Micellany Monday

Random thoughts about my first vendor event...


All of the hours and weeks of hard work preparing for my first craft show paid off! I was very doubtful leading up to the event. I wasn't sure it would be "my thing." But, it was! As with everything I do - I researched everything I could to make sure my first vendor experience was a success. I think I read for hours about booth design and the do's and don'ts of a successful show.

Here is my practice table at home in my office. I changed a few things before the actual event. Bill made me professional looking pricing signs and I ended up hanging some headbands rather than laying them on a plate. But, other than that - it stayed the same. (My sign is 24 X24 stretched canvas - perfect for hanging in my office when it's not in use).

Here is my booth - I had a very small 4X6 spot - it was perfect.

As you can see from my hat that it was a bit chilly. In fact it was about 34 degrees when we were setting up. Thank goodness for the spot in the sunshine against the building and out of the wind. So many of the vendors froze their butts off! Luckily, the weather didn't scare anyone off. It turned out that the line to get into the event went all the way down the block and around the building - it was three times as long as the event this last spring! It turned out to be a beautiful first day of fall.

Just a fraction of the line...

FYI - We used 'Square' to take credit cards and to keep track of cash and checks on the iPad. It was so slick. If you are planning on participating in a vendor event I highly recommend using Square. There are NO hidden fees! It's just 2.75% per swipe and your money is deposited the NEXT day! 

I was so tired after the event - I was asleep by 8:30pm. It was a good day.

Now, I'm gearing myself up to be energized for this coming weekend - It's the state early childhood conference - in which I am the chair of the planning committee. I am trying to psych myself up for another weekend of long days...

Enjoy your Day!

Friday Five

Please be aware of the fact that my first craft show - the junk market - is one week away. I will be writing about it. I will be sharing pictures of my first adventure into the craft show world.  :)

So, here are a couple of the things that made me a little happier this week.

one.
A couple of my favorite things - Harry Potter - Zevia - Creating. Yes, I'm a huge geek!

two.
my favorite combo for the Poppy Blossom Bags - so much so that I decided to keep this one for myself.

three.
Loving all of the Poppy Dot Bobby Pins - great hold too! I use professional bobby pins so they won't slide out!

four.
Boo! Halloween is just around the corner - can you believe it? - I love these little monsters!

five.
my favorite little guy to keep me company while working long hours - as you can see - there are going to be fun Christmas accessories too!

All I know is that the team of teachers I work with are counting down the days until I am sane again! Next weekend is the Junk Market (finally!) and the weekend after that is the State Early Childhood Conference in which I am the chair of the planning committee. Ugh. Did I also mention it's budget time? Yup. I can't wait until Oct. 1st. I'm going to do nothing all day. Wait! Isn't that a Monday? I guess I'll be working...

Enjoy your weekend!

Junk Market - Display

As I shared with you on Monday, I am 8 days away from the Junk Market. I've been busy researching everything anyone would need to know to have a successful show. I've been mildly obsessed with it. I know in my mind what I want my booth to look like. I have a 6' table under an awning. I'm starting small - this way I don't need to invest in a tent. If I don't love it - so be it. I gave it a try... although I hope to love it. I'm very proud of my work and where Poppy and Pippa has come in the past year. Again, that's from being mildly obsessed with researching successful online stores. No wonder I don't have a life. I'm too busy being obsessive.

Moving on.

Here are two of the things I purchased at Hobby Lobby today at 50% off. Woot! Woot!

This first one is a lovely bright pink jewelry holder - as you can see I'm going to use it to display headbands. I believe it was about $6.

I saw this metal bowl from across the store and it was screaming to me! I love it. I almost bought one in each color but, settled on purple. This one was $15. So worth it. 

For the show I'm not putting hair ties in here. I have way too many so they're going into a green basket. I was thinking I could put it upside down and clip clips to the outside... so many possibilities.

Finally, here is one of the headbands that will be for sale. I'm using a stainless steel "vase" with rocks in it to display the hard headbands.

I can't wait to share more with you in the next few days...

Enjoy your day!

xo

Miscellany Monday

Write Random.

