Clippies

I received my new shipment of double pronged alligator clips in the mail this past week so I got started on a new fresh batch!  I found a new supplier and these clips are "salon professional grade" and are a bit higher quality.  I want to be sure that what I make will last and work well.  I also heat-seal all the ends of the ribbon - no fraying here.  I will also provide non-slip grip upon request, but I have found that with the better quality clip the grip really isn't necessary - they provide a nice snug fit!  Tonight's batch I had a big emphasis on some tiny gems...I had originally purchased them when I was doing my gel nail business, and these leftovers provide a super-cute accent on the clippies.  I haven't taken any pics of my latest and greatest as I am busy working on things for the table at the kids flea market.  I'll try to take some soon and get them up.  The tiny gems are time-consuming to glue, but they are worth it.  I am a bit of a perfectionist but I have fun with these things.  I had a great time for my close friend's wedding last September when I hand glued tiny gems onto each first and last name on the placecards I created for her reception tables.  That is another business I would love to get into, but one thing at a time :) 

I still have a lot to do to get ready for the sale (and in the business start-up in general).  But, I'll work with what I get done and lots more time in the future for new products/designs, etc.  I have an etsy shop on hold until I get a few things ahead...but will let you know when it is up and running!  Lots of wonderful things to come!!!

Ribbon Addict

Well, I think I am officially addicted to ribbon!  If I had enough hours in a day to myself to create I think I would be beside myself with happiness!  I have a bunch of wonderful new patterned grosgrain ribbons coming, and I cannot wait to make some new clips with them!  Tonight I made some that have little cute bugs, ice cream/popsicles, "big sister", a fuzzy black/white animal print (cow maybe?), and a purple/black zebra pattern.  I also have some ladybugs, cupcakes and more to work with and the ones I ordered are also some cute patterns...My little sweetiebug is going to have clippies for life!  And, for my wonderful friends....just guess what your little ones will be getting for their birthdays/Christmas! lol!

Wow!

I have been finishing off lots of clips and barettes that I had started and wow!  are there ever a lot of them!  It has been a lot of work preparing an inventory for samples and for the upcoming kids flea market on May 7th.  I have way more ideas than time at the moment and am finding that frustrating, but will get it all done a little bit at a time :)   I want to do some super colorful rainbow tutus and also some that incorporate black.  Am still awaiting shipments for pacifier/toy clips, more tutu colors, more hair clips...  Have yet to begin the taggie blankets and other projects!  I am super excited for all that is to come! 

My little sweetie bug modelled a tutu for me this weekend and it was just too cute!  Had some beautiful 18C weather and took advantage by getting outside and snapping some shots of her!  I was in a bit of a hurry to get outside and take the photos, so this headband is not one of my creations, but it does match pretty well!  I call this tutu "fluffy chick" so it was perfect for Easter! 

I am going to work on getting some shots taken of some other "models" for my creations in the next while.  I have had some wonderful friends offer up their children for me to use for models and as the weather warms up I will have to do some photo shoots!  I need more time to figure out all the features on my camera and editing software!  I'm getting there slowly! 

Well, that's it for now...just wanted to post that I am working on lots more items and selection and am constantly creating or brainstorming new creations :)  Stay tuned for many more fun items in the near future!

Technical Difficulties

Something is up with our internet explorer...things are coming up funny and then when I try to do a blog post none of the text shows up...so, I'll see what happens here....

I've been working on a few things, but am still waiting for a couple of elusive shipments of tulle and ribbon and some other goodies.  Also just ordered some more shimmer tulle...think I will make more shimmer tutus because the turn out so pretty!  I spent the morning this morning sorting out my crafting area...Sweetie Bug's bedroom is what used to be my office, so I am now confined to a corner of the dining room!  I think I've now got it all sorted :)

I want to make birthday parties a bit of a specialty so I am going to make favour packages...8 hair clippies for $10.00 (all of same pattern/colour) and also 6 fairy wands for $22.00.  I will work on some more things as well, but that is where I will begin.  I am waiting for my new cricut cartridge to work on a banner for when I do craft shows and I would also like to do a sample Happy Birthday banner as well.  I am trying to continually grow and expand without branching off too far and doing too many things.

I am also offering a $10.00 gift certificate on a giveaway at Mommies Who Love Freebies.  There are all kinds of goodies to be found there, so you may want to head on over and check it out...let them know that Sweetie Bug Creations sent you!

Well, that is all for now.  I'm off to work on a few things :)

Fun....

Shopping :)

I love shopping for fresh supplies...currently that consists of a lot of ribbon!  I am having fun coming up with new ideas and colour combinations.  Will be making some new corker clippies today if Miss Sweetie Bug lets me and will also be making some new satin roses.  Once I drop the boys off at school I think I will stop by the craft store to buy a couple of items.  I am still waiting for a couple orders of tulle and other supplies from online - one I need to make a custom order and also to work on my new colour combinations!  I am going to have a table for the 2nd Annual Spring Kids Flea Market so I need to have a few samples of my tutus as well as some wares for sale.  I also want to make a photo gallery of my creations - a collection of my own colour/style combinations, as well as all of the options for custom tutu orders.  I purchased a few more supplies yesterday for my headbands and made a couple more satin roses.  I was pretty stoked about a couple cute ones made out of glittery polka dot satin ribbon - can't show you yet as I haven't taken any pictures...but they've got me wondering what other neat designs I can use for a cute effect!  I think Miss Sweetie Bug and I will do a teeny bit of crafty shopping and some grocery shopping after we drop her brothers off at school this morning...gotta get it done while I can...much easier to take one child shopping than three! 

