Happy New Year!

Can you believe how quickly 2011 flew by and we are already a week into the new year?  My brain is already churning with thoughts of how in a few short months I'll need to start planning my daughter's 2 year birthday party!

Many folks make New Year Resolutions or goals at the beginning of each year and I am no different.  My goals for 2012 are:
-learn to use my serger
-work on my sewing skills (specifically I'd like to learn to make some simple clothing items for Olivia like ruffled pants and A line type dresses)
-continue to hone my embroidery and applique skills

I have decided to put business plans on hold for now.  I will continue to do small requests from friends and make gifts for relatives but I am not ready to sell my work to the mass public by any stretch of the imagination.  I really need to work on my techniques and fine tune them first.  I ruined several items over the holiday because I was either tired, not paying close enough attention or just not familiar enough with my new machine.  The reality is that because I work full-time I am only able to work on my crafting in the evenings unless it's during a nap on the weekend.  At night I am just not at my best.  So, the time to open a business is not now and I am totally okay with that.  God has my family's future in His capable hands.  When it is the right time He will make it clear to us what the next steps are and the timing for them.

So, what can you expect to see on the blog this year?  More of the same!!

My Future Business: Logo and Packaging Supplies

In planning for my future business one of the first things I did was have a logo designed.   Really, Shannon?  Who has a logo when they don't even have a business?  That's crazy talk, right?  No, actually I don't think it's crazy at all!

Having a logo reminds me constantly of what I am striving for and also helps me to think professionally about what I'm doing even though I'm such a newbie.  Through the wonderful and often spoke of Applique Forum I came in contact with Marie, owner of autumns creek designs .  As a sponsor she offered a discount to Applique Forum members on logo designs and since I already had a name and design in mind I was able to purchase a very affordable package from her.

Here is my logo which I adore

The other thing I just did recently was order some packaging supplies from Melissa at Studio MCA Designs.  I still am in the process of getting hang tags created to tie to my packages when I mail them out but here is an example of a recent mailing with Melissa's resealable bags and Divine Twine