This is a picture of my home office on Saturday morning. It actually looked much much worse than this by Saturday afternoon. 

As some of you may know from reading (my not-so-consistant posts) that I am going to participate in my first craft show. It's called The Junk Market.

I have been working like crazy to prepare. I am obsessively reading all I can about craft shows. Yes, craft shows. I never thought I would do that - ever. I used to call them crap shows whenever my mom would drag me to one. I guess I have a whole new outlook. I hope people don't think it's a crap show! Here are a few of the things I've found that I want to incorporate into my booth area or things that have inspired my booth.

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I really like how accessible these bobby pins are - they are easy for customers to see clearly and to remove from the ribbon for purchase. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with my bobby pins yet.

I adore this color scheme. Bright, cheerful, and welcoming. I have big plans for my booth. Huge plans...

I am going to use this idea for my business cards. I love it. It's so personal. I'm not sure how it's going to actually play out because I don't have much space so, I'm still brainstorming about this one.

The clear pricing on these products make it so easy for customers. I'm going to do something similar to this as well.

*all photos via google images

I have so many things to do for this show. I know it will work out but, until then I will frantically be creating.

Throughout the next two weeks (leading up to the show) I'll be sharing some of my products as well as the process of my booth coming together.

Enjoy Your Day!

My Favorite Things Thursday

one.
I DIE.
She's back for a fifth season. Ba-nan-as!
Read about it here.

(via)

two.

a $0.97 dress that's wedding appropriate.

from Old Navy - of course.

three.

a four day week. Yahoo!

Poppy Bloom Bag

I've been working on so many new items for Poppy and Pippa! Introducing- the Poppy Bloom Bag. It's a chic canvas bag (in two sizes) that is great for quick runs to the store or carrying this and that to and from work/school. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the new items online yet. I'm saving them for the Junk Market. If you're interested in one of the Poppy Bloom Bags let me know. I'd love to do a custom order just for you!

Enjoy your day!

Hey There!

It seems like we haven't gotten together in a while. I think it's my fault. I've been busy.

So, what's new with you? Not much new here except for the new bathroom floor! Woot! Woot! I think I've mentioned before how the previous owners felt the need to lay layer after layer of linoleum in our bathroom. And how they let the toilet leak in between the layers so the bathroom floor looked funky. Ugh. Yes, they did. We couldn't figure out why our floor looked so weird. Now we know. The floor guy said the floor wasn't damaged because the leaking was in-between the layers. Thank goodness!

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

I love it! It's like walking into someone else's bathroom...Huh? Not in a weird way or anything.

I think the next project is to paint the vanity. We'd purchase a new one but, we hope to move in the near future and just want to do some updating without putting too much money into renovations. 

Enjoy your day! I'll be sitting in a class for the next two days... I don't do well with sitting for long periods of time. It makes me tired. Yes, sitting makes me sleepy. I hope I don't yawn too much and give the impression that I'm uninterested. :)

It's only Thursday...

Random thoughts...

So, pretty much all day YESTERDAY I thought it was Thursday. I didn't realize that it was Wednesday until about 8:00 last night. Seriously disappointing. The funny thing is is that I look at a calendar and in my planner about 10,000 times a day.

I woke up this morning thinking it was Friday. Really. Apparently my brain is ready for the weekend.

Horrible dream last night -
I had been trying on clothes for what seemed like hours and this little size 0 comes breezing by me in the dressing rooms with an adorable top. I asked her where she found it and her reply was this - I'm sorry the largest size it comes in is XL and that's waaaaay tooooo small for you. But these jeans might fit you - I'll let you try them on after me. (yes, a size 0 - wishful thinking) I tried the jeans on and while pulling in on the first leg there was hope. They were going to fit! But before proceeding further I looked at the price. $458.00. I hesitated putting the other leg on and zipping them up. What if I really loved them?! I did. They were the perfect jean. I said F&@* it and took them to the counter anyway. While paying for them the lady says to me - I'm sorry you've already spent $7235.00 today and that's your limit in our store.

BAH! Really?!

Here I Am!

