposit. This covers my time and material costs should the customer change their mind somewhere in the process.


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Be intentional with your time online.
The online world can suck you in and before you know it you’ve wasted hours of your day. I try to schedule ‘networking’ (e-mail, Etsy, Twitter, Facebook) time for 30min. when I start my day, 30min. following my lunch break and 30min. at the end of my work day. I try not to surf the web or blog hop unless my e-mail is caught up, Etsy convos are answered, blog posts are drafted, etc.

Be intentional with ‘business hours.’
This has been especially important to me as my little guy went off to school all day this past fall. I know my #1 job is still being a wife & mama, but I have a large chunk of time (6 hours) each day I have to be very intentional with. This is what I consider my business hours. I try to get the majority of my ‘have to’ done during this time and then devote the after school and evening hours to my boys (and sneaking in a bit of house ‘maintenance’ too). All of the above help me to make the most of these hours and not fritter them away. One day a week I try to set aside for errands and I schedule this according to other appts. that might be scheduled out of the house or on a day where I know I don’t have a lot of orders due.

Now this doesn’t mean that after my son goes to bed that I don’t sneak in a bit more ‘work’ time. But I try to save projects that I can do away from the sewing machine (turning items, snipping threads, embroidery) for the evenings when I can sit next to my sweets on the couch and ‘hang out’ while I work. Or I might bring the Mini to bed and catch up on a few e-mails and such while we watch a little TV.

Be intentional about your workflow.
I learned long ago (thankfully) that if you’re sewing one of something, you might as well sew three more. It really is less work overall to sew several of an item than individually. I’m also learning that although I love creating multiple combinations of fabrics, it is more prudent for me to make 5-10 of the same fabric combination. I only have to photograph one and write a listing for one rather than 5-10 individual pictures and listings.


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Be intentional with your schedule.
I like to get things out of ‘my head’ and onto lists as much as possible. It allows me to visually see what the week holds and build in room for flexibility for when ‘life’ happens. My new-to-me favorite tool is the online “TeuxDuex” list. It’s simple … it’s sweet … it’s perfect for what I need. {But I think I would be a whole lot more effective if I had the iPhone to go with it, right? ;)} A daily list to keep my mind focused and not wandering. I use this for scheduling blog posts, blog giveaways, custom orders, daily tasks, etc.

Phew … was that way to much to muddle through? I hope not. And I hope that I shared something that caused an ‘ah ha’ moment for you that will make you live your days more intentionally whether you’re a stay-at-home, handmade business owner, student, full time outside the home … whatever stage of life you’re in. In an era of so much technology, it is so easy to let it hinder us instead of help us. I can't help but think of the "Psalm 31" woman and verse 27, "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." You an do so much with a day if you’re intentional about how you want to live it!

love these tips from Andrea! Thank you so much for sharing!!