Little Grey House

Come See Me

2010-11-09T09:47:00.001-08:00

Please visit my shop at

www.littlegreyhouse.etsy.com

I would love to see you there!

Funny. Or not.

2010-03-20T18:52:00.001-07:00

Really? January 23rd? Two months later and I'm coming back to the post to admit that I struggle enough with this blog to just say it. It's boring and I know it.

All my new projects eventually make it to the gallery (gallery.me.com/kimmullen) and it would be nice if there were time to post them all there. (Aaah, to have that kind of time. How some etsy ladies to it, I have NO idea.)

Thanks for your patience with me, you kind people.

Earlier Than I Thought

2010-01-23T11:48:00.000-08:00

I know, I said February 9. But then Laine's preschool teacher so kindly sent an email about the shop, and I felt like those moms needed to see something instead of an empty store. Thus, the reopening and it's been good.

It's prompted me to organize the shop and add some listings that I knew needed to be added (like the $2 fee for long names, I hated doing it, but I had to.)

And to see all the new fabrics on there is fun. I didn't realize how much I had made from the paisley set until I see it everywhere on the shop. That's fine, it's pretty cute.

I'm adding washcloths, placemats, and snack bags soon, although orders are coming in and I'm already getting behind :(

Plus, I am planning on making a quilt for Mom as soon as her fabric arrives. She picked the My Happy Garden set (see it here) and I hope I can do it justice. I'm really excited about the biggest quilt I've ever done. We're going to use this pattern and we'll see how it goes. You might see it again in the shop, I hope I hope...

A Long Wait

2010-01-19T02:32:00.000-08:00

A new year brought a surge of motivation and I have been reorganizing the house, reorganizing my life, and mentally reorganizing the shop. I've been sewing new projects (some I've realized I love, some not so much) and ordering fabrics.

It's been a peaceful month.

Tuesday, February 9th I'll open up and you can join me then to see the placemats, washcloths, snack bags, and zippered pouches! Plus the classics.

I'm working on a quilt for my mom and going on a trip until then. I know, it's a long wait but I think it was necessary move with 2 small children and a house that was driving me crazy.

See you on the 9th! Enjoy a sneak peek :)

A sigh

2009-12-01T03:33:00.000-08:00

It's colder here this year so I'm all ready and decorated (except for the dozens of gifts I need to make!)

You may see on the store that we're taking a small break until the New Year. I realize it's not the most useful way to gain exposure to your shop, but hope this will only make the store better in the long run.

Thanks for your patience and I am excited about launching some new products in January.

Merry Christmas!

New Fabric!

2009-10-16T03:40:00.001-07:00

I'll use this site to post new fabrics and such. See my personal site if you're interested in everything else :)

Look at this.

Blossom Lane by Wendy Bentley.

Slowly

2009-10-07T03:25:00.001-07:00

I took the blog link off the store site and just checked Google Analytics only to realize there are a few visitors everyday, so I better get my act together. For those few, you can join my personal blog at web.mac.com/kimmullen and keep up with what's happening for real.

I have been organizing the hundreds of pictures that I have of projects, which should make conversing with people over email much easier. Especially since the bulk of my projects aren't on the store, this should help.

For quilts, see http://gallery.me.com/kimmullen/100080

For burp cloths, see http://gallery.me.com/kimmullen/100119

For lovies, see http://gallery.me.com/kimmullen/100130

For blankets, see http://gallery.me.com/kimmullen/100153

and for fabrics! see http://gallery.me.com/kimmullen/100190

Let me know if you want to see tees, bibs, credit card pouches, towels, and extras albums!

And I've included a pic of my new favorite coaster.

I'm Sticking To It

2009-09-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

I changed my banner back. People were asking about it, it was calling me and I couldn't resist anymore. Plus, I have been cuuurazy busy here and spending so much time in the shop made me wish I had the green to look at all day.

So I did it. And I feel much better. :)

Ready

2009-08-25T10:22:00.001-07:00

It took some trail and error but here they are. Soon to be shop ready.

Pick your Fav and enter to win a prize!

2009-08-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

OK, I decided to let you pick.

Leave a comment to let me know which you like best. I'll randomly pick a winner in 2 weeks (Thursday the 3rd) for a free beach or bath towel with your name on it. :)

And be honest!

