I am Mama

I’m actually a very lazy crafter

2012-02-06T21:15:00.001-08:00

There are a lot of times, actually most times(when it comes to sewing) I choose to do the simplest of simple things instead of going big with something absolutely fabulous. Even though what I’m about to tell you here isn’t really going big, but yesterday I really wanted to make a peasant style bodice 3 tiered dress. Grant it, this isn’t flashy or fancy but I know it will be cute on someone’s little girl. Instead I chickened out. I didn’t want to use my brain.

See I have a small issue. I cannot use patterns. I’ve tried believe me. The whole following lines and cutting that hard to deal with paper…UGH it’s awful and it annoyed me to no end the few times I’ve tried. I am sure it doesn’t help that I have a lack of patience. It’s all been used up on my kids. So since don’t or rather can’t use patterns, I have to think a little bit more and I am just too tired most times to use that extra brain energy.

So yesterday, instead of taking some time to work out the measurements and figure out the cut, I decided to go more simple with this.

Tie Shoulder Top in Valori Wells Sole Brown and Pink

I was quite familiar with the style as I had made 2 of these tops for Alyssa (with pants included) so I just let my hands, that surprisingly have a great memory, do the work. No brain power required.

Choice of either flower.

Upper bodice is lined

Triangle tie Back Top in Valori Wells Sole Brown and Turquoise

I saw this in one of those books in the fabric store years ago and new it was easy to make

The ties at the neck in the back

I need to find a better name for this top hehehe

Not too bad I think.

Also I’ve been on a bib making rampage. I have so much terry and end of fabrics that they just must go. So I am offering them at ridiculously low prices. Here are some of them.

All are $3.00 – $3.50 plus S/H

Animals on Green is SOLD

Large dots on black SOLD

Animals on Blue SOLD

White dots on Red SOLD

Technorati Tags: clearance,sale,bibs,pif,pay it forward,Valori Wells,Sole,Brownm Pink,Turquoise,Personalized top,personalized bodysuit,treats for your sweets,treatsforyoursweets,ribbon,terry bibs,dots,aqua,red,purple,lavendar

Getting used to this location change

2012-02-04T23:39:00.001-08:00

Since my closest JoAnns is over 2 hours away now, I’ve had to do all my re-stocking online. Oh and did I mention we don’t have Postal Service here. Don’t laugh, I’m not really in the bush as you may be thinking.

Anyway, everyone has a PO BOX, that’s just how it works. My most recent order was to www.joann.com. All I need was some Sulky Solvy. So that is what I ordered. I had free shipping too! Well in the shipping FAQs, (I have to check the method of shipping for all my online purchases now) they state FedEx and FedEx SmartPost. Which one is it? I guess I took a chance and it turns out I was no good at JoAnn’s guessing game, because they shipped FedEx Smartpost which delivers to the post office. This means that I needed to put my PO BOX address in the shipping field and not my physical address.

I have ordered with a lot of companies and many times their system checks addresses and figures out the best way it needs to be shipped. Not sure what database they use but if Joanns had it they would not have found my house address in “that” database, and would have known to ship “not by FedEx Smartpost”

When I checked the tracking my heart sank. I was really looking forward to getting this and I needed it BADLY. The status said Delivery Exception then below said returned to sender. I called FedEx and Cynthia, the rep was so rude, I could have just slammed the phone down. I am not happy with you either FedEx.

Then I emailed JoAnn.com and I am waiting for a response. I am not sure why I am even wasting my time because I need my product now which means I need to order it now and it won’t be from JoAnns. Besides I think I found it cheaper. So goodbye Joanns. I spent thousands in your Brick and Mortar store in Poway, Escondido then the one close to Redondo Beach. Your closest store to me right now is in Denver or Boulder, CO, somewhere over there but I am not sure I need to give you my business anymore. That’s how mad I am.

Technorati Tags: JoAnns,shipping failure,disappointed,FedEx Smartpost,unsatisfied,Sulky Solvy,JoAnn,returned shipment

Hooping those pain in the ass bodysuits

2012-02-04T02:47:00.001-08:00

Yes, I said it. Whether embroidery is your hobby or you’re starting a small home-based embroidery business, you’re going to be doing this. WHY? Because 1 they make great presents and 2 they’re guaranteed to sell.

So you purchase the bodysuit and please don’t do the Onesies Brand. This is just my opinion because I know a lot of people still use it. There are a couple of issues you may run into with the “O” Brand.

For starters, they run extremely small. I had actually gotten a few for testers when I first started this embroidery stuff. Well I couldn’t and still cannot figure out why the 0 – 3 month long sleeves were longer than the 3 – 6 month short sleeves. Now I have noticed they have made some changes to the packaging since I made that purchase, so maybe changes were also made to the sizing.

Also, if you’ve noticed, they are a very thin knit and while they may be excellent for silk screen, is that what they call it? You know what I mean, yes while they may be good for prints or any type of artsy stuff, even paint, that is applied on the fabric, they are horrible for anything that involves needle penetration. That sounds so nasty and I don’t mean for it to.

I actually love the Laughing Giraffe Brand. And I am not getting a dime to tell you this but I tried them some time last year and I was very pleased. I have also used on occasion Target’s Circo Brand, Walmart’s Brand (which is actually pretty good), Carters and others. The thing is, regardless of which brand you get I have found that embroidery comes out best on Interlocking Knits that are no less than 6.4oz/square yard. I’ve also stitched on 5.3 oz/square yard but prefer the higher count.

I went off topic here, so back to the hooping. So yes, you purchase the bodysuits and can’t wait to get home to stitch something cutesy on them, maybe a monogram or lord forbid a large applique, then you attempt to hoop it.

After you manage to hoop it, and it attach it to the machine, it’s like you have this cave with a tiny hole staring at you. YIKES!