I've been busier than I think I've ever been in my life. I'm working on planning the ND state early childhood conference and fall enrollment as well as a bunch of other "stuff." I honestly believe that planning this conference is worse than planning a wedding. First of all, I should let you know that I don't remember planning much of my wedding because I didn't really care I just wanted to be married to Bill. So, this conference is giving me a taste of planning a wedding - without the great dress and shoes!

Not that you care but this is pretty much how last week went for me-

Meeting, meeting, meeting, panic, email, email, panic, deep breaths, meeting, meeting, planning, organizing, writing, keeping track, panic, email, email, packaging Poppy and Pippa to be sent out, creating new product for junk market, creating, creating, filling orders, work, work, work...

Not much fun. But now I'm in a good place with the conference. I think I can sit back and relax for a bit...or not...we'll see...

Fall enrollment is always fun. School starts on Sept. 4th.

I spend every free moment creating items for Poppy and Pippa. I don't want an empty table/booth at the Junk Market (which happens to be the weekend before the conference!!!). I have a callus on my knuckle from cutting so much fabric. Redonk.

I spit this post out in about 7 minutes because I have to go to work. At least I only have two meetings today...

Hope to talk to you soon!!

Fit and Fabulous

Last week we started a fitness challenge at work called :: Fit and Fabulous :: Here's how it works - we each pay $10 to participate. We have weekly weigh ins but, other than that we are on our own. Whoever loses the largest percentage of weight wins the pot!

I really need to get healthier and I could really use a couple hundred dollars so this challenge works out great for me! I don't love working out or eating right so, I'm starting with baby steps.

My goal is to choose real food. Food that doesn't come from a box or fast food restaurant.

I really struggle to eat well at work. I often don't eat during the day and if I do it's a candy bar or something from the kids' lunch. My goal is to pack my lunch every day and to include healthy snacks so there is no temptation to just "grab something" because I don't have anything healthy on hand.

Have you heard of the Bento Lunchbox movement? If you're a mom I imagine you have. If not, check out this site Bento Lunch Boxes or laptop lunches. I love the idea of having a variety of foods to eat. Not just the same old sandwich or salad or even frozen meal. Creating lunches this way will also encourage real foods. I know whole wheat tortillas and such are processed but not to the extent that Spaghetti-o's are processed. For the record - I haven't had Spagehetti-O's since I was 7 or maybe 20 when I was in college - anyway it's been a while. Now that I've got that cleared up - check out these different sites filled with Bento lunch ideas. (Most are geared to kid lunches - oh well, I happen to really like the idea).

tipjunkie.com

lunchsnackandsninner.blogspot.com

easylunchboxes.smugmug.com

http://lunchfitforakid.blogspot.com

Miscellany Monday

Write Random.

This weekend was filled with love.

Nothing better than spending the day with three wonderful ladies! We took a road trip to a former teacher's wedding. It was so much fun spending time with these gals. We haven't all worked together as a team for about five years but, when we get together it's like no time has passed at all. I guess that's what happens when you work together for eight years. I love these ladies.

They had a candy bar.

These two were made for each other. They have a perfect love. (pretend it's not blurry)

The team back together! These ladies are the best! (took only one shot and my eyes are squinty!!)

Saturday was filled with joy and reminiscing.

Sunday was filled with work...

I'm going to be a part of a Junk Market. My first "craft fair" experience. It was estimated that 3000 people attended the last one. Ahhhhh! I am so nervous. I worked about 10 hours creating more product for my table. Lots of blooms of all sizes were made. Only poked myself with a needle a handful of times. I see that as success.

Today my hands feel arthritic.

I imagine I will share the continued preparation over the coming weeks. I can't wait!

Linking up with Carissa from Lowercase Letters.

From Terrified to Satisfied

I am a busy girl lately. My to do list is a mile long but, I feel satisfied about it. Does that sound right? I feel satisfied because it means that I'm involved in life.

About eight or nine years ago I accepted that things weren't quite right with me. Actually my new (at the time) caring husband was the one to walk me through accepting that it's not ok to stay in bed and cry or to want to sleep for way more hours than is natural. He helped me understand that it's not ok to be terrified of going out the door because of anxiety that was in a sense killing me.

