Words to Live By

In the interest of honesty, I have never been so happy to see a year come to a close as I was with 2011. As we rang in 2012 yesterday, I felt a sense of joy for the year ahead and relief that the past is behind me. I have great things planned for Sister Sue Designs this year and look forward to sharing them with all of you! I came across this quote on Pinterest the other day. I have always loved it and when I think about all of the 'creative' time I spend in my studio - it seems to fit me quite well! Happy New Year friends, 2012 is going to be GREAT!

Source: 221vision.com via Wildwood Creek on Pinterest

Who am I?

Oh, yeah, I have a blog!

Hmmff.

I am admittedly not good at blogging. I have vowed before that I am going to be better. But...{this time} I am really going to do it. It will come in the form of little posts, short snippets, and maybe just pictures of new creations from my studio.

There is an incentive for all of you to hold me to it. A little thank you, in the form of a coupon code to use in my Etsy shop, Sister Sue Designs. If you look to the sidebar {on the left side} there is a new little 'coupon code' box where I will host sales...just for my readers. The only thing I ask in return is that you 'follow' my blog, so we can be friends...m'kay? This code {BLOGRDR11} will save you 15% on your total purchase!

Speaking of 'following.' You will also notice that me and all my tech savvy finally figured out how to add widgets for you to easily follow Sister Sue Designs on Facebook and Twitter. But, that has used up most of my knowledge when it comes to this computer stuff.

Hmmff.


So, here is to a new beginning {let's pretend we are raising our glasses} of my blogging endevour! Let me tell you a little about me and who I am.

I love fabric. I love to sew. I love color. I love black & white. I love the unexpected. I love handmade. I love simple. I love complicated. I love the expected. I love inspiration. I love useful. I love people. I love original. I love to be original. I love twitter. I love music. I love my family. I love to love.

I am a mom. I am a wife. I am happy when I am sewing. I am in love. I am a nurse by day. I am a sewing superhero by night. I am a hard worker. I am organized. I am modern. I am free. I am inspired by my kids & their friends. I am complicated. I am simple.

I am Jen.
I am Sister Sue Designs.

Now it is your turn. Leave me a comment and tell me something about you...m'kay?

Ruffled Burps©

A new idea that I just had to put into action.

Isn't it so girly!? I just love the way these turned out!

I would love to hear what you think. These are not in my shop yet, but these specific fabrics are being saved for a {VERY} special project and a {VERY} big announcement that I will share in a few weeks. Sheesh...I hate keeping secrets. It's sooooo hard, so don't tempt me, m'kay? But do leave me a comment and tell me what you think of the Ruffled Burps©

For now, forget the secret and just enjoy looking at the ruffles and thinking of who you will {NEED} to buy them for.

Oh, and there is a boy version coming {VERY} soon! And it is not ruffled, but something just at cool.

XOXO

 

You Capture {Quiet}

Quiet eludes me these days. We have a new puppy {Moxie} and when it gets quiet, it is not good. Just like when my kids were toddlers. Quiet = trouble.

Oh, and it is Spring Break for my kids. There will be no quiet around here for awhile!

You Capture {Hopeful}

 

My little A.J. has been {sick} this week. I had to take him in the car to pick his sister up from school and take her to piano lessons. I had a momentary {freak out} when I looked in my rear view mirror and he wasn't in his seat...or so I thought. The big 5 year old who doesn't take a nap anymore had finally succumbed to not feeling well. Doesn't he look uncomfortable? I am {HOPEFUL} that he will be back to his sweet, healthy, self soon.

Join the You Capture fun over here on Beth's blog.

You Capture

Ok, so I am not a great photographer. But, I really want to be. I would even settle for good. My friend Beth {uh, huh...she's my friend} at I Should Be Folding Laundry hosts 'You Capture' every week on her blog. For the past year, I have looked at the pictures, drooled over everyone's pictures, and thought *I should participate* in that fun project.

Yeah, I said for the past year.

So, last night, my cousin (@mags1978) tweeted me and said "is @foldinglaundry someone you know? Want to do her You Capture project on my blog." Gah. If that wasn't a sign....well then I don't know what is!? My reply, you ask? "Yes! She is! If you do it, then I'll do it." Deal.

So, here it is.

The subject this week is {Shapes}. Yay! I picked an easy week to start....

 

This is one of my {favorite} necklaces. Love the shapes and the sentiment. Simple.

 

So many shapes! I just {love} buttons.

 

*Sigh* I just can't get enough, or have too many!