You press your start button, you dare not walk away from it. You stand there carefully pulling the fabric out of the way as it stitches the design. Just stop it. I don’t like fighting with cloth. I know some forums suggest hooping just the stabilizer and floating the bodysuit, maybe stick a pin or 2, or use the adhesive spray, but I don’t really like taking chances like that and I don’t want to risk shifting. Plus some of those sprays gum up your needle.

So my solution was simple, clip the seams. Yes it’s more work, because you have to stitch it back when you’re done but trust me, it’s worth the extra couple minutes. I was so tired fighting and standing there with my extra long serger tweezers holding that fabric out of harms way.

Excuse the photos, I used my daughter’s camera. I mentioned recently I only have a long lense for the Nikon.

I normally snip from right under the armhole straight down the side, but trust me, I have ripped that sucker from the end of the sleeve to the leg on occasion, opening up one entire side. I applique a lot and sometimes a larger hoop is needed on those tiny things for those lengthy word phrases, you know the ones and again, I am over all the fighting.

Clip the 2 lines that look like straight stitch on both sides(not the left and right side but both sides where this stitching is) where my scissors rest, so that when you pull one end of the thread it doesn’t keep pulling past the point you wish to cut. Take your scissors to the other end by the leg and do the same. Now you’re actually going to do the 2nd part about an inch from the end because of how they stitch it. You’ll see what I mean.

See how my scissors are in between? Do that all the way down that side taking care not to cut the fabric just the thread. When you’re done, pull from one end the 2 threads from the straight looking double stitches that you cut first and it should come right out. Then just cut the thread away carefully from the 1” of stitching that remained by the leg.

(Please feel free to do this thread cutting business however you wish. I just find this way of cutting the threads to be the fastest. It takes me about 1 .5 minutes or less and that’s because my eyesight is bad)

So you have one side opened up. Then you hoop it. I am using the 4 x 4 here on a 3 – 6 month bodysuit. The design is a small one

All hooped and ready to go

Excuse this. I am out of black stabilizer lol

See how much leeway you have?

Look at that. No more fighting. I can actually sew something else on my sewing machine while my girl is working and not worry about the machine catching a sleeve.

Okay so you’re done, now it’s time to close it up. Easy, before I used to use the serger but I got too lazy changing those 4 cones of thread. (I don’t like threading sergers.)

Threading the machine is way easier than the serger.

So I saw #16 and decided to try it and it came out great. It will work for what you need it for. So look on your machine to see if there is a similar stitch. If there isn’t, then use straight stitch, then go it over and use a zigzag on the edge. It will look almost the same.

Just make sure you start to stitch maybe 1/2” over the remaining stitches that you didn’t rip out and be sure to line it up.

Okay so we stitch the end

And there you go.

In case you’re wondering, I usually use Pellon EK-130, the Fusible Tricot, on the back of my embroidery.

It’s set on the Synthetics heat setting. I actually give it a quick blast of steam.

I took someone’s advice and started trimming the corners to see if it will prevent it from curling up and peeling off. So we’ll see.

All done. I apologize again for those awful photos.

Hopefully no one can tell that I actually had to rehoop this project. It looks straight to me. I do everything by eye, I don’t have the patience to measure and mark and all that mess. It’s a fault of mine. After I added the name to the design on my software it exceeded the 4 x 4 space and I didn’t want to use the 5 x 7 hoop. I needed everything the size I had it, no smaller, so I did Kitty 1st, removed the hoop and moved it a little lower, then stitched the name. I think it came out great.

That’s it for now!

Will share some more tips again soon! I am always learning and by no means consider myself well seasoned. I just know what works for me and if it will work for you too then all the better.

I think the next post is going to be “Why the cost of embroidered items is what they are today”. We all know that a lot of people don’t know what a simple embroidery project involves, that is why they only want to pay $5.00 for your $25.00 item Night night, y’all!

Technorati Tags: project,embroidery,hooping onesies,hooping bodysuits,stabilizer,home business,laughing giraffe,bodysuits,crafts,hobby

I tackled it from Wednesday to Thursday

2012-02-02T08:51:00.001-08:00

Wow, I haven’t done a “Tackle” in years. What a shame! Aside from the lack of sleep that has been causing me to be unmotivated, my work space was a complete disaster. Get ready for this one….and I know when you see these photos you will ask yourself, How in the world could she work like this? People, the shameful truth is that I actually work better in disorganization. Looking at these pictures you wouldn’t believe this but I can actually find exactly where things are.

Having said that, usually I always get to the point when the mess gets to be too much and something must be done. So that’s what happened from yesterday afternoon until after 4am this morning.

I tried my best to get most of the room but it was difficult with my long lens. (Remember Ashleigh broke my short one) The room is about 20’ by 10’

BEFORE

This is my 9 foot 6 shelf unit

The work table for the machines

Just ignore that beer bottle

LEFT SIDE OF TABLE. Everything is just so out of place

Such a mess

RIGHT SIDE OF TABLE: Yes, there is actually a table and a machine there

My gosh, look at under the table. YIKES!!!!

The ironing board. Don’t ask me how I iron on it. Those are projects that I am working on. Looks bad I know

Under the ironing board

AFTER

Containers with even more fabric, towels, etc moved to the left of the desk

I told you there was a desk under there

I actually have room to cut and lay some stuff out

AFTER

The Shelving Unit

The folding took longer than I thought it would

There is still an issue with my Serger thread on the top there. I am not a tall person so when I need to change the thread on the Serger, I have to grab my step to reach. I need more shelves.

I’ve been looking for cheap wood at the Habitat for Humanity place in Eagle so I can build some shelves but they had none (I was there yesterday). Maybe that will be my next project

I tried to sort by color and fat quarters. We’ll see how that works

Some completed bibs and washable flannel wipes on the right side. Also completed checkbook covers

Bottom shelf still needs a little work but it’s much better than how it was

Remember how underneath the table looked? Much better

Trash

I am a fabric hoarder.

