The THING that saved my marriage - Sewing Saved My Marriage

Sew, the other day, my husband left all the closet doors open after he had left for work.  It drove me literally NUTS!  I mean it... it drove me NUTSO.  I was like that short circuited robot walking around with a twitch in my neck and all over my body.  Does anyone know what I am talking about?  I was searching for my reset button.  O goodness.  I ran downstairs and started making me a pot of coffee.  All I can think about still was that stupid closet door and how every door was open including the drawers inside his closet were left open with socks runneth over.  Then I breathed and breathed some more... finally the coffee was finished and I was able to sip down some rejuvenator juice.  That still didn't help.  I thought of facebooking my frustration.  I didn't want to air my dirty laundry on facebook for all my family and friends to see ... and I didn't want to admit that my husband and I are having issues with our closet doors.  OK so I know it is just the doors but it really ignites all the clean up, pick up, cooking, phone calls, nagging etc... that I have been doing to keep our family in tact ... the daily wifely and motherly duties.  As if that's not enough.... why did he have to get me with the closet doors too?!

Finally, I decided it was time to go to my sewing room.  I swear, the moment I walk into my sanctuary, all matters meant nothing.  That knot in my throat, that anger and frustration was put into lifting up the beautiful pieces of fabric.  Checking on orders and sewing away.

Sewing has always been a passionate outlet for me.  Since I decided to start CraftyStitches, I have found myself in my sewing room constantly and love it.  The energy that was negative inside me was turned into something positive and beautiful.  It is soooo healing!  I know ... it's addictive and amazingly gratifying to know that I now have that "THING" everyone talks about.  I use to say "WHAT THING".  I don't like watching TV, I don't really do anything that makes me sit down cuz I am always on the go... chasing my girls around, driving them to school, laundry, grocery, ballet, music, errands, and bills.  I often wonder where I find that "THING". 

So sewing had saved my marriage because often times I find myself almost killing my husband for the little crazy things that he does just to push my button.  So my RESET button was found in sewing!  Thank goodness.  I guess it could be other things.  So I am coming out and telling everyone that I am a sew-a-holic and proud of it cuz it's my THING.

CraftyStitches Goes to the Mother Ship (ETSY NYC)

What a great trip! What can I say?  Don’t know where to start….  First let me start with a great THANK YOU to the ETSY NYC mother ship to allow us to prance in and visit the digs!  Specially Cheyne for hosting and entertaining us.  We met Brittney, Morgan, Kimm, Julie, and all the other names I missed… pls forgive me I didn’t’ get all the cards.

Linda (Twisted Cow), Deb (Aweshop) and Jenn (CraftyStitches) visited “THE MOTHER SHIP” Etsy NYC.  We had a blast!

We talked, exchanged ideas and shared all our challenges as sellers on Etsy. A few things we really dug deep on are …

STATS yep.. (that was me; my thing) and the coming soon Credit Card feature.  We are excited about the new and upcoming changes at ETSY.  We are looking forward to more features as they roll out new stuff for us to dig in.

We saw the beautiful loft offices that they moved into in the DUMBO district under the Brooklyn bridge.  The office is large and occupies 4 floors.  No cubes here… just open desks and tables.  We were in the SECRET ROOM conference room where we chatted the most about our exciting stuff.  We talked a lot about our workshops and craft shows.  We completed a team interview video where they will show it at a scheduled time soon.  So look out for it on the ETSY TEAM page.  We enjoyed lunch with the etsy gang and left with our goody bags from ETSY.

We later went into the fashion and garment district looking for textiles and fun supplies.  Of course we had to visit MOOD and in deed it is WALL TO WALL; FLOOR TO FLOOR of supplies that would make you droooooolllll like a puppy.  

Looking forward to our next exciting trips.  I hope many of you can join us next time.  Check out pur Pics at FLICKR http://www.flickr.com/photos/51163108@N05/sets/72157629405353309/

Happy Valentine's Day!

Don't forget to love me "your gadget" with a Cuddly Kindle or iPad Cover from CraftyStitches!
Receive a 10% discount on your order with coupon code LOVE10.  1 DAY only!

 

Hippy Pockets

So I'll admit it... it's hard to manage my cellphone credit card/cash and keys. These are the things I constantly look for in my pockets, home and purse. I want it ready and available when I need it. So having this "HIPPY POCKET" is perfect for me. I carry it everywhere so that I can keep track of my important things.

This Hippy Pocket features:

- 2 hook clasps to attach to your belt loops
- velcro closure for easy and secure access
- large pocket to fit your cellphone/credit cards/cash and keys.

It's perfect. You'll love it.

Protect your handmade creations

Attorney:
Jeff Weaver
Dunlap, Grubb, Weaver
http://www.lawyers.com/Virginia/Leesburg/Jeffrey-W-Weaver-829406-a.html
http://www.dglegal.com/

The attorney I met with really made me think about how important it is to be prepared and protect our products and designs.  A few things that I considered my visit:

1. Copyright each of my patterns/instructional guides
2. Protect it or Loose it: don't deny yourself of the right to protect your design
3. Time Stamps:  You have 2 yrs to sue from the time that you realize someone infringed; you may begin to protect your copyright from the date of application; you may begin to sue after you receive your registration.
4. Get your docs: Cease and Desist; Demand Letter; Terms of Use
5. Licensing: this one is the big one.  I think this is something that needs much more research but many deals can be cut from licensing alone.  With both Terms of Use and Licensing that's how iTunes and Downloads can become multimillion dollar businesses.

That's my quick summary!  :) got alot of work to do today :)

A Look at 2011

I am so happy to look back at this past year and see that I've made leaps and bounds of growth with CraftyStitches.  Here's a quick overview of all we've been through...

April - 1st feature ad on The Knot Washington, DC

May  - Perfect Bridesmaids Jewelry 1st feature banner on Martha Stewart Wedding

June - 1st try at Heartsy; Jewelry rolls featured in wedding blogs in Australia

July -  hire a part time assistant sewer

August - launched DIY Kits

September  - 1st wedding blog feature ad

October - HelloEtsy with Smithsonian Event.  Shop Feature at Shop Happens

 November - Business Plan Win

December - Whew!

GREAT X-MAS GIFTS BY CRAFTYSTITCHES

With our favorite holiday around the corner let's now forget about the great custom gifts by CraftyStitches you can purchase for anyone in your family or friends circle. What is better then a gift that was put thought into, Craftystitches can help you personalize any gift to meet your holiday needs. Right now many of us have either been super organized and purchased most of your Christmas gifts or have waited to the last minute. Don't sweat it your not the only one! We are all busy bodies and it is hard for us moms to try to get as much shopping done as possible. Not to mention with or work schedules and the many things we have to do on our laundry list, Christmas shopping has been at the bottom of our list.

CraftyStitches understands that is why our deadline to order any of our custom handmade designs is December 15th! Order by December 15th and get our gift list by Christmas Eve. Squeeze your orders in so you can get your items delivered to you sooner!

Have questions? Let's chat! Email me and I will respond right away! Have a wonderful holiday season!