Bill gently talked me into getting help. I still didn't want to accept that I really had a problem. I was just going through a phase of not wanting to interact with people. Luckily, I had a wonderful nurse practitioner who along with Bill taught me that I don't have to feel this way.

I was started on some medication and talk therapy. I was afraid to tell my mom and dad because I thought they'd think I was weak for not being able to "work it out on my own." I know there are people out there that don't believe in medication. I'm not one of them. It saved my life and my brand new marriage. I finally felt... normal. I felt like I wished I had always felt like this. I could think about going out with a friend without thinking of an excuse not to go.

It didn't happen overnight. It took time. It wasn't like I was miraculously "cured." I learned that if I had a to do list I could go on. I know, weird, but it's true. I live life better if I have I know what's next. I don't have to get anxious because I am prepared.

I still have my blah days and I don't love groups of people but, for the most part I feel "normal."

My to do list is a mile long and it helps me stay motivated to live life and not to sleep all day. I am currently chair of the planning committee for the state early childhood conference, my center is going through a quality rating program, I'm president of our local preschool director's group, I have a thriving business on the side, and a wonderful husband that helps be to be who I really am.

Miscellany Monday

Randomness.

You won't hear me talk about the Olympics much.
I don't enjoy track and field, basketball, or table tennis.
But...
I think gymnasts are amazing little balancing, twirling, and tumbling geniuses.
I'm in awe of the speedy sleek swimmers and divers.
And...
I love watching the one sport that you don't really see on TV during the Olympics because it's not a "cool" sport. It's synchronized swimming. Yes, people actually still do that. I was a synchronized swimmer for eight years. I lived for it.

My DVR is set to record today.

I think syncro (as I like to call it) has changed a bit. I don't recall so many acrobatic moves. These girls are CRAZY good!

photos

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We got to go to my great aunts house this last weekend for a "family reunion." We even got a family photo taken in front of a tractor. So...fun? I mean, really!? There were a few of the cousins missing (lucky ducks!)

My cousin Amie and I. You can tell she spends waaaay more time outside than I do!

Amie's daughter CeCe wearing a Scrappy Bloom from Poppy and Pippa!

___________________________

___________________________

Linking up with Carissa for Miscellany Monday.

High Five for Friday

Five happenings from this past week.

one.

Cotton candy sky. 

two.

Someone is getting a new name badge reel!

three.

Sparkly toes and coral shoes

four.

My nephew Andy had a birthday party on Thursday night. While he was opening gifts Sophie wanted to get into the action. It was so sweet how she stood rubbing Isaac's back while watching the boys.

five.

I helped drive the boys from the birthday party to the pool. It was a gorgeous evening to relax with Sophie and my sister while the boys went down the water slides.

Linking up with Lauren.

Train

On Tuesday night our local hospital - Sanford - threw a HUGE party to celebrate the ground breaking of the largest building project in state history! Each employee was given four tickets and I was lucky enough to be asked to go with a couple of friends. So along with about 20,000 others we enjoyed a great performance by Train as well as a fabulous fireworks display. This concert/celebration/ground breaking took place in a huge field (the future spot of the new hospital).

What I Wore Wednesday

WIWW is my way of finding new ways to wear my same old clothes. It's also my way of tracking how healthy I am. For example,  I am a stress eater. Major. I'm stressed. Very.

Outfit #1
Work. It actually dropped down to 76 degrees. Brrrrr. Also, my office is freezing.

Coral Love.

Cardi - Target (new)

Polka Dot top - JCPenny (spring)

Jeans - Target

Shoes - Payless

Outfit #2

This outfit is a bit on the crazy side for me! I mixed TWO striped tops together. Striped tops with color! Last winter it was brought to my attention that I only wore black, white, and grey. I decided to change it up a bit. 

Color!!

Cardi - Old Navy (very very old)

Top - Old Navy ($2.40 clearance!!)

Jeans - Thrifted (Adriano Goldschmied - similar)

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