Tutor Time Show

A week or so ago now, we were able to do another small show. Different kind of set-up this time and we weren't quite sure what we were going to be faced with once we got there, so prep was a little nerve-wracking, but I think it turned out nicely.

We were able to take our full line with us this time, so we had all kinds of goodies.

We had all of the aprons and bags and wall plaques from last time, plus we were able to take the bunting. I wish there had been some way to hang the banners, but they still looked neat.

The show was held inside a Tutor Time in Gilbert, and we were able to use the space as needed, so there were different size and shape tables to choose from. The big round table made a great spot for our dress form! (I think she needs a name. Suggestions?)

And we were able to take ALL of the kid and baby stuff this time!

It's Show Season!

(Oh, look! We still have a blog!)

It's that time of year again, when the weather starts moving away from stupid-hot and people start thinking about the holidays. It's...show season!

We took part in our first show of the season - Aim High, at the Wigwam Resort - about a week and a half ago. It was great to get out and have the chance to visit with people, and we met some really great new friends, too!

For the Aim High show we were limited to a six foot table and a few other vendors had arrived with kid's clothing, so we limited our offerings to primarily non-kids things. I was surprised by how many people we ended up talking to about our kid's stuff, though.

We debuted Benah's new coaster sets at the show, along with some new bag designs and newly redesigned packaging on our soaps. They were yummy before, but now they're extra-super-cute, too.

We had some fun new aprons, and debuted our new pillow covers, too. (Mom did some seriously gorgeous work on those pillows in the front basket. Photographs do *not* do them justice.)

We also had some new wall signs and all of our new tote bags in attendance.

We're putting a few new listings into place, but pretty much everything is available in our main shop or home shop.

Busy, Busy, Busy

It feels like it's been ages since I've posted... I'd feel like a wretched blogger, if it wasn't because I'd just been so busy. Some personal stuff, lots of shop stuff, but busy, no matter how you look at it.

A few pretty pictures of new stuff:

Mom and I have been working on some cute little zippered pouches, and they're all listed in the shop. Mom took special care with the rooster bag. Isn't he fabulous?

And I stitched up some aprons out of the owl fabric (and it's friends), and got those listed, as well. The owl apron sold within minutes of listing. WOW! I've never had something go so quickly! It was really flattering. :)

Given the response to that fabric every time I use it, I should hunt down some more. I only have a little bit left...

AND! Big news!

We've split the shop in two. All of the clothing, accessories, baby care and personal items are still listed in the original frog loves monkey Etsy shop. But, since it seemed to be getting a bit cluttered, decorative items like pillow covers, pot holders, bunting and wall art have been moved over to the new frog loves monkey HOME shop. We're working to flesh it out and fill it up, and there should be all kinds of neat new items over there soon. :)

Craft Hope: Project 17 (Part III)

(If you want to see where this started, see Part I and Part II.)

The Craft Hope aprons are coming along nicely. The seven pictured above are done and packed up, there are four more sitting on my sewing table *thisclose* to being finished, and there are two more cut out and waiting to be stitched together. I'd set an unofficial goal of twelve aprons, so it would awesome if I could get these last few stitched up in time.

People have been posting quite a few awesome aprons over on the Craft Hope facebook event page. I just discovered that there's a Craft Hope flickr page, too.

One surprise, one of the aprons that I made was featured over on the Craft Gossip blog. That was super flattering. :)

Only a few more days to go, and I'll have these babies in the mail and post a recap.

Craft Hope: Project 17 (Part II)

The first of the aprons is done!

I've made aprons before, but I'm kind of letting the fabrics speak to me on these, so they're each coming along at their own pace and in their own way. I'm pleased with how the first turned out. :)

It's kind of a "craft" style apron, with the bottom owl fabric divided into three deep pockets across the front. I figure that will allow the wearer plenty of room for cooking gear, craft supplies (because those are being carried over, too), or whatever she might need to get out of her hands in a moments notice. Pockets are lined, and the body of the apron is lined, too. Everything is double stitched. I wanted this puppy to be *sturdy*, so it can provide lots of use.

Want to see what other people are sending in? There are even tutorials, to get you inspired. ;)

Jenn at Things That Make...Life Worth Living is going great guns on her aprons. She's even making them reversible!

Kristin posted a great picture of her apron on the Craft Hope facebook page, and linked to the tutorial she used, here.

Amber at Obsessive Compulsive Randomosity made a super cute apron out of a fat quarter (!!) and gives a tutorial on it, too.

Craft Hope is collecting aprons until the end of the month (though Haiti by Hand, who is delivering the aprons, will be collecting through June), so I'm sure there will be more great aprons and tutorials posted!

Craft Hope: Project 17 (Part I)

About a year or so ago (maybe it was closer to two?), I stumbled over Craft Hope. I don't remember how anymore, but I was terribly impressed with the work that they do, and how their movement seems to be growing by leaps and bounds with each new project that they take on.

I haven't been able to take part in every project, but the kids and I did some work on Project 12. (Blogged about that on my personal blog, here and here.)

The best reason that I can give for taking part in outreach projects like this is still how I stated it originally: "There are many days that I'm reminded that, as little as it feels like we have some times, as tight as our budget might be, we are SO SO SO very lucky to have the lives that we have here. And I like the idea of being able to share...something...with someone else who might need it. I can't donate large funds, but I can make stuff with my hands and my heart."

With Project 17: Aprons for Haiti, I felt called to jump in, again. I'm considering this a frog loves monkey outreach opportunity because, when I mentioned it to Mom (somewhat apologetically, because we have so many plans for things we haven't gotten to yet), she was totally, 100% on board.

So, we're making aprons! And lots of them, hopefully.

I picked up two fabric bundles yesterday, specifically for the project.

I LOVE the colors in this bundle. They're so bright and happy!

And this set really called out to me. I think the owls are adorable, and I absolutely adore the plaid. One thing that's interesting about this set is that it's a tiny bit metallic, which I didn't originally notice. The green fabric is printed with slightly metallic butterflies (almost impossible to see in the photo, even though there was great natural light), and the blue feathers in the feather fabric is slightly silver. It's kind of neat. Not glaringly metallic at all.

I've already started cutting fabric and hope to start cranking out aprons pretty much immediately.

Want to get involved? Check out the Craft Hope facebook page (their main site was often-hacked and is being reconstructed at the moment), and look for the info on the Events page. I believe the mailing deadline is the last day of May, so there's still time to get an apron stitched up and in the mail!