I survived my first week of You Capture! I feel such a sense of accomplishment...and {relief}. Can't wait until next week! Go ahead, play with us {don't wait a year}.

Thanks, Beth. Thanks, Mel (your turn). Mmmm' wah! to you both.

Winner!

I am excited to announce the winner of the Lovey Blanket giveaway! Random.org generated the winning number.... {AND}

Amanda - {YOU WIN!!} a Turtle Bay Lovey Blanket

I will email you to find out where to send your new Lovey. Thanks so much to everyone that entered the giveaway! It is fun to have new friends and followers; I {WILL} host another giveaway soon so be sure to check back, and follow me on Twitter and join our Facebook Fan Page for special opportunities and announcements. Spring clothing designs coming {SOON}...

Thanks for playing...m'wah!

In my studio

I have been longing for Spring ever since winter started. Winters in the midwest are usually hard, but this year has been {SO} hard and {SO} dreadful. Maybe it just feels that way because I am getting older and less tolerable of such things. But, it makes me smile to see Spring items showing up in the stores because it gives me hope that this awful winter will not last forever! To help me overcome my winter blues, I have started buying Spring fabrics. I don't know why, but this makes me happy. The colors and patterns make my heart leap! So, here is a peek at what I have been cutting and sewing in my studio....

For a darling little girl to run around in, check out these yummy britches.

 

  

**Sigh** I am in love with these. Don't the birds and flowers just {SCREAM} Spring? And for the wee little ones, what do you think of these?

 

 

On my cutting table is a sweet little applique to go on shirts that will match. *Pitter, patter* Did your heart skip a beat too? They should be in my shop at the end of the week for you to buy and share in my love for Spring! I have some awesome fans on my Facebook fan page that are going to test them for me. If you are not a fan yet, {RUN} over there now and sign up so you can get free stuff and awesome opportunities too!

Here are some {NEW} bibs that I have cut and will be adding to the shop soon. The colors are just {FULL} of awesomeness - but you will have to wait to see the finished products. You do not need to adjust your screen, the fabrics are right sides together so you are looking at the wrong side.

Last but not least, I am so excited to be involved with a fabulous online baby shower next month for a friend that I have only met online. Her name is Beth and she writes this awesome blog about life, love, loss and everything else. I am honored to call her my friend and can't wait to meet her beautiful boy. Her friend Steph is hosting the online baby shower over here on her blog and was nice enough to include me. Check them out, you will be jealous of my new friends...but they would probably like you too.

Love is in the air {and a giveaway}

With Valentine's Day just around the corner {tomorrow}, I am feeling loving and generous! I have been sick for the past few days, but finally gave in and went to the doctor yesterday. Ah, the power of medicine. I woke up feeling better and looking forward my Valentine's date tonight with my husband. So, I thought I'd share the {LOVE} with you too.

Here's the scoop on the giveaway. Our Lovey Blankets are becoming a fast favorite from Sister Sue Designs. Since I love my customers and followers and Facebook fans, I want a Lovey Blanket to become a favorite of the little person in your life!

This blanket will be a first {LOVE} for your baby or toddler! Made to be the perfect size for a little one to carry around or take in the car or stroller. It is beautiful and snuggle soft. Some customers have said they find it the perfect size to throw over their shoulder for baby to rest their head on, or perfectly soft for a changing pad when on the go. A variety of uses....

Made of high quality 100% cotton fabrics on one side and soft ribbed Minky fabric on the other. Warm, 100% bamboo batting in the middle. Why bamboo? It is a natural, recurring resource that is absorbant, antimicrobial and breathable. Simply perfect.

Sure to be a life long favorite for your little one or the perfect gift! Measures approximately 17" x 13".

This is how the {GIVEAWAY} will work:

Mandatory Entry: Visit Sister Sue Designs and comment on the {LOVEY} you have your eye on.

Extra: must do mandatory entry to qualify!

1. Follow the blog - 1 extra
2. Suggest an item you would like to see Sister Sue Designs offer- 1 extra
   
3. Follow on Twitter @Jen_SisterSue with a link back to this post. -1 extra per day you tweet- Leave url in comment or I will delete!
   
4. FB fan (search Sister Sue Designs)-1 extra
5. FB Sister Sue Designs- 1 extra

This is going to be fun! Thanks in advance for the {LOVE}.

Contest Ends Feb.24, 2010 at 11:59pm Central.

Winner chosen via Random.org

Winner has 48hrs to respond to email

OPEN US ONLY Must be 18+ to enter
Leave valid email address in comment.

New year. New beginning (again).

