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so I've been testing out a smaller size clutch (6 inches) with a couple clients who have asked for bags that could work for a junior bridesmaid/flower girl gift.  I've decided to add them to the shop since they've gotten such a great response.  

I'll be carrying them in both the antique brass and silver, and they come with chains (which are removable), which will make it easier for the younger ladies to carry.  question for anyone who actually reads this- would you like the option of having a chain on the regular size bag?  I know when I carry a clutch I don't expect it to have a chain, but it might be nice to have your hands free to hold a glass or two of wine, right? (I've been craving alcohol lately- knowing that I'm reaching the end of my 10 months of pregnancy has me itching for an ice cold glass of savignon blanc. or a beer. or whiskey- I'm not going to be too particular. :)

thanks for your input!!!

hope all my USA friends are having a wonderful long weekend and enjoying a relaxing holiday with friends and family. thank you to all who serve and have served our country- we wouldn't be celebrating without you.

although I'm not on twitter very much these days since work has just been crazy (both in the office and at the home studio) I miss it and am so glad that for a few short months last year I had the time to start building relationships with some really awesome people in the wedding world.  one of the lovely ladies I met was Alison of Engaged & Inspired fame.  love pretty details, real weddings and stunning images? just make sure your pinterest account is up and running so you can save everything to your inspiration folder. :)

I was honored when she asked me to make the clutches for her bridal party and just had to share one of the photos that was taken by Jason & Anna (her wedding photographers) that day. do yourself a favor and head on over to check out the rest of her amazing, DIY wedding. seriously, go now. :)

I love giving things away - it is so fun! so, this week we've teamed up with Collared Greens to give one lucky Southern Weddings reader a fun little prize: a matching clutch and bow tie. c'mon, admit it- you like matching with your beau. i'm not talking brazenly matched air brushed t-shirts that you bought on your last trip to Panama City, but something simple and classy that accessorizes the already fabulous dress/suit that you're sporting to a friend's wedding.

head on over to Southern Weddings website and get the gist on how to enter.  good luck and can't wait to find out who the winner will be! :)

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I just found out that my husband isn't a huge fan of chevron stripes...this he decides to tell me after the bumpers and crib skirt are already made.  considering that the fabric was ok'd (by him) before purchase he's just SOL. plus- who do you think really cares more about the patterns in the nursery, me or him?  it was funny though when he asked what fabric I chose for the diaper bag and I casually mentioned yellow chevron stripes. his reaction was something like this (at 30 seconds in...) seriously, is that not the funniest video?

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oh, and sidenote- hello chevron clutch! might need to add one of these beauties to the shop soon!

I still need to decide if I'm going to make a couple of crib sheets or if I'm just going to cross my fingers and hope that I get the zip sheets on my registry. seems like it will make nighttime sheet changes so much easier with the zips, and I am not willing to tackle that as a DIY project. my list of things I want to do/make before baby p's arrival cannot grow any longer (unless I get to have extra hours in my day- I'd like at least 4 more please!)

anywho- my friend Randi, over at The Homemade Parade, and I were talking about my plans to make the crib bedding and how frustrating it can be to have a crib skirt that works perfectly at one mattress setting only to have it be too short/long once you have to change it as your child grows.  she mentioned a blog, Urban Grace, that she reads where the writer figured out how to eliminate this issue by creating panels that tie to the mattress base.  that way you just have to untie the panels and reposition when it's time to lower the mattress so your kid doesn't climb out of the bed. genius, I tell you! I decided to give it a go and it worked fabulously! mine are straight, flat panels which I prefer with the patterned fabric I bought, but this would easily work with ruffled or pleated skirts too.

thanks for the find, Randi!! :)

Collared Greens the clothing company, not collard greens the food. although I could go for some collard greens, cornbread and fried okra right about now... don't judge- I'm pregnant and hungry all the time!!! :)

wanted to show you all the new design for summer that Collared Greens is rolling out- I think it looks awesome on the clutch- the perfect pop of color to compliment your warm weather duds.

and get excited- next week starts the first of the summer giveaways and it's a fun one. I'll announce more details Monday so stay tuned!!!

now I fully understand why IKEA has such low prices.  when we opened up the boxes containing the pieces for our Edland dresser, I just laughed.  it was either that or start crying.  I'd already printed off the 32 pages of directions and knew it was going to be a process, but until actually looking at all the pieces laid out in front of me I didn't realize just how much of a pain in the butt it was going to be. 

mind you, we (really Joey) had already conquered the crib, which went together relatively easily, so we're feeling good about our assembly skills. I left Joey to work on the dresser while I got some clutch orders started.  figured it was a safer bet than standing in the doorway and watching him get increasingly frustrated. good call, mckay, good call.

after a couple of hours and plenty of stripped screws later (seriously, cheap hardware, Joey was hand screwing these suckers in and the tops still just disintegrated) it was time for a break.  realizing that sometime before we got the 300+ screws in place (no joke) the furniture would be in the garbage, and my husband would have lost his sanity, I decided to look to the professionals.

found a retired handyman on craigslist, paid him $75 and he and his son came over yesterday and put it all together in about 2.5 hours.  2.5 hours with 2 people that build IKEA furniture for fun would have equated to at least 4 days and a couple heading for divorce if we had tried to finish it. best money I've spent in a long, long time. :)

see the hint of baby bedding in the crib? can't wait to share all the finished photos of that soon!

what do you guys think? i'm in love!