The Mad Hatter Tea Service Arises!

What a crazy busy couple of weeks!  I've been trying to catch up from having Little Man home and off school.  I loved every moment, but the fun meant I fell behind in my work.  So, I wanted to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about you despite occasionally forgetting my own name.

Part of what has me so busy is that I am hosting a baby shower later this month.  It is my cousin's second baby shower, and the theme is Mad Hatter Tea Service.  She didn't get her first baby shower because she was in the hospital with complications (don't worry, everyone is PERFECT now), so I really want to make this one special.  I'm talking "pictures pinned all over pinterest and turning viral" special.

I will admit that I stole the theme from a shower that another cousin is hosting.  I was originally going with the "sprinkle" theme, but the invitation I came up with for the other shower inspired me to take the idea and run.  I will admit that I'm quickly falling head over heels for this package.  Here's a peek at the invites.  They will be available in my store.




Tag style with three pages and a bright pink and blue harlequin on the back.



Old-school letter style that folds into its own envelope.

Think Tenniel illustrations, think antique paper, think Wonderland!  I'll keep you informed as I progress.  Now Pin people!!  (Warning: If you are not currently aware of Pinterest and decide to explore on my recommendation, I am NOT responsible for the addiction you will form once you see what it is all about!)

Procrastination at Its Finest

I'd love to tell you that I have something deeply profound and inspiring to tell you today, but - no deal - I'm exhibiting a bit of procrastination.  Work avoidance.  I have to cut 65 very intricate and detailed invitations (3 pieces to each invitation, all shaped like tags), and I'm not looking forward to the stiff neck or innate boredom.

Instead, I'm going to brag a little about the Christmas package I made and am slowly posting in my Etsy store.  Instead of cutting the invitations like a good girl (I've been procrastinating for the past 24 hours), I decided to quickly stage a hot cocoa bar and take some photos of my stuff.  Yes, I realize that I should have had these Christmas items up since before Black Friday.  I'm a little behind.  That's what being a single mom (slowly) growing a business with parents that are slowly getting older will get you.  Get it?  Momma of Drama...  Sigh.  No really, my life is actually pretty great.  I'm just crazy busy.

Back to the procrastination.  Here is my favorite so far; it's actually a Starbucks Frapuccino bottle filled with chocolate chips for my "hot cocoa bar", wrapped with my water bottle label and tied with the Christmas favor tag.  I have so much fun staging parties, but the other stuff usually gets in the way.  Goodness, I still have about 6 party packages that need staging and posting.    Nothing like upping the stress level by reminding me of all the things I need to do.  Sheesh, thanks!

I'm going to get back to cutting now, but tomorrow brings the staging of a Christmas Wine Party and possibly a Kids Table at Christmas dinner.  Wish me luck!

Profiting Off Death and Destruciton... I Hope

Allright, allright... I'm not as bad as all that.  I'm talking about the t-shirts I made related to Osama bin Laden's death and posted to my Cafe Press store.

Actually, let me back it up a little and explain.  Sunday night, I was pretty proud of myself that I was going to get into bed by 10:15 (hopeful for a full night's sleep) when I checked my Facebook account and saw the chatter about the Presidential address.  Wondering what on earth he had to say so late - on a Sunday, no less - I decided to turn to CNN and check it out.  Although I was wishing it were Anderson Cooper rather than Wolf Blitzer (wow, how torturouse his commentary was), I realized the news of Osama bin Laden's death was history in the making.  Just before I finally turned off the TV at 1:30 (yes, AM), I heard a tag phrase that stuck.  "Obama Got Osama."  Immediately, I thought that would make a great t-shirt.

I've been trying to create shirts that people would want to buy and get them up in a quick-like fashion, so I got right on the design and came up with three.  They may not be the most original messages in the world, but I'm proud of the designs.  I do feel a bit of guilt trying to profit from another human's death no matter how awful he was, but the promise of popularity and possibility of a stay-at-home income has overridden that guilt.

Want to see them?   Well, two of them?
 
Wait for it... (SHAMELESS PLUG) If you like them and want to buy one, click on the shirt to go to my store.

If I sell enough, maybe I can afford to upgrate to a premium store where they let me have more than one image on each product type.  Then you could see the third design.  Ah, the torture and shameless begging.  Hmmm, here's hoping!