I had lots of pieces of fabric that couldn’t be used for anything. Not even appliques because of the cut that was left. Well I finally got the strength to ditch them in that garbage bag. It felt good when I was done.

I hope I can keep it like this for a little while. I want to order some blow ups of some one the work I have done and put them on the wall. Afterall it’s where I work, right?!

Treats for your Sweets’ February Freebie

2012-01-28T19:39:00.001-08:00

UPDATED(2-6-2012): I'm glad so many people enjoyed February's Freebie! We'll have another Freebie Coming soon. Maybe even a product

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As promised, my tutorial will be available for free from now until February 4th. I would really love it, it you would share your creation once you’ve tried it!
Leave me a comment once you’ve tried it. Upload it to your blog and come back to let me know.

(THE LINK'S BEEN REMOVED AND ACCESS IS NOW PRIVATE, SO IF YOU BOOKMOARKED IT, IT WILL NOT WORK)

Have fun creating. Once you’ve mastered this, you will feel comfortable adding other things like:

Gathered Accents to the outside

Pleated Accents to the outside

a Pocket for your Business Cards on the side

Or in the center

A button to make it more secure

Or if you prefer a snap closure

ENJOY!

Technorati Tags: free tutorial,treats for your sweets,february freebie,2 pockets,crafts,sewing,checkbook cover,check cover,checkcover

Back to where I started……

2012-01-27T15:41:00.001-08:00

Not in a bad way mind you. One of my greatest fears have come to pass. I’ve run out of interfacing and Sulky Solvy. So I am unable to complete any orders. I was pinching the interfacing but I have none to pinch from anymore. My order is on the way and it says it should be delivered today but I checked my PO BOX already and only found my new business cards, which was 1 good thing!

Can I complain for a bit? Before we moved, I had ordered 500 business cards. Nice ones. Front and back on high gloss paper and they all had to be trashed. Mind you, this is not the first time this happened. I ordered my cards in high numbers and every time I place these orders we’ve moved. Gripe over.

Before I start, I am so proud of myself for snapping a photo of 1 of the kids today. I know, it’s sad. My last post I was feeling pretty bad about it. Anyway I got this one this afternoon, of my little Mash Mash(she has a few nicknames) AND LOOK! No silly faces. She asked me to make that beanie for her today so like the good mother that I am…AHEM….I did. I also made a little set for the store. hehehe…. This tie dye fabric has been sitting in another container for over 4 years. Believe it!

Unfortunately, that’s all I got. At least it’s a start. Anyway…….

Sew what’s new? Oh yes back to where I started. I’ve been slowly getting back into actually using my regular sewing machine more and more. After over 10 years I purchased a pretty nice Brother Sewing machine. It’s was very affordable and was a refurbished model. Now I am in no way affiliated with these people but I purchased it from Ken’s Sewing and Vacuum Center on Ebay. I have no problem spreading the word when a company does me right. Shipping was FREE and it arrived fairly quickly.

My last sewing project involved a left over piece of corduroy that I’ve had in one of my fabric containers for over 2 years. Yes 2 years.

CORDUROY SHOULDER BAG IN OLIVE GREEN

Digging in my fabric containers made me realize that some of the fabric had to go. Years and years of “out of control” fabric shopping have caught up with me. Anytime there was a sale I was there. Coupons in the email and online? I am there. So I have accumulated a whole lot. And who am I to keep some of the lovely pieces all boxed up? I’m not going to. So……. I’ve made an entire Section (The PIF/Clearance Section) in my Etsy store for only these items and few Sample Testers. They are ridiculously priced on the low side. Here are a few of them and in case you’re wondering, I thought she said she was out of stabilizer? Well I am out of medium weight cut away, these bags can take tear away stabilizer and I have a couple yards left so I’m using it.

This set of 3 Black and White Terry lined Burp Cloths is just one of the items that were up for grabs. My PIF offer included free personalization.

Then there was this set in Black and Ivory:

I actually have Boy theme fabrics hehehe. These are being sold in sets of 2.

The 2 have been sold. Haven’t done the personalizing yet as you can see.

Debbie Mumm’s Elephants lined with Blue Chenille and the other is just a Teddy bear Toile fabric lined with terry.

These 2 are still up for grabs at the very low price of $8.00. No that is not a typo. You guys know that personalization servicing start at lowest $5.00 per item so you have to know this is a steal.

I still have a couple more left. Some flannel lined with terry, others lined with Chenille.

The Dinosaurs and Tossed Elephants are terry lined burp cloths

I am not offering personalization on this pair.

One of my favorite prints Alexander Henry’s Mocca (the one on the right) with a coordinating print. Both a lined with very soft terry.

Anyway enough of my self promoting. I want to put up my Checkbook Cover Tutorial on this blog, the one I have on sale in the store, for about a week. FOR FREE. Hours went into this and everyone who purchased it seem to have had success otherwise I am sure I would have heard about it. It is very thorough with loads of photos. So I think I will do that.

I love to share the little knowledge that I have and it’s good to help people. These checkbook covers make excellent gifts and even better if they are made by YOU! So check back soon. I have to figure out how I am going to do this.

Technorati Tags: fabric addict,free tutorial,burp cloths,clearance,sale,Pay it forward,PIF,sharing,my baby,Alexander Henry,Mocca,terry burpies,treats for your sweets,Etsy

So ashamed….and I’m all upside down

2012-01-15T21:22:00.001-08:00

Not literally. Remember when I used to take like a million photos? Photos of everything. My kids booboos, the messes they make, the occasional meal that I cooked and just photos of the kids in general. I was just thinking, here I am coming to update this neglected blog and I have no pictures of the kids to share. How did this happen? First thought was that I’ve become lazy but then again, I don’t think that’s the reason. All I take photos of these days are the items that I make. Boo to me.