Resisting

2009-08-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

So, sales were down in the shop and I couldn't figure out any reason why there would've been such a change.

Several people suggested that I try going back to the old banner. Ugh, it was a hard change. I do like my house banner. But I am pretty much in double dip love with my new green banner.

So I changed it back and, I'll be, orders are picking up. Really? Is the old banner better for sales?

I'm resisting the urge to move back to the green but will keep it the house if that's the best thing. But don't be surprised if one day you visit and I've put it back for a second. :)

a little pocket

2009-08-12T04:28:00.001-07:00

Here's round one.

Just a couple refinements next time and I think I have it.

I'm glad I figured out how to use these, my old one officially broke Monday and I'm addicted to the functionality of these little things.

Look for them in the store soon (after a few more rough drafts :)

Playing

2009-08-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

So, Happy had surgery on his shoulder the same day his new Canon came in. He asked me to break it in. Sweet man.

Here's Laine this afternoon. She has tons of one worders but no two together until just before her nap today. Clear as day, she says "gentle touches." I melted.

And I'll include maybe my favorite picture ever of Elise from last night. It's true, sweet Elise.

Aaah, the joy of a (nice!) camera to play with! I'm drooling!

I'm working on a blanket so I can get some photos of it with this camera and then I'm serious about getting these credit card pockets ready.

a line of sweet things

2009-08-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

Congrats, Laura! Random.org picked you for the free towel!

I'm busy catching up on recent orders and had several to take photographs of before I send them off. Our neighbor, Ms. Dot, says I can use her clothes line so Elise and I enjoyed spending some time in her back yard, which somehow feels more like the country than urban Charlotte. Isn't this picture wonderful?

a little pocket

2009-08-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

Many, many months ago, I bought something called a Pretty Pocket from the Busy B Aprons etsy shop. I am absolutely addicted to mine and it is TIRED.

Something happened and they closed shop, opened another e-store not through etsy, and wouldn't respond to my many emails saying "can i please please have another one?" Finally she responded and said they weren't selling them anymore. OK.

No one makes them like this on etsy (can you believe that??) except ME!!!! I'm going to Mary Jo's today and I'm going to find some laminated cotton and sew up some of these for the shop. Go ahead and tell your credit cards to pack up for a move :)

p.s. Coming soonish - reuseable sandwich and snack bags.

And seriously! A free towel!!

seriously. use this person.

2009-07-31T05:12:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking about a new banner and etsy package for a long time. My sweet little house served me well, but the shop took a turn to the funky side and my banner needed a facelift. And boy did it get one. Let me introduce you to the new LGH.

Renee Thompson at thompsondesigns.etsy.com - she is professional, nice, and (clearly) SO talented! And she designed that green background. Seriously.

Books

2009-07-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

I don't know how, we never managed to get a library card. Probably because I love a good trip to Borders and usually come out with whatever I "needed." But my friend Melissa reminded me by her excellent example that the library is there to be a service and, in the current reevaluation of our lifestyle, I was happy to gather the little chicks up and head to our local branch.

Elise walked out with 5 books and I am re-reading (in ALL my spare time) In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant. I loved that book the first time and have 3 weeks to love it again, so I better hurry!

Here's one of my favorite pictures maybe of all time. Elise is a growing girl.

** The free giveaway is 5 days away **

drunkencows

2009-07-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Look. at this.

You really have to look at her website and her etsy shop. She says she paints these "fast." Can you imagine possessing that kind of talent? How do you harness it in without having a paintbrush in your hand the whole entire day? AND she has 3 kids.

This may be the inspiration for a quilt-of-a-kind one day. Truly. After the other 15 quilts that I'm dying to get started on...

this worked

2009-07-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

Tallcloverfarm's strategy works. This morning most of the peaches were perfect.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

The first little giveaway :)

2009-07-28T14:21:00.001-07:00

Who wants a personalized beach towel? This is a 5' thin towel (pink with orange trim, too cute) and I'll put your name or initials on it in this GORGEOUS Waltzing Matilda print if you win. And ship it for free :)

To enter,

1. follow my blog (if you want to)

2. that's it.

