Hart 2 Heart

Unique LA this weekend!

Every cliche about time is true. . . where does it go? There's never enough. Sheesh. I didn't mean to be absent from this here blog for so long, but, alas, I've been WAY too busy; making cookies, sewing like mad, chasing the dog around the house, attempting to make the teenager do his homework. . . it never ends. Though I've been really productive, I feel like I drop the ball in so many other areas; homekeeping, gardening, hair combing, blogging. So here I am, trying to keep it all together. Despite the chaos, I have been having a blast in the studio getting lots of new inventory ready for a slew of Spring shows. 

I couldn't make it happen without my friends and helpers. That's me at the sewing machine, Elizabeth at the ironing board and Hailey at the cutting board. Cheryl is taking photos. 

These hangers will soon be loaded up with beautiful new vintage table cloth dresses. I have about a weeks worth of sewing to complete in the next 24 hours. I'll be setting up for Unique LA tomorrow (Friday), and then you'll find me at booth 113 Saturday and Sunday, from 11 - 6. If you're in the area, you should come! It's one of the most entertaining shopping events around. So many great vendors, free beverages and more! Gotta go. The dog is eating the phone, and I need a power nap before I get back to work. 

 

Etsy sale is on!

I've been busy stocking my Etsy shop with lots of handmade goodness, so I thought I should have a big sale!

Use the code LUCKY at checkout and get 25% off your entire purchase!

And there's boys stuff too! For some reason, I don't always mention that.

The sale is going to end SOON so, hurry on over and check out my shop for the best selection!

Studio view

I thought I'd share a bit of what was happening in my studio this week. I didn't clean up, I just thought I'd keep it real. This is NOT Martha's craft room. It is actually quite organized, but I'm always so busy working, that, well, what can I say. . .

Cheryl snapped some photos, while Paloma and I worked away. Since Paloma is way cuter that me, I insisted that she put HER in the photo collage.

I LOVE my workspace! That's me, in the back at the sewing machine. We are trying desperately to get a loan modification so we can actually afford to keep our house. I know we are in the same shape as so many people out there. There is hope, and it seems things are going in the right direction. 

My main project this week was sewing up some burp cloth sets. Each one includes two coordinating burp cloths, an appliqued onesie, and a baby spoon. Great new baby gift!

I like ribbons.

Lanky is always helpful in the studio.

Getting some spring skirts ready for the shop.

Sorting through a mountain of vintage linens.

There you have it. I won't see much of my sewing machine this week, as I have a big cookie order to tackle. It's for a Jamaican themed bar mitzvah! How cool is that! 

 

 

 

Time to sew!

What I love about having my cookie business and my clothing business, is that when one business slows, I can work on the other. Now that the cookies are taking the back burner (see what I did there?), I'm back to sewing, and I LOVE to sew! I'm working on a new blouse for ladies (my first!) to coordinate with my girl's peasant blouse. I'll show you soon. And with the help of Cheryl, who is my new computer specialist (sounds important, right, well yes, she IS very important), we've been adding to my Etsy shop.

This is one of my favorite dress designs. I use 4 different vintage table cloths to make it. And of course it has my signature ball fringe at the hem. The back looks like this:

This one's a size 5T and is available here. I have 3 others available in this style too. Here's a shot of the dress in action. 

And no, this one's not available. It sold long ago. Speaking of Cheryl. . . she's the awesome photographer who takes my model shots. I also added several classic Kelley Hart dresses to the shop.

This is the very first design I ever made for my business, and it's still one of my most popular. There's this one:

I like the back of this one:

These dresses seem to be popular because they are really practical, as well as unique. They wash up great, and are long, so they can be worn for a couple years, and you can wear them as a jumper or a sun dress. Very versatile!  Anyway, check them all out here.

Time to get back to the sewing machine! Joy!

 

 

 

Unique recap

Unique LA had their first Valentine's show last weekend. As usual there was a great selection of vendors and shoppers!

I wasn't sure if anyone would be shopping for kids clothes in February, but I actually had a good show.

This is one of my new hats I finished up for the show.

And this is a little dude that wasn't too excited about wearing an owl hat. He liked looking at it, not wearing it.

This is the DIY Heart Garland we put together to sell at the show, and decorate my booth.

I do love me some hearts. Now that I'm through with the big V-day cookie rush and shows, I'm going to spend some time getting my Etsy shop updated. There are a couple new things in there already if you want to take a peek! And now, I'm going to continue to relax a bit.

A Valentine shopping weekend!

I've been busy, busy, busy, getting ready for my trunk show this weekend. I've been sewing LOVE hoodies, making cookie samples, filling gift bags. . .and I'm not done yet! If you're in the area, stop by and have a cup of coffee at the awesome Corner Store. Here are all the details. . . and don't forget, you can still enter the "Two Sweet" cookie and apron giveaway. Just leave me a comment about your favorite Valentine's Day memory on the previous blog post.