I’ve been too focused, I guess on trying to make this small business of mine succeed. I guess I can tell myself that it IS all for them but it doesn’t make me feel any better. I just need to try harder to balance everything.

My days don’t seem that full. During the week, I drag myself out of bed at 6:50am, because most times I go to bed after 4am. Yes that’s why I am dragging. Wake up Alyssa and Christopher, get their clothes, make them breakfast, get myself dressed while they’re eating; Load up on layers of clothing to run outside to start the truck (it’s really cold at that time in the morning hahaha), run back in to pack their lunches, wait last minute to wake up Ashleigh and bundle her up, make sure their bags are packed (they tend to forget homework and books), get them all in the truck and drive them to school which is only about 5 minutes because of the 2 traffic lights. Otherwise it’s more like 3 minutes. When I get back, it’s like I am sleep walking so Ashleigh and I jump in the bed and sleep for a couple hours.

Sometimes she watches TV for a little while before she falls asleep with me. Hours later, I’m up to get her some lunch.

I hop online to answer a couple customer e-mails and by the time I am done it’s time to get the kids. They come home and need a snack. After snack time, I help them with homework if they need me to, most times they do. I constantly have to stand over Christopher to remind him to write legibly. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve made him erase his awful handwriting. My teachers used to call that chicken scratch. I won’t allow that mess. He doesn’t have the neatest handwriting but he can write better that what I see sometimes. Anyway, then it’s time for dinner. Oh wait, before that, I have to look over their homework to make sure it’s done correctly.

I seriously look forward to when they’re all asleep, because that’s when my day actually starts. I fill orders and if I get that extra boost I may sew a couple burp cloths or work on some embroidery design to list in the store the next day. When I am finally feeling a bit tired and look at the time, it’s like 3 or 4am. I get mad at myself because every night/morning I tell myself tomorrow I am going to bed earlier because it sucks eggs waking up on little sleep.

So that’s how it’s been. I really need to try harder to find a balance. I need to get more sleep.

Until later,

Another chapter will begin tomorrow

2012-01-02T20:19:00.001-08:00

My kids will start their new school tomorrow and they are both super excited. My only hope is that their excitement for learning continues. We all know how that gets as they get older.

Here’s my big girl. Santa brought her a real camera and all she’s been doing is taking photos. Daddy took this one. She took these:

I love shadow photos. This is the park next to the house.

Me? I’ve been busy trying to get back into the swing of things, work-wise. I have been so unmotivated for these past few weeks but I’m getting back into the groove.

My sale has started so run on over to the store and grab something up. There is a coupon code active right now (WINTERSALE) for 15% off everything even what’s in my PIF section. As mentioned in the last post, I have to get rid of some things before I re-stock.

I worked on these today. Just click on the name to read more about the item.

The Applique Owl

I only have enough of this exact fabric for 1 more duplicate

Little Valentine Bodysuit/Onesie

Hello Kitty Birthday Top

Of course I can personalize this to any age and name

Firefighter themed

(not listed as of yet)

Motorcycle themed

(not listed as of yet)

but it should be tomorrow morning.

And I can’t forget this one. It’s a best seller in these parts as everyone and their grandma drives a big truck. Including us lol. So I can change daddy to mom, grandma, etc.

My daddy’s truck

That’s about it until the kids come home tomorrow and I hear about their day.

I really am trying to get back into the blogging too

Technorati Tags: new school,1st grade,2nd grade,kids,photographer,sale,treats for your sweets,wintersale,applique owl,motorcycle,firefighter,big wheels,trucks,4 x 4,bodysuits,onesie,hello kitty

Another Sale coming up soon!

2011-12-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

I can’t drive down the road to my supplier or just run to the store for thread, etc. anymore, so I am trying to get rid of most of the blanks I have left. It’s not much.

Many of the blanks are short sleeved bodysuits so it’s sort of an off-season sale.

Once I get rid of most I’ll re-stock. So please feel free to share with anyone you may know. You guys know when I have a clearance sale it’s a REAL clearance sale.

I’ll post in a day or maybe tonight, once the sale is on. My FB fan page and my Etsy store will be included so they may go fast.

You’ll have the option to personalize these blanks almost anyway you want. So if you have time feel free to browse through my COMPLETED ORDERS ALBUM or some of the AVAILABLE DESIGNS for embroidering that are already digitized.

I also still have a couple scarves left that I made last week.

This is an extra long one that I’d love to ship to you. It’s a cotton blend, that feels like 100% cotton. No itching and it’s soft. Just click on the name and read more about today’s featured item.

Extra long Ivory Crocheted Scarf – Unisex

Until later!

My Xmas tree Craft ...don't laugh.....

2011-12-27T11:06:00.000-08:00

..all that really mattered was that my kids thought mom was so awesome for making this ;-) and I think it doesn't look too bad.

Anyway, I came up with one of my grand ideas to make a Christmas Tree this year. I even dreamt about it the night before. We moved yet again and were all out of sorts so I thought we'd do something different.

We have a huge Xmas tree on the property so I thought it would be cool, instead of going out to buy a tree that will be thrown out in a few days, I'll "trim" the bottom of the real tree in the yard and make my own. I told Alyssa, it's 1 less dead tree this year.

I am bummed that I didn't take step by step photos because I think this is a cool craft, but it's so easy maybe there was no need.

Anyway, all you'll need is a Powerdrill, large bits, a saw and any piece of wood for the base. I drilled a bunch of holes at the top of my base (a piece of wood that was laying around the yard) to put the trimmed branches into. Now your base doesn't have to be round it could be a square block of wood, etc..

I started on the decorations but never finished due to too much drinking. I walked around the yard and gathered fallen pine cones, rub the glue stick all over them and sprinkled glitter.

This was the base

I want to do this next year again but I'll be sure to make some ornaments

I think you can sort of see some glitter on the pine cone, a little more on the purple one in the middle, to the right

I wrapped some of my jewelry making wire around the full length of the pinecone and made a hook at the top

I have a bunch more to share, including pictures of our drive but I will save that for a little later when the kids have settled down.