One of my New Year's resolutions is to blog MORE. Yes, you heard it here first folks - so you have to hold me to it! There were lots of times this past year that I would think about sharing an idea, or hosting a giveaway but then this little (okay, BIG) thing called {life} got in the way.

2010 is going to be a different year in our household. My baby will start kindergarten in the fall! So while this big milestone of my baby boy flying away from the nest will be met with a little sadness, it will also allow Sister Sue Designs to blossom even more! I have SO MANY ideas and designs that I have quickly sketched on scraps of paper and made note about in my studio. They are ready to come to {life} in a BIG way.

In the coming year, you can expect new products, new fabrics, original designs, some giveaways, and LOTS of growth! The past 6 months that I was A-wall from this blog were filled with becoming celebrity baby gifts, becoming a local presence in childrens boutiques, expanding to international markets (Australia, Ireland, and England), and SEWING my fingers off! So, bear with me as I embark on this new journey of blogging more. I will keep posting in 2010, as long as you promise to keep reading {and leave comments, m'kay?}....

There are lots of ways to keep up with me!

Twitter: Jen_SisterSue

Facebook: Become a fan of Sister Sue Designs on our fan page. Just search Sister Sue Designs.

And of course this blog.

I'll be back again soon {promise}....

Look! They are FINALLY in the shop!

I know, I know. I keep promising to list the new dresses in the shop, and then I go and take a break from blogging that is WAY too long! Eeeeek. But, they are finally listed in the shop. So, go take a look. I have been sewing like a mad woman; 6 dresses this week!

Go look here! (please.)

Sunshine and Seashells

Today, I am taking a break. A well deserved break. School is out for summer, my 2 year reign as PTA President has ended, and Sister Sue Designs is off and running after it's first year! What better time to take a vacation? Before all of our summer commitments get underway, we took off for the sunshine and seashells of Sanibel Island, FL. If you've never been here, you must visit soon.

Our family loves this place. It has a wonderful "small town" feel. There is no McDonalds, you support the local economy dining at wonderful family owned eateries and shopping at lovely local shops. There are more seashells on the white sand beaches than I can begin to describe. Really, it's heaven.

When I return home, Sister Sue Designs will debut at a very unique shop. It is Emily's flowers in Leawood, KS. Not just any flower shop. Emily is so talented and her flower designs are truly a piece of art! She carries other gifts in her shop; all very unique and lots of small business owners. Some of our items will carry over next door to Trendz Market, also a unique shopping experience. So, if you are local; go shop there. But not 'til next week, when my stuff arrives! OK?

Please.

and thank you.

Last, but not least, the Shelbie Sundress and Modern Megan Frock will be listed in the shop. Finally. Just wanted to wait until I returned from vacation; as I have high hopes that I will be busy making lots of these dresses!! So, spread the word....

Perfect pair

Today, I had a nice overcast day to shoot some pictures of more Shelbie Sundresses. When I look at this picture, it's as if I almost see two little girls with their arms around each other. The perfect pair. They just look so happy together, hanging there in the late spring breeze.

More to sew. Can't wait to launch them in the shop.

The face behind the name....

Meet Shelbie, the face behind the Shelbie Sundress. Isn't she a doll?! She is wearing one of the sundresses that I have been BUSY sewing these days. This prototype happens to be a tad long on her, but I have seen her in it in person - she's yummy in it. In later edits of the dress, I have shortened it up to be a few inches below the knee. More of a "tea length" sundress.

For those of you who have inquired, the dress is coming soon! Keep checking back for more cute clothes in the works...

Sew much to do.

Ok, so I have had one of the best days ever. Really. It all started when I dropped my son off at preschool this morning, with test dress #2 for a classmate's little sister. It is the same design as the dress pictured here, but in glorious pink fabrics by Amy Butler and Anna Maria Horner. My friend Amie was so excited, she immediately dressed little Shelbie - and it was SO CUTE. I had 3 people ask to order dresses. I haven't even listed them in the shop yet! Can you feel me *smiling*?

The blue dress is being tested and modeled by Jamaya, my other friend (and amazing hairdresser) Amy's beautiful daughter. Wow. Look at that pout. She is destined for the runway! This dress is going to be great for spring and summer. It is elastic around the chest, with adjustable straps that tie in a bow in back. Complete with ruffle at the bottom for that added "girly" touch.

The other exciting pieces of news fit nicely together! Today, I met with a local retailer about selling Sister Sue Design items in her shop - and she loved my stuff! *Sigh* Sometimes I feel so lucky. Our goal is to have inventory in the store June 1. Anyway, the Kansas City Star Magazine had contacted me about featuring Sister Sue in an article once I had a local presence. SO, guess what?! We're going to be in the paper! Not sure when, but I'll keep you posted.

