Katie Orse

DIY weekend crafting

This weekend I had some free time to craft for myself. Nothing for business, just for me ;) I think it's important to keep crafting for myself. It helps me to not feel burned out by business. I love sewing, but you can really get tired if you don't properly take a break.

So I made these two items:

#1 Muslin ruffles for canvas tote.

I'm going to use this for things I want to carry for church. I actually had the blank canvas tote for several months. Picked it up at my local AC Moore store and it just sat there *sigh*. Thanks to Katies Rose Cottage Design for her inspirations. I made the ruffles with left over muslin. Same with the ruffled flower. And you know what? It feels good to use all that left over fabric! I hate buying new for a simple project, and left over scraps worked perfectly.

#2 Project was this fun 5" x 8.5" carryall pouch.

I'm going to use this for receipts in my purse. Since I'm always losing receipts or misplacing them somewhere before I file it away. I could also use this as a make-up bag too. Maybe I should make another one??? Again, this was made from scraps. Love that! 

So, what did you make for yourself over the weekend? 

 

Staying Positive

Hey there! My kids are about to head back

to school in 10 days. I have mixed feelings about this.

Sad that we won't get to spend time daily hanging out, and

then happy that they will be busy with friends, school

activities and I will get a break.

But in the end, the kids grow up so fast! I have one

driving already, another about to get his driver's permit,

one who is 12 and already 5'8" tall and then

my youngest one who is losing 2 of his front teeth.

*sigh*

And with the kids heading back to school, that means more

time for sewing. I have new binder sleeves, journal

sleeves, tote bags, and some new projects to share

in my ETSY store soon. Right now, there are just a few items

left. I can't believe I sold out so many products when my

store was at Bigcartel.com.

Thank you so much for your support!

I can't wait to share more!

Oh, like the planner I've

been dreaming about. It has a lot of features that I LOVE

and know a lot of you will be using for your own organizer.

And then there's my 100 Positive Affirmation Jar.

This is similar to my 100 Positive Journaling Prompts.

I'm going to make this an inexpensive download as well.

You'll receive 100 positive affirmations

to cut up, place in your favorite

jar, and decorate with your own tags or use the one that

comes with the download. So simple!

Purchase Here Now

 

                              

 

 I hope you'll use your Positive Affirmations to 

get off to a great 2012 NEW year!

Gabby Project Bag

Would you like a sneak peek? 

 I LOVE this very stylish and simple project bag!

Pictured here is the Gabby, which will be featured in my shop soon and in other fabric designs. The cool thing about this project bag is that it's large. Sized at 16" x 16"(laying flat. With the project bag closed, it's sized at 12" x 16". 

* * * 

Be creative with what you put inside! My daughter is pictured holding a 3-ring binder and 5x8 journal inside the project bag. But you can use it for the following:

- as a travel bag

- take to the beach

- organize your car with the necessities (extra diapers, first aid kit, etc.)

- office paper work/project

- scrapbooking supplies

and more!

Tell me what you think? I'll be posting a few more handmade goodies for you in the next few days, so come back and visit me!

 

XO Hugs,

Katie

My Swatch Book

Project organization in my studio begins now! Lately I've been frustrated with myself for forgetting which fabric is what and where I purchased it. Usually I have swatches organized in a section of my business binder, but that system was lacking.

So I'm trying something new here. Found some pretty fabric scraps and canvas backing. I made a nice 6x9 swatch book and stitched cardstock right onto the fabric. Yes, I know, I stitched right on it. I think next time I may use grommets or eyelets so I can refill the cardstock. But for now I'm playing to see if this system will work. 

Now to get all my fabrics cut and labeled. 

Wish me luck!

If you sew, what have you used for organizing swatches?

My Receipt Catch-All fabric folder

Well, we did it. We made the annual visit to see our accountant. Everything turned out great for us on the tax end, but the process could have been so much easier. 

Running a business is tough. Especially on the tax end. I'm usually an organized person, but somehow last year I jumped ship. I felt as though I misplaced a few important receipts. Receipts that showed purchases that I could have added to our deductions. Have you ever done this? Even if you don't run a business, maybe you lost a receipt to that important appliance you just bought and need to bring back for a return? I am still sitting here trying to figure out where I put those TWO receipts-even if it's too late. I still would like to know. 

But like I said, I usually have my tax stuff organized. It's when I'm out shopping for supplies that I forget. I previously used envelopes or small plastic coupon carryalls, but they were to bulky, and envelopes would tear. So, I thought if I could create something pretty I would remember and can easily fold or tuck into my purse. Right? Maybe?

So, here's my sample.

What do you think? It measures approx. 8x10". I'm playing around with creating pockets and seams that I like-so fun! This one has the pen pocket in the front. What's nice about this is that it folds in half and more. I also put my Paypal shipping receipts in this as well. Very handy for desk use.

The closure is a simple velcro attachment I sewed into place. 

I chose velcro instead of buttons or elastics because... well...basically I'm a little lazy. Ha! Ha! To much work for me. Of course I had to add a ruffled flower embellishment. That wasn't work for me. The canvas material I used was scrap left over. Nothing fancy...for now :)

How am I going to use this? When I'm out shopping for supplies, all I need to do is place my receipts right away into this folder. Then, when I get home or when I have time, I'll sort through them and file away. I'll have to show you my file box for this later on. THAT is my home base file box for 2011.

So what do you think? Let me know. I'd love to hear how you organize your receipts.

Handbag I made.

 

Sorry for the sloppy photo, but I was in a hurry and being rushed to go out on a lunch date with my husband :) Hopefully you'll have an idea. But here it is. I did it. This was my first bag I made using one of Amy Butler's gorgeous fabric. I think it's retired now, but I had the fabric in my stash for the longest time. I also had the pattern for the longest time and never got to use it until now! This is what happens when you impulse buy and forget that you bought it. Can you believe that? 

So this is what started it. There's a sewing center in my area that I visit to buy fabric from and in their classroom side they had a bag that was similar to this one. But it was huge! More like a travel bag. The store was offering lessons to make this bag, but I didn't have time for it and I really wanted to learn too. So, I purchased the small-version pattern and thought I could make it on my own. 

Ha! I wish I had taken the class. It was a bit of a nightmare to finish on my own. I'm used to making simple rectangle tote bags and this one had angles and what not. Boy did I get stuck here and there. But I asked around for help and this is the final product. I'm thinking about listing it in my store. What do you think? I love it so much!

 

 

My Shop Update + more

Lots of new projects underway for my shop and I can't wait to share them with you. For now, here's a little sample. 

This little adorable notebook measures 4"x6" and perfect for taking along. All my notebook sleeves have natural organic batting that I personally feel gives extra durability to my books. The charm just adds a touch of whimsy that I also love! This little gem is not featured in my shop...yet, but coming REAL soon!

I'm also currently looking for outsourcing and manufacturing resources. It's a lot of work but I'm motivated and excited to see the end results. I'm coordinating with potential buyers and media marketing too. It's bringing back old-school business lessons for me. I'm learning a lot on the way and trying to be careful. So there you go! So much going on in my life. 

Busy is good, but taking breaks is even better! It helps to have a lot of chocolate and yummy desserts on hand too!

My Sewing To-Do Box

Okay, this may sound odd for some of you, but I organize my work into groups. Let me explain. When I worked as an accountant, my supervisor had me organize incoming invoices and outgoing invoices in boxes. They were basically office trays. I had two of those on my desk and every day she would walk by and toss in the company bills into my inbox. When I paid the company bills, I had to move them to the outbox and take them for data entry into our computer. Once those were entered, I filed them away. Hang in there, it gets better.

So, about a month ago, I got this idea of using those same inbox/outbox method for my sewing business. I already did it for my scrapbooking business, but it took awhile for the light to come on for sewing.

Anyways, I made an inbox for all my pre-cut fabric and batting. Ready to put together.

 

 The box I got at Target in the Itso department. They have various sizes and colors now too. You can find them in the organizing and plastic bin section at any Target. I think the white may be discontinued, but they have a clear white tray that you can use. The size is about 13x13 and perfect for my scrapbooking papers. See what I mean...why didn't I see this use for my ongoing fabric projects? 

So this is basically what  I do. I cut my fabric all at once. Then, I cut the batting to size as well, all at once. Last, I pin my fabric and batting pieces together, ready to sew. 

Once I'm finished with my notebook sleeve, I fit them into each book and place them in the outbox. This is where they wait.

When my sewing inbox is completely empty, then I move the books that were in the outbox, back to the inbox. Have I lost anyone here yet?

Now, my inbox is filled with completed notebooks and sleeves, except they are now ready for decorating and designing. That's where I begin to look at each book and go by the flow. I'll use embellishments or maybe not even a thing. But once the decorating and embellising is complete, they get moved to the outbox for final inspection and out to ship.

Sound complicated? Well, it may to you or may not, but it's a system that works for me. It actually gets my work production going because I like to see that inbox/outbox empty. 

Hopefully I'll get to share some more organizing ideas with you at a later date. Have a great weekend!

Katie

Fabric organization

 

Photo credit

I'm in love with these colors right now. I love that they are bright and cheerful colors. My other favorite color is green, and it's more like an olive green color. Very warm and relaxing. So, you can say that I pick the colors that fit my mood. One day it might be bright and cheerful, the next it might be warm and relaxed. 

Besides color, I'm also interested in organization. So far what I've been using for fabric organization is my ikea expedit shelves. I know that I'll probably run out of room. My expedit unit is storing a lot of my other craft items too. Like the scrapbooking and cardmaking items I have, plus, now that I have this sewing business, I created a section for threads, bobbins, fabric, and other useful tools that I need. 

I'm also finding out that it's really difficult to keep three areas cleaned and organized. Right now there is my computer/writing area, then scrapbooking/craft area, and finally my sewing area. The sewing seems to take up a lot of room (iron, cutting mat, sewing machines- I have two I'm currently using, and my serger. I wish I had more space in my work area, such as like the one pictured below.

 

Photo credit

 Awesome organization method that is quite frankly simple. One end of the table is computer work, the other is sewing. How's that for a possible inspiration for my next craft room? I'd love to utilize all the space I can get and fit in. Until then, I'll keep gathering my inspirational photos and dream away...