$1.00 Auction for FB fans –Yes I can be crazy at times

2011-09-07T10:21:00.001-07:00

I have so many items that just HAVE to go to make way for my new ones.

I am such a disorganized person and occasionally tend to start things and not finish. Well more than occasionally. So many projects I have are either half-done, or completed and have just never made it to my store. ACK…help me out. My work space is a mess so SALE there must be

We’ve also officially moved to a new FB page, so we’re sort of starting over. That wonderful site called FB won’t allow me to change my page name since I had over 100 fans so I had to start from scratch.

The page was initially created to reflect the lady’s items that I made but I have since combined the children’s store and Sexygirl so everything can be found at Treats For Your Sweets.

So come on! Fan us on FB @ Treats For Your Sweets and score some awesome deals. After all, the Holidays will be here before you know it! I’m even thinking of putting up all the earrings I have in my stash and maybe the scarves that I crocheted that didn’t sell. GASP! So look out for those….MAYBE…….

I’ll be adding items all day.

Atasha

Technorati Tags: $1.00 auction,sale,clearance,Facebook,fan page,treats for your sweets,business,overstock

New Additions to the store

2011-09-04T14:37:00.001-07:00

So I had to get with the program. After countless requests for Pettis and Tutus to go with the personalized bodysuits and toddler t-shirts, I gave in. I’d have Ashleigh model a set for me but she thinks it’s a game. I attempted once and I had to chase her down to try to get a photo. I wasn’t successful.

But first I must share this gorgeous baby girl, Addison, modeling one of my Ruffle Bottom Bodysuits with matching flower hair clip.

Please check out Model Connection USA to book your model. They have many models available in all age groups. Christina of Labrador Photography did an awesome job and provided photos within hours of the photo shoot.

I couldn’t be more pleased

Floral Designer fabric Ruffle Bottom Personalized Bodysuit Set

Sets are available right now for $28.00 plus US S/H of $3.00. International orders can be shipped for $7.00

Here’s our most popular sale item at the moment.

Hot Pink Zebra trim 3 layer tutu Set

Currently priced at $45.00 plus US S/H of $5.00, International S/H $15.00

Comes with all you see here: 3 layer Tutu, personalized Bodysuit, 2 crochet headbands(black and hot pink) and large mixed petal peony.

We also have Petti sets available in Brown and Black Cheetah print. Matching Peony flower hair clip will vary as I’m almost out of flowers

I also have a lime green with black polka dot tutu set and 2 pink Rosette tutu sets available but I have yet to snap a photo. I’ll do that soon.

Makes me want to have another girl to dress up….No not really

Our Personalized Toddler T-shirts are on sale all weekend for $12.00 shipped to US destinations and $16 Shipped internationally. Maybe I’ll extend the sale if the response is big.

Available in various fabrics and fonts. You can choose to have the name below the large applique letter or stacked like the others further below

Again, after looking through the ALBUM of fonts and fabrics to make your choice, you can place your order from my FB page. There’s an order tab as these aren’t listed in my Etsy Store. Just fill out the form and I will invoice you.

Another one of our best sellers.

Personalized Keyfobs/finders/Wristlets currently priced at $9.00 shipped in the US, $10.00 shipped Internationally.

These are also available in custom lengths. I call them Minis for motorcycle owners. They’re about 3 – 4” so they won’t touch the engine and get hot.

Red 1.5” Polypro very soft and durable

1.5” or 1” Cotton Webbing/Belting

Full Fabric on both sides. You match up the fabric that you want

This last one is the same Keyfob that has been Personalized on both sides. These are $15.00 US shipped $17.00 shipped Internationally

I’ll be adding the option to Buy Directly from here in the near future as I’ll be able to offer a lower price since there is no listing fee

Talk to ya’ll soon!

Come find me on FB

Late on everything as usual

2011-07-12T13:17:00.001-07:00

When was Mother’s Day? Let’s see…about 2 months ago? Well I’ve only now completed my mom’s present. Shameful I know.

The kids were so excited to make this for her. Simple but I think it’s cute. Hopefully she’ll love it too. Managed to get it in the mail today

This is in the back of the shirt

and this is the front

I let each of them choose their own color paint

then I embroidered each of their names

wherever I could fit it that was closest to their hand print

That’s about it for now. I am hoping to post another within the next 2 days. I’ve got things on my mind.

Technorati Tags: mother's day,grand kids,grandma,handprints,embroidered names

Lord help me ~ with Ashleigh that is

2011-06-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

How did I get such a girly girl. Yes she is a bit of a rough one. She kick, bites or hits and runs but my goodness.

Last week she was running and fell down. She wasn’t concerned about her knees or bruising her hands. No. Instead she falls, jumps up really fast with her hand on her head and says, “Oh no my hair mom” I had to calm the child down and assure her that her hair was still pretty. She’s always with a brush or hounding me to comb her hair. I don’t know what that is about.

This is her every time we have to leave to walk to the market or fetch Alyssa and Christopher from school. And this is good. Usually she needs to grab more junk! It annoys me to no end.

How did this happen? She certainly didn’t get that from her mama!

I’m rockin’ sweats and stained T-shirts all day long with a hat because I don’t feel like combing my hair.

Her? She wants her toes and finger nails polished and is forever using out my Bath and Bodyworks Aromatherapy lotion. I don’t even use it anymore, yet there are 3 empty bottles sitting on my desk.

But I let her be her. And here she is my “rotten sugar plum” as Alyssa calls her hehehe

My sweetness

My little sticker girl

She’s always falling asleep in the middle of doing something or in some odd way.

She just plays so hard during the day, occasionally missing her nap, and this is the result. Unfortunately for me, on those days, she is extremely restless at night. She fusses and whines in her sleep when she is overly tired and I am the one who pays for that.