Ahhh....I'm *smiling* again.

Let me know what you think of the dress. I'm hoping to get a few more done this week and posted in my shop. I'm off to sew....

A place to lay your head

I feel as though I am always looking for a unique and different gift idea for my kids to give at birthday parties. One of our all time favorites is to give a pillowcase. Not your run of the mill, plain jane pillowcase - but a KIDcase PILLOWcase from Sister Sue Designs! Kids LOVE them because they are bright and fun; parents LOVE them because it is a practical gift with a twist! We generally give them paired with a book, so kids can kick back and relax. I LOVE to give books, as we are big readers at our house!

There are so many occasions you could gift a KIDcase PILLOWcase! Celebrate birthdays, accomplishments, vacations, sleepovers, transition to a "big bed" or make a hospital stay special and memorable. I am sure you can think of other great ways to give one! Boys and girls alike love to receive them. This weekend, I made 7 of them to fill local orders! Whew! Happy moms everywhere as kids want to chill out and read a book - maybe they will sneak in a nap too! Always good when the kids want to LAY DOWN and be quiet; or look forward to going to bed.

So, try one - your kids will LOVE them!

Hollywood, here we come...

I received this photo today from Style Cafe Moms that our Original Diaper Tote and Cloth Play Blocks have been packaged into the gift basket for Rebecca Romijn's twins! Can you spot the Sister Sue items? I feel like they got such a prominent place, smack in the middle of the picture! They also included a press release that will be sent out as well.
I am so excited, and can't wait to hear any feedback they receive from Rebecca and Jerry. Coming up next should be the photo and press release for Gwen Stefani's swag for her son Zuma. Oh, I am smiling! ....movie stars, swimming pools....

Sweet mother of mine...

Today is my mom's 61st birthday. Happy Birthday, mom! I am so grateful to my mom for more things than I could ever list here. But, without her, I would not have learned to sew; nor would I have started Sister Sue Designs. She is my best friend, my rock and support, and one of the most beautiful people I know - inside and out! I can only hope that I have enough of her genes, to age as gracefully as she has!

My daughter and I made this sweet pincushion for her birthday. Isn't it just yummy looking?! A very easy pattern by Cindy Taylor Oates. I highly recommend making these for anyone who loves to sew.

Happy Birthday, mom! Here's to many more cupcakes....

Houston, we have a problem...

Just to "keep it real" following my post that introduced all of you to my work space. I promised you it doesn't always look that clean. I didn't lie.

As you can see, my son's "space guys and space monkeys" have landed in my studio. Not to be outdone, my daughter's horse stable has also set up camp. It is starting to feel smaller in my studio as the toys migrate to where I am. *Sigh*

I tell myself to step over the horses and astronauts, and remember that before I know it the toys won't be there. Before I know it, my kids will be grown and I will long for them to play in my studio. I will want to step over their toys and not just my own mess.

So, really, it isn't always clean. *Laugh* The funny thing is that I seem to thrive in clutter! I was so productive this weekend as I worked around the toy obstacle.

Like I said, just keeping it real.

New look

I am so excited to unveil my "new look" to all of you! As my business has grown over the past year, it was time for my image to grow also. Maybe "grow up" is a better way to say it. In the beginning of Sister Sue, I loved the flower. But it was time to lose it and find my own identity. My good friend Beth, at Ruby & Roja, designed my new Sister Sue logo (she also designed my blog. Love it. Keepin' the flower here). Don't you love the font that looks like I sewed it? *Sigh* Love at first sight.

Next step was to take my new logo to my local MO girl, Julie, of Stockwell Designs. Folks, she does incredible work! Just look at it, that is my business card! So, for all of my Etsy friends looking for help with their look, she's your magician. I told her thoughts I had and what I definitely didn't want; and she made it very difficult to narrow down my options! She is the Art Director, Creative Designs at a big company; but is spinning up her own company on the side. She doesn't have her own website yet, but if you are interested in her contact info, let me know. She also designed awesome stickers, tags, and letterhead. I have letterhead! So, someone request that I send you and letter, m'kay? Then order something from my shop, so that I can send you something with a sticker on the box and a lovely new tag. I love stickers. Guess I'll eternally be a 6 yr. old sticker collector.

So, go now and check out the new look at my shop (Julie designed my banner too)! Go. Now. Please....

Isn't it divine? *Sigh. LOVE.