Handmade Satin Roses

New today, I am handcrafting satin roses. They are a lot of fun to create and look great in hair or on a tutu (or headband!) I will be adding lots of colour selections and will custom make in any colour as long as I can find it for you. These are mounted onto an alligator clip and come in sizes 1.75" (Medium) and 1.25" (Small). I will be working on size large as well, once my headband and hairband supplies come in the mail. The Medium are mounted on an unlined clip, but can be lined upon request. The small come on a matching ribbon (or coordinating ribbon) lined clip as the rose is slightly smaller than the clip and it just looks nicer that way! I'm a bit of a perfectionist :) Medium on unlined clip is $3.00 and Small on a lined clip is also $3.00. These look amazing in hair and would be wonderful for matching mother/daughter or sisters and for Easter photos. Our facebook page shows the colours currently in stock. I could make these all day long (if Sweetie Bug would let me) because they really are fun to make! If you want a custom tutu and to have these permanently affixed then I would charge $2.50 per rose...really adds a nice finishing touch. We also have in some pastel glitter butterflies that are wonderful for hair/tutus/headbands. I can't wait for Sweetie Bug to have just a little big more hair, though her little tuft at the back is sure cute!

So Many Ideas!!!

Oooohhh! I just have so many tutu and hair accessory ideas rattling around in my head right now! I have ordered so many supplies that I am just waiting on so that I can get creating! Lots of new ribbon choices, tulle, gems, and other goodies! Can you tell I am excited? It truly is a passion of mine! I have many ideas for other items as well...thinking of items for boys. As a mother of 2 boys I can really appreciate that there just isn't the selection of cute items out there for them. While boys don't require quite the "accessorizing" that girls can, it would still be nice to find more items for boys!

I went to the Babies In Bloom baby fair today and had some fun! There were some interesting booths set up and a couple were my favourites. I purchased a Mommy Jewel's nursing necklace, which is something I have been wanting for awhile. Sweetie Bug likes to scratch at her head while nursing and I need something to distract her. I'm hoping that this necklace will do the trick. I purchased the "granite" style pictured to the left and I love it! I really recommend these!

The other item I purchased was a fuzzibunz one-sized pocket diaper from Booty Boutique...I have one other of these and they are so soft and cute that I couldn't resist another. Cloth diapering is becoming an obsession! I wish I had discovered it with my first child!

Well, off to bed for some more creating!!!

Newborn Photo Prop Tutus!

Here is Sweetie Bug in one of my photo-prop tutus that I make for newborns. These really add a cute touch to a newborn photoshoot! The newborn tutus I make on ribbon so that they can be tied rather than an elastic waist. This makes it easy to simply drape them over a sleeping infant or to simply tuck in around them in any position they are in. These tutus are 6" in length with a waist of about 15" - again tied onto ribbon rather than elastic. The cost for these tutus is $10 (shipping extra). The waist is not wrapped in satin ribbon but it can be added for an additional $1. Sweetie Bug was having a great time playing with the tulle!

To order in the colour of your choice email sweetiebugcreations@gmail.com

Cloth Diapering Passion!

(Please note:my hand is hovering just out of frame to catch this little sweetie bug in case she rolls, she hasn't learned that yet as she is only 3 months, but we can never be too careful) A look at part of my fluff stash of cloth diapers!

A topic completely unrelated to my crafting or Sweetie Bug Creations is cloth diapering...something I've really gotten into over the past 3 months. Although this is my 3rd child, she is the first that I have cloth diapered. I was extremely apprehensive about it and assumed (incorrectly) that it would be difficult and time consuming. I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only is it easy - it is also actually fun! It's fun to collect a stash of all of the cute different covers that are out there. I am on a fairly tight budget so I am primarily using prefolds and covers, but I have been able to snap a few pocket diapers and some fitteds. I am using several different brands including Thirsties, Bummies, G-Diapers, Fuzzibunz and Ecobumz. I have found all of them to be wonderful! I use a wet bucket method - a flip-lid garbarge can from Walmart filled with 6-12" of water (so that the first day's worth of diapers get a good soaking before I launder every 2-3 days). Then I can remove the plastic tub of the garbage can and tip right into the washer without having to touch anything nasty! A rinse cycle, a hot whites cycle with a tiny bit of Tide Free and Clear and then an additional rinse cycle are all it takes. They also only take about 5 mintues to fold and put away! A breeze! I don't really know why I was so intimidated but I am very glad that I decided to change from disposable diapering. I am saving a lot of money and maybe doing some good for the environment as well. I encourage others to give it a shot.

I came across this article today http://clothdiapers.blogspot.com/2011/04/almost-free-diapers-how-to-diaper-your.html that gives several options for cloth diapering for super cheap (like $20!).

Also, if you have a bit more of a budget you can sometimes snag wonderful cloth diapers on the one-a-day deal sites such as www.babyhalfoff.com, www.babysteals.com and www.mamabargains.com - I also got several very gently used on a local online classified site.