Atasha

Technorati Tags: 2 yr old,diva,fashion,sleeper,Ashleigh

Me and Blog Maintenance = Huge Failure

2011-06-10T00:33:00.001-07:00

Last time I blogged I said I would try but I haven’t. So here I am making an attempt to catch up on everything.

Let’s see: We’re officially a diaper-free house. YES!! All through the night folks. I’m so proud of her. I know I mentioned this on FB but I had to be absolutely sure before I put it here

Work is going great I suppose. I’m still working on a balance but I am not complaining. Things have slowed down this week so here I am blogging.

The kids are doing great in school but even I cannot believe the amount of homework they give in Kindergarten and 1st Grade and I know it only gets worse. Poor me. Yet I still cannot wait for 2013. This is when all 3 will be in school. I am counting down people. This mama needs a small break during the day.

Here they are in the driveway. I can no longer get all smiles. Someone, usually Alyssa or Ashleigh has to give some kind of battle face. Look at Ashleigh~sigh.

What else….oh after about 6 months of talking about it, I have almost completed the combination of my 2 Etsy stores, Treats For Your Sweets (the main store now) and Sexygirl. Locating the product photos on this computer have proven to be more time-consuming than I would have liked but oh well.

The Ebay store is doing good also.

That’s pretty much it. So I’ll leave you with my most recent orders.

Personalized Applique Onesie

Yes folks. That is a Raiders Applique in the middle hehehhe

I cannot tell you how much I love the decorative stitching on that Applique. It’s gorgeous.

Personalized Applique Onesie in Swirl Font

This one’s a little more feminine but can still be used for a Boy or a Girl

I’ll be adding more Applique fonts soon!

Still making these

Personalized Checkbook Cover

I’ve got a bunch of these in stock

Large Peony Flower Hair Clips some with crochet headbands

After months in a box I finally listed these. They’re not being offered at full-price so grab a deal.

Checkbook Covers with pleated ruffle accent

Pleated Checkcover in Alexander Henry’s Mocca

Sweet Angel Little Devil Checkcover with Pink gathered accent

Dupioni Silk pleated Checkbook Cover

in RED

I love this color combination

Full Front Pleats

Looks like a mix between Gold, Ecru and Bronze. That color was tricky but the pleats are more of a Seafoam color

Pleated checkcover in Valerie Wells SOLE- Brown & Turquoise

I was so happy when I found one of these left in this fabric.

Asian Inspired fabric 3 pocket checkbook cover

Isn’t that fabric beautiful? I think so

Love the gold that always goes so well with these prints

Decorative Stitching on the fold

And my best selling item for the past few weeks have been these Personalized Flannel Blankets. Who knew?

I have to re-stock like yesterday . Strangely enough all these blanket sales have been on Ebay.

And of course these:

Handmade Personalized Burpies

Ribbon Trimmed

This set for Ella is from my slightly imperfect section. They are not handmade from scratch and are thinner and smaller than my handmade burpies above

I know I posted these somewhere before but I just love that bow over Ava

This is the only order I have gotten for these co-ordinating blue prints for a baby girl and I love it!

One of my favorites. Custom order for a regular customer. She is such a delight to work with. It was for her grandbaby’s dedication. She sent me a photo of the tutu that was coupled with this Onesie. Gorgeous!!

That’s about it for now. Once again I will try my best to update this blog. Maybe promising myself atleast once a week.

Atasha

Technorati Tags: personalized bur cloths,personlaized onesies,personalized checkbook covers,Personalized flannel blankets,peony,large flower hair clips,crochet headband,large peony,purple,brown,pink,ivory,zebra print

Some people are just soo……Yuck!

2011-02-14T11:00:00.001-08:00

I loaned my trusty vacuum out a few days ago. While I don’t have a problem with it, the least the borrowing party could do (you would think) is to clean it before returning it, right? Hmmmph…. They have already been told “you can borrow it anytime as long as you take care of it while it’s in your possession. If you break it you will buy it back” That’s fair isn’t it?

Well this last time the vacuum cleaner was returned I noticed it wasn’t pulling. Did I mention these people have 6 cats? Yes, so you could just imagine what goes into my vacuum. Anyway, so the vacuum wasn’t pulling and it sounded different. I knew there was a clog, but where? I checked the hose for the hand tools, that was clear. So this morning after trying to clean up a few waffle crumbs from off our carpet and realizing she couldn’t even pick those up I got to work.

Well I found the clog and this is what I pulled out.

My tool of choice (hehehehe) Yes a rusty ice pick

I just kept pulling and pulling out ball after ball. It was nasty. Dust and cat hair. Perfect for my allergies. Grrrr…….

Yes I believe this is what caused the clog because that hair clip was stuck in the hose so the hair balls couldn’t pass through and it just got worse from there on. I also found a marker cover, a tiny dinosaur and another one of those rubber band thingys. There was also a rubber band tied around the brush. Looks like we’re going to have another talk this afternoon.

Technorati Tags: hair balls,dust,dirt,loaning,inconsiderate friends,yuck,clogged vacuum

When everyone else sees you as perfect…

2011-02-05T15:28:00.001-08:00

…especially your spouse, it’s very difficult to keep that front up sometimes. I was sitting outside a few nights ago, sipping my Chai tea, feeling extremely overwhelmed, exhausted, afraid, anxious, just to name a few…

It has come to my realization that my husband especially, honestly believes I can do it all or most of it, with extreme ease. I think even I expect that of myself too! It’s the supermom syndrome.

He goes to work, works hard I might add, but so do I. Yes it’s true the older 2 kids are in school, but Ashleigh requires a lot of time, running my small business requires time. Lots of it. My family comes first. So when one would think I have time to work (when the kids are in school) I am entertaining, teaching, playing with my youngest child. So I find myself having to play catch up on orders, emails, etc. at night, when I should be relaxing or dare I say even SLEEP!!