Then comment and tell me you did it so I can contact you when the winner is picked next Tuesday, August 4th.

the joy of a peach

2009-07-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

Kate brought me some peaches on their way up from ATL Saturday. Very nice. I am ready to enjoy them but the feeling is not mutual so I was looking for ways to ripen them other than the paper bag, which always leaves them mushy.

Here's what I discovered from this great food blog straight from the Washington coast.

Place them stem down on a cotton or linen towel, not touching. Cover with another linen or cotton towel and wait a few days. Then enjoy.

a new shirt and a pretty breakfast

2009-07-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

Saw these shirts at Target (if shirts were easier to keep in stock - colors, sizes) I would totally do these in the shop. I love having the whole name on a shirt - it feels more personal than an initial and it's just cute. too cute. (If you have a shirt and want to mail it to me, convo or email me and I'll put the name on there.)

Maybe she just waited to show off her new shirt before she started walking...she's walking everywhere today!

. . .

At breakfast, Laine's eggs looked pretty on her placemat. The girls got these from The Land of Nod for Christmas. There's some dang adorable things in there.

A Little Bit Boring

2009-07-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

It hit me today. This blog is boring. I need to include fun stuff that people are interested in, so here it is.

But before we start, I have a question. Truly. How do people have the time to raise small children, sew, sell, clean, cook, buy, and blog the right way?? I need a lesson. But I'll try.

What better day to start than today, when my 19 month old took her first steps?! We (and her awesome physical therapist, Keri) have been working with her since she wasn't standing at 12 months to gain strength in her lower body and confidence to get the walking done. So here she is, at her great grandmother's house (yay!) as clear as my phone would do it.

Very exciting. And we're so glad it happened on a visit to Stuart's grandmothers. Great memories to have from there.

Lovin' this Lovie

2009-07-17T06:57:00.001-07:00

So I got the David Walker Rocket fabrics in. They were cute when they got here but they're even cuter all put together and finished. Can you get over this lovie?

I love the big initial (again)

the back:

And put it with this burp cloth set and you have a pretty great gift...

Another New Blanket

2009-07-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this blanket! Ignore the safety pins (I'm not quite done) but look at this! I thought of this idea for something simple to do and this summer quilt (lined with 2 layers of thin, soft cotton) is the perfect weight. Perfect. I'm excited about this one. But next time I might do white instead of pink on the front, it is very pink.

A New Blanket

2009-07-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

We've been busy filling tons of orders for burp cloths especially (yay! - These are just plain cute.) Ashley, who gave me the inspiration to do a simple, clean, soft burp cloth, also ordered a blanket for a friend. You might see more of these in the shop. It was fun to make and it's nice and full and perfect for a little baby to lie and gaze at the stars (or ceiling). Plus, a tie for transportation makes it easy and parent friendly. I hope her friend loves it and I think she will.

For the Grandparents

2009-07-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

My friend Randy Kate always helps me think of the greatest things. The first ever name burp cloth was done for her, and she wanted to give these to her parents (with their grandparent names) as a thank you for beach time. What grandparent wouldn't use these towels proudly?

AND, take a look at her fabrics. This is new for the towels and I really love the purple with this more adult pink.

A Big Little Statement

2009-06-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

These bibs are little. They are true to their "small baby bib" title. But. Everytime I make one, I'm impressed with the simplicity of it and how it evolves into a truly sweet, fun little thing. One brown letter and a bib. And some kind of sweetness all fastened up with an ultra perfect label.

Heaven

2009-06-11T04:48:00.000-07:00

I love to quilt. It's my favorite part of sewing probably, just sitting with all those fabrics draped over you, needle in hand. It's a big sacrifice of running the shop, not having the time to quilt anymore. But I can read!

I am so addicted to these quilting books. I could seriously buy a new one every week and devour every page. This one is truly spectacular. There are some unbelievable takes on antique quilts in there (LOOK at the gorgeousness on the cover).

I flip through these pages and dream about having the time to put one of these together. Just the 18 coordinating fabric selections might take a week. Then I can't imagine how many hours are to be spent cutting, compiling, arranging, and hand sewing this quilt. There are 384 blades alone.

But I'm gonna do it one day. For sure.

Finally

2009-06-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Poor Elise. I'm sewing away every day and she says, "Mom, can I have a towel?" So she finally got her towel, and she got to pick out the fabric and everything.

I thought she made a good choice but I should've backed it with a solid green or something. I didn't think about that until it was done and now I'll look at it all summer wondering why in the world that cute green isn't back there.

Good thing she's 4 and thinks it's just perfect the way it is!

More Sweet Dish Towels

2009-06-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

I just wish these weren't so time consuming. I feel like I have to charge so much to get my time out of them, but when I finish, they turn out so so cute.

I'm getting caught up!! Be on the lookout for some new products that I am very excited about. Very fun, sweet stuff.

new tags!

2009-05-29T02:56:00.001-07:00

I think I'm in love.

Check out these labels that Julie at www.bohtieque.etsy.com is printing up for me. I'm planning on using them for shipping and to tie onto completed projects. I always feel like there's something missing when I send something out and it just has a little handwritten tag on it.

She gets the award for fastest response. I sent the email and - no kidding - 5 minutes later had the PROOF in my inbox. Got to love that, and I do :)

Orders and Joy

2009-05-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

It's a fun thing, working on this Little Grey House. We got a new Vizsla puppy and my husband is having fun with Cowboy - here's his cute picture -

but I have to admit that no one's having as much fun as I am, sewing all these cute things for people who appreciate cute things.

I hope that my customers can appreciate these items for the care that I put into them, and if anything is not up to their hopes and expectations, I will do what I can to remedy that. It's harder than I thought to make things, then send them off to someone I don't know and never know the stories of them...which little babies are cuddling their lovies or how much someone's mom might have loved their dish towel. I just trust that people love using them as much as I love making them.

This is One Cute Burp Cloth

2009-05-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

I have some space to learn about pictures. These photos do not do this burp cloth justice. I was worried that the print was too busy, but I decided to use a contrasting fabric and it turned out pretty much the cutest thing ever.

And I know I keep talking about it, but these really are so so soft.

These Dish Towels

2009-05-07T17:35:00.000-07:00

I've posted on this before but these dish towels are a hit and with good reason. I hated to, but I had to increase the price. They just take so much time.

Be on the lookout for more groupings - lately I've made some for Mother's Day (see "GiGi" up top) and it's a great gift for a new mom of three, who already has all the baby supplies she could need.

What else? Let me know.

Turns Out...

2009-04-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

So I just figured out the whole Google Analytics thing for the blog. Thanks to this great post. Honestly, I didn't think anyone was really reading it but it turns out there a quite a few people on it everyday. Nice.

So I'll pay more attention. And offer more goodies. And post more ideas.

I reorganized the workshop today, although my husband and I like to refer to it as the studio because that sounds so big time. I piled up my fabrics and put cute little jars and things to hold the seam rippers and such. It will be perfect after a run to IKEA which really isn't in the near future if I'm being completely honest. I am so happy he doesn't mind the hum of my machine while he's trying to watch The Deadliest Catch or something truly manly. If I had to work upstairs, I would be fine but not nearly as happy as I am in the thick of it all down here.

I'm happy with the result and I think it will help me organize my thoughts and dreams on what to make next, as organizing usually does for me. Let's hope it works on this because I really love to sew and I always prefer to be sewing on extra beautiful, worthwhile things.

Burp Cloths

2009-04-28T17:50:00.001-07:00

These really are the softest burp cloths I've ever come across. It's not false advertising. And finding great, soft fabrics to accompany them is FUN!

Two Boys

2009-04-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

So I enjoyed making the Two Girls Towel and then a customer emailed me and asked if I could do two boys. It was fun but I had no idea how to sew a boy's head until I realized he needed EARS! Then it all came together. She saw the proof today and was excited, yay!

The Sweetest Blanket

2009-04-27T18:00:00.001-07:00

How do you take photos of things and give them the justice they deserve? This blanket was my first attempt at replicating one that Elise used and loved. A soft, summer blanket, it's bound by chenille and the fabrics are just the most beautiful thing (I still have some practice to do ont he binding!) The back is lined with a micro polka dot and I do so wish the colors came out better in the photos:

Busy

2009-04-20T04:50:00.000-07:00

I have been busy busy with some beach towels! I am hoping to get some baby blankets made and some mother's day pillows done but for now I'm working on towels for little ones. In fact, I'm almost out of pink stripes so if you know somewhere that has them, let me know!

Two Girls

2009-04-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

After a good conversation with Jeanene, wondering how I can get material that I am excited about, I realized I can find inspiration anywhere. I realized I can take my mom's passion for pictures of people from behind and put them in fabric. I appreciate that I can take pretty much anything I love, any concept or photo and use fabric to put it in another form.

These girls came from that, and I really love them. I mean, really. I love their dresses, their friendship, their quiet contemplation. You will be seeing more of these girls. (I did buy skin colored fabric for next time!)

Free Hand

2009-04-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

I'm using my old clunkety Kenmore sewing machine for the free stitching like I did on the sugar towel. I used it on Smith's lovie and I think it looks great. (You might too if I took a decent picture of it!)

dish towels

2009-04-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

If you're like me and my sister, you really love dish towels.

In an effort to find something that I could do in a little less time, I came up with this - the first of the dish towel series. Cute, huh? I've got a few other idea rolling around but we'll see what happens.

new photos of old stuff

2009-04-01T16:46:00.001-07:00

I love this little bird talking lgh speak. I wish this was big and clear enough that I could use it for my atavar, wouldn't that be perfect?

I am into stacking. It's so fun to see all those sweet things all stacked up

and getting along so well with each other.

Here's the bird quilt looking good on the chair. I am still looking for the best way to photograph these quilts. Any ideas?

Oh. My.

2009-03-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

I just set up shop on etsy. I almost can't believe that my stuff is on the same website that I've been staring and drooling at all those beautiful things for so long.

I'm learning for sure but I think this is going to be fun.

banners and blogs

2009-03-26T04:26:00.001-07:00

I am having a time with blogspot. After using iWeb (maybe I am a mac snob after all), I am struggling with how to use this and make it pretty. I would love any help with how to take some good pictures of products and how to use this blasted blog format.

And, you may notice (I'm sure you did!) my new banner. Kimberly Pritchard from ohkimma (www.ohkimma.etsy.com) worked really hard and I think it's fun and sweet. She was great to work with and if you're thinking of opening an etsy shop and need banners, atavars, or placeholders, use her.

sachets

2009-03-26T04:20:00.000-07:00

These were the party favors for Jessica's Bridal Shower (wedding this weekend!!) but I'm still relishing in how much fun it was to make them. I filled them with a soft, clean fragrance and then gave them as Valentine's. Lots and lots of sweet fun.

The Latest

2009-03-25T19:02:00.001-07:00

These beach towels are a hit now. I'll post 2 more tomorrow but look HOW cute.

Lovies

2009-03-25T18:58:00.000-07:00

My daughter Laine loves her little blanket so much that I had to learn how to recreate them.

Bedside Tea Coasters

2009-03-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

These are really fun.

Who wouldn't love a monogrammed coaster for their bedside?

Quilts

2009-03-25T18:21:00.001-07:00

Quilts. And why.

This is the quilt that did it. Ashley went and had a baby girl and I created this quilt from her baby shower. We all wrote down one word wishes and thoughts for her and I put them on the quilt. I loved doing this one.

Then Jennifer went and had a baby and I just had to take the bird motif

from her baby shower invitation and put them on a quilt. This one, also, really fun.

The Adoption Quilt

We welcome Baby Z into our community from Ethiopia.

I made this quilt out of the colors of the Ethiopian flag. Next time I'll

figure out a way to involve some more feminine elements although I'm

sure her 2 older brothers are perfectly happy with the result.

The Farewell Quilt

It was hard to say good bye to Kate and Alex when they left in November. This wall hanging represents our little community, our girls, our husbands as the trees, and - again - words that we had shared to

capture the beauty of her.

Two Birds

So, I'm asked to do a quilt and of course I see the one in Joelle Hoverson's "Last Minute Patchwork" book and I just had to do it. Turns out the "short cut" she suggested was more complicated than just doing the turn-down applique, which is what I ended up doing. I felt much better about that and am really so happy with how it turned out. Next time I'll probably machine stitch the tree to bind it, and maybe I could make it look more like a tree trunk with the stitching. We'll see.

Post. Number. One

2009-03-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

Here we are. Soon to be open and ready. Get ready to get your cute things.