 

Time to shop!

It's Cyber Monday! Or as I like to call it, Small Business Saturday (two days late). I know, I know, your email box is overflowing with special deals from all the BIG guys, department stores, even the pizza dude! So maybe my dinky email got lost in the mix. So here's the story! Get 25% off your ENTIRE purchase in my webstore TODAY and TUESDAY. Just use the code shop25 and let the bargains roll in!

I've added some awesome new goods to the shop, including this sweet Songbird Cuddlewear,

Swamp Monster Pants Set,

Spaceship Plaid Pants Set,

Pink Owl Hat,

Floral Hearts Pants Set,

and this cute tee to go with the Tree Birdie Skirt.

Check it out! My dear webmaster (aka Andy the husband) and I worked hard this weekend getting the website all dressed up for you. I also worked on Christmas Cookies! 

Here's a sneak preview. They'll be in the cookie shop VERY soon!

Enjoy your shopping, and PLEASE, leave the pepper spray at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale this weekend!

Did you get my email? No? Well, you can sign up for my list just to the right on the sidebar. If you did get my email, which you see above, though you can barely read it because it's so small, you know I'm having my annual Fall sale at the Corner Store this weekend. I'll have cookies to taste, and Halloween cookies for sale. I'll have my full array of clothing for babies through ladies, set up for your shopping pleasure. Need a special outfit for the Day of the Dead? I've got it! As long as you are between 3 months and 10 years old. And of course for the ladies, I have my very cute A-line skirts. If you can't make it to San Pedro, you can shop my webstore and get 15% off  your order when you use the code fall15 at check out. AND get free shipping through the end of October! What a deal! If you come by the Corner Store in person, just mention this blog post, and I'll give you 15% off your purchase! Does any of this make sense? I'm completely exhausted, so I think I'm rambling. 

Must get back to work. I was all on track to be ready for the weekend, when I got a HUGE cookie order on Monday. I was up until 3 am this morning finishing it, as it needs to be shipped off tomorrow. For now, here's a preview of my Halloween cookies, now available in my web store!

 

 

This and that. . .

The Hometown Fair was fantastic! The weather was perfect, surprisingly, since we set up Friday in blustery wind and rain. All in attendance were so kind and supportive. I really can't express enough, my gratitude for everyone who shopped with me. 

Are you sick of seeing my booth display? I only share because I think this is my best set up yet. It is an art you know, and I have so much stuff to display. Clothes take up a lot of space, and then there are the multiple sizes to deal with. After 10 years, I think I may have it figured out!

This is the new design I wanted to show you. Andy and I collaborated on the "swamp monster." The pants are corduroy. I was so excited about this outfit, thinking it would just fly off the rack. Saturday, there were no takers. But then on Sunday everyone was checking it out and I sold most of them! You never know. I'll be making more and putting them in my web store next week.

My next show is on Friday, at The Power of Pink Women's Wellness Conference in Torrance (CA). It's such a great event. If you're in the area and would like to attend, you can register here.

And now a word from Lanky. . .

"I love my daddy. . . and my couch."

 

It's the little things. . .

. . . that keep me going.

And make me happy. Like this mug. I was having a very hard time getting started today. I wore myself out at the festival yesterday, so I made myself a latte in my special mug that Emmet painted for me many moons ago for Mother's Day. It always makes me smile; the mug I mean. The coffee just wakes me up. As for the 15 year old Emmet, he woke up, barfed and went back to bed. No school today. Then there was this guy.

Those sleepy eyes really do not inspire hard work. But, alas, there was work to be done. Even after working all weekend.

I spent Sunday with these lovelies at the Abbot Kinney Festival. It's a one day fair, which means you're up at the crack of dawn to drive to the venue, set up, sell all day, tear down at 6, drive home, unload, pass out. Andy helped with the first and last part. I would not have survived without him.

Once the clouds burned off, the people came, shopped, and enjoyed a beautiful day.

There was great music, including this band, "Superbroke Brass and Tin and Strings". They were playing in the kids area right behind my booth, and were amazing! 

There was good people, er, creature watching too. 

I met the very kind Nina from Cute Hoots blog. She bought several things, and then, SURPRISE, featured me on her blog! Thanks Nina! She's into all things owl related, so we hit it off.

The day was a great success, thanks to all who shopped and visited. It was my first time at the festival and I hope to be back next year!

Well, I did digress. I was planning to tell you how I had written a different, complete post, when my computer shut down, and it was lost, and how the day went down hill from there. Which is why you are probably reading this on Tuesday, instead of Monday. It's probably just as well. I'm sure you don't want to hear about all that other crap. Here's to starting fresh tomorrow, with a good night's sleep.