Anyway, I think I strayed there for a bit. Sometimes I am so frazzled half way through the day, I sit and cry. This woman isn’t as perfect as her husband thinks. The housework, the unpacking and organizing, taking care of the kids, taking them to and picking them up from school, trying to fit some work in between if I can, just to name a few. It’s emotionally draining sometimes because I feel like I have to keep this whole front up not necessarily for anyone but for myself, otherwise I feel lazy and worthless. Not good.

The husband comes home and thinks I just clicked my heels and did my thing. 5,6 loads of laundry done (it’s been like this everyday since we moved because the kids have more friends and play a whole lot more), kitchen cleaned(hours I may add – I am serious when it comes to kitchen cleaning), toys picked up, house vacuumed on average 4Xs a day, orders filled and shipped, I can go on, but you get the point as I am positive I am not alone on this one. Oh but wait, when the kids get home there is also homework to help them with……yikes..

Who gets neglected……me. Too busy taking care of everyone else. I looked at myself in the mirror a few days ago, hair not combed for days, I’ve been sporting my hat, dark circles under the eyes, a couple pimples most likely from stress, unhealthy looking skin, teeth a bit discolored from all the extra coffee I’ve been drinking to keep the show running, wrinkled clothing, and I thought, my God, something has to give…this is very unsexy not to mention unhealthy.

I think I need to manage my time a bit better. I need to start scheduling things, like limiting myself on the cleaning and the laundry. I’ve already made a huge step with that. I’ve increased my “time until shipped” on personalized items to 5 – 7 business days and even 7 – 10 business days on some products. It used to be 2 – 3 days. Too much pressure I realized. Duh….. I’ve been getting more orders so give yourself more time silly. Yes I can be pretty slow at times.

Anyway…….I don’t even think I said all I wanted to say in this post, but I feel a bit better.

The good thing is I explained how I felt to my husband. “You need to sit down and relax”, he tells me, ”just leave what you’re doing and relax.” It’s so much easier said than done. My response when he tells me this at times, “I just need to finish this one thing then I’ll take a break” but next thing you know it’s hours later and I’ve not only finished what I was doing but started something else.

I really need to keep up my blog. I love blogging and this blog is suffering because of my mismanaged schedule.

Technorati Tags: Supermom syndrome,trials as a parent,stress,venting,imperfection,overworked

I’ve been MIA…..

2010-11-17T09:16:00.001-08:00

for good reason though. Sales have picked up most likely due to the holiday season but it’s all good.

I think I’ve actually made back the cost of Mrs. B(the embroidery machine) Don’t ask where the money has gone though

Here are my top sellers. I have to get more boy themed fabric as those are what’s been selling. Completely understandable as boy things aren’t as popular as girl’s items. In between all this I’ve still been able to keep up with the wholesale flowers.

Personalized Burp Cloths

I made some girly tags for this last order. I love how they came out. Need to make some boy ones.

A free thank you gift. It’s a chenille lined wash cloth

Just noticed that' I’ve only had 1 order for a baby girl hehehe

These Personalized bookmarks are also a big hit. Very inexpensive and they are still marked down @ the low price of $3.00 each. Discounts are given on orders of 10 or more

I also had a request for underwater animals to match a baby’s room

We’ve also introduced a new line of “Sweetheart” girly burpies. I’m using the curly font on these. I’ve inserted a little snap on the last photo.

So that’s where I’ve been. Poor blog’s been neglected but I’ll try better to keep up with it.

Oh and I’m going to combine both stores. It appears that it’s just too much work at the moment keeping up with the 2 since sales have increased.

Giveaway Winner Announced!

2010-09-20T21:21:00.001-07:00

Thank you to all who participated. We’ll be starting another giveaway within the next 2 weeks or so just because it’s so much fun!

Congratulations to our winner who tweeted daily ;-) YAY!

I will be contacting you within the next 24 hours for personalization & mailing information

Find me on ETSY

Technorati Tags: giveaway winner,personalized checkbook cover,matching key fob,sexygirl.etsy.com,sexygirl

Now’s a great time to stock up

2010-09-12T13:16:00.001-07:00

Treats For Your Sweets has clearance sale items left over from last year that MUST go. I just don’t have the space ;-)

We have a few burp cloth sets available at ridiculously low prices.

We’ve also started offering personalized burp cloth sets and we have a few embroidered design burpies on SALE

Here are a few of them! We’re hunting for some boy themed ones. I find it really strange that there are so few when compared to girls themes.

We’re also offering Tri-fold flannel burp cloths, just another alternative to the gauze tri-fold diaper burpies. I realize that some people may not want those so we came up with this option

There are 4 layers of flannel in the center panel. This allows for more absorption, while keeping the burp cloth soft and not bulky.

Our current available prints are shown below.

★Boy Monkey
★Dinosaurs

★Puppy Dogs on Pink
★Strawberry Cupcakes
★Princess Diva
★Aloha Monkey

★Monkey Just Hangin' Out
★Cowboy Bear (SOLD OUT)
★Peace, Love and Happiness

We’re so excited about our new additions and hope you are too!

“Big things” are coming soon! I can’t share yet but we have new things on the horizon!

Find me on Etsy!

Where all things are handmade!

Technorati Tags: trifold,flannel,burp cloths,trifold flannel burpies,sale,clearance,treatsforyoursweets,home business,sexygirl.etsy.com,sexygirl

It’s been stressing me out – My latest project

2010-09-11T10:36:00.001-07:00

This is why I didn’t sleep Thursday night.

FRONT and SLEEVES

It took me hours and hours and hours…Why? Because I had to move the hoop 3 times to do those large letters in the front. It also took me ages just to find and decide upon this font. I needed something that could be read easily. That was key.

I was so nervous because I really didn’t want to ruin the t-shirt.

BACK and sleeves

Anyway, I think it turned out okay for the first try. I’ll try to do another one later today……maybe, in a different color thread like blue

I’m glad that first try is over with though. Did I mention it took me hours? Yeah, well we’ll see if it was all worth it later tonight. The owner is going to see it.

Find me on Etsy!

Technorati Tags: tshirt embroidery,tfa,tfafights.com

It’s Giveaway Time

2010-09-04T11:20:00.001-07:00

This Giveaway is CLOSED! WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!

Long over due. I plan on having another but this is to make up for my slackness ;-)
Up for grabs will be a personalized checkbook cover with matching Key fob similar to the one below. I’ve chosen fabric that won’t hide the initial(s). – up to 3 letters and a pair of earrings (any one from the store)
This Brown polka dot with baby blue embroidered initial and baby blue lining is available as a choice.

More Fabric Choices, Most of which I have already matched up a lining

Cotton Candy Swirls will be lined in black and white polka dots

Black and White w/Polka dot lining

The Blacks (outer cover)

Of course the pink w/white dots are also available

I may add some more prints if time permits.

HOW TO ENTER:

~ No hoops to jump through, just leave a comment and you will be entered. I will use Random.org to select a winner in about 2 weeks.

~ Please make sure I have some way to contact you. If you don’t have a contact link on your blog or have no blog at all, please leave your comment in the comment

~ Open to everyone

~ Winner will claim prize through my store http://www.sexygirl.etsy.com/

~ Giveaway will be opened for 2 weeks

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Fan us on Facebook. Then come back and leave an additional comment

Follow this blog – leave an additional comment

You can tweet this giveaway daily. Just come back and leave another comment with the URL of your tweet

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Technorati Tags: giveaway,checkcover,earrings,sexygirl,polka dots

There’s a sale going on at Sexygirl.etsy.com

2010-08-20T09:40:00.001-07:00

Our Buy 2 get 1 free is back. This time it’s good for all items, even sale items! Purchase 2 items get a free item of equal or lesser value! It’s good on personalized items too! So now is a great time to stock up on gifts.
Our Friday Favorite is the Asian Inspired fabric Tri-fold Organizer in Black and Red

We’ve been pretty busy around here. Working on new things and I’ve been trying to re-stock Treats For Your Sweets as we’ve started offering personalized headbands. Yes I know, I’ve been trying to re-stock this store since last year. It’s such a shame but I am only 1 person.

She’s always willing to help mommy out. Such a sweetheart who will be turning 2 tomorrow

I can do same colors on both sides or if you’d prefer a different color fabric on each side we can do that also. They’re available with our without the flower clippie. I’m so excited about this.

We’re also starting to offer personalized leashes by request only for now. If you’re interest feel free to contact me. We’d love to make one for you. Well not for you but for your dog ;-) They’ll be listed in the store in the near future.
That’s pretty much it for now. Have a Happy Friday!

Technorati Tags: sale,sexygirl,sexygirl.etsy.com,personalized headbands,personalized leashes,flower clips,buy 2 get 1 free,store promo

In case you didn’t know…

2010-08-10T14:12:00.001-07:00

Sewing is making a comeback! I don’t know about you, but I started making things for my 1st daughter after I would shop for hours and hours and not find exactly what I liked. Contrary to what many think, it doesn’t always cost less to make a handmade item than it is to just buy it in a store. Fabric,like everything else has increased in cost but with a handmade item you can make it exactly how YOU want it.

Anyway, even though I know there are millions of free tutorials floating around the internet, I still thought there would be people who would definitely benefit from my latest store addition. I have gotten so many compliments on my covers and would just love for others to be able to do the same.

Sexygirl now offers Pre-cut Kits for you to make your very own. This is the basic cover with only 2 pockets inside. The kit comes with all pieces and already has the fusible interfacing attached. Your kit also comes with a CD-ROM which has the Tutorial in PDF format. So you would need ADOBE. It is a step by step, very detailed tutorial with over 30 color photos.

These are just a couple of the prints that have been listed recently.

The PDF file is also available separately if you already have your fabric or wish to purchase your own.

Please check it out.

Technorati Tags: tutorial,pre cut kit,checkbook covers,sexygirl,etsy,sewing,handmade

Meet the newest member of our family…..

2010-08-09T13:45:00.001-07:00

She’s beautiful isn’t she. And the best thing is, I used her right out the box, with no reading. Those are the types of products I like. People like me have absolutely no patience.

I’ve been getting to know her but my excitement is causing me even more lack of sleep. I go to sleep at a decent hour but find myself thinking about embroidery LOL. So I get up at 3am or so to sew ;-) She’s inspired me to work harder and I have been putting my all into this business. Probably because she wasn’t cheap, at least not to me.

Here are some of her stitching and this is pretty basic. Once I learn more about hoop positioning I’ll be able to do so much more.

Awareness Polka dot fabric checkbook cover one of my PIF items

I made this one for display purposes. Sexygirl is now offering personalized items. This listing is for up to 3 letters.

Made for display purposes ;-)

This is the back

Black Scrolls Personalized Checkbook Cover

We can personalize up to 3 large letters in script and can also do a full name. There is a character limit die to the width of the check cover though

Oh and I’m practicing on these. We’ll be offering them soon. For adults and kids. I know I know, this isn’t Alyssa and it should be facing the other way but I was in such a hurry to get a photo and the person it was meant for was not cooperating so this was the best I could do at the moment.

She does beautiful work. I did have to get accustomed to pressing a button instead of stepping on a foot pedal. It’s so weird. Me and my old fashion machine could only look on as she worked

I’m so happy with her, at least for now. But find comfort in knowing this Brand has and excellent track record. Plus she has an excellent warranty so I’m not too afraid.

More to come soon!

Technorati Tags: checkbook covers,personalized headbands,Brother PE780,embroidery,technology,breast cancer awareness,sexygirl