Silence on here for more than three days really gets to me, so in-between jamming out to Blake Shelton and cleaning up the apartment, I got the motivation to do a quick vlog (six minutes). Just to update you all on things that are going on, and what’s keeping me from blogging on a regular basis. Plus, get a sneak peak at the wreaths I’ve been working on for the Etsy shop and a look at a project that I started working on one year ago.

Happy Wednesday!

Posted on May 23, 2013 - 19 comments
 Filed Under: Etsy Shop, Home Videos, My Life, Second Apartment

I’M STARTING AN ETSY SHOP! I’ve been saying that I wanted to open an Etsy shop since I started this blog back in August of 2011. I have yet to do so after a year in a half… but that’s all going to change! I’ve decided to finally plunge into Etsy land and get my shop rolling. I’m going to start out selling wreaths, and then ease my way into other things like prints and graphic/web design services. I’m looking at a launch date of March 2013, since I have loads of work to do beforehand.

I started off by brainstorming which wreaths I want to make for the shop. I’m going to launch the shop with 6-12 pre-wreaths. Eventually, I will add custom wreath options, but with my current schedule and space in our apartment, I can’t do so right away. But I already thought of six new designs, one that you’ve seen before. I’m really excited about them though! I want one of each for myself!

I actually used a $50 gift card from my Parent’s that I received for Christmas to start off the little shop business. Michael’s was having a sale on felt (buy 1, get 1 50% off) and on ribbon (buy 2, get 1 free) so it was the PERFECT time for me to stock on on supplies. (I still need to find some discounted wreath forms though, or just go into Michael’s everyday and buy 1 form, with a 40% off coupon). I ended up buying a TON of felt, six different kinds of ribbon, glitter, glitter adhesive and a letter “L” for a monogram wreath.

Because of all of the felt I bought, my receipt was HUGE! It was as tall as I am, and even the cashier said, “That’s some receipt!” I also learned while at the register that I can’t say “wreath” normally. She asked what I needed all of the felt for, and I stumbled over the word wreath twice. *facepalm*. I blame my PA Dutchness. The best part about the whole thing though was that I still have $5 and some change left on my gift card after all of that.

Now the labor intensive work begins. It’s time to cut up all of this felt into circles, triangles and whatever else I need. I got about 10 sheets of white felt done while Travis was cooking dinner, but I have a long way to go!

Any tips from fellow Etsy shop owners are MORE than welcome! Advice on shipping costs and methods as well! No idea where I’m going to find boxes, since I dont’ think the large flat rate USPS boxes will be big enough.

Posted on May 23, 2013 - 25 comments
 Filed Under: My Life

Christmas break has flown by, faster than any year I can remember. I’ve also been sick for the past couple days, so I’m going to recap Christmas break real quick, so I can get back to naps and watching bad romantic comedy movies on tv. Last Friday, the 2st, was spent at the family business’ Christmas party which was held at my Aunt & Uncle’s house.

Christmas Eve was spent at my Grandma & Grandpa’s house where we chowed down and exchanged Christmas gifts. Here is an awesome panoramic view of the night thanks to Travis’ iPhone.

On Christmas morning we opened presents at home. Coco loved her new bunny.

Afterwards, we went to my parent’s to eat breakfast and exchange gifts. Here were the gifts we got my brother, which Travis picked out.

My mom even sent us home with freshly backed Christmas cookies, yum!

Travis got tons of awesome stuff for our future basement/man cave. Like this mini hot sauce bottle…

And this huge beer periodic table poster.

After my parents we went to Travis’ Mems for a few hours, followed by his Moms, where we played a bunch of games and just hung out.

How was your Christmas?

Posted on May 23, 2013 - 7 comments
 Filed Under: Holidays, My Life