Come See Me

Please visit my shop at

www.littlegreyhouse.etsy.com

I would love to see you there!

Funny. Or not.

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

Pick your Fav and enter to win a prize!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

The first little giveaway :)

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.