Back from Craft Show!

I had SO much fun at the craft show last weekend! Unfortunately, it didn't go as well, business-wise (so look for tons of new stuff in my Etsy shop *wink wink*)... but it was still a blast!

Here are a couple pictures:

I ended up selling 2 loveys, 8 burp cloths, and 5 bibs. But like I said, I'm working on getting it all up in my Etsy shop, so hopefully with holidays coming, my sales will pick up. In the meantime, I have quite a few custom orders to work on, mostly felt food. I'm looking foward to it though! Sorry so short, but I gotta run. Off to read a story in attempts to calm the Littles down enough for bedtime. Happy Harvest everyone!

DIY Banner!

I wanted a small banner to use at my upcoming craft show. However, the vinyl ones were so expensive. I was looking at a minimum of $25 (+ shipping), and that's plain, black font on a white background. And once you got into customization, the prices skyrocketed from there. So, I decided to make my own.

Start with a half a yard of cotton fabric. I found this cute daisy print in the perfect colors (almost matching the virtual banner in my shop!). I trimmed it a bit lengthwise, and hemmed the edges. The finished size was 36" x 15".

Iron it flat, and using a yardstick and pencil, trace a few lines to keep everything straight and uniform. Also, decide what you want to write/draw. (I printed off my name in my favorite font to use as a guide.)

Again, in pencil, sketch out your design. Keep it on the simple side; you don't want your banner to be overwhelming and hard to read. However, feel free to be as creative as you want! (Don't look at my banner for inspiration- I'm a horrible artist, LOL!)

Next, fill it your design. I used regular acrylic paint, since this isn't something I'll be washing, or even using, frequently. (Note: it's easier to do this without 2 toddlers running around. Of course, today had to be the day they decided to skip naptime. *sigh*)

Ta-da! Your very own, completely customized, DIY banner! And for only a fraction of the cost. (The fabric cost me less than $2. A bottle of acrylic paint was $0.50, and I already had the brushes in my drawer.) While it did take me a few hours, I think it turned out very well, and I can't wait to hang it* on my table next weekend!

* I plan on using safety pins to discreetly pin it to the tablecloth in front of the table. You could also add small grommets on the corners to hang it above your table.

Less than two weeks...

... until my first craft show! I'm so excited! For those in the Roanoke area, I'd LOVE it if you wanted to stop by. It's Saturday, November 17th, at Oak Grove Elementary School, from 9am until 3pm. In the meantime, I have so much to do to get ready:

• Finish painting my banner
• Print out hang tags for everything
• Arrange for my sister to come and help
• Bug Thomas to build me a small shelf for my table
• Figure out how to arrange my table
• And most importantly, keep sewing my bum off to build stock to take with me!

I currently have to take: 8 bibs, 6 burp cloths, 7 cloth wipe sets, 5 Loopy Loveys, and 1 rag quilt. (Subject to change as they are still available in my shop for sale...). My goal is to take 10 bibs, 15 burp cloths, 10 cloth wipe sets, 15 Loopy Loveys and 3 rag quilts. So, I have quite a bit to do in the two weeks.

Unfortunately, we've all be sick with a cold the past few days, so I haven't done diddly squat. Mostly we've all been snuggling up together under a blanket, and watching TV. They seem a bit perkier this morning, so hopefully I can get